Smooth rod: When applying caulk with a smooth rod caulking gun—often advertised as “dripless”—the user only needs to depress a thumb lever to release pressure on the sealant to stop the sealant from leaving the tube.

The gun works with any type of caulk or sealant, but its main purpose is to dispense high-viscosity sealants, such as concrete epoxy. It also works for dispensing caulks, sealants, and adhesives at low temperatures, thanks to its high ratio. It features a smooth rod and a thumb release to prevent oozing and waste.

Features

First, we took note of features like rods, built-in cutters, puncture wires, and rubber grips. Not all caulking guns had these features, so it was important to compare them before testing. Battery powered: This bad boy has removable batteries and a charger, so users can run a bead of caulk in locations where electricity isn’t available, typically running 2 to 3 hours per charge. If there is a lot of caulking to do, consider investing in an extra battery so the juice won’t run out before the job is done. This caulking gun features a 10:1 thrust ratio and easily dispenses light to light-medium viscosity caulk, making it well suited for latex and silicone. This gun’s smooth-pull hand trigger and dripless technology are a plus, and so is the fact that it comes with a built-in seal puncturing tool, a cutting tool, and a handy hook for hanging the gun on a ladder rung. Admittedly, it took us a little while to dial in this caulking gun’s pressure regulator, which did cause a bit of a mess at first. But, once dialed in, it was wonderful during testing. Releasing the trigger immediately drops the pressure behind the tube, and as a result, there’s very little dripping. Also, once we adjusted the regulator, it offered consistent and smooth pressure. In addition to an air compressor, it requires a hose for operation.

Repeatedly squeezing a trigger can lead to hand and wrist fatigue, which is why powered caulking guns are becoming more popular. When they first hit the market a few years ago, powered caulking guns were reserved for commercial and industrial projects. Today, DIYers are discovering the benefit of letting the gun dispense the sealant so they can focus on creating a smooth bead. With no hand trigger, thrust ratio does not apply. Instead, dispensing pressure is regulated via a light squeeze on the finger trigger. Standard design and lightweight yet sturdy construction have made this gun the industry standard for many years. Next, we tested each with an acrylic caulk to see how smooth, consistent, and easy they were to work with. We caulked a seam between two boards and then allowed the guns to rest to see how much they’d drip. During testing, we found the Newborn 250 to be the easiest and smoothest for applying caulk and sealant. The frame rotated smoothly (certainly the smoothest of all the other models), and the hand grips were very comfortable. We also liked the built-in cutter that most high-thrust caulking guns don’t have. It did drip a bit, but the release was easy to access and press with one hand. The only complaint we might have is that just one handle has a rubber coating—coating both handles would be a benefit.

Specifications

There are different sizes of caulking guns. The standard caulking gun size is 10-ounce (which all of the caulking guns on this list are), but larger 29-ounce caulking guns do exist for heavy-duty applications. Why Trust Bob Vila Some manufacturers sell squeeze tubes of caulk, which are easier to use above cabinets or tight spaces, and they don’t require a gun. However, it can be very difficult to apply an even and consistent bead of caulk from a standard tube without a caulking gun. Q. Are there different sizes of caulking guns? Anyone familiar with tired hands from caulking and sealing may enjoy giving this caulking gun from Newborn a shot. It has two rubber overmolded grips as well as a rod that automatically retracts after releasing the comfort-grip hand trigger to prevent excess caulk from oozing out. The Newborn 250 is built to last with a zinc alloy handle to reduce corrosion, and it features a hefty 18:1 thrust ratio to easily dispense medium-viscosity caulk, including butyl and acrylic. The tool also comes with a thumb release for dripless operation. In some areas, the Red Devil was excellent during testing. The rubber grip was comfortable yet grippy, and there was plenty of power for squeezing out caulk or sealant in cold temperatures. Unfortunately, it did drip during testing, and the frame didn’t swivel smoothly, but we felt its sturdy build quality and power warranted a spot on the list.