Best Manual Caulking Gun
No matter how small the work may seem, caulking the cracks around your house is an important part of house maintenance. Nobody wants to see a crack or a peeled off wallpaper hanging off of their roof. The best manual caulking guns are most reliable of the 3 types of caulking guns. You don’t have to rely on battery power as with the cordless guns or an air compressor as with the pneumatic caulking guns.
Most manual guns are made of robust, long-lasting materials and best of all they are the most affordable.
If your house is frequently in need of fixing, then investing in a caulking gun is but the obvious solution. We are presenting you with our top 10 choices of caulking guns available on the market today.
Table of Contents
- 10 of the Best Manual Caulking Gun
- What Should You Consider Before Buying
- Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun
- Newborn 930-GTD Caulking Gun
- Tarvol 3 in 1 Caulking Gun 10 oz Caulk
- Newborn U-Lite Caulking Gun
- Newborn 375-XSP Super Smooth Caulking Gun
- Newborn 188 Super Rachet Caulking Gun
- Newborn 250 Super Smooth Caulking Gun
- COX 41004-2T Ascot Manual Caulk Gun
- Albion Engineering Manual Sausage Caulking Gun
- Dripless Industrial Ergonomic Composite Caulk Gun
- FAQ
- Conclusion
10 of the Best Manual Caulking Gun
| Products | Specifications |
|---|---|
Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 12:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 3x7.5x16.5 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Contractor heavy duty ergo composite bodyRevolting frame allows more controlled cartridge movement Engineered ergonomic non-slip grip for ease of use Hook attached to the gun allows easy access to high surfaces Pros:
Cons:
|
Newborn 930-GTD Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 10:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 11x4x4 inches Weight: 1.5 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Dripless formula with retractable steel half-barrel (cradle)High quality professional grade Hex rod for smooth bead orientation All-steel construction Padded handle and trigger Seal puncture tool/spout cutter and a hook is built-in in the product Pros:
Cons:
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Tarvol 3 in 1 Caulking Gun 10 oz Caulk Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 5:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 13 x 7 x 2.4 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Contractor grade, heavy duty chrome plated caulking gun3 built-in items- half barrel caulking gun, a seal puncture tool and a seal punch Pros:
Cons:
|
Newborn U-Lite Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 10:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 2.2x 13.5x 6.8 inches Weight: 10.4 ounces Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Frameless designRetractable smooth pressure rod Suitable for latex and silicon-based caulk Non-drip function Built-in spout cutter and seal puncture Pros:
Cons:
|
Newborn 375-XSP Super Smooth Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 26:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 2.1x0,7x16 inches Weight: 2.2 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Suited for high viscosity materialHammered finish with rubber coated trigger Revolving frame Heat treated pressure rod Pros:
Cons:
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Newborn 188 Super Rachet Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 6:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 13x7x2 inches Weight: 1.2 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Good for medium viscosity sealantsRatcheting pressure rod Welded plate at the bottom Hook in the back Built-in spout cutter and seal puncture Pros:
Cons:
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Newborn 250 Super Smooth Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 18:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 2x14x9 inches Weight: 1.6 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Suited for acrylic, adhesives, asphalt, cementRevolving steel frame Zinc alloy handle Pros:
Cons:
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COX 41004-2T Ascot Manual Caulk Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 26:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 8.7x4x15.7 inches Weight: pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Rotating frameThumb activated instant pressure release Pros:
Cons:
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Albion Engineering Manual Sausage Caulking Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 12:1 Cartridge Capacity: 13-20oz Dimension: 4 x 6 x 15 inches Weight: 2.8 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Standard viscosityRotating swivel aluminum barrel Barrel has 2” diameter Sausage pistons Double gripping plate technology Pros:
Cons:
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Dripless Industrial Ergonomic Composite Caulk Gun Buy From Amazon |
Thrust Ratio: 18:1 Cartridge Capacity: 10-ounces Dimension: 3x5.7x 16.5 inches Weight: 1.2 pounds Materials Used: Good for acrylic, latex or silicon sealants Other Features:
Industrial grade heavy duty designComposite style- lightweight and durable Ergonomic grip handle Usable for medium to high viscosity materials 40% less heavy than usual caulk-guns Pros:
Cons:
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What Should You Consider Before Buying
For manual guns, price is the best option. They are relatively cheap. But price should not be the only consideration. Cheap ones waste caulk and tires users hand and create a mess with the caulk. You have to look at many other options as well.
