7 Best Drywall Spackles in 2023 — Reviews & Top Picks

Spackling is an extremely useful product that should be in every modern toolbox. Whether you are a novice homeowner looking to patch up some damaged walls or a consummate professional painter or contractor, everyone will find a need for spackling eventually. One of the problems with finding good spackling is that there are so many options on the market today it is hard to know what is good and what is bunk.

We have combed through all of the data, the reviews, and the product details to compile a list of the best spackling for drywall on the market today. Don’t get bogged down in the endless pages of products. Pick one of our hand-selected choices instead.

These are the seven best spackles on the market today. We have also included a brief buyer’s guide that will help steer you in the right direction when making a spackling selection that is right for you.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Dap 12330 DryDex Interior/Exterior Spackling	Pink to white coloring tells you when it is dry Does not need primer Ready to paint right after drying	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Gorilla Heavy Duty Wall Repair Spackling + Primer	A ton of great benefits in one tub Affordable value Can fill big or small holes	CHECK PRICE
Best Lightweight		Dap 12142 Fast’N Final	Dries quickly Doesn’t need sanding or priming Doesn’t move, crack, or shrink	CHECK PRICE
Best Vinyl		Red Devil 0534 Pre-Mixed Vinyl Spackling	Easy to sand Paints well Good value	CHECK PRICE
Best Quick Drying		Red Devil 0542 ONETIME Lightweight Spackling	Super lightweight Easy to use Dries extremely fast	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Drywall Spackles

1. Dap 12330 DryDex Interior/Exterior Spackling – Best Overall

Dap DryDex tops our list as the best overall drywall spackle for good reason. It is the ultimate spackling product. It comes in a variety of different formats, including tubs, gallons, tubes, and prefilled applicators. We like the value you get with a quart of DryDex. One quart of Dap 12330 DryDex Interior/Exterior Spackling is more than enough for most projects and will leave you some left over for future use.

This spackling goes on pink and slowly fades to white. That allows you to know exactly when the spackling is dry and ready to paint. When you go to paint, you do not need to sand or prime this spackling; it is ready to go as soon as it is dry. It is also specially formulated to avoid cracking, crumbling, or shrinking after it goes onto the wall.

In a rare showing, there are little to no complaints about Dap DryDex itself. Most of the complaints are directed at the shipping of the product. Spackling does not always ship well. If it gets opened or is too hot, it can degrade the product inside. That seems to be what is happening with some of the complaints surrounding Dap 12330 DryDex Interior/Exterior Spackling.

2. Gorilla Heavy Duty Wall Repair Spackling + Primer – Best Value

Gorilla Heavy Duty Wall Repair Spackling + Primer uses a special Gorilla Glue formula to deliver an amazing product that does a little bit of everything. It dries extremely quickly (in 15 minutes under ideal circumstances.) It does not require any sanding. It can be painted as soon as it dries.

Gorilla Heavy Duty Wall Repair Spackling + Primer does not need any primer because it has primer mixed right in. That can save you time and money before you paint. It is easy to use and easy to love. All of these benefits come in a nice sized 16 oz. tub that is more than enough to do most small jobs. That makes this product an amazing deal that should not be overlooked.

Some users reported that this spackling was difficult to spread. Sometimes it comes out crumbly and won’t stick to the walls, and other times it is too thick and difficult to get a smooth covering. These are not widespread issues, but consistency seems to be the one thing that comes up more than once. However, we still think it’s the best drywall spackle for the money you pay.

3. Dap 12142 Fast’N Final – Best Lightweight

DAP has delivered another great product with their Dap 12142 Fast’N Final. This is an excellent variety of lightweight spackling. Dap 12142 Fast’N Final is latex based, super lightweight, and easy to use. It dries very quickly. This spackling will be ready to go after just 30 minutes of drying time. It does not require any sanding or priming after it is dry. It is ready to paint right away.

The latex formula combined with DAP’s experience means that this caulk will not shrink, move, crumble or crack after it has set and dried, which is a great feature. Some fast-drying spackling will crumble or crack because it dries too quickly and does not bond properly. This product does not have that problem.

The biggest complaint about Dap 12142 Fast’N Final is the consistency of the caulking. Some people say that the spackle is too thick, like icing, and it won’t spread and fill holes properly. Other users say that the consistency is too runny. Runny spackling won’t fill holes and will constantly run and fall out. These are not widely reported issues, but they are the main issues reported.

4. Red Devil 0534 Pre-Mixed Vinyl Spackling – Best Vinyl

If you are looking for a solid vinyl spackling product, look no further than Red Devil 0534 Pre-Mixed Vinyl Spackling. This spackling is an easy-to-spread premixed vinyl product that works great for drywall. It sands extremely easily and can be paintable in a short amount of time. This is also a great deal. A quart is a lot of spackling, and you can get it for a very affordable price. Being a vinyl spackling, it cleans up very easily with a little soap and water, which is good for people who tend to make a mess when using spackle.

One of the biggest complaints lodged about Red Devil 0534 Pre-Mixed Vinyl Spackling is that sometimes the product is dry. When you first open some containers, the top layer is very dry and unable to be spread. You have to moisten it or dig down to the viable stuff, which can be frustrating to do with a brand-new tub.

