If you are looking to buy a heat gun for your home or for commercial purposes, We are going to give you some of the best recommendations you hear. In case you don’t know what heat guns are then here is our complete and easy guide for you which will help you to make the right choice. Different types of heat guns are used for home or commercial use and this guide will help you find the best heat gun that will suit your requirement.

The device which is used to release a stream of hot air, at a temperature of usually around 100-500 degree celsius is called a heat gun. You can also hold it by hand. Heat guns have a structure of a long body, which points at what you need to heat,  with a trigger and a handle which is fixed at right angles. This is very similar to a handgun from which it derived its name.

Best Heat Guns

A source of heat, basically an electric heated element, a gas flame,hot air moving mechanism for example electric fan, pressure, a simple pointing nozzle to direct the air or made especially for the purpose of directing the hot air, all these elements together make a heat gun. These are the components of the heat gun. It also comes with a box to keep the heat gun safe with a handle, an on/ off switch to handle the trigger option and  an external stand for making it a hands free use. Low form of heat gun is a hair dryer. The non changeable hot air blower in the soldering power irons gives a very thin form of hot only best suited for surface mount devices and heat shrink devices.

 Features:

As a simple tool there is not much differences between  one heat gun and another but there are certain features which you should look into while buying a heat gun:

  • Wattage- The wattage should basically be between 1000W-2000W along with air flow controls. It is believed that the higher the wattage the better the heat gun.
  • Main Control Switch- The switch is commonly found in front of the piston grip, and power is switched off when finger pressure is removed as it is a dead man switch. It is a safety feature which is enabled when it is accidently fallen to the ground.
  •  Temperature – Temperature setting – a temperature of maximum at least 500°C is needed for stripping paint. It is more useful due to the lower range of the bottom. Tool is made useful with the help of choice control.
  • Airflow setting – The tool is made more versatile with the help of variable or more than one speed of variable.
  • Thermal cut out – If the tool becomes overheated this feature will switch the tool off. A fault in the tool or method of use is indicated if this occurs. The fault must be recognised and corrected before the heat gun is again used for safety purposes.
  • Flex length – Normally lengths of 2.5 to 3 m are fitted, which means that the tool can be used at the full reach without having the socket hanging in mid air, when an extension lead is being used.
  • Hanging hook – It is very useful for storing the tool.
  • Surface stand – The heat gun to be safely ‘rested’ during pauses in the work and after uses is enabled .The gun to be used ‘hands-free’ when two hands are required on the workpiece such as when bending a plastic pipe is also allowed.
  • Nozzles – For specific uses, most heat guns have a range of nozzles that can be fitted, which needs to be purchased separately generally.
Advantages of a heat gun:
  • Every type of home repair can be done with the help of heat guns. It is used for the purposes like removing putty and paint by softening them and sometimes it is also used for soldering purposes.
  • All types of adhesives can also be removed with the help of a heat gun which includes the bumper sticker about which you are not proud any longer.
  • Due to their flameless nature the heat guns have a bigger advantage over the other heat producing products. When heat from the product may threaten to damage the surface of your system the heat gun with the feature of being flameless protects the surface of your house from getting damaged.
  • A heat gun makes it very easy for you to remove the paint in a paint stripping project. Once the blisters are made it becomes easier for you to remove the paint by hand scraping of the paint.
  • You can remove glazing putty with the help of a heat gun.
  • Heat guns are a very economical way of removing paints. They are not expensive like the chemical paint strippers.
  • Heat guns are very easy to use and you can learn how to use them just with a few basic guides.
  • A heat gun is not very messy in comparison to chemical strippers. The scrapping of paint can lead the paint to get stuck in your shoes however it is less messy when compared to other chemical paint removers.
Disadvantages of a Heat Gun:
  • Heat guns are not meant for tackling lead based paint. If you use heat gun for removing lead based paint you can inhale the toxic heat gun heat fumes during the 1980s because some paint was lead based during this time.
  • If you are not experienced in burning the layers of unsightly paint with a heat gun then it can lead to fire due to the high temperatures. 
  • Wood and plaster walls can be hampered easily when dealing with a heat gun at high temperature so it is always best to use a heat gun with temperature control features.
Types of Heat Guns:

 Here are some different types of heat guns which are available in the market.

