If you’re dealing with a broken vase or a piece of jewelry, super glue is a must-have in your toolkit. With an abundance of brands available, selecting the right glue can be challenging. Although there are numerous super glue brands available both in stores and online, not all are worth the investment. We’ve identified four top-rated super glue brands and two that might be better to avoid, using customer reviews and adhesion strength tests as a guide.
While super glue is generally known for its strong adhesive qualities, not all products offer the same level of bonding strength, convenience, or transparency once dried. Additionally, drying speed, water, and heat resistance can vary. Many brands offer different formulas, such as gels, liquids, and no-drip options, which may influence your choice. Here are the top brands and those you might want to skip.
Loctite
Loctite has been a staple in the super glue market for over 65 years, initially launched by Dr. Harry Hoover in 1958. The brand is highly regarded based on online sales and customer feedback, offering various types of super glue, including gel, liquid, and pen formats.
Loctite is a top-rated brand on Home Depot’s website, boasting six super glues with a 4.5-star rating or higher. These include the longneck bottle liquid, professional clear liquid, and ultra gel control clear applicator. These products also feature on Amazon’s Loctite “Bestseller” list. Many customers note the glue’s effectiveness on surfaces like wood, metal, leather, rubber, and most plastics.
The longneck liquid super glue is particularly praised by Lowe’s online customers. It’s noted for its versatility in various DIY projects, including model car assembly and glasses frame repair.
Gorilla Glue
Established in 1994 by Mark Singer, Gorilla Glue has expanded its offerings to include super glue pens, gels, and more. Designed to bond with multiple surfaces such as wood, plastic, stone, ceramic, and glass, Gorilla Glue is highly versatile.
Home Depot lists four of Gorilla Glue’s products among its top 10-rated super glues. Customers appreciate its easy application, strong hold, and quick drying time. On Amazon, the brand has over 30,000 5-star reviews for products like the brush and nozzle applicator, gel XL, and 4-gram tubes.
Lowe’s also features Gorilla Glue prominently, with around a third of its “Highest Rated” list comprising Gorilla products. Customers praise the precision of the microprecise gel and other formulas.
The Original Super Glue
Famous for its public demonstration of bonding a car to a crane, The Original Super Glue remains a reliable choice. Its products bond quickly to various surfaces, including porous and oily ones.
Products like the gel single use minis and future glue tubes have received 5-star reviews at Home Depot and Lowe’s. Customers appreciate the small tube size, which reduces waste, and the glue’s ability to bond to dirty surfaces.
The brand is also popular on Amazon, with over 15,000 satisfied customers. The 0.07-oz 12-pack of liquid tubes is particularly well-reviewed for its strength and durability.
Flex Seal
Though newer to the market, Flex Seal has quickly become a top-rated super glue brand since its establishment in 2011. Initially known for rubberized sealants, the brand now offers super glue products.
All Flex Seal super glues on Home Depot received a 4.7-star rating or higher. Customers recommend the brand for its strong adhesion on various surfaces and its precise application. The liquid bottle formula is also popular on Amazon, with more than 1,700 5-star ratings.
Lowe’s offers two types of Flex Seal super glue online, both receiving high reviews. Customers praise the glue for its fast-drying time and residue-free finish.
Super Glue Brands to Avoid
Opinions vary on the best and worst products, but some brands have consistently lower ratings. In Amazon’s “Top Brands” category, Scotch and Elmer’s Krazy Glue received underwhelming reviews.
While some Scotch super glues have decent ratings, others are much lower. Issues include applicator problems and hardened glue that doesn’t dispense.
Elmer’s Krazy Glue performed poorly in two YouTube adhesion strength tests. It was unable to hold weight effectively and failed in practical tests against competitors. Despite these findings, always choose a glue suitable for your specific surface and follow instructions for optimal results.
