A caulking gun is an essential home repair tool. Instead of applying messy sealants by hand, a caulking gun can fill up and seal any cracks around your property quickly and efficiently.
The 10 Best Caulking Guns
- Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun (Our Top Pick)
- Albion Engineering Company B12S20 B-Line Caulking Gun
- Dripless Caulk Gun
- Tajima CNV-100SP Convoy Rotary Caulk Gun
- COX 63002 Berkshire Pneumatic Caulk Gun
- Milwaukee 2441-21 M12 Caulk Gun Kit
- Ryobi P310G Pistol Grip Power Caulk and Adhesive Gun
- Chicago Pneumatic CP9885 Caulking Gun
- SolidWork Professional Hand Caulking Gun
- Makita XGC01Z Caulk & Adhesive Gun
Our Top Pick for the Best Caulking Gun
Our top pick for the best caulking gun is the Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun. Whether it is sealing a bathtub or repairing a brick wall, the Newborn 250 manual caulking gun is up to the challenge. It has a heavy-duty design, delivers a fast and smooth beading performance, which allows you to effortlessly dispense caulk or adhesives like a professional.
Check the price on AmazonThe Caulking Gun: An Essential Tool for All Sealant Projects
Whether you are a building professional or a DIY home renovator, hand tools help you to work smarter and quicker. In your toolbox, you will have basic tools such as a hammer, power screwdriver, or stud finder. If you do not already have one, you need a caulking gun too.
The caulking gun is also called a ‘caulk’ or ‘cartridge gun.’ It is comprised of three basic parts: the barrel where the sealant cartridge or tube sits, the handle, and the trigger.
The cartridge is filled with common bonding materials such as adhesives, latex, or silicone. Once you have loaded the cartridge into the barrel and press the trigger, the gun dispenses a controlled flow (or beads) of sealant to fill in and seal cracks.
Highly Versatile Repair Tool
A highly versatile repair tool, the caulking gun can be used on a range of materials including metal, wood, or ceramic. You can use it for windows, walls, flooring, roofing, bathtubs, and even appliances. If you need to keep water, drafts, or pests out, the caulking gun is the best tool for the job.
A caulking gun is quite easy to use, but if you are a DIY newbie, here is a helpful video that shows you how to use a caulking gun.
How to Choose the Best Caulking Gun
Types of Caulking Guns
Caulking guns are available in 2 types: manual or powered. They also feature 2 designs, cartridge guns or a sausage caulking gun.
The cartridge caulking gun is ideal for everyday DIY sealant jobs. The sausage caulking gun is designed for heavy-duty repair jobs and industrial building projects.
Manually Operated Caulking Guns
If you have a quick repair job or a small DIY renovation project planned, choose a manual caulking gun.
Manually operated caulking guns, such as the Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun, require you to depress a plunger and pull a trigger at the same time to dispense the caulk. These guns are usually quite inexpensive and are a great choice for working in hard-to-reach areas or confined spaces. However, they are not ideal for heavy-duty projects.
Plunger rods help to move the sealant out of the container faster and they can be smooth or ratcheted. Smooth plunger rods give you the most control over the sealant and provide a smooth, cleaner delivery.
– Drip-Free Sealant
The downside of using a manual caulking gun is that you may have to exert pressure on the tube even after the trigger has been released, which means the caulk may drip out and make a mess. Although caulking guns may have a drip-free design, such as the Dripless Caulk Gun, it is best to use a drop-sheet to keep your workspace clean.
Powered Caulking Guns
For larger repair tasks and professional construction projects that require you to spend several hours filling and sealing cracks, you will need a powered caulking gun. Powered caulking guns can be pneumatic or battery-powered. They may also have a variable speed feature that gives you complete control over the tool.
– Pneumatic
Air-powered or pneumatic caulking guns have an air pressure regulator that is attached to an air compressor, which pushes the sealant out instead of a plunger. An air-powered caulking gun can be loud and it does not have a lot of portability like a manual or battery-powered caulking gun.
– Battery Powered
Battery-powered caulking guns are a great choice as they offer you on-the-go portability for inside and outside jobs. They are quieter than an air-powered caulking gun and they give a good amount of power.
