Best Nail Guns For DIY Projects

Our first choice of the best nail guns is the NuMax Pneumatic 21 Degree Full Head Framing Nail Gun. This pneumatic nail gun requires an air compressor to operate and provides 70-115 PSI. It is suitable for building wooden construction frames but also for installing sub-floors and decking as well as wood fencing and sheathing. It includes an interchangeable trigger for bump-firing or accurate placement and comes with a 1/4 inch NPT fitting.

It has a 360-degree adjustable exhaust so you can avoid it blowing debris into your face and workspace. Your worksurface will be protected by the no-mar tip and the non-slip teeth that grip onto the wood for accurate firing.

The PORTER-CABLE 20V MAX Cordless Brad Nailer Kit is battery powered and does not need an air compressor so it can be used anywhere. It comes with a 20 V lithium battery. This high capacity nail gun can deliver up to 1,300 nails in one charge. At 5.9 pounds it is very lightweight and easy to use.

Jam clearing is no problem with the PORTER-CABLE nailer kit thanks to the tool-free jam release and it also features a tool-free stall release lever. It has depth adjustment using a rotating wheel and the set depth can be viewed through a window. The PORTER-CABLE nail gun also has LED lights to illuminate your DIY projects.

The DEWALT Brad Nailer Kit is a heavy-duty nail gun that you will need an air compressor to operate. It has a durable motor and a tool-free jam release mechanism so you can easily remove nails that have got caught up in the mechanism. This nailer can take 18 gauge nails that measure from 5/8 inches up to 2 inches in length.

To protect the surface that you are working on, there is a removable non-marring nose tip and for ease of use there is a trigger for sequential firing. The nail depth is adjustable without having to use a tool and there are detents so that the nail heads can be set properly. Air is exhausted at the rear to protect your work. There are a number of features that will be useful for the DIYer. In particular, the magnesium body is both strong and lightweight. There is an integrated rubber grip for comfort and there is a belt hook for easy storage during a job.

Ideal for small carpentry projects, the Hitachi 18-Gauge Brad Nailer is lightweight and easy to use with a compressor – it requires 70-120 psi operating pressure. This tool features a high-capacity bottom-loading magazine that makes it quick and easy to load anything from 5/8 inch to 2-inch brad nails that have head sizes from .075 mm up to 1.9 mm. Each magazine holds around 100 brad nails and a visual nail indicator reminds you of how many are left.

There is a slide control that lets you select intermittent firing for precise positioning or continuous firing for rapidly placing nails using a bumping motion. It has a depth-of-drive adjustment knob near the nose of the nailer and an exhaust vent to direct air away from your job. There is a removable nose cap to protect the tip. This is the best nailer for cabinet installation jobs, picture-frames, and furniture construction.

The narrow-nose design of the Makita Brad Nailer makes it one of the best options for use in confined areas. It drives 18 gauge brad nails using a 100 nail magazine and can take nails varying from 5/8 inch to 2 inches. It can be used for both hardwood and softwood projects making it one of the best nail guns for trim work and crown moldings as well as baseboards and flooring.

If the nails do jam, the cam-lock has a quick-release mechanism that allows easy access to clear the problem. You can adjust the nail depth without having to use a tool and there are bumpers on the nose to protect the wood that you are working on. There is a tool hook that rotates around 180 degrees so that you can always reach the nail gun when you need it. It is one of the best options for precision thanks to the cast machined nose piece. The exhaust air can be directed away from the user’s face by the 360-degree rotational exhaust port.

The BOSTITCH Smart Point Nail Gun is a power tool operating at 70-120 PSI so you need a compressor to use it. This is one of the best options for cabinetry and upholstery but you can also use it for paneling. It has a number of function options including a trigger system and the option to countersink the nails.

Because it has a smaller nose, it makes it easy to place the nails – you do not have to compress the contact tip. It is used with 18 gauge brad nails ranging from 5/8 inch to 2 1/8 inch. There is no oil involved in the power tool so it will not create oil stains on your work. Nail jams are easy to release with no tools and depth is controlled via a dial. It has a sequential or contact operation and comes with rear air exhaust and a belt hook.

