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The best electric caulking gun will help you get your sealing job done in good time without breaking down on you.
But with so many options on the market, how do you know what one is the best to buy?
Buying the wrong caulking gun will leave you frustrated and out of pocket – having to buy a new one.
Our guide gives you suggestions on the best sealant guns on the market today for any budget you have.
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Cordless Caulking Gun with Reviews 2020
Below is a list of the best electric caulking guns we found on the market today:
1. Makita XGC01Z Cordless Caulking 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
- 360Degree 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
Pros
- Powerful enough to work with even high viscosity materials
- 5-speed adjustable flow rate
- Lightweight even with the battery
- Cordless operation lets you take this tool anywhere
Cons
- Battery not included with this model
- Other than that there are very few customer complaints
Overview
The Makita XGC01Z is a really powerful caulking gun. How powerful? It delivers 1100 pounds of force which means this gun can be used with even the most viscous materials. The 5-speed dial is great, too. It allows you to control the flow rate from 0 to 66 inches per minute. The drip reduction feature helps keep everything neat by preventing any unintentional dispensing. This is a versatile and lightweight tool that can go anywhere since you don’t have to worry about dragging a cord around with you. In fact, even with the battery, it only weighs 5.1 pounds.
The Makita XGC01Z is compact and lightweight, even when you account for the battery. It’s powerful enough to work with even the most viscous materials but still gives the user a lot of control. This is a great tool for professionals or anyone who has a lot of caulking work to do.
2. DEWALT DCE560D1 20V MAX Cordless Caulking Gun
- 10oz capacity
- Variable Speed Trigger allows for increased control over the flow of your adhesive
- Variable Speed Dial allow for setting maximum and minimum flow rates
- Anti - Drip Feature automatically retracts the plunging rod preventing excess adhesive from dripping out
- Quick Connect Inter-changeable canister trays allows user to quickly change between canister sizes
- Includes Battery and Charger
Pros
- Auto-reverse prevents drips and makes for easier clean-up.
- Variable speed control provides even flow rates
- Works with all DEWALT 20V Max battery packs
- Also available as tool-only
- 3 Year Limited Warranty
Cons
- Conversion kits for different sized tubes have to be bought separately
- Slightly heavy than other models reviewed
- Auto-reverse feature can be glitchy as reported by a few users
Overview
The DCE560D1 is DEWALT’s latest offering and is a serious consideration if you’re looking for a top-end battery-powered caulking gun. It has a lot of really great features that make it a good buy. The variable speed control provides consistent flow and better control.
There’s also an auto-reverse feature that helps eliminate waste and keeps things a little tidier.
If a you’re a professional / contractor then you will want to seriously consider the DCE560D1. Not only is it built by a reliable brand, but it offers the best value in terms of price. If you have a big job ahead of you or do a lot of caulking in your work, the variable speed control and auto-reverse can really help the job go faster and smoother – saving your hands from cramping up from squeezing a manual model.
3. Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless Power Caulk Gun
Pros
- Great value for money - one of the cheapest options around
- Battery & charger included
- 200 tubes of caulk per one charged battery
- Same Ryobi 18V lithium batteries can be used in other Ryobi hand tools
Cons
- Only takes the 11.5 - 12.2 tubes of adhesive.
- No reverse feature to stop adhesive instantly
4. Milwaukee 2441-21 Electric Caulking Gun
- Power: Battery (not included)
- Capacity: 10 oz
- Thrust: 400 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- Battery powered for fast accurate results
- Variable speed trigger and max speed dial for increased control
- Onboard puncture tool for convenience
- Compact size
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Can be hard to work overhead for long periods of time
Overview
Last up is this great battery-powered option from Milwaukee, the 2441-21. It has a variable speed trigger and a max speed dial so you have complete control over the total speed. The auto-reversing feature helps to control drips, making the finished product neater and clean up easier. It also has an onboard puncture tool to quick and easily open caulk containers as well as a hook for easy hanging. Because it’s battery powered, you’ll suffer from less hand fatigue. That means you can work for longer periods of time to get the job done quickly.
Another great cordless option is the Milwaukee 2441-21. You get a lot of control with this caulking gun thanks to the variable speed trigger and max speed dial. It also has an auto-reverse feature to keep things neat and tidy and an onboard puncture tool for convenience.
