A reliable grease gun is essential if you have any sort of machinery that needs to be regularly lubricated, like a car engine. These tools are designed to hold a standard grease canister and inject the contents directly into the fittings of a machine via a special coupler. Whether it’s hand-powered or relies on a battery, grease guns deliver essential lubrication that can help maintain your engine’s health.
We break down our review team’s top picks for the best grease guns on the market and what makes them stand out. We’ll cover everything from their most useful adapters to the types of grease they work best with. Our buyers guide can also help you start your search for a new grease gun if you’re unfamiliar with them or simply need a refresher.
In this article:
- 5 Best Grease Guns
- #1 Best Lever: LockNLube Lever Grip Grease Gun
- #2 Best Cordless: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun
- #3 Best Pneumatic: Lincoln 1162 Pneumatic Grease Gun
- #4 Best Pistol Grip: Bravex Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun
- #5 Best Design: Lumax LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Grease Gun
- Grease Guns Buyers Guide
- Our Review Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions
5 Best Grease Guns
- LockNLube Lever Grip Grease Gun
- DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun
- Lincoln 1162 Pneumatic Grease Gun
- Bravex Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun
- Lumax LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Grease Gun
#1 Best Lever: LockNLube Lever Grip Grease Gun
The LockNLube® Lever Grip Grease Gun has impeccable grease-delivering capabilities thanks to its locking coupler that produces more grease with less effort. It can deliver up to 10,000.0 psi of pressure and an ounce of grease in only 28 strokes.
This grease gun has cartridge, suction, and bulk loading options and includes a bulk load port as well as an air bleeder valve. When locked onto any grease fitting, the LockNLube won’t leak thanks to its tight grease coupler. Our review team also likes this gun’s Loop & Lock storage design made to keep the coupler clean when not in use.
Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Key Features
- 20.0-inch flex hose
- 16.0-ounce capacity
- 10,000.0-psi Maximum Operating Pressure (MOP)
- 1/8-inch outlet thread
- Includes spare seal kit
What Customers Are Saying
This LockNLube gun currently has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Almost 95 percent of customers who left a review gave this product a rating of 4 stars or higher.
One commonly praised feature is that the grease coupler fits very snugly when tightened. Many customers also like that this grease gun primes with little effort. One complaint from some customers was that the LockNLube leaked when left unattended for days on end.
#2 Best Cordless: DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun
With its powerful battery-operated motor, the DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Grease Gun delivers grease with ease. The variable speed trigger lets you control the grease flow, so you can get as little or as much as you need for a given job. And its 42.0-inch flexible hose is ideal for reaching into tight spaces.
In order to prevent clogging, this grease gun has a pump filter screen that stops dirt and contamination from building up. Its integrated no-mar foot design allows for this device to be rested on flat surfaces without worrying about leaking. DeWalt claims the battery life of this grease gun can last through 16 grease cartridges before needing to be recharged.
Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Key Features
- 42.0-inch flex hose
- 10,000.0-psi MOP
- 16.0-ounce capacity
- Includes shoulder strap
- 20.0-volt rechargeable battery
What Customers Are Saying
This grease gun has over 8,800 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.8 stars. Over 98 percent of reviews are 4 stars or higher.
The DeWalt 20V is hailed by many customers as the best powered grease gun on the market because of its extensive battery life. They also say the priming setup is simple and takes little time. A complaint that a few customers have is that this grease gun is heavy, which makes it harder to aim in tighter areas.
#3 Best Pneumatic: Lincoln 1162 Pneumatic Grease Gun
The Lincoln 1162 Pneumatic Grease Gun is fully automatic with continuous operation and grease flow. This makes it ideal for jobs that require a large amount of grease. Its 30.0-inch flex hose with grease coupler and attachment clip ensure you can easily get into hard-to-reach areas without risking a leak.
Thanks to its ergonomic rubber grip and trigger, the Lincoln 1162 is ideal for one-hand operation. A feature of this gun that our review team likes is that its casting neck has been shortened to improve grease flow to the piston, which also strengthens the unit.
Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Key Features
- 30.0-inch flex hose
- 6,000.0-psi MOP
- 16.0-ounce capacity
- Advanced combination vent valve
What Customers Are Saying
On Amazon, The Lincoln 1162 has an average rating of 4.7 stars from over 1,500 reviews. Over 80 percent of customers left a 5-star rating for this grease gun.
Many customers claim the Lincoln 1162 is easy to load and that the priming process takes little time and effort. This gun is popular among people who have shoulder or hand issues and need a lightweight tool to reduce strain. Some customers who didn’t like the Lincoln 1162 say it jams frequently.
#4 Best Pistol Grip: Bravex Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun
The Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Grade Pistol Grip Grease Gun has a chrome-plated canister for increased durability and scratch resistance. Its three-way loading design works with both bulk fills and cartridge grease. Because of its non-slip rubber handle, this grease gun can be used with one hand.
