Features
- Up to 990°F (532°C) maximum output temperature
- Two temperature settings (high / low)
- Lock-on button for hands-free operation
- Lock-off trigger for manual control
- Standard-size nozzle compatible with common attachments
- Includes flat nozzle and hook nozzle attachments
- Built-in LED light for working in low-light areas
- Cordless operation (battery sold separately)
Specifications
Battery Chemistry | Lithium Ion |
Power System | 20V MAX (nominal 18V) |
Maximum Temperature | 990 °F (532 °C) |
Minimum Temperature | 550 °F |
Air Flow | 6.7 CFM (at nozzle on high) |
Runtime | Up to 42 minutes per charge (using 5.0 Ah battery on low) |
Temperature Settings | 2 (High / Low) |
Led Light | Yes |
Included Attachments | Flat nozzle, Hook nozzle |
Nozzle Compatibility | Standard size (fits common attachments) |
Power Source | Cordless (battery sold separately) |
Product Height | 6.8 in (173 mm) |
Product Length | 8.2 in (208 mm) |
Product Width | 3.1 in (79 mm) |
Weight | 1.4 lb (22.4 oz) |
Color | Black, Yellow |
Warranty | 3 Year Limited Warranty; 1 Year Free Service; 90 Days Satisfaction Guaranteed |
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Cordless heat gun designed for use in confined spaces and for a range of tasks such as heat-shrinking wire tubing, removing adhesives, and paint or decal removal. It has two temperature settings, a standard-size nozzle that accepts common attachments, and includes a flat nozzle and a hook nozzle. Battery and charger are sold separately.
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Heat Gun (Tool Only) Review
Why I reached for a cordless heat gun
I spend a lot of time doing small repairs where dragging an extension cord is more hassle than the task itself—heat-shrinking connectors under a dash, softening adhesive on trim pieces, loosening stubborn stickers, even warming up frozen padlocks at a storage yard. That’s exactly where the DeWalt 20V heat gun earns its keep. It’s a compact, cordless unit with two temperature settings, a standard-size nozzle that plays nicely with common attachments, and a couple of included tips (flat and hook) that cover most light-duty jobs.
If you’re expecting corded heat-gun muscle, check your assumptions at the door. This tool trades brute force for convenience, control, and access.
Design, build, and ergonomics
At 1.4 pounds (tool only) and a compact 8.2 x 6.8 x 3.1-inch footprint, the heat gun feels more like a drill than a benchtop tool. Add a typical 5.0 Ah battery and it still balances well, standing upright on the battery base without drama. DeWalt’s rubber overmold and familiar handle geometry make it easy to control with one hand, and the trigger is paired with a lock-off tab so it won’t accidentally cook the inside of your tool bag.
There’s also a lock-on button for hands-free use. That’s more helpful than it sounds—standing the tool on its battery and locking it on frees your other hand for positioning heat-shrink tubing or peeling back adhesive while the heat does its work. The built-in LED is modest but helpful in dim spaces behind cabinets or under dashboards.
Fit and finish are what I expect from DeWalt: solid plastics, tight seams, a positive slide switch for high/low on the top, and controls that can be worked with gloved hands.
Heat and airflow performance
On paper, the top temperature is up to 990°F with a low setting around 550°F. In practice, it gets hot quickly, but you need to work closer to your target than you would with a corded gun. The airflow is listed at 6.7 CFM, which is relatively gentle; think “focused heater” rather than “mini blow dryer.” For tasks that benefit from concentrated heat—shrink tubing, low-temp solder sleeves, softening small adhesive patches—it’s spot on. For large-area paint stripping, it’s not the right tool unless you’re tackling tiny sections.
Preheating the nozzle for 20–30 seconds helps it reach effective working temperature faster. With the flat nozzle installed, I can chase a sticker or decal edge cleanly without scorching surrounding surfaces. The hook nozzle neatly wraps heat around small connectors and tubing. Because the nozzle is standard-size, I’ve also used third-party concentrators when I wanted a tighter beam.
Noise-wise, the fan is quiet—more of a low whoosh than a whine—which is nice for indoor work.
Runtime and battery considerations
DeWalt quotes up to 42 minutes per charge on low using a 5.0 Ah battery. That tracks with my experience for intermittent use: I can get through a morning’s worth of wiring and shrink tubing without swapping packs. On high, runtime drops noticeably, as you’d expect. If this is a tool you’ll use in bursts (most heat-gun tasks are), one 5.0 Ah pack is workable; if you’re planning extended adhesive removal or outdoor work in the cold, a spare battery keeps projects moving.
There’s no cool-air mode to speed cooldown, so the nozzle stays hot for a while after use. A simple workflow tweak—set the gun upright on the battery and give it a few minutes before packing up—solves it, but I’d love a fan-only setting in a future version.
Real-world use cases
- Electrical and low-voltage work: This is where the tool shines. Heat shrink tubing, solder-sleeve connectors, and softening stiff wire insulation are quick and controlled. The hook nozzle is particularly helpful for consistent heat around the circumference of a connector.
- Adhesive and sticker removal: With the flat nozzle, I soften decals and price tags without blasting surrounding surfaces. Keep it moving a few inches away and work a corner; once the adhesive warms, it peels cleanly.
- Small repairs and craft tasks: Speed-drying joint compound patches, softening irrigation tubing to slip over barbs, and loosening vinyl edges all work well.
- Cold-weather chores: Thawing frozen padlocks and metal latches is where the cordless convenience really pays off. It’s safer and more controlled than an open flame, and you don’t need shore power.
For bigger paint removal jobs, you can make progress by working in very small sections with a concentrator tip, but this isn’t the tool for stripping an entire door or room’s worth of trim. The airflow simply isn’t high enough to be efficient at scale.