The downside is that they may be a little heavy, depending on the size of the battery and you have to make sure that your battery is fully powered up for bigger projects. Like the pneumatic caulking gun, the battery-powered gun is more expensive than the manual caulk gun and you may have to purchase the battery separately.
Other Essential Caulking Fun Features
- Revolving barrel. A revolving barrel gives you extra maneuverability for dispensing caulk around corners.
- Thrust ratio. The thrust ratio refers to how fast the gun dispenses or pushes out the sealant. A thrust ratio of 5:1 is ideal for most light to medium everyday tasks. An 18:1 ratio is designed for all types of sealant projects. In pounds, a 375-400lbs caulking gun is ideal for small to medium tasks. 500-1,000+ is suited for heavy-duty projects.
- Built-in Cleaning Rod. The caulk tube can get blocked sometimes and a built-in cleaning rod removes the clog quickly and finishes your project.
- Built-in Cutter. Opening the cartridge can be done with a utility knife such as a Swiss Army Knife but some manufacturers include a built-in cutter.
- Seal Puncture. A built-in seal puncture is a great tool for opening caulking tubes that have an inner foil seal.
- Ladder hook. A ladder hook allows you to hang the caulking gun on a ladder for quick and easy access.
10 Best Caulking Guns – Reviews
1. Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun
The Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun is the perfect sealant tool for any type of contractor or DIY home renovation project.
A professional-grade tool, the caulking gun has a durable steel frame construction and the barrel holds standard 1/10-gallon cartridges.
Operating at an 18:1 thrust ratio, the super smooth Newborn is very effective at dispensing a wide range of heavy viscosity sealants such as acrylics, adhesives, asphalt, butyl, and cement.
The caulking gun features an ergonomic handle and a corrosion-resistant zinc alloy trigger, which has a thumb release for quick operation. The revolving frame allows the barrel to rotate so that you can apply consistent beading even when caulking around corners, and the smooth pressure rod requires less force than a ratchet-style pressure rod.
Instead of having to use a knife, Newborn gives you the choice of using the built-in seal puncture tool or the spout cutter, depending on the type of cartridge you are using.
To keep the caulking gun within reach, it has a ladder hook for quick and easy access at your job site.
Pros
- High quality
- Affordable price
- Very good value for money
- Steel revolving frame
- Fits standard 1/10-gallon cartridges
- Fast 18:1 thrust ratio
- Ideal for heavy viscosity materials
- Smooth pressure rod
- Comfortable zinc alloy handle and trigger
- Thumb release
- Corrosion resistance
- Built-in seal puncture tool and spout cutter included
Cons
- Not completely drip-free
2. Albion Engineering Company B12S20 B-Line Caulking Gun
With a state-of-the-art design, smooth working performance, and exceptional durability, the Albion Engineering Company B12S20 B-Line Caulking Gun is a great choice for professionals as well as DIY enthusiasts.
The caulking gun is made from premium quality aluminum, and the durable sausage pistons prevent any bag wrap.
It delivers a powerful 375lbs of thrust and its 2-inch narrow rotating swivel barrel can access tight, hard-to-reach places.
You do not have to press the trigger too hard for operation and the full-sized handle is comfortable to hold. The double gripping plate technology gives you a good grip without any slippage and ensures long tool life.
The caulking gun is compatible with 10, 13, or 20-ounce sausage packs, and all the modification parts are included. For dispensing caulk in difficult situations, you can use the B-Line Bent Plastic Cone 935-4 (sold separately).
The Albion Engineering kit includes (3) 873-2 translucent narrow plastic nozzles, (3) 873-3 wide black plastic cone nozzles, (2) 873-6 spare black polyplastic sausage pistons, (1) 873-35 Hytrel bulk yellow piston, and a steel 310-3 ladder hook.
Pros
- Premium quality
- Affordable price
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for professional and home use
- Smooth working performance
- Durable aluminum
- Comfortable full-size handle
- Double gripping plate technology for no slipping and long life
- Convenient rotating swivel barrel
- Narrow barrel can access hard to reach places
- Durable sausage pistons prevent bag-wrap
- Dispenses 10-ounce, 13-ounce, or 20-ounce sausage packs
- Can be converted to dispense bulk 10 and 12-ounce cartridges and all modification parts are included
Cons
- Nozzle can leak
- No ladder hook
3. Dripless Caulk Gun
Designed for daily use, the professional-grade Dripless Caulk Gun is an excellent choice for professional or DIY projects.
