10 Best Wood Glues of 2024 – Reviews & Buying Guide

What if all your hard work just fell apart overnight? For many handymen, this happens quite regularly. Why? Because of the wood glue that they use!

Not all wood glues are created equal. Even if you do everything right, some brands will let you down, over and over again. The solution is clear: you need to find a better brand of wood glue.

There’s just one problem: unless you are swimming in free time and extra money, you might not be able to inspect all of the different brands available. That’s why we put together reviews of the best brands on the market so that you can find what works best for you and your own projects. If you need more info after that, be sure to “stick around” for our comprehensive buyer’s guide!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Gorilla 6200022 Wood Glue	Fast-drying Type-II water resistance Dries clear	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Titebond II 5005 Premium Wood Glue	Safe for incidental food contact Solid tack Type-1 water resistant	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		J-B Weld 8251 WoodWeld Wood Epoxy	Very strong Sets and cures very quickly Two-part epoxy system	CHECK PRICE
		Elmer's Products E7300 Carpenter's Wood Glue	Non-toxic Resistant to heat mildew and mold Type-1 water resistant	CHECK PRICE
		Titebond 1415 III Ultimate Wood Glue	Type-1 water resistance Approved for incidental food contact Suitable for indoor and outdoor use	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Wood Glues

1. Gorilla 6200022 Wood Glue – Best Overall

You may have a lot of spare time when you’re waiting for glue to dry, but not when you’re shopping for a better brand. So, let’s cut to the chase and declare our pick for the best overall wood glue. In our opinion, the clear answer is the Gorilla 6200022 Wood Glue.

The first thing we liked was the price: getting glue this good at this kind of price makes you feel like you’re getting away with something! It also dries really fast (usually 20 to 30 minutes at most), which saves a lot of time compared to wood glue that needs 24 hours to set. The Type-II water resistance helps your projects withstand the elements, and the fact that this glue dries clear makes this perfect for repairs.

Honestly, the only downside to this glue is that the bottle is stiff and you may struggle at times to get the glue out.

2. Titebond II 5005 Premium Wood Glue – Best Value

When you work on many projects, the costs can add up very quickly. The last thing you want to do is spend a ton of money on wood glue. So, if you’re on the lookout for the best wood glue for the money, we’re going to recommend the Titebond II 5005 Premium Wood Glue.

First of all, you get a great price, especially relative to how much glue you get (32 ounces, which is four times as much as you get with our “best overall” pick). And second of all, this glue is non-toxic and safe for incidental food contact. That means you don’t have to worry about using this to repair the kitchen table.

Third, it provides a great tack. And finally, it’s Type-1 water resistant, making it perfect for interior and exterior use. If not for how runny this glue is, it would have been our pick for best overall!

3. J-B Weld 8251 WoodWeld Wood Epoxy – Premium Choice

It’s not an exaggeration to say that wood glue can be the most important part of your project. Because of this, you may want to buy the best glue on the market. If you don’t mind shelling out some extra cash, the best premium option is J-B Weld 8251 WoodWeld Wood Epoxy.

What makes this a “premium” choice? For one thing, this glue is strong: once it sets (which can take up to 6 minutes to set and 3 hours to cure), you can enjoy its 1,800 PSI tensile strength. The two-part epoxy system ensures stability, and the rapid drying time means you don’t have to worry about clamping things into place.

The only real “drawback,” ironically, is that the glue dries so fast. If you make a mistake and don’t fix it right away, this glue will turn rock solid much sooner than you expect!

4. Elmer’s Products E7300 Carpenter’s Wood Glue

You likely remember Elmer’s glue from your elementary school days. We are pleased to report they also make top-notch wood glue, with the best example being the Elmer’s Products E7300 Carpenter’s Wood Glue.

The low cost is nice for any handyman trying to save a few bucks. The fact that this non-toxic glue is also heat, mildew, and mold-resistant (on top of the Type-1 water resistance) means that it’s ready for any conditions.

So, why is this not higher on our list? The nozzle is difficult to close and likely to break on you. Most concerningly, though, this glue dries brown instead of clear, which means it will stand out in an annoying way on your projects.

5. Titebond 1415 III Ultimate Wood Glue

Once upon a time, Titebond 1415 III Ultimate Wood Glue was the best product in the wood glue game. While it didn’t crack our top picks, this is still a very reliable glue.

It offers a good initial tack which helps to make it very user-friendly. And it has the Type-1 water resistance we like to see in our wood glue. It’s dependable for both indoor and outdoor use, and this glue has even been approved for incidental food contact.

