$Co_3O_4$ thick film gas sensor using the powder prepared by hydrothermal reaction method(HRM) was fabricated. For comparison study, we also prepared the sensor using commercial $Co_3O_4$ powder under the same fabrication conditions. Sensitivity, time response, and selectivity of them to variable gases such as iso-$C_4H_{10}$, CO, $NH_3$, and $CH_4$ were investigated. The sensor from the powder prepared by HRM showed higher sensitivity to every gas than those from commercial powder. For iso-$C_4H_{10}$ gas, the sensitivities of both sensor to 100 ppm are 160 % and 40 %, respectively. Time response and selectivity of the sensor using the powder prepared by HRM were better than those of the sensor using commercial powder.