Top 10 Best Grease Guns For Your Buck!

Has there ever been a mechanic’s arsenal in the garage without the best grease gun? Unless you are a pro on the traditional grease application, this might be just an option. However, the use of grease guns is very convenient in carrying out various tasks. It’s almost a necessity to get things done quickly because it makes lubrication more precise. If you are working on making sure that your car’s ball joints and other suspension links are running in perfect order.

However, for those who are just learning how to use this garage tool, it is not easy to get one. Not all grease guns are made the same, they’re manufactured to wield on various purposes. If you are keen on do-it-yourself tasks, you have to get yourself familiar with the five types of grease guns. Once you get the hang of it, it will be easier to determine which one is best for a particular task.

In this article, we will spill some very essential buying tips to give you more ideas and proper expectations before spending on a grease gun. Also, we are here to make your life easier by giving the top 10 best picks in the market today.

Read also related articles: Best foam cannon, best engine degreasers, best trailer hitch lock, best penetrating oil, and best anti freeze / coolant.

Top 10 Best Grease Guns

1. Dewalt DCGG571M1 20V MAX Cordless Grease Gun

There’s a reason for the DEWALT model to take the top spot. This machine is currently the highest-rated in the market today. Capable of performing 10,000 max psi. The 42″ long flexible hose, equipped with spring guards at the nipple is extremely useful. It’s slightly on the heavy side but the no-mar foot design compensates because you can easily rest the tool on flat surfaces.

Not only it has a powerful motor and a high-volume pump, but it also has Bright LED to see hard to reach fittings in low-light conditions. The pump has a screen cover that prevents dirt accumulation. One of the potential frustrations of battery-powered grease guns is when it drains quickly, not the DCGG571M1 though. The 20V lithium-ion battery of this grease gun allows 16 cartridges on a single charge. It impressively offers five times more working time.

There’s almost nothing to criticize about this model. The machine itself is well-regarded by those who aren’t experienced in using grease guns to be very user-friendly. However, it’s a bit expensive compared to other brands. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth every buck for its performance, construction, durability, and usability.

2. Lincoln 1162 Air Operated Grease Gun

Lincoln snags the second spot for the best grease guns because of their unit’s classic style but innovative design. What gave the Lincoln 1162 the bragging rights is its variable speed trigger delivering superior control over the grease flow. The model’s automated and sophisticated pump design helps put priming issues at bay.

It’s a fully automatic industrial level model offering a more steady operation. The advanced pump design delivers air pressure range from 40 to 150 lbs per square inch, while its maximum grease pressure ranges up to 6,000 lbs per square inch. The craftsmanship of this model is no doubt made durable, and yet Lincoln backs it up with one year warranty.

Another cool feature of this model is its anti-jam toggle mechanism that helps prevent accidental bending of the plunger. However, with each great product has its pros and cons. It’s certainly one of the best pneumatic grease guns for its price, except for minor issues of leaking when plunged.

3. Lumax LX-1152 Heavy Duty Deluxe with 18″ Flex Hose

Considering that Lumax LX-1152 is built for heavy-duty operations, it has a really friendly price. You get a solid structure of 18-gauge barrel made of steel and assures that it’s impact resistant to the utmost degree. Other than it is durable, what’s cool is it includes an 18″ Flex Hose extension so that it’s easy to use in hard-to-reach fittings.

The cast iron stout is able to produce 7000 psi pressure to grease the toughest areas of a vehicle’s joints. Another impressive feature is its 3-way loading system. You have options to fill using a standard cartridge, a suction or a bulk fill. The follower rod delivers a glorious seal preventing grease bypass. It also features an air bleeder to release the trapped air.

Comfortability-wise, the ergonomically designed T-handle is really smart because it gives more freedom to move at any position. Judging it has a chrome plated finish, the handle is safe is from gradual waning. Moreover, the contoured grip is oil-resistant. The only issue of this gun is it can sometimes leak no matter how you seal it tightly.

4. Milwaukee 2646-20 M18 2-Spd Grease Gun Bare Tool

It’s a heavy-duty machine fit for professional use. Not only it has excellent operating pressure, but it also has an air bleeder valve for quick priming. For a beginner, you will appreciate that it has a lock on/lock off trigger which makes it simple to operate. Not to mention, it includes a 48″ flexible hose giving greater access to tricky and hard to reach fittings.

Since it has a 2-speed design, it gives you the ability to select between max pressure and max flow rate. Meaning in low speed, it delivers a max of 10,000 PSi pressure while at high speed it maximizes flow rate up to 10 oz/min. That’s pretty cool on top of it’s pending pre-set grease counter for professional-grade precision. It’s slightly heavy, good thing this sturdy gun is a stand-up design with a handy shoulder strap for ease of use.
The only minor drawback is it may damage the seals when you’re greasing sealed bearings due to high-pressure. But, that can be manageable if you know how to make adjustments. The unit is a bit heavy, which is probably why it has a strap on included.

5. Lincoln Lubrication 1844 Cordless Grease Gun

We can easily say that Lincoln’s 1844 Cordless gun represents the most suitable grease gun for its price. The machine’s PowerLubers at 18-Volt and 120-Volt offers more power and solid performance with its self-resetting thermocouple. With a toggle mechanism, it easily delivers up to 10 grease cartridges. The exactness in fitting, well-made pump head, dual overload protection, and how easy it is to clean gives this grease gun the upper hand.

The 18V batteries have lots of amp-hours and having two means you will run out of grease before you’ll ever run out of batteries. You will appreciate the gun’s performance for moderate-heavy grease application, but if you need greasing up to 10,000 psi, this may not be the option for you. It’s hard to beat a budget-friendly, good performing machine that can deliver plenty of power to break free the most stubborn grease fittings.

6. Astro 101 Mini Grease Gun

The Astro 101 mini is a cute, traditional design grease gun that doesn’t need batteries or cord. We find this tool more suitable for an around-the-home fixer-upper than for professional use. At one lb miniature size, it’s easy to fit it in a toolbox and carry it anywhere. More importantly, because of its size, it’s very easy to maneuver it. The gun’s small needle nozzle discharges the grease without a mess and ensures that your wrist won’t strain after using it.

Constructed from heavy-duty metal, it holds 3 ounces of grease and isn’t prone to degradation. Once you get one of these nifty little grease guns, you’d realize that it’s much sturdier than you think. In terms of performance, the ‘nozzle-style’ works like a charm in greasing tinier spaces. Whether it’s for greasing zerk fittings or bicycle bearings, Astro mini is a good contender to beat the other ‘modern’ alternatives in the market.

7. Lincoln Lubrication 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun

Here’s another Lincoln model earning a spot on the top ten list. This lightweight grease gun at four pounds has a solid construction with a jam-proof mechanism. Meaning, you can trust it doesn’t let accidental bending of plunger, and it’s very durable. Thanks to its sturdiness, the plunger prevents extra lubricant from leaking outwards. And up to 7500 psi operating pressure, this is good enough for heavy duty projects.

The follower spring is another thing you will appreciate. It does a flawless job in greasing. Meaning, when you pull the trigger, the grease flow remains constant the entire time. It doesn’t rock back and forth. When you need to clean it, it becomes easy with the accessible check valve since you don’t need to disassemble the gun. Overall, for moderate jobs, it is still able to withstand tough lubrication.

8. Carbyne Heavy Duty Professional Grease Gun

The Carbyne heavy duty pistol grease gun is among the best (lever-handle) grease guns for greasing automotive and industrial machines. Made with an anodized aluminum barrel, it includes a 6-inch rigid extension, and a non-slip rubber grip, it is designed suitable for single-handed operation. What’s cool about their 12-inch heavy-duty reinforced flex hose is it has a spring guard. The gun also has an air bleeder valve that ventilates the air pockets.

When it comes to its working pressure, this gun has a max of 4,500 PSi. There are three ways, to load grease in this thing, a bulk suction fill, a standard 14 oz. cartridge, and a dispenser pump. Also, we like that the coupler has a no-drip cap. However, priming this gun at the beginning can be challenging. And the spring-loaded plunger rod, compared to others, is not up to the mark. Other than that, this 2.4 lbs grease gun can get the job done.

9. GreaseTek Premium Pistol Grip Grease Gun

This grease gun has a lot of nice features. The plunger design is not complicated for loading and priming. So, if priming has been a tough task, you will appreciate this grease gun. It has a roomy 400cc chamber that holds enough grease for any job and delivers an ounce per 40 strokes. It also includes an 18-inch hose. The gun itself has an extension pipe used for reaching tight areas, albeit, it can make bending the hose into position difficult.

We like the knurled barrel of this gun because it helps keep the gun under control. Of course, an air bleeder is part of its construction, as well as a bulk filter valve. Being 2.6 lbs, it is one of the lighter guns and not to miss, both the hose and the extension pipe comes with its own coupler. Performance-wise, it’s a great all-around general-purpose gun. Though, it may not be cut for heavier lubricants and tougher jobs.

10. Alemite 500-E Grease Gun

For a heavy-duty professional gears gun, this is very nice and compact. It features a lever mechanism and below the lever has a vinyl cover giving it a comfortable grip. For something that weighs three-pounds, it is an impressively solid machine made with a die-cast aluminum head and delivers an ounce of grease per 21 strokes. Cleaning has an accessible check valve which helps cleaning simple to do.

In addition to Alemite 500-E’s ruggedness and ease of control, a swivel is also included allowing the grease hose to rotate freely. Moreover, this lets you position the trigger on the coupler without much effort. If there’s one thing that sets this grease gun a bit off, —it’s the manual. If you’re a beginner, you’d have difficulty making sure you’re doing it right, because the manual did not appear with full direction.

Five Types of Grease Guns You Need To Know

(Manual) Lever

The lever-operated type of grease guns are the most popular varieties. You can easily apply grease by pulling the lever creating enough pressure to push the grease from the gun. You can adjust the amount of grease to dispense by the length of the lever stroke. Given that lever grease guns are mechanical tools, two hands are necessary to precisely point and set it into the exact spot. It’s hand-powered and no trigger mechanism

(Manual) Pistol Grip

Grease guns operated by a pistol grip improves your control because it allows you to use it with just one hand. The grip handles are available in various sizes enabling you to find the proper size that is comfortable to hold and operate. Unlike the lever type, no need for varying the length of the lever to dispense. The pistol grips apply pressure to the trigger to push the grease. It’s easier to point the nozzle in place.

(Pneumatic)Hand Pump or Hand Grip Gun

Hand Pump grease guns work a bit funny compared to its lever and pistol grip counterparts as it involves operating a pump. The way it produces the necessary amount of pressure to force the grease out of its nozzle is by building up air directed into the gun. For some, it can be challenging to position the grease gun correctly with this operation manner. If you’re a pro at using a tool with one-handed pumping method, —great!

Cordless

Here’s an upgraded grease gun that gives more freedom of movement and improves precision. It’s less adjustment when there’s no cord dangling as you try to set the nozzle in place and apply lubrication over whatever you’re working on. It’s battery-powered, low-voltage, and rechargeable grease gun which delivers a more consistent pressure to force out grease.

Air Powered

It’s suitable for commercial use. Its usage is more for the larger scale of industrial projects that require a heavy-duty type of grease gun. Meaning, the air powered grease guns are high-pressure types that use air compressor by a hose. Apart from its higher price tag, lack of experience or operating is alone can inflict some damage to bearing shields and seals. It some cases, it can lead to electric motor winding, as well as safety and environmental issues.

Considerations Before Buying a Grease Gun

For sure you already know the types of grease guns, but you are not sure which type might work for you best. So, these questions are what you need to ask yourself before buying a grease gun.

• How much grease will be applied?
• What type of machinery will be lubricated?
• Do you prefer slower speeds to ensure you have more control over the amount of lubricant you apply?
• Do you prefer fast application and for large volumes of grease?
• How much is your budget?

Accessories

Grease Gun Meters

One of the important matters of greasing a bearing is how to determine the proper amount you’re applying. Too much or too little greasing can shorten the life of the bearings and result in some costly breakdowns. This device is essential because it measures the amount of lubricant dispensed and displays it on a digital screen. Therefore, you can easily follow the amount of grease needed or recommended by the manufacturer.

Plastic Dust Caps

We all know that dust and debris are culprits that can affect contact resistance. Covering the gun with a cap protects it from corrosion. The dust caps also come in different colors to match grease fitting.

Needle Grease Injectors

Not all grease guns include an attachment that will allow reaching very tight areas, sealed bearings, and universal joints. It really comes handy when you have this in your toolbox. Most needle grease injectors have the standard grease fitting so it can fit in most hand-operated grease guns. Plus, it often has a protective plastic sleeve too.

Grease Couplers

There are several variations of coupler depending on the use. The most commonly used and most applicable is the standard hydraulic coupler. There’s also a three-jaw swivel coupler that offers a variety of locking positions. Other special couplers include Lincoln’s slotted right angle 90° coupler that you can slide on the zerk from the side. This coupler is also used for tight spaces.

Final Word

When it comes to finding the right grease gun that you know will be useful for anything you need it for, the skill level is important. Unless your choice demands to learn tougher jobs as quickly as you can, and you need to be equipped with the most versatile & durable. The options can be intimidating but nevertheless, workable if you are clear with what you want.

Our choice as the best grease gun in terms of value for money is Lincoln 1162. It is also what we recommend if you are a beginner and want a garage tool that is lightweight, ready for heavy-duty demands, and reliable. When you’re ready for an upgrade, don’t settle for anything less, — get the Dewalt DCGG571M1 20V MAX! It’s our best bet for professional use.

Read also: