Finish nailers are essential for projects like cabinetwork, heavy molding, and furniture construction. They have more holding power than brad nailers and are therefore better suited to projects that require harder and thicker materials, especially those that need to be bonded together. If you are on a quest to find the best finish nailer, then check out our detailed finish nailer reviews below.
Best Finish Nailer Comparison Chart
Finish Nailer Models | Basic Information | Price |
---|---|---|
Metabo HPT NT65MA4 | ||
BOSTITCH N62FNK | ||
BOSTITCH BTFP72156 | ||
DEWALT D51257K | ||
SENCO 4G0001N FINISHPRO | ||
DEWALT DC618K | ||
PASLODE 902400 | ||
DEWALT DC628K |
Best Pneumatic Finish Nailer Reviews
Pneumatic nailers are the least expensive and most widely available finish nailers. They require an air compressor to act as a power source which, for those who do not already have one, can be an added expense. However, if you do not have an air compressor, you really should consider purchasing one as they are incredibly handy and pretty fun to use.
Our favorite feature on Metabo HPT's (Former Hitachi) Finish Nailer is the air duster because it makes cleaning up our workspaces so quick and easy. It’s quite nice to come into a workshop each morning and find it nice and tidy, like a fresh blank canvas on which to work. But after working on a project for so long, clean up may be the last thing you feel like doing, but the air duster takes care of that.
We also really liked the adjustable exhaust, as we found it quite handy when we needed to direct contaminants whilst we were in odd positions and spots. And last, but certainly not least, the selective actuation feature. You can change between sequential and contact firing by only flipping a switch on the side of the gun—it’s so easy. Plus, it’s manufactured by Hitachi, a name you can count on for quality.
Features:
- Package comes with safety glasses, a no-mar tip, and a case.
- Made out of lightweight aluminum.
- Tool-free depth adjustment dial.
- Choose between sequential and contact firing with the flip of a switch.
- 360° exhaust.
- Air duster.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 13 9/16” x 3.25” x 12”.
- Weight: 4.2lbs.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Nail size/type: 15-gauge nails ranging in length from 1.25” to 2.5”.
- Angle: 34°.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 5-year limited warranty.
There are so many reasons to love this finish nailer from Bostitch, but we want to start with the amount of force this lightweight gun produces—400 inch-pounds of driving power, which is more than enough to drive those 2.5” nails deep into the wood. Seeing as how many finish nailers tend to wimp out once they have to drive in a nail longer than 2”, this is quite impressive.
And for those who are unsure of their purchase, Bostitch has one of the best warranties in the business, offering a seven-year limited warranty on this finish nailer. But perhaps our most favorite feature of this Bostitch finish nailer was the magazine capacity; it holds up to 130 nails, which severely cut down on our reload time. Reloading always seems to knock us out of whatever groove we have gotten into, so we definitely appreciate this.
Features:
- Package contains no-mar tips, four profile tips, case, and fasteners.
- Magnesium housing.
- Oil-free.
- Adjustable trigger that allows sequential and contact firing AND which has a trigger lock out feature.
- Integrated air blower.
- Rear trip design for clear line of sight.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 14.186” x 3.625” x 11.688”.
- Weight: 4.15lbs.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Nail size/type: 15-gauge angled finish nails ranging in length from 1” to 2.5” long.
- Angle: 34°.
- Magazine capacity: 130.
- Warranty: 7-year limited warranty.
Yes! One of our favorite brad nailer noses makes a reappearance in a slightly larger gauge in Bostitch’s Smart Point 15Ga Angle Finish Nailer Kit. We love the Smart Point nose because it allows the user to fire their nails with absolute and total assurance in their precision.
Seriously, look at how small it is; it’s like the nose of a hot glue gun. Like the Bostitch finish nailer profiled above, the Smart Point also has an impressive magazine capacity of 129.
Features:
- Smart Point technology.
- Tool-free jam release.
- Tool-free depth adjustment (Dial-a-Depth).
- Selectable trigger system for both sequential and contact firing.
- Oil-free.
- Integrated air blower.
- Adjustable belt hook with pencil sharpener.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 14.3” x 3.8” x 12.1”.
- Weight: 4.32lbs.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Nail size/type: ranging in length from 1.25” to 2.5”.
- Magazine capacity: 129.
- Warranty: 7-year limited warranty.
This lightweight finish nailer from Dewalt is a great deal for those who do not foresee themselves needing a bump firing option (as this particular unit does not have one). At 3.9lbs, it is one of the least heaviest finish nailers that we have used and the comfort grip made it feel so great in-hand.
Our hands and arms never felt tired, even after constant, hours-long usage. While the nose is not as small as that of the Smart Point, it was still exact enough for us to be able to accurately drive in our nails.
Features:
- Package comes with case, 1000 2-inch finish nails, no-mar pad, installed sequential trigger, and trigger lock-off.
- Low-profile no-mar pad.
- Adjustable belt hook.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Tool-free jam-clearing.
360° exhaust. - Can be used without oil, though occasional oiling may make for better performance.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 11.8” x 3.5” x 10.6”.
