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We tested heat guns from brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Porter-Cable, Wagner, and more to find the best tool for your crafting or home improvement needs
Our lineup includes the most popular corded and cordless heat guns available today.
After comparing the top models on the market, we purchased the best 11 heat guns to test side-by-side to help you find the perfect one for your next DIY project. Our team of tool experts measured and compared the thermal characteristics of each heat gun, examined their ergonomics, and considered their overall ease of use. We stripped paint, shrunk heat shrink tubing, cured embossing powders, and de-bubbled resin to test these heat guns in their natural environment. So whether you need a new one of these specialty tools for home renovations or a future art project, our in-depth review will help you find the perfect heat gun for your needs and budget.
We've tested a variety of the best tools for your home improvement and DIY projects. Whether you need the best utility knife or a top impact driver, or are curious as to our favorite safety glasses to up your PPE game, our reviews will help you find the perfect tool for your needs.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on July 4, 2023, to adjust our scoring metrics and to add new products from DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Wagner.
Power: 20V DeWalt battery | Temperature Settings: 550/990°F
REASONS TO BUY
Dual-temperature
Lightweight
Convenient
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Limited 40-minute runtime
The DeWalt Cordless Heat Gun is a game-changer for professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you're working in tight spaces or tackling outdoor projects, the absence of a power cord allows for impressive maneuverability with little to no compromise on performance. It offers a wide temperature range, with a low setting from 550°F to a high setting of 990°F, making it suitable for a wide variety of applications. From removing paint and adhesives to shaping plastic and soldering, the DeWalt's heating performance ensures you have the right amount of heat for each job. And the heat gun heats up rapidly, minimizing downtime and allowing you to get to work quickly. With its sleek and ergonomic design, this heat gun fits comfortably in your hand, ensuring prolonged use is comfortable and fatigue-free.
Although the DeWalt Cordless Heat Gun is easily one of our favorites, it does require batteries and has a limited runtime compared to corded models. It is also significantly more expensive than the corded options we tested, especially when you start considering larger-capacity batteries, which are sold separately. Of course, if you are already in the DeWalt family and have other cordless tools at home, batteries can easily be swapped between tools, easing the expense a bit for brand-loyal customers.
The DeWalt 20v Cordless Heat Gun is a convenient and capable model.
Power: 1500 Watts | Temperature Settings: 120/1150°F
REASONS TO BUY
Wide temperature range
Great heating performance
Ergonomic design
REASONS TO AVOID
More expensive than comparable corded models
No diffusers included
The Porter-Cable PC1500HG Heat Gun is an excellent tool that delivers impressive performance and versatility, whether you're working on DIY projects or tackling professional tasks. With a variable temperature control and a maximum temperature of 1,150°F, it provides ample heat for a wide range of applications like paint stripping, thawing pipes, and bending plastics. The gun heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature throughout the task, ensuring efficient and precise results. The PC1500HG offers an ergonomic design with a well-balanced handle that reduces fatigue and enhances user comfort during extended use — it even includes a built-in stand, allowing you to conveniently rest it on a surface when not in use.
The Porter-Cable Heat Gun is one of the larger and heavier products we tested, so it isn't the best if you primarily use a heat gun for smaller or more delicate tasks. This product also doesn't include any diffusers or nozzles, though compatible ones can be purchased separately. These small criticisms aside, this heavy-duty heat gun is a top-notch tool that combines power, durability, and user-friendly features, making it an excellent addition to any toolbox or workshop.
We like the rubberized exterior and wide temperature range of the Porter-Cable heat gun for heavy-duty applications.
Power: 1200 Watts | Temperature Settings: 750/1000°F
REASONS TO BUY
Dual-temperature settings
Well balanced
Simple design and operation
Built-in storage hook
REASONS TO AVOID
No diffusers included
The Wagner Furno 300 is a great option if you need a solid heat gun on a budget. This workhorse offers two different temperature settings integrated with two specific blower settings. With a maximum temperature of 1000°F, it offers more than enough heat to melt adhesives and strip paint, but it can also handle lower-heat DIY crafts. The all-plastic handle has a molded texture for better grip than comparable budget models, and its 6'6" cord is longer than many other models we tested. The cord also has a handy, integrated hanging loop for storage.