Controls and safety
The trigger has a lock-off to prevent accidental starts, and the lock-on button means you don’t have to keep a finger on the trigger during longer heats. The top-mounted high/low rocker is intuitive and out of the way. The LED helps in tight, dark spots, though it’s not a flashlight replacement.
One caution: the nozzle and attachments get extremely hot. There’s no protective cap in the box, so be mindful when packing up. I rest the tool upright until the metal cools and store the tips in a separate pouch.
Attachments and compatibility
You get two tips in the box:
- Flat nozzle: Spreads heat across a narrow ribbon—great for decals and edging.
- Hook nozzle: Wraps heat around small tubes and connectors for even shrinking.
The standard-size nozzle accepts common third-party heat-gun attachments, which is a big plus if you already have a concentrator or deflector you like. There’s no case included, and since this is a bare tool, you’ll supply your own 20V MAX battery and charger.
What I like
- Truly cordless heat where cords are annoying or unsafe
- Compact, well-balanced body that stands upright
- Useful lock-on and lock-off controls
- Standard-size nozzle plus two included tips
- Quiet operation and good control on small targets
- Solid build and familiar DeWalt ergonomics
- LED that’s actually useful in tight spaces
- Respectable low-setting runtime with a 5.0 Ah battery
What could be better
- Limited airflow versus corded guns; not efficient for large-area paint stripping
- No fan-only cool-down mode; nozzle stays hot for a while
- Bare tool only—budget for batteries if you’re not already on DeWalt 20V MAX
- A case or tip sleeve would make storage safer and neater
Warranty and value
The tool carries a 3-year limited warranty, 1-year free service, and 90-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re already in the 20V MAX ecosystem, the value is strong—you avoid buying another battery and gain a cordless problem-solver. If you’re starting from scratch, factor in the cost of at least one 5.0 Ah battery and a charger.
Bottom line
The DeWalt 20V heat gun isn’t a corded powerhouse, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a mobile, controlled heat source for small, precise jobs where convenience matters more than raw airflow. Within that lane, it’s reliable, well-made, and genuinely useful.
Recommendation
I recommend this tool for electricians, DIYers, automotive tinkerers, and anyone who needs targeted heat without hunting for an outlet. It excels at heat-shrink work, adhesive softening, thawing locks, and other small-scale tasks. If your primary goal is stripping paint across large surfaces, a high-output corded heat gun will be faster and more efficient. But as a cordless problem-solver that fits comfortably in a tool bag and uses the same 20V MAX batteries as your other DeWalt tools, this heat gun earns a spot in the kit.
Project Ideas
Business
Mobile Decal & Adhesive Removal
Offer on-site removal of vinyl decals, stickers, and adhesive films from vehicles, storefronts, and equipment. Use the heat gun to soften adhesive for clean lifts with plastic scrapers, reducing paint damage. Package rates per square foot; upsell glass polish and new branding application.
On-Site Wire Harness Repair
Serve contractors, boat owners, and food trucks with field repairs: splice wires and seal with heat-shrink tubing for weatherproof connections. The cordless gun and hook nozzle make quick, targeted shrinks in tight spaces. Bill per service call plus materials; offer maintenance contracts.
Small-Batch Packaging: Shrink Bands
Provide tamper-evident shrink band and shrink-wrap finishing for cottage food makers, cosmetics, and craft beverage brands. Use jigs and the flat nozzle for consistent seals around bottle necks and jar lids at markets or production days. Sell by unit or by hour; add label application services.
Paint & Finish Stripping Service
Specialize in heat-assisted removal of paint, varnish, and lacquer on trim, doors, and furniture. The heat gun softens finishes for low-dust scraping and cleaner substrate preservation than chemicals alone. Offer dust containment, site cleanup, and optional refinishing packages.
Cosplay Prop Commissions & Workshops
Build and sell custom EVA foam props and run hands-on classes where students shape foam with the heat gun, seal surfaces, and finish with paints. Provide rental tools on-site, charge per seat, and upsell material kits and digital patterns.
Creative
Acrylic Bends: Phone Stands & Signage
Use the flat nozzle to evenly heat 1/8–1/4 in acrylic sheets along a metal straightedge, then bend crisp angles to make custom phone stands, cookbook holders, and desk nameplates. Add vinyl lettering or paint-filled engravings for personalization. The LED helps with alignment in dim garages; the lock-on keeps heat steady for uniform bends.
EVA Foam Cosplay Shaping
Shape EVA foam armor and props by sweeping the heat gun over foam to activate its thermoplastic memory, forming curves and hardening edges. Use the hook nozzle for targeted seams and the flat nozzle for broad surface sealing before Plasti Dip or paint. Great for helmets, gauntlets, and fantasy weapons with crisp bevels.
Embossed Cards & Foil Accents
Stamp designs with embossing ink on cardstock, dust with powder, then melt with the heat gun for raised, glossy graphics on invitations and gift tags. Add heat-activated foil to leather patches or paper labels for metallic accents. The lock-on mode provides smooth, blister-free melts without scorching.
Resin Art Finishing & Bubble Control
After pouring epoxy resin for coasters or charcuterie boards, pass the heat gun briefly to pop surface bubbles and level micro-texture. Create lacing and cells in resin art or alcohol ink panels by directing airflow from the flat nozzle. Work in ventilation and keep the gun moving to avoid dimples.
Shrink-Plastic Charms & Keychains
Color printable shrink film, cut shapes, then shrink evenly with the heat gun to create durable charms, zipper pulls, and earring sets. Keep a silicone mat underneath and use tweezers to flatten while warm. Add heat-shrink tubing to connect hardware for a cohesive, heat-themed craft set.