How to pick the perfect hot glue gun (that also just happens to look like a sci-fi blaster)

March 18, 2023

`How to pick the perfect hot glue gun (that also just happens to look like a sci-fi blaster)`

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How to pick the perfect hot glue gun (that also just happens to look like a sci-fi blaster)

Hot glue guns are not usually considered a tech tool, but I find myself using my one a lot.

Written by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer on

Seekone 60/100W dual power glue gun — Seekone 60/100W dual power glue g

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Talk about tech tools and people usually think about screwdrivers, multimeters, USB testers, thermal cameras and such.

You don’t normally think about hot glue guns.

Also: You’re using super glue all wrong

But I’ve found that I use mine a lot for all sorts of things, from tacking cabling into place inside PCs to weatherproofing housings for gadgets that are going to live outdoors. And outside of tech, hot glue guns have so many applications, from craft projects to home repair to model making.

Pretty much any project that doesn’t require a high level of strength or heat resistance, as long as it’s not going to be damaged by the application of the hot glue — which, as the name suggests, is pretty hot (temperatures can range from a scolding 250°F/120°C to a searing 430°F/220°C — is a candidate for hot glue.

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Hot glue guns come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and most tend to look like a Buck Rogers ray gun. But it’s not the design that matters; it’s how it performs.

I’m looking for three things:

A hot glue gun that heats up rapidly
Has enough power to deliver all the hot glue I need without stopping to heat up
Doesn’t sear my hands when holding it

I did some testing, tried out several different glue guns, and settled on one — the Seekone 60/100W dual power glue gun.

Seekone 60/100W dual power glue gun

$18 at Amazon

Seekone 60/100W dual power glue gun tech specs

The heat gun is made from heat resistant ABS and features a copper nozzle

High-tech ceramic PTC thermal heating system to ensure 3-5 min fast preheating time
High-strength, durable grip
Adjustable 60W/100W – use 60W for small project, 100W with high temperature for large project
110-240V universal voltage

Note: There are rechargeable hot glue guns out there. One type is the hot glue pen that’s aimed at those who want to do crafts (and are a bit underpowered for what we want here), and there are also the glue guns that take power tool batteries, which are great for contractors or DIYers who want to standardize on power sources, but I find them a bit too big and bulky for my use.

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OK, so yes, it looks like a ray gun, and is a little bulkier than my previous hot glue gun (which suffered an untimely death), but this is not a bad thing. The fact that it’s bigger means it fits my hand better, and the bigger trigger is a lot easier to use, especially for those longer jobs.

First, let me clarify the “dual power” feature of this glue gun. Think of the wattage as a measure of how quickly it can melt the glue stick and dispense molten hot glue from the front. For small projects that need a dab or two, the low-power 60W mode is idea, but for when you want rivers of hot glue, flick it to the high-power 100W mode and away you go.

Rivers of hot melt glue when you need it!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

This glue gun heats up fast, stays hot, and has no problem keeping up with the job at hand. When switched to the 100W mode, I could put glue sticks through this at a rate of one every 40 seconds or so, and at no point did I need to slow down or stop to let it heat up (which is a problem with a lot of hot glue guns on the market).

Also: This stuff is better than super glue

There’s also an indicator light to tell you when it’s on — a handy safety feature!

The indicator light is a handy safety feature that tells you the glue gun is on

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

During testing I had this glue gun running for a couple of hours, over which time I put through it a couple of dozen glue sticks, and it was comfortable and easy to use.

It also remained nice and cool in the hand, which also contributes to the overall comfort of using this glue gun.

The handle stays nice and cool

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Hot glue gun safety tips

Always read the instructions: Before using a glue gun, be sure to read the instructions carefully.
Use the correct glue sticks: Different glue guns require different types of glue sticks, so make sure you use the right type of glue sticks for your glue gun. Using the wrong type of glue sticks could damage your glue gun or cause accidents.
Hot glue can cause serious burns: Always use caution when handling hot glue, and avoid touching the glue or the nozzle when it is hot.
Use a heat-resistant surface: When using a glue gun, place it on a heat-resistant surface such as a silicone mat or metal tray.
Never leave a glue gun unattended: Always turn off your glue gun and unplug it when you are finished using it. Never leave it unattended while plugged in or still hot.
Keep children and pets away: Keep your glue gun and glue sticks out of reach of children and pets.

The copper nozzle does a good job of controlling the flow of the hot glue and making sure it goes where you want it to go, and only where you want it to go.

And that glue is hot! Here it’s coming out of the nozzle at around 390°F/200°C

Hot glue is hot!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I recommend working with hot glue on a silicone mat. Not only is this heat-resistant and will protect the surface below from damage, but it’s also super easy to pick off any glue spills — it just peels off.

Not only does a silicone mat protect your surfaces from damage, it makes cleaning up spilt hot glue easy

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Oh, and here’s a handy tip — if you need to press undo on your hot gluing and need to get the set hot glue off something, a few drops of isopropyl alcohol will make it release.

Isopropyl alcohol will unstick set hot glue

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

For under $20 not only are you getting a really good, robust hot glue gun, but you also get 20 hot glue sticks to get you started, making the Seekone 60/100W dual power glue gun a total winner in my eyes, and a great glue gun for someone who wants something as little more powerful than a hobbyist glue gun.