The Wagner Furno 300 doesn't include any nozzles or diffusers. That shouldn't keep you from completing most jobs, but if you need them, these accessories can be purchased separately. This model is relatively stable if you need to set it down, but it is not the most well-balanced cordless model we tested. While a rubberized material on the handle should make it slightly more ergonomic, the grip is only adequately comfortable. However, the simplicity of this easy-to-use, capable heat gun makes it an excellent recommendation for those shopping on a budget.
The Wagner Furno 300 is a heat gun that offers solid performance at a bargain price.
If you are focused more on crafts or smaller projects and are hoping to spend as little as possible on a heat gun, then we think the Homidic Mini is a great, inexpensive option. This compact product is great for crafts and smaller projects with lower-temperature requirements, like shrinking plastic, removing bubbles, or setting up embossing powders. It's lightweight, fairly comfortable to hold, and features a long, 6'6" power cord for maximum versatility. It also has a fold-down metal stand to keep the hot end elevated while cooling down or for hands-free operation.
But based on its heat output, the Homidic Mini isn't ideal for heavy-duty or high-heat applications. It's limited to a lower maximum temperature of 200°F and states that it can only be run for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time. We highly recommend this heat gun to anyone that wants a low-cost solution for small projects. But we suggest an upgrade for projects requiring prolonged or more frequent use, higher temperatures, or more industrial applications.
If you are looking to spend as little as possible and don't need high heat output, then the Homidic heat gun is for you.
Power: 150-300 Watts | Temperature Settings: 392/572°F
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Compact
Dual settings
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower temperature range
No diffusers included
Short cord
The Chandler Tool Heat Gun is an excellent tool for DIY projects and crafts, like melting wax, eliminating bubbles in resin castings, bending plastics on small models, and shrinking heat-shrink tubes onto wires. Its compact and ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold, and its low weight makes it easy to maneuver and store when not in use.
While we liked this model, no heat gun we tested was perfect, and the Chandler Tool is no exception. It has only two heat settings of 392°F and 572°F, offering a good heat range for low-temperature projects, but it is far from adequate for heavier-duty applications. A five-foot cord is also on the shorter side of corded models we tested, limiting your distance from an outlet or forcing you to constantly manage the cord. But for a small heat gun, the Chandler Tool offers excellent performance within its capabilities, making it a top choice for arts and crafts enthusiasts.
The Chandler heat gun offers just enough heat output for basic craft projects.
Credit: David Wise
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Like the similarly-sized Chandler heat gun, the Homidic Mini is perfect for craft projects thanks to its small size.
Credit: David Wise
Why You Should Trust Us
We spent hours researching the best products available before purchasing the most promising heat guns to put through our comprehensive testing. We rated and ranked products head-to-head, comparing their heating performance and capabilities, user-friendliness, ergonomics, and included accessories. We tested performance through a set of practical applications like shrinking heat-shrink tubes onto wiring, stripping paint, and bending PVC pipe.
Our testing of heat guns breaks down into three rating metrics:
Heating Performance (50% of overall score weighting)
Ergonomics (30% weighting)
Ease of Use (20% weighting)
Ben Hickok takes charge of our heat gun review. He frequently uses heat guns for electrical, home, and mechanical projects. He has been using these products for well over a decade on everything from freeing seized hardware, stripping paint, and shrink-wrapping wires to loosening old grease, grime, and adhesives from a classic tractor he is restoring.
David Wise laid the foundation for this review. He is an avid DIYer, with formal training as a mechanical and ocean engineer. He has equal experience using heat guns for projects like freeing seized hardware on an underwater robot, to shrinking heat-shrink tubing over the solder joints on an electric race car.
Resin crafting is one of the most popular uses for these products today.
The include wire shield makes it easy to shrink heat shrink around solder joints.
Heating paint with a heat gun for stripping and paint preparation.
Analysis and Test Results
We divided our testing process into three different testing metrics: heating performance, ergonomics, and ease of use. Each metric comprises a subset of tests, assessments, and evaluations. We recorded the products' performances across every test, comparing them side-by-side to determine rank. We highlight the overall performance in the following sections, focusing on the top-performing models for each metric.
Value
Although we don't formally consider the price of a product in our overall performance scoring, we recognize that it likely plays an important role in your ultimate purchase decision. We consider value as what you get relative to what you pay for a particular product. Following those guidelines, heat guns with a comparatively high overall score and a low price represent a higher value.
