Best Finish Nailers

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Best Finish Nailers

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How to Choose the Best Finish Nailer

When looking for the best finish nailers, we researched several to find you only the best for your home and professional tasks! Whether you want to put in hardwood flooring, build some cabinetry, or put together a birdhouse for your yard, the right nailer can make all of those jobs much easier! They come in all kinds of styles and price points, too! Before you invest in a finish nailer, here are a few features you should know about first.

Best Finish Nailers

Gauge: The gauge is the diameter of the nail your gun can use. Thicker nails have lower gauge numbers and are best for anchoring wood together. Thinner nails have higher gauge numbers and are easier to hide in the final product.

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Power: Finish nailers are typically pneumatic, which requires you to hook them up to an air compressor to work. Other nailers use electricity or batteries to run, which can be great if you don’t want to also buy an air compressor.

How to Choose the Best Finish Nailer

Nail Size: The nail length you use depends on the project you’re working on. We’ll let you know the range of sizes you can use with each nailer, so you can choose the one that will work for all your woodworking projects!

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Type: Nailers come in two different styles: straight and angled. Straight nailers are best for finishing projects, such as baseboards and molding, that require using thinner nails. Angled nailers can reach into tough spaces and work best when using thicker nails.

Best Finish Nailers

Weight: Heavier nailers are great for using on tough projects that require thicker, longer nails, such as roofing or large woodworking projects. Lightweight nailers are great for projects that require using your nailer for long stretches, like attaching shingles and flooring.

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Warranty: A warranty is a great assurance to the customer that the company stands by their product. It means that the company will repair or replace your finish nailer if something breaks or malfunctions while the warranty is still in effect.

Top 10 Products

Now that know more about all the features offered, let’s find you the right finish nailer for your job or home! We found 10 of the best out there that are at a variety of price points, and they have a lot of nice features to make your woodworking projects go much faster than they would without it! If you’re short on time, check out the Top Pick and Budget Pick today – then come back when you have more time!

Hitachi Angled Finish Nailer

Hitachi Angled Finish Nailer
Let’s start with our Top Pick for the best finish nailer! This angled finish nailer made the top of our list because it’s powerful, easy to use, and comes with convenient features! We like this nailer because it’s angled, so you can get into tight spaces with ease. You can use this nailer with the trigger, or switch it to the contact setting to nail when it makes contact with a surface – whichever is more comfortable for you! We also like that this pneumatic nailer comes with a built-in air duster, so you can blow away sawdust and debris before and after adding in nails! You can also adjust the exhaust to point wherever you want, so the air, oil, and debris points away from you or away from surfaces. It only weighs 4.2 pounds, making it easy to maneuver and won’t wear your arms out after a long day of laying flooring, putting up molding, or building a deck!
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DEWALT DWFP12231 Brad Nailer

DEWALT DWFP12231 Brad Nailer
Our Budget Pick for the best air finish nailer is this inexpensive yet highly effective nailer from DeWalt! We like this nailer because it’s easy to use, doesn’t require much maintenance, and of course, won’t break your budget! It has an easy drive depth adjuster so you only nail things in as far as needed. You can also unclog the nailer without tools, which comes in handy if it jams. To keep your surfaces clean and pristine, the motor is maintenance free, which means you don’t have to worry about oil stains! It also has an exhaust port to push away debris and excess air without staining surfaces. We also like that it comes with a no-mar tip you can add on, which is stored in the machine for safekeeping! This is the best 18 gauge finish nailer for the money, so if you need to do your home projects on a budget, this is a great place to start!
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Makita AF505N Brad Nailer

