The UK's bestWood Glue2022 Review

One of the most recognisable glue brands around, Gorilla wood glue is just as tough as it looks. A water-based PVA adhesive, it’s less toxic and much safer to use than solvent based glues. It’s much more capable than plain old PVA glue though. Gorilla glue’s legendary reputation for quick setting makes this one of the best wood glues on the market today.

As this glue is rated as a D3 adhesive, it’s good for outdoor as well as indoor jobs. You can use it in places that are exposed to moisture and humidity without worrying it’ll break down. Compared with indoor only glues like the EVO-STIK wood glue, it’s a bit more versatile. It also dries with a natural wood colour rather than clear to make repairs less visible.

It’s not just the glue that’s clever though. Gorilla have put a lot of thought into the bottle as well. The nozzle has a clever anti-clog tip, meaning you can use the glue more than once! Unlike other glue bottles that seem to get jammed up once the glue dries, this one does the business.

The UK’s number one adhesive manufacturer EVO-STIK is another big name amongst keen DIYers. Their fast setting interior wood glue is the ideal product for use on all types of wood. Using their own Resin “W” adhesive recipe, the bond it forms is stronger than the wood itself.

Drying to a clear finish, this is the sort of PVA-based wood glue that you can mix with a bit of sawdust for seamless fixes. Ideal for bonding joints, filling dowel holes, and all sorts of repairs, this is one of the best interior wood glues I know.

Although it’s not rated for outdoor use, this D1 type adhesive sets up quickly and forms extremely strong bonds in wood. I’m a fan of the big bottle this comes in, and the tip is easy to clean out with a pin should it get a bit clogged up.

Probably best known for their “threadlocker” products, Loctite also make some of the best wood adhesives around as well. This high-strength wood glue has a strong initial adhesive action and, according to Loctite, sets up in just 15 minutes!

Like the Gorilla wood glue, this is a PVA-based adhesive that creates a bond stronger than the wood itself. You apply it as a white liquid, but it dries clear which helps to hide any repairs or squeeze out that might occur.

As this is a D3 class adhesive, you can use it outdoors as well as indoors. Although D3 products aren’t supposed to be used outside completely exposed to the elements, they’re high performing glues for all situations.

Part of the Swiss chemical giants Sika, Everbuild make a huge range of building materials and adhesives. The popular 502 all purpose wood adhesive is a budget friendly PVA-based glue for when you need large quantities of the stuff.

Rated D3 for outdoor use, this waterproof glue is solvent free and much safer to work with than some glue types. It squeezes out a brownish colour but dries completely clear. It’s not the ideal size of glue to have in a toolbox, but if you’re going through lots of the stuff, this is the best wood glue for the job.

Compared with the little bottle of Gorilla wood glue, this is a bit of a bargain. For the professional woodworker or busy DIYer, this is an ideal size to work with. I’m not sure how the basic nozzle will hold up if you leave it for a long time between jobs though.

Probably more popular across the pond, Titebond is proudly made in the USA. A firm favourite among woodworkers, Titebond 5004 II is a high performance PVA-type glue. It’s water resistant for outdoor use but works just as well on indoor woodworking projects.

This is a resilient and durable adhesive that is ideal for fixing joints and other wood repairs. Titebond have put a lot of thought into their bottle as well. Like the Gorilla wood glue, it’s an anti-clog system that helps to avoid glue getting jammed in the tip.

Some users have complained that Titebond II is runnier than other PVA glues, but if you’re quick with wiping up squeeze out, it’s one of the best wood glues available right now. It might be more expensive than other glues on my list, but it’s one of the best performing too.

Another big American brand, Elmer’s make a vast range of craft products including this carpenter’s interior wood glue. Compared with the Loctite or Evo-Stik glues, this one dries to a light colour rather than clear. This makes it perfect for repairs to wooden furniture without the need for added sawdust.

Rated D1 for interior use only, this isn’t the sort of glue you’d use to fix something in the garden. It does have the added advantage of being paintable though, so it’s an ideal crafter’s friend. Designed to set fast and create a bond that’s stronger than the wood around it, this rather expensive adhesive is probably worth the money.

Depending on what you need it for, the wide applicator nozzle might be great or a little bit annoying. It’s much wider compared with the fine nozzle on the Gorilla wood glue, so it’s perfect for larger glue up jobs. It’s a little less easy to work the glue into tight corners though.