  • Electric heat gun-

This type of heat gun source of energy is electricity. Most heat guns come with a power cord while some come be corded or cordless with a variation in the size and temperature range of this heat gun. It also depends on the manufacturer. This is a very famous heat gun crafted especially for home, industrial uses and crafts. If you are working on crafts, shrink wrapping etc then you need a small electric heat gun but if you are working on  sizable projects then you need a large electric heat gun.

This heat gun consists of two important elements- a fan and a heating element. The fan starts rotating once you switch the fan on. The air passes from the heat chambers and then a stream of hot air comes off the nozzle. The temperature of the heating element can be increased or reduced by bringing a change by adjusting the temperature. It takes time to cool down because even if you have switched off the device you will notice that the fan and the heating element cools down after taking a bit of time. It works in the same manner as a hair dryer works but the only difference is that a heat gun produces a higher temperature than a hair dryer.

  • Gas powered Heat Guns-

Gas used in this type of heat gun is butane and propane. The size and the model are the two main elements for the variation of temperature capabilities. It is used for industrial uses which involves heavy duty projects like welding, construction jobs etc. Gas powered heat guns are used by industries and not hot air heat guns because they produce more power, speed up rotation and it performs all the tasks in a very less time. It is cheaper than electric hot air heat guns.

  • Infrared Heat Guns-

Infrared heat is used by this kind of heat gun rather than using hot air. It comes with a low temperature between 400-600 degrees. It is best suited for small projects. This type of heat gun also looks after the issue of decreasing the risk of inhaling toxic lead fumes. These types of heat guns are also very cheap, with just spending a few dollars you can buy a good infrared heat gun.

  • Industrial Heat Guns-

The name of this heat gun suggests that this kind of heat gun is made solely for the purpose of industrial use, with the purpose of doing large, heavy duty jobs. Due to size and power their temperature functions also vary.

Factors to keep in mind while buying a heat gun:

You should first know why you need to buy a heat gun?

Before suggesting you the best heat guns, we shall first discuss the factors to keep in mind while buying a heat gun. Here are the some factors to keep in mind while buying a heat gun:

  • Fast heating- When buying a heat gun always look into its capability of heating up faster. You need a heat gun which heats up as fast as possible. Most good heat guns do not take more than 20 seconds to get heated up. You should avoid any heat gun which takes more than 2 minutes to get heated up.
  • Temperature Range- You want a heat gun with a number of temperature ranges for using it in your a number of DIY projects. Most modern heat guns give you the option of temperature control. If you don’t need a high temperature cap, getting a high range ensures you that you are not going to face heating problems.
  • Display- The temperature at which heat is being generated by the heat gun can be monitored by you from the LCD display. If you need a particular kind of temperature then LCD displays can help you out in this. Some heat guns are not equipped with displays and are only fixed with a few or two heat settings.
  • Safety measures- Good heat guns always come with safety measures which protect you from the high temperatures and ensure you do not cause damage to sensitive materials or expose your hands to high temperature as heat guns are very sensitive and operate at a very high temperature.
  • Nozzles- You should always look for those heat guns which come with a number of nozzle options. Heat guns come with an array of nozzle options.  With nozzles other accessories are also packed with the kit.

 In short you need to get a heat gun which provides you a right l mixture of safety measures, temperature range and tool kit.

We hope that this guide helped you in clearing your doubts regarding the heat guns. Here are our top 13 heat gun recommendations:

1.DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Heat Gun, Tool Only (DCE530B)

A newcomer in the field of heat guns, this heat gun gives the argument about being the best cordless heat gun by increasing the temperature to 999 degrees fahrenheit. This heat gun with its cordless feature can take to you places where your corded heat gun cannot take. This cordless heat gun is very compact which makes it very handy and can be used for diverse applications. You can remove paint and decay and also can be used for heat shrinking wire technology. This heat gun comes with two different settings of temperature with its on and off features allowing you to use it in handsfree mode too. It is of the same size as the traditional heat guns are. Battery and chargers are sold separately.

