Top 7 Best Brad Nailers of 2022 (Cordless + Pneumatic) | Reviews & Top Picks

Best Brad Nailers

1. Dewalt DCN680B 20V Cordless Brad Nailer

Dewalt DCN680B is a full battery-operated brad nailer that works on a 2.0Ah Lithium-Ion battery. This brad nailer works on the flywheel design and weighs only 5.2 pounds. The best part of the flywheel design is that once it starts spinning, the nailer will fasten the nail with ZERO lag time.

The battery-operated brushless motor provides precisely the same power and quality as you get in the pneumatic brad nailer. From ⅝” to 2-⅛” 18 gauge brad nails can be fasten using this nailer on various types of woods like maple, oak, mahogany, etc.

It has 2 LED lights that focus directly on the tip of the nailer and give decent light to work anytime. LED lights are activated when you press the firing trigger. Adjusting the depth dial is placed on the side, so you can easily change, and the visual will give you a rough estimate about the depth.

The high-quality rubber strip will save the product from getting damaged if you are working in a rough area. On a single charge, you can drive approx 1000 nails before it runs out of power so you can use it almost all day. In a straight magazine of the tool, you can hold the 110 nails.

The tool-less jam release is effective and reduces downtime, unlike the corded brad nailer, where you need to waste time removing the jammed nail. That is one great feature we get to see on this cordless nailer.

The Dewalt DCN680B will lockout when only 11 brads remain, which is a little too high. It would have been great if the tool locks after all the brands are fired.

Changing the mode on Dewalt 18GA is simple; you can do it with only the push of a button. A fastening mode will get you the single-shot mark, whereas, on a bump mode, you can do the speed nailing without wasting a single time.

The belt hook can be fixed on either side, and it is easy to hang anywhere when not in use. The product comes with the 3 years limited warranty, 90 days money-back guarantee, and a 1-year free service.

2. PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA 20V Cordless Brad Nailer Kit

A Stanley Black & Decker backed Porter Cable is known among the DIYers and professionals for manufacturing high-performance products at an affordable price that stays with you for many years.

Porter-Cable announced the lightweight cordless brad nailer that weighs only 5.9 pounds with a Lithium-Ion battery.

The PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA can fasten the nails up to 1300 nails on a single charge using a 4Ah battery. The nailer motor is designed to provide consistent firing power of nails in varied climate conditions and on any type of wood. This feature allows you to use it anywhere, anytime, without worrying about anything.

Porter-Cable nailer can fit the nailers ranging from ⅝” to 2” of fasteners, and in a single, it can fit up to 100 fasteners in the magazine, so not only you can use it in multiple conditions and woods, but you can work with the nails of different size,

Hence these features make this product versatile.

The depth drive dial is simple to operate, and the indicator is easy to read. There is no firing bump mode in this brad nailer. Jam clearance is tool-free and well-designed, and this is not something you will experience every day with the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA.

One thing I didn’t like was no fuel gauge. You don’t know when you will run out of battery. Integrated belt hook makes it easy to hang it anywhere after use. The ergonomic design of the handle is easy to hold and make your hand fatigue.

The 2 attached bright LED lights illuminate the workplace very well, and the trigger lock is a nice feature for one’s safety. This battery-powered brad nailer is very low maintenance compared to the pneumatic brad nailer.

This is an impressive brad nailer, and it would be a good choice for the homeowner and DIY, but if you are looking for professional use, then you should consider the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA cordless brad nailer. This product comes with 3 years warranty.

3. Kimo 9418A 18-Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer

Kimo 9418A is one powerful tool that is hard to ignore. It comes as a brad nailer as well as a stapler kit. KIMO Li-ion technology ensures that you will get 1000 charging cycle time instead of the 500 charging cycle that you get when you purchase from another manufacturer.

On a 2Ah battery, the Kimo 9418A can nail 700 brads or staples 300 pcs of 18 gauge crown staples before it runs out of power. The dual nailing mode can fire a single brad every time you press the trigger on a sequential mode, and on a bump mode, it can nail fiercely at the rate of 80 nails/min on a wide range of woods. This gives you an idea of how powerful and versatile this brad nailer cum stapler kit is.

The tool has the capacity of holding 100 nails/staples in the magazine. You can easily place the nail ranging from ¾” to 2” and staples the size of ¾” to 1 ⅝” in this brad nailer.

