Heat guns are great tools for removing old paint giving you a fresh start for a new coat, they’re an essential paint sprayer accessory and have a home in many DIY’ers toolboxes.
Using heat guns requires a lot less time and energy than using the manual scraper and paint stripper, so you can get the job done quicker.
However, much like you’ll see in our paint sprayer reviews, heat guns are not created equal and there are many features to pay attention to when choosing the right one. The most important pieces of information to know is what type of paint you want to remove and how reliable the product is.
If you don’t have time to read our full heat gun review, here’s a sneak peek at our top 3 most popular ones and why.
- 1100°F Max Temp
- LCD Temp Display
- Range of Heads
- 275+ Reviews
- 2400+ Reviews
- 750°F & 1000°F Temp
- Easy to Use
- Leading Brand
- Excellent Price
- 130°F – 1150°F
- Includes Stand
- 1250+ Customer Reviews
Top 5 Best Heat Guns for Removing Paint
Here are the top 5 best reviewed heat guns on the market today and why both professionals and DIY-ers are using them.
Or, if you have never used one before, scroll to the bottom for all the important features in our quick buying guide.
1. Dewalt D26960K Heavy Duty Heat Gun with LCD Display Review
Dewalt can accredit itself with many great home improvement tools and the D26960k heat gun is another example of this. This model scores well on all the features that you would want making it the best option for professionals.
Precision is made easier thanks to the LCD screen that shows you the exact temperature at any time. The temperature range goes from 150°F to 1100°F that you can adjust with increments of 50°F.
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This product comes complete with a handy carrying case that has several different heads, nozzles and additional paint removal tools.
The design itself also has a built-in kickstand for hands-free use and a 10-foot long cord.
If you are a professional painter then this is a great choice for you. The precise temperature control combined with the good power for airflow gives you a versatile and effective tool.
| Temperature Range | 150°F – 1100°F |
| Watts | 1550 |
| LCD Display | Yes |
| Kickstand | Yes |
Pros
- Precise temperature control
- LCD display
Cons
- Slow cool down
- Price
2. Amtake Professional Hot Air Gun Review
This very affordable heat gun by Amtake comes with a variety of nozzles and a lot of precision in the air flow and temperature control. Expect a very good heat spread with this model because it is rated at a powerful 1800 watts.
The back of the device has a turning knob to control the temperature so you can adjust at any time. It also has a wide temperature range starting from 120°F and reaching its maximum heat of 1020°F in a matter of only seconds.
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The package comes with 4 nozzles, 1 fishtail nozzle, 1 reflector nozzle, and 2 concentrator nozzle. The different nozzles let you use this hot air device for different painted surfaces but also for defrosting pipes and bending softer materials like plastic.
The power cord is nearly 6 feet long and there is also a kickstand fitted on the tool for hands-free use.
Unsure about trying this new brand? Feel assured by the company’s confidence in its customer service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
| Temperature Range | 120°F – 1020°F |
| Watts | 1800 |
| LCD Display | No |
| Stand | Yes |
Pros
- Big temperature range
- Good customer service
Cons
- Issues with heating up
- Users expected better air flow
3. Wagner SprayTech HT1000 Heat Gun with 2 Temperature Settings
The HT1000 has received the most positive reviews on Amazon, surpassing its competitors by thousands of reviews.
This model may not have the most precise features but it is reliable and affordable and is built by one of the biggest brand names in the paint spraying industry, Wagner.
This Wagner SprayTech heat gun has 2 high-temperature settings of 750°F and 1000°F. It also has a high and low fan speed for controlling the air flow.
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Though the temperature and air flow may not be the most precise compared to the competition, control over these features is easy.
Consider this a reliable basic model that is a good option for the occasional DIY project.
