The Best Super Glues - Tested by Bob Vila

By Timothy Dale, Debbie Wolfe

Updated on Aug 23, 2024 6:26 PM EDT

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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.

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.

The following super glue products made our list based on purpose, cost, and excellent performance in our hands-on tests.

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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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Small, intricate projects call for the fastidious application of Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue. The no-mess applicator boasts ridged rubber grips on either side for secure, nonslip handling in precision situations. The fast-setting formula bonds to plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, and more in 45 seconds or less and is highly resistant to impact.

The Gorilla Micro Precise Super Glue features a side-squeeze dispenser (similar to Loctite’s Ultra Gel), which gives the user more accurate dispensing control. However, Gorilla’s bottle is longer, so we found it more comfortable to hold, and as such, even easier to control. The glue’s precision tip made it easy to apply the adhesive to tiny areas on tiny plastic toy figurines. The gel super glue is the same formula as all the other Gorilla super glues, so it performed similarly and did not work on polyethylene plastic.

Get the Gorilla Micro Precise super glue at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.

Krazy Glue provides a fast, strong bond at a budget-friendly price. It bonds almost instantly and works on a variety of surfaces including ceramics, metal, vinyl, wood, and all plastics, including polyethylene plastic. It has a brush applicator that is easy to control and gives excellent coverage. Krazy Glue also features a no-clog cap to help keep the glue fresh and the brush bristles from sticking together.

Krazy Glue proved to be remarkably strong and effective, and only a small amount is needed to create a solid bond between surfaces. In testing, we found that the glue works on virtually all surfaces, including some hard-to-bond, smooth plastic surfaces. Krazy Glue successfully bonded eyeglass frames, pieces that broke off a toy playset, and PVC pipe. Krazy Glue is also easy to dispense and control with its brush applicator. Although the package indicates it has a 10- to 60-second set time, we found that the bond was nearly instantaneous.

Get the Krazy Glue super glue at Amazon.

Loctite Glass Glue is the go-to choice for the most common glass repairs. It is formulated for use on all clear, colored, stained, and tinted glass. It features a pen-tip applicator and dries with a crystal clear, colorless finish. It’s also water-resistant and dishwasher-safe.

Loctite Glass Glue did indeed bond all types of glassware to each other. In testing, we found that cleaning the surface first resulted in a stronger bond on the glass vases and stemware we repaired. The glass glue also worked on metal and plastic. It does not, however, work on porous surfaces. Although the adhesive is advertised to work on drinkware, it is not food-safe. The manufacturer recommends only using the glue to fix broken stems, handles, or other glass parts that do not come into contact with consumables.

Get the Loctite Glass super glue at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or The Home Depot.

Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive allows users to create costumes and alter everyday wearables, accessories, and crafts without sewing. The glue dries clear and does not yellow over time. It creates a maximum-strength but flexible bond on cotton, denim, nylon, elastic, vinyl, and other fabric types. It can be used to attach various embellishments such as beads, sequins, and lace. Best of all, once cured, the adhesive is machine washable.

In testing, Aleene’s Super Fabric Adhesive performed precisely as described. It formed durable bonds on various types of fabrics including felt, leather, cotton, and vinyl, and it held embellishments such as sequins, beads, and buttons steadfast. It even held up to washing and drying. The only con we found during testing is that the applicator tip makes it hard to dispense the glue when you only need a little. However, this adhesive is a must for crafters who like to customize their clothing or any DIYer who wants to hem pants or curtains without using a sewing machine.

Get Aleene’s super glue at Amazon, Michaels, or Joann.

Rubber is notably challenging to bond because it is flexible and nonporous. Gluing rubber to other smooth surfaces, such as plastics, requires a glue that creates a near-instant bond without damaging the surface. The 3M Scotch-Weld adhesive is formulated to create a durable bond between most rubber and plastic surfaces.

The glue has a slightly thick consistency and a precision-tip applicator that aids in precise application to surfaces. Its cap is designed with a small needle inside (similar to the 3M gel adhesive above) that helps keep the adhesive fresh and prevents clogs in the applicator. It bonds in 15 seconds and cures to a clear finish in 24 hours.

We used the 3M Scotch-Weld adhesive to glue various types of rubber, including floor mats, gaskets, jar seals, and pencil erasers. The glue quickly bonded rubber to rubber surfaces and rubber to most plastics. The only plastic surface it didn’t bond to was polyethylene plastic, but 3M specifies that you must prepare a polyethylene plastic surface with an adhesive activator for the glue to bond. Despite that, we liked how easy it was to control the glue’s flow, thanks to its low viscosity and precision-tip applicator. It doesn’t have a strong smell, which made it pleasant to use indoors.

Get the 3M Scotch-Weld super glue at Amazon.

When working with super glue, it’s always wise to have a debonder on hand. Bob Smith Industries Debonder dissolves cured cyanoacrylates, which is the adhesive substance in super glues, in about a minute. It works on bonded skin and materials. However, since cyanoacrylates are acrylic plastic, this debonder is not suitable for use on plastics.

We tested this debonder on our own fingers and it did soften up the glue enough to break the bond. However, it did not really remove the glue; to do that, acetone must be used. We also tested it on cured super glue between metal and glass and it performed well, removing the super glue as we hoped, but it did not work well on porous wood.

