Top 10 Best Wood Glue Reviews – Buyer Guide 2023

Wood glue is very important when it comes to woodworking projects. It can be applied in DIY duties, small household applications and on large-scale woodworking applications. Wood glues come in different colors such as white and yellow. Unlike screws and nails, the best wood glue gives you the ideal adhesion that you need.

So, whether you are a pro or a beginner in woodworking, you have to pick the best glue despite of the various brands and types available.

There are various wood glue types created for use in specific areas which you should identify to fully benefit from this product. It can be PVA glue, epoxy glue or CA, whatever the type, know which one will enable you join two wood surfaces well and firmly.

There are many types and brands of wood glue available on the market, each with its own pros and cons. Some factors to consider are:

• The type and condition of the wood you are working with
• The strength and durability of the bond you want
• The water resistance and weather resistance of the glue
• The drying time and color of the glue
• The ease of application and cleanup of the glue
• The safety and environmental impact of the glue

Top 3 Best Wood Glue on Amazon

In this article, we will review 10 of the best wood glues available on the market, based on their type, formula, performance, and price. We will also provide some tips and advice on how to use wood glue properly and answer some frequently asked questions about wood glue.

What is Glue?

Modern form of glue that is widely used today is attributed to a British chemist named Alexander Parkes. In 1845, Parkes invented a substance called “Parkesine,” which was the first man-made plastic.

Glue is a type of adhesive substance that is used to join two pieces of wood together or other things together. It is design to create a strong and durable bond between the materials it is applied to.

Glue can be made from various materials, including synthetic polymers, natural substances like animal collagen (such as hide glue), or plant-based sources like tree sap (such as resin-based glue).

The specific composition of glue can vary depending on its intended purpose and the materials it is meant to bond.

Glue glue can be used in a wide range of applications, including woodworking, crafts, construction, repairs, and manufacturing processes.

It provides a convenient and effective solution for joining materials, allowing for the creation of solid structures and secure attachments.

 Various civilizations throughout history, including the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, developed different types of adhesives and glues using natural materials such as tree sap, animal hides, and milk protein.

Here are our top picks for the best wood glues you can buy online:

Name and Brand	Type and Formula	Price
Gorilla Wood Glue	PVA, water-resistant	$13.99 at Amazon
Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue	PVA, waterproof	$9.75 at Amazon
Krazy Glue Wood Glue	Cyanoacrylate (CA), water-resistant	$4.99 at Amazon
Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue	PVA, waterproof	$2.97 at Amazon
Titebond Liquid Hide Wood Glue	Hide glue, water-resistant	$9.99 at Amazon
Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive	Polyurethane, waterproof	$4.98 at Amazon

The Best Wood Glues for DIY Projects and Woodworking

Whether you’re building furniture, crafting wood projects, or repairing wood defects and cracks, using the right adhesive makes all the difference in getting strong, long-lasting bonds. But with so many wood glue types and brands available, how do you choose the right one?

This detailed review covers the top wood glues on the market and compares their features, pros and cons, and ideal applications.

Gorilla Wood Glue For Furniture Repair

The Gorilla Wood Glue is one of the most popular and highly rated wood adhesives available. This water-resistant polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue provides excellent versatility and bonding strength for both indoor and outdoor woodworking applications.

Compared to other top wood glues, gorilla ultimate waterproof wood glue stands out for its short assembly time, natural wood colored bond line, and ease of use right out of the bottle. It does not require any mixing or preparation before use. The Gorilla brand is also known for its incredibly strong adhesives across a variety of products including tapes and epoxies.

This wood glue is specially formulated to provide superior adhesion on hardwoods, softwoods, and composite wooden materials. Some key features include a 20-30 minute clamp time for quick bonds and a fully cured strength in 24 hours. It meets the ANSI Type II specification for water resistance, making it suitable for outdoor furniture, wood structures, and other projects.

The polyvinyl acetate resin formula dries to a transparent tan color that blends into natural wood grain patterns. It can be efficiently cleaned with water when wet or scraped/sanded off once fully cured. Gorilla has excellent ratings for its adhesion strength, ease of use, and easy cleanup.

Some ideal applications are building furniture, cabinetry, household repairs, crafts, model building, and installing trim or molding. It can be used for interior and exterior projects that need a water-resistant bond. The glue spreads easily from its bottle applicator and only a small amount is needed for most tasks.