Adjusting the depth drive is as simple as rotating the knob, and the nailer serves the consistent power in the whole process. The LED light located near the head illuminates the dark areas. The narrow-sized body is easy to handle, and it weighs only 6 pounds so, you can nail overhead without any stress and fatigue.

The fast charging charger takes only 1.5 hours to fully charge. The product comes with 500 18 gauge nails, 500 18 gauge staples, one wrench, and a carrying bag. It is backed by 2 years warranty.

4. BOSTITCH BTFP12233 Pneumatic Brad Nailer

With its own unique Smart Point feature, Bostitch has reduced the nose piece by 80%. This smaller nose piece helps the carpenter to fasten the nail accurately and also reduces the chances of damage.

Another unique feature we like is oil-free operation means like other pneumatic brad nailers, this doesn’t require any kind of oiling. So you spend more time working instead of filling oil now and then.

The magazine of Bostitch brad nailer can hold up to 100 nails in the size of ⅝ inches to 2-⅛ inches, which saves you a lot of time for reloading, and you can use this nail gun for multiple sizes. The product only weighs about 5.2 pounds.

The Dial-A-Depth control switch is placed near the trigger to adjust the nail’s depth simply by rotating the dial. Like other brad nailers, this one also comes with dual-mode sequential and bump mode. Bump mode firing is suitable when precision is not important. The firing mode changing switch is above the trigger, and you need to lock the trigger using the trigger lock switch before changing the firing mode.

The tool-free jam release mechanism removes the jammed nail quickly. Belt hook comes with the pencil sharpener. This becomes very handy when we need to mark something on the wood, and the pencil’s tip breaks. The no-mar tip is another nice feature to protect the work surface, and you can easily detach it from the nailer when not required.

The over-mold rubber grip handle ensures the soft handling of the nailer during the long haul of work.

Like us, even you would be impressed with all the cool features, and it is made of magnesium material that ensures stability and durability. But wait, we have one more thing to say which will force you to buy this product, and that is the massive warranty period the manufacturer provides. The Bostitch BTFP12233 comes with a 7 years warranty.

Read More: Reviews of Best Framing Nailers

5. WEN 61721 18-Gauge Pneumatic Brad Nailer

WEN has manufactured quality power tools and outdoor equipment since 1951 and is known among the power tool users for its durability and high-quality performance of their various products.

WEN 61721 is an 18 gauge pneumatic brad nailer that can hold 106 nails in the magazine. The magazine of the pneumatic brad nailer can fit the nails ranging from ⅜ inches to 2 inches in size.

The cast aluminum body weighs only 2.7 pounds, and the anti-slip rubber grip fits comfortably into your hand. The combination of lightweight and rubber grip allows you to work for a long haul of time without getting fatigued.

The spring feature of the magazine lets you load the nails quickly, and the quick jam mechanism of the WEN brad nailer removes the jammed nail easily. The transparent magazine will allow you to check how many nails are remaining in the nail gun.

The adjustable depth of drive placed near the trigger lets you select the precise depth just by rotating the dial. The product comes with a ¼-inch air inlet with an operating pressure of 60-115 PSI and an adjustable air exhaust that allows you to remove the air in any direction you want.

This brad nailer comes with a 2 years warranty.

6. PORTER-CABLE BN200C Pneumatic Brad Nailer

BN200C is another Porter-cable product in our review. This one is a pneumatic brad nailer with an air inlet size of ¼ inches. The product comes in a plastic molding casing, and it is easy to carry.

The long-life maintenance-free motor with an internal piston provides the same power and consistency in every shot. Oil- lube is required for brad nailer to keep it working properly, and the magnesium body of the nailer gives stability and durability.

The magazine can hold the nails perfectly, ranging from ⅝” to 2” in length. The magazine opens on the side, put the nails in, and it will slide in easily on a gentle push. It can hold up to 100 fasteners.

The sequential style trigger is designed for safe nailing, which is a good feature in my opinion, and the open nose design provides you the tool-free jam release is a must-have feature in any brad nailer.

The rubber grip makes you feel comfortable when holding and easy control of the tool. Adjustable high-quality belt clip allows you to carry it anywhere, and you can hang it when not in use.

It comes with a 3 years warranty, 1-year free service and 90 days money-back guarantee with no question asked so this is a pretty good deal in my opinion. This nailer is suitable for heavy-duty work and weighs less than 1.5 pounds.