What’s not to love, then? Like other Titebond products, this wood glue is a bit runny. It’s also more expensive than many comparable products, though the quality may make it worth the added cost.

6. Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue

The name Loctite Ultra Gel Control Super Glue brings to mind a super-dependable brand of glue. But does this brand actually live up to the name? Ultimately, this glue is a mixed bag.

We liked the versatility of this glue: it works great on porous and non-porous surfaces alike. And their formula ensures that this glue isn’t a drippy, runny mess like some of their competition.

But there were some things we didn’t like, including how little glue (four ounces) you get per container. And it doesn’t dry that quickly on its own unless you bust out an accelerator.  Ultimately, this wood glue is neither good nor bad: it is strictly “middle of the road.”

7. Cascamite Powdered Resin Wood Glue

Containers of Cascamite Powdered Resin Wood Glue present this glue as a plain, no-frills option for handymen who need something dependable. But unless you have really simple needs, this wood glue may end up being a bit too basic.

We enjoyed the weatherproof design, and the bond is surprisingly strong. Once dry, the bond is tougher than the wood! Sadly, those are the only notable positive features for this glue.

What didn’t we like? Despite being “weatherproof,” this glue is temperature-sensitive, which is bad if you’re working in relatively hot conditions. And it’s easy to mess up the ratio and end up with inferior glue, meaning this product isn’t very user-friendly.

8. FastCap 80070 2P-10 Wood Adhesive Glue

If you’re looking to save a few bucks, the FastCap 80070 2P-10 Wood Adhesive Glue may look pretty tempting. Unfortunately, anyone who buys this low-priced wood glue quickly discovers they paid too much!

There were some things we liked, including the applications for vertical surfaces and the lifetime warranty. But there were some problems with this glue that ended up being dealbreakers.

First, the bond isn’t as strong as some of the competition. And it takes a little longer to dry than you might expect. Finally, the bottle contents may become hard and unusable far sooner than you want them to!

9. Krazy Glue Fast Dry Wood Glue

Krazy Glue Fast Dry Wood Glue may be one of the most recognizable glues in the industry. Sadly, our experience with this glue is that it failed to live up to the hype of its name.

As usual, there were some things we liked. The glue dried relatively strong, and you get a lot of glue (1.06 ounces/30 grams) for your money. But there are several drawbacks to consider.

For example, it takes a little too long to tack. And it doesn’t work very well on softwood. While this works well for smaller pieces, we prefer a more dependable wood glue for larger projects.

10. Mitreapel APEL Wood & Hobby Glue

At a glance, Mitreapel APEL Wood & Hobby Glue has many features you might be interested in. Upon closer examination, though, you’ll discover this is the kind of glue you’ll want to skip in favor of something better.

First, the good stuff: the glue is transparent after curing, meaning it will not disrupt the aesthetic of your project. And the non-toxic design makes it safe for all of your projects. But there are several issues you need to consider before making a purchase.

One issue is that the bond isn’t as strong as the competition. And another is that this glue is mostly suited for light projects such as paper crafts. Finally, some users report that it is very difficult to seal the bottle after opening it.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Wood Glue

Our reviews of different wood glues may be enough to help you make your choice. However, you may still have a few important questions. And that’s why we put together this comprehensive buyer’s guide.

This guide will help you learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about wood glue. By the time you’re done with this guide, you should be ready to make the best possible choice!

How Do I Remove Wood Glue?

Putting wood glue on is one thing, and there are different strategies to make sure your surface gets proper coverage. But it is equally important for you to know how to remove wood glue when needed.

Your exact solution will depend on the type of glue you have. With certain types, you may be able to remove glue with nothing more than a moist cloth. With other types, you might have to let it dry and then carefully scrape everything off.

One thing is for sure: no matter which method you use, make sure to sand the surface afterward so that it is nice and smooth.

Does Wood Glue Ever Expire?

One question that you might have is very simple: does wood glue actually expire? The answer to that is a resounding “yes.” After a certain amount of time, the glue inside will harden. And while there are techniques to try to salvage such glue, your best bet is usually to throw the old glue away and grab a new container.

Fortunately, the expiration date of your glue doesn’t have to be a surprise. Your wood glue should have an expiration date clearly written on the packaging. But remember: if you don’t properly close the cap each time you use your glue, all of it may harden much sooner than you are expecting!

Can Wood Affect Adhesion Strength?

