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Get gluing! A must-have for all kinds of crafting and DIY projects, a hot glue gun is a great addition to any tool kit. While hot glue guns with cords limit your mobility and can get tangled, a cordless model gives you maximum flexibility as you work. Invented in the late 1940s, the glue gun was developed after Boston native George Schultz watched shoemakers burn themselves while scooping hot glue out of a pot. His first model, a simple and bulky affair, was called the Polygun. Shultz would hardly recognize today’s sleek and capable versions. To choose a model that’s right for you, browse our roundup of the best cordless options below.
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Workpro Cordless Hot Glue Gun
This gun is a great option that uses mini glue sticks: It heats up in just two minutes and zippily dispenses glue at a rate of 5 grams per minute. Best of all, a two-hour charge gets you nearly the same amount of working time. It’s available in blue and pink, and if you buy the pink model, 20 cents of your purchase goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The gun comes with 20 mini glue sticks and a USB charging cable.
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Surebonder Cordless Heavy Duty 60W Glue Gun
If mini glue sticks won’t cut it, here’s an option that uses the standard 7/16-inch glue sticks. Surebonder, maker of premium glue guns galore, puts out a no-nonsense cordless option that runs on 60 watts of power, marrying the heft of a corded glue gun with the freedom of a cordless tool. Its recharging base even comes with a drip pad to catch any stray glue dropping from the nozzle. The only drawback: This gun operates for a measly five to seven minutes before having to be returned to its base for reheating. If you have the room, keep the charger close at hand and let the gun warm up again while you’re working.
ANOTHER GOOD CHOICE
Surebonder Hybrid 20W Mini Glue Gun
We love this ultra-affordable hybrid option, also from Surebonder. You can work with the gun plugged in or cordless —the latter just requires four AA batteries (not included), which will last you some 45 minutes of active gluing time. Running at one-third the wattage of our other Surebonder pick, this lightweight tool has a built-in stand, reducing clutter in your work area. It uses mini glue sticks, which are sold separately.
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Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Full-Size Glue Gun
This popular power tool company also makes one stunning glue gun. Ryobi’s gun boasts an astonishing three-and-a-half-hour battery life—just flick it on and wait three minutes or so until the LED indicator light turns off, and you’ll be ready to glue. This is a full-size gun with the heft of a power drill and a heavy-duty rubber grip to boot. We like that if you already own Ryobi tools with a compatible battery, all you need to buy is the gun itself; otherwise, you’ll have to purchase the full setup. Just be careful: Glue runs out extra-hot on this bad boy.
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