Move freely around the work space with this diminutive cordless glue gun. Lightweight at just over 1 pound, this model is ideal for delicate crafting projects. The battery in this cordless mini hot glue gun from Belita Amy discharges 2,200mAh after charging with the included USB cord, and it runs for up to 100 minutes when used intermittently, or about 40 minutes of continuous work holding the trigger. The battery charges fully in 3 hours, and the unit can run for up to 30 continuous minutes per charge, or intermittently for 100 minutes. Once charged, the glue gun is ready to use in 2 minutes. For safety, it turns off automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity. What Our Tester Says: Bob Vila writer and product tester Debbie Wolfe says about this glue gun: “This high-temp mini glue gun [is] comfortable to use thanks to a trigger that has room for both the index and middle finger (most mini models only have space for your index finger).”

Cords can limit mobility, but depending on a battery has its disadvantages too. Think about which style works best for your needs. Accessories Some cordless hot glue guns can maintain the heat and pressure to apply the glue after they’re preheated. The cordless runtime for these glue guns is a bit shorter, typically ranging from 5 to 25 minutes. Tips To determine a glue gun's heating power, pay attention to its watttage. Entry-level glue guns typically have about 20-watt heaters, which may be enough for basic projects, but probably won’t be enough for home improvement projects or heavy-duty materials. More versatile glue guns will operate with anywhere between 60 to 220 watts or more. Its built-in stand-up base should keep the glue gun from toppling. The plastic body is engineered to withstand high temperature and pressure safely, and the trigger is ergonomically designed.

Top 5 Glue Guns

The best hot glue gun isn’t necessarily the most powerful one though. If you’re involved with delicate crafts or work with heat-sensitive materials, you don’t want a whopping great 100 Watt element spreading molten glue all over your work. Some glue guns can be used cordlessly for a limited time after they’re preheated. In these devices, the glue is melted via corded electrical power. Residual heat and pressure maintain the flow of hot glue for 5 to 25 minutes after the unit is disconnected from an outlet. Charging and Runtime After squeezing the trigger to release the hot glue, release it and pull the nozzle sideways to disengage it from the surface.

Of course, you’ll want to be careful if you allow your kids to use a glue gun: Supervise the project from start to finish, and explain best practices and rules for working with a glue gun so that no injuries or mishaps occur. Then, you’ll want to select a glue gun that’s kid-friendly, like this NEX&CO Kids Mini Hot Glue Gun, which comes with silicone finger protectors to help keep kids’ digits safe. We love that it also has a no-drip nozzle.

My Top Recommended Glue Guns

When shopping for a cordless hot glue gun, consumers will want to look for a combination of sufficient battery power along with smooth and neat delivery of the melted glue, minimal charging time, and optimal runtime. Size is also important, with mini and full-size units available for various types of projects. An ergonomic design and balanced, built-in bases add value. The following information breaks down some of the essential considerations for selecting a battery-powered hot glue gun. Intended Use Cordless glue guns allow DIYers and crafters to experience the freedom of movement while working on projects. After selecting the best cordless hot glue gun based on size, power, charging time, runtime, and safety features, questions may linger about how to use it. Keep reading for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about glue guns. Q. Is hot glue permanent?