An important factor in any wood glue brand is the adhesion strength. And while we can measure factors like the PSI of the glue (more on this soon), this only tells you part of the story.

That’s because the surface you are putting the glue on can affect the overall adhesion strength. And once you know this, you can use this knowledge to your advantage.

For example, your new wood glue is going to be the strongest when you use it on long grain. That’s because the fibers in that long grain help to hold the glue more firmly than you might expect.

This is part of why we recommend that you figure out what your next project(s) will be before you make a purchase, allowing you to match the right glue to the right surface.

How Will I Know If I’ve Put Down Enough Glue?

If you’ll pardon the pun, glue coverage is a “sticky” subject. If you don’t put down enough glue, then things start to fall apart (quite literally). But if you put down too much, you end up with a sticky mess that is very hard to clean.

The trick is to get coverage that is “just right.” In order to do this, we recommend that you check the edges of the surface. What you are looking for is beads: if you see beads, that means you’ve properly covered the area. To make sure you have spread the glue nice and even, we recommend that you use a brush.

How Strong Is My Glue?

How strong is wood glue? As you might imagine, the answer varies based on the exact type and brand of glue in question.

Most wood glue, for example, falls somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 PSI. This is suitable for many projects, though a good rule of thumb is that heavier projects (like furniture renovations) are going to require a higher PSI.

If you need a really high PSI, then we recommend you use epoxy. This can help you achieve a PSI of 8,000 or higher. While that is very impressive, it may prove to be “overkill” for smaller projects.

The Importance of Tack

One thing we focused on quite a bit in our reviews is how well the glue tacks (or in some cases, how poorly it tacks). But it’s important that you understand what tacking means in terms of wood glue and in terms of your projects.

In this case, “tack” is another way of measuring how sticky the glue really is. If something has a low or poor tack, then you may need to clamp the object down until the glue has fully dried. If something has a really good tack, that means it is very sticky and you don’t have to worry about clamping at all.

Safety First

Some of the different wood glues we have reviewed have assorted safety features. It’s important to know when you need such features and when you don’t.

One of the most basic features is when the glue is non-toxic. As the name implies, the smell of this glue is safe enough for family and pets, making it a good choice for interior use.

Another feature is when glue is safe for incidental food impact. This simply means that it is safe to eat something that comes in contact with the glue after it dries. This is important for things like kitchen table renovations where people are very likely to eat on or near the surface.

Moisture Resistance

When shopping for wood glue, some factors may be more obvious than others. For example, you need to figure out right away if you need glue with moisture resistance or not.

As the name implies, “moisture resistance” refers to how well the glue can handle water. While this can sometimes be an important consideration within the house, this is mostly an important factor when it comes to any wood that will be outside for long periods of time.

Remember, different types of glue have different levels of moisture resistance. It’s important to figure out just how wet your project is likely to get before you pick the glue that will work best.

Drying Time: What You Should Know

On paper, you might think that glue that dries quickly will always be the best choice. In reality, it all depends on your skill and comfort level.

For example, an experienced handyman likely does want fast-drying glue. This helps you avoid the need for clamps and will ultimately save a lot of time on your different projects.

But someone just starting out may want glue that takes a bit longer to dry. This gives you more time to get things “just right” and more time to notice errors before the glue has settled.

As your experience and confidence grows, you may wish to shift from slower-drying glue to faster-drying.

In Conclusion

Ready to buy wood glue for your next project? Our fingers are crossed that these reviews and buyer’s guide helped you make your decision. If you need a little more information, let’s return to an important question: which wood glue impressed us the most?

For the “best overall” glue, we have to go with the Gorilla 6200022 Wood Glue. It it strong and speedy and likely to make you rethink ever using another kind of wood glue.

If you’re looking for a good “budget” option, then we recommend the Titebond II 5005 Premium Wood Glue. You get a lot of glue for your money, and the solid performance is the equal of many different (and more expensive) options on our list.

While these were the big winners for us, that’s the beauty of shopping for tools and accessories: only you can choose what is best for your home and your next project. But thanks to the reviews and guide, you know enough to make the best possible decision.

–> We also did an in-depth comparison of Gorilla Glue, Super Glue, and Krazy Glue. See our findings here.

See Also:

• Best Respirators & Dust Masks for Woodworking – Top Picks & Reviews
• 16 Gauge vs 18 Gauge Nailer: Which is Best For Your Needs?
• How to Glue Wood Together: Step-by-Step Guide (with Pictures)