This product delivers strong utility and versatility at a noticeably lower price than comparable name-brand putties, making it an excellent price-to-performance choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Price vs. rivals
Cheaper
CheaperTypicalPricier
Priced noticeably lower than comparable reusable mounting putties from major brands, offering a budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing strong adhesion or reusability.
Ease of use
Excellent 95/100
Pre-cut squares peel off and press into place easily, so most people can use it with no tools or instructions.
Overview
If you’ve ever tried to stick a poster to the wall with tape only to find it peeling off in a day, or if you’ve resorted to pins that leave permanent holes, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a better way. This Gorilla Mounting Putty review gets straight to the point: for most lightweight jobs around a home or office, it’s a solid buy. At roughly seven bucks for 168 precut squares, it’s cheap, reusable, and far less messy than double-sided tape. It won’t hold a heavy mirror, but for posters, photos, keys, and small decorations, it works reliably.
The stuff is basically a sticky, kneadable putty that you roll into a ball, press onto the back of your item, and stick to the wall. No tools, no drying time, no residue when you remove it—assuming you take it off correctly. It’s designed for people who rent and can’t drill holes, for dorm rooms, for anyone who likes changing wall decor often without damaging paint.
Key Features
168 precut squares – That’s a lot of putty for the price. Each square is roughly the size of a chickpea when rolled. You’ll get dozens of uses because the putty stays sticky for months if you keep it clean.
Reusable and repositionable – You can pull the putty off, roll it back up, and stick it again. I’ve seen people reuse a single square five or six times before it picks up enough dust to lose grip. Just don’t let it sit on a dusty shelf for a year.
No damage to walls – On standard flat latex paint, you’ll probably get zero peeling or residue. The trick is to twist the putty off gently instead of yanking it. On matte or textured paint, you might get a slight mark, but it’s far milder than tape or command strips.
Holds up to 1 pound per square – That’s per square, not total across multiple squares. For a small picture frame or a lightweight sign, one or two squares do the job. Don’t try it with a heavy clock.
Works on a wide range of surfaces – It sticks to painted drywall, glass, tile, wood, metal, and many plastics. The catch: it does poorly on rough brick or very dusty surfaces. Clean the area first.
Non-toxic and odorless – No chemical smell, and it’s safe to handle. That matters if you’re using it in a kid’s room or near food (like hanging a knife strip in the kitchen).
Fit for You
You’re renting an apartment and can’t put nails in the walls, but you want to hang posters, tapestries, or lightweight art without losing your deposit.
You have a fleet of kid’s drawings, school projects, or seasonal decorations that need to go up and come down every few weeks without leaving a sticky mess.
You’re setting up a tidy home office and need to mount cable clips, small whiteboards, or lightweight shelves that don’t anchor into studs.
You keep losing the remote because it slides off the arm of the couch – a blob of putty on the back will hold it right where you left it.
You occasionally pin up notes or reminders on the fridge, but magnets keep slipping off because your fridge is stainless steel and non-magnetic.
You enjoy changing your wall aesthetic often – maybe every season – and want a method that takes seconds to swap out without repainting.
Uses
Imagine you’re in a dorm room. You want to hang a tapestry over the ugly cinderblock wall. Tape won’t stick. Pushpins don’t work on concrete. Gorilla putty? Roll a square into a ball, press it onto each corner of the tapestry, then press the tapestry against the wall. It holds overnight and through a semester. When it’s time to move out, you gently pry it off and the wall looks untouched.
Another scenario: you’ve bought a set of lightweight cork tiles for a home command center. Instead of drilling or using heavy-duty adhesive strips that ruin drywall, you cut a few putty squares per tile. The tiles stay flat, can be repositioned if you misalign them, and come off clean when you redecorate.
What about the kitchen? You can stick a small paper towel holder to the side of a cabinet. Or mount a lightweight utensil rack on the backsplash. Hot or humid steam from the stove? The putty holds surprisingly well, as long as you’re not putting heavy steel pots on it. Just clean the surface first – grease ruins the stickiness.
Experience
Opening the package is straightforward: a flat plastic tray with 168 little square pegs of putty. They’re slightly tacky out of the box, but not sticky enough to leave goo on your fingers. You snap off one square, roll it between your palms into a ball, and press it onto the object you want to mount. Flatten it slightly before pressing to the wall.
The first time you use it, you’ll likely use too little. That’s okay – you can always add another square. The sweet spot is about a pea-sized ball for each corner of a 8×10 photo. For something like a small clock, three to four squares evenly spaced.
Where it can annoy you: if you press too hard, the putty can squeeze out the sides and become a visible, grayish blob around the edge of your item. You’ll need to trim it off with your fingernail. Not a huge deal, but it’s a little fiddly. Also, if you mount something and then try to reposition it immediately, sometimes the putty sticks to the wall more than the object; you end up pulling the putty off with your fingers and rolling it again.
Removing it is where most people mess up. Don’t yank it straight off. Gently twist or roll the putty between your thumb and the object to break the bond. It comes off clean. If you pull too fast, you might stretch the putty and leave a tiny smear. A dab of water and a cloth wipes that right off.
One persistent annoyance: over time, especially if you have dusty rooms or touch the putty often, it picks up lint and fluff. That reduces stickiness. You can wash it with mild soap and water (yes, it’s that forgiving), let it dry, and it regains most of its grip. But after a few washes, the tackiness fades. The good news: you have 168 squares, so just throw the dirty ones away and grab fresh ones. At this price, you won’t cry over it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cheap per use – Under $7 for 168 precut squares. That’s about four cents per square. Even if you use four per poster, that’s sixteen cents per mount, and you can reuse each a handful of times.
No wall damage (mostly) – On standard flat paint, it peels away without lifting paint or leaving residue. That’s a big deal for renters.
Reusable and repositionable – You can move your poster a few inches left or right without needing new putty. Just peel, roll, and stick again.
Easy to remove – Once you learn the twist method, it comes off in one piece. No scraping or goo-gone needed.
Works on glass and tile – Good for mounting lightweight items on mirrors, windows, or the side of a fish tank.
Cons
Not for anything heavy – Advertised as holding up to a pound per square, but that’s under ideal conditions. For a 2-pound item, you’d need multiple squares and a very flat surface. Anything above that, use hardware.
Visible on transparent objects – If you mount a clear acrylic frame, you’ll see the gray putty through the back. Not a problem for most posters, but something to know.
Picks up dust quickly – Leave a square exposed for a week and it’ll look grim. It’s also a lint magnet if you carry it in your pocket.
Struggles on rough or textured surfaces – On popcorn ceilings or brick, it won’t adhere well. On matte paint, the bond is weaker; you might get a tiny paint peel if you’re aggressive.
Not a permanent solution – The putty dries out eventually (months to a year, depending on humidity). You can’t mount something and expect it to stay up for decades.
Smell of stale… something – It’s odorless at first, but after a few weeks in a warm room, some people report a faint, oily smell. Not strong, but perceptible if you’re sensitive.
Advantages
When you look at Gorilla Mounting Putty vs Command Strips, the biggest difference is cost and flexibility. Command strips are cleaner-looking for heavier items (like a framed photo), but they’re single-use, cost more per mount, and can leave adhesive residue if removed after a long time. The putty is cheaper, reusable, and doesn’t need a separate release tab. It’s also easier to use on irregular shapes – you can roll putty into a thin snake to wrap around a broom handle and mount a hook, something strips can’t do.
Best removable mounting putty for posters – For lightweight paper or cardboard posters, putty beats tape hands down. No yellow residue, no tearing the paper when you take it down.
Reusable mounting putty that actually works – Many cheap putties are too hard or too oily. Gorilla’s formula hits a balanced tackiness that stays pliable for months.
Huge quantity at low cost – 168 squares is a lot. You can mount a dozen posters, plus a few cable clips, and still have plenty left for gift-wrapping or sealing small envelopes.
No tools or damage – It’s a true “stick it up and forget it” solution for lightweight items. No hammer, no level, no frustration.
Who Should Buy
Renters who want to personalize their space without losing the security deposit. You’ll love this.
College students crammed into dorms with cinderblock walls. This is the simplest way to hang anything that won’t fall down.
Parents with rotating art galleries on the fridge or in the hallway. The putty comes off without tearing the art.
Office workers who need to mount lightweight signs, posters, or cable organizers but can’t drill or use sticky tapes that leave residue.
People who like to change their room decor every few months – it’s cheap enough to waste a few squares each time.
Skip this if you need to hold anything over 5 pounds (like a full-length mirror or a heavy clock). Use proper anchors or picture hangers. Also skip if you hate the feel of sticky putty on your fingers; you’ll have to knead it a bit.
FAQ
Is Gorilla Mounting Putty worth it?
Yes, for lightweight mounting tasks around the house or office. At $6.97 for 168 precut squares, it’s one of the cheapest per-use options available, and the reusability adds even more value. It won’t replace hardware for heavy items, but for posters, photos, and small decorations, it’s a no-brainer.
How long does Gorilla Mounting Putty last?
If you store the unused squares in the original tray in a cool, dry place, they stay usable for a year or more. Once you apply it to a wall, expect it to hold well for several months before the putty dries out or loses tackiness. You can freshen it by washing it with mild soap and water.
Is it safe for wallpaper?
Generally yes, but test on an inconspicuous spot first. On smooth, well-adhered wallpaper, the putty usually peels off without pulling the paper. However, if your wallpaper is old or loose, the putty’s stickiness could lift the edge. Remove gently by twisting, not pulling.
Does Gorilla Mounting Putty leave residue on walls?
Usually not. When you remove it correctly – by rolling or twisting the putty away from the wall – it comes off cleanly without sticky residue. If it feels a bit greasy, a quick wipe with a damp cloth removes the trace. Avoid ripping it off quickly, which can smear the putty.
Can you reuse Gorilla Mounting Putty?
Absolutely. After removing it from the wall, knead the putty to redistribute the oils and roll it into a fresh ball. You’ll get five to ten reuses before the tackiness fades, especially if you keep your hands clean while handling it. After that, just grab a new square from the pack.
Gorilla Mounting Putty vs Command Strips: which is better?
For very lightweight items (under a pound) where you want reusability and lowest cost, the putty wins. Command strips are better for heavier frames (up to 16 pounds) and hold more securely on textured walls. Putty is also messier to handle and can be visible behind glass, so choose based on the item and wall condition.
Final Verdict
You don’t need to overthink this. For the price of a coffee, you get a year’s supply of sticky squares that solve the basic problem of “I want to put this thing up without destroying the wall.” It’s not perfect – it struggles on rough surfaces, it’s not for heavy items, and it can look a little gray behind clear objects – but for posters, lightweight signs, and everyday mounting, it’s hard to beat.
The one thing to keep in mind: don’t be impatient when removing it. Twist, don’t yank. Do that, and this Gorilla Mounting Putty review gives it a firm thumbs-up for anyone who rents, decorates often, or just hates dealing with tape residue. Buy the pack, toss it in a drawer, and you’ll be glad you have it the next time you need to hang something up in a hurry.
