The Best Super Glue

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
March 13th, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

When jewelry items break or furniture legs fall off, a strong adhesive product is necessary to repair the product and make it functional again. Super glue is an essential item to have on hand to ensure that certain items in the home or office can continue to be used without having to replace the product. We tested the top super glue products in the industry to determine which items were most effective and easy to apply. Our top pick is the Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate “Super Glue” by Glue Masters due to its industrial strength that offers the strongest bond. The glue is quick to settle in under 50 seconds and is mess-free with its application due to the functional design of the bottle. Our honorable mention is the Gorilla Super Glue Gel because it has a thick texture that doesn’t run and can easily be applied on vertical surfaces. It takes less than 30 seconds to dry and can be used on rubber, leather, ceramic, plastic, and wood surfaces.

Testing Categories

With our years of experience testing different types of products, we’ve learned the importance of creating a few testing categories to rank each item and determine its overall quality and appeal. The main categories we used to test the super glue products include odor, application, and strength.

Odor: We reviewed the odor of each super glue product to determine if it smelled strong or left a scent behind after it’s applied, which can affect the quality of the product that is repaired. We checked for any odors to determine if the formula smelled like chemicals.

Application: The application of the super glue products was an important category because it evaluates how functional the item is and if it’s easy to apply on different surfaces. We tested how quickly the glue dried and if it created a mess as it was applied.

Strength: The strength of each super glue is a necessary category that determines if it’s worth purchasing and proves to be effective long-term. We tested the strength of each formula by applying it onto different types of surfaces, which determined its versatility and how it can be used.

Top Pick

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
"Super Glue" by
Glue Masters

The Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate "Super Glue" by Glue Masters stands out for its strength due to its Cyanoacrylate Resin. It has a fast cure & a long shelf life, which increases its overall value.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Glue Masters super glue settles in less than 50 seconds and is extremely easy to apply. Users can gently apply a small amount of the product without creating a mess. It has a thick texture that allows the consumer to have more control with a good flow that offers a quick and efficient process. Our tests found that the glue delivers a quality hold and flow that makes it easy to use on boats, trains, and planes. It can even be used underwater. Whether performing repairs or using the glue for carpentry projects, it’s a versatile product to own that is ideal for both small and large jobs. The product even includes a 60-day guarantee to ensure that consumers are satisfied or they’ll receive a full refund. The two-ounce bottle is compact and is easy to transport or store in a briefcase, backpack, or toolbox. It has an industrial grade Cyanoacrylate (CA) formula that allows it to succeed where other glues fail. The product can have an increased shelf life if it’s stored in the refrigerator.

Biggest downsides: The texture of the glue is not as thick compared to similar products like instant glue, which can make it challenging to pool up. The formula can also take longer than 50 seconds to dry if too much is applied. At times the the top of the bottle can be difficult to screw off. Binding onto plastic and wood surfaces may also be more challenging. It is not an ideal product to use on fabric because it can alter its texture and cause it to feel stiff. The colors of the material can also become distorted by the glue. The product can be difficult to remove from fingers or skin, which makes it necessary to wear durable gloves while repairing items.

Honorable Mention

Gorilla
Super Glue
Gel

As one of the most popular super glues available, Gorilla Super Glue Gel is ideal to use on vertical surfaces because it doesn’t run.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Gorilla Super Glue Gel is impact tough and features unique rubber particles that increase its impact resistance and strength to keep it intact. This product even includes an anti-clog cap that prevents the glue from drying out over time. The drying time is faster than similar types of glues and can set in 10 to 30 seconds after it’s applied. Clamping is not required as it sets for added convenience and ease of use. It can be used on paper, wood, plastic, ceramic, rubber, and metal. The super glue gel has a thicker consistency than the regular super glue that is sold by Gorilla for added versatility. It’s formulated to absorb drops and impacts that can occur with the object that it seals. The applicator of the glue is also thin, which offers precision and can allow the glue to be used to seal small gaps. One of the highlights of the product is the anti-clog cap that prevents it from drying out over time. The gel also dries clear and can restore broken dishware or products while making the crack difficult to see.