5. DEWALT DC545K Cordless 18-Volt Adhesive & Caulk Gun
- Made To Withstand Even The Toughest Jobs
- Designed With The User In Mind
- Fit To Match The Needs In The Shop, At Home Or In The Field
- Proven And Tested For Durability And Function In Real-World Conditions
- Crafted With The User In Mind Using The High-Quality Materials And World-Class Craftsmanship
Pros
- High-quality build
- Comes with battery & charger
- Adjustable dial to change rate of speed of the caulk leaving the gun
- Has a metal probe for puncturing the inner tube liner - very useful add on
- Recommended for larger or frequent jobs
Cons
- 18v battery is not lithium
- Not recommended for small jobs
Buying Guide
You wouldn’t suspect that there’s such a vast difference from one caulking gun to another but there really are a lot of things that can vary from one model to the next. Let’s take a look at some of the key things you should be aware of when shopping.
Material
Obviously, the more durable the material, the longer the caulking gun will last. Most of these are made from strong materials like steel or aluminum, which are great because they will last a really long time.
Capacity
This tells you how much caulk the gun can hold before you’ll need to reload. If you’re a professional who tackles grout a lot, it might be worth it to invest in a larger barreled caulking gun. That will mean less reloading and longer periods of being able to work uninterrupted.
Dripless
In order to contain drips, caulking guns have to be able to pull back a little at the end of each trigger pull to stop extra caulk from coming out. Because of this, only smooth release caulking guns can be dripless. Ratcheting guns are designed to increase pressure with each click so there’s no real way for them to pull back.
Some caulking guns will claim to be dripless but keep in mind that drips can happen with any gun, at any time. A lot of things affect whether or not a gun will drip so just because you’re using one that says it’s dripless doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Technique has a lot to do with it.
Thrust: Pressure Ratio
This is also referred to as “thrust ratio” or even just “thrust”. You’ll see this figure with manual caulking guns. (Battery powered guns are rated a little differently.) This ratio will be something like 12:1 or 26:1. What it’s telling you is the ratio of 1 pound of pressure applied by the user to how much pressure is applied by the caulking gun. So, a ration of 12:1 means that for every 1 pound of pressure you squeeze, 12 pounds will be applied. Or, 26:1 means for every 1 pound of pressure you apply, 26 pounds will be applied by the gun.
Here’s why this matters. Caulking guns that apply a lot of pressure can be used with thicker materials. Think about it this way. Say you have different materials you want to use in your caulking gun. One is the consistency of water and the other is like maple syrup. It’s going to take more pressure to push the maple syrup through the gun than the water. Now, imagine that instead of maple syrup, you have something the consistency of honey. You would need even more pressure.
Caulk can be made out of a lot of different things, from latex to silicone that have different viscosities. So, consider the kind of adhesives, sealants, and caulks you’ll be using and make sure to choose a gun with a pressure ratio that can handle it.
Thrust: Pounds
On battery-powered caulking guns, thrust is measure in Lbf or pounds of force. That’s because there is no manual force being applied, only what the motor is capable of. This figure varies a lot from model to model, too.
Manual or Battery?
Manual tools are usually enough for home use but if you’re a professional who does a lot of big jobs, a battery-powered caulking gun really makes life easy. They’re not only faster but they are often more consistent and provide better-looking uniform results.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that battery-powered caulking guns are a lot heavier than manual ones. This is mostly due to the weight of the battery. If you’re planning to do a lot of overhead work, weight the pros and cons very carefully before making up your mind.
Also, keep in mind that some battery powered tools come without the battery or charger included. Major tool brands have battery systems that can be used interchangeably between different battery operated tools within the brand but this only comes in handy if you already have a battery and charger that works with that specific brand.
Extras
Some caulking guns come with some little extras. An integrated hook is a nice thing to have because it allows you to hang your caulking gun off the ladder when you need both hands to finish the job. This is particularly important if you’re working on a ladder, obviously, and it also comes in really handy when it comes time to store the tool.
Another convenient thing some caulking guns have is a puncture tool to open caulk easily. This is a really cool thing to have because it saves you from having to fumble with a pocket knife or other tool when you have to open a new container of caulk.
Conclusion
Now that you know a little bit more about the important features of caulking guns you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Remember, it helps to have an idea of what kind of material you’re going to be using so you can get a caulking gun with the right amount of thrust.
We included a lot of great products on this list, including some battery powered options that professionals will love. Read through our buying advice and take a good look at our product choices. We’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
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Wow! Really a nice guide. What would you say about the caulks which don’t need any caulking gun? What are the benefits of using caulking gun against that? Thanks