In this Guide
While there are caulking products that let you caulk cracks and gaps in your home, not all of them have the precision that a caulking gun can provide. When it comes to sealing joints, cracks, and gaps, it’s imperative that you provide precise sealing in order to prevent water from leaking in these areas. This also ensures that your caulk is strong. A strong seal is needed for structural support.
If you are caulking moldings, for instance, you don’t want the molding to fall off easily because caulking was inadequate. Uneven caulking is also unsightly and that is what you want to avoid when doing professional caulking jobs.
You should also caulk cracks on walls and damages on siding before painting over them. Cracks look prominent and unsightly when painted over so it’s important that you achieve a smooth surface before applying paint.
Unlike when using manually operated caulking products, a caulk gun effectively controls the flow of the caulking material, expelling just the right amount of material so that you are applying it evenly. Also, a caulk gun is a good addition to your home improvement arsenal because of how easily it can get this job done. It prevents wasting a lot of caulk products as well.
We recommend that you get commercial-grade caulking guns to last you longer compared to cheaply-made caulking guns that might only last for a few uses. Invest your money on well-built caulking guns that are known for their efficacy in producing stable results, ease of use, and durability. These are exactly the properties we set out to find in the caulking guns out in the market today.
Our Recommendations for the Best Caulking Gun
What did we find? We checked the features of products out there and here are the best ones you can get for the money:
- Steel half-barrel (also called cradle) frame caulking gun for 1/10-gal. cartridges
- Thrust ratio of 10:1 for use with low viscosity materials
- Smooth pressure rod requires less force and is quieter than a ratchet-style pressure rod
- Rod retracts after each pull of the trigger to help prevent dripping
- Handle and trigger are padded for comfort
- Steel half-barrel (also called cradle) frame caulking gun for 1/10-gal. cartridges
- Thrust ratio of 6:1 for use with medium viscosity materials
- Ratchet-style pressure rod has teeth to hold the rod in place after each pull of the trigger for minimizing drips
- Rod retracts after each pull of the trigger to help prevent dripping
- Welded plate in back for securing cartridge in place
- This Caulking Gun Is Ideal For Acrylic, Adhesives, Asphalt, Butyl, And Cement
- Smooth Pressure Rod For Less Force Required
- Provides Smooth Action And Precise Application
- Professional-Grade High-Thrust Ratio Caulk Gun
- 10:1 Thrust Ratio
Find out about others top picks:
1. Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Power Caulk
- Variable speed selector lets user adjust the discharge rate to control the bead of caulk
- Switch lock helps prevent accidental start-up
- Center balanced handle for increased user comfort
- All metal manual plunger rods with hook end allows user to quickly change out tubes
- Over 500 lbs. of push force to handle higher viscosity materials allow user to caulk with ease
Whatever caulking material you are using, this is the right caulking gun to get. It has the power to dispense even the thickest caulking or adhesive material. This is a great choice for people who need to do more intense caulking jobs or who need to do a lot of repairs on their walls, siding, and moldings before advancing to other steps like painting.
Pros:
It has one of the best push forces when it comes to caulking guns. This is good because it allows the gun to dispense caulk material without you putting in a lot of effort. If you are using caulking materials with a thicker consistency, you definitely should try using this one.
It has a variable speed setting. That means you can set it to dispense caulk material as slow or as fast as you prefer. If you need full control over how much caulk you are applying, set it to slow function. If you are an experienced contractor, go for the higher speed setting.
There is a switch lock system. What this does is prevent users from accidentally dispensing caulk. You can simply push the lock system when you need to apply the caulk.
Users like how ergonomic it is. It doesn’t feel heavy and it has a good center balance that gives users full control over it. It doesn’t cause hand fatigue easily.
The Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Power Caulk is a workhorse as well. You can get more use from this caulk. The parts are durable, and everything feels solid and well-built. There is even a customer who accidentally dropped this caulk gun a few times but did not experience damages.
Cons:
Some users say that there’s a bit of delay when pushing caulk material out. Although not that significant, some users might find the short waiting time annoying.
You will need to get rechargeable batteries from the same manufacturer.
2. SP Tools Cordless Caulking Gun
- 400ml capacity works with all standard size cartridges
- Speed control function
- Patented dripless mechanism
- Patented rapid plunger release mechanism
- Cut-Off switch when plunger reaches the end
New to caulking? No worries, this caulking gun will back you up with its seamless and fool-proof usage. It might be more ideal for the newbies but it’s just as good for seasoned builders who are looking for a reliable sealing tool to add to their home improvement arsenal.
The SP Tools Cordless Caulking Gun is definitely not the cheapest product out there but the durability of the parts and its consistency of usage more than makes up for it.
Pros:
This caulking gun’s 400 ml capacity is just right for different kinds of sealing products out there. It’s a standard size so you can find caulking cartridges that will fit right in here. The cartridge is housed in a metal barrel, so it stays in place while working on those gaps.
One of its best features is its speed control. You can set how fast or how slow it will expel the caulking or adhesive material. This is what makes this user-friendly. If you are still getting the hang of caulking or you just want to take it slow to ensure you are getting caulk in all those gaps, this feature will come in handy.
No annoying drips with this one, unlike other products. The dripless mechanism keeps the nozzle clean and prevents you from wasting a lot of caulk product. You can actually pause what you are doing and then pick it up again to continue without completely turning the caulk gun off.