Biggest downsides: Although the super glue can be used on metal, it should not be used on glass due to damage that can occur. On metal, the adhesion may also weaken over time and will prove to be less effective compared to other types of materials. In some cases, the glue may dry in the bottle if too much time passes in-between uses. The consistency of the Gorilla super glue gel is runnier compared to similar products, which can lead to messes. It can also take up to 30 minutes to try on some types of surfaces.

Green Pick

Weldbond 8-50420
Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Glue 1-Pack

The Weldbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue 1-Pack has a smooth finish that makes it easy to apply for lasting results. It’s a universal adhesive that can be used on wood, fabric, glass, and slate.

Price Check

Most notable upside: The Weldbond Multi-Purpose glue is a bonding adhesive that can be used on almost anything and works well on different types of surfaces. The formula can be applied to tile, marble, styrofoam, metal, bonds, and wood. It also dries clear and has a thick texture, which makes it easy to apply without creating a mess for impressive results. The glue can even be reduced with water to seal porous surfaces, like brick or drywall. It can even be used as a priming coat for porous surfaces. Consumers can use it as a bonding agent for cement and plaster applications. A little goes a long way, which allows the bottle to last longer for use with various projects or repairs. As a non-toxic product, it’s safe to use in the household and is non-flammable with low VOCs. The product also sets quickly once it’s applied and only takes 20 minutes to dry on most surfaces. The product is available in multiple sizes. With a shelf life of five years, it’s prone to lasting long-term.

Biggest downsides: The super glue is not ideal to use on some types of plastics, rubber, and cast metals because it won’t produce a bond, which limits its versatility. The glue is prone to freezing in cold temperatures and needs to be stored indoors.

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Super Glue Cleaning

In some cases, super glue can create a mess on different types of surfaces or on the skin and can be challenging to remove. Use nail polish remover with acetone on the skin and apply it to the super glue for several minutes to break down the formula and allow it to rub off. The glue can be removed from plastic by applying acetone with a cotton ball onto the affected area. Acetone is also effective in removing the glue from glass surfaces.

Super glue can also be removed with a white vinegar soap when it’s stuck on metal surfaces. When the glue has formed onto wood, use olive oil or coconut oil to prevent damage from occurring. Leather materials are a more delicate material that can be damaged by super glue, which makes it necessary to use a mixture of soap and water while gently scrubbing it off with a clean rag to preserve the quality of the material.

A Note About Safety and Storage

Super glue should be stored in a sealed area that can’t be accessed by children or pets. The chemicals that are used in super glue can be hazardous to ingest or when coming in contact with the skin or eyes. Store the glue in a setting that isn’t too warm to preserve the shelf life of the product and prevent the formula from changing over time.

The lifespan of super glue can also be extended if it’s not exposed to air to prevent it from drying out. Consider placing it in a sealed bag upright in a cool, dry place. The fridge is an ideal place to store super glue. Before use, allow the glue to warm to room temperature before twisting off the lid. Cleaning the outside of the nozzle after each use is also necessary to prevent spilled glue from causing the lid to become sealed to the applicator.

The Best Super Glue

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
"Super Glue" by
Glue Masters

Gorilla
Super Glue
Gel

Weldbond 8-50420
Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Glue 1-Pack

All Our Picks

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
"Super Glue" by
Glue Masters

Gorilla
Super Glue
Gel

Weldbond 8-50420
Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Glue 1-Pack

Tips for Effective Super Glue Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Super Glue

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate "Super Glue" by Glue Masters

GorillaSuper Glue Gel

Weldbond 8-50420Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue 1-Pack

All Our Picks

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate "Super Glue" by Glue Masters

GorillaSuper Glue Gel

Weldbond 8-50420Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue 1-Pack

Tips for Effective Super Glue Cleaning

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
"Super Glue" by
Glue Masters

Gorilla
Super Glue
Gel

Weldbond 8-50420
Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Glue 1-Pack

Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
"Super Glue" by
Glue Masters

Gorilla
Super Glue
Gel

Weldbond 8-50420
Multi-Purpose Adhesive
Glue 1-Pack