Pros:

• Fast cure time
• Versatile for indoor & outdoor use
• Natural tan colored bond line
• Strong PVA formula

Cons:

• Thin consistency may drip
• Not fully waterproof

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue

The Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue is a premium adhesive designed to provide superior waterproof bonding for outdoor and wet condition woodworking projects.

Compared to other wood glues, Titebond genuine hide glue stands out for its 100% waterproof bond strength that passes the ANSI Type I specification. This makes it ideal for applications involving consistent moisture exposure like outdoor furniture, boats, exterior building trim, and kitchen cutting boards. It also has a lower minimum application temperature than other wood glues, allowing more flexibility to bond wood pieces in cold workshop conditions.

This glue features a proprietary polyvinyl acetate formula optimized for superior adhesion and water resistance. Some specifications include a 24 hour cure time and 10 minute open assembly time, which is longer than standard PVA wood glues. The resin formula also meets FDA standards for indirect food contact when fully cured, making it safe for kitchen items.

Titebond liquid hide glue works exceptionally well at bonding hardwoods and softwoods for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing projects. The waterproof bond it forms is stronger than many wood types. It can be used for making lawn furniture, picnic tables, exterior doors, boat building, and other durable outdoor wood structures. The glue dries to a light tan color that blends decently with natural wood.

Pros:

• 100% waterproof bond
• Passes ANSI Type I standard
• Lower application temperature
• 10 minute assembly time

Cons:

• Light tan color doesn’t match some wood tones
• Not suggested for oily exotic woods

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Elmer’s Carpenter Wood Glue

Elmer’s Carpenter Wood Glue is a classic affordable polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue that has been a favorite for indoor woodworking and repairs for decades.

Compared to premium wood glues, Elmer’s Carpenter Wood Glue provides reliable adhesion at a very economical price point. The value per ounce makes it ideal for small indoor projects that don’t require extensive water resistance. It has similar specifications to basic PVA glues but comes from a recognizable brand you can find at most hardware stores.

This glue works best for assembling furniture, wood carvings, hobby builds, crafts, and minor repairs around the house. It has a 20-30 minute clamp time with full strength forming after 24 hours. One downside is the yellowish tint it dries to, which may not blend well with some fine wood types. It can be easily cleaned with water before drying.

Pros:

• Very affordable cost
• Trusted brand
• Easy water cleanup
• Common household glue

Cons:

• Yellowish bond line
• Not for outdoor use
• 24 hour cure time

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Gorilla Natural Wood Hide Glue

The Gorilla Wood Glue Clear offers the same strong polyvinyl acetate (PVA) formula as the original Gorilla wood glue but with a completely invisible bond line when dried.

Compared to other wood glues, Gorilla Clear stands out for its crystal clear adhesion that becomes nearly invisible when cured. This makes it ideal for more aesthetic wood structures, furniture, and projects where you do not want ugly glue lines. It provides a similar 20-30 minute clamp time and 24 hour full cure like the original Gorilla wood glue.

Gorilla Wood Glue Clear works best when adhering wood to other wood surfaces. It may not perform as well bonding wood to different materials. The clear formula is highly rated for its bond strength, ease of use, and easy water cleanup when wet. It can be used for indoor and outdoor applications, though is not rated as fully waterproof for immersion like some wood glues.

This adhesive is perfect for bonding finished wood products, cutting boards, furniture, cabinetry, and other attractive wood projects where you want inconspicuous glue lines. It works on hardwoods, softwoods, and wooden composites. One downside is the thinner consistency may lead to more drips or leaks during application.

Pros:

• Crystal clear invisible bond line
• Strong PVA adhesive formula
• Easy water cleanup

Cons:

• Not fully waterproof
• Possible drips from thinner glue

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive

The Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction Adhesive is incredibly strong glue designed to bond wood, concrete, stone, and many other construction materials.

Compared to standard wood glues, Loctite PL Premium offers superior strength with a flexible polyurethane-based formula. It can bond to porous and non-porous materials, making it highly versatile beyond just woodworking projects. The glue is formulated to withstand extreme weather and temperatures while remaining flexible.

This construction adhesive has some downsides like long clamp and cure times. It requires clamping for 24 hours and takes a full 7 days to fully cure. It also needs a caulking gun to apply. However, it creates incredibly strong bonds on materials like wood, concrete, brick, tile, and more.