Get the Bob Smith Industries super glue remover at Amazon, Walmart, or HobbyTown.

Gluemasters Medium-Viscosity Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

We also tested Gluemasters adhesive, and it did not meet our testing standards. The super glue claims to bond to wood, leather, ceramics, rubber, and glass in 45 seconds. We found that the adhesive took up to 3 minutes to bond during testing. It did not work without us having to clamp the materials in place. Most people like to use super glues because they bond nearly instantly and typically don’t require the need to use clamps or other means of holding the materials in place while curing.

We also did not like that you have to cut an opening on the pen tip to use it because this makes the glue opening larger than necessary. The large opening made the glue harder to control, and we ended up using more than we needed. With such poor usability, we can’t recommend it.

When searching for the right super glue, you should know what makes a glue “super.” Application methods, bonding times, and a few other features should be taken into account prior to purchase.

The difference between “super glue” and other types of glue is the chemical formula. For example, white glues rely on water evaporation to allow the polyvinyl acetate latex to form a bond between the crevices it has seeped into. Super glue works using a process called anionic polymerization, which takes place when its main ingredient, cyanoacrylate, comes in contact with hydroxyl ions in water.

Put simply, super glue only requires water to bond. Given that nearly any surface will have water molecules from the humidity in the air, super glue bonds to almost any surface within a short period of time. So read ingredient labels: If the product you’re looking at does not contain cyanoacrylate, it’s not a super glue and will likely not work the way you want it to.

Super glue’s exceptional bond relies on a chemical reaction between cyanoacrylate and water. This process creates a strong mesh structure that hardens to bond objects together. However, different types of super glue are designed for very different surfaces. Gel formulas are ideal for porous surfaces such as wood that may require a longer bonding time. Other formulas have a liquid texture to bond well with smooth surfaces such as metal or plastic. Read packaging information to identify the materials that are compatible with super glue.

A project such as replacing loose bathroom tiles may require a broad application of super glue and call for a large tube of at least 5 grams. There are two types of applicators on tubes of this size: the classic style (or precision tip) with a tip that can be either cut or pierced for desired flow, or a brush applicator for quickly and effectively stroking glue onto a large surface area.

Those who only need to fix a tiny chip on a vase may not want to risk globs of glue dripping onto the item, the floor, or any other unintended surface. For such a project, select a precision tip applicator or an even smaller pen applicator. Precision-tip applicators feature an extended tip designed for small, hard-to-reach areas. The pen applicator works similarly to a ballpoint pen; rolling the tip across a surface releases glue only to the desired area. These precision applicators help ensure neat, clean results. But no matter what kind of applicator is chosen, don’t stress over an accidental mess; simply check out our guide to removing super glue from all manner of surfaces, including fingers!

Most super glue products have a fairly short bonding time of 10 to 45 seconds. While this generally allows users to speed through a project, those surfaces must be joined quickly. Short bonding times can be an asset when working in a difficult-to-reach area, as the user can avoid holding an uncomfortable position for a long time. Read the product package to get a handle on super glue bonding times. Note that gel products, by design, tend to take a bit longer to bond because they’re normally used on porous surfaces that require a longer bonding time.

Various super glue products may include project-specific features, so read labels fully. For instance, some super glues are suited to use outdoors. Others can be painted or sanded. Some may boast an anti-clog cap to keep the glue from drying out in the tube. Packaging may also indicate the color that the glue takes on when it is dry.

Super glues are useful adhesives to keep on hand for various home improvement and crafting projects or repairs. There is a lot to consider when shopping for the best super glues, so it’s understandable if there are some lingering questions about them. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about super glues.

The strongest super glue depends on the material you are trying to bond together. Gorilla Super Glue Gel creates a strong bond between most materials, but it does not work on polyethylene plastics. For polyethylene plastic, you may need to use a cyanoacrylate activator that can be applied to the surface of the objects before the adhesive to create a bond.

A debonder, like Bob Smith Industries Debonder, is the best material to use for loosening the bonds of super glues. The debonder works by softening the cured glue so it can be pried apart without damage to the skin or surfaces. Another method is to use an acetone-based nail polish remover.

Most super glues dry or bond in less than a minute. However, it takes several hours for the glue to fully cure.

Contact cement and super glues use different formulas to form permanent bonds and are applied differently as well. Contact cement is rubber dissolved in a solvent, and its solvent needs to evaporate for bonds to form. As mentioned above, the main ingredient in super glue is cyanoacrylate, also called CA, and it needs to attach to water molecules to bond. Super glues lend themselves well to more minor repairs and are applied with a precision tip, pen tip, or brush. When adhering two surfaces, you only need to apply super glue to one surface for the bond to form. Contact cement, which is often used to adhere laminates to particleboard for countertops, works well with larger surface areas. You brush the contact cement on both surfaces, wait a specified period of time for the solvent to evaporate, and then press the two surfaces together. Some contact cement, like one of our favorites from DAP, can be used on outdoor surfaces as well.

Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.

Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.

Contributing Writer

Timothy Dale is a home improvement writer who has been in the industry for several years. In his work for BobVila.com, he has written a number of how-to articles related to yard maintenance, vehicle repair, and home renovation, not to mention a wide variety of buying guides and articles on DIY projects. He always ensures readers get the information they need to tackle their next project.

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