Makita AF505N Brad Nailer
When looking for the best finish nailer for trim, we wanted a compact, yet powerful nailer that can handle nailing down trim quickly without damaging the delicate wood. This pneumatic nailer from Makita fits the bill, and it’s a great investment if you plan on doing trim work in your professional or home projects! First off, we like that this machine is small and fits into tight spaces, making it great for doing intricate trim work in awkward corners! It also has non-marring bumpers and rubber nose to prevent dings and dents in trim, flooring, walls, or surrounding wood! We like that this nailer also has a tool-free depth adjustment dial to make quick adjustments. You also won’t need tools to get into the machine if it jams – there is an easy access cam lock that lets you reach jammed nails quickly. This nailer also comes with a hard case to keep your nailer in great condition as you travel!
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PORTER-CABLE Finish Nailer

PORTER-CABLE Finish Nailer
Next up is this cordless finish nailer from Porter-Cable that is both affordable and easy to use! This nailer runs on lithium-ion batteries, and it doesn’t need a pneumatic air pump to function! You don’t have to worry about buying an extra air compressor, gas, or deal with hoses – just turn it on and go! You can nail around 1,000 nails with each charge, which is great for tackling any home projects you need to get done! It’s a basically tool-free nailer, too! You can adjust the nailing depth, release jams, and release it when it stalls without the need for extra tools you’d have to carry around! We also like that it has bright LED lights that help you clearly see exactly where you’re nailing, which is great in dark corners or under cupboards! We think this is the best 16 gauge finish nailer for those who want to do home improvement projects without buying an air compressor!
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Hitachi NT50AE2 Nailer

Hitachi NT50AE2 Nailer
When doing long, tedious home improvement projects like installing wood flooring or putting up molding, a lightweight nailer can make all the difference! This nailer from Hitachi is only 2.2 lbs., making it perfect for tackling projects that take all day without wearing you out! We like that this nailer can be used with the trigger or by contact, and it’s done by the simple flip of a lever. To give you more accuracy, safety, and control, the padded handle is easy to grip and keep steady, even in awkward spaces. You can set the nail depth without the use of tools, so you can make quick adjustments without needing to stop and find your tool. It also has an easy-access feature to open the nailer and remove jammed nails, so you can fix the problem and get back to your job quickly! The exhaust vent is adjustable, so you can point it away from your face or delicate surfaces!
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BOSTITCH Smart Point Nailer

BOSTITCH Smart Point Nailer
If you’re in the market for an inexpensive pneumatic nailer to take on the job, consider picking up one of these durable and easy to maintain nailers from Bostitch! We like this nailer because it is an oil-free nailer, which means less money and time spent maintaining your machine, and no accidental oil stains on your wood! It also uses Smart Point technology to give you more control over where the nail goes into the wood and reduces the chance for misfiring. If your nailer jams, which is common, you don’t need special tools to get inside and fix the problem. This nailer has easy access to pull out jammed nails, so you can get on with your job faster. It also comes with a hard carrying case, sample brad nails, and a few extra no-mar tips to get you started! We think that this would make a great gift for a new homeowner or young professional in your life!
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NuMax SFN64 Finish Nailer

NuMax SFN64 Finish Nailer
Another inexpensive nailer we like is this one from NuMax, who makes high-quality home improvement tools at an affordable price! This pneumatic nailer is easy to use, thanks to the tool-free depth adjuster, ergonomic padded handle, and lightweight aluminum body. We like this nailer because you can use it with a variety of nails from 1-2.5 inches long, making it a great nailer to do flooring, molding, build cabinets, put together furniture, and whatever else you need done around the house! There is a 360-degree adjustable exhaust, so you can point it away from your face or other surfaces while you work. The no-mar tip is great for nailing into delicate wood without leaving dings and dents you’d later have to fill in and cover. It comes with goggles, oil, and adjusting wrenches, too! We think this is a great, affordable 16 gauge finish nailer for everything from building a new deck to doing wood crafts with the family!
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WEN 61720 Brad Nailer

