Grease is dirty, slippery, and a hassle to work with. While grease has a lot of annoying qualities, it keeps your machines running. Whether you’re working with chainsaws, boats, tractors, or trucks, everything needs a little bit of lubrication to work properly. Without the proper amount of grease, parts experience accelerated wear that can render a machine useless.
This is why grease guns are a staple in machine shops. In fact, if you do yard work, it’s a good idea to keep a simple grease gun around the house. While grease guns are standard tools, shopping for one can be challenging. The good news is that we’re here to make the process hassle-free. Read on to learn more about grease guns.
- Features to Consider When Shopping for Grease Guns
- Top 10 Best Grease Guns 2023
- 1. Best Overall Pick: Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun
- 2. Best Premium Pick: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun
- 3. Best Budget Pick: GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun
- 4. Best Compact Grease Gun: Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun
- 5. Best Hand-Held Grease Gun: Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun
- 6. Best Handle: Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun
- 7. Best Self-Lubricating: Grease Gun: REXBETI Grease Gun
- 8. Best Air-Operated Grease Gun: Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun
- 9. Best For Frequent Use: Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun
- 10. Best Accessories: Utool Grease Gun
- Everything You Need to Know About Grease Guns
- Grease Gun FAQ
- Final Thoughts
Features to Consider When Shopping for Grease Guns
There are a lot of different grease guns available, and each one is suitable for unique situations. For this reason, there are a few features you need to consider before you make a selection. We’re going to take you through the most important things to look for in grease guns to help you narrow down your options.
Type
We’re going to start with the different types of grease guns. While they all produce grease, the way they accomplish this varies. In fact, some grease guns make a lot more grease than others based on their configuration. For this guide, there are three types of grease guns you need to be familiar with.
Manual Grease Guns
Manual grease guns are the most common products you’ll come across. These grease guns are typically operated by a handle that you need to squeeze for the grease to leave the nozzle of the gun. While these grease guns produce the least amount of grease and cause hand fatigue, they’re the most affordable option.
Your success with a manual grease gun comes down to the handle it comes with. Most manual grease guns use pistol grips, which let you operate the tool with one hand. These grips can also be ergonomic, and the best grips feature unique pivot angles and non-slip rubber grips.
Air-Operated Grease Guns
Air-operated grease guns are easy to use and don’t require you to pump them. These products also produce more grease than manual grease guns and rival electrical grease guns. As for pricing, these products fall between manual and electric grease guns.
If you like the idea of an air-operated grease gun, you have to consider where you’ll be getting compressed air from. This means you need an air compressor that doesn’t produce more PSI than the tool can handle.
Electrical Grease Guns
Electric grease guns are the best products money can buy. These grease guns are the simplest to use and only require their cordless battery. Electrical grease guns also have the best performance, grease output, durability, and precision. Plus, some products feature LED lighting and extended hoses to help you work in hard-to-reach places.
While electrical grease guns offer the best performance, they’re expensive. In most cases, they’re double the cost of air-operated grease guns and more than triple the cost of manual products. We recommend these products for people that need to use them for industrial use.
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)
When you’re shopping for a grease gun, you’ll also come across a PSI rating. This is common in most grease guns because compressed air pushes grease through the tube and onto what you’re using it for. So, what do these PSI ratings mean?
The PSI rating determines how much pressure a grease gun produces. Most grease guns use high-pressure systems that operate between 2,500 and 10,000 PSI. Depending on what you’re working on, you’ll need a high or low PSI rating. For example, bearing seals typically can’t handle more than 500 PSI, while larger nuts and bolts might need upwards of 7,000 PSI.
Hose Length
The hose length on a grease gun is one of the essential features. If your hose is too short, it’s challenging to work on machinery that has parts tucked away. Furthermore, if the hose is too long, it can be a hassle to work on smaller machinery like lawnmowers. Some grease guns also don’t use hoses.
A good rule to follow is to look for a hose based on the size of the machines you’re working on. For larger appliances, look for longer hoses with plenty of slack. If you’ll be working on smaller projects, there is no need to go over eighteen inches.