No caulk waste with this one. The plunger is long enough so it can really get until the end of the cartridge to push out all the remaining caulk inside.
This product also comes with a warranty.
Cons:
Some people might find the price a little too expensive for a caulking gun.
Some people also said the charger that came with it did not work for them. You can get the manufacturing company to replace the charger.
There was a user who said it pumped out caulking product too fast for his preferences.
3. Makita XgC01T1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Caulk & Adhesive Gun
- Makita-built motor delivers 1,100 lbs. Of dispensing force to dispense the highest viscosity adhesives and sealants
- 5-speed dial optimizes flow rate from 0-66 IPM
- Variable speed trigger allows user to match speed to the application
- 360° rotatable cartridge holder fits 10 oz. And 300 ml cartridges
- Drip-reduction feature automatically relieves pressure on the material when trigger is released to prevent unintentional dispensing
This is a true industrial-grade caulk gun that anyone with a heavy need for caulking will find a great addition to their home improvement arsenal. If you frequently work with different caulking and adhesive materials of various levels of viscosity, you won’t have issues using this product.
Pros:
The motor is really powerful. It has one of the best dispensing forces out there, which is great for more professional uses. If you need to caulk exterior siding before doing painting work, this will help you accomplish the job fast.
The Makita XgC01T1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Caulk & Adhesive Gun flow rate is also faultless. It comes with 5 different speed levels, so you can easily change the settings to the one that will suit your caulking skill level more.
Many users like the rotatable cartridge. Not many caulking guns out there have this feature and it really comes in handy in fitting different sizes of caulk cartridges and getting the most material from them.
Just release the trigger and it stops dripping caulk. It prevents mess and waste of caulking material. This feature also relieves hand fatigue, ideal for when you are doing caulking work a lot and your hands get tired easily. There were also customers who said they worked with thicker caulks and didn’t have issues with hand cramping because this tool dispensed thicker caulks with ease.
This product comes with a one-year limited warranty, have a look at the manufacturer’s website.
Cons:
Be careful not to place it out in the open in the winter season. There was a customer who left it at the back of his truck during winter and had trouble operating it. The product might have been damaged from the cold. It’s not weather-proof.
Many customers also find the price is a bit steep for a caulking gun.
Conclusion for the caulking guns
There’s no shortage of caulking guns out there but that doesn’t mean you should pick the first one you can find. Our suggestions are some of your safest bets so make sure you keep an eye out for them.
We suggest forking out the extra money for the Makita XgC01T1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Caulk & Adhesive Gun. You won’t regret adding this to your home improvement tool as it truly is a reliable tool that accomplishes caulking tasks and more in a faster period of time. You will thank yourself for getting this because it doesn’t strain your hands easily even when using thicker caulking products.
SP Tools Cordless Caulking Gun is more mid-range but packs a punch when it comes to quality features. You have everything you need from this sealing product – from the ability to cut off caulking supply when not needed to ease of use. It won’t give you a headache and can even last for a long time. We suggest you get this for bigger sealing projects.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of the Ryobi 18-Volt One+ Power Caulk. It is good for different kinds of adhesives and sealants, even when using those that are highly viscose. Its power allows it to dispense thicker types of caulking products with minimal effort. The price is more accessible, great for those looking for a mix of value and price.
Caulking Gun Buying Guide
We know you might need more information on how to find the best caulking gun for your needs. Here are the things you need to keep in mind:
All-Around, Multi-Purpose Sealant
Make sure you get the most out of the caulking gun you are buying by choosing one that works with different kinds of materials. It should work not just with caulk but also with other adhesives and sealants like acrylic, epoxy, and latex.
Cheaper caulking guns might only work with caulk as they are not designed to work with materials that are thicker or more viscose. This is why you should still check to see if the caulking gun has all these properties.
Size of the Cartridge
What size of the cartridge does it work with? You would want to find out if the caulking gun fits standard caulking cartridges. This is true especially if you are going for the sausage type. Otherwise, you will have difficulty finding a cartridge that will fit in there.
Consistent Release
The reason why you would want to use a caulking gun instead of just using those caulking products that can be directly applied is, so you can get a consistent application. A consistent amount of product is being dispensed so you can get the same caulking thickness. Just make sure the tool you are using has this feature. Some caulking guns may also have adjustable speed, so you can go as fast or as slow as you want.
Ergonomics
Caulking might seem like a simple job but if you are going to do it for a long time, it can still lead to fatigue. To ease up the tiredness you might feel, look for a caulk gun that you can handle easily. The trigger shouldn’t be too stiff. Check to see how well your hands fit the handle. You should be able to move your hands easily without suffering from hand fatigue.
Price
While there are definitely cheap caulking guns out there, you would still want to make sure that you are buying a good one regardless of the price. Chances are, a cheap caulking gun won’t be able to withstand multiple uses, so you still would want to look for one that may be a little more expensive but will work for a longer time.
Backed by the Manufacturing Company
Does it come with a warranty? If it’s a high-end or commercial-grade caulking gun, you would want to check if it comes with a warranty and how long the warranty is. The manufacturing company will take care of replacements or repairs in case the one delivered to you fails.
What’s Next
Buying a caulking gun for your home improvement needs or professional needs does not have to be intimidating. You can start by checking out the products we suggested. Click on the links to buy or learn more about them. Want to build your home improvement arsenal even more? Our homepage has all the information you need when it comes to other tools and equipment.
