Brad nailers are compact and lightweight power tools that all DIYers should include in their tool arsenal. They are usually very inexpensive and easy to find, but with so many choices, it can be a little overwhelming. It is with this in mind that we offer you our best brad nailer buying tips and our top seven brad nailer reviews.
Best Brad Nailer Comparison Chart
Brad Nailer Models | Basic Information | Price |
|---|---|---|
 MAKITA AF505N | ||
 BOSTITCH BTFP12233 | ||
 SENCO FINISHPRO | ||
 DEWALT DWFP12231 | ||
 PORTER-CABLE BN200B | ||
 Metabo HPT NT50AE2 | ||
 DEWALT DC608K |
How to Find the Best Brad Nailer
Brad nailers are an essential part of any home renovator’s tool kit. Why? Because they fire tiny, 18-guage nails that can be incredibly hard to drive in by hand due to the brad nail presenting such a small target. There are two things that you should keep in mind when you are purchasing your brad nailer: nail length accommodation and nose size. Read the complete brad nailer buying guide here.
Nail Length: 2” or 2 1/8”?
Most brad nailers have a nail length limit of either 2” or 2 1/8”. When deciding which is best for you, take this into account: some 2” nails are a little bit longer than 2”. They aren’t much longer, but the excess is enough to make them unusable in many nail guns that only support lengths of 2”. We recommend that those who foresee themselves frequently using 2” nails consider purchasing a gun with a 2 1/8” length limit in order to accommodate this.
Nose Size
When you use a brad nailer, you are shooting a tiny, tiny nail often within a confined space. If accuracy is important to you, and we are assuming that it is, then you want to purchase a nail gun with a nose that is small enough for you to be able to fire and be confident that the nail will end up in the place you intended and whose overall design is slim and compact to fit into tight spaces.
Top 7 Brad Nailer Reviews
MAKITA AF505N
4.7 / 5
We love the convenience of this nailer, from its tool-less adjustment settings to its rotatable tool hook. Everything is designed to make using this nail gun quick and simple. A special feature on this Makita brad nailer is the extra-narrow nose.
While not as streamlined as some of the narrow-nose features on other nailers in this list, it still manages to fit into tight spaces quite well, and it has great accuracy. We also really like its light, compact design style—it does not fatigue our hands or arms and it doesn’t take up too much space on the tool wall.
And while most nailers have an easy jam-clearing mechanism, we found that the one on this Makita brad nailer was more effective and easier to use than all of the others. Read full MAKITA AF505N brad nailer review.
Features:
- Tool-less depth adjustment.
- Tool-less jam clearing mechanism.
- Multi-directional exhaust.
- Narrow nose to reach small areas or confined spaces.
- Non-marring rubber nose and bumpers.
- Dual nail reload indicator window.
- Rotatable tool hook.
Specifications:
- Measurements: 10.25” x 2.5” x 9 5/8”.
- Weight: 3lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 60 to 115 PSI.
- Nail size: 5/8” to 2”.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service.
BOSTITCH BTFP12233
4.8 / 5
We honestly cannot say enough about how much we like the nose of this gun. It is by far the narrowest of all the brad nailers on this list and it fires with pinpoint precision. This is the tool we turn to when we absolutely have to ensure the accuracy of our nailing, such as during delicate projects or when working on something small.
We find that there are few things more frustrating than a nailer landing a nail in an unintended spot because the nose was too broad to be able to tell exactly where you were aiming. This Bostitch Smart Point brad nailer also feels good in your hand; not only is it lightweight and compact, the rubber grip makes holding the nail gun such a comfortable experience.
Plus, the air connector is a ¼” swivel connector, which helps make up for some of the maneuverability that you lose when you choose a pneumatic (air-powered) tool; the cord stays out of your way on its own, which is a definite bonus for those working within tight spaces.
Lastly, we’d like to say something about the warranty; Bostitch backs up the Smart Point nailer with an impressive seven-year warranty, which is far more than any other company on this list offers. Read complete BOSTITCH BTFP12233 brad nailer review here.
Features:
- Smart Point Technology—a smaller nose results in more precise nailing.
- Oil-free operation.
- Depth-adjustment.
- Sequential and contact trigger options.
- Tool-free jam release mechanism.
- Rear air exhaust.
- Belt hook.
- Comes with case, no-mar tips, sample fasteners, and a manual.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 11.3” x 3.2” x 9.5”.
- Weight: 3.1lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2 1/8”.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 7-year limited manufacturer warranty.
SENCO FINISHPRO
4.6 / 5
We think that this is a great gun for everyone, but especially for those new to using power tools or doing home improvement in general. We say this because this Senco brad nailer is extremely easy to use; there was practically no learning curve at all.
First, right out of the box, we noticed that the Senco was quite well-balanced with a comfy rubber grip, so it was easy to grasp and hold correctly. And of course, the low 2.48lb weight of this gun makes that even simpler.
We also think that newbies will appreciate its oil-less design, as it means that they do not have to deal with handling oil and they do not have to run the risk of ruining their project with oil spills and mishaps.
Lastly, this nail gun fits up to 2 1/8” nails when most brad nailers only fit up to 2” nails. We like this for newcomers to the craft because we have found that some 2” nails are longer than 2”, meaning that they would be unusable in a gun with a 2” limit. A newbie would be unlikely to know this, so we like that the extra 1/8” gives the user a little wiggle room on brad nail length.