Pump Output
Another feature to look for is grease output. Every grease gun is different, and some pumps are more reliable than others. Grease pumps that you pump by hand produce less grease, and electrical or air-compressed products produce a generous amount of grease with minimal effort.
If you’re working on smaller projects, like chainsaws or weed whackers, grease output isn’t as important. On the other hand, if you’re working on heavy machinery like tractors or boats, you’ll want a reliable grease gun that produces a generous amount of grease. This will save you time, money, and energy.
Price
Grease guns have a lot of different price options. Some grease guns are budget-friendly, but others are more of an investment. The price depends on what you’re looking to use a grease gun for. Grease guns that require you to pump them manually are more affordable than grease guns powered by electricity or compressed air. For this reason, we’ve grouped each product into one of three categories:
$: Around $20
$$: Around $50
$$$: Over $100
It’s essential to be mindful of what you need, especially if you’re shopping for expensive grease guns. So, we’re going to take you through the ten best grease guns and offer shopping tips along the way.
Top 10 Best Grease Guns 2023
1. Best Overall Pick: Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: Manual
- PSI: 7,000
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 4 ounces per 100 strokes
The Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is an affordable and reliable product. It doesn’t have the massive lubricant output that electric grease guns have, but it gets the job done. The 18″ hose is long enough to fit into hard-to-reach areas, and it’s flexible. It also features an air bleeder valve to vent through any air pockets that form within the hose.
This grease gun is also easy to use. It uses a pistol-grip design so that you can operate with the product with one hand. While it’s easy to use, it’s also durable. The gun uses an 18-gauge steel barrel and chrome tip to prevent corrosion and features a follower rod lock that prevents excess lubricant from leaking when you’re done using it.
What Sets it Apart
The Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is unique because there are multiple ways to load it with lubricant. Instead of relying solely on cartridges, you can also connect the grease gun to a grease pump. Grease pumps are great because you can get more work done without putting your project on hold to switch out the cartridges. You can also fill this product by using suction.
Things to Consider
This grease gun is reliable and affordable and has been tested up to 7,500 PSI. This is plenty of PSI for most automotive applications, but if you need a grease gun for high PSI applications, we recommend a product like the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun. The DeWalt can handle up to 10,000 PSI, although this does come with an additional cost.
Who It’s For
The Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is a great fit for anyone that needs an affordable and reliable grease gun. If you’ll use a grease gun to work on small automotive applications or small engine machinery, this product is a great choice.
Pros
- Affordable and reliable
- Chrome tip to prevent corrosion
- Durable 18-gauge steel
- Comfortable pistol grip for one-handed use
- Compatible with grease pumps, cartridges, and suction
- Follower rod lock prevents leaking
Cons
- Low PSI rating without modifications to the tip
- Only produces four ounces of grease for 100 pumps, which can get tiring
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$$
- Type: Cordless
- PSI: 10,000
- Hose Length: 42 inches
- Pump Output: 5 ounces per minute
The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun is a heavy-duty grease gun. It’s an excellent gun for most automotive applications because it has a 42″ flexible hose. This means you can fit the hose into hard-to-reach areas without trouble. When you combine this with 10,000 PSI and a durable five-ounce pump, it’s hard to find a better grease gun.
The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun is also useful because it has a long battery life. On one DeWalt 20V battery, you can run through 16 cartridges before needing to charge it up. This makes it an effective grease gun to use at home or on the go.
What Sets it Apart
This grease gun is unique because it comes with premium features you can’t find anywhere else. It features an extra-long hose that’s flexible and durable. The LED light makes it easy to see what you’re working on, and it has a pump filter screen that keeps dirt from getting into the hose.
Things to Consider
The DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun is one of the best grease guns you can get your hands on, but it’s expensive. While it offers premium features, you have to part with a lot of money.
If you only need a grease gun for small projects and don’t need these heavy-duty features, the Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is a great alternative. It doesn’t feature an electric pump, so you have to operate it by hand, but it’s significantly cheaper.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for the best grease gun you can find, the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun is what you want. If you’ll be using it close to daily, there is no better product to have in your toolbox. With that said, we only recommend this product for professional craftsmen that need a heavy-duty and reliable grease gun.
Pros
- Includes a pump filter to keep dirt out of the hose
- Excellent hose length and flexibility
- LED lighting to help you see what you're working on
- Works for high-flow applications
- 16 cartridges per charge
- Powerful 10,000 PSI motor
Cons
- Expensive
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: hand-held
- PSI: 2,500
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 1 ounce per 40 strokes
The GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a hand-held grease gun that performs as advertised. It’s easy to use, regardless of what you need it for. It comes with an ergonomic pistol grip that lets you operate it with one hand and features a knurled barrel for increased grip. It also benefits from a plunger design that makes it easy to prime any surface.
This grease gun is also durable. It comes with a bleeder valve to keep air pockets from building up within the hose and a bulk filler valve to speed the process up. After a few quick pumps, the product is primed and ready to go. You’ll also find a dual grease loader that makes it easy to load grease into the gun from multiple positions.
What Sets it Apart
The GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is unique because of the additional pieces it comes with. For example, the extension pipe gives you extra hose length if needed. While it’s not flexible, the extension piece is excellent for hard-to-reach automotive applications. Plus, because you can remove it, it doesn’t feel cumbersome if you’re working on smaller equipment.
Things to Consider
The GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is well-rounded, but it’s underwhelming. It only produces about 2,500 PSI, making it difficult to get a lot of grease out of the hose. While PSI isn’t crucial for smaller applications, the leaking can’t be overlooked. Consumers report leaking from the tip and bottom of the product. This makes it messy and frustrating to work with.
If you’re looking for a more reliable hand-held grease gun, the Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is a great alternative. It features a follower rod lock that prevents leaking, making it less messy to work with.
Who It’s For
If you need a simple grease gun for small engine applications, this product is a great choice. Its performance won’t impress you, but it gets the job done. For working on things like leaf blowers, lawnmowers and weed whackers, the GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a great choice. If you need to work on more massive machinery like trucks, ride-on lawnmowers, or tractors, we recommend a product like the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun instead.
Pros
- Comes with a removable extension piece
- Knurled tip and ergonomic pistol grip for comfort
- Dual grease loader makes it easy to work with from multiple positions
- Bleeder valve to keep air pockets from forming
Cons
- Prone to leaking
- Needs to be pumped a few times before use
4. Best Compact Grease Gun: Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: Hand-held
- PSI: 2,500
- Hose Length: No hose
- Pump Output: About 1 ounce per 75 strokes
The Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun doesn’t look impressive, but it works when you need it to. It doesn’t have a long hose like other products, but that’s not what this product is for. This grease gun is designed for smaller projects that don’t require a lot of effort. Its compact size makes it easy to use on things like chainsaws, weed whackers, and leaf blowers.
The Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun also comes with features that make it easy to work with. While it doesn’t feature a comfortable pistol grip, it can still be operated with one hand. The nozzle is also easy to work with and doesn’t often clog because there is no hose for air pockets to accumulate in.
What Sets it Apart
This grease gun is unique because of its size. It’s a compact grease gun that’s easy to use and store around the house. It’s also lightweight, compared to other grease guns, and only weighs one pound. Even if you have to use it for prolonged periods, you don’t need to worry about getting fatigued. Its compact weight and size also make it one of the more portable grease guns you can find.
Things to Consider
The problem with mini grease guns is their lack of innovative features and lackluster potential. Let us explain. While most grease guns can be used on cars, small engines, and heavy machinery, the Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun is only useful for small hand-held devices. For example, it can lubricate a chainsaw, but it’s not suitable for larger equipment like lawnmowers, tractors, or cars.
If you need a larger grease gun, you have plenty of options depending on your needs. For example, the GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is similar in price and weight but better for larger machinery.
Who It’s For
The Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun is a small grease gun that’s great for simple projects. It’s budget-friendly and easy-to-use but doesn’t have enough versatility for larger applications. If you’re looking for a simple grease gun to keep around the house, it’s a great fit. However, you should look elsewhere if you need a grease gun for frequent use.
Pros
- Only weighs 1 pound
- Can be operated with one hand
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to use compared to more massive grease guns
- Great to keep around the house
Cons
- There is no hose to help you grease-up hard-to-reach components
- Low PSI
- Not suitable for use on automotive and other heavy-duty applications
5. Best Hand-Held Grease Gun: Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: hand-held
- PSI: 6,000
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 4 ounces per 50 strokes
The Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a hand-held heavy-duty grease gun. It comes with many premium features for its size and price, making it an excellent choice for first-time grease gun users. It features a lengthy and flexible hose that can fit hard-to-reach areas, and if you need more length, it comes with a 5.5″ extension tube.
This grease gun is also made with durable materials. The canister is made with cold drawn steel that prevents leakage caused by bulk use. It also comes with an O-ring sealed, high-pressure piston to prevent grease from leaking out of the nozzle. The pistol grip also makes it easy to use with one hand, and it features a non-slip rubber grip to keep your hand from slipping.
What Sets it Apart
The Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun is unique because it offers premium features in an affordable package. Right out of the box, you can use it for almost any application. The cold drawn steel and sealed piston design make it one of the most reliable hand-held grease guns available.
Things to Consider
The Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun is excellent for professional use, but its lack of an air bleeder valve is shocking. While you can manually remove air pockets from the pump, a professional-grade grease gun should have the valve. It’s also challenging to remove the nozzle from the zerk fitting, but we like how the company provides instructions to help you out.
If you need a grease gun with similar performance, but want the bleeder valve, the Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun is a great alternative. It has similar specs, but you can remove air pockets without needing to take it apart.
Who It’s For
The Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a hand-held grease gun that can compete with electrical grease guns. It’s versatile for most applications such as marine, industrial, automotive, trailers, and agricultural applications. If you’re looking for an affordable grease gun you can use on heavy machinery; this product is a great choice.
Pros
- Non-slip rubber grip
- O-ring sealed, high-pressure piston prevents leaking from the nozzle
- Made with durable cold drawn steel to prevent canister leakage
- Can be loaded with a grease pump, suction, and cartridges
- Features a 5.5" hose extension piece
Cons
- No bleeder valve to prevent air pockets from forming
- Difficult to remove the nozzle from the zerk fitting
6. Best Handle: Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: Hand-held
- PSI: 7,500
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 1 ounce per 50 strokes
The Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a reliable grease gun that’s suitable for most applications. It can be used in automotive shops, farms, and construction sites. The grease gun is made with high-quality parts, and it boasts impressive durability for its price. You’ll find must-have components like a bleeder valve to remove air pockets from the hose and a comfortable pistol grip for comfort.
This grease gun is also versatile because it can be loaded in three different ways. It can be used with 14oz cartridges, connected to a grease pump, and filled with suction. This creates less down-time because you don’t need to worry about replacing the cartridges. The pistol grip also makes it easy to operate with one hand, and it comes with a six-inch extension tube.
What Sets it Apart
The Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun is unique because of its pivot angle and jam-proof handle. While the pistol grip doesn’t feature non-slip rubber, the pivot angle makes it easy to hold, even if you’re using it in an uncomfortable position. The jam-proof handle features a return mechanism that keeps the lever from getting stuck in-place.
Things to Consider
The Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun is excellent and works well, but it’s more expensive than most pistol grip grease guns. Most pistol grip grease guns have little price variation, which is why it’s odd to see this product priced higher than similar products. This is particularly odd because it lacks features like a non-slip rubber grip.
If you like this grease gun but need a budget-friendly option, the GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a great alternative. It comes with similar features and even has a higher grease output from the pump.
