10 Best Heat Guns (Review) In 2020

Milwaukee makes some of the best handheld power tools in the world. They have a reputation for professional-quality tools that outperform their competitors. That’s a big reason we’ve put the Milwaukee M18™ Heat Gun so high on our list. Before we even checked this tool out, we knew we were onto a winner. Powered by an Xc 5.0 battery, this heat gun can go where cordless power tools can’t. It can heat over 40 connections on a single charge, making it the perfect tool for difficult-to-reach areas. It’s also just 6.4-inches long, which makes it easier to maneuver in tight gaps. 

Being a Milwaukee tool, you’d expect this heat gun to last forever. Unlike cheaper heat guns that burn out after a couple of months, this tool uses RedLink Intelligence, a temperature management system that stops it from overheating. Other features included a guarded nozzle, a ladder hook for easy hanging, and a powerful LED light. 

Whether you are looking to melt tough wax in hard to reach areas or just removing a stubborn bumper sticker, you can trust this heat gun to get the job done fast and easy. It is powerfully built to heat quickly, with temperatures rising up to over 600 degrees Celsius, operating at 1,800 watts. It can operate on low and high heat, giving you the flexibility to work on minor and major projects.

For solid control and protection, this heat gun protects against overloading, helping to avoid circuit damage whilst in use. It features different nozzle types (4), for various tasks – two for concentrating heat on one surface, another for deflecting the heat produced on narrow surfaces and another for reflecting and dispersing heat evenly, giving you the flexibility to get your work done. It is a durable tool that can last long even after multiple uses. Compared to similar products, SEEKONE Heat Gun is a great value for money and is highly recommended. For more amazing tools, check out our guide to the best vacuum pumps.

Now, for something a little more serious. The Porter Cable PC1500HG is more suited for people planning to use their heat gun regularly. It’s higher-quality in almost every way than the cheaper options available, and it’s a huge upgrade on their previous heat gun model, the Porter Cable 1700.

For starters, they’ve upgraded the way it looks. It has Porter and Cable’s recognizable colors covering a tough-looking casing. And it’s not just tough-looking, it’s made to withstand some serious knocks. They’ve also included an ergonomic rubber handle, which has a power switch with two temperature options. Unlike the two previous heat guns, they don’t make it obvious how hot each setting is, but we’ve found out that they’re 900ºF and 1150ºF. Interestingly, that means it’s not as powerful as the Genesis heat gun, but it should still have plenty of oomph to get the job done.

Dewalt is another one of those brands that are known for excellent quality. They make almost every power tool under the sun, and the Dewalt D26960K is one of the best. It was definitely a strong contender to be our Best Choice product because it really takes the idea of a heat gun to the next level. You’ll have noticed by now that most heat guns follow a standard design of having two heat settings. This the first area that the D26960K is different. It has an LCD display that allows you to adjust the temperature in 50ºF increments from 150ºF to 1100ºF. This makes it by far the most versatile and precision tool we have featured yet. It gives you the ability to find the exact right temperature for whatever job you’re doing.

The other great thing about this product is that it comes with so many accessories. You get seven different nozzles, a couple of paint scrapers, and some other different tools, all included in a sturdy carry case. Dewalt has really thought of everything so you’re ready for the job as soon as you open the box.

If you’re looking for an affordable heat gun for DIY tasks, the Wagner Spraytech HT400 is the way to go. It can’t reach the same high temperatures as some of the premium heat guns we’ve looked at but it gets hot enough for stripping paints and other similar tasks. It has two temperature settings: high (680ºF) and low (450ºF). The only slight downside is that it doesn’t have variable temperature control, so you’re limited to those two temperatures. On the plus side, it’s designed to be much smaller than most heat guns, so you can fit it into tight spaces and be more precise with it. It also has three different operating positions (palm, pencil, and hand-free). We haven’t seen this versatility on other heat guns, so it’s a huge benefit for hobbyists, crafters, and DIY-enthusiasts. 

The MasterWorks Heat Gun is an interesting entry to this list. It’s not from a really well-known company, it’s not the cheapest, and it’s certainly not the best. So why have we decided that it deserves a place on the list of the best heat guns? Well, because it’s by far the most feature-laden heat gun for under $30. Sure, you could go for our Best Value option, but if you want extra nozzles, multiple temperature settings, and other accessories, you’re going to have to spend a lot more. So, think of this as our second Best Value heat gun.