This gun’s anti-aging fluorescent O-ring and plunger prevent grease from losing softness, even after being stored for long periods. Another noteworthy feature of the O-ring is that it stops grease leakage from the pump head.
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Key Features
- 18.0-inch flex hose
- 6,000.0-psi MOP
- 16.0-ounce capacity
- Include additional metal straight pipe
What Customers Are Saying
With over 3,300 ratings on Amazon, this Bravex grease gun has an average rating of 4.4 stars. Over 85 percent of customers left a 4-star rating or higher, while around 5 percent left a 1-star rating.
The most common feature of this grease gun that customers commend is its ease of use. They say that couplers fit snugly and that it doesn’t leak. One frequent complaint is that the tube is not long enough, and many customers say they need to buy an extension tube to get the best use from their gun.
#5 Best Design: Lumax LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Grease Gun
Thanks to its air bleeder valve, the Lumax LX-1152 Black Heavy Duty Grease Gun releases air pockets to prevent trigger malfunctions. With its reinforced wall thickness, this grease gun doesn’t leak and can be stored without allowing grease buildup to occur.
The Lumex’s die-cast head and no-drip cap prevent leaking. It is designed to hold one 16.0-ounce standard cartridge at a time and can be fitted with a wide array of grease gun couplers.
Our Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Key Features
- 18.0-inch flex hose
- 7,000.0-psi MOP
- 16.0-ounce capacity
- Cast-alloy head
What Customers Are Saying
Customers on Amazon give the Lumax grease gun a 4.5-star rating. This is from over 4,200 reviews, about 70 percent of which are 5-star ratings. Less than 10 percent of customers left a 2-star rating or lower.
One positive feature that customers tend to highlight in their reviews is the Lumax’s heavy gauge steel barrel that holds up against corrosion. The most common complaint among customers is that the flow rate of this grease gun is lower than other pistol grip options.
Grease Guns Buyers Guide
Before your next purchase, consider the following information regarding grease guns to help you make an informed decision.
What Is A Grease Gun?
A grease gun is a tool designed to deliver lubricant to mechanical equipment. They are designed to hold a standard grease canister and inject its contents directly into the fittings of a machine via special couplers. Grease guns are essential for keeping mechanical parts lubricated in order to prevent corrosion.
Grease Gun Accessories And Fittings
Many grease guns come with a standard hydraulic connection adapter, but there are several variations that depend on the application. For example, 90-degree adapters are ideal for reaching around corners and bends while needle-end adapters are suited for reaching into tight crevices.
Grease guns either have a fixed or flexible, also known as a flex, hose depending on its grease-fitting type, ease of location, and the type of gun. Hard-to-reach locations are better handled with guns that have a flexible hose. Grease guns that require two hands for operation, on the other hand, typically use fixed hoses for improved aim.
A grease fitting, also known as a Zerk or Alemite fitting, is the lubrication point at which a grease connector is attached. The standard fitting is either upright or angled for better application. Button-head fittings are better for when large volumes of grease need to be applied, and flush-type fittings work best when space is limited for protruding fittings.
Types Of Grease Guns
There are four types of grease guns:
- Lever: These require two-hand operation via a hand pump and deliver the most grease per stroke of all of the guns. They can be equipped with a wide array of accessories and adapters for optimal use. Lever-action guns are best suited for DIY jobs because of their simple design.
- Pistol grip: These are operated with one hand and are ideal for close-clearance areas. They typically produce less grease per pump than other guns, but have more precise aim which makes them ideal for automotive use.
- Cordless: These use rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries for improved portability. They are trigger-operated and deliver a small amount of grease per pull.
- Pneumatic: These use an external air compressor to deliver a constant stream of grease. Users tend to pair these with bulk loading equipment for high volume applications.
Our Review Standards
To select the five grease guns in this review, our team searched Amazon and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors like customer ratings, prices, superlatives, and Prime shipping eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if I’ve under or over-greased something?
Symptoms of over-greasing include damaged seals and motor windings, environmental issues surrounding the greased area, and fluid friction. You will know if you have under-greased if there are symptoms of bearing starvation, which shows through excessive friction wear. Be sure to apply the right amount of grease to avoid potential damage.
How long can I leave grease in my grease gun?
All greases are not created equal and have a variable time for which they can be safely stored in a grease gun. For example, lithium greases have a 12-month shelf life, while calcium-complex greases can only last for 6 months. It’s very important that you check the specifications of both your grease and grease gun to understand proper storage techniques to save their health.
What do I do if my grease gun gets stuck?
If your grease gun is blocked, unscrew the hose or hardline from your grease gun to relieve pressure. This should unclog the Zerk fitting and allow grease to pass through. Should this not unclog your grease gun, consider consulting professional help.
How much pressure does a grease gun need?
A high-pressure grease gun typically handles 2,000.0 to 15,000.0 psi. Applying too much pressure can damage bearing seals, while not enough pressure will not provide the adequate amount of grease for a given project. Air-operated grease guns typically produce greater psi than manual grease guns since they use an external air supply for power.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