Who It’s For
The Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun is an excellent choice for people that work in machinery full-time. It’s more affordable than electric-based grease guns and works well for most applications. If you work on cars, boats, or tractors for a living, this is an excellent grease gun to keep around the shop.
Pros
- Special pivot angle reduces hand fatigue
- Jam-proof handle mechanism
- Features a six-inch extension tube
- Made with high-quality materials
- Comes with a bleeder valve to get rid of air pockets in the hose
Cons
- More expensive than other pistol grip grease guns
- No non-slip rubber grip
7. Best Self-Lubricating: Grease Gun: REXBETI Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: hand-operated
- PSI: 6,000
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 1 ounce per 50 strokes
The REXBETI Grease Gun is a unique hand-operated product. While it shares many features with other hand-operated grease guns, like a rubber grip and metal extension tubes, REXBETI goes the extra mile. While many grease guns feature bleeder valves, this product features an innovative air-release that lets you flush air from the hose with the press of a button.
The REXBETI Grease Gun is also made with durable components that keep it from breaking during prolonged usage. You’ll also find multiple attachments like two metal extension tubes and two reinforced couplers. Overall, we like how REXBETI went above-and-beyond with this grease gun.
What Sets it Apart
This grease gun is unique because REXBETI added some oil to the gun for smooth operation. Most grease guns rely on the grease you’re using for lubrication, but this product is primed and ready right out of the box. The added oil also prevents the components from rusting, which helps the product outlast other grease guns with similar designs.
Things to Consider
While the REXBETI Grease Gun is unique, it’s not perfect. While it works well with cartridges, you can’t load it with suction or use it with a grease pump. This makes it less versatile than other hand-operated grease pumps and can delay your project if you run out of cartridges.
If you like the design of this grease gun, but prefer a product with more load options, the Lincoln Lubrication Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a great alternative. It offers three different load options and boasts similar performance.
Who It’s For
The REXBETI Grease Gun is an excellent product for people that need a simple and easy-to-use product. It comes with many innovative features that make it easy to work with, but we don’t recommend using this grease gun for heavy-duty applications. It’s also great for people that won’t be using a grease gun often because the oil keeps it from rusting out.
Pros
- Added oil that helps the grease gun last longer
- Comes with two metal extension tubes and two reinforced couplers
- The air-release valve removes air from the hose with the press of a button
- Rubber non-slip grip makes it easy to hold
- Strong upgraded metal spring
Cons
- Only usable with cartridges
- Not suitable for heavy-duty applications
8. Best Air-Operated Grease Gun: Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$
- Type: Air-operated
- PSI: 6,000
- Hose Length: 30 inches
- Pump Output: 1 ounce per 50 strokes
The Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun is an air-operated grease gun that offers excellent performance. Instead of pumping the gun, with a continuous flow of air from a compressor, you just need to hold the trigger down. This gives you a constant flow of grease without creating fatigue in your hand. The trigger is also sensitive so that you can control the flow of grease with ease.
The Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun is also durable and made with high-quality materials. The hose gives you enough length to work on most machines, be it automotive or agricultural, and it features a bleeder valve to help you clear air pockets from the hose. It also comes with an accessible check valve that removes hardened grease.
What Sets it Apart
The Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun is unique because it’s air operated. You don’t need a source of electricity to use this product, and you don’t need to pump it manually. This makes the grease gun viable for heavy-duty use, and it doesn’t cost as much as electric grease guns.
Things to Consider
The Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun is tremendous but it suffers from a handful of problems. First and foremost, if the check ball becomes soiled, you’ll lose pressure. Secondly, there is no way to prevent debris from damaging the coupler. This can cause the coupler to leak. While these issues are straightforward to fix, they can put your work on hold.
If you like the pressure and performance that this grease gun offers, but want more reliability, you might want to try an electric grease gun instead. The Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun is an excellent alternative because it’s close in price and offers similar performance.
Who It’s For
The Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun is an excellent product for someone that needs a heavy-duty grease gun. It’s more affordable than electric-based grease guns but offers similar performance. It’s also more effective than manual grease guns, so if you’re stuck between the two, we recommend this product.
Pros
- Long hose for hard-to-reach areas
- Sensitive trigger lets you control the flow of grease
- Comes with a bleeder valve
- An affordable alternative to electric grease guns
Cons
- Prone to coupler leaks
- Prone to pressure loss if the check ball gets soiled
9. Best For Frequent Use: Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $$$
- Type: Cordless electric grease gun
- PSI: 10,000
- Hose Length: 48 inches
- Pump Output: 5 ounces per minute
The Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun is a well-rounded grease gun that’s useful for any application. It features a 2-speed design that lets you control your grease output and an LED light for added visibility in hard-to-reach areas. It also runs on standard 18V Milwaukee batteries that offer excellent battery life during prolonged use.
This grease gun also comes with a lock-on and lock-off trigger, which means you only need to focus on what you’re working on. It’s also made with premium steel that’s resistant to rust and other corrosion. Furthermore, it comes with an air bleeder valve that makes it easy to prime the gun and remove air pockets before getting started.
What Sets it Apart
The Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun is unique because it comes with one of the longest hoses you can find. The price of this grease gun is also impressive. Most electric grease guns can cost hundreds of dollars, but Milwaukee priced this product competitively. This makes it a grease gun that most people can afford, even if you’ll only use it for smaller projects.
Things to Consider
The Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun one of the best electric grease guns available, but it’s outgunned by the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun. While both products share many similar features, DeWalt’s electric grease gun has a longer battery life and has better grease-flow.
Who It’s For
The Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable electric grease gun. Most electric grease guns are two times the price, but Milwaukee made sure this product is affordable for everyone that needs one. That’s something we can respect.
Pros
- 48-inch hose is one of the longest available
- Features an LED light for added visibility
- Useful for most applications
- Durable design
- High and low-speed settings
Cons
- Expensive
- It boasts excellent performance, but it's not as strong as other electric grease guns
10. Best Accessories: Utool Grease Gun
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Price: $
- Type: Hand-pump
- PSI: 7,000
- Hose Length: 18 inches
- Pump Output: 1 ounce per 40 strokes
The Utool Grease Gun is a simple product that works as intended. The grease gun features a flashy yellow design that makes it easy to spot in a pile of tools, and it works for most applications. While it’s smaller and more affordable than most professional-grade pistol grip grease guns, it’s suitable for automotive, farm, and marine use.
This grease gun also comes with some innovative features. There is an air-release valve to flush air pockets from the hose with the push of a button, and the ergonomic pistol grip features non-slip rubber. The grease gun is also made with durability in mind. While many grease guns are made with steel, Utool uses an iron die-cast head for increased sealing.
What Sets it Apart
This grease gun is unique because Utool sets you up for success. There are plenty of grease guns that come with additional pieces, but Utool gives you the most right out of the box. It comes with one bent extension pipe, a straight extension pipe, a sharp-type nozzle, a standard coupler, and reinforced couplers. Utool also backs up its grease gun with a six-month warranty.
Things to Consider
The Utool Grease Gun works well, but the die-cast iron head makes us nervous. Using iron lowers the cost of the product, but there is a reason other grease guns use steel heads. That reason? Rust. Iron is prone to rust, so if you go with this grease gun, do your best to keep it away from the elements.
If you like the additional pieces and innovative air-release valve, the REXBETI Grease Gun is a great alternative. It doesn’t come with as many components but offers similar features with a more durable design.
Who It’s For
The Utool Grease Gun is an excellent choice for anyone who works with farming equipment. The sharp-type nozzle makes it easy for the grease gun to fit most bolt sizes, so you don’t need to worry about shopping for a new nozzle if you’ll be working on something like a tractor. While it works for other applications, we recommend sticking to agriculture-based equipment with this product.
Pros
- Comes with a straight and bent extension tube
- Able to handle high air pressure
- Air-release valve to flush air pockets from the hose
Cons
- While the die-cast iron head is strong, it's prone to rusting
Everything You Need to Know About Grease Guns
Taking a look at some of the best grease guns makes shopping for one easier, but how do you know which product is the right fit? Grease guns are straightforward products, but they’re designed for specific applications. Therefore, we’re going to take you through some shopping tips to help you narrow down your options.
Getting Started
Before you choose the right grease gun for the job, you need to start with the basics. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the different types of grease guns to get an idea about what you need. There are three common types of grease guns to choose from.
Manual Grease Guns
Manual grease guns are simple and easy to use. You can usually use them with one hand, and you apply pressure to a handle to squeeze grease from the hose. Manual grease guns are great for smaller jobs that don’t require a lot of grease or pressure.
If you like the idea of a manual grease gun, the GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun is a great tool to start with. It’s one of the more affordable products to choose from, and it’s great to keep around the house.
Air-Operated Grease Guns
Air-operated grease guns fall in between electric and manual grease guns. These products use compressed air to send grease through the tube, making them great for at-home use and high-pressure applications.
A great air-operated grease gun to choose is the Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun. It’s affordable, easy to use, and gets the job done.
Electric Grease Guns
Electric grease guns are the most heavy-duty products you can find. They feature long hoses and produce a lot of grease because of their motor. While these products are great, they’re not budget friendly. We recommend electric grease guns for people that need to work on heavy machinery frequently.
While there are stronger grease guns out there, the Milwaukee M18 Grease Gun is a great place to start. It’s more affordable than most electric heat guns but comes with premium features like a 48-inch hose and LED lighting.
Choosing the Right Grease Gun for the Job
Grease guns are standard in almost every shop. They’re versatile tools and useful for a lot of different applications. This makes it challenging to find the right grease gun for the job. Other jobs require different grease, so we’re going to take you through a few examples.
Small Machinery (Yard Tools)
If you need a grease gun to keep around the house for smaller machinery, you don’t need to go crazy. Tools like weed whackers, chainsaws, and lawnmowers don’t need a lot of grease or pressure. This means you can go with a smaller manual grease gun without needing to worry.
A great product to use for simple applications is the Lumax Heavy Duty Black Pistol Grease Gun. It’s budget-friendly, easy to use, and fits comfortably in one hand.
Automotive Applications
Grease guns are standard tools for every mechanic. In an auto body shop, you’ll come across tons of grease guns with specific uses. Whether you’re a professional mechanic or someone who loves to work on cars, a grease gun is your best friend.
The only issue with cars is that they have a lot of hard-to-reach places. An excellent grease gun for automotive work is the Lincoln Heavy Duty Pneumatic Grease Gun. The hose is long enough to reach anywhere under the hood, and it comes with enough PSI for high-pressure situations.
Industrial and Agricultural Applications
Big machines need a lot of grease to function correctly. Whether it’s internal oil or making sure bearings can rotate efficiently, lubricant is required everywhere. So, if you need a grease gun for large machines like a tractor, you’ll want a grease gun that gets the job done.
For big machines, you want a big grease gun like the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun. It produces up to five ounces of grease per minute, comes with LED lighting and a pressure sensor.
Working in Tight Spaces
Sometimes you’ll need to use a grease gun in tight spaces. While this is rare, you don’t want to be a position where you don’t have the tool for the job. Luckily, compact grease guns are an affordable tool to keep in your arsenal.
If you need a back-up grease gun to get you out of a tight spot, the Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun is a great choice. It only weighs one pound and uses a short metal tube to dispense grease.
Loading Your Grease Gun
If you’ve never used a grease gun before, loading one is confusing. Some grease guns are loaded with cartridges, and others rely on a reservoir. While it seems like a lot to take in, getting your grease gun up and running is easy.
Cartridges
If you’re using a grease gun that runs on cartridges, all you need are some cartridges and the gun. Cartridges are usually compatible with different brands, so there is no need to panic. There are some exceptions, especially if you’re using electric grease guns. The standard cartridge size is about 14.5 ounces, which is enough to last you a while with a manual grease gun.
We’ll use the Utool Grease Gun as an example. With a manual product like the Utool, the cartridge is inside the canister. The canister is the tube below the nozzle and handle.
To remove the canister, unscrew the nozzle and the cap of the canister. From there, push the metal handle down to force the cartridge out of the grease gun. Once the grease cartridge is removed, pull the metal handle back and insert the new cartridge into the canister. If you notice leftover grease in the canister, make sure you clean it out before inserting a new cartridge. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out this quick tutorial.
Reservoirs
If you’re using a grease gun that relies on a reservoir, the process of loading it is a bit different. The first step is to get your hands on a barrel of grease. You can find these at your local hardware store. Once you have the barrel handy, remove the canister from the rest of the grease gun. You want to make sure the handle and nozzle are away from the grease.
Once you have the canister separated from the rest of the grease gun, place it into the barrel of grease. Then, pull back the plunger piece to suck grease into the canister. From there, all you need to do is reconnect all of the parts and you’re ready to go.
Maintaining Your Grease Gun
Every tool needs a little bit of love, and as greasy as grease guns are, they’re no exception. Proper grease gun maintenance is the difference between needing to shop for a new one and getting a project done right. Luckily, taking care of your grease gun is easy if you follow the three Cs: cleaning, calibration, and components.
Cleaning
First and foremost, you always want to clean your grease gun. Make sure that you wipe down every part of the tool before and after using it. Never rest your grease gun down on dirty surfaces and keep debris far away from the nozzle. If you’re going to repack a grease gun, make sure you purge it and clean out the internal components.
Calibration
Calibration is key. Before using your grease gun, make sure you know how much grease per stroke is being released. This can be done by pumping out a small amount of grease onto a scale. Then, divide the weight by the number of strokes.
You should also refrain from over-packing your grease gun. If you add too much grease into the canister, you’ll end up with a pressure build-up that can damage the tool. We also recommend sticking to one or two nozzles.
Components
Once your grease gun is clean and calibrated, it’s time to look over your components. Grease guns come with things like hoses, couplers, canisters, and tubing.
Most grease guns are functional right out of the box, but as you use it, components wear down. If anything looks jammed or damaged, it’s time to replace it. The good news is that shopping for components is cheaper than shopping for a new grease gun.
Grease Gun FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about grease guns.
What Are the Signs of Over Greasing and Under Greasing?
Lubrication is a great thing, but it’s all about moderation. While grease is great, too little or too much can lead to equipment malfunctions. That said, you want to be mindful of how much grease you’re applying. Over greasing happens when you use too much grease or pressure.
When you apply too much grease, you risk debris getting caught on the components you’re working on. This causes machinery to grind, jam, and damages seals. If you notice a lot of excess debris on your components, it’s a warning sign that you used too much. To make sure this doesn’t happen, use grease guns with pressure gauges and automatic shut-off features.
Over greasing is tricky to notice, but under greasing, you’ll see right away. If you don’t use enough grease, the component will fail. Other signs of under greasing include excessive heat, friction, and strange noises.
What Is a Grease Gun Coupler?
Grease guns come with a lot of parts, so it’s not always easy to keep up. A grease gun coupler is a separate piece from the tool that allows the grease gun to connect to the fixture you’re lubricating. These pieces typically come with the tool, and they look like small pipes.
What’s the Best Lubricant for Grease Guns?
The best lubricant for a grease gun is the one that works. You should look for high-quality grease that flows freely through the tool to prevent air pockets and internal damage.
We recommend using one type of grease with each grease gun, and you should also label it. If you switch up the grease in a grease gun without purging it, the tool can jam and won’t function properly.
Final Thoughts
Grease guns are surprisingly complicated products. The concept seems simple, push a button and release that sweet flowing grease, but there is much more to it than that. You need to consider the projects you’ll be working on, the type of grease gun you need, and how much you’re willing to spend.
As long as you shop based on your needs, finding the best grease gun is straightforward. Spend some time reviewing each product and use our tips to help you narrow down your options.