Fan speeds
The number of fan speeds provided for in the adjustments of the heat gun. The intensity of blowing the workpiece, or rather the amount of air supplied and the pressure of the air flow, depends on the fan speed. And since different jobs require different intensities of air supply, the more speeds a hair dryer has, the more versatile it is, the easier it is to adjust its parameters for certain tasks. Most modern models have
2 – 3 speed adjustments, however, there are also very simple single-speed options, and even advanced devices with smooth adjustment, which allows you to select the fan speed as accurately as possible for a specific purpose.
Max. performance
The maximum amount of air that a heat gun can pass through during operation. The higher the performance (at the same temperature), the more intensively the workpiece can be heated and the better the hair dryer is suitable for large-scale work related to blowing large surfaces. On the other hand, high performance usually requires corresponding power, with all the ensuing consequences (see "Power consumption"), and the need for large volumes of air is not always there. Therefore, when choosing, you should not chase maximum performance — first of all, you need to take into account the specifics of the tasks for which you plan to use a hair dryer.
Stepless air flow control
This option assumes that the volume of air supplied is regulated steplessly. The regulator is most often represented by a classic slider that directly changes the level of fan resistance, affecting the speed of rotation of the impeller.
Smooth flow control is necessary for a wide range of process operations, during which it is extremely important to avoid sudden (step) temperature changes.
Display
The presence of its own
display in the design of the heat gun. Usually, this is the simplest black-and-white LCD screen for 3-4 characters, sometimes with additional graphic indicators. However, even such a screen significantly increases the ease of management, making it more informative. Various additional data can be displayed on the display, both basic (temperature, fan speed, etc.) and auxiliary (for example, error notifications). At the same time, screens are inexpensive, so they can be found even in low-cost-level heat guns.
Weight
The total weight of the tool. On the one hand, heat guns are held in the hands during operation, which means that a lot of weight is undesirable for them — heavy devices are less “agile” and tyre the operator more. On the other hand, too little weight can mean low quality materials, a small thickness of insulation and, accordingly, unsatisfactory safety performance. Therefore, in most modern models, the weight is at least 500 g, and in the most advanced models it can exceed 1 kg. Also note that some "heavy" hair dryers may have a design that allows you to install them on a flat surface during operation.
If there are additional nozzles in the kit, the weight of the tool without them is usually indicated.