A grease gun looks simple, but the choice affects how fast and how cleanly you can service equipment. Manual guns are cheap and need no power, cordless guns save your hand on big jobs, and the best grease gun for you also depends on how often you grease, how tight the fittings are and what cartridge size you use. Regular greasing is one of the cheapest ways to extend the life of mowers, trailers, tractors and vehicle joints.
What is the best grease gun? Based on ratings and rating volume, the DEWALT 20V MAX cordless grease gun and the Milwaukee M18 are the strongest cordless picks here, while the Lock N Lube pistol-grip gun is the best-reviewed manual option.
In short: choose cordless if you grease often or have many fittings, choose a manual pistol-grip or lever gun for occasional use and low cost, and make sure the gun matches the cartridge size you buy.
Pressure figures such as 5000 PSI are manufacturer claims and not measured the same way across brands, so we treated them as listing details. More useful for ranking were the type of gun, the rating volume and what customers say about leaks, priming and fitting grip.
This guide was written by researching customer ratings and product listings, not by testing each product ourselves. Below you will find our top three, how we chose, a comparison table, ten picks with honest pros and cons, a buying guide, tips and answers to common questions.
Recommended Grease Guns
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These are research-based picks, not products we have tested. How we choose.
Our Top 3 Picks
BEST OVERALL DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Grease Gun. A cordless grease gun with battery and charger, rated 4.8 across over 6,600 ratings.
BEST MILWAUKEE CORDLESS Milwaukee 2646-20 M18 2-Speed Grease Gun. A two-speed M18 cordless grease gun sold as a bare tool, rated 4.6.
BEST MANUAL Lock N Lube Pistol Grip Grease Gun. A heavy-duty pistol-grip manual grease gun with a 5000 PSI listed rating.
How We Chose These Products
We started from Amazon listings for grease guns and kept products rated 4.3 stars or higher, favoring those with at least 500 ratings. We allowed no more than two products per brand. Every pick has at least 500 ratings.
Comparison Table
| Pick | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Grease Gun | Cordless, 20V | Frequent greasing on DEWALT batteries |
| Milwaukee 2646-20 M18 2-Speed Grease Gun | Cordless, M18 | Milwaukee M18 owners |
| Lock N Lube Pistol Grip Grease Gun | Manual pistol grip | Everyday manual greasing |
| Ryobi 18V Cordless Grease Gun P3410 | Cordless, 18V | Ryobi ONE+ owners |
| Milwaukee 2446-20 M12 Grease Gun | Cordless, M12 | Tight spaces and light jobs |
| Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun | Mini manual | Small jobs and tight spaces |
| Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun | Manual pistol grip | Budget manual greasing |
| FIXSMITH Professional Lever Action Grease Gun | Manual lever | Heavy equipment |
| LockNLube Lever Grip Grease Gun | Manual lever grip | Users who prefer a lever grip |
| MILTON S-3101 Pistol Grease Gun | Manual pistol grip | Established-brand manual gun |
The 10 Best Grease Guns
1. DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Grease Gun
BEST OVERALL
A cordless gun with battery and charger, rated 4.8 across over 6,600 ratings.
Best for: Frequent greasing on DEWALT batteries
2. Milwaukee 2646-20 M18 2-Speed Grease Gun
BEST MILWAUKEE CORDLESS
A two-speed M18 cordless gun sold as a bare tool, rated 4.6.
Best for: Milwaukee M18 owners
3. Lock N Lube Pistol Grip Grease Gun
BEST MANUAL
A heavy-duty pistol-grip manual gun with a 5000 PSI listed rating.
Best for: Everyday manual greasing
4. Ryobi 18V Cordless Grease Gun P3410
BEST FOR RYOBI OWNERS
A cordless Ryobi gun rated 4.7, sold as a bare tool.
Best for: Ryobi ONE+ owners
5. Milwaukee 2446-20 M12 Grease Gun
BEST COMPACT CORDLESS
A compact M12 cordless gun sold as a bare tool, rated 4.4.
Best for: Tight spaces and light jobs
6. Astro Pneumatic Tool 101 Mini Grease Gun
BEST MINI
A mini gun from Astro Pneumatic with a 4.6 rating.
Best for: Small jobs and tight spaces
7. Bravex Heavy Duty Professional Pistol Grip Grease Gun
BEST VALUE MANUAL
A heavy-duty pistol-grip manual gun with over 5,000 ratings.