Pros:

• 3X bond strength of standard wood glues
• Bonds most construction materials
• Withstands weather and extremes

Cons:

• Messy cleanup if overapplied
• Very long cure time

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Krazy Glue Wood Glue Fast Dry 

Krazy Glue Fast Dry Wood Glue is designed to bond wood pieces together quickly without extended clamping or cure times.

Compared to traditional wood glues, Krazy Glue wood glue sets and cures remarkably fast, bonding wood in just minutes. This makes it ideal for quick repairs, small crafts, and wood pieces you can hold together by hand. It helps minimize the need for clamps or waiting overnight for curing.

However, Krazy Glue does have some limitations on overall bond strength and durability compared to longer-setting wood glues. It also lacks water resistance, so it is not suitable for outdoor projects or wood pieces that will encounter moisture. The fast dry time can also make adjusting joints more difficult during assembly.

Pros:

• Extremely fast set and cure time
• No clamps or long waits needed
• Easy to use right from the bottle

Cons:

• Lower bond strength than standard wood glues
• Not water resistant
• Fast drying makes adjustments difficult

Overall Rating: 4.0/5

J-B Weld 8276 KwikWood Wood Repair Best Epoxy Putty

J-B Weld 8276 KwikWood is a fast-drying two-part epoxy putty stick designed for repairs of imperfections, cracks, and holes in finished wood products.

Compared to traditional wood glues, KwikWood is uniquely a hand-moldable putty epoxy formula for filling gaps and repairs rather than general adhesion. It bonds strongly to wood, sets in just minutes, and can be sanded, drilled, tapped, machined, stained or painted once fully cured.

This wood repair putty is ideal for quickly patching splits, gouges, defects and holes in finished wood pieces like furniture, trim, cabinets, and more without having to replace planks or boards. It is waterproof and dries tan to blend decently with many wood tones. The two-part putty stick ensures you use the epoxy resin and hardener in the right proportions.

One downside is that KwikWood does not work well for general wood joining and adhesion applications. It is designed specifically for repairs where a moldable putty is more suitable than runny wood glue. The putty consistency can also lead to a messy application.

Pros:

• Hand moldable epoxy putty
• Sets and cures in minutes
• Made for filling wood defects

Cons:

• Not suitable for joining wood pieces
• Putty consistency can be messy
• Tan color may not match some wood

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Weldbond Universal Multi-Purpose Adhesive

Weldbond Universal Adhesive is a strong water-based glue designed to bond wood along with other common materials like plastic, glass, fabric, paper, metal and more.

Compared to specialized wood glues, Weldbond offers versatility to adhere wood to a wide range of materials for home repairs and crafts. However, this versatility comes at the cost of longer cure times and lower water resistance. Weldbond takes 24 hours to fully cure and is not suitable for outdoor projects.

This affordable glue provides adequate bond strength for indoor wood repairs, hobbies, and mixed material crafts. It cleans up easily with water while wet. The non-toxic formula is safe for home use. One potential downside is the opaque white color that shows prominently on wood surfaces.

Pros:

• Bonds wood, plastic, glass, more
• Affordable price
• Easy water cleanup

Cons:

• Long 24 hour cure time
• Not water resistant
• White colored glue line

Overall Rating: 4.0/5

Conclusion

The best wood glue for each project depends on the materials, whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use, required cure times, and your budget.

Gorilla glue and Titebond brand wood glues offer the best performance overall based on strength, water resistance, assembly times, and ease of use. For cost-effective indoor woodworking, classic Elmer’s Carpenter’s glue fits the bill.

I hope these wood glue reviews and comparisons help you select the ideal adhesive for your next DIY, woodworking, home improvement, or repair project! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.

Various civilizations throughout history, including the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, developed different types of adhesives and glues using natural materials such as tree sap, animal hides, and milk protein.

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What to consider when looking for Best wood glue

Picking the most suitable wood glue to carry out your tasks is no easy thing. You will need to know which glue is best suited to handle the job at hand as not all f them will work as needed. Also, they vary in properties and price too. Below are some of the factors to consider when choosing wood glue.

Strength of the wood glue

Glues vary in psi which determines their strength. A wood glue with a higher psi means that it is stronger. A good number of wood glues have a range of around 2000 to 4000 psi.

The wood glue with the highest psi is the epoxy which has around 4000psi. Glues used outdoors is stronger than that used indoors. They are waterproof, heat resistant and can defy UV rays.

