The Best Nail Guns of 2023

We didn’t set out to choose a finish nailer as our best pick, but the 16-gauge DeWalt angled finish nailer excelled in several areas. It’s not suitable for framing or installing shingles, but we felt it offered the best overall combination of features, power, and versatility.

DeWalt is a reputable manufacturer of both DIY and pro tools, so we were expecting this model to be a top performer, and it didn’t disappoint. After charging the battery fully, we loaded a strip of 20-degree 2½-inch 16-gauge nails in the rail. We shot nails into oak, walnut, and pine boards and, using the depth-adjustment feature, we changed the nailhead depth to suit the hardness/softness of the specific wood.

This finish nailer shot the nails flawlessly, even when we switched to bump mode and ran through the clip at a rapid pace. We then loaded a strip of 1¼-inch nails and continued testing. It shot the shorter nails just as smoothly as the longer ones. In all, we shot more than 250 nails, and the gun never jammed. That’s pretty impressive since some nail guns jam frequently when shooting in bump mode.

We found the DeWalt angled finish nailer easy to use and comfortable to hold with its rubberized grip and ergonomic shape. This powerful finish nailer is suitable for installing casing, baseboards, stair risers, or for any other project where finish nails are called for.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 16 gauge; 1¼ to 2½ inches long
• Power source: Battery
• Model number: DCN660D1

Pros

• Nail-depth adjustment allows user to switch between different woods and maintain accuracy
• Angled nail rail for better maneuverability
• Single-fire or multifire mode (bump mode) for a variety of jobs
• Quick-clear jam release

Cons

• Pricey

Get the DeWalt angled finish nail gun at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Ace Hardware.

Trim carpenters don’t have to spend a lot to get a reliable brad nailer or pinner. The Porter- Cable 18-gauge brad nailer offers everything needed to install small or delicate trim and comes at an attractive price point.

We charged the Porter-Cable’s battery, loaded a strip of 2-inch 18-gauge nails, and started testing. We shot the nails into hardwood and softwood, and we used the tool’s nail-depth adjustment as we switched between woods of various hardness to ensure the heads of the nails ended up just below the surface of the wood.

The Porter-Cable shot nails smoothly and accurately. The gun jammed once when we were firing nails into knots in oak (something carpenters intentionally avoid to keep a nail gun from jamming), but the tool’s jam-release level made it simple to remove the jammed nail and continue testing. In all, we ran more than 200 nails through this brad nailer, and we were impressed at its accuracy and power. It performed just as well when we tested it with shorter ⅝-inch nails.

The only downside to this brad nailer is the lack of an angled nail rail. It still works very well, but an angled rail would make it easier to use in tight spots. Still, for the price, this is a top performer for anyone who needs to install ceiling cove or other delicate trim. It does not have a bump mode, but many brad nailers do not, and that is not a detriment in a brad nailer where precision is more important than speed.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 18 gauge; ⅝ to 2 inches long
• Power source: Battery
• Model number: PCC790LA

Pros

• Affordable nail gun for the power and precision
• Good nail-depth adjustment adapts to various wood densities
• Quick-clear jam release makes removing stalled nails easy

Cons

• Not an angled nailer, so not as handy in tight spots

Get the Porter-Cable nail gun at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Acme Tools.

When it comes to shooting framing nails accurately, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-Degree Framing Nailer Kit is a top achiever. After fully charging the battery, we loaded a strip of 2-inch framing nails and started testing by shooting the nails through ⅝-inch plywood stacked on 2×4 pine boards.

This framing nailer shot the nails powerfully into the wood—a little too powerfully (the heads were sinking), so we adjusted the depth gauge and were able to shoot the nails so the heads were flush with our plywood. We ran more than 100 two-inch nails through the gun and then tested 3-inch framing nails on stacked 2x4s. We switched the gun into bump mode and shot the nails at a rapid pace. This Milwaukee model is powerful. We didn’t experience any problem with nails not sinking as far as we wanted. The 21-degree angle of the nail rail also made the tool more compact and easy to use when nailing between 16-inch wall studs, a standard size spacing for both studs and joists.

It would have been nice to have a quick jam release, but a lot of framing nailers don’t include those, so when we had a jam in bump mode, we just removed the nail strip, used the on-tool wrench to open the front panel, and then pulled the jammed nail out with needle nose pliers.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 0.113 to 0.148 inches in diameter, 2 to 3½ inches long
• Power source: Battery
• Model number: 2744-21

Pros

• Shoots up to 3½ -inch nails, longer than many other framing nailers
• Angled nail rail for better maneuverability
• Rapid bump mode makes quick work out of tasks like attaching subflooring to joists
• Good nail-depth adjustment adapts to various wood densities

Cons

• Doesn’t have a quick-clear jam release
• Pricey

Get the Milwaukee nail gun at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or Northern Tool + Equipment.

We have long admired Bostitch nailers and staplers, and this powerful little brad nailer was no exception. We connected it to our compressor via a hose; inserted a strip of 18-gauge 2-inch nails; and tested the gun on oak, walnut, and pine boards. It has an easy-dial depth adjustment we used when we switched between different hardnesses of wood, and we were able to shoot brads consistently with the heads just slightly countersunk, which is what we were hoping to do.

We shot more than 200 brads, switching back and forth between 2- and 1-inch lengths. The Bostitch didn’t jam in all that time, but if it had, we would have removed the jammed nail via its handy quick-clear jam release.

The Bostitch brad nailer doesn’t come with an angled nail rail, which would have been handy when we were shooting nails in tight spots, but it’s highly reliable, and it even comes with a bump (multifire) mode. Realistically, a bump mode isn’t often called for on a brad nailer since this type of nail gun is used chiefly for installing trim, which is a precise task that doesn’t lend itself to rapid firing.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 18 gauge; ⅝ to 2⅛ inches long
• Power source: Pneumatic
• Model number: BTFP12233

Pros

• Good nail-depth adjustment adapts to various wood densities
• Powerful nail deployment makes sure nailheads don’t stick up
• Pointed tip that assists in precise nail placement

Cons

• Doesn’t come with angled nail rail

Get the Bostitch Smart Point nail gun at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Lowe’s.

The Bostitch 1¼-Inch to 2½-Inch Coil Siding Nailer proved to be efficient at installing siding and wood fencing. Since a single coil of nails can come with 3,000 nails or more, this model will allow installers to move quickly without needing to stop frequently to refill the nails.

We connected the pneumatic siding nailer to our air compressor and inserted a coil of 2-inch by .092-inch galvanized nails. We shot nails into two types of siding: cedar and fiber-cement siding. The tool’s depth gauge allowed us to adjust the nail depth to suit the type of siding, so the nail heads sat flush with the material. We switched from single-fire mode to bump mode and could shoot the nails in quick succession in both types of siding.

The gun didn’t jam until we accidentally hit a nail that was already in the siding. It doesn’t feature a quick-clear jam release, but many coil nailers don’t, so we cleared the jam and continued testing.

The Bostitch siding nailer also comes with a swivel rafter hook that we thought should have been a belt hook since the tool is designed to be used on siding. An installer is going to need to pick up new siding strips frequently, and it would have been nice to be able to hang the tool on a tool belt rather than lay it down each time. Plus, rafters are usually not in the immediate vicinity when installing siding, so the rafter hook seemed like a poor design choice.

Product Specs 

• Nail size: .080 to .092 inches in diameter; 1¼ to 2½ inches long
• Power source: Pneumatic
• Model number: N66C

Pros

• Holds large coils of nails for fewer nail-coil changes
• Powerful nail deployment in both single-fire and multifire modes
• Good nail-depth adjustment adapts to various wood densities

Cons

• No quick-clear jam release
• Unnecessary rafter hook

Get the Bostitch siding nail gun at Amazon, Menards, or Tools Plus.

The Bostitch 2-in-1 Flooring Tool works on a slightly different principle than the other nailers we tested, but not only did it save a lot of time, it also ensured that the hardwood strips were seated tightly against one another.

We tested it on an actual hardwood floor installation, and we liked it so much that we completed the whole floor with it. It sure beats the manual way of nailing each flooring strip by hand. We loaded the flooring nail gun with 2-inch-long 16-gauge nail cleats, which are nails with a tiny bend at the top rather than a traditional nailhead. It also accommodates 15½-gauge flooring staples.

After connecting the flooring nailer to the air compressor via a hose, we started nailing the strips. We positioned the Bostitch flooring nailer against the edge of the hardwood strip we wanted to attach. Rather than a trigger, this nailer features a mallet actuator, a knob that causes the nailer to fire a cleat when hit with the included mallet. It didn’t take a hard hit to get the nailer to fire—more of a firm tap.

Installing hardwood requires inserting a nail through the tongue side of a tongue-and-groove strip at an angle that goes through the tongue and into the subflooring. With the Bostitch, there was no guessing—the nailer shot each nail at just the right angle. In addition, when we hit the mallet actuator, the force of the nail firing helped secure the strip we were installing against the previous strip. Win-win!

Every cleat fired smoothly, and the nailer never jammed. If it had, however, we would have had to remove the jammed cleat manually since there is no quick-jam release option. We were delighted with the amount of time this nailer saved on installing hardwood flooring.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 15½-gauge flooring staples or 16-gauge cleats; 1½ to 2 inches long
• Power source: Pneumatic
• Model number: BTFP12569

Pros

• Shoots cleats at correct angle so user doesn’t have to guess
• Secures flooring strips together at the same time as it nails
• Soft grip on handle makes it great for long installations
• Accurate cleat insertion for professional-looking results

Cons

• No quick-clear jam release

Get the Bostitch 2-in-1 nail gun on Amazon or Bostitch.

If there’s one place no one wants to have to refill nail strips frequently, it’s on a roof. That’s why coil roofing nailers are so popular with professional roofers, and the Metabo HPT 1¾-Inch Coil Roofing Nailer was just as good as any we’ve ever used. It shoots standard 12-gauge roofing nails from ⅞ to 1¾ inches long. We loaded in a coil of 1¾ -inch nails and connected the nailer via a hose to our portable air compressor and started testing.

We used this pneumatic nail gun to attach asphalt shingles to a shed roof. At first, the nailheads were slightly too high, so we adjusted the tool’s depth adjustment until they were flush with the shingles. We tested the Metabo in both single-fire mode and bump mode and found that it shoots quickly and powerfully. At one point, we must have hit a nail in the sheathing beneath the shingle, and the gun jammed. Clearing away the jam was simple though. We just opened the nose of the nail feeder and used a small rod and a hammer to tap it out.

A feature some may overlook that we appreciated was the rubber bumpers on the sides of the tool. This is great for those times the roofer has to lay the gun down on the roof when positioning a new strip of shingles—the rubber helps keep the tool from sliding off the roof. (This feature would be particularly helpful on this tool, as it doesn’t have a belt hook.) We also liked the rubber-coated grip that allowed us to get a firm grasp when using the tool. The Metabo is a sound roofing nailer, and we shot more than 150 nails during our test. Plus, it weighs just 5½ pounds, making it easy to take up on a roof.

Product Specs 

• Nail size: 12 gauge; ⅞ to 1¾ inches long
• Power source: Pneumatic
• Model number: NV45AB2

Pros

• Light weight makes it easier to carry on a roof
• Shoots nails accurately for quick shingle installation
• Good depth adjustment, so nail heads don’t stick up or push through the shingles
• Rubber bumpers to keep the tool from sliding off a roof

Cons

• No tool-belt hook

Get the Metabo nail gun at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Menards.

Out of the three framing nail guns we tested, we selected the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Framing Nailer Kit as the best of the bunch for framing rafters. It’s also well suited to other framing situations, such as constructing stud walls, joist systems, or installing subflooring, but we felt that its slightly shorter nail rail (by 4 inches) put it at the top of our list for a more compact gun in tight spots. Plus, it has an adjustable rafter hook designed to hang on a rafter.