Thrust Ratio
For the guns with a manual trigger, thrust ratio is very important. With a high thrust ratio, the dispensing of the adhesive is easier. This is mostly the case if it is high viscosity. A caulk gun with a thrust ratio of 26:1 will easily handle thick, viscous materials. With a thrust ratio of 10:1 to 12:1, the power caulk gun will work well on standard viscous materials.
Design of the Gun
Caulking guns require repetitive grip force of about 20 lbs or more. This repetitive gripping and use of forearm muscles with palm down grip increase the risk factor for developing lateral epicondylitis. Better ergonomically designed guns Reduced grip force fatigue and pinch grip posture of the hand by not having to use the manual caulk gun. The pneumatic caulk gun eliminates any significant grip force.
Cartridge Capacity
Different guns are designed to work with cartridge capacity. The higher the capacity, the longer you can use it before replacing the cartridge. So you don’t have to go back and forth a lot.
Sometimes, guns with smaller capacity cartridges are small in dimension so should be easy to maneuver tight spots. But this may not be always true – look for the dimension as well.
Dripless Inc. ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun
Lightweight, user-friendly and long lasting- these are some of the many qualities of the ETS2000 Ergo Composite Caulk Gun from Dripless company. Best for silicon, acrylic or latex, it can accommodate up to 10 oz. cartridge. With a thrust ratio of 12:1 it dispenses sealant with more speed and precision. It is made with contractor heavy duty ergo composite which makes it a favorite among both professionals and armatures. The revolting frame allows the cartridge to move as you please to maintain bead orientation; the plunger stops dispensing caulk as soon as you get your hands off of it. Speaking of which, with an engineered ergonomic grip, the gun can be used for hours without hand sore.
The hook on the back of the gun is for hanging the gun if you’re sealing your ceiling or any other high-reaching surfaces. The built-in spout cutter eliminates the need for knives.
Quality with comfort is all you get from this product as despite being heavy duty, it is 40% less heavy than most caulk guns out there.
Newborn 930-GTD Caulking Gun
The manual caulking gun #930-GTD from Newborn Brothers is a wonderful bargain for its cheap price tag. It has 10 oz. cartridges with a thrust ratio 0f 10:1, the gun is perfect for dispensing low viscosity materials. The dripless formula adds to your user satisfaction. Thanks to the steel half-barrel that retracts every time you pull out the trigger, leaving no room for mess. The high-quality professional grade smooth Hex rod also makes plunging easy and smooth. It has an all-steel body construction, meaning it is sturdy and long-lasting and is a perfect addition to a handyman’s toolbox.
Although the thrust ratio is not a big difference maker in this product, the 10:1 ratio seems perfect for around the home projects.
Tarvol 3 in 1 Caulking Gun 10 oz Caulk
3 in 1 caulking gun holds up to 10 oz caulk cartridges and has heavy duty industry design chrome plated finish. Although the thrust ratio is a bit small, a 5:1, but that’s because it’s designed for small around-the-home caulking projects.
If you’re a beginner or don’t caulk that often, then this is a fair purchase.
This contractor grade caulking guns is a 3-tool-in-one – Half Barrel Caulk Gun, Built in Sharpened Blade Cutter, and Seal Punch. also comes with a built-in spout cutter or seal puncture tool.
Newborn U-Lite Caulking Gun
The best thing about this gun is that it is super lightweight because it has a frameless compact design and the smooth pressure rod requires less effort to dispense caulk. The cartridge is 1-10 gallon and has a thrust ratio of 10:1. It is suitable for low viscosity sealants such as latex and silicon.
To prevent drippings, the rod retracts after each push. The spout cutter or seal puncture tool also comes in handy.
However, the non-drip function may not always work best as the gun is frameless and it can cause the caulk can to misplace some caulk.
But on the bright side, it is super easy to work with and is a go-to tool for any emergency.