Best for: Budget manual greasing
8. FIXSMITH Professional Lever Action Grease Gun
BEST LEVER ACTION
A professional lever-action gun rated 4.4.
Best for: Heavy equipment
9. LockNLube Lever Grip Grease Gun
BEST LEVER GRIP
A lever-grip manual gun rated 4.6.
Best for: Users who prefer a lever grip
10. MILTON S-3101 Pistol Grease Gun
BEST MILTON
A high-pressure pistol-grip manual gun from Milton rated 4.3.
Best for: Established-brand manual gun
How to Choose the Right Grease Gun
| Factor | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Power | Cordless guns suit frequent use; manual guns are cheaper and need no battery. |
| Battery platform | If you own DEWALT, Milwaukee or Ryobi batteries, a bare tool can save money. |
| Cartridge size | Most guns use standard 14 oz cartridges, but check the listing. |
| Hose and coupler | A flexible hose helps reach tight fittings; check the coupler grip. |
| Pressure and flow | Higher listed pressure helps on stubborn fittings, but it is a brand claim. |
Buying and Care Tips
- Wipe the zerk fitting clean before attaching the coupler to avoid pushing in dirt.
- Use the grease type recommended in the equipment manual.
- Stop pumping when you feel resistance or see old grease push out of the joint.
- Store cartridges sealed and clean the coupler after each use.
Honest Limits
- We did not test these products. The notes come from listings and customer ratings.
- Pressure and flow figures are manufacturer claims and are not directly comparable.
- Bare-tool listings may not include a battery or charger.
- Ratings change over time, so check the current listing.
- Prices, colors, sizes and bundles change often on Amazon, so check the current listing.
- There is no single official authority source for this topic, so this guide relies on listing details and ratings.
Who Should Buy Which Type of Grease Gun
The best grease gun for you depends on how many fittings you service, so start by counting them. If you grease a single mower deck or a trailer axle a few times a year, a manual pistol-grip or lever gun is all you need. It costs little, stores in a drawer and never has a flat battery. By contrast, anyone who services a tractor, skid steer, boat trailer or fleet vehicle with dozens of zerks will save real time and hand strain with a cordless model.
Cordless guns make the most sense if you already own batteries on the same platform. A bare tool from DEWALT, Milwaukee or Ryobi slots into an existing kit, whereas a full kit for a one-off job adds cost and another charger. In addition, people with weak grip or arthritis often find a cordless gun turns a painful chore into a quick one, even for a small number of fittings.
Finally, consider where you work. A lever gun needs two hands and a clear swing, so it is awkward under a vehicle. A pistol grip works one-handed, and a cordless gun with a long hose reaches fittings behind wheels and under decks. For the rest of your maintenance kit, our socket organizer guide and chainsaw sharpener guide cover tools that live in the same drawer.
Grease Gun Type and Cartridge by Use Case
The table below pairs common jobs with the best grease gun type and features that usually suit them. Most guns accept a standard 14 ounce cartridge, but capacity, pressure and hose length still make a difference. Use it as a starting point, then check the listing for the exact cartridge size.
| Job | Gun type | Key features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn mower and garden equipment | Manual pistol grip, 14 oz | Short flexible hose, locking coupler | A mini 3 oz gun is enough for a few fittings a season. |
| Trailer axle and bearings | Manual lever or pistol grip | Rigid tube or short hose | Lever guns deliver more pressure per stroke for stiff fittings. |
| Tractor and farm machinery | Cordless 18V or 20V | Long hose, high flow, battery gauge | Dozens of zerks make a cordless gun worth the cost. |
| Trucks and heavy equipment | Cordless two-speed | High pressure mode, 48 inch hose | High pressure frees clogged fittings; low speed limits mess. |
| Boat and marine | Manual pistol grip | Marine grease, corrosion-resistant body | Keep a dedicated gun for water-resistant grease. |
As a rule, choose a locking coupler whatever the gun type. It grips the fitting so you can work one-handed, and it releases cleanly instead of spraying grease when you pull it off.
Common Mistakes When Buying and Using a Grease Gun
- Mixing grease types. Different thickeners can react and turn to liquid or separate. Stick with one grease per gun, and label the gun if you own several.
- Over-greasing sealed bearings. Pumping until grease oozes from a seal can blow the seal out. One or two strokes is usually enough; check the equipment manual.