Features:
- Magnesium housing.
- Belt hook.
- Rear exhaust.
- Jam-clearing mechanism.
- Tool-free depth of drive.
- Contact and sequential trigger options.
- Reload indicator.
- Oil-free.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 10.5” x 2.5” x 9.75”.
- Weight: 2.48lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2 1/8”.
- Magazine capacity: 110.
- Warranty: 5 years.
DEWALT DWFP12231
4.7 / 5
Another gun with an impressively small nose, this Dewalt brad nailer delivers both precision and quality in one low-priced kit that also includes 500 nails and a case. Dewalt is one of our favorite brands because they consistently deliver on their products’ lifespans, performance, and overall quality.
We also think that they make some of the most comfortable tools in the business and this brad nailer is no exception—we love the no-slip comfort rubber grip. Combine that with its tiny nose and compact size and you have a nail gun with superb maneuverability, especially for a pneumatic tool.
This is one of the few guns that we have tested that has yet to jam on us. We keep waiting for it to happen, but so far, it has stayed jam-free. And while we do agree that no nail jams are a good thing, we feel like Dewalt’s awesome jam-clearing feature is going to waste. Read complete DEWALT DWFP12231 brad nailer review here.
Features:
- Magnesium body.
- Non-marring nose tip.
- Anti-slip rubber grip.
- Maintenance-free motor.
- Rear exhaust.
- Tool-free jam-clearing mechanism.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Belt hook.
- On-tool storage.
- Comes with 500 1.25” nails, case, and manual.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 13” x 3.7” x 13.1”.
- Weight: 2.6lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Trigger: Sequential firing.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2″.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 1-year free service contract.
PORTER-CABLE BN200B
4.4 / 5
Meet the brad nailer that blown us away with its drive consistency—the Porter-Cable Brad Nailer. It has an internal piston catch that provides the user with the maximum amount of power every time they fire the nailer.
This is important because we have found that some of the brad nailers that say they take up to 2” nails can indeed have 2” nails loaded into them, but they lack the sufficient amount of force to really drive those nails into the wood properly. This is definitely not one of those.
It pounds those nails in like a pro every time. We also really appreciated the kit that came with the nailer, as it included 1000 nails, a case, and even safety goggles.
Features:
- Magnesium body.
- Non-marring nose tip.
- Rubber grip.
- Maintenance-free motor.
- Rear exhaust.
- Tool-free jam-clearing mechanism.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Reload indicator.
- Adjustable belt hook.
- Comes with 1000 18-gauge 1.25 brad nails, ¼” fitting, safety glasses, and case.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 13.2” x 4” x 15.8”.
- Weight: 2.6lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Trigger: Sequential firing.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2”.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 1-year free service contract; 90-day money-back guarantee.
Metabo HPT NT50AE2
(Former HITACHI NT50AE2)
4.6 / 5
This is the most inexpensive brad nailer on our list, perfect for the woodworker or DIYer on a budget. It is also the lightest, weighing only 2.2lbs. So far, our favorite feature is either the reload indicator or the elastomer grip.
We like the reload indicator because it helps us prevent ourselves from dry firing, but the elastomer grip just feels so amazing in-hand. We really can’t decide. Also worthy of mention is the 360° exhaust vent, which allows us to direct contaminants wherever we want. Read complete Metabo HPT NT50AE2 review here.
Features:
- Aluminum body.
- Narrow nose.
- Non-marring nose tip.
- Elastomer grip.
- Sequential and contact trigger options.
- 360° adjustable exhaust port.
- Tool-free jam-clearing mechanism.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Reload indicator.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 10” x 2 3/8” x 9 3/16”.
- Weight: 2.2lbs.
- Power source: Air.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2”.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty.
DEWALT DC608K
4.5 / 5
The most expensive nailer on our list is also the only cordless electric brad nailer on our list and it is this Dewalt DC608K Brad Nailer. We tend to think that this type of tool would likely appeal most to professionals and those who find that they are doing jobs in places that cannot accommodate the bulk of an air compressor.
We like that this tool comes with the battery and charger, as some electric nail guns do not and you must buy both separately, which is a hassle. This is a much heavier tool than the other brad nailers on our list; that extra weight is due to the battery. Still, at around 7lbs, this nailer isn’t particularly heavy—it’s just heavier than the others.
Features:
- Narrow nose.
- Impact-resistant nose cap.
- Sequential and contact trigger options.
- Tool-free jam-clearing mechanism.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Reversible belt hook.
- Comes with 18V XRP NiCad battery, one-hour charger, safety glasses, and case.
Specifications:
- Measurements (LWH): 11.5” x 3.5” x 11”.
- Weight: 7.4lbs.
- Power source: Cordless electric.
- Voltage: 18V.
- Nail size/type: 18 gauge brad nails measuring 5/8” to 2”.
- Magazine capacity: 110.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 90-day money-back guarantee; 2-year service contract on the battery.
Find the Best One for Yourself
Just because we recommend a tool does not mean that it is the right one for you. Consider your situation carefully by reading our brad nailer reviews and think about what you need in your brad nailer before you start to shop. That way, you will be sure to get the best brad nailer that meets all of your needs.