7. Makita AF505N 2-Inch Air-powered Brad Nailer

Without Makita, a review of any power tool is incomplete because whichever power tool you choose, you will find the Makita competing in the top position. It is difficult to find a reliable brand like Makita, which is known for making innovative designs and adding cool features to power tools.

The AF505N brad nailer is one such durable tool by Japanese company Makita. This 18-gauge nailer can fit the nails from ⅝” to 2” in length in the magazine, and the magazine can hold 100 nails. The product weighs only 3 pounds, and the rubberized soft grip allows you to work for as long as you want without feeling tired.

Tool-less mechanism removes the jammed and some stubborn nails quickly and wastes less time. Depth adjustment gives you the desired depth. Non-marring rubber nose and bumpers fasten the nails without damaging the wood.

Tool hook can rotate up to 180°, giving you the freedom to store and hang the way you want. Like a tool hook, the air exhaust port also rotates so you can remove the air in the direction you want.

The brad nailer comes with a selective actuation of the trigger that lets you decide between sequential firing and contact nailing. The dual reload indicator will light out in red to let you know if any nails are remaining in the magazine or not.

The product works perfectly on the air pressure between 60 to 115 psi. The Makita AF505N comes with a 3 years warranty.

What is a brad nailer? When it is useful?

A brad nailer is like a nail gun; instead of shooting nails, it shoots brads. To clear your confusion, brads are a thin nail. The brads are only 0.0475 inches or are 18 gauge.

These thin nails come in handy when you have to do an extreme trim finishing, and you can’t use the regular size nail because this might break the trim. Brads are also useful when you need to apply the final touch to your work. In some woods, they are almost invisible.

Difference types of brad nailers

There are two types of brad nailers available in the market: 1. Pneumatic brad nailer, and 2. Battery-operated brad nailer.

Pneumatic Brad Nailer:

Pneumatic brad nailers are a nailer that works on an air compressor. They were also the first type of brad nailer introduced in the market to help the construction sites working efficiently and rapidly. You will find the pneumatic brad nailer connected with the portable air compressor via an air hose.

The pneumatic one is more powerful and can easily work on heavy materials on any surface. They come in many designs for various job types, and they are built for heavy use and durable in nature.

The pneumatic brad nailer is powerful, but they are dangerous, and using it without proper technique can cause an accident. The length of the air hose also matters when you are using the Pneumatic brad nailer.

Battery-operated brad nailer:

As mentioned in the name, the battery-operated brad nailer works on the Lithium-Ion battery. The cordless brad nailers are portable and easy to carry everywhere. Technology advancement in the battery has increased the run time, and fast charging made the cordless nailer a viable option.

The biggest advantage is they don’t need any kind of maintenance or oiling, and the batteries are becoming more-n-more powerful. Longer runtime makes you think whether you should purchase the pneumatic or battery-operated brad nailer. They are even becoming lighter in weight and smaller in size. If you keep an extra battery, you can work for a long time without waiting for the battery to charge.

Although the cordless nailers have to travel a long distance in terms of power compared to the air-powered brad nailers and they are not recommended for heavy-duty work, but it is an excellent choice for small and medium jobs.

Buying Guide

When purchasing the brad nailer, you don’t need to spend hours researching because there are only a few things you need to consider before purchasing the brad nailer.

Things to consider before purchasing the brad nailer:

Weight:

This is something you have to consider if you are purchasing the pneumatic brad nailer or the cordless brad nailer. The pneumatic brad nailer starts from 2 pounds. They look lightweight, but you need to stay constantly connected with the air compressor via a hose.

On the other hand, the cordless brad nailer starts from 4 pounds, including the weight of the battery. They are heavy than the pneumatic, but you don’t need to stay connected with anything, and they are easy to carry. The weight doesn’t make much difference unless working for a long haul of time and nailing overhead.

Dual-mode shooting:

The brad nailer comes with 2 modes of shooting. The single shooting mode shoots the nail with high power. This mode is useful when you need to shoot precisely.

Another mode is known as bump mode. When you select the bump mode, you can continuously shoot the nails with the same power and pressure. This mode is quite useful when you need to complete more work quickly, and accuracy doesn’t matter.

