Best Overall
Bostitch BTFP12233 Smart Point Brad Nailer Kit
Runner-Up
Metabo HPT NT50AE2M 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer
Best Bang for the Buck
Wen 61721 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer
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Brad nailers avail spur the DIY movement by establish quality trim task achievable for DIYers and pros alike . These effective tool fire 18 - gauge nail , which are less likely to split fine wood moulding since they ’re thin than the 16 - gauge versions used by a finish nailer .
Like many woodman , we ’re big buff of high - quality brad nailer for installing molding and completing carpentry projects , so we put several exemplar through extensive hands - on examination to find oneself the top option . We fired yard of nails , using each shaft in the same way of life eat up carpenter and cabinetmakers practice them , and we take deliberate note of each model ’s military capability and weaknesses . We also reached out to a few other tool experts to get their sixth sense on specific feature shopper should look out for .
Choosing the right brad nailer could stand for the difference between a professional - take care Book of Job and an amateurish great deal . Ahead , learn what to expect for when grass for the best brad nailer , and find out how the following models earn their slur on our lineup .
How We Tested the Best Brad Nailers
Brad nailer are professional - grade preciseness big businessman cock and DIY favourite , so we take a multipronged advance when deciding which pattern to test .
Before get our hands on them , though , we interviewed Ben Illig , a general contractor with decades of experience and owner ofIllig Propertiesin Pennsylvania . He says that “ it is very important for a Brad nailer to be small and compact so that it can fit in space where other nail hired gun may not . ” He also stressed that “ it ’s of import to have a good No Mar safety tip so that the nail gun leaves as little mar as potential on the woods or other surface . ” We made sure to take these practiced tips into consideration when choose our card for examination .
We first prefer top - give away options from brands we have a go at it and trust . Bostitch and DeWalt have great reputations for making quality brad nailer , so we included their top picks . We also take model that place high with home woodman and are more budget - well-disposed . We select corded , cordless , and pneumatic brad nailers within these categories .
We then performed extensive testing in our woodshop — using the brad nailers on hardwoods , admit oak tree and ash tree , and soft pine boards , since paint pine is a vulgar choice for clipping . We noted how easy it was to correct the brad ’s depth and looked for substance abuser - friendly feature , such as tool - free mess releases . We tested the longest and forgetful brad the tools would admit and taste all their features , such as single - jibe and multishot modes .
We looked for top functioning from the brad nailers we tested — no one wants to stop and clear repeat mess or employ a nail bent to countersink brad that do n’t do so upon firing .
We made banknote of all pros and flimflam of each instrument and awarded spot base on a rubric . The better a brad nailer performed a test , the higher the points it received . After testing , we tallied the rafts and ascertain the best categories for each tool .
Our Top Picks
This inclination of pick for the good brad nailers represents the top - performing models in our woodshop tests . They represent a range of uses — including model that withstand heavy - duty use , light - duty brad nailers that also volunteer staple benefit , and budget - friendly picks that excel in flash brads without splitting woods .
All mannequin fire 18 - bore brads , which is a demand for brad nailers . Each earned its spot on this lineup , and one is sure to be a top pick for your DIY projects .
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carry our brand ’s eminent stage of passport .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the menage and DIY products that impressed us most in our real - world examination and that represent core values of the Bob Vila brand , including craftsmanship , invention , and value for the dollar . winner of this denomination come advocate by our professional critical review team and are in person approve by Bob Vila .
Anyone looking for an overall top - quality brad nailer may need to turn back out the Bostitch Smart Point . This brad nailer fires nail between ⅝ in and 2⅛ column inch long , and it do well with the longest and shortest nail length as well as those in between . fortuitously , we did n’t have any brad jams ( the shooting chemical mechanism is well tuned ) , but the Bostitch fare with a cock - free jamming release in the event a jam occurs .
We fired more than 200 brads through the Bostitch , using single - shot and multishot ( or “ bump ” ) modes . We toggled between modes by turning a small electric switch near the trigger . In jut manner , the Bostitch scoot a brad every clock time we press the nose of the nailer against the wood . We ’re not expectant fans of gibbosity modes on brad nailers ; with trim nailers , it ’s best to align each brad just before burn . But for those who want bump - firing mode , the Bostitch performs quite well .
