Best Overall
Newborn 250 Smooth Rod Revolving Frame Caulking Gun
Runner-up
Newborn 188 Ratchet Rod Cradle Caulking Gun
Best Bang for the Buck
Bates Choice 10:1 Thrust Ratio Caulking Gun
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Caulking gunman deport a continuous pearl of caulk to varnish joints between two surfaces , such as gaps between window frames and jambs . Most caulking guns today are manual , mean you embrace a deal trigger to dispense the sealer . However , powered caulking guns are produce in popularity because all you take to do is guide the tip to create a smooth , continuous bead of caulking .
Choosing the idealistic caulking gas will depend on the type of caulking you ’re using , as well as the project ’s overall telescope and budget . To help you decide , we tested eight pop choice in genuine - world practical program and contacted an expert to get their insights . Based on our hand - on test and our expert ’s experience , we chose theNewborn 250 Smooth Rod Revolving Frame Caulking Gunas the good overall option . It ’s comfortable to grip , easy to use , and offers the smoothest rotation of all tested models .
We ’ve included the rest of our recommendations on the good caulk accelerator pedal below , as well as utile tips for how to choose thetoolthat ’s right for you .
Caulking Guns Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
There ’s a lot to consider when choosing the best caulk gun , and the sheer volume of entropy can palpate overwhelming . To help you fill in the gaps , we detail the results of our hands - on exam and each item ’s pro and cons below .
During testing , we set up applying caulking and sealant using the Newborn 250 promiscuous and bland . The frame rotates smoothly ( certainly the smoothest of all the models ) , and the mitt grips are very comfortable . It also has a revolving skeletal frame , realise it much easier to calk around corner . or else of throw to stop and restart , simply rotate the barrel , and the angled top of the tube rotates to the correct stance to keep campaign a bead .
The Newborn 250 is built to last with a hold made of Zn admixture to shrink corrosion . The pecker feature a respectable 18:1 thrust ratio to easily dispense average - viscousness caulk , include butyl and acrylic . It also has a thumb release for dripless operation , and we really liked the construct - in carver ( which most high - poking caulking guns do n’t have ) . This modelling does dribble a bit , but the release is well-heeled to access and press with one hand . Our only charge is that just one handle has a arctic coating — coating both handles would be a welfare .
What our examiner says:“The frame on this model rotated more smoothly than all the other social unit we tested , make it unbelievably sluttish to employ caulking and sealant equally . ”—Tom Scalisi , Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Newborn 250 caulking torpedo atAmazon , Ace Hardware , Lowe ’s , orNewborn .
Runner-Up
For occasional low undertaking , such ascaulking between a shower or bathtub and the rampart , check out this nicely price and super - honest option from Newborn . The 188 ratchet rod cradle caulk gun has a traditional ratchet rod design and a 6:1 stab ratio that ’s best for dispensing low - viscosity sealer , such as painter ’s latex caulk . It follow with a built - in bowling pin for puncture the seal on the caulk tube and a built - in cutter to nip off the tube ’s tip .
During testing , we found quite a few things to wish about the Newborn 188 . For one , we value the hardy welded mental synthesis , which felt quality despite this pick ’s sensible cost shred . We also wish the build - in carver and puncture puppet , which made getting to work faster and easier . The one downside we found was that this caulking gunman was more unmanageable to squeeze than others , making it good for small projects .
Get the Newborn 188 caulk gunslinger atAmazonorLowe ’s .
find a caulk gun that really offers a no - drip design can be hard — even more so at a sane toll point . But this Bates Choice model checks both box . This uncomplicated caulk gunman features a smooth gat that ply even and consistent pressure without dripping . It also has a 10:1 ratio , which is more than most other models at this price . It has a lightweight fixed frame , as well as a build - in pinnace and puncture wire .
Our first impression of the Bates was that it mat rather cheesy . It did , however , accomplish something no other caulk accelerator in the comparison did : It did n’t drop at all . When we considered that alongside its low-priced toll , the Bates really stood out . We also like that it had a build - in cutter and a puncture tool under the physical body to make getting started easier .
Get the Bates Choice caulk gun atAmazon , Walmart , orBates Choice .
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Best Grip
Newborn Octogun 930-GTD Hex Rod Cradle Caulking Gun
Anyone seek to avert banal hand while caulking and sealing may find this unit of measurement from Newborn apotheosis . It has two arctic overmolded clasp , a smooth - drag hand trigger , and a rod cell that automatically shrink back after secrete the trigger to prevent redundant caulk from oozing out . It also features a 10:1 knife thrust proportion and easily dispense light to light - sensitive viscosity caulk , making it well suited for latex and silicone .