Shrinkage

Some glues shrink more than others when drying. Glues that evaporate tend to shrink the most. But if you are skilled at applying glue, shrinkage is not a big problem. For filling gaps that need a strong bond, use glue that shrinks less, like epoxy or polyurethane. These are non-shrinking glues.

Tack

The tack refers to how sticky the glue is. Glues with high tack are best for joints that won’t be clamped. Make sure to pick a glue with the right tack level for your project.

Moisture resistance

Some glues are more moisture resistant than others. Glues that work well indoors may not be suitable for outdoor use. Many woodworkers use marine adhesives for outdoor projects instead of other glue types. Yellow glue, white glue, and hide glue are usually used for indoor projects.

Safety

Before purchase of glue look at its safety indurations. Some glues are not suitable to use at home as they might be toxic. When using glue on your furniture or indoor, use non-toxic and odorless glues to avoid harming your pets or family members.

Drying period

Different glues take different time to cure. When applying glue to wood or furniture indoor or outdoor, you should know how long it will take to cure. Some take very long hours to cure and should be applied at the appropriate time. Depending on several factors, it might take a longer or shorter time for the glue to dry. Some have to be clamped to stick.

Indoor or outdoor

When choosing a wood glue, consider if it will be used indoors or outdoors. Outdoor glues are typically stronger than indoor glues. Outdoor glues usually have a higher psi rating than indoor glues. Pick the right glue for indoor or outdoor use.

Ease of use

When selecting a wood glue, consider how easy it is to apply. Choose a glue that is quick and simple to use. Some glues require clamping after being applied. Look for one that is straightforward to work with.

Gluing accessories

Gluing requires care and precision. After choosing the right wood glue, have the proper accessories to make gluing easier. Useful gluing tools include a brush, glue bottle with roller, glue comb, and metal spatula. These accessories help ensure successful gluing.

Aesthetics

The appearance of the glue lines can affect the look of the finished wood piece. To hide glue lines and prevent visible seams, use a stainable wood glue like PVA glue. This allows the glue to blend in for better aesthetics.

Brand

When selecting a wood glue, stick with proven, reputable brands that offer quality products. Some brands may claim high performance but don’t deliver. Look for well-known, trusted brands like Franklin, Loctite, Gorilla, and J-B Weld for best results. Choosing a quality brand ensures good performance.

Price

Wood glues range in price based on their quality and performance. Less expensive glues may be suitable for some projects, but for best results, invest in a higher-quality wood glue. Paying a little more for a premium glue can be worth it to ensure good adhesion and durability. Consider both price and performance when selecting a wood glue.

Different Types of wood glue

As you search for your next glue for use on woods, ceramics, leather, metal, rubber and some plastics, you should know which types is ideal for use where. There are various types of wood glues worth knowing about which are as follows:

PVA glue

This is the most common type of all glue forms. The bottles that are labeled wood glue have a higher chance of being PVA glue with the inclusion of the white and yellow glue. Currently, there is a unique formulation like the Titebond-3 which is also waterproof.

Epoxy glue

Another famous type of glue is the epoxy wood glue. This is a two-part bonding system made up of resin and hardener. These two components come in liquid form but become hard when combined together. This form of glue is very suitable for filling in spaces in hardwoods and softwoods. In addition, it has a waterproof formulation but takes longer to cure.

Hide glue

This kind of glue has been in existence for many years. It is acquired from animal hides, while hot hide glues are normally produced through heating granules in a water pot where it liquefies, cools down, and turns into a solid content. The hot glues are normally used with a brush by dipping it in the pot and one the surface.

Polyurethane glue

Polyurethane wood glue is sparked off by moisture, swelling as it activates and dries. In addition, it is waterproof, dries quickly and hard. The only downside of this glue is that the bond line it builds can mess with the finishes.

Cyanoacrylate glue

This is normally used to bond hard surfaces together. It is as well highly suitable for use on wood materials. The bond this glue creates tends to be extremely hard that it can be broken under great force.

FAQ’s

Can you use wood glue as a wood filler?

Yes, wood glue can be used as a wood filler for small gaps and cracks. Simply overfill the area with wood glue, allow to dry completely, then sand flush.

What is hide glue?

Hide glue is a traditional wood glue made from animal collagen. It produces a reversible bond used for furniture repairs and lutherie. Hide glues are not waterproof.

Is epoxy stronger than wood glue?

Epoxy creates a stronger bond than most wood glues. However, polyurethane wood glues like Gorilla Glue are stronger than typical wood epoxies.