Bathroom Repairs Made Easy with The Best Caulk Gun in 2022
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Tajima CNV-100LT 1 / 10-Gallon Convoy Lite Feather Weight Caulk Gun -
Newborn Brothers 930-GTD Gator Trigger Drip-Free Hex Rod Caulk Gun -
Red Devil 3986 Skeleton Caulk Gun -
Dripless C100 Round Rod Consumer Grade Caulk Gun -
Stanley Hand Tools 28-230 - Hex Rod Caulk Gun -
Buyer's Guide
A caulk gun is an extremely versatile tool, and you'd do well to have one around your home. It’s used to fill in gaps, holes, cracks and make other similar repairs. It works by fitting the gun with a tube of caulk, subsequently using the gun to dispense it. The gun allows you to control how much caulk is dispensed and do so more accurately. While there are several different types of caulking guns available such as pneumatic, electric or manual, I will be focusing on manual guns for the purposes of this list. They’re the type you’re most likely to use (unless you’re a serious professional). That means every gun below has a large, squeezable trigger and a plunger rod that you have to manually operate yourself. Plus, by focusing on manual caulking guns, the price you have to pay for one will be significantly lower. Furthermore, each of the caulking guns I have listed below works with various, if not most, caulking and sealant tubes on the market. That ensures that you’re not stuck with a gun that only works with one brand of caulking, which is a pain and can be expensive. Finally, every gun I’ve listed below has a 10 ounce or 1/10 cartridge capacity. This again, further ensures that you never have to worry about not being able to find a caulking cartridge compatible with your gun.
Our Top Five Caulking Guns
Tajima CNV-100LT 1 / 10-Gallon Convoy Lite Feather Weight Caulk Gun - Best Caulk Gun Overall
The Tajima Convoy™ Lite Ultra-Light Caulk Gun is the best caulking gun available because for one, it’s super light. This cuts back on hand fatigue, which is good if you plan on using your caulking good for long projects. I also like that the barrel comes off via a quick twist. This makes cartridge changes faster, which saves you time on the job. It also has a ladder hook and eyelet that allows you to place your gun on a safety strap when not in use. This makes the tool easier and safer to use because it frees up your hands without you having to go back down your ladder.
Newborn Brothers 930-GTD Gator Trigger Drip-Free Hex Rod Caulk Gun - Runner Up
The Newborn Brothers Model 930-GTD Gator Triggeris another great caulking gun to buy because for one, it has a comfort grip. This makes the gun easier to use because the hand fatigue that comes from prolonged periods of use is reduced, which I mentioned above. It also comes with a seal puncture tool/spout cutter, which makes jobs easier because you don’t have to use a knife to open your caulking cartridge. Furthermore, this gun is really long lasting because it has a welded backcap. This makes it a heavy-duty tool. Finally, this gun is on this list because it has a ladder hook, which is great to have for reasons I mentioned above.
Red Devil 3986 Skeleton Caulk Gun - Honorable Mention
I have included the Red Devil Skeleton Caulking Gun on this list because for starters, it features heavy-duty uni-rail construction. This gun is very strong and thus long lasting, making it a great gun to choose if you want a tool that will lasts a long time. It also has a quick release lever. This makes ejecting your caulking cartridge faster, which saves you time while you’re working. Finally, I love that this gun is a distinctive, red color. This makes it highly visible, which is good if you plan on working in a variety of light conditions.
Dripless C100 Round Rod Consumer Grade Caulk Gun - Consider
The Dripless Round Rod Consumer Grade Caulk Gun, 10-Ounce Cartridge is worthy of being on this list because for one, Dripless has been making top quality caulking guns for years and they know what they’re doing. This gun features their dripless design that quickly stops the flow of caulking as soon as you let go of the trigger. Like a few of the other guns on this list, it has a ladder hook as well, which is good for reasons I touched on above. Finally, the best thing about this caulking gun is the fact that it comes with a year warranty. That makes it a great investment because you don’t have to worry about your gun’s quality.
Stanley Hand Tools 28-230 - Hex Rod Caulk Gun - Best Caulk Gun
The Stanley Hand Tools 28-230 - Hex Rod Caulk Gun is the final caulking gun on this list because it features an easy, side loading cartridge design. This makes it faster and more simple to load your caulking tubes, which saves time. It also features a thumb release, which makes unloading your cartridges more convenient. Again, this saves you time on the job. The final reason I am including this gun on this list is because it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Like I mentioned with the Dripless caulking gun, that makes this gun a great investment because if anything ever happens to your gun, you’re covered.
Buyer's Guide
A caulk gun is a device that allows you to apply a silicone or latex sealant with precision and control (hopefully) to cracks and tiles in your home or on a job site. If you're trying to figure out which caulk gun would be right for you and your needs, you may have some idea of what is available on the market. However, it might still seem like a daunting task to choose the right one, for your budget and with suitable features.