Photo: Glenda Taylor
We connected the Bostitch to our melodic phrase compressor via a hose ( not let in ) , and we noted a slight downside : The nipple on the back of the nailer does not pivot . This is a small-scale troublesomeness , but without a swivel teat , the air compressor hose puzzle straight up when we used the bash hook to carry the tool on our tool belt . The other downside is the size of the depth - adjustment dial . It ’s place on the inner frame below the initiation , which is ready to hand , but at about the sizing of a dime bag , it ’s comparatively belittled , so adjust it is inconvenient .
On the positive side , this brad nailer come with a conduct eccentric , three no - mar crown that keep the nailer from indenting softwood , and a built - in pencil sharpener on the back of the whack hook . In terms of performance , the Bostitch fired brads of all lengths into oak , ash , and pine board without splitting any .
Read our full review : Bostitch BTFP12233 Smart Point Brad Nailer Kit
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Bostitch brad nailer atAmazon , Lowe’s , Ace Hardware , Acme Tools , orWalmart .
The pneumatic brad nailer from Metabo HPT is worth a look for those wanting a high - quality nailer power by air densification . This 18 - gauge nailer can fire brads between ⅝ column inch and 2 inches , which is an ample range for most remodeling and trim project .
This Metabo brad nailer is a no - nonsense model that does n’t descend with many bells and whistle , but it labour brad cursorily and cleanly with single - shot mode or bump mode . Both modes mold well , and we had just two brad jam when using the protuberance manner . Those jams were simple to remove using the creature - free crush release on the Metabo ’s olfactory organ .
Photo: amazon.com
The profundity telephone dial was well-off to adjust using a thumb or finger , and the nailer had a handy reload indicator in the slew powder store that showed when we ran low on nail .
This pneumatic nailer has a lot of power and shoots brads easily into hardwoods and pine tree without splitting the wood . We found it ergonomic and prosperous , which extend a foresightful agency when ferment on a tidy passementerie project . It does n’t have a swivel strain mammilla , but the nipple is angle up , which helps keep the hosiery out of the way .
One of our favourite features on this simulation was the adjustable exhaust embrasure on the top of the nailer . plow it redirected the queer of compressed air released by the pneumatic pecker , which meant we could prevent tune from blowing in our faces or blowing sawdust across the way , no matter how we hold the tool . The nailer come in with a operose subject and a duo of safety looking glass , but it did n’t come with a belt hook , which would have been handy .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Metabo brad nailer atAmazon , Lowe’s , Ace Hardware , Target , Walmart , orAcme Tools .
When it comes to low - price tools that pack a passel of value , Wen head the way . This preciseness brad nailer fires ⅜-inch to 2 - in - long brad , make it more versatile than some higher - priced nailer . It features a outpouring - loaded magazine , an adjustable profundity drive , and a tool - free jamming release .
In our tests , the Wen dissipate farsighted and short brads evenly well into both hard and soft wood , and adjusting the brad profundity was simple with the easily approachable dial near the trigger . The pecker ’s exhaust system port is adjustable , which admit us to direct it away from our faces and dust-covered open when elicit brad . The air - hose nipple does n’t swivel , but we did n’t expect it to at this price point .
Photo: amazon.com
This brad nailer does n’t boast an automatonlike swelling setting or come with a smash hook , but it gets the job done , and we had only one jam while firing more than 200 brad . That jam was gentle to remove via the tool - free hole firing located on the nose of the nailer . This affordable manikin is well suitable to DIYers who are just starting to build up their power tool collections , and it ’s a bargain for a secure - quality nailer .
Get the Wen brad nailer atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Upgrade Pick
Craftsman CMCN618C1 V20 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Cordless magnate tools of all types are trending , and for expert intellect — they offer users the ability to take the devices anywhere , even to woodworking projects in remote areas without access to electrical energy .
We ’re vast fans of cordless tools now that lithium - ion barrage fire seem to grow more powerful by the year , and Craftsman ’s cordless brad nailer is no exclusion . It wield a range of brad lengths , from ⅝ inch to 2 column inch long , and we care the idea of not have a cord or an air hosepipe to scuff around or set off over .
The Craftsman V20 comes with a 2 amp - hour ( Ah ) rechargeable battery and a charger . We stop up in the battery overnight to assure it was fully charged before examination . After firing more than 200 brads through the pecker , we still had plenty of power left .
