No matter if you plan to refinish hardwood floors, repair your roof, or tackle any other DIY project you've had sitting around your home for a while, you'll want the best nail gun on hand to help move it along. A nail gun will quickly drive nails or other small fasteners deep into your wood's surface without cracking or splintering the wood and reducing the structural integrity. There are dozens of nailers on the market, and there are so many different types that it makes it difficult to figure out which one will serve you the best. You can tailor your nail gun to your specific tasks, but most come with two delivery systems and two power sources.
I understand how vital it is to match the best nail gun to your project needs, so I've picked out 10 great choices that will help you around your home or garden. You can take a peek at the reviews and use them to compare the best nail guns on the list. Then, you can look through the handy buying guide for all of the considerations you want to keep in mind when you shop.
The best nail guns can take on larger projects but be low-powered enough to take on detailed work. The goal is to pick out the best nail gun that is going to give you the results you need with a durable finished product, and this requires some research.
Paslode Cordless XP Framing Nailer - Top Pick
This best nail gun weighs in at just 7.2-pounds, and this allows you to seamlessly work in tight quarters or for extended periods without experiencing user fatigue. You get a guaranteed 50% longer runtime with the seven-volt lithium-ion battery that will put out up to 9,000 nails for every charge. You can tackle small and large projects without having to wait for the battery to recharge between uses. The compact design fits between 16-inch O.C. studs, roof trusses, and joints to increase the product's versatility.
BOSTITCH Air Compressor Combo Kit - Step-Up Pick
The step-up pick for the best nail gun comes from Bostitch, and this is a nail gun and air compressor combination kit that comes with several tools in one order. The air compressor is a smaller six gallons with a high-efficiency motor and a 150 PSI. You get a 15-foot air hose that gives you excellent reach, and the fittings on the air hose allow you to have excellent maneuverability when you work around your garage or workshop. It has a bright yellow coloring for high visibility, and it connects seamlessly to the three tools that come with it to give them the power required to drive the nails deep into the wood.
This best nail gun kit features a brad nailer that will drive 18-gauge Brad Nail from ⅝-inches deep to 2-inches deep to suit a broad range of applications. You also get a straight finish nailer that will drive 16-gauge finish nails between 1 ¼-inch and 2 ½-inches into the wood of your planter boxes. Finally, if you want to attach landscape fabric to the inside of your planters, the heavy-duty Crown stapler will drive staples between ¼-inches and 9/16-inches into the wood for a secure hold. You get a one-year limited warranty against part failure or defects to give you greater peace of mind.
- Challenging to work the pressure regulator
There is a selective actuation switch on this best nail gun that lets you perform contact or sequential nailing, and you can cycle between the two with no additional parts or tools required. It has a tool-less depth of drive dial that ensures you get flush fastenings when you work with different materials for a flawless finish, and it also improves your overall control. The 360° fully-adjustable exhaust portal will direct any exhaust away from you or your workspace to keep everything clean and cool.
WEN 61721 Brad Nailer - Bargain Budget Pick
Wen's best nail gun makes the list as the perfect budget pick for anyone who needs the flexibility of a quality nail gun but is on a strict budget. You can easily shoot 18-gauge nails with this tool, and it'll bury the nails between ⅜-inches and 2-inches thick. There is a hassle-free nose latch that makes it quick and easy to clear out jammed nails without slowing down your working pace or throwing you off your schedule. This is important for people who have limited time to finish making their planter boxes in the spring because interruptions can lead to moving to a new project and forgetting to finish this one.
There are several nice features on this best nail gun for the price, and they include a simple depth adjustment wheel that allows you to choose your depth based on your project, a nail gauge, a quick-release 106-nail capacity magazine, and a rotatable exhaust. When you order this kit, it comes with 500 18-gauge ⅜-inch nails, 500 18-gauge 1-inch nails, 500 18-gauge ¾-inch nails, and 500 18-gauge 2-inch nails. This gives you more than enough nails to put your planter boxes or DIY projects together straight away.
PORTER-CABLE Brad Nailer Kit - Best for Projects Around the House
You'll increase your productivity levels with this best nail gun because it comes outfitted with a host of nice features like a jam release, tool-free release lever, and a depth adjustment wheel. You can use these features to seamlessly move from project to project around the house without interrupting your workflow or allowing you to get distracted. There is a full three-year limited warranty from the date of purchase, and the company will repair any faulty workmanship or defects due to faulty materials at no extra charge to you. It uses 18-gauge nails, and the depth adjustment wheel lets you countersink nails flush to the surface.
CRAFTSMAN Brad Nailer Kit - Best for Large Planter Boxes
Craftsman's best nail gun is part of the 20-volt cordless system, and this means that you can seamlessly switch 20-volt batteries between Craftsman products without worrying about damaging them. This is great for larger projects like building big planter boxes because it gives you the flexibility to charge one battery while you use another to give you more runtime. This nail gun shoots 18-gauge Brad nails, and it has a totally cordless design that removes the need to have hoses, compressors, or expensive gas cartridges around when you work to give you a clutter-free workspace.
You'll get consistent firing power in various materials and climates with this best nail gun, and this is useful for anyone who likes to tackle projects outside. The tool-free depth settings give you a very fast set up with consistent results each time you use it. The tool-free jam and stall settings improve this nail gun's efficiency rating to keep you moving along without having to struggle with unjamming it. It has a lightweight design with an optimal center of gravity for a very balanced feel, and this enables you to work for long stretches at a time without experiencing user fatigue.