The heavy-duty 10-ounce caulking gun is a popular caulking tool with many contractors as it offers the best precision and accuracy in its class. It has an 18:1 thrust ratio so it can be used with medium to high construction sealants and adhesives such as polyurethanes, concrete masonry, and roofing sealants.
Its rugged composite fiberglass construction is strong and durable, and it is 40% lighter than other models.
The comfortable trigger-style grip handle is well balanced and designed to fit naturally in your hand as you work.
You have complete control over the caulk’s delivery as you can choose from a drip or non-drip setting and it provides super-fine bead control. If you need to work in a tight spot, the gun’s barrel rotates for easy maneuverability.
The sharp cutter and extra-long clean-out rod effectively remove any hardened or excess caulk from the cartridge tip. When you have finished cleaning the cartridge, the rod snaps back in place.
With a bright yellow and black design, the Dripless caulking gun will stand out in your toolbox and the ladder hook makes it easy to access and store.
You can buy the Dripless caulking gun on its own or as a 2, 3, 4, or 5-pack. The caulking gun is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Reliable performance
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic handle design
- Has 18:1 thrust ratio for thicker materials
- Rugged composite fiberglass construction
- Sharp cutter
- Extra-long clean-out rod snaps in place when not in use
- Drip/No Drip feature for bead control
- Rotating barrel for corner gunning
- Available in a 2, 3, 4, or 5-pack
- Bright yellow and black design
- Ladder hook
Cons
- Plastic part reduces the sturdiness of the entire gun
- Expensive
4. Tajima CNV-100SP Convoy Rotary Caulk Gun
If you have a big sealant project planned, the Tajima CNV-100SP Convoy Rotary Caulk Gun will help you get it done fast!
The caulking gun features a heavy-duty steel welded frame and a rugged cast aluminum handle with a comfortable palm grip. The seal puncture tool allows you to open the cartridge or tube without having to carry other cutting tools. For smooth, even beading in hard-to-reach places, the gun has an extra-long 10½-inch rotating barrel.
Tajima has included great user-friendly features. A no-hassle loading twin dispensing system and an autoflow stop will ensure dripless caulking from standard 1/10-gallon caulk or adhesive cartridges. The ladder hook keeps the gun accessible while undertaking your repairs or renovations, and the eyelet can be attached to a safety strap.
Pros
- High quality
- Great price
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for professionals and DIY
- Smooth working performance
- Rugged cast aluminum handle has a comfortable palm grip
- Heavy-duty welded steel frame
- Autoflow stop
- Non-drip twin caulk dispensing system
- Extra-long revolving barrel
- No hassle cartridge loading
- Ladder hook
- Eyelet can be attached to a safety strap
Cons
- Best for long sized cartridges only
5. COX 63002 Berkshire Pneumatic Caulk Gun
Complete your sealant projects fast with the COX 63002 Berkshire Pneumatic Caulk Gun.
Powerful and versatile, this powerful air-powered caulking gun operates at 100 PSI, and its adjustable air regulator and rotating air hose connector can be used with a wide range of air compressors.
You can rely on the 63002 to dispense a variety of materials including caulk, adhesives, and sealants and it is compatible with a 29-ounce caulk cartridge.
Weighing in at 4.8lbs, the caulk gun is quite lightweight and easy to use.
The caulk gun has a highly responsive trigger and the cartridge plunger has an efficient piston rod action. It delivers a nice, even bead, without any drips so your jobs will have that professional touch and your workspace remains clean and tidy.
COX offers a 1-year limited warranty on the caulk gun.
Pros
- High quality
- Great price
- Ideal for big jobs
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Allows for the use of a variety of caulk and adhesives
- Adjustable air regulator
- Rotating air hose connector
- Cartridge plunger has an efficient piston rod action
- Provides nice, even beads
- Operates off a range of air compressors
- Seals windows, bathtubs, bath vanities, and more
- Highly responsive trigger
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Piston can get stuck with thicker caulk
- No ladder hook or puncture tool
6. Milwaukee 2441-21 M12 Caulk Gun Kit
The Milwaukee 2441-21 M12 Caulk Gun Kit is the perfect sealant tool for any type of repair project and it offers you unlimited power and portability.
