The Best Super Glues, Tested
A handy tube of super glue can quickly turn complicated home repairs into quick fixes—if you have the right product. We tested the top products on the market to find the best super glues for a variety of projects. From fixing a chipped tile to sealing a leaky garden hose, the best super glue can ensure that the job is done correctly and that the repair will hold firmly. It’s a DIYer’s dream tool. Here, get the 411 on super glue formulas, applications, bonding times, and more—and find out why the following products made our lineup of top picks.
- BEST OVERALL: Gorilla Super Glue Gel
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: The Original Super Glue Corporation Super Glue
- BEST All-PURPOSE: 3M Scotch Super Glue Gel
- BEST FOR CERAMIC: Gorilla Brush & Nozzle Super Glue
- BEST FOR METAL: Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
- BEST MICRO-PRECISION: Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue
- BEST FOR PLASTIC: Krazy Glue Home & Office Super Glue
- BEST FOR GLASS: Loctite Glass Glue
- BEST FOR FABRIC: Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive Super Glue
- BEST FOR RUBBER: 3M Scotch-Weld Plastic & Rubber Instant Adhesive PR40
- BEST SUPER GLUE REMOVER: Bob Smith Industries Un-Cure Super Glue Debonder
How We Tested the Best Super Glues
We tested each super glue according to established rubrics that included surface types, applicator types, bonding time, and texture. We rated each glue based on these rubrics on a scale between 0 and 4 to determine their score.
We first determined how comfortable the glue container was to hold and use, and how efficiently it dispensed the glue. We then applied the glue to wood, plastic, metal, and glass (or other appropriate surfaces as indicated on the packaging). We noted the bonding time to see if it matched the bond time promised by the manufacturer. Lastly, we allowed the glue to cure to verify that the bond was intact and strong.
Our Top Picks
The following super glue products made our list based on purpose, cost, and excellent performance in our hands-on tests.
Best Overall
Gorilla Super Glue Gel
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Available sizes: 3, 15, 20, and 25 grams
- Bonding time: 10 to 45 seconds
- Applicator: Precision tip
What We Like
- Gel formula prevents the glue from oozing out too quickly
- Gel consistency prevents the glue from running down the object after application
- Only a small amount is needed to bond many materials
What We Don’t Like
- Somewhat difficult to get the glue to flow at times
Ever-popular Gorilla Super Glue Gel works well on various surfaces including metal, wood, ceramic, stone, and even brick. The gel formula is specially designed for porous surfaces and for vertical surfaces where a liquid glue would run, creating a mess. With a fantastic bonding time of 10 to 45 seconds without clamping, this super glue is an excellent option for almost any project.
Gorilla Super Glue Gel performed exactly as described in our tests, bonding with metal, wood, and most plastics. The product description said it would not work on polyethylene plastic but we tried it anyway—and, nope, it didn’t hold. We did like the bottle’s precision tip because it allowed us to apply the glue exactly where it was needed, like on a mug handle, without creating a mess. We were impressed with its quick bonding time and strong hold. Overall it’s an excellent all-around super glue to keep in the tool drawer for almost any household repair job.
Get the Gorilla super glue gel at Amazon, Ace Hardware, Target, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
The Original Super Glue Corporation Super Glue
Product Specs
- Available sizes: 2 grams per tube, total of 12 tubes
- Bonding time: 10 to 30 seconds
- Applicator: Precision tip
What We Like
- Paintable and sandable after 24-hour cure time
- Handy storage case neatly holds all 12 individual containers
- One-time-use tube size allows for quick use and disposable instead of sticky storage
What We Don’t Like
- Does not bond to porous surfaces like wood
- Hard to control the flow of the glue, and it’s easy to squeeze out more than needed
This pack of a dozen 2-gram, single-use tubes from The Original Super Glue Corporation bonds wood, ceramic, metal, plastic, and many other surfaces. Each single-use tube is intended for one quick fix requiring a small amount of glue, such as fixing a loose screwdriver handle—just apply where needed and toss the tube when done. While this isn’t the best-packaged super glue on the market, its short dry time of10 to 30 seconds, bargain price, and overall effectiveness make it a handy product to stash in a utility drawer or tool box.
The Original Super Glue passed our testing, mostly with flying colors. It created strong bonds on metal, wood, glass, ceramics, and many plastics. The only surface it did not work on was porous wood. It also proved challenging to control the flow of the glue from the tube—it tended to run over and get all over our fingers. Though impressed with the bonding ability and affordability, we suggest having a debonder on hand.