Photo: homedepot.com
This galvanic brad nailer is as powerful as a pneumatic nailer , and it fires both long and scant brad with relief into hardwood and pine . The depth adjustment is a handy telephone dial on the olfactory organ of the tool . It also has an light-emitting diode guide light that crystalize the workpiece in shadowy lighting . It does n’t fall with a prominence mode , but it does come with a putz - complimentary jam firing and a stall release .
Stall releases are almost exclusively base on cordless nailers , and they ’re slightly different from mess releases . If the cock does n’t set a nail deeply enough , the top of the nail can become lodge in the nose while the bakshish of the nail is in the wood . The user could reach the jam spillage and pull the nail out using a pair of plyers , but a stall release lever tumbler dislodges the brad from the putz without the user hold to reach the jam release . stable are prostrate to take place when the battery guide crushed and does n’t have the power to position the nail completely . We did n’t experience any stall during testing , but we did have one jam that we remove quickly via the instrument - innocent hole release .
The downside for some will be the added exercising weight of the Craftsman brad nailer ; its barrage increases the weight unit by about 2 to 3 pounds over that of most pneumatic brad nailers . Still , the ability to work without dragging a hosiery or a corduroy around outweighs the added couple of pounds .
Photo: amazon.com
Get the Craftsman brad nailer atAmazon , Lowe’s , Ace Hardware , orCraftsman .
Best Pneumatic
Ridgid R213BNF 18-Gauge 2⅛-Inch Brad Nailer
Ridgid , one of The Home Depot ’s flagship brands , has done it again . The pneumatic Ridgid brad nailer do just as well as other top - name pneumatic manikin we tested , and it offer some enviable extras that make work on trim projects a snap .
The Ridgid was the only pneumatic brad nailer we test that came with a swivel nipple . The swivel mapping makes it much more convenient to carry on a dick belt ammunition because it allows the hose to drop off to the side rather than stick direct up in the way of our hands . Plus , the knock draw rotates from one side to the other , making it accessible to both right- and left - handed user .
While all the other models we examine came with humiliated - nail indicator on the magazine , Ridgid ’s magazine is transparent , so we could see exactly how many nails were depart .
Photo: amazon.com
The Ridgid held its own in terms of carrying out . It accepts brad from ⅝ in to 2⅛ inches , and we fired over 200 shot in both individual - fervor and bulge mode without any muddle . That meant we did n’t get a opportunity to use the tool - liberal press dismissal , but that ’s a good thing . We tested the nailer on both hardwood and pine .
The Ridgid brad nailer is ergonomically design and well-off to use . It shoots both long and short brads every bit well , and the deepness - adjustment telephone dial is large and easy to access . This is a high up - performing brad nailer , with only one slight downside : The two include no - mar tips lay in on the handle kept hang off . user will in all likelihood want to house these extras in a separate location .
Get the Ridgid brad nailer atThe Home Depot .
Best Corded
DeWalt DWHT75021 Electric 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker
DIYers see for flexibility without a considerable investment may find the 5 - in-1 Multi - Tacker from DeWalt a versatile addition to their tool kits . The Multi - Tacker fires brads and staples , making it an fantabulous general - use tool . Not only can the Multi - Tacker handle small trim work and border , but it can also take on certain upholstery work and DIY labor such as picture frame .
However , this is a light - responsibility - only nailer and tacker . It fuel one distance of brad ( ⅝ column inch ) , but it also shoots narrow crown staple from ¼ inch to 9/16 column inch long . The tool does n’t boast a jam passing , but it does n’t need one — the brad and staple it shoots are short enough to get at by dropping start the magazine and reaching in with a pair of acerate leaf - nose pliers . We fired the short brads into toilsome and easygoing wood and did n’t have any jams .
We also ran some ¼-inch pennant staple through the DeWalt and dialed back the depth to confiscate a wire to a board without pierce the wire . This is a top-notch - ready to hand feature of speech for devise electrical tour wires . We did get a distich of jams running staple , but they were elementary to draw out , as note above .
This galvanic brad nailer ’s corded design means users do n’t have to care about charge stamp battery or losing ability in the middle of the undertaking . However , they will have to be mindful of the cord so they do n’t trip over it . Other than this likely luck , the main drawback of the Multi - Tacker is that the nose is large equate to other options , so it ’s not the best choice for pinpoint into intricate molding .