This gun has a built - in seal puncture tool , a stinging puppet , and a handy hook for hanging on a ravel spoke . We wish that we can cut the hint of our caulking electron tube and deflate the sealskin without have to hand for other tools , and this caulking gun ’s smooth rod is light to adapt and release . The one affair we do n’t love about this caulking gunman is that its so - called “ dripless caulk gun technology ” is not as no - drip as advertise . It definitely drip a short for us .
What our tester says:“This instrument ’s clutches really bear out during testing . It ’s extremely comfortable and easy to nip , despite this gun not birth a tremendous thrust proportion . ”—Tom Scalisi , production Reviews tester and author
Photo: Tom Scalisi for Bob Vila
Get the Newborn 930 - GTD caulk grease-gun atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orWalmart .
Best for Thick Sealants
PC Products Steel Dispensing Caulking Gun
With a high thrust ratio of 26:1 , the PC Products steel caulking hired gun is a workhorse that smoothly dispenses dense sealants . Thanks to its high proportion , it also works for caulk , sealant , and adhesives at modest temperatures . It features a smooth pole and a thumb loss to prevent seepage and waste . It has a revolving frame that makes position the tube easy , specially when laying caulking around nook .
Testing the PC Products steel caulk gun was gratifying . Despite below - freezing temperature , it had plenty of thrust for squeezing out sealant , and we liked that the frame orb . While it does have smart puncture telegram storage ( it ’s spring - loaded behind the gun trigger ) , it does n’t feature a cutter , which could be a downside for some .
Get the PC Products caulk gun atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Photo: Amazon
Best Heavy-Duty
Chicago Pneumatic CP9885 Series Caulking Gun
If you have a large caulking projection on the visible horizon , such ascaulking windowsthroughout your home or constructing a full set of console in a workshop , the Chicago Pneumatic caulking gun might be exactly what you ask . Instead of declare oneself Labor Department - intensive manual mental process , it attach to an air compressor for efficiency and easiness of use .
This caulking gun also does n’t have a plunger . Instead , it pressurizes the distance behind the caulk to drive it through the tube , tolerate for consistent pressure . It arrive with a regulator to adjust the pressure for optimal flow as well .
confessedly , it take on us a little while to dial in this caulking gun ’s pressure sensation regulator , which did get a bit of a mess at first . But , once dialed in , it was wondrous to test . exhaust the trigger immediately drops the pressure behind the tube , and as a result , there ’s very little dripping . Also , once we adjusted the governor , it offered uniform and tranquil press . In improver to an melodic phrase compressor , it ask anair compressor hosefor operation .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Chicago Pneumatic caulk gun atAmazonorWalmart .
Best Battery
DeWalt DCE560B 20V Max Adhesive Gun
When it come to magnanimous caulking or adhesive labor , this DeWalt cordless caulk gun might be the tool for the job . This model uses magnate from DeWalt ’s 20 - V battery lineup ( not include but commonly owned by many DIYers ) to twinge caulking thermionic valve with consistent , quotable results . Since you only call for to hold down the trigger , it ’s comfortable to use for extended period of time without manus fatigue .
During examination , the DeWalt caulking gunman produced even and consistent results without wearing out our hands . We enjoyed its onboard body of work luminousness while applying silicone caulking in dark-skinned corner , as well as its pivot frame . It also has six adjustable speeds , allowing you to dial in the correct rate for whatever job you ’re working on . While all these features come at a relatively high price , we think anyone practice mental synthesis adhesive material to floor joist will find this caulk gun pay for itself in a day or two .
Get the DeWalt caulking gun ( tool only ) atAmazon , Ace Hardware , Lowe ’s , orWalmart .
Photo: Amazon
Also Consider
Red Devil 9-Inch Extreme Duty Caulking Gun
With a 26:1 thrust ratio for press compact sealer and caulking out of their tube , Red Devil ’s Extreme Duty caulking gunman is deserving considering for working at depleted temperatures or with thick adhesives . It feature a smooth rod for quick exit as well as a pivot flesh for caulk around corners . It also has a well-to-do condom - coated trigger and a build - in seal puncture conducting wire in the handle .
In some areas , the Red Devil was excellent during examination . The rubber handle was well-fixed yet grippy , and there was tidy sum of power for squeezing out caulking or sealant in cold temperatures . unluckily , this exemplar is market as a dripless caulking gun , but it dripped during testing . Its underframe also does n’t swivel smoothly , but we got used to that and felt the sealant gun deserve a spot on our list for its hardy human body timbre and power .
Get the Red Devil calk gas pedal atAmazonorWalmart .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Caulking Guns
Testing caulking grease-gun was pretty straight : load them up , test their force , see if they drip , and liken the results . But since temperature were just under freezing when we test the caulk accelerator , our travail really put them through the wringer .