While cordless heat guns are still very expensive compared to their corded counterparts, the award-winning DeWalt Cordless represents a solid value, particularly for folks using these tools professionally, where sometimes mobility can be just as important as heating performance. For corded models, there is no better option than the Wagner Furno 300, which scored nearly as well as the top-rated DeWalt cordless heat gun. And if you just need something simple for basic crafts, check out the especially affordable Homidic Mini.
If you are looking for a near-top-tier product at a bargain price, the Seekone is another great option.
Credit: David Wise
Heating Performance
The most important aspect of these products is their heating performance, making this metric the most significant in terms of overall weighting. We looked at the temperature settings, listed temperature range and airflow settings, and used our experience working on various projects to determine scores. Test projects involved softening paint for easier stripping, heat shrinking, loosening grease from an old tractor, and drying metal parts.
Regarding heating performance, the Seekone and Porter-Cable heat guns have the highest temperature outputs. Both also have the most adjustable temperature ranges, rather than the fixed high and low settings many other models employ.
A Primer on Power: Cordless vs. Corded Heat Guns
Due to the differences in power sources and heating elements between cordless and corded models, the power ratings aren't exactly apples-to-apples.
For cordless heat guns, high-amperage output batteries (commonly with 1.5-5 amp-hour ratings) are used to power a driver, which drives a resistive load — the heating element — and there are power and efficiency losses along the way.
Alternatively, a corded model's power rating (measured in watts) is based on the simple A/C power calculation: Watts = Volts x Amps. The heating elements in most corded models are directly driven by the alternating current of a wall outlet.
The main differences are that cordless models are typically unable to achieve the same peak temperatures as corded models, are not rated in watts, and runtime is dependent on the capacity rating of a battery (measured in amp hours, or Ah.)
The Seekone has an impressive rated range of 122 - 1202°F and features a high and low fan setting. The Porter-Cable has two separate temperature ranges depending on the airflow setting (120-900°F, 130-1100°F). But we really liked the location and easy-to-use dial on the side of the Porter-Cable, as opposed to the rearward-located dial of the Seekone. This design makes the dial unusable in a hands-free mode since the heat gun rests on the dial.
The Seekone offers plenty of versatility when it comes to temperature and airflow.
Credit: David Wise
The Prulde N2190, Wagner Spraytech HT1000, Wagner Furno 300, and the Black+Decker HG1300 all followed regarding heating performance. These four models also have a simple high and low setting, though the Prulde has a slightly higher maximum temperature — offering 800/1112°F for its two settings — as opposed to the Spraytech, Furno, and the Black+Decker that have high and low modes of 750/1000°F.
The Genesis GHG1500A also has two different settings, again with temperature and airflow tied together for a low and high mode. While other models feature similar dual-temperature settings, the Genesis offers a lower low than other models we tested, with a temperature range of 572/1000°F.
The dual-setting rocker switch on the Chandler makes it easy to accidentally overshoot the "Off" position.
Credit: David Wise
The two cordless models we tested, the DeWalt 20V and the Milwaukee M18, have lower peak temperatures than the corded models we tested. The DeWalt has two heat settings that also toggle the fan speed. On the lowest setting, it produces 550°F heat and moves 3.8 cubic feet of air per minute, which bumps up to 990°F and moves 6.7 cubic feet of air per minute on the higher setting. The Milwaukee, on the other hand, is fixed at 875°F and moves 6 cubic feet of air per minute.
Although not a top performer in terms of heating performance, the Chandler Tool is a nice miniature option for low-heat projects, with a maximum temperature of 572°F. We like that this product also offers a low mode with a temperature of 392°F. The Homidic is a similar compact model, with an even more limited peak temperature of only 200°F, which makes it a good candidate for DIY crafts with kids.
The Genesis has two settings, with airflow and temperature tied together.
Credit: David Wise
Ergonomics
For our ergonomics metric, we looked at how comfortable each of these products is to hold, how well they position for common uses, and their overall weight. We also evaluated button and switch locations, and the grip of the handle.
The DeWalt 20V and the Milwaukee M18 cordless heat guns were easily the most ergonomic models tested. Each one builds on the ergonomic designs used in their respective power tool lines, which are meant to be handled by professionals all day. Each one has a rubberized coating on the pistol grip, which not only keeps the tools from slipping in your hand, but also adds a nice level of comfort. While both are very nice, the DeWalt is slightly more comfortable to hold than the Milwaukee. The trigger-style safety on the DeWalt is easier to operate than the smaller safety on the Milwaukee, which is located strangely high on the grip, making it less than ideal for large hands or operating while wearing gloves.
The DeWalt 20V is also very lightweight — even with a 3 amp-hour battery — weighing only 2 lbs. 5.7 ounces. It's also important to note that using a smaller, 1.3 amp-hour DeWalt battery will keep the total weight under 2 lbs, greatly increasing your ability to comfortably use this heat gun for extended periods. The Milwaukee M18 weighs just over 3 lbs with their proprietary, 5 amp-hour M18 battery. While the tool itself is a little heavier than the DeWalt, the weight can also be brought down by using smaller and lighter 1.5- or 2-amp hour M18 batteries. Without a cord in your workspace, the ergonomics of these cordless options easily trump all the other corded models we tested.
The two cordless options we tested are very ergonomic, and balance well.
Credit: Ben Hickok
The non-pistol-grip models, the Chandler and the Homidic, are the lightest of the group. Weighing in at less than a pound, these miniature heat guns are great for arts and crafts projects that don't require higher heat outputs. These two models have similar rocker switches, though the Chandler's dual settings were slightly more difficult to switch between. For some reason, the 'off' position is in the middle, and it's very easy to overshoot and accidentally toggle the setting on the opposite side — which can be alarming if you think this heat gun is turned off.
Out of the pistol-grip, corded options, the Porter-Cable has one of our favorite handle designs. Despite being one of the heaviest heat guns we tested, it features rubber grips and is nearly as comfortable to hold as the lighter-weight, cordless models. The heft of the Porter-Cable is nicely balanced, so it doesn't feel too bulky. It also has a burly switch and an easy-to-adjust temperature selection dial on the side to easily adjust with your free hand.
The temperature adjustment dial is very easy to turn on the Seekone.
Credit: David Wise
The Seekone, Wagner Furno 300, and the Prulde N2190 also offer decent ergonomics. Even though the harder plastics are used for the all-plastic molded grips of the Seekone and Wagner models, they are still comfortable enough to hold. The Prulde, on the other hand, feels comparatively top-heavy. The slide switches were very user-friendly on all three models, but we favored the large temperature adjustment dial on the back of the Seekone.
The Genesis and Wagner Spraytech are about average in terms of comfort, with all three models weighing in at a comfortable range of 1.5 and 2 pounds. But we aren't huge fans of the switches on these two models, which are somewhat clunky. However, the Black+Decker switch is the worst of the bunch due to a clear, soft cover that makes changing setting very cumbersome.
We weren't fans of the interface on the Black+Decker HG1300.
Credit: David Wise
Ease of Use
For our ease-of-use metric, we looked at the length and flexibility of the power cord for each of these products, how stable they were on their stands or in a standing position, if any attachments were included, and how useful the attachments proved to be.
With no cord to get in the way, simple-to-operate trigger-style switches, and easy-to-handle pistol grips, the DeWalt and Milwaukee cordless heat guns are some of the easiest models to operate. The bottom-heavy weighting of the cordless models also earned these tools top scores for ease of standing and balancing. Of course, cordless convenience comes at the price of keeping a charged battery on tap. This will likely be a non-issue for folks who already frequently use cordless DeWalt or Milwaukee tools. But this may present a learning curve — and a significant extra expense — if these are some of the first cordless tools in your workshop.
Regarding stability in the hands-free mode, the miniature models, the Homidic and the Chandler lead the other corded, pistol-grip style models thanks to their compact design and lower center of gravity. While they are very similar in design, the Chandler has a slightly more optimum angle for hands-free use.
The hefty Porter-Cable heat gun is solidly stable when balanced on its back.
Credit: David Wise
Looking at the corded, pistol-grip options, the Porter-Cable offers the greatest stability. This burly heat gun doesn't have any fold-out legs, but is still stable thanks to molded stabilizing flanges. The Wagner Furno 300 offers similar stability to the Porter-Cable — again with molded stabilizing flanges at the bottom rear of the pistol grip — and the cord exits the handle at an angle that avoids any stability issues.
The Genesis and the Prulde models are our next favorites for stability. Though not quite as solid as the Porter-Cable, we were more than happy to trust their balance while using them in a hands-free, upright position.
The wide fins on the back of the Prulde made it quite stable in a vertical orientation.
Credit: David Wise
Due to its fold-out wire foot, the Seekone was a bit more prone to tipping than the Genesis or the Prulde models. It's fine on a flat surface, but is quite precarious if the surface is uneven, and it falls over easily if bumped. The Wagner Spraytech and the Black+Decker are the least stable models we tested. Both are very easy to knock over with a slight jostle. The stiff wire on the Spraytech also initially kept it from balancing — we actually had to manipulate the wire to get it to stand up on its own.
The switch on the Wagner Spraytech makes it a little uncomfortable to hold.
Credit: David Wise
The Wagner Furno 300, Homidic, Prulde, and the Genesis models all have the longest cords of the group, measuring 6.5' (2m). However, the Homidic's cord is considerably more flexible than the other heavier-duty heat guns, again making it a great choice for arts and crafts spaces.
The Seekone has the shortest power cord of the group, at just over 5', and it is somewhat rigid like many of the other heavier-duty options we tested. While the difference in cord length of only 1.5' might seem insignificant, it greatly impacts the ease of use. The 5-foot cord on the Seekone is really limiting and commits you to only working close to a power source. It also doesn't leave much room to work since the cable tends to lay across your bench or workspace.
This specialty nozzle included with the Prulde heat gun is specifically for lighting briquettes without lighter fluid.
Credit: David Wise
We also looked at any included nozzles or diffusers included with these heat guns. These accessories are commonly used for melting, softening adhesives, paint stripping, and wire shrinking. The Seekone, Genesis, and Prulde models all generously include four different nozzles. The Seekone includes a wire shield, a flat nozzle, and two different sizes of cylindrical concentrators; the Genesis includes a wire shield, a flat shield, a concentrator, and a flat nozzle, while the Prulde substitutes the flat nozzle for a perforated option designed for starting charcoal briquettes. The DeWalt cordless includes two attachments: a flat nozzle for directed softening of adhesives or paint stripping, and a hook-nozzle for wire shrink tubes, PVC pipe bending, and thawing.
A locking switch on the DeWalt Cordless lets you leave the heat gun on for true hands-free operation, much like a corded option.
Credit: Ben Hickok
The other models lack accessory nozzles or diffusers. These accessory attachments can be purchased separately for the Milwaukee M18 and the two Wagner models. Given the strong heating performance of all three options, you should still be able to accomplish heavy-duty tasks without the extra nozzles or diffusers. However, they could certainly improve performance or efficiency.
The lower heat output of the Homidic and the Chandler Tool limit them to lighter-duty tasks like crafts. It's not likely that attachments would make much of an improvement in performance — as such, neither include attachments.
The DeWalt 3aH 20v and Milwaukee 5aH M18 batteries both include battery level indicators that light up at the push of a button.
Credit: Ben Hickok
Some models stand out for more than just the basic ease-of-use boxes they tick. The cordless models we tested satisfy nearly all our evaluations for this metric and include value-added features unavailable on other models.
The DeWalt 20v includes an LED work light located at the bottom of the pistol grip.
The Milwauke has an LED work light located above the trigger.
Both feature a useful LED work light and, depending on the battery you use, may feature battery level indicators. Batteries are sold separately, but if you already own a cordless Milwaukee M18 or DeWalt 20V drill, saw, or impact driver, your choice of heat gun should be an easy one since batteries are interchangeable between the M18 and 20V lines, respectively. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that the DeWalt has a lock to leave the gun on for working hands-free — similar to many corded models we tested. In contrast, the Milwaukee does not include this feature.
Whether you are looking to get into resin crafts or heat up seized hardware, we hope this review has helped you find the perfect heat gun for your needs and budget.
Credit: David Wise
Conclusion
There are many different types of heat guns out there, and each has purpose-specific features that can make them better for delicate crafting or more serious home improvement projects. We included a range of products with the hope that our findings and test results will give you the information you need to find the perfect one. Whether you are a DIY weekend warrior or a seasoned professional, by testing only the top models available, this comprehensive review will help you choose the best heat gun for your next project.