Get The Original Super Glue at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best All-Purpose
3M Scotch Super Glue Gel
Product Specs
- Size: 2 grams
- Bonding time: Instant
- Applicator: Precision tip
What We Like
- Instantly bonds to most surfaces including wood, metal, leather, ceramic, rubber, and some plastics
- Features an anti-clog cap that prevents the glue from clogging at the opening
- Precision tip helps direct glue to exactly where you need it to go
- The fast-drying gel formula makes it easy to apply to surfaces
What We Don’t Like
- Bonds instantly; there is no opportunity for readjusting materials once it’s applied
Having an all-purpose super glue around makes quick work of repairing various surfaces. The 3M Scotch Super Glue Gel is a multipurpose, quick-bonding glue that works on several surface types, including wood, leather, metal, ceramics, rubber, and some plastics.
The super glue features a cap with a small needle in the interior that inserts into the precision tip, preventing it from getting clogged up with glue after each use. The gel formula makes it easy to see the glue once applied and doesn’t run down the object’s sides. Each tube of glue is 2 grams, which isn’t a lot, but you don’t need much; a little glue goes a long way. Its size also makes it ideal for single-use applications.
We used the glue on all the surfaces the manufacturer said it would glue, including leather scraps, wood dowel pieces, metal fasteners, broken ceramic mug handles, rubber gaskets, and all types of plastics. However, the 3M Scotch Super Glue Gel does not bond polyethylene plastic. But since it bonds most surfaces, it’s a good, inexpensive super glue to keep on hand for quick repairs. The glue is not food-safe, so it should only be used on surfaces that do not come into direct contact with food.
Get the 3M Scotch super glue at Amazon (2-pack),Target (4-pack), or Walmart (2-pack).
Best for Ceramic
Gorilla Brush & Nozzle Super Glue
Product Specs
- Size: 10 and 12 grams
- Bonding time: 10 to 45 seconds
- Applicator: Precision tip and brush
What We Like
- Gel formula is easy to see when dispensed, making application more precise
- Bonds in 10 to 45 seconds, so there is some time to adjust the materials if needed
- Features an anti-clog cap with a metal pin inside to ensure an airtight seal
What We Don’t Like
- Rim of container can get messy when reinserting the brush applicator
- Strong odor when wet; requires use in a well-ventilated space
This glue features a unique formulation that works on plastic, metal, stone, fabric, paper, and rubber, among other materials. It dries in less than 45 seconds to a clear finish that helps make repairs undetectable.
This super glue was our top pick for the best glue for ceramics because it is easy to control the amount of glue with its specialty applicators. The gel glue features two nozzle options: a fine-bristle brush and a precision-tip nozzle. The brush works well for smaller repair jobs like reattaching small pieces of ceramic back onto vases, while the precision-tip nozzle accurately dispenses glue to repair fine cracks on delicate items such as decorative porcelain cups.
The glue also passed our glue tests on other materials including glass, wood, plastic, and metal. Like all Gorilla super glues, this adhesive does not work on polyethylene plastics. The gel formula makes it easy to apply and even readjust if needed. However, this glue is not intended for application on surfaces that come into direct or indirect contact with food.
Get the Gorilla brush & nozzle super glue at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.
Best for Metal
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue
Product Specs
- Available sizes: 4 grams
- Bonding time: 15 to 30 seconds
- Applicator: Precision tip
What We Like
- Gel glue works on porous surfaces such as wood, chipboard, and leather
- Side-squeeze bottle makes it easy to control the flow of the glue
- Water- and impact-resistant once fully cured
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for use on glazed surfaces such as glazed pottery or tiles
Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue features amazing bonding properties, especially for adhering metals together. The glue forms an ultra-strong, effective bond and also increases resistance to water, shock, vibration, chemicals, and impact, making it ideal for metal surfaces and outdoor use. It bonds in 15 to 30 seconds, fully cures within 24 hours, and once dry is nearly invisible and can easily be sanded and painted.
We found that the Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue performed exceptionally well in testing. It quickly created a strong bond between metal surfaces when we tested it on zinc, stainless steel, and plain steel fasteners. It also bonds wood, glass, and plastic. Like all gel super glues, it did not work on polyethylene plastic, and as indicated by the manufacturer, it did not work well on glazed surfacessuch as glazed pottery and tiles. However, the standout feature of this product was the side-squeeze dispenser that gave us complete and accurate dispensing control.
Get the Loctite Ultra Gel super glue at Amazon, The Home Depot, and Ace Hardware.
Best Micro-Precision
Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue
Product Specs
- Available sizes: 5.5 and6 grams
- Bonding time: 10 to 45 seconds
- Applicator: Precision tip