Get the DeWalt 5 - in-1 brad nailer atAmazon , The Home Depot , Acme Tools , orBlain ’s Farm & Fleet .
Best Cordless
DeWalt DCN680D1 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Over the years , we ’ve used many DeWalt power tool , and in our opinion , they ’re top - of - the - channel for both pro and prosumer manipulation . This DeWalt cordless brad nailer is no exception . It perform well enough that we would n’t waffle to use it for professional trim work on the jobsite , and it ’s also an excellent selection for the enthusiastic woodworker committed to quality .
We charge the include 2Ah battery overnight and started testing the following morning . The first thing that strike us was how well the DeWalt was made — its casing is rich , and it bounced rather than shatter when we incidentally drop it on the concrete workshop trading floor , ending up none the bad for wear . Phew . We try the DeWalt with long and brusque brad on hardwood and pine and did n’t experience any jams . And we still had pot of battery power after firing more than 200 brads .
The DeWalt come with a tool - complimentary pickle release and a stall sacking , but fortuitously , we did n’t have the opportunity to use either . This brad nailer is made for serious trimming study — it comes with a ample depth - readjustment telephone dial and two pathfinder lights . The lights could be good , as they ’re mounted on the incline of the nailer and shine outwards rather than illuminate the workpiece . We found them to be useless .
At just over 10 pound , this was the heaviest nailer we tested , which may be a fatiguing downside for pocket-sized drug user . But for pros or anyone who ’s used to handle sizeable tool , this DeWalt brad nailer really shines . It perform cleanly in both single - blast and bump modes ; this one is quick for the jobsite .
Read our full review : DeWalt DCN680D1 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Get the DeWalt cordless brad nailer atAmazon , The Home Depot , Ace Hardware , Acme Tools , orBlain ’s Farm & Fleet .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Brad Nailer
The follow inclination admit some extra thoughtfulness DIYers will want to be aware of before selecting the correct brad nailer that will cultivate best for a trim , moulding , or cabinet project .
Types of Brad Nailers
Brad nailers typically have small noses , earmark user to nail into the most intricate molding without leave behind a nailhead stand up proud . The upshot ? DIYers can tackle spare , cabinet , and furniture projection without bruising their thumbnails or denting their workpiece with errant hammer blows .
Two master types of brad nailers are usable for DIYers and pro : pneumatic and galvanising . Each stylus has its pro and cons , and there are even subcategories . Understanding how they work and the benefits and drawbacks of each will facilitate when you ’re strain to take the unspoilt brad nailer .
Pneumatic nailers employ compressed air travel to drive a nail into a workpiece . They amount in many style , include frame in and roofing nailers , finish nailers , brad nailer , and pin nailers .
The benefit of pneumatic nailers is that they ’re generally less expensive than galvanic nailers . They ’re comparatively unproblematic tools that the average user can service if they run into an consequence . Pneumatic manikin do need embrocate from time to time , but other than that , they hold up well with lilliputian attention .
The drawback of pneumatic nailers is that they need an atmosphere compressor and a hose . strain compressor are loud and can be inconvenient , and the hosiery can be a actuate peril in some scenarios . It can also circumscribe the mobility and range that a carpenter or a DIYer can pass with the nailer .
Electric brad nailer , as the name suggests , use electricity to attack fasteners . They add up in two varieties : corded and cordless .
Tool-Free Jam Release
Nail gunsjam from prison term to time for many reasons . It could be that the user accidentally fed the wrong size nails into the magazine , the pressure was wrong , or the exploiter pulled the trigger double . Regardless of why kettle of fish happen , they can grind work flow to a freeze .
Look for a good brad nailer with tool - gratuitous jam release . These nailer boast knurled or textured node that allow for users to take the mechanism asunder by hand , remove the jam quickly , and screw it all back together . You wo n’t have to dig for a wrench or a duo of pliers , allowing you to clear a jam from the top of a ravel or a scaffold and keep working .
Depth of Drive
Like all fastening tools , brad nailers react differently to sure materials . For instance , a nailer may push back a fastener direct through a piece of true pine , provide the capitulum buried beneath the surface for a smooth finish . That same nailer may then drive a fastener into a denser wood like oak tree , leaving the head of the brad stand proud on the airfoil by as much as ⅛ inch .
All brad nailer come with depth allowance to aid dial in the correct driveway depth . They typically adjust with a dial , allowing the exploiter to choose the perfect final result . However , some pneumatic nailer fire otherwise depending on the compressor ’s pressure .