Notably, the nozzle is corrosion-resistant so it is safe to store for quite a while without having to worry. Unfortunately, there are no additional nozzles included so it is less versatile than many other models.
| Temperature Range | 750°F & 1000°F |
| Watts | 1200 |
| LCD Display | No |
| Stand | No |
Pros
- Reliable
- User-friendly
Cons
- Only 1 nozzle
- Only 2 temperatures
4. Porter-Cable PC1500HG 1500 Watt Heat Gun
This Porter-Cable model is the surprise product on the market because it has better features than you would expect at its affordable price point. Most notably, it has a wide temperature range where other models in the same price category would only have a dual temperature setting.
This heat gun can hold a temperature anywhere between 130°F and 1150°F. Airflow is decent with 2 fan speed options powered by its 1500 watts.
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The design includes a support stand so you can place the heat gun on the table without holding it still.
For moving around large rooms you can use its 6 feet long cable.
Don’t be worried about the quality because of its affordability. The company proves its quality with a 3-year warranty.
| Temperature Range | 130°F – 1150°F |
| Watts | 1500 |
| LCD Display | No |
| Stand | Yes |
Pros
- Adjustable temperature
- Good quality for price
Cons
- Air flow not powerful
- Issues with air flow button
5. ZeopoCase Portable Mini Heat Gun Review
Sometimes, what you actually need is a smaller device so that you can get into smaller crevices and nooks. That is where this very small heat gun by ZeopoCase comes in.
It does not have as strong of an air flow with a wattage of only 300 watts but this lets you hold the device closer to the surface, up to 5-6 cm away from the surface.
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It also cannot reach a very high temperature, nor is it adjustable. Its only temperature is 390°F which makes this model more appropriate for small surface areas and removing stickers.
Made of a high-quality ABS plastic casing with stainless steel parts and a protective cap. This gives you a simple but effective hot air gun that does its job when you need it.
| Temperature Range | 390°F |
| Watts | 300 |
| LCD Display | No |
| Stand | No |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Good for small jobs and small surface areas
Cons
- Not versatile
- No strong air flow
Heat Gun Buying Guide
Heat guns are very handy tools for home improvement and DIY projects but you need to know what to look for. If you’re looking to use a paint sprayer for furniture, you’ll no doubt need to strip the old paint off first.
If you don’t know what you’re looking to achieve, you might end up with a tool that is not appropriate for the type of paint that you are removing or the material you want to heat.
These are the most features you need to decide on when buying a heat gun.
Temperature – How Hot Does a Heat Gun Get?
The first thing to look at is the temperature range. Many of the models in the lower price categories only have 2 temperature settings while the models in the higher price category have a range of temperatures.
Think about what kind of paint you want to remove and what temperature you need for the tool to be effective. The same goes for when you want to use hot air for heating different kinds of materials.
Air Flow
Airflow has a lot of impact on the effectiveness of a heat gun, even if it has a wide range of temperatures. The airflow is the core part of how a heat gun works.
The better the airflow, the more precise the tool.
You can get an idea of the quality of airflow by checking the wattage of the tool. The general rule of thumb is that the more power, the better the air flow.
Most hot air guns have 2 fan speed settings, one high and one low.
Thermal Cut-Off
This is probably the most important feature on the tool as it is the number one safety precaution when working with such high temperatures. A thermal cut-off automatically switches off the device when it is at risk of overheating.
Always check the product for this feature. If it does not have a thermal cut-off then this is a strong indicator of a low quality product that is not safe for use.
LCD Display
This feature is usually only seen on the more advanced models. An LCD display often shows the exact temperature that the tool is operating which is useful on heat guns with a wide range of temperatures.
Although it gives you more precision, this feature is less useful on a model with only 2 temperature settings.
Stand for Hands-Free Use
Heat guns are not only used for removing layers of paint or stickers but also for heating up materials to manipulate their shape. For the latter, you need more control over the material than you do over the tool.
For this exact purpose, having a model that has some form of a stand incorporated into the design is extremely useful.
Many models feature a type of hinge or hook that is multifunctional i.e. to hang the power tool or to have the heat gun stand on its own.