Features:
  • It will give you an output temperature upto 990 degree celsius with a 42 minute runtime on each second.
  • You will get to see red indicator lights to indicate that the heat gun is in use.
  • Manual operation is triggered by lock off feature. It gives you an on and off feature allowing you to use this heat gun in a handsfree mode.
  • You will get a maximum heat value of 20 volts and nominal battery voltage of 18 volts. 
Pros:
  • You will get two nozzles with the kit.
  • You will also see a lock on button.
  • You will experience the most compact length in this class.
  • In this class of heat gun you will get the latest bare tool if you buy this.
Cons:
  • Many reviewers gave the review that there were several answered questions regarding the maximum temperature and runtime. 
  • You will not receive any guide book with this kit.

2. Heat Gun, 1600W Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun Kit with 2-Temp Settings 4 Nozzles, Temperature Heat Gun Kit for Crafts, Shrinking PVC, Tubing, Paint Removal

This heat gun takes the best care of all the safety issues and provides you a very user friendly experience. The manufacturer’s main aim is to provide its user the best experience of the product and to give inspiration to the consumers to live a arty, convenient and easy to go lifestyle. Every single detail which will matter to you will be looked after by the professionals of the manufacturer which helps them to deliver you the most compact, easy to handle and well made exotic product.

Features:
  • Digital Temperature- The temperature feature of the heat gun gives you the best and precise heat for any kind of object on which you want to work.
  • Four Nozzle Accessories- A long, narrow heat pattern is deflected to the work surface by the nozzles. The deflector nozzle deflects the heat in an evenly manner and the two nozzles deflect the heat to the work surface.
  • Overheat protection- A high temperature resistance is provided to the heat gun due to its stainless steel outlet which is of a very high quality.
  • Flash back Stang- You can use this heat gun from both the hands which makes it very handey and the heat gun can be placed upside down for letting it cool down.
  • More ventilation- It has a ventilation facility which will help you to cool the heat gun easily and help in dissipation of heat.
  • Safe and reliable-This heat gun can very easily cool itself after getting heated up because it has a built in cooling mode. It has an integrated built in overload and overheating protection which makes it very easy and safe to use.
Pros:
  • Its lightweight prevents strain injuries which take place in repetition.
  • If using this heat gun you don’t need to use adhesive  for any pipe.
  • It has temperature switching features to change the temperatures.
Cons:
  • Some viewers have the view that it melts its own nozzles if you work too close.
  • It is a little expensive.

3. SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun Kit Variable Temperature Control with 2-Temp Settings 4 Nozzles 122℉~1202℉(50℃- 650℃)with Overload Protection for Crafts, Shrinking PVC, Stripping Paint

This is a kind of heat gun which works best for small and larger works in the same manner. A good cord length which is 1.6 meters long which makes it very easy for you to use it either for releasing rusted screws from a jack or you are in a room and want to remove the paint and the wallpaper of the room, it just fits perfectly for each of the chores. The handle is very ergonomic, a very light weight and  easy to use heat gun. It contains a rear black dial which controls the temperature of the heat gun.

Features:
  • Strong power with dual modes- It provides you with a strong heat up process and a dual temperature modes- i) 50-450 degree celsius and 190-210L/min and ii) 50-650  degrees celsius and 250-550L/min.
  • Variable temperature control- It will provide you with a variable temperature control.
  • Overload Protection- It consists of a black dial which will provide you with a rheostat heating protection.
  • Four Nozzle Accessories- A long, narrow heat pattern is directed towards the work surface with the help of the nozzles. Concentrator nozzle concentrates the heats towards the work surface and the dispenser nozzle disperses the heat flow.
  • Warranty- It provides you with a lifetime warranty.
  • Design- It has a very scientific, enorgenomic and sleek design which makes it very compact to protect it from strain injuries.
Pros:
  • It will help you in completing a number of chores.
  • You will receive four nozzles with the kit.
  • You will receive a good length power cord.
  • It is very lightweight.
Cons:
  • It is a bit expensive.
  • It is very basic in use.
  • Some viewers complained that it does not heat up as early as it was promised in the manual.

