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Best Caulking Guns Review

The best caulking guns let you apply different sorts of material with varying viscosity to seal the cracks or gaps before a paint or repair job of your home, car, furniture, sink, tub, window, etc. It is a dirty job, but caulking is one of the most essential parts of the renovation of a house or a building.

Not all guns are equipped to apply the different types of sealants, adhesive, silicone, hybrid adhesives, and epoxies. Most of the products reviewed here support the use of sealants, adhesives, and silicone. For hybrid adhesives and epoxies you will need to look for guns above 25:1 Thrust Ratio for the manual guns, and Push Force of 500lbs and above for battery operated guns. Almost all pneumatic caulking guns should be able to handle most of the materials you will throw at them.

Of the many types of guns out there, have focused on only 3 main ones here. A caulking gun at its simplest is a frame with a plunger that is controlled by a trigger. These are manual caulking guns. Then there are those that are powered by air from air-compressors called the pneumatic caulking guns.  And for the best convenience, there is the cordless caulking gun.

15 Best Caulking Guns or Best silicone Gun – 5 of Each Type

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Types of Caulking Guns and Their Usage

Each caulking gun is made to serve each specific purpose and it’s better to use them for what they were created to do. What type of caulking gun you’ll need depends on what type of job you’re willing to do. They can be used as silicone guns as well.

 Manual Caulk Guns

The most popular and easy-to-find caulk guns are the manual ones. They operate using a plunging mechanism and have a heavy, metal body. You can customize the amount of caulk by pushing the plunger moderately. Because of its heavy construction, the gun doesn’t slip while in use. It is suitable for both home and professional work. However, since it’s manual, it might take longer for you to finish with this and it’s more labor-consuming than the battery/electrically operated ones.

Ratcheting Caulk Guns & Smooth Rod Caulking Guns

Unlike manual caulk guns, the ratcheting caulk guns release sealant in fixed increments with each push. But caulk guns with smooth rods apply smooth, gentle pressure on the sealant and controls spillage. Both types of guns are designed to ensure maximum use and zero wastage of sealant.

Cordless Battery-Operated Caulk Guns

If you’re looking for something that you can use frequently and for longer periods of time, then battery-operated caulk guns are worth a try. The semi-automatic unit inside these guns makes the gun operate itself and makes the task easier and faster. The cordless feature frees from the burden of carrying around cables everywhere you go- indoors or outdoors.

Electric Caulk Guns

A little more expensive than their counterparts, electric caulk guns are by far one of the most efficient caulk guns. They can get the job done very smoothly, in a blink. However, they are not so easy to operate, so be prepared before doing heavier caulking around the house.

Pneumatic or Air Powered Caulk Gun

In dealing with a heavy caulk try using these pneumatic or air-powered caulking guns. They use a compressor to dispense caulk which ensures maximum caulk dispense with less effort.

How to Choose

As you may have guessed, there are plenty of options for you to choose from while looking for a caulking gun nowadays. But we understand that making a decision and spending your precious money is a big deal. So before investing in anything, consider the following features first:

Dripless Feature

Probably one of the most important features to look for in a caulking gun its ability to prevent dripping. Housework is messy as it is but if you have a caulking gun that doesn’t hold sealant in place that is a whole other level of messiness you don’t want to encounter.

Pressure Ratio

In order to dispense caulk on the affected area, you have to push the trigger that builds an inner pressure in the barrel and that makes sealant come out. Thrust ratios tell you how much pressure is needed. A high-pressure ratio means that you have to give less effort and vice versa. Some products have a thrust ratio of only 5:1 whereas some have about 10:1. Try finding a gun where you have to push less because it kills valuable time and energy.

Pressure Release System

Some products have a built-in pressure release system that lets you control the flow of pressure in the barrel and thus prevents unnecessary mess.

Pressure Rod

Pressure rods are one of the main organs in a caulking gun. The sturdier the pressure rod, the smoother the application. When looking for caulking guns, try for the needle rods as they are much easier to handle and is easily controllable.

Durability

If you’re planning on using the gun frequently and for heavier jobs, we recommend brand items without any doubt. The branded ones offer great durability whereas a cheap and low-quality grade construction won’t last you that long.

Accessories

Some caulking guns come with a built-in spout cutter and a hook at the back. Also, some guns offer adjustable speed which is pretty satisfying to use.

Ease of Use

This goes without saying. Buy caulk guns depending on what type of job you wanna get done. Consider the weight of the product as you will be carrying and lifting it around all the time.

Conclusion

You need the guns for repairs. Which type to choose depends on many different factors.

Do you want to spend some money for relative comfort? Then go for cordless.

You may already have an air compressor or do a lot of one-man caulking (mostly). Then go for pneumatic guns.

You have a small project or even a large one with many people working at the same time, go the manual ones.

Each type will give you some unique advantages but at the end of the day, it is the result that counts, i.e. caulking with minimum wastage, effort, and time. So choose wisely.