Newborn 375-XSP Super Smooth Caulking Gun
The Newborn 375-XSP is a must have tool for both home and professional use. It has a 1/10-gallon cartridge and a thrust ratio of 26:1, meaning it can withstand sealants with very high viscosity as urethane. The revolving frame rotates the barrel in such precision that bead orientation is never damaged, even in rough corners. Heat treated rod is longer than usual pressure rods and requires very little effort to push.
With a hammered finish, it has a rubber coated trigger which makes it super comfortable to use. However, if you’re a weakling then this product may seem a little heavier to you to work with.
Newborn 188 Super Rachet Caulking Gun
The Newborn 188 Super Rachet caulking gun is a handy tool for both big and small projects. It can hold 10 ounces of caulk cans and dispenses the product using a thrust ratio of 6:1. This thrust ratio allows it to use medium viscosity sealants. The ratchet style pressure rod with teeth holds the caulk in place while the welded plate secures the cartridges in place.
As additional features, it includes a no-pinch figure guard and a spout cutter and seal puncture. The product also has a hook to hang in on the ladder.
Newborn 250 Super Smooth Caulking Gun
Another sturdy caulking gun from the Newborn family is the Newborn 250 Super Smooth Caulking gun. Capable of adjusting 1/10-gal cartridges of caulk, this gun comes with a thrust ratio of 18:1 which makes it perfect to use with sealants such as acrylic and cement. Revolving frame allows to maintain bead orientation while caulking in the corners. It’s made with 100% steel and the zinc alloy handle prevents oxidation.
The product, however, doesn’t include a spout cutter or seal puncture and to be honest it is a bit pricier than an enthusiastic DIYer would expect.
COX 41004-2T Ascot Manual Caulk Gun
If you’re serious about your job and are using something more powerful than usual caulks, then this COX 41004-2T manual caulk gun will be at your service. It has a thrust ratio of 26:1 and a 10 oz cartridge capacity. The gun has an open frame but the thumb activated instant pressure release feature will make this thing super easy to control.
It has a built-in ladder hook at the back but no tools to cut the sealants.
Also, because of its’ well-built design and high dispense power, it is a bit expensive than normal caulking guns. But the usability of this product can outrun these limitations.
Albion Engineering Manual Sausage Caulking Gun
Albion Manual Sausage Caulking gun is one of the strongest manual caulking guns out there. It can dispense adhesives ranging from 13 oz to 20 oz cartridges. With a thrust ratio of 12:1, it is suitable for all standard viscosity materials. The rotating swivel aluminum barrel has 2” of diameter and the sausage pistons prevent bag-wraps. Its double gripping plate technology gives you extra grip on the handles so that you can work with for hours on end.
Dripless Industrial Ergonomic Composite Caulk Gun
The last one on the list is the Dripless Industrial Ergonomic Composite Caulk Gun. It’s composite in that it is lightweight and sturdy at the same time. Despite having a hardened rod and powder metal drive dog it weighs 40% less than usual ones. The rod is extra long for any medium to heavy viscosity materials to fit in as it has a thrust ratio of 18:1. The industrial heavy-duty design gives strength while the ergonomic grip handles provide balance.
It’s a must-have item in your toolbox if you don’t want to visit the workshops frequently. However, the plastic part is not that durable and some complains do come of it not being ‘dripless’.
FAQ
Q: What is thrust ratio?
Ans: For a 6:1 ratio gun the numbers mean if you move the trigger with 1 pound of force, the plate where the material is will move with a 6 pound-force. So, for a higher thrust ratio like 18:1, if the trigger is moved with one pound of force the plate will move with 18 pounds of force.
Different thrust ratios handle different products. 12:1 handles lighter products, 18:1 handles thicker or denser products like floors adhesives or floor adhesives. For caulking gun with 6:1 thrust ratio you will need a lot of force to work with dense materials such as floor adhesives.
Conclusion
We hope this list has helped to choose the caulking gun of your choice. It is a small yet very useful tool to have around. So make sure you don’t have to change this every month with a new project. Buy a caulking gun that is multipurpose, durable and can work using a variety of ranges of caulks.
