“Super glues” use moisture to form a strong (and quick setting) chemical bond.

If you've ever had a tube of super glue "dry out," the reality is that the glue cured as a result of moisture. That's one reason why these cyanoacrylate adhesives are being sold in ever-smaller tubes. (You can extend a glue's storage life by keeping it in a salt-filled mason jar.)

Most cyanoacrylate adhesives are fundamentally the same, but some include things like rubberized pellets to help the glue withstand impacts and side pressures. Super glues aren't as "all-purpose" as many people believe, but they're great for low-impact indoor jobs (and worth keeping in a utility drawer). To decide which glue is best for the job, check out ThisToThat.com.

Here are the best cheap super glues for the money: