Heat guns are important tools used in a workshop, getting the best will mean all your work in the workshop will be made a little easier. This post is aimed at showing the best heat gun. We have researched, and come up with the best heat guns money can buy. Read through, to discover for yourself the best heat guns out there. So you make right choices, while selecting the a heat gun
BUYER’S GUIDE
DIY or Professional
Like most power tools, heat guns are generally designed either for DIY or professional use. DIY in this context means someone who will only require light use from the tool, example a homeowner stripping paint off their windowsills or an electronics hobbyist heat shrinking cable sleeves in their spare time.
A professional user on the other hand would be classed as someone who uses the tool every day, for example in a packing warehouse or a garage. DIY brands include Ryobi, Black & Decker and Bosch Green, and these represent the most affordable hot air tools on the market.
However, you should note if you do need the tool for work these models will not usually be covered under warranty if used in this way. Professional grade tools are designed to withstand the conditions of working environments and these include models from brands like DeWalt, Makita and Bosch Blue.
Power
The vast majority of heat guns on the market today are corded electric models, and they have fairly high power requirements – DIY models usually start out around 1800 watts while at the other end of the market the Steinel HG 5000 E Professional Hot Air Tool is rated at 3400 watts and equipped with a factory sealed brushless motor which delivers a maximum airflow rate of 800 litres per minute.
As might be expected, higher wattage generally relates to higher overall performance, presuming the tool also includes controls for adjusting the settings.
As well as multiple 240v options designed for plugging straight into the mains, some hot air tools are available in 110v, making them safe for use on construction sites and other industrial environments (in conjunction with a step down transformer).
If a power cord is not practical for your requirements, you can also find cordless hot air tools powered by lithium ion battery.
Adjustable Temperature.
To enable them to tackle different tasks, heat guns are typically designed with some sort of temperature adjustment control.
On basic models this may be two or three fixed settings, while more advanced tools will have infinitely variable controls that enable precise temperatures to be dialed in.
It is common for DIY models to have a fixed 500°C stage as this is the optimum temperature for stripping paint (one of the most common DIY applications for heat guns) along with at least one other lower setting for tasks that require a less intense application of heat.
Adjustable Airflow.
An adjustable airflow control lets you dial back the force of the blast from the nozzle, example when you are working with lightweight materials, or when working near sensitive surfaces that you don’t want to be affected by the heat.
Likewise you can also increase it for more air speed, and therefore quicker results. Like temperature control, this can consist of a number of fixed speed settings, or a continuously adjustable dial for more comprehensive control.
LCD & LED Displays
Professional users working to precise tolerances will appreciate the benefits of an LCD or LED display, which can provide visual data on temperature and airflow speed settings – factors that can ordinarily be hard to gauge on machines with continuously variable settings.
This enables consistent results and the ability to work confidently with more sensitive materials or applications that call for precise heating conditions.
Temperature Scanners.
Another feature that is more commonly found on professional machines, but also available for some DIY tools, is a temperature scanner. This is an accessory that may be supplied with the heat gun or purchased as an upgrade to be fitted to it.
While many hot air tools provide a facility to gauge the heat being produced by the tool, a temperature scanner instead reads the temperature at the point where the hot air is contacting the workpiece; this provides a more precise way of controlling the application of heat to especially sensitive materials and a more accurate way of identifying surface conditions in temperature critical applications.
Residual Heat Indicators.
The nozzle of a heat gun can remain hot for a long time after use and unsuspecting operators can easily injure themselves by going to pick up a recently used tool, unaware of the residual heat in the exposed metal components.
A residual heat indicator helps to safeguard against these accidents by displaying a warning light or similar visual indicator until the tool has cooled down sufficiently to be handled without risk of injury.
Flat Backed Housings and Integrated Stands
For certain applications, example bending pipes, it is much more convenient to have the heat gun stationary on a workbench and hold the material over it. For this reason, most heat guns are designed to be used freestanding as well as handheld.
If you think you will need to use your hot air tool in this way, look for a model that has a flat backed motor housing and/or integrated stand which will enable you to securely stand it up on a flat work surface for hands free use.
Nozzles & Accessories.
Lastly, the machine itself is not always the only consideration when purchasing a heat gun. If you will be using it for a specific application it is worth checking what nozzles or accessories are available to help you with the tasks you need to undertake.
Steinel in particular offer a wide range of nozzles and accessories which can be purchased separately, greatly increasingly the versatility and precision with which their tools can be used.
When you buy a new heat gun, most will be supplied with at least one or two nozzles to enable you to complete some of the most common tasks out of the box.