Continue reading to understand the key factors and features you should think about before you invest in a caulk gun.
What Are the Benefits of a Caulk Gun?
You can apply caulk without a gun. However, there are many reasons why you will benefit from using a caulk gun instead.
Precision
The nozzle of the caulk gun will offer greater precision, and many caulk guns have non-drip features that prevent any slips or drips.
Ease of use
It is easier to use a caulk gun than not to use a caulk gun- you don’t need to hold a tube of caulk stray while squeezing it out with your whole hand. Instead, a caulk gun holds the sealant canister in a barrel, and you use a trigger to push it out.
Steady pressure
A caulk gun applies steady pressure, allowing you to get a smooth and even finish. Unfortunately, it is incredibly difficult to apply even pressure for any time if you are only using a squeezing motion with a hand.
Things to Consider When Buying a Caulk Gun
Cord vs cordless
A cordless caulk gun will make maneuvering to get to cracks a lot easier. However, a caulk gun with a cord will likely end up covered in latex or silicone, but not needing to charge it is quite useful.
Variable speed dial
When buying a caulk gun, you may appreciate a variable speed dial feature. This will allow you to change the speed caulk comes out of the gun offering better control and precision.
Non-drip
Don’t underestimate the non-drip feature. Caulk can get messy and can be difficult to clean up. A non-drip feature will make your life so much easier. You ideally want a caulk gun that will stop the caulk coming out of the nozzle the moment you stop pulling the trigger. The non-drip feature might also be called an 'automatic flow control' feature.
Steel construction
Get a caulk gun made from durable steel, and it should last you a lifetime. It will survive any drops and withstand rust and erosion with proper storage and care.
Lightweight
You don’t want to buy a caulk gun that is so heavy it is difficult to use. If you strain with the weight after a certain amount of time, it will make your hands shake and cause you to become less precise with your caulk application.
Comfortable grip
Similarly, you need to ensure your tool has a comfortable grip so you can use it for as long as you need to. These devices often require you to squeeze a trigger to activate them. Try them out in-store and make sure it won’t hurt your hands to use them.
High pivot point
Similarly, a high pivot point on the trigger will require less hand strength than a product with a lower pivot point. This only applies to manual caulking guns.
Thrust ratio
The thrust ratio tells you how much force is generated to push the material compared to the force applied to the trigger. For instance, a 12 to 1 thrust ratio means the force you put on the trigger will be multiplied by 12 when the gun pushes the material.
The larger the difference between the two numbers describing the thrust ratio, the less effort it will take to push the product. The higher the viscosity of the material you are using, the higher the thrust ratio will need to be. For example, 6:1 is not as strong as 18:1.
Length of barrel
If you need to dispense large quantities of caulk at a time, consider buying a caulk gun with a long barrel. This will negate the need to change the barrel as often.
Seal cutter
A seal cutter tool and sprout gun are features that are often included in a caulk gun. These will open the caulk cartridge without the need for an additional cutting tool.
Ladder hook
If you are working up a ladder with your caulk gun, a ladder hook is a convenient feature to have. It saves you climbing down the ladder to place your gun somewhere when you need your hands free for a moment. It allows you to hang the caulk gun on the top ladder rung.
Power
You can buy a caulk gun that is powered by batteries. You can also buy a pneumatic caulk gun or a device that comes with a charging port. All of these options relieve some of the tension in your hand. In addition, they are less physically demanding than a manual caulk gun.
360-degree rotation
Buying a caulk gun with a rotating holder will make it easy to remove and replace old cartridges. However, this is probably only a feature worth paying for if you are using the device regularly.
LED job light
Some caulk guns come with a light at the end of the shaft. Sometimes in a lit room, you might still be working in a dark corner. An LED job light will allow you to work at the same speed and consistent quality anywhere.
Price Range
A caulk gun can cost as little as $6 and as much as $350. As a rule, the more expensive the caulk gun, the easier it is to use.
Some Caulk Tool Buyers Ask
Why isn’t my caulk gun working?
Usually, a caulk gun will stop working because of a problem with the spring. If the spring in your caulk gun has become dislodged or bent, it won’t be easy to replace. Unfortunately, this means buying a whole new caulk gun.
Can I caulk over old caulking?
You can caulk over old caulking, but you should never do it. This is because the caulk will not look smooth and precise with the old caulk underneath it. Removing the old caulk and applying a silicone caulk will prevent it from shrinking over time.
Is caulk safe?
Caulk is only considered a milk irritant and won’t permanently damage if it comes into contact with your skin and eyes. However, you should wash it off immediately because it is highly adhesive and awkward to remove once dry.