Whether you need to repair a window or seal a bathtub, the Milwaukee is lightweight and compact and so easy to use. The combination of the variable speed trigger, the max-speed dial, and the 360° rotating collar delivers total application control for the most challenging jobs.
With up to 400lbs of pushing force, it easily dispenses everyday construction sealants and adhesives.
The intelligently designed caulk gun features an auto-reversing, anti-drip delivery for mess-free precise beading. The seal puncture tool and durable hanging hook allow for extra tool versatility.
Powered by the revolutionary M12 REDLITHIUM battery, the caulk gun dispenses up to 150 cartridges of building sealant on one battery charge, which means this caulk gun is one super workhorse.
MILWAUKEE offers the caulk gun as part of a kit, which includes a 12-volt lithium-ion battery and a charger.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Lightweight and compact
- Excellent portability
- Powerful
- Intelligently designed
- Great performance
- Very easy to use
- 400lbs of pushing force
- Very effective in dispensing heavy viscous sealants
- Precise beading application
- Auto-reversing anti-drip facility for mess-free beading
- Variable speed trigger and the max-speed dial
- 360° rotating collar
- Revolutionary M12 Redlithium battery
- Seal puncture tool
- Durable hanging hook
- Comes with a battery and a charger
Cons
- Not ideal for small, detailed jobs
7. Ryobi P310G Pistol Grip Power Caulk and Adhesive Gun
For heavy-duty jobs around the house, there is no better sealant tool than the Ryobi P310G Pistol Grip Power Caulk and Adhesive Gun.
This reliable sealant device delivers a whopping amount of 500lbs of push force which allows it to quickly dispenses high viscosity sealants. The Ryobi can also dispense up to 200 tubes of caulk on a single Ryobi 18-volt battery, which provides an uninterrupted workflow.
With an evenly balanced design and pistol-grip slip-resistant handle, the caulk gun is comfortable to hold and provides an optimal grip.
The variable speed adjuster lets you dispense different-sized beads, so you can do any type of sealing job quickly and efficiently.
The onboard puncture tool opens a cartridge or tube so you do not have to carry around other cutting tools, and the hook end piece provides a quick tube change out.
You can use the caulking gun one-handed as the 2 power switches that lock the gun and adjust your speed are conveniently located next to the handle. Ryobi has also included a safety switch lock that helps prevent any accidental start-ups.
To keep the sealant tool close by for easy access or storage, the caulk gun has a durable ladder hook.
You have great power at your disposal as Ryobi’s lithium battery is powerful and has good battery life. As it is part of Ryobi’s All ONE+ tools, it works with all ONE+ batteries.
RYOBI offers a 3-year warranty on the caulk gun.
Pros
- High quality
- Affordable price
- All metal manual plunger rods
- Durable gears and carriage frame ensures tool longevity
- Up to 500lbs of push force
- Can dispense a wide range of high viscosity sealants
- Dispenses up to 200 tubes of caulk on a single Ryobi 18-volt battery
- Evenly balanced durable design
- New and improved GRIPZONE over mold for optimum grip and user comfort
- Variable speed adjuster
- Onboard puncture tool
- Hook end allows quick tube change out
- Switch lock helps prevent accidental start-up
- Storage Hook
- All ONE+ tools work with all ONE+ batteries
- Good battery life
- RYOBI’s lithium battery is easy to charge
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Battery and charger are not included
8. Chicago Pneumatic CP9885 Caulking Gun
With a labor-saving design, the Chicago Pneumatic CP9885 Caulking Gun will help you to complete any DIY project fast!
The Chicago pneumatic caulking gun gives you all the power you need for small to medium repair or renovation tasks such as sealing joints with wood, composite, glass, rubber, and plastic materials.
The body of the caulking gun is made of durable thick plastic but it is incredibly lightweight at 2.3lbs, which makes the tool very comfortable to use even after long periods. The responsive trigger allows you to quickly apply a consistent beading application, with almost no drips.
Locating it around your job site or in your toolbox is made easy with its bright red color that will stand out anywhere.
The caulking gun accepts standard 2-inch x 8½-inch (50mm x 210mm) cartridges and it comes with a 90 PSI air flow regulator and it is compatible with most air compressors.