BEST HEAT GUNS
- Milwaukee 2688-20 Cordless Heat Gun
- TACKLIFE HGP70AC Heat Gun
- Steinel Heat Gun Kit, 25th Anniversary Edition
- PORTER-CABLE PC1500HG 1500-Watt Heat Gun
- DEWALT D26960K Heavy Duty Heat Gun
- BLACK+DECKER HG1300 Dual Temperature Heat Gun
- Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature Heat Gun
- Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun
- Master Appliance Master HG Series Heat Gun
- Wagner Spraytech HT400 Heat Gun
| NAMES | FEATURES | WHERE TO BUY |
| Milwaukee 2688-20 Cordless Heat Gun
|
Compatible with all M18™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs
Most compact electric heat gun: 6.4” long Guarded Nozzle: Increased protection for work surfaces Ladder Hook: Easily hang between applications LED Light |
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| TACKLIFE HGP70AC Heat Gun
|
Heating Core is the Soul of a Heat Gun
Powerful Motor & Scientific Interior Design 3 Temperature Modes & Versatile 4 Nozzle Attachments Heavy Duty Materials & UL + RoHS Certifications |
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| Steinel Heat Gun Kit, 25th Anniversary Edition
|
LCD display
4 nozzles included Alternate welding tip included Wide temperature range Durable construction |
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| PORTER-CABLE PC1500HG 1500-Watt Heat Gun
|
Two fan speeds
Variable temperature control Lightweight construction Versatile |
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| DEWALT D26960K Heavy Duty Heat Gun
|
Built-in hang ring adds a convenient storage feature
Cord protector keeps the cord from tearing away from the housing Ergonomic comfort grip provides greater comfort for long hours of use Lightweight and compact design weighs only 2.3 lbs |
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| BLACK+DECKER HG1300 Dual Temperature Heat Gun
|
2 temperature settings (750 degrees and 1000 degrees) for a variety of applications
Built-in stand for easy cool down Lightweight and compact design for ease of use and handling |
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| Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature Heat Gun
|
Cheap
Quiet LightWeight |
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| Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun
|
Affordable
Lightweight 2 fan settings Comes with heating hook Versatile |
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| Master Appliance Master HG Series Heat Gun
|
Temperature Adjustment
Fast Heating Durable |
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| Wagner Spraytech HT400 Heat Gun
|
Compact design
Durable construction Precise control Hands-free stand included Versatile |
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Milwaukee 2688-20 Cordless Heat Gun
Heat Connections Quickly. Anywhere, Anytime. 30% Faster Heat Up Than Corded Most Compact, Stand & Hang One Charge, 40+ ConnectionsThe M18™ Compact Heat Gun performs applications quickly by reaching operational temperature in less than 7 seconds.
As the most compact electric heat gun among market leaders, it can go places where corded heat guns can’t. The guarded nozzle provides increased protection for work surfaces and the ladder hook allows users to easily hang the tool between applications.
Powered by REDLITHIUM™ battery technology, it is able to heat over 40 connections on a single XC5.0 battery, anywhere, anytime without the hassle of cords. The M18™ Compact Heat Gun features REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence with a temperature management system to provide maximum life.
| PROS | CONS |
| 2 nozzles come with the kit | Single mode only |
| Quick operational heating time | No lock-on |
| Hang hook | |
| Compact length | |
| M18 Heat Gun/M12 Soldering Iron kit available (2688-21K) | |
| 5-year warranty |
TACKLIFE HGP70AC Heat Gun
The Tacklife HGP70AC heat gun,a professional electric heat gun which can support 500 hours’ working continuously at the highest temperature.An ideal tool for removing paint, bending plastic, and thawing pipes.Three temperature gears:122℉,752℉,1022℉, are suitable for a wide range of heating applications.
| PROS | CONS |
| Easy to use with two settings for heat and fan speed. | Short cable, although an extension cable can be used in the work area. |
| Relatively quiet operation. | |
| Robust housing. | |
| Hook to hang from the gun. | |
| Light to handle but with enough weight for a man’s hands. |
Steinel Heat Gun Kit, 25th Anniversary Edition
As part of the continued development of its cutting edge technology, Steinel HL 2010 heat gun is ergonomically designed to ensure extreme performance. It is an ideal in almost any particular application which requires precise heat control. In fact, most professionals have realized the amazing performance of this device, and they refer to it as a heat gun of its own class.
Now, it features a special Dura therm heating element which heats up exclusively well to ensure uniform heating as well as increased longevity of the product.