It comes with five different attachments including a reflector nozzle, a deflector nozzle, a reduction nozzle, a triangular scraper, and our favorites – a BBQ lighter. That means you’re fully equipped for anything, from firing up the charcoal to removing paint from a wall. It’s also got three different temperature settings – 122ºF, 752ºF, and 1022ºF. So, it’s not quite as versatile as the Makita and Dewalt guns, but it’s better than most of the budget options.

The Milwaukee 2688-21 M18 is the daddy of heat guns. Well, at least you would hope it is because it costs over three times more than its nearest competitor on this list. So, what makes it so special? Well, there are a few things. Firstly, it’s designed for use by professional tradesmen. If you need to thaw a bit of ice out in your freezer or loosen a bolt that you can’t untighten, you probably don’t need this gun. This is designed professionals who need a reliable tool for heating tubing and other applications. You can tell that it’s designed for heavy use because of the quality of the construction. It’s made to last.

The second main difference is that it is battery powered. Instead of being powered by a long and cumbersome power cord, it takes its power from a REDLITHIUM™ battery. This is Milwaukee’s own brand of powerful, portable, and rechargeable batteries. It can heat 40 connections on one charge, and you can buy extra batteries if you think you’ll need them.

Master Appliance Master HG Series Heat Gun looks more like a turbo-charged hairdryer than an industrial heat gun. But, don’t be fooled by its looks, it’s as good as any other modern-looking heat gun on this list. The reason it looks different to a lot of other heat guns on the market is that it is different.

It has a die-cast aluminum housing, which is painted in a glossy red paint. On the back, there is an oversized, flat rubber stand to make it easy to rest when you’re not using it. And, it is comprised of parts that are easily replaceable, so you can fix and maintain it yourself. Not many companies think about how to make their products last a long time now. There is a culture of creating products that last a couple of years and then break, but that’s not Master Appliance’s style. The heating elements, motor brushes, and other parts are easy to source and fit yourself.

Next in our list is the Genesis GHG1500A. It’s the cheapest heat gun we’ve included, and at less than $20, it’s an absolute bargain. But, as with all cheap products, we’re always a little more cautious about their quality. If you spend $200, you sort of just expect it to work. So, when something is a tenth of that price, we need to look a bit deeper. Fortunately, this product stands up. There are a few potential problems and we’ll outline them first.

You choose the temperature setting using a very similar 3-position switch to the Wagner gun, and it’s got two heat settings – 750ºF and 1500ºF – which makes it even more powerful. The problem is, some customers aren’t 100% sure it can handle the extra heat at first. It’s likely that you’ll need a ‘burning in’ period before you use it properly. That means you need to blast it on the higher settings, preferably outdoors, and make sure it’s working correctly. Think of it like wearing a pair of stiff shoes in.

If you don’t want to spend hundreds on a high-end heat gun, there are a couple of budget-friendly options on the market. The EnerTwist Heat Gun is one of our favorites. At just $29.99, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cheaper heat gun, but how does it stack up against the other products on this list? Well, for starters, it’s not the most powerful. With 1500 watts, it can reach a maximum temperature of 932ºF but it won’t reach it as quickly as the more expensive heat guns. It’s also not super accurate. You can adjust the settings but you are limited to eight temperature settings (1 to 8) and three fan speed modes (high, low, and cooling). However, despite these shortcomings, it’s still an effective tool for jobs like drying out wood, stripping paint, and anything else that doesn’t require a specific temperature. 

One of the biggest selling points of the EnerTwist Heat Gun is the accessory kit. You get four nozzle deflectors and five paint-scrapers, all of which have different uses. For example, the glass protection nozzle is ideal for stripping paint that is near heat-sensitive materials. This accessory kit turns this heat gun into a much more versatile product. Everything comes together in a durable plastic carry case, making it both portable and easy-to-store. In short, if you don’t need (or can’t afford) a high-end heat gun, this little tool is definitely capable of doing the job. For more amazing options like this, check out our guide to the best oscillating tools.