Chicago Pneumatic offers a 1-year warranty on its caulking gun.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- Durable
- Lightweight design
- Ideal for sealing joints on wood, composite, glass, or even rubber and plastic materials
- Easy to handle
- Smooth and consistent operation
- Operator comfort
- Fast trigger controlled material flow
- Airflow regulator is included
- Easy to spot bright red color
Cons
- No rotating barrel
- No additional cleaning or puncturing accessories
- Plastic trigger is not very strong
- Not compatible with larger cartridges
9. SolidWork Professional Hand Caulking Gun
The SolidWork Professional Hand Caulking Gun is the perfect sealant tool for DIY enthusiasts.
With a durable die-cast aluminum construction, the SolidWork caulking gun is perfect for light to medium industrial or home sealant projects.
This caulking gun makes any sealant project quick and easy as it has a seal punch needle that you can use for simple puncturing of older cartridges.
It has a comfortable ergonomic handle and the trigger fits well in your hand. The barrel fits standard size 10-ounce sealant and adhesive cartridges and as this powerful caulking gun has the highest thrust ratio of 26:1, it offers you lots of task versatility.
SolidWork includes some great additional user-friendly design features such as the advanced patented adjustment screw that you can use to smooth out pressure holes and adjust the grip if there is too much space. As well as its drip-free design, the caulking gun is easy to keep clean. Just use soap and water and a sponge to remove any caulk residue.
The built-in hook keeps the gun close at hand for quick and easy access.
SolidWork offers a 100% money-back guarantee for up to 1 year.
Pros
- High quality
- Extremely affordable price
- Very good value for money
- Durable die-cast aluminum construction
- Can be used for industrial and home use
- Ideal for thick caulk
- Powerful 26:1 thrust ratio
- Seal punch needle
- Comfortable ergonomic handle and trigger
- Lightweight
- Can be used with standard sealant cartridges and adhesive cartridges
- Contractors grade quality
- Advanced patented adjustment screw
- Easy to keep clean
- Ladder hook
- One-year money-back guarantee
Cons
- Does not have a blade cutter
- Pressure release tab has to be pressed to stop the gun from dripping
10. Makita XGC01Z Caulk & Adhesive Gun
A perfect combination of power, performance, and portability, the Makita XGC01Z Caulk & Adhesive Gun is an essential tool for heavy-duty sealant applications.
The world-famous Makita-built powerful motor delivers 1,100lbs of dispensing force for the highest viscosity sealants.
The variable 5-speed dial optimizes the caulk’s flow rate from 0-66 IPM and the variable speed trigger perfectly matches the tool’s speed for any work application.
The 360° rotatable cartridge holder fits 10-ounce and 300ml cartridges and allows you to apply a sealant anywhere.
The overload indicator light notifies you when the caulk gun is nearly overloaded to minimize breakage of the sealant cartridge.
With a compact and ergonomic design, it features a rubberized soft grip handle that provides increased operator comfort.
If you need to work in low-light conditions, the built-in LED light illuminates your work area.
Designed with a no-mess mentality, the drip-reduction feature automatically relieves pressure on the material when the trigger is released to prevent unintentional caulk dispensing.
The Makita’s 18-volt LXT lithium-ion battery has great battery life and fast charging times. The battery also features Makita’s famous Star Protection to stop it from overheating, overloading, and over-discharging.
The Makita caulk gun is covered by a 3-year warranty and the lithium-ion battery is covered by a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Powerful Makita custom-built motor
- Delivers 1,100lbs of dispensing force
- Designed for the highest viscosity adhesives and sealants
- Five-speed dial optimizes flow rate from 0-66 IPM
- Variable speed trigger
- Rubberized soft handle
- 360° rotatable cartridge holder
- Drip-reduction feature
- Overload indicator light
- Makita’s Star Protection battery protection
- Rapid optimum battery charger optimize battery life
- Three-year warranty on the gun
- One-year limited warranty on the battery
Cons
- Expensive
Our Top Pick for the Best Caulking Gun
Our top pick for the best caulking gun is the Newborn 250 Revolving Caulking Gun. Whether it is sealing a bathtub or repairing a brick wall, the Newborn 250 manual caulking gun is up to the challenge. It has a heavy-duty design, delivers a fast and smooth beading performance, which allows you to effortlessly dispense caulk or adhesives like a professional.
Check the price on Amazon