The NuMax Pneumatic 3-in-1 Flooring Nailer and Stapler is one the best options for installing tongue and groove flooring. It is an air-powered nail tool that is used for 16 gauge T-cleats or L-cleats as well as a 15.5 gauge 1/2 inch crown staples. It comes with two interchangeable base plates so you can use it for 1/2 inch up to 3/4 inch flooring. The anti-mar design of the base plates protects hardwood floor finishes meaning that a DIYer can achieve professional results.

It features a compact die-cast aluminum body and all of the steel parts are heat-treated making it a durable yet lightweight tool. There is also a rubber handle with an ergonomic design for comfort. The semi-quick release clears jams and the magazine cover makes it smooth and fast to load. It comes with air tool oil and all the adjustment tools you need to operate it.

Our budget pick is a useful tool (requiring an air compressor) to remove nails that have been driven into wood. The Air Locker Heavy Duty Professional Air Punch Nailer will efficiently push nails out from soft or hardwoods. It is lightweight, with a die-cast aluminum body and rubberized grip handles making it comfortable for prolonged use.

It features a narrow nose to reach into tight spaces and a hardened hammer to remove nails. It is very useful for removing nails from floorboards and weatherboards as well as fiber sheets and skids. It is suitable for all types of wood including pine, oak, and maple. The rubberized ring prevents it from sliding when in use and the exhaust can be rotated around 360 degrees to keep it away from your face.

One of the best choices for home use, the Ryobi Airstrike Cordless Brad Nailer has plenty of power but does not require the additional expense and inconvenience of a compressor to operate. This battery-powered nailer is perfect for DIY jobs such as fixing roof tiles or reinforcing joints.

It comes with a 4 amp hour battery that holds enough power to fire 700 nails that are up to 50 mm in length. There is a dial depth adjustment and an LED light to illuminate your working surface. It also comes with a handy clip so that it can be attached to a belt.

The Metabo HPT Finish Nailer is one of the best choices for putting up crown moldings and base moldings as well as window and door casings. You can also use it for chair rails and cabinets. It has a compact body and the magazine is angled so it is one of the best options for reaching tight spaces.

There is an integrated air duster that clears dust from your work site making it quicker and cleaner to complete your job. The trigger can be set to sequential or contact nailing by flicking a switch and jammed nails can be cleared without the need for tools. The exhaust can be adjusted around 360 degrees and the air fitting can be angled upwards to keep the hose out of your way as you nail. It will take 15-gauge nails that range from 1-1/4 inch up to 2-1/2 inches.

The CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Brad Nailer Kit is one of the best options for home use as it is battery powered and therefore does not require a compressor or a hose. It drives adhesive collated 18 gauge finish nails with consistent firing power into lots of materials over a range of climatic conditions.

This nail gun is quick to set up and the depth can be adjusted without having to use tools. Jams are also easy to free without tools. It is powered by a V20 20V MAX Battery that has high-performance cells so it is able to fire as many as 420 2 inch nails into pine before it requires a recharge. The compact and lightweight body has an optimal center of gravity making it comfortable to use. Further comfort is provided by the contoured over-molded handle. It attaches using a belt hook.

The KIMO 20V 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer is a battery-powered combined nailer and stapler that drives 80 18-gauge brads (3/4 inch to 2 inches) or narrow crown staples (3/4 inch to 1-5/8 inch) every minute and nails are contained in a 2-in-1 bottom-load magazine.

It comes with a 20V 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery which powers a patented air cylinder and can place 1400 nails with each charge. The battery takes just an hour to recharge. It features a dial-operated depth adjustment and is one of the best options for finish work and trim as well as crown and baseboards. The dual LED lighting illuminates your job and because it weighs just five pounds and has a narrow profile, it is very comfortable when in use or attached to a belt.

The Freeman Pneumatic 15 Degree Nail Gun is a coil style nailer that is best used on cedar shingles and roof and wall sheathing but can also be used on fencing. It drives 15 degrees 13-14 gauge (1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch) collated siding nails into plastic or metal. It is side-loading and does not require oiling.

The die-cast magnesium body is both strong and lightweight – the drive blade is made from hardened steel and the cylinder is made from anodized aluminum. The bump-fire trigger has a safety lock and the depth adjustment does not require a tool. It also features a comfort grip handle and a no-mar safety tip to protect your hands and your working surface. The exhaust can be adjusted around 360 degrees and there is an air filter and an anti-dust cap to protect the internal components. A belt hook, safety goggles, air connector, air tool oil, and adjustment tools are included.