Don't worry about falling for these superglues
29.9.2025
Translation: machine translated
"Kassensturz" and "saldo" have tested superglue. Pleasingly, none of the products tested failed. However, there are differences in adhesive strength.
The broken handle of your favourite cup, a loose shoe sole or a broken photo frame: In situations like these, superglue is the saviour in need. But how reliable are the various products really? Do they keep their promises? «saldo» and «Kassensturz» wanted to find out more.
I'll glue you one, or several
12 superglues were tested by the testing laboratory PZT in Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany for the Swiss consumer protection portals. The criteria and their weighting:
- Stickiness (50 per cent): For the most important criterion tested, parts made of hard plastic, aluminium, ceramic were bonded together as well as leather and soft plastic. A tensile testing machine was then used to measure the force the glued parts could withstand until they broke apart.
- Speed and resistance (30 per cent): Tests were carried out to determine how quickly the superglues bonded the different materials. To test the heat resistance, the samples were stored at 80 degrees for 24 hours. They were bathed in 50-degree water for a further 24 hours in order to provide information on moisture resistance.
- Handling (20 per cent): How easy is it to dispense the glue? Does it drip out of the tube? How strong is the odour?
The good news: Nine of the 12 superglues tested were rated «Good». Their overall scores according to the Swiss school system vary between 5.2 and 4.8.
«If the worst comes to the worst, Uhu really does glue everything»
The test winner is the superglue «blitzschnell Supergel» from Uhu. According to «Kassensturz», it hardens quickly so that the glued area can be used again in no time at all. It also glues leather to plastic and hard plastic and ceramic parts together well, as «saldo» adds. Glued aluminium parts, on the other hand, held together less well.
In the final tally, Zap's product is almost as good (5.1). Its only weakness: sticking leather to plastic (score 3.4). However, with a price of 3.50 francs per 10 grammes, it was by far the cheapest superglue in the entire test. In comparison: 10 grammes of the test winner cost 19.83 francs - which can be explained by Uhu's mini tubes. They prevent unnecessary waste, as superglue tubes sooner or later stick shut by themselves and can no longer be used.
The manufacturers of the other «good» superglues are 3M, Tesa, Geistlich, Nigrin, Uhu again, Pattex and Loctite. And the best thing is: you can get almost all of them from us too.
Glue
Quantity discount
CHF11.50 per piece for 2 units CHF3.84/1l
Loctite Instant adhesive 401
3 g, 3000 ml
Quantity discount
CHF3.75 per piece for 2 units
tesa Superglue in a blister pack
CHF18.90
Geistlich Rapid Mix
Quantity discount
CHF8.50 per piece for 2 units CHF850.–/1l
Nigrin Superglue
CHF7.20
UHU Superglue
Quantity discount
CHF6.70 per piece for 2 units
Pattex Ultragel
Quantity discount
CHF11.50 per piece for 2 units CHF3.84/1l
Loctite Instant adhesive 401
The adhesive that's enough
We do not have the three superglues in our range that have to make do with a «Enough». Whether it's gluing leather to plastic or moisture resistance, the products from Migros, Pattex and Roxolid have different weaknesses and don't really shine anywhere.
Conclusion
If you need a reliable superglue, you are spoilt for choice. Because all tested products are well suited for repairing broken plastic, as «saldo» writes. There were also hardly any problems with aluminium and wood.
Finally, the «Kassensturz» has an important tip up its sleeve:
«Before buying, it makes sense to consider the material for which the superglue is to be used.»
Header image: Shutterstock - ronstik
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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