Best Grease Guns of 2022

1. Why invest in a grease gun?

A grease gun helps lubricate vehicles and machinery fast and easy. The main reason why you need one is greater accuracy in application, but the tool also helps lubricate your machines faster.

This equipment also helps reduce lubricant wastage by allowing you to control how much substance is applied by spraying it exactly where it’s needed thanks to the flexible hose or tube it comes with.

Grease guns are often used in garages, but this tool comes in handy in a domestic environment too. You can use it to lubricate:

• Vehicles
• Agricultural machinery like wood chipper shredders and log splitters
• Chainsaws
• Lawn mowers, like the best lawn tractors and zero turn mowers
• Factory equipment
• Industrial machinery such as cabinet table saws

2. Types of grease guns

• Pneumatic grease guns: Developed for industrial use, these grease guns are the most powerful. They can withstand high-volume demands and heavy-duty applications, but their mobility depends on the size and portability of the air compressor.
• Cordless grease guns: Like most cordless power tools, they are powered by batteries. Typically powerful enough to withstand high volume demands, these tools are portable and can be used Ideal for the roadside lubrication of the trucks but also perfect for industrial or home use.
• Pistol grip grease guns: These guns are easy to use with a single hand, and the grip is suitable for both right- and left-handed operators. Pistol grip guns are also inexpensive and allow for excellent control of the flow, which makes them ideal for amateur and light professional use.
• Manual pump grease guns: Are similar to the bicycle pumps in that the operator is required to perform a pumping action to drive the grease. Slightly harder to use than the pistol grip models, they are also ideal for amateur and light-duty use.
• Lever grease guns: Ideal for light-duty applications and often preferred by DIYers, these guns are extremely easy to use and the cheapest. However, they are also less precise, and it’s harder to control the grease flow.

3. Grease PSI and output

Two essential features of a grease gun are the pressure of the grease and the grease output.

Grease PSI

Most grease guns available on the market are designed to deliver between 2,000 and 15,000 grease PSI depending on the model. In broad lines, you can expect a PSI:

• From 2,000 to 10,000 – manual grease guns
• Up to 6,000 – pneumatic grease guns
• From 2,000 to over 15,000 – cordless grease guns

Higher pressure increases the tool’s performance by providing a better flow, but working at high PSI isn’t always the best idea. Before deciding which is the best grease gun for you, check the specifications of the machinery you want to lubricate.

Some bearing seals can’t handle pressures over 500 PSI, and in this case, a too high PSI of the gun can compromise the bearing shields or seals. If this happens, it is very likely to damage the motor of your vehicle or machine.

Grease output

Most guns have a grease output between 0.5 and 3 grams per stroke, but the actual output varies based on the type, model, and age of the tool. Determining the real output of your grease gun is crucial to prevent grease-related disorders such as over- or under-greasing.

The easiest way to calculate the output is with a calibrated scale. Alternatively, invest in a gun with a grease meter that allows you to measure the quantity of grease dispensed at each stroke. Some of the higher end models come with digital displays that ensure a quick and simple monitoring of both the PSI and the output.

Common grease-related disorders

Using a grease gun in the wrong way can result in under-greasing or over-greasing.

• The most common under-greasing symptom is bearing starvation which increases friction wear.
• Among the most common over-greasing symptoms we can mention motor windings and the damage of the seals. These are often accompanied by fluid friction that leads to overheating and higher energy consumption.

4. Grease loading method

Most grease guns come with replaceable cartridges that contain the grease dispensed by the gun. The lower-end models and most of the manual guns can accommodate a single cartridge which has to be replaced when empty. Professional grease guns can accommodate around 15 cartridges, a feature to look for if you intend to use the tool for high-volume industrial demands.

Regardless of how many grease cartridges the gun can hold, it is essential to check the loading method. Stay away from those guns that have awkward or cumbersome chambers, as it may take forever to change the cartridge.

5. Tube vs. hose

Grease guns come with either a fixed tube or a flexible hose. Choosing one over the other is a matter of practicality.

• Fixed tubes: Are ideal for the lever and pump style guns, because the model of the tool requires to use both hands for operation.
• Flexible hoses: Are perfect on the pistol grip style guns (including pneumatic and cordless), as you can use one hand to operate the trigger and the other to hold the hose in position. Due to its flexible nature, a hose is ideal for lubricating hard-to-reach spots.

6. Fittings and adapters

Other important things to check are the grease gun fittings and adapters (or couplers) which determine whether or not the gun is suitable for the purpose.

Grease gun fittings

There are four main types of grease gun fittings:

• Standard hydraulic fitting: Is developed for conventional operations and is the most commonly used.
• Pressure-relief vent fitting: Hinders the too high pressure, protecting the seals from damage.
• Button–head fitting: Releases a high amount of grease and is ideal for lubricating the connectors.
• Flush-type fitting: The smallest type, is perfect if you have to lubricate compact

Grease gun adapters

Just like the fittings, the adapters come in four common types:

• Standard hydraulic adapter: The most common one, used for standard operations.
• Three–jaw swivel adapter: Perhaps the most versatile, it is compatible with many fittings and adapts to many situations.
• 90–degree adapter: Ideal to use in restricted sections thanks to its L shape.
• Needle-end adapter: It is long and narrow, perfect to reach the thin

7. Other features to consider when buying a grease gun

Besides all the above, there are a series of other features that can enhance your user experience:

• Built-in lighting comes in handy if you have to work in dark conditions or lubricate hard-to-reach and poorly illuminated areas.
• If you want to use the gun to lubricate different types of machinery, invest in a tool with multi-speed operation.
• The type of battery and its runtime are other features to consider, if applicable. The best cordless grease guns are those with interchangeable Li-Ion batteries.
• Another thing to check is the size of the gun. Choose one that is compact, lightweight, and easy to handle.
• Self-priming models provide a continuous flow of substance and are easier to handle, while an automatic speed trigger ensures a reliable control of the output.