We loaded the gun with a 21-degree strip of 3-inch framing nails and tested it on stacked 2×4 pine boards. It deployed the nails quickly and powerfully. We adjusted the nail depth and shot more than 100 nails using both the single-fire and bump modes. We didn’t get any jammed nails. We then switched to shorter, 2-inch nails and tested the gun’s efficiency for nailing ⅝-inch oriented strand boards (OSB) to pine boards. We had to adjust the nail depth slightly to accommodate the different materials, but we had no jams. This framing nailer comes with a release lever in case a nail does jam.

The nail gun’s 21-degree slanted rail also adds to the convenience of using it in tight spots. We wouldn’t hesitate to use this DeWalt in any framing situation, but we feel it’s a top choice for rafter-framing projects.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 0.113 to 0.148 inches thick; 2 to 3¼ inches long
• Power source: Battery
• Model number: DCN21PLM1

Pros

• Slightly compact design handy in tight spots
• Angled nail rail for increased maneuverability
• Adjustable rafter hook to stow quickly during a job
• Quick-clear jam release

Cons

• Pricey

Get the DeWalt framing nail gun at The Home Depot, Acme Tools, or Grainger.

Those who haven’t yet found the right framing nail gun might want to consider the Ridgid Brushless Cordless 3½-Inch Framing Nailer. We hadn’t used a Ridgid nailer before, and we were impressed. It’s tough to keep up with national power tool manufacturers like DeWalt and Milwaukee, but Ridgid has done it with this 21-degree angled nail gun.

The Ridgid shoots framing nails up to 3½ inches long, the maximum length for framing nail guns (some shoot only up to 3¼ inches), and it packs a powerful punch. We loaded a 21-degree angled strip of 3-inch nails and started testing. We shot more than 100 nails through stacked 2×4 pine boards using both the single-fire and bump modes and didn’t have any jams.

We then switched to 2-inch nails and continued testing, shooting through ⅝- inch OSB stacked on pine boards. Adjusting the nail depth was simple, but then we experienced a jam. The Ridgid does not have a quick-clear jam release, but it does have a hex key on the tool that we used to loosen a couple of screws on the head of the nail gun in order to remove the jammed nail. It was a relatively quick process, but we would have liked a quick-jam release mechanism.

We found the Ridgid to be just as powerful as the other framing nailerswe tested, but it costs less, making it a good value for those who want a top-notch framing nailer but don’t want to spend a lot.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 0.113 to 0.131 inches thick; 2 to 3½ inches long
• Power source: Cordless battery
• Model number: R09894B

Pros

• Powerful nail deployment for accurately seated nailheads
• Single–fire and bump modes adjust to any type of framing
• Good nail-depth adjustment ensures nailheads seat flush along material

Cons

• No quick-jam release mechanism

Get the Ridgid nail gun at The Home Depot.

The Ryobi ONE+ cordless brad nailer comes with a tip that helped us insert the nails exactly where we wanted them. While high precision isn’t always necessary with framing nailers, installing delicate trim work requires exact fastener placement, and this nail gun shines in that area. We liked the fact that it was cordless since many brad nailers are still pneumatic, and an air hose can get in the way at times.

We charged the battery, loaded a strip of 18-gauge 1-inch brad nails, and started our testing by shooting them into oak and walnut boards. At first, the nailheads were sitting a little too high, but we adjusted the nail depth until they were just below the surface of the wood. We shot more than 100 brads before switching to pine boards, where we had to lessen the nail depth to suit the softer wood.

We had three nail jams with the 1-inch nails, but the jams were easy to clear using the quick-clear jam release. We also tested the Ryobi by loading 1½ -inch brads, and we didn’t get any jams with those. In addition to the precision tip, this brad nailer also comes with a bright LED guide light that we found was helpful in low-lighting situations. It comes with a bump mode, which isn’t used often in precision trim installation. We would have preferred an angled nail rail instead, which would have made it easier to use the tool in tight spots.

Product Specs

• Nail size: 18 gauge; ⅝ to 2⅛ inches long
• Power source: Battery
• Model number: P322

Pros

• Powerful nail deployment for accurately seated nailheads
• Good nail-depth adjustment allows trimming in different densities of wood
• Single-fire and bump modes adjust to precision framing or quick attachment tasks

Cons

• Nail rail is not angled, making it harder to fit into tight spaces

Get the Ryobi nail gun at The Home Depot.