- Ignoring the cartridge size. Most guns use 14 ounce cartridges, but mini guns and some imports use 3 ounce or 400 gram tubes. Mismatched tubes leak and waste grease.
- Choosing by pressure alone. A 10,000 PSI rating is impressive, but most fittings take grease at far lower pressure. Flow rate and hose quality matter more for everyday jobs.
- Skipping the air purge. Air pockets after a cartridge change stop grease flowing. Nearly every gun has a bleeder valve or a simple purge method; use it.
Loading, Purging and Maintenance
To load a cartridge, pull the plunger rod back and lock it, remove the plastic cap from the new tube, insert the cartridge open end first, then peel off the pull tab and screw the head back on. Release the rod, open the bleeder valve and pump until grease appears with no air. Then close the valve and you are ready to work. The same steps apply to cordless models, which just replace hand pumping with a trigger.
Between jobs, wipe the coupler and store the gun with the hose coiled loosely, because a sharp bend weakens the hose. Keep spare cartridges in a cool place out of sunlight, since heat makes grease separate. For cordless guns, remove the battery for long storage and charge it every few months.
Even the best grease gun stops pumping now and then, and the usual causes are an air lock, a cartridge that has slipped sideways, or a coupler packed with dirt. Purge, reseat the tube and clean the coupler before assuming the gun is faulty. The NLGI, which sets the widely used grease consistency grades, is a good reference if you are unsure which grease a piece of equipment needs (National Lubricating Grease Institute). For vehicle exterior care after a greasy job, see our ceramic spray for cars guide.
How to Spot a Low-Quality Grease Gun Listing
Listings for the best grease gun models tend to copy each other, so read the details. Watch for these signs:
- No cartridge size stated, or a size that does not match the standard 14 ounce tube.
- Pressure claims far above the hose rating, which suggests the numbers are not from testing.
- A coupler described only as heavy duty with no mention of a locking or quick-release design.
- Reviews that mention grease leaking from the head or the hose splitting within weeks.
- Cordless tools sold as kits with no battery capacity listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grease gun?
Based on ratings and rating volume, the DEWALT 20V MAX and Milwaukee M18 lead the cordless picks, while the Lock N Lube pistol-grip gun leads the manual picks.
Are cordless grease guns worth it?
They are worth it if you grease often, since they save hand fatigue and speed up the job. For occasional use, a manual gun is cheaper.
What is the difference between pistol-grip and lever grease guns?
Pistol-grip guns are pumped with one hand; lever guns use a longer lever for more pressure and are often used on heavy equipment.
Do I need a bare tool or a kit?
A kit includes the battery and charger. A bare tool is cheaper if you already own compatible batteries.
How much grease does a grease gun hold?
Most use standard 14 oz cartridges, but sizes vary. Check the listing.
What grease should I use?
Use the type recommended in your equipment manual, since different greases are not always compatible.
How do I stop a grease gun from leaking?
Check that the coupler is seated, the cartridge is installed correctly and any seals are in good condition.
What does 5000 PSI mean on a grease gun?
It is a manufacturer claim for maximum pressure. Real pressure at the fitting depends on the gun, grease and fitting condition.
Can I use a grease gun on any fitting?
Most use standard zerk fittings, but check that the coupler fits your equipment.
Are manual grease guns still good?
Yes. They are inexpensive, simple and need no battery, which suits occasional greasing.
More questions about choosing the best grease gun
How do I get air out of a grease gun
Open the bleeder valve on the head, or loosen the head a half turn, and pump slowly until grease flows without air bubbles. Then tighten and continue. Priming after every cartridge change prevents most flow problems.
Is a lever grease gun better than a pistol grip
The best gun type depends on the job: a lever gun produces more pressure per stroke and suits stiff or clogged fittings, but it needs two hands. A pistol grip is easier to use one-handed in tight spaces. Many people keep one of each.
How often should I grease equipment with a grease gun
Follow the equipment manual, which usually lists hours of use or seasons. As a general guide, mowers and trailers need greasing at the start of each season and after heavy use, while farm machinery often needs daily or weekly attention.
The Bottom Line
For cordless convenience, the DEWALT 20V MAX or Milwaukee M18 grease gun is the safest buy, depending on which battery platform you own. For a low-cost manual gun, the Lock N Lube pistol-grip model is the best-reviewed.
Whatever you choose, match it to your cartridge size and battery platform, and read recent reviews on leaks and priming.
Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.