It heats up in seconds, and you won’t experience any delay. Moreover, it boasts three stage switches. This is a unique design since it allows the cooling temperature to rest at 120 degrees Fahrenheit while low and high stage can be easily adjusted as per the needs.
| PROS | CONS |
| Special material for the heating device | none |
| Precise temperature settings | |
| Strong power cable | |
| Three stage switch for increased versatility |
PORTER-CABLE PC1500HG 1500-Watt Heat Gun
Porter cable is a brand with incredibly rich history in making excellent power related tools. For this PC1500HG heat gun, you are going to like the wide range of breathtaking features put together to give you the best performance.
This heat gun surpasses most of its competitors in performance due to incredible combination and balance of performance features. Now, with 1500 watts power input, this device heats up to a very high temperature within a very short time.
Well, it also supports precise temperature regulation. Now, buying this item give you the opportunity to have 7 amperes, 4.5 inches grinder tool.
That sounds fantastic since most of the projects combine the use of a grinder and this amazing heat gun. For the main products in our review, the heat gun boasts dual fan speed selector.
| PROS | CONS |
| Soft rubber handles | none |
| Simple push buttons | |
| Dual fan speed selection | |
| Strong motor |
DEWALT D26960K Heavy Duty Heat Gun
With the D26960K LCD Heat Gun, adjust temperatures in 50-degree increments and avoid overheating with overload protection. Features an innovative kickstand for great stability and a lightweight, compact design.
| PROS | CONS |
| Build-in-overload protection | Only offers 50 degrees adjustment |
| LCD Display | No Temperature Memory |
| Built-in innovative kickstand support | |
| Temperature Control |
BLACK+DECKER HG1300 Dual Temperature Heat Gun
Featuring 2 temperature settings and a built-in stand for easy cool down, this dual temperature heat gun can tackle tough household tasks. A lightweight, compact design makes it easy to use in tight spaces
| PROS | CONS |
| 2 Temperature Settings : (750 degree / 1000 degree) | Doesn’t have “Cool down” mode! |
| Lightweight | Doesn’t come with any accessories! |
Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature Heat Gun
Another good tool is this heat gun called “Genesis GHG1500A Dual Temperature”, its a very lightweight gun which only weighs 1 pound (1,4 with cord) it’s a pretty good tool for its price, it heats really fast and gets the job done!
I really like the design of this tool because you can let it lie down securely on its back if you ever need to rest your hands or if you are doing a two-hand job (the air intake is on sides). It comes with different nozzles that help you aim the heat better (4 Nozzles).
| PROS | CONS |
| Good Design ( You can lay it on its back if you need to rest your hands) | Doesn’t come with a box |
| Affordable | Doesn’t have a cool down feature |
| Lightweight | |
| Quiet | |
| 120 V | |
| 2 heat settings low & high (572, 1000) | |
| Comes with 4 different nozzles |
Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun
The Wagner HT1000 makes heat gun work look easy. This tool has two temperature settings. The gun’s outputs include 750 and 1,000 degrees. The versatile heat settings enable users to complete a wide range of projects.
| PROS | CONS |
| Integrated stand | Lose power |
| Temperatures range from 750 to 1,000 degrees | |
| Loosen rusted bolts | |
| Shrinks heat wrap and removes paint |
Master Appliance Master HG Series Heat Gun
If you are looking for a quality long-life heat gun then this is the one. They have been making heat guns since 1959 and are still on the market because they are that good.
The ” Master HG Series Heat Gun” has a very powerful high-speed motor that has three temperature ranges , it operates on 120 & 220 V, before buying it you can choose the temperature range you want, from 200-300(120V & 220)degrees to 750-100(120V & 220) degrees (Overall 8 choices including 300-500(120V & 220),500-750(120V & 220)).
| PROS | CONS |
| Temperature adjustment easy (by just rotating the air intake) | Doesn’t come with a box |
| A lot of heat range choices when buying | Doesn’t come with nozzles |
| Blows cold air to cool down the heat gun faster | |
| Good design(you can lay it on its back since it has a large rear attached) | |
| Long Life |
Wagner Spraytech HT400 Heat Gun
Big, heavy heat guns can be cumbersome during small craft and repair projects. The Wagner Spraytech HT400 weighs just 0.7 pounds. What’s more, it has a compact body with cool-touch sidebars. The HT400 also has two temperature settings. Its temperature settings range from 450 to 680 degrees. This makes it a great tool for small craft projects, such as embossing and heating shrink wrap.
| PROS | CONS |
| 1,500 watts and 120 volts of power | No accessory tips included |
| Two temperature settings | |
| Suitable for many different projects | |
| Hands-free design feature |
CONCLUSION
We have come to the end of this review. These heat guns are sturdy. Getting them to add to your tools will be one of the best decisions you make.