5. Red Devil 0542 ONETIME Lightweight Spackling – Best Quick Drying

If you are looking for proven spackling that will dry quickly and can be worked within minutes, you want to check out Red Devil 0542 ONETIME Lightweight Spackling. This spackle will dry in just minutes and can be painted within an hour. That makes it great for painters or handymen who are working on a tight deadline. There is nothing worse than having to wait around for spackling to dry before working it. If you work in construction, home maintenance, or repair, you know that time equals money. This spackling is not only a solid product for filling small holes in drywall, and it dries incredibly quickly every time.

Users only found a couple of gripes with this spackling. First, the consistency is super fluffy, and it does not spread like traditional spackling. That threw some people off who were not used to the unique consistency. The other thing mentioned was that this spackle does not perform well on large holes and does its best work on small holes. Otherwise, this is an excellent fast-drying spackle that is perfect for people working in tight windows.

6. 3M High Strength Small Hole Repair – Best for Small Holes

When it comes to plugging small nail holes, there is nothing better than 3M High Strength Small Hole Repair. This clever applicator allows you to fill small nail holes in one go, then smooth and sand with one single tool. All of the capabilities you need are in this single product. It makes covering nail holes and drywall nicks a complete cakewalk. Whether you are repainting, need to fill nail holes in a rental, or are moving your artwork around, there is no better product for quickly and effectively filling the smallest holes.

The downside is that this product only excels at filling small holes. The applicator only dishes out small amounts of spackling at one time. You cannot glob this stuff out on the end of a spackle knife. You also cannot use it to fill any measurable holes. It is very much a one-trick pony, but it does its trick extremely well.

7. 3M FPP-32-BB Fiber Reinforced Spackling Compound – Best for Large Holes

If you accidentally put a hole in your wall, don’t worry. You can patch it with 3M FPP-32-BB Fiber Reinforced Spackling Compound. This spackling compound is specifically designed to be able to fill large holes. Most spackling can only fill small holes the size of a half dollar or smaller. This spackling can fill holes between 3 and 5 inches in diameter. It works great for large holes, cracks, or gaps that you may encounter in your drywall or plaster. That makes repairing minor damage to drywall extremely simple. You can also use this spackling outside if you seal it with exterior paint, which is a bonus.

The one complaint about this spackling was that the drying time was slow compared to some other products. That makes sense as this spackling is thicker and has to bond a larger hole than other spackling, but it can be frustrating. Some people reported having to wait two days for the spackling to dry in a particularly large hole. Even after it dried, a few people reported the spackling had cracked during the process. That is something to keep in mind.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Drywall Spackle

Types Of Spackle

Each type of spackling has its own unique pros and cons. Lightweight spackle typically dries extremely quickly. Standard spackle does everything well and is easy to use. Standard spackle includes gypsum in the formula and was the original type of spackling. It is not as common anymore, thanks to the rise of vinyl and acrylic, but it is still the best for drywall. Vinyl spackling is more water resistant than other types and works great in a variety of environments. Epoxy is great for wood and can be clear instead of white. Acrylic is a workhorse that is the most popular type of spackling on the market right now.

If you don’t know anything about spackle, you probably want to go with standard spackle or acrylic spackling. They are the easiest to use and the most common types available.

Drying Time

One of the most important things to consider when buying a spackle is the drying time. Some spackle dries extremely quickly, in just a few minutes. That is great if you need to spackle something in the middle of a painting job or need to get a repair done fast. Some spackles can take hours to dry. And even after it dries, some spackle can’t be messed with or painted or sanded for at least a day afterward. If you are in a pinch or on a deadline, you do not want to accidentally put a slow-drying spackle on the wall when you need it to be ready to go in under an hour.

The drying time should always be present on the container somewhere. Double-check the drying time before you buy.

Texture

There are different textures for spackle. Matching the texture of the spackle to the texture of the wall you are putting it on is important in order to get a clean match. If you put rough textured spackle onto a smooth wall, it is going to be extremely noticeable. Similarly, if you put a smooth spackle onto a textured wall, it is going to stand out. Blending textures is important for hiding patches and spackle spots. Pay attention to the texture of the spackle you are considering and the texture of your wall before making a decision.

Color

Like texture, there are multiple different colors of spackle to choose from. There are various shades of white and gray spackle designed to blend in with existing drywall. Matching the color of the spackle is not important unless you are planning on leaving the spackle unpainted. If you do not plan on painting the spackle spot, you want to get a spackle that is going to match as close as possible to the wall. That will only work with white, off-white, and gray walls; it won’t work for colored walls.

Some spackle is bright pink, blue, or purple when it gets put on the wall. Do not panic. That is simply an indicator that lets you know when the spackle is dry. Wet spackle is colored, while dry spackle fades to white.

Follow the Instructions

Spackle seems simple to use, but there are still instructions to get the best results. One of the most common mistakes that people make is just slathering spackle onto the wall without looking at the directions. There are ideal temperatures, drying times, water requirements, and other important information located on the tube or the container. Ignoring the directions can lead to spackle that won’t take, spackle that runs, and a spackle that takes forever to dry. Even if you think you know what you’re doing, at least glance at the instructions. You might be surprised by something you see.

Conclusion

Whether you accidentally put a sizable hole in your wall or just need to clean up before your landlord comes over, there is a spackling product out there that is right for you. Most spackling is very affordable, so choosing the perfect option comes down to what kind of hole you need to fill, what kind of spackling you need and what kind of applicator you want to use. Spackling jobs can be extremely simple with the right product. With great products like these, the choice should be easy to make.

Featured Image Credit: Virrage Images, Shutterstock