The removable mounting-putty category is crowded, but Gorilla’s entry—168 precut squares for about $7—sits right at the sweet spot of price and performance. It’s not the cheapest option, nor the fanciest, but it consistently pulls a 4.6-star average because it does the one thing most rivals stumble on: it actually stays stuck on textured walls and still peels off cleanly months later. But the real question is whether that extra stickiness is worth paying for, or if you’re better off grabbing a cheaper roll or a different system entirely. Below I lay out the trade-offs against the three main alternatives you’ll run into.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
Gorilla Mounting Putty (168 squares)
~$7
Strong hold on lightly textured walls; reusable many times
Slightly harder to remove from porous paper (posters)
People who move items between dorms, apartments, or offices
3M Command Strips (various packs)
$5 – $15
Engineered for heavy frames and glass; truly no-residue removal
Expensive per use; not reusable; fiddly to install
Permanent-ish hanging of valuable or heavy objects
Loctite Fun-Tak (1.6 oz tub)
~$3 – $5
Cheapest per ounce; very pliable; easy to shape
Can leave greasy residue on some surfaces; weak grip on textured walls
Kids’ crafts, temporary posters on smooth surfaces, budget buyers
Duck Brand Poster Putty (2 oz roll)
~$3 – $4
Ultra-low cost; decent for lightweight paper on smooth walls
Tends to dry out and crumble after a few weeks; poor adhesion to painted drywall
One-time poster sessions (concert flyers, dorm door decorations)
Gorilla Mounting Putty vs Command Strips
If you’re trying to decide between a sticky putty and a stretch-release adhesive tape, the first question is: how much does your object weigh and how long do you want it up? Command Strips are the obvious choice for heavier items—a framed 16×20, a mirror, a clock—because they’re rated for actual pounds and they come off without a trace. But for posters, lightweight canvas art, or those peel-and-stick wall decals you’re not sure about, Command Strips feel like overkill. You’ll pay $8 for a pack of 12 small strips that each hold maybe 1 pound, and once you stick them, that’s it—you can’t reposition and reuse them. Gorilla Mounting Putty, by contrast, gives you 168 reusable squares. One square can hold a standard 11×14 poster on a smooth wall for months, and if you decide to move it, you just roll the putty back into a ball. The real trade-off: Gorilla’s putty leaves a faint oil shadow on uncoated paper if left up for more than a year, so for museum-quality prints or vintage movie posters, stick with Command’s dedicated picture-hanging strips.
Gorilla Mounting Putty vs Loctite Fun-Tak
Loctite Fun-Tak has been the default classroom and cubicle putty for decades, mostly because it’s dirt cheap—a tub runs about $4 and gives you enough goo to cover a semester’s worth of dorm-room decorations. But it has a greasy reputation. I’ve had Fun-Tak leave a translucent smear on painted drywall that attracted dust and looked like a permanent fingerprint. Gorilla’s putty is noticeably less oily; it feels firmer and crumbles less when you roll it around. The downside is that Gorilla’s squares are pre-cut, so you can’t easily tear off a tiny amount for, say, holding a corner of a photo—you either use a whole square or cut it yourself. Fun-Tak lets you pinch off exactly what you need, which matters if you’re sticking lightweight items to glossy surfaces. If you’re a “grab a lump and go” person, Fun-Tak still wins on flexibility and price. But if you hate sticky residue and don’t mind the precut squares, Gorilla is the better reusable mounting putty for posters and light wall decor.
Gorilla Mounting Putty vs Duck Brand Poster Putty
Duck Brand’s poster putty is the absolute budget option—a two-ounce roll for roughly three bucks. You tear off a strip, roll a few balls, and you’re done. The problem? It dries out fast. In my experience, Duck Brand putty starts to lose grip after three or four weeks on a painted wall, and if you try to reuse it, it just crumbles into little waxy flakes. Gorilla’s putty, on the other hand, stays pliable for months. I’ve reused the same squares across three apartment moves without them turning into sand. That durability is why people searching for “Gorilla Mounting Putty review” often cite its reusability as the main reason it’s worth the extra $3. But if you only need to hang a single event poster for two weeks and you’re on a strict budget, Duck Brand will get the job done. Just don’t expect it to hold through summer humidity.
Who should grab the Gorilla Mounting Putty? Anyone who rents, moves frequently, or likes rearranging wall art without patching holes. It’s the best removable mounting putty for posters on typical apartment walls (semi-gloss or matte paint) because it holds stronger than the cheap alternatives yet doesn’t require the cost or permanent commitment of Command Strips. But if you’re hanging something heavier than a lightweight frame, or if you absolutely cannot risk any mark on a valuable paper print, skip the putty entirely and buy a box of 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. For everyone else—the college student, the renter, the cubicle decorator—the $6.97 168-square pack is the smarter long-term buy.
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