Hot glue guns are available in many different sizes and wattages, with basic craft guns starting around 10 watts. They’re useful for crafting and for performing minor repairs around the house, but they’re not all equally well-suited to every task. I tested the Cobiz Full-Size 60/100W Dual Power Heavy Duty Glue Gun to see how it stood up to a variety of crafting materials and simple home repairs.

Design: Substantial and sturdy

This glue gun feels solid and comfortable to hold, though it’s a tad on the large side if you have small hands. The sticks are fed through the back of the gun and advance automatically as you pull the trigger. This feature worked surprisingly well, and it was easy to keep the glue coming at a steady pace. The only issue was that toward the end of the glue stick, I had to wait for it to be almost gone before I could feed a new one into the unit.

The attached metal stand feels sturdy; I could set the glue gun down, and it remained upright without having to balance it carefully as with some other glue guns. The hot metal tip of the gun is held about an inch above the work surface, so it won’t touch and damage your table. The gun contains a ceramic PTC thermal heating system, and the indicator light on the side of the unit is easy to see and glows red at 60 watts or green at 100 watts.

The glue gun comes with ten glue sticks and two silicone finger protectors, which I found awkward to use. It’s almost impossible to operate the trigger or glue items together when wearing these things. A metal file was also enclosed in the package, presumably for cleaning—though it’s not clear what exactly you should do with it. The included instructions weren’t very helpful; they advised things you would already know such as how to plug it in, or this bit of helpful advice: “STAY ALERT. Always notice what you are doing.”

Heating Capabilities: Fast heat up

The glue gun heats up in about 5 minutes on either setting, with faster glue flow on the 100-watt setting than the 60-watt setting. However, there’s no temperature gauge so I didn’t know when it was at max heat if I was turning it up from 60 to 100 watts. It took 60 minutes to cool down for storage.

Performance: Smooth and steady glue flow

At both heat settings, a long line of glue was easy to dispense smoothly and evenly. I found it was a little tricky to control how much glue came out if I only needed drops. The smallest dab I could manage was about the size of a lentil (on 60 watts) or a large pea (on 100 watts). The wattages were somewhat intimidating, too: At the higher setting, steam emanated from the line of glue! Frankly, the burn risk seems high if you’re working with small decorative items such as beads or sequins.

In addition, I wasn’t happy with the result when I made a bow from cotton fabric. Even on the lower setting, too much glue seeped out and blobbed on the ribbon so the finished product looked sloppy. Although the glue dried clear, it was too thick to remove. Obviously, this gun is not best suited for use with delicate materials.

On the other hand, if you’re working on repairs such as gluing down a corner of sheet vinyl in the kitchen or on large-scale craft projects, such as attaching fabric to a canvas panel, this glue gun delivers. It dispenses large amounts of glue quickly and efficiently. It also works well on materials that don’t usually adhere easily to one another, such as when I glued a birch bark strip around a glass votive candle holder. It held perfectly on the first try.

Price: A reasonably priced option for serious crafters

At around $25 to $40, this glue gun is two to three times what inexpensive craft store versions cost. However, its robust feel in the hand and two heat options allow you to dispense large amounts of glue quickly for large-scale projects or repairs.

The instruction sheet which came with the glue gun indicated there’s a two-year warranty, which would help justify the cost even more. However, the only contact information was an invalid email address.

Competition: A step up from basic glue guns

If you’re looking for something a little less powerful (or a little beefier), there are other glue gun options on the market:

CC Better Mini Glue Gun: I also tested this 10-watt mini gun and found that it’s a solid, budget-friendly choice if you’re a newbie crafter or only use a glue gun occasionally. However, it’s not for hard-to-adhere materials or large projects.

Surebonder PRO2-220 Heavy Duty Hot Glue Gun: This glue gun was my favorite of the three I tested. It’s powerful, adjustable, and just plain comfortable and hefty in your hand. It is expensive, though, so it’s for serious crafters or DIYers.Final Verdict