KIMO Cordless Brad Nailer - Best for Professional Woodworking Projects
Each Kimo lithium-ion battery these best nail guns run on go through rigorous testing to ensure they don't drain rapidly, and they go through a 1,000 cycle charge test before they get to you. The 2.0Ah battery will drive a total of 700 Brad Nails into the wood before you have to recharge it. This tool is slightly over six pounds, and this lends a high degree of maneuverability to it, and there are front-positioned LED lights that allow you to see in dim rooms or working conditions to ensure your nails go flush to the wood. The kit comes with a battery, rapid charger, 500 18-gauge nails, 500 18-gauge Crown staples, and one Allen Wrench to help remove any jams.
- Plastic molding for the body isn't durable
Ryobi P320 Cordless Brad Nailer - Best for Small Planter Boxes
This best nail gun by Ryobi is a cordless design that will easily drive up to 1,700 nails for every charge, and this allows you to create many different planter boxes for inside and outside of your home. It runs on one 18-volt battery that you can quickly charge, but you do have to buy the battery separately because it doesn't come with the current package. You won't have to purchase any expensive gas cartridges or worry about hoses or compressors with this product, and this gives you a higher ease of movement to maneuver around without worrying about tripping.
There is a convenient adjustable dial on this best nail gun that helps you quickly regulate your air pressure for the best results and nails that end up flush to the wall each time you use it. The low nail indicator allows you to see when you're getting low and it's time to reload to keep you moving along in your projects. There is a bright lime green and black color scheme that gives this product a high visibility factor that makes it easy to see on job sites.
DEWALT Brad Nailer Kit - Best for Woodworking On-The-Go
The tool-free jam release on this best nail gun makes it quick and easy to remove any stuck nails without having to take the whole tool apart. You'll need a compressor to work this nail gun, but it gives it enough power to drive 18-gauge nails from ⅝-inches to 2-inches. It's a pneumatic nail gun that is available in several different styles so you can tailor your purchase to suit your project scope. The integrated rubber grip reduces operator fatigue while keeping you comfortable, and this also reduces the chances of the nail gun slipping when you use it in different working environments.
NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer - Best for Family Projects
The final product of my best nail gun list comes from NuMax. You can choose from two sizes and six styles to customize your order for your upcoming projects. It has a lightweight but durable magnesium body with a secure ergonomic handle to reduce operator fatigue. The interchangeable trigger gives you single shot or quick fire functions, and this ensures you'll be able to work on loads of DIY projects around the house. It has a no mar tip to keep your workspace clean, and you can easily adapt it for different working conditions without it failing. This framing nail gun works well for roof decking, subflooring, sheathing, and wooden fencing. The company combines durability with power to create a very versatile tool.
The sleek black and grey coloring allows this best nail gun to fit right in with your other tools, and the lightweight design makes it easy to pick up and take with you as you go. There are no slip teeth on this tool that ensure your nails go exactly where you want them to, and the air filter with the anti-dust cap can help to keep your nail gun clean and ready to work. It has a 360° adjustable exhaust, and the anti-dry fire mechanism ensures you always fire nails instead of air.
Best Nail Gun - Buying Guide
When it comes to picking out the best nail gun, what should you look for when you start to shop? Are there features that are more important than others? If so, what are they? This short guide will outline everything you need to know about shopping for the best nail gun and comparing products below.
Did you know that there are seven broad categories for nail guns out there? Picking out the best nail gun will be easier if you decide on a type before you shop. They include:
- Framing - A framing nail gun is for larger projects like building a new extension or attaching wood siding. They can shoot round or clipped nail heads, and they can shoot larger nails deep into wood to get a secure hold.
- Finish - Finish nail guns have 15 and 16-gauge designs that work well for detailing projects. They use thinner nails that you can easily hide with wood putty, and they work best for hanging crown molding, installing baseboards, or putting up chair rails.
- Brad - Brad nail guns use 18 to 23-gauge nails, and they work well for these extremely delicate projects you have around the house. You'd use this type of nail gun for crafting, reupholstering furniture, or attaching delicate trim.
- Roofing - A roofing nail gun is a necessary tool if you want to repair or replace your roof . They hold the shingles in place, and the nails come in coils instead of the traditional strips. They have broader heads with shorter bodies.
- Flooring - Flooring nail guns come in a broad range of styles, and they're vital for helping you install flooring. They don't come at an angle, and they usually shoot one or two-inch nails.
- Palm - This is a very basic model, but the best nail guns can work for framing projects, building fencing, between wall studs, and for redmodeling. They're small but powerful, and you feed the nails in one at a time.
- Pin - A pin nail gun works well for crafts or very fine detail work because they shoot tiny nails. You'd use it for installing wood trim, cabinetry, and holding wood together as it dries.
Since there are so many products on the market, finding out the best nail gun to match your needs can take time. However, deciding on a type right away can narrow down your field, and you can further zone in on specific products by looking at the power source and firing modes.
Do you want an electric, battery, or pneumatic nail gun? Electric nail guns plug into the wall and give you a steady supply of power for consistent results. Pneumatic nail guns require an air compressor to give them the power to shoot the nails, and a battery-operated nail gun gives you freedom of movement because you don't have to worry about trailing cords. However, the battery can die quickly. Decide which one suits your needs the best and go from there.
You can create beautiful planter boxes with the correct tools, and the best nail gun is key. They'll help you get a durable finish that lasts from season to season.
The best nail gun can help you tackle a huge range of projects inside and outside of your home, like building planter boxes. I've picked out 10 high-quality options for you, and you can use the reviews to compare them to narrow down your options. When you get down to a few, use the short buying guide to make your final choice.