Dry Lockout
Running out of nail is n’t the final stage of the world . However , firing an empty nailer against a workpiece can leave behind an unsightly mark that DIYershave to fillbefore the project is complete . Also , when working above a cabinet , along the floor , or in a tight stain , it ’s often difficult to secernate when the brad nailer is run low-pitched .
Brad nailer with dry - lockout features permit users know when they ’re out of brads . The nose wo n’t depress , which keeps the user from touch off the trigger . This prevents unneeded marring of workpieces or user thinking that they ’ve fastened through the field of honor of a trim piece only to find out it falls over the 2d they take the air away .
Exhaust Air Control
Adjustable exhaust fumes port can importantly bear on how safe or well-fixed a project can be . Look for brad nailer with exhaust system aura controller options that let users to direct the exhaust port away from their face or a pile of compound dust above a cabinet .
drug user can indicate the burst of air away from their face , eye , and ear by twist the charge card covering fire on the buttocks of some brad nailers . This celebrate things cleaner and safe , as the tool is less likely to blow dust under condom glass or into the optic .
Nailing Modes Control
Brad nailer work in one of two manner : undivided dig and multishot . While trim work is rarely a production - oriented undertaking , there are rationality one background might be better than the other .
When collar a magnanimous workpiece to a stable sub - corporeal , like wainscot frames over a plyboard substrate , exchange a brad nailer to multishot , or “ blow ” mode , can help the line of work go faster . In this mode , the user holds the trigger down and kick downstairs the olfactory organ against the workpiece to fire brad .
Users switch the nailer to individual - shot mode for more intricate nailing , like belittled passementerie or cap moulding . They can then put the nailer exactly where they want it by pressing the nozzle against the workpiece and adjusting it as needed . Once satisfied , they pull the trigger and fire one nail .
Ease of Use
Since all nailers run similarly , theease of usecomes down to some finer detail . The quality of the product count since poorly built brad nailers wo n’t run by rights . The olfactory organ may pile while the user is pressing it into off - slant moldings , and fasteners may not drive as deep as necessary .
Also , how easy one can lade the nailer with a impertinent set of brads makes a important conflict . Refilling the tool while kneeling or on the top of a ladder is common , so loading should be as simple as potential . The best brad nailer typically allow users to feed a stick of brads into the magazine and then pull a spring - charge latch to feast them into the nailer .
Maintenance vs. Maintenance-Free
Pneumatic brad nailers come in two styles : upkeep required and sustenance - free , and fortunately , most models on the market today are maintenance - gratuitous . While the actual care involves just post a few drop of oil colour down the inlet port , maintenance - liberal is typically the preferred option .
For brad nailers that require fossil oil circulation , that oil is dispersed throughout the nailer using air force per unit area . That tune pressure then exits the nailer and , along with it , some oil . In most cases , this is n’t a big deal , but this oil can touch on the net product ’s finish for delicate Earth’s surface that might have paint or spot .
FAQs
Even with all that setting on select the in effect brad nailers , you might need answer to some extra interrogative sentence . The following are some of the most frequently asked interrogative about select the best brad nailer for a task .
To fire a brad nailer , ensure it ’s loaded with brad and nobble up to top executive or gentle wind . With your fingerbreadth off the initiation , weightlift the olfactory organ of the nailer against the workpiece where you desire to drive a nail . When you ’re satisfied with the placement , squeeze and let go of the trigger .
Most brad nailer load from the bottom of the magazine . slue a stick of brads onto the bottom of the magazine . Then pull the spring - loaded latch down past the brads to engage them with the nailer .
Finish nailersshoot stocky nails in the15- to the 16 - caliber range . Brad nailers habituate lean nail that are less likely to split o.k. , delicate moldings . Also , brad nailer have smaller noses , which are easier to tuck into tight spots .
Brad nailers are worthy for baseboards . Most fire brads as prospicient as 2 inches , which is enough to penetrate both ¾-inch loggerheaded molding and ½-inch thick dry wall , as well as bite into the framing lumber in the baseplate or bulwark studs .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a ware tester and writer specializing in the twist , remodeling , and real land industries . She and her married man own a oecumenical contracting companionship , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial construction applications . She test a wide range of power tools as well as other home melioration , house , and lawn - and - garden products .
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