4. Milwaukee Electric Tool Milwaukee 2688-20 Cordless Heat Gun

With a fast heating process and providing you with a heat shrinking temperature within 7 seconds and taking a bit time to heat itself at a temperature of 875 fahrenheit, it made a name for itself in the market. You will like its compact head look of 6.6″ and hang hook look. A battery, charger, guarded nozzle and a reducing nozzle is accompanied by this heat gun kit. It was the first to enter the market as the first cordless heat gun.

Features:
  • Use- It comes with a very compact and handy design so that it can be used in an easy and light way.
  • Battery- This Heat gun kit comes with a battery by Xc 5.0.
  • It is a very sturdy heat gun which reaches operational temperatures in just seven seconds.
  • It will give you a built in LED light to lighten up the work area.
Pros:
  • It will give you a fast heating time.
  • You will get 2 nozzles with the kit.
  • It has a hang hook and a compact look.
  • It Provides you with a 5 year warranty.
Cons:
  • It gives you single mode only.
  • It does not have any kind of lock on feature.

5. Heat Gun, Hot Air Gun 1500W with Variable Temperature 122℉-1022℉, 3-Temp Settings, Four Nozzles and One Scraper for Crafts, Shrinking PVC, Stripping Paint, AVID POWER

The using life of the machine becomes longer and more sturdy due to the upgraded heating wires. It has a powerful motor which will help you to heat the hot air gun faster and to maximum temperatures just in seconds. It has five different attachments for five different things like activating adhesives, bending plastics, thawing frozen pipes and many of the DIY home chores. It comes with overheating protection features with a cooling mode and a ventilation slot.

Features:
  • Variable temperature control and 3 temp setting- It provides you with a variable temperature control option unlike the other heat guns which provides dual temperature control features. It has a very high temperature which helps it to heat up quickly to 1022 fahrenheit.  Various heating applications are suited by three temperature settings.
  • Cooling mode and Overheating protection- The cooling down of the material from a high temperature is easier with the help of the cooling mode which has a temperature of 122 fahrenheit. The heat gun is protected from getting damaged by the overheating protection mode which is a built in feature.
  • Five nozzle attachment- This heat gun kit includes five five nozzles attachment  which will help you to paint, adhesive removal etc.
  • Ergonomic design- It contains the ventilation slot and cooking down feature which will help you in dissipating heat from the system easily. Its handle is made of rubber for providing you a good grip. The front is protected by the front protection tube.
Pros:
  • Value for money.
  • Gives you a feature of variable temperature control.
Cons:
  • Some viewers gave the view that the unit gives a very bad and slow blow.

6.PORTER-CABLE Heat Gun, 1500-Watt (PC1500HG)

A dual fan speed selector that provides a high and low fan speed settings is provided to you by the Portar hand heat gun. Easy adjustment of temperature is allowed by this heat gun. Hands free feature can be used in this heat gun by the inbuilt hands free support stand. For storage it has an independent hand hook design. This heat gun is very light weight and proves to be less tiresome due to its two pounds weight. High heat and multiple fan settings are offered by the 1500 watt motors. Its flexibility is increased by the six feet height cord during cold use. It is best suited for applications such as paint removal, bending plastic pipes, welding plastics etc.

Features:
  • You will get a 1500 watt motor with a dual fan speed selector.
  • It has a variable temperature control guide which will help you in setting the temperature according to your preference.
  • The inbuilt stand free support system provides you with the feature of its hands free usage .
  • It has a six feet high grade cord.
Pros:
  • It gives you high heat output.
  • It will give you a high drying power.
  • It gives you variable temperature control features.
Cons:
  • Some customers reviewed that the air output was not up to the mark.

7. Mini Heat Gun, Handheld Hot Air Gun, 300W Portable Heat Gun for DIY Craft Embossing, Shrink Wrapping PVC, Rubber Stamp Heat Tools, Electronics DIY (White)

This heat gun is best suited for embossing, shrinking, paint removal, wrapping, drying, melting, weathering, soldering, image transfer and more. The kit consists of a noze safety sheet for the protection from burns. Vents are provided for a professional on both sides of the heat gun. It has a cable length of 97cm/38inches.

Features:
  • Improve Work Efficiency-  This heat gun is used for improving your work efficiency by decreasing the workload and making the work easier with the help of saving your time and energy.
  • Variable speed- This the only heat gun which provides you with the dual feature of combining low and high speed at  the same time. It is a very safe, durable, compact and easy to use heat gun. 
  • Design- It’s pencil-like easy to hold design makes it a very good option when you are looking for some compact and easy to carry heat gun.
  • It provides you with a wide range of uses as it is suitable for crafts, automobiles etc.
Pros:
  • It is very compact and easy to use.
  • It has a sleek design which makes it easy to hold.
Cons:
  • It is not very cheap.

8. DEWALT Heat Gun with LCD Display & Hard Case/Accessory Kit (D26960K)

It is the best heat gun in the market designed best for a safe and an impactful operation. The manufacturer Dewalt  has a very good reputation of making high quality products and this heat gun is no exception. You can adjust the temperature with the help of an LCD screen and can also manage to look into the current temperature read out. You can increase the temperature from 50 degrees to 150 degrees in Celsius and from 150 degrees to 1100 Fahrenheit. It is a heavy duty tool with all the safety measures. When the unit is overloaded the protection feature automatically shuts the system down to minimise risk of burns. Due to its light weight you can carry it for a longer period of time. A lot of accessories are availed when you buy this heat gun. It has more than four nozzles.

Features:
  • Display- It has an LCD display which will allow you to monitor the temperature and control the heat of the heat gun.
  • Overload Protection- This heat gun comes with an overload protection feature which helps to switch off the machine if the machine is overloaded.
  • Built in features- You will get an intermittent ring which will add convenient storage features with a cord protector.
  • Stability- Greater stability is provided to it by the kickstand feature.
Pros:
  • It provides you with an LCD screen and overload protection feature.
  • It has great customer reviews.
  • It has a comfortable grip with a reliable cord and you get a large pack of accessories. 
Cons: 
  • It is a bit expensive.
  • It can only adjust upto 50 degrees of increase.

9. BLACK+DECKER Heat Gun, Dual Temperature (HG1300)

This brand is famous for its reliable and sturdy products and this heat gun being its product is no exception. With different temperature settings it also has an intermittent foldable stand  which makes it possible for the user to use it in hands free mode. It does not include any kind of accessories therefore its price is a bit high however the brand is very well renowned so the price is worth it. This heat gun is best for beginners . It comes with a two year warranty and it is very light weighted and it feels amazing while you hold it due to its lightweight. 

Features:
  • It consists of two temperature settings which you can use for a number of purposes.
  • It has an easy cool down built in function which helps the machine to cool down fast just in a few seconds.
  • It has a very lightweight which makes it very compact to use it with ease.
  • It comes with dual temperature settings and helps you to choose between two different types of temperatures.
Pros:
  • It has a dual temperature control feature and a great intermittent build.
  • It has very good customer reviews.
  • It is a trusted brand product.
Cons:
  • It does not come with any kind of accessories.
  • It has a very limited temperature control feature.
  • It is not suggested for commercial use.

10. Wagner Spraytech 0503008 HT1000 Heat Gun, 2 Temp Settings 750ᵒF & 1000ᵒF, soften paint, caulking, adhesive, putty for removal, shrink wrap, bend plastic pipes, and loosen rusted nuts or bolts

This heat gun comes with a two temperature control setting and a simple switch is used to settle the temperature of the heat gun. For controlling the air flow, the heat gun has two air flow controlling settings. Best suited for works such as paint removal, thawing pipes and many more. For hanging it somewhere during work break it comes with a hook so that you can hang it somewhere easily. It offers two years of home warranty. This is all what is offered by this heat gun. No other heat gun provides you with these features at such a low price therefore it is a must recommendation to check out.

Features:
  • Dual temperature heat gun- This heat gun offers two different types of temperature settings to help you to complete your household works with ease.
  • Adjustable settings- This is a heat gun with adjustable settings by providing you with two different fan speeds to customize your heat gun according to your preference .
  • Hands free operation- It provides you with a hands free operation to protect you from touching the hot nozzle by mistake.
  • Durable- This heat gun has a feature of a non corrosive nozzle for providing you with a durable and intermittent hanging hook.

Pros:

  • It is very cheap, lightweight and portable.
  • Best suited for home chores.
  • It is made of the best quality build.