We quiz each refillable caulking grease-gun using an acrylic resin caulk to see how unruffled , coherent , and loose they were to work with . We caulked a seam between two boards and then allowed the guns to rest to see how much they ’d dribble . We took note of hand of features like rod , build up - in cutters , puncture conducting wire , and rubber grips .
We then loaded the calk hit man with cold construction adhesive as well as roofing tar and ran a drop of each down the board . This show us which guns had the best world power and which were unmanageable to use in those conditions . We also checked for dripping , which were considerably few than the acrylic due to the adhesive ’s viscousness .
Photo: Amazon
What to Consider When Choosing a Caulking Gun
Choosing a caulk gunman might seem like a aboveboard proffer , but there is actually quite a routine to fuck about these tool . From the type of perch , power vs. no major power , thrust ratio , and more , it ’s deserving doing a bit of research . The following are some of the most crucial factor to consider when look for for the best caulk gun .
Caulking Gun Type
Repeatedly squeezing a trigger can lead to hand and wrist joint fatigue , which is why powered caulking gunman are becoming more democratic . When they first hit the marketplace a few years ago , power caulking triggerman were reserved for commercial and industrial projects . Today , DIYers are name the welfare of caulking with a gun that automatically dispense sealant so they can focalise on produce a smooth bead . Since an automatic caulking artillery does n’t have a manus trigger , jab ratio does not apply . or else , shell out insistence is regulated via a light squeeze on the fingerbreadth initiation .
Rod Type
Squeezing the hand trigger on a manual caulking gunman force a rod into the back of the tube of interior orexterior caulk , which in act labour the caulking out of the tube ’s tip . There are two independent types of gas rods , and they vary more or less in carrying out .
Thrust Ratio
Thrust proportion relates to the amount of force-out generated each sentence the hired hand initiation is squeezed . The higher the ratio , the more force is exerted with each squeeze . This is important because different types of sealant are more or less viscid ( thick ) . With loggerheaded sealants , more thrust ratio is required to deal out the sealer .
Thrust proportion range from 3:1 to 28:1 . Guns with lower ratios are suitable for deal out fragile caulk , such as water - based latex caulk , while high thrust proportion are ask for dole out more viscous caulking , such as epoxy resin sealant .
Revolving Frame
Stopping and starting when run a drop of caulk can lead to unsightly lump and bulges . It ’s especially challenging to run a continuous astragal around a quoin because your hand emplacement and the angle of the gunman must change . With a revolving frame , however , you simply circumvolve the frame ( instead of the whole gun ) when round off a recess to calk without interruption .
FAQs
If your foreland is spinning with entropy or unresolved interrogative , the following answers may clear things up . We also offer more information on whether you cancaulk over caulkand topcaulking mistakesin disjoined guides .
We institute theNewborn 250 caulking gunthe easiest to use during testing . It has plenty of power , a well-to-do grasp , and a swivel chassis . It also drips less than most other models on our list .
Some manufacturers deal squeeze pipe of caulk , which do n’t necessitate a gun and can be not bad when working above console or in miserly spaces . However , without a caulking hit man , practice an even and uniform astragal can be unmanageable , so we do n’t urge using squeeze tubs for precision app .
Photo: Amazon
caulk shooter come in different size . A small caulk gun add up in a standard size of 10 ounces . All the caulking guns on this listing are 10 - ounce model . If you require a heavy caulking gun for heavy - duty practical program , look for a 29 - snow leopard version .
We asked Eduard Mirzoian , CEO ofRestorerz , for advice onhow to work a caulking gun , and he say , “ Always push the trigger . Pulling the trigger does n’t allow for proper applications programme of pressure , which can lead to discrepant rate of flow and overemotional work . By push the initiation , you maintain control over the caulk process . ”
We also ask Mr. Mirzoian this question , and he told us that caulking accelerator do n’t have to be expensive . He said it ’s more important to prioritize the viscosity of the caulk you ’ll be using and substance abuser - friendly features like drip - free carrying into action and adjustable flow control .
Photo: Amazon
In accession to choosing a dripless caulking gun , a couple of dim-witted caulking tips and tricks can help keep your gun from dripping . Start by storing calk tubes just for several minute or overnight before use . This will give trapped air fourth dimension to move up , allow it to escape as before long as you afford the tube . Then , after cutting the tip , bonk the bottom of the tube several times on a hard surface before placing it in your heavy weapon to further relinquish extra melodic phrase .
The tested and retrospect caulk guns on our list cost between $ 10 and $ 200 , with most models fall under $ 50 . How much you pay for one will be ascertain by how often you habituate it as well as the type of throttle you want .
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Photo: Amazon
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this overhaul the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .
