The Best Grease Guns You Can Buy
Having a high-quality grease gun is a must if you do your own greasing or own heavy machinery. We have compiled a list of the best grease guns you can buy and why.
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The Best Grease Guns to Buy
We all know that it can get very painful very fast without the proper lubrication. You will sit there crying over the fact that your super expensive machinery has stopped working or broken only after a few uses.
A good grease gun is essential to have around. Those of you who rely on your tools, large equipment, or machinery to make a living know the importance of keeping everything lubed up. Almost all machinery and some tools need to be greased every once in a while, if not daily.
It will keep your machinery or tools running like new and prevent accidents. No matter how big or small the job, a good reliable grease gun is a must.
Why do I need a Grease Gun?
Some people grab their old rusty can of WD40 and spray the crap out of any moving part on their equipment or machinery and think that is enough to keep them lubricated and running like new. You’d be surprised to know how many people I've seen spray some oil from a can onto their landscaping equipment and then blame the quality of the equipment when something breaks.
Some moving parts on specific tools need to be sprayed with oil, but for example, your lawn mower's front wheel bearings might need to be greased with a grease gun to lubricate them properly. Spraying some old oil won’t do the job. Sometimes having a mini grease gun around can prolong the life of your equipment.
What is a Grease Gun?
A grease gun is used to apply a certain amount of grease to a specific location through grease fittings via pressure. There are hundreds of grease guns, connectors, adapters, and accessories out there, so make sure you know what the purpose of the grease gun will be.
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a grease gun and accessories that will only be used on your lawn mower once a month. On the other hand, if you own or operate heavy, expensive machinery and depend on them to make a living, I recommend purchasing a much better one along with some extra accessories.
Types of Grease Guns
There are four types of grease guns: lever, pistol grip, pneumatic, and electric. Each one has its pros and cons; the one you choose will depend on the jobs you plan to tackle.
Lever Grease Gun
A lever grease gun has to be operated with both hands and is excellent for those needing to pump a large amount of grease because they deliver the most grease per stroke. You will have one hand holding the tube/body of the grease gun and the other pumping the lever. They are great for using on large machinery needing lots of grease but doing lots of greasing with it can tire out your arms.
This type of grease gun was prevalent about 20 years ago and is still quite commonly used today. Most are pretty cheap and found almost anywhere. They can get very messy when changing the tubes, and sometimes they leak grease from the bottom, wasting a good amount of grease.
If going for one of these types of grease guns, go for one with a flexible hose instead of a fixed one. Holding the gun steady while pumping grease with both hands can be very difficult. The flex hose will allow some movement without damaging any of the fittings.
Pistol Grip Grease Gun
The pistol grip grease gun can typically be used with one hand and is fairly straightforward to operate. They do not pump as much grease as the lever one, so they’re ideal for smaller jobs like mowers and other small equipment around the home or shop.
Another reason to stick with a small job using these is that they can tire out your hands very quickly. Most are also cheap and can be found almost anywhere as well.
I suggest getting one of these for those who want to keep a grease gun on hand and for those who will be using it for smaller greasing tasks. If you're in the market for a mini grease gun or want the best mini grease gun, then it will most likely be a pistol grip grease gun.
Pneumatic Grease Gun
Pneumatic grease guns are perfect for greasing in big shops where you can easily access an airline, and they can also be carried around along with a small compressor. These grease guns, like the electric ones, are ideal when doing a lot of greasing.
They are not the best because of the fact that you have to deal with a long air hose attached to it that can sometimes get in the way. Also, they aren't as portable as any of the other grease guns because you have to carry a compressor or gas tank along with you.
Some pneumatic grease gun models can be used with an inline greaser, meaning that a hose pulls grease from a drum instead of grease cartridges. These are also a little pricey but not the most expensive out of the four.
Electric Grease Gun
Electric grease guns are very popular nowadays because they take a lot of the work out when it comes to greasing. They are great for when you have a lot of greasing to do.
They are easy to carry around but tend to be much heavier and a little bigger than the other grease guns. They are also available in many big stores but are much more expensive than the other three grease guns.
These guns are best for those who need to keep their large, heavy equipment up and running like new and for those who want to get greasing tasks done quickly. With this grease gun, you risk an electrical component being damaged and leaving you with no grease gun, so keep that in mind if working in harsh conditions.
Our Top Grease Gun Picks:
I have compiled a small list of the best grease guns you can buy now. Each one earned its place because of a few factors. Their durability, versatility, PSI, flow rate, and brand reputation.
Once you have determined the reason for buying a grease gun, research and read plenty of reviews on the specific gun you choose. Make sure you learn how to grease specific machines or equipment properly because if not greased properly, it can lead to damaged seals and even under-greasing.
Also, buy any extra connectors or different types of hoses for your specific job. I suggest you purchase a LocknLube Grease Gun Coupler if you plan on doing a ton of greasing.
Milwaukee M18 2-Speed Cordless Grease Gun
Why We Picked It
If you can only own one grease gun to tackle all your jobs, this is the best grease gun to buy. I have owned many Milwaukee products, and they never disappoint. Milwaukee is one of the best tool manufacturers out there.
The Milwaukee M18 2-Speed Cordless Grease Gun is the best grease gun to buy in 2022. This gun is well worth the money, especially if you frequently use a greasing gun. It saves you a ton of time and from feeling fatigued afterward.
I also love that I can use my other Milwaukee tool batteries, which means I can carry more batteries to grease for much longer without worrying about charging one specific battery.
The weight of the tool out of the box is around 7.8lbs but does get heavier depending on the size of the battery you choose to use and once loaded up with grease. It is the heaviest compared to other electric grease guns, but it easily outperforms the rest of the competition. The tool can be placed on the ground/flat surface, and with the long 48-inch hose, you can grease without holding the tool up in the air.
It delivers a max operating pressure of 10,000 PSI, and the two-speed design makes it easy for you to select between max flow rate and max pressure. It comes with an air bleeder to make priming a quick task and includes a small LED light built into the tool. Milwaukee also gives you a 5-year limited warranty on the tool.
Specs:
- Weight: 7.8lbs (tool only)
- Hose Length: 48in
- Run time: 10 cartridges per charge
- PSI: Speed 1: 10,000 Speed 2: 5,000
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
- Flow Rate: Speed 1: 3.5oz/min Speed 2: 10oz/min
Pros:
- 10,000 PSI
- Fast
- Long hose
- LED light
- Trigger operated
- Air bleeder
- Quiet
- High grease output
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No shoulder strap
Lincoln 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun
Why We Picked It
The Lincoln 1134 Heavy Duty Grease Gun is a great grease gun for doing some greasing around the house or the shop. There are plenty of cheaper options out there, but if you want a grease gun to last you a lifetime, this is the one.
This grease gun comes with a heavy-duty 18in flexible hose that can reach tight spaces. It also has a valve that serves as both a bleeder valve and a bulk fill valve.
It delivers a max pressure of 7,500PSI, which will be more than enough for your regular greasing. The pistol grip is very comfortable to use, and the overall weight is less than 5lbs when loaded with grease, making this a very lightweight, heavy-duty greaser.
Initially, it takes quite some time to prime the grease gun when brand new, but almost all manual grease guns have this issue. The coupler that comes with the grease gun will be enough if you plan on doing small jobs around the house or shop. Still, if you plan on using this more frequently, I suggest upgrading the coupler to a LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler.
Most couplers that come with grease guns are spring-loaded like the one this grease gun comes with. Because of this, over time, the original coupler will tend to loosen and not grip the grease nipple properly, causing grease to spill over.
Specs:
- Weight: 3.85lbs (tool only)
- Hose Length: 18in
- Run time: As long as you can squeeze
- PSI: 7,500PSI
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Flow Rate: About an ounce per 50 squeezes
Pros:
- 10,000 PSI
- Fast
- Long hose
- LED light
- Trigger operated
- Air bleeder
- Quiet
- High grease output
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No shoulder strap
LockNLube Heavy Duty Lever Grip Grease Gun LNL151
Why We Picked It
If you want a manual grease gun with the power of an electric one, the LockNLube Heavy Duty Lever Grip Grease Gun is the one for you. It is the best grease gun other than electric because it can handle the bigger greasing jobs. It is pricier than other manual grease guns, but it is high quality and can withstand anything you will put it through.
It also comes with the LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler, which is my go-to coupler when it comes to any greasing job. The coupler is essential with a manual lever grease gun because you need to have both hands pumping and not one holding the coupler to ensure no grease spills.
The gun comes with an air bleeder and also a bulk fill port. Also, a 20in heavy-duty hose with an in-line swivel that lets you rotate the coupler and hose without turning the grease gun.
It comes with a nifty feature called Loop and Lock storage. The gun comes with a nipple on the top to secure the coupler when not in use and, in turn, creates a loop with the hose that lets you hang it when storing.
It is pretty light compared to other similar ones, and it also has a nice comfortable rubberized level handle. This thing delivers a max pressure of 10,000PSI, the same as the electric grease gun. The only thing is that it is more challenging to use.
That amount of PSI is plenty for most bigger jobs. I recommend this grease gun to those who will be doing a ton of greasing or need more pressure for larger jobs. It is better than the pistol grip, and you’ll put out more grease per pump.
Specs:
- Weight: 3.87lbs (tool only)
- Hose Length: 20in
- Run time: As long as you can pump
- PSI: 10,000PSI
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Flow Rate: About an ounce of grease per 28 pumps
Pros:
- 10,000 PSI
- Fast
- Long hose
- LED light
- Trigger operated
- Air bleeder
- Quiet
- High grease output
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- No shoulder strap
FAQ
Do All Grease Guns Leak?
You can have the best grease gun model on the market, and it will leak grease. None are leakproof, and a nonleaking grease gun is most likely empty. Greasing is messy, and you should always be prepared.
Which Grease Gun Should I Buy?
Every grease gun model is different and best for certain greasing jobs. Figure out what greasing tasks you plan on tackling and how much you want to spend. Then look into the different types of grease guns and accessories.
What Are Grease Guns Used For?
A grease gun is used to keep machinery or equipment adequately lubricated to function correctly. The grease gun hose will attach to a grease fitting on the equipment/machine and then pump grease through the hose and fitting into that specific point on the equipment/machine.
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