Magazine capacity:

Choose the brad nailer that can hold a maximum number of brad nails in the magazine. There are brad nailers available in the market that can hold more than 100 nails at a time of different sizes, and some can even hold more than 100 nails at a time.

The magazine capacity of 100 or more and in different sizes are easily available in both types of nailers. Check for the models with the transparent magazine so you can check the numbers of nails remaining in the magazine or the brad nailer that comes with the indicator light for low nails.

Ergonomic design:

This feature should be considered when you are purchasing any power tool and not only a brad nailer. The ergonomic design handles are specially designed with the motive of reducing fatigue and increasing comfort during working time.

Ergonomic grip fits comfortably in hand and provides comfort to the area between thumb and index finger. Rubberized platting is done to protect the tool from getting damaged.

Today, all the big brands make the tool with ergonomic grip, but there is no harm in making sure before buying.

No-mar tips and nose design:

The no-marring tip is constructed and designed with soft rubber so the tip can’t put a dent in the wood. Some nailers also come with multiple tips.

Nose design affects the precision of nailing. Narrow nose design gives you a better vision of the spot, and with the smaller nose, you can also work in the tighter areas.

If you come across work that doesn’t require much precision, there you can use the brad nailer with a wide nose design.

Exhaust valve:

This releases the air out of the nailer when it is in use. This feature is only for the air compressed brad nailer and not applicable for the cordless brad nailer. If you are looking for the pneumatic brad nailer, then check where the exhaust valve is located.

The rotating exhaust valve is a great choice because you can set in what direction you want to release the air.

Adjustable Depth Gauge:

The adjustable deep gauge allows you to adjust the nailing depth by rotating a dial or any other way. Brad nailer can work with different sizes of brads, and some might need more depth than others to sink. You may also need to nail too deep depending upon the work, and that is when this nice feature is useful.

Anti-dry fire:

This is another great feature. A function of anti-dry fire is to lock the trigger when the magazine is empty. This feature is useful because the main reason behind using the brad nailer is we are working on some delicate projects. If the tool won’t activate the lock trigger when the magazine shoots the last nail, then the piston will produce the same power, and it may result in a dent due to the absence of brads. This is not a compulsory feature because you won’t be working every time on any delicate object, but it is good to have if it falls within your budget.

Tool-free jam release:

Brad can jam on the tip of the nailer any day. You need to remove it quickly so you can complete your work on time. This is when the tool-free jam release feature comes to save your time. It comes as a lever that can be flip open at the nose to remove the stuck brad. This is the best feature you should look for.

Warranty:

We consumers always check the warranty period and the price before checking other useful features. A different brand gives you a different warranty period. Try to go with the brand that gives a longer warranty period. A manufacturer like BOSTITCH gives a massive 7 years warranty to the consumer. A brand like Dewalt and Makita gives 3 years warranty. So always make sure to purchase the brad nailer that comes with the higher warranty period.

FAQ

Q. How to use brad nailer?

It is quite simple to use the brad nailer. Load the nails into the magazine. Connect it with the portable air compressor if using a pneumatic brad nailer or attach it with the Lithium-Ion battery in the case of cordless. Take the nailer to the spot where you wish to drive the nail and then press the trigger button.

Q. How many nails can I fire on a single charge?

On average, you can easily shoot 700 nails on a single charge. You can even shoot more than 1000 nails on a single charge, but it is highly dependent on the model and how powerful the battery is.

You can check on the website of the manufacturer about the firing range of the model on a single charge.

Q. Which is suitable for me: Pneumatic or cordless brad nailer?

To decide perfectly, ask yourself some questions like why are you purchasing the brad nailer? Where am I going to use this brad nailer? How much power do I need? etc., questions like that. If you need for small works, then cordless is the best choice. If you need to do some heavy-duty work, then the pneumatic would be a great idea.

A cordless brad nailer can be used anywhere, and you can carry it everywhere, but the pneumatic brad nailer needs a constant attach the air compressor to work, and it is not as easy as the cordless one to carry it everywhere.

Q. What is the difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer?

The difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer is quite simple. A brad as in the name, it is smaller in size compared to the finish nailer. Brad nailers are useful when you are nailing on lightweight trim or delicate pieces. In some woods, you won’t even notice that it is attached with the brad nailer.

A finish nailer is useful when you are joining the heavy pieces. When it comes to driving the nail into drywall, the brad nail will simply give up, and that’s when the finish nailer will come in handy.