WEN 61720 Brad Nailer
For an efficient nailer, we looked for one that you can reload and unjam in a hurry – and this one from Wen keeps you working hard all day! We like that this nailer is built for efficiency – it’s lightweight, easy to load, and has a quick release magazine to expel jammed nails quickly. You can fix the problem and get back to work without breaking out your toolbox! We also like that the magazine has a clear bar, so you can see how many nails you have left before needing to refill. You can also adjust the depth without tools, so you can make quick changes and get back to it! The directional exhaust keeps the dirty air out of your face, and the lightweight body prevents fatigue during long stretches! The kit includes a carrying case, oil, and any wrenches you need to properly maintain your machine. This is a great nailer to take with you on the job!
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Senco FinishPro 42XP Nailer

The FinishPro 42XP from Senco is another of our picks for both the best 15 gauge finish nailer and the best angled finish nailer! It’s great for using around the house or taking with you on your next professional job. The magnesium housing is both lightweight and durable, so you can feel confident this nailer will stay in great shape for years. The angled design helps you see exactly where you’re nailing, and makes it easier to reach tough spaces like under cabinets, in corners, and along flooring. It’s also easy to use! You can adjust the nail depth with a thumb dial, and the EZ-Clear latch makes removing jammed nails quick and easy. The exhaust is also adjustable, so you can point it away from you, your coworkers, or delicate surfaces. We also like that this is a Neverlube machine, meaning you don’t need to use oil to maintain it. This both saves you money and prevents oil stains!
The FinishPro 42XP from Senco is another of our picks for both the best 15 gauge finish nailer and the best angled finish nailer! It’s great for using around the house or taking with you on your next professional job. The magnesium housing is both lightweight and durable, so you can feel confident this nailer will stay in great shape for years. The angled design helps you see exactly where you’re nailing, and makes it easier to reach tough spaces like under cabinets, in corners, and along flooring. It’s also easy to use! You can adjust the nail depth with a thumb dial, and the EZ-Clear latch makes removing jammed nails quick and easy. The exhaust is also adjustable, so you can point it away from you, your coworkers, or delicate surfaces. We also like that this is a Neverlube machine, meaning you don’t need to use oil to maintain it. This both saves you money and prevents oil stains!
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PowRyte Air Finish Nailer

The final finish nailer we reviewed is this 16-gauge nailer from PowRyte that’s perfect for home improvement projects, crafting projects, building furniture, and even professional work! We like that this pneumatic nailer is built to reduce potential problems, from jammed nails to accidental dry firing. It has an easily visible indicator on the side of the magazine to let you know when you need to reload your nails. To prevent dry firing, it also has a zero nail lockout feature that won’t fire if it is empty. This will keep you from adding extra dents or dings in the wood! The no-mar tip also keeps you from denting even the softest wood while firing nails. It also has an easy-access nose that allows you to remove jammed nails quickly and safely. We also like the 360-degree adjustable exhaust, and there is also a tool hook that allows you to hang up your nailer while you’re busy doing other things!
The final finish nailer we reviewed is this 16-gauge nailer from PowRyte that’s perfect for home improvement projects, crafting projects, building furniture, and even professional work! We like that this pneumatic nailer is built to reduce potential problems, from jammed nails to accidental dry firing. It has an easily visible indicator on the side of the magazine to let you know when you need to reload your nails. To prevent dry firing, it also has a zero nail lockout feature that won’t fire if it is empty. This will keep you from adding extra dents or dings in the wood! The no-mar tip also keeps you from denting even the softest wood while firing nails. It also has an easy-access nose that allows you to remove jammed nails quickly and safely. We also like the 360-degree adjustable exhaust, and there is also a tool hook that allows you to hang up your nailer while you’re busy doing other things!
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About the Author

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Jennifer Trimbee

Expert Researcher and Writer

Jennifer Trimbee, a lead researcher and writer at GeekWrapped, is an expert writer with many years of experience. Jennifer writes about technology, sports, outdoor, and gear products.

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Article last updated on:

September 30, 2019

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TOP PICK

Hitachi Angled Finish Nailer

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