The Best Soldering Heat Guns

The Best Soldering Heat Guns

A soldering heat gun is a fantastic, versatile tool for all kinds of DIY activities and home maintenance needs. Whether you're stripping old paint from furniture, doing some shrink-wrapping, reattaching electrical components, softening glue, or thawing frozen pipes, the job will be that much easier to take on with one of these useful multitaskers on hand. Of course, there are dozens of different models to choose from, with different temperature settings, fan speeds, and nozzle options. But we've rounded up our favorite models on the market to make choosing the right one a breeze.

Seekone Heat Gun

The Utmost in Heat Efficiency

This soldering heat gun is the real deal.
Best Overall

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The Seekone Heat Gun heats up incredibly quickly, producing a near-instant burst of heat that can exceed 1,000 degrees. Unlike many other dual-temperature heat guns, this model provides excellent variable temperature control ranging from 120 degrees to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjustment is as simple as turning the control dial on the back, and two fan speed settings allow you to further customize your output. In addition, this gun comes with four different nozzles for many applications, and it’s designed with a grippy ergonomic handle, making for a comfortable user experience. You can’t go wrong with this nifty tool.

Pros:

  • Quickly heats up to 1,202 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Works well for a wide variety of applications
  • Exceptional variable temperature control
  • Comes with four nozzle accessories
  • Ergonomically designed, multi-grip handle

Cons:

  • It could stand to put out a little bit more airflow, but the versatility overall is impressive

Wagner Spraytech Soldering Heat Gun

A Toolbox Must-Have

This gun is a classic pick, beloved for its sturdy, dependable features.
Best Classic

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Boasting several first-class features that have withstood the test of time, the Wagner Spraytech Soldering Heat Gun is a classic, tried-and-true pick. For one thing, it offers dual-temperature controls of 750 and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and two different fan speeds, so you can tailor the heat and airflow to fit the household task at hand. This gun features an integrated stand, allowing for safe, hands-free operation. It’s also equipped with safe storage features, like a corrosion-resistant nozzle and an integrated hanging hook, so you can store it on a peg wall or workbench, which can help prolong its life.

Pros:

  • Dual temperature setting
  • Two fan speeds, so you can adapt to your project’s needs
  • Built with an integrated stand
  • Has a corrosion-resistant nozzle
  • Integrated hanging hook

Cons:

  • Accessory tips are not included

Homidic Heat Gun

Small But Mighty

Although it's smaller than the rest, this gun packs a punch.
Best Mini

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The Homidic Heat Gun was designed for compact efficiency. It weighs just over 11 ounces and measures only 10.4 x 3.4 x 2.1 inches. Although it may be small, it’s one powerful little tool, reaching 200 degrees Fahrenheit in mere seconds, which is hot enough to heat-shrink plastic and soften glue. Handily, this gun has a 56-foot-long cable, giving you plenty of room to work, wherever you want. And because this heat gun is less heavy-duty than others, it’s an excellent choice for DIY craft projects.

Pros:

  • Compact, lightweight size perfect for crafting
  • 56-foot-long cable
  • Built-in stand for self-support and tabletop use
  • Excellent value

Cons:

  • If you use this gun for ten minutes or more, you need to turn it off and turn it back on

Genesis Heat Gun

Do It (All) Yourself

Versatility is the name of the game with this heat gun.
Best Kit

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The Genesis Heat Gun comes with everything you need for all your home improvement to-dos. It includes nozzles that run the gamut from deflector nozzles, which help protect glass and other surfaces, to an air-reduction nozzle that concentrates heat. As such, you can use this gun for a wide variety of uses, like thawing pipes, removing adhesive labeling, softening caulking, and stripping paint and varnish. It’s a versatile pick that meets whatever challenge you throw at it.

Pros:

  • Comes with two deflector nozzles, a reflector nozzle, and an air reduction nozzle
  • Has a powerful 12.5-amp motor
  • High- and low-temperature settings
  • Handle has an ergonomic grip, so it’s comfortable to use

Cons:

  • High heat settings of 750 and 1500 degrees Fahrenheit mean it’s not the best voice for crafting

Tacklife Heat Gun

Safety First

Reduce your risk of getting burned with this gun, which offers the utmost in safety features.
Best Safety Design

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Featuring a maximum temperature of 662 degrees Fahrenheit, the Tacklife Heat Gun heats up quickly. But it also has admirable safety protection features, which greatly help reduce the risk of injury or damage to the materials with which you’re working. If the gun begins to overheat, overload protection shuts down the heating element instantly. This gun also comes with a reflector nozzle, which comes in handy if you’re shrink-wrapping, connecting wires, removing paint, or doing any number of DIY home improvement projects.

Pros:

  • Offers excellent overheating protection, for safety purposes
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Reaches 662 degrees Fahrenheit in seconds, with 350W of power
  • Comes with a reflector nozzle
  • High-quality fuselage

Cons:

  • There is only one heat setting

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use my soldering heat gun for?

You can use a soldering heat gun for a wide variety of home projects, like loosening rusted nuts and bolts, bending plastic pipes, softening and stripping paint, softening glue, or attaching (or repairing) soldered electronic components.

What safety precautions should I take before using my heat soldering gun?

Heat guns can produce temperatures hotter than 1,000 degrees, which means you have to take extreme care and specific safety precautions to avoid hurting yourself or damaging your project. Before you begin any project using a soldering heat gun, it’s crucial to wear protective eyewear and thick work gloves. It’s also essential to make sure that your workspace is well-ventilated so that you avoid exposure to any toxins released by the material you’re heating up.