- Weight: 3.9lbs.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Nail size/type: 16-gauge straight collated nail, ranging in length from 1” to 2.5”.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Trigger: Sequential firing.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 1-year service contract (excluding O-rings, bumpers, and driver blades); 90-day money-back guarantee.
We love the wide range of uses that this gun gave us, working with woods of all levels of hardness with ease. While its 104 magazine capacity is not as impressive as others that we have seen, 104 is still enough to keep you from wasting a lot of time reloading.
This Senco nail gun is great for base molding, cabinets, flooring, crown molding, and door and window casings, which is why we recommend it for DIYers, as it has so many different applications. We also liked how the 42XP is built to cut down on the rate of misfires and double nailing.
Features:
- Magnesium housing.
- Oil-free.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Tool-free jam-clearing.
- 360° exhaust.
- Misfire and double-nailing resistant.
- No-mar pad.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 13” x 3.5” x 11.25”.
- Weight: 4.7lbs.
- Operating air pressure: 70 to 120 PSI.
- Air inlet fitting: ¼”.
- Nail size/type: 15-gauge 34° angled strip finish nails, ranging in length from 1.25” to 2.5”.
- Angle: 34°.
- Magazine capacity: 104.
- Warranty: 5-year warranty.
Best Cordless Finish Nailer Reviews
Cordless finish nailers are more expensive than their pneumatic counterparts, but can be the right option if you do not want to buy an air compressor, or if you are going to be working in an area that cannot accommodate the bulk of a compressor. Cordless nailers allow for greater maneuverability, as they do not have to be attached to anything, which many find preferable to being tethered to a compressor.
The maker is one of our favorite pneumatic finish nailers also makes a cordless variety that is powered by an 18V NiCAD battery. This Dewalt finish nailer is a great tool for professionals, as well as amateurs who are willing to pay a higher price for a quality tool that is maneuverable and powerful.
Carpenters, woodworkers, and cabinetmakers will appreciate the speed at which this tool operates, especially when bump firing. We found that it easily kept up with our fastest nailgun-wielder on staff, which is fairly impressive.
Additionally, the one-hour charger means that you can be up and nailing in no time and that the battery can recharge during breaks, making projects go much quicker than usual.
Features:
- Package comes with case, one-hour charger, and battery.
- Selectable trigger system for both sequential and bump firing.
- Impact-resistant top cap.
- Integrated LED lights.
- Design protects gun from debris and dust.
- Depth-adjustment.
- No-mar tip.
- Tool-free jam-clearing.
- Contact lock-off.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 12.5” x 4.18” x 12.8”.
- Weight: 8.5lbs.
- Voltage: 18V.
- Battery cell type: NiCAD.
- Nail size/type: 16-gauge nails measuring 1.25” to 2.5” in length.
- Angle: 20°.
- Magazine capacity: 110.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 2-year free service warranty; 90-day money-back guarantee; 2-year warranty on XRP battery.
We absolutely love this Paslode finish nailer’s low weight. At only 4.5lbs., it is much lighter than most other cordless nailers and even rivals that as some of its pneumatic nailer counterparts. In other words, in the world of cordless nail guns, this Paslode tool feels like you’re holding a feather.
Our other favorite feature is the battery life. This finish nail gun can run a long, long time between charges and fuel cell changes. That and its low weight make it a great finish nailer for long jobs, though the fact that it requires the use of Paslode-brand nails may be a deterrent to potential buyers.
Features:
- Easy-to-install fuel cell system.
- Tool-free depth adjustment.
- Belt hook.
- Nail lockout to prevent blank driving.
- No-mar tip.
- Requires Paslode nails.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 12” x 3.5” x 11.25”.
- Weight: 4.5lbs.
- Battery type: Lithium ion battery; also requires a fuel cell.
- Nail size/type: Paslode 16-gauge nails measuring 1.25” to 2.5” in length.
- Angle: 20°.
- Magazine capacity: 100.
- Warranty: 1-year full coverage warranty.
This is the 15-gauge version of the cordless Dewalt finish nailer discussed above. If you liked all of those features, but need to fire larger nails, then this is the nailer for you. Its numerous features and build quality make it one of our favorite finish nail guns; its convenient design is the cherry on top. We particularly appreciate the depth dial as it allows us to keep our drive depth uniform when necessary.
Features:
- Package includes battery, charger, plastic case, and safety glasses.
- Selectable trigger system for both sequential and bump firing.
- Impact-resistant top cap.
- Integrated LED lights.
- Design protects gun from debris and dust.
- Depth-adjustment.
- No-mar tip.
- Tool-free jam-clearing.
- Contact lock-off.
Specs:
- Measurements (LWH): 12.5” x 5” x 13.8”.
- Weight: 8.8lbs.
- Voltage: 18V.
- Battery cell type: NiCAD.
- Nail size/type: 15-gauge nails measuring 1.25” to 2.5” in length.
- Angle: 34°.
- Magazine capacity: 110.
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty; 1-year free service warranty; 90-day money-back guarantee; 2-year warranty on XRP battery.
Your Best Finish Nailer
Ultimately, the best finish nailer will be the one that best suits your needs. You can learn more about buying nailers and the features and options to look for by reading our buying guide, or if you think that a finish nailer might be too much for what your job requires, check out our information and reviews on brad nailers.