Cons:

  • It is not suggested for professional use and it does not come with any kind of support.

11. Heat Gun, Mowis 1800W Heavy Duty Hot Air Shrink Gun, with 4 Nozzle Attachments

This heat gun is popularly used for expelling paints, shrinking pvc, and removing bolts. A digital display with temperature control and two air flows are part of this heat gun. You can use the digital display to control the heat and also check the temperature of the heat gun. It is accompanied with 4 different nozzles. This heat gun is very sturdy, has an intermittent feature of heat control, and this heat gun cools down quickly as soon as the work is over. It is really reliable and safe to use.

Features:
  • This heat gun is very light weight and highly user friendly. You can handle this heat gun very easily and without any kind of problem.
  • It has an adjustable temperature feature which will help you to adjust the temperature from between 100-600 degrees celsius according to your preference.
  • It comes with a digital LCD display which helps you to keep a track of the heat produced and you can also adjust the temperature of the heat gun.
Pros:
  • It is very lightweight and compact.
  • It has very good customer reviews.
  • It has a wide temperature range and comes with a wide cord length.
Cons:
  • The product price is a bit high.
  • It is of a medium build quality.
  • The temperature is shown in celsius. 

12. Milwaukee 8975-6 11.6 Amp 570/1000-Degree Fahrenheit Dual Temperature Heat Gun

It is a dual temperature heat gun which gives you two different types of temperature settings. The temperatures can be easily controlled by the switch which is present on the handle. The switch consists of three positions- the higher, the middle and the lower position where your switch off button is there. This heat gun is very durable and can be used for months when taken with good care. It is very light weight and also offers you a very nice grip on its handle. It consists of a fan which provides efficient velocity of soft air.

Features:
  • This heat gun is a 1500 Watt heat gun and comes with a dual control temperature feature which helps you to change into two different kinds of temperature.
  • Paint stripping and varnish removal can be done by this versatile and stunning heat gun.
  • This heat gun comes with a high quality coil which will help you to quickly maintain even temperature between 570 and 1000 degree celsius.
  • Surface temperature is increased by efficient soft air velocity in a faster way unlike the traditional hot air heat.
Pros:
  • It is very lightweight and feels good in hand.
  • The speed of the fan is also good.
Cons:
  • It is not worth the price.

13. EnerTwist Heat Gun 1500 Watt Variable Temperature Control Hot Air Tool Kit Heating Protect for Shrink Wrapping, Paint Removal, Wiring, Tubing, Crafts, Vinyl Wrap, Automotive, Electronics Repair

This heat provides variable temperature control setting with 9 temperatures adjustment.it gives you 3 fan speed controls from high to low. The heat gun is heated up to a high temperature of 932 just in seconds. It has a lightweight and a non slip comfortable  grip which makes it easy to use and also very handy. You will get four nozzles, 5 pain scraper kits, desoldering and tube for heat shrinking as accessories.

Features:
  • Variable temperature- It comes with 9 different kinds of adjustable heat temperatures and 3 fan speed features which makes it very conventional for your use.
  • Powerful and reliable- 12.5 Amp of the heavy duty gun heats up to maximum temperature of 932 degree fahrenheit in a few seconds and heats up quickly and gives a very stunning performance.
  • Ergonomic safety- Designed with a non slip slip and a compact sleek feature for easy usage and hands free feature is provided to protect you from getting burned with the hot nozzles. It also contains an intermittent overloading protection feature to protect the device from misuse of being heated up too much.
  • Multifaceted accessories- You will get 4 nozzle defectors and 5 paint scrapers as a part of the kit if you buy this product.
Pros:
  • It consists of versatile accessories.
  • It has a high temperature reach.
  • It has a very attractive design.
Cons:
  • It comes with no warranty.

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through our recommendations, we hope it would have helped you to  make up your mind. However if you are not able to reach any decision then we are putting down our top three recommendations below. All of these heat guns are very popular and have a very high rating online. They are very durable, affordable, sturdy and fast in mending things just in minutes with the expected quality of the brand. These three heat guns are worth buying and you can never get wrong with them and you are sure to get your money’s worth with these three heat guns.