Best Brad Nailers | The Top Tools to Buy

Every woodworker and furniture maker should have a trusty brad nailer in their arsenal, especially when working with trim and fine details and embellishments.

In this article, we will let you know which of the various brad nailers sold out there are the best choices when it comes to functionality, reliability, durability, and price.

Also, read our buying guide, so you will gain confidence in choosing the brad nailer that works best for your specific needs.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top recommendation is the WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Naile. This brad nailer is lightweight, has a comfortable rubber-grip handle, and makes clearing jammed brads quick. It is also inexpensive.

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The Best Brad Nailers Are:

Product	Details
1. WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer	1. WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer Top Pick	- Nail Size: 3/4 – 2 Inches - Pressure: 60 to 115 PSI - Capacity: 106 Nails - Power Source: Pneumatic - Weight: 2.7 pounds	Check Current Price
2. Porter-Cable BN200C 2-Inch 18GA Brad Nailer Kit	2. Porter-Cable BN200C 2-Inch 18GA Brad Nailer Kit	- Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches - Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI - Capacity: 100 Nails - Power Source: Pneumatic - Weight: 2.6 pounds	Check Current Price
3. DeWALT DWFP12231 Pneumatic Brad Nailer Kit	3. DeWALT DWFP12231 Pneumatic Brad Nailer Kit	- Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches - Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI - Capacity: 100 Nails - Power Source: Pneumatic - Weight: 5.03 pounds	Check Current Price
4. Bostitch BTFP12233 Nail Gum Brad Nailer, 18GA	4. Bostitch BTFP12233 Nail Gum Brad Nailer, 18GA	- Nail Size: 5/8 – 2-1/8 Inches - Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI - Capacity: 100 Nails - Power Source: Pneumatic - Weight: 5.16 pounds	Check Current Price
5. Makita AF505N Brad Nailer, 2-Inch	5. Makita AF505N Brad Nailer, 2-Inch	- Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches - Pressure: 60 to 115 PSI - Capacity: 100 Nails - Power Source: Pneumatic - Weight: 3 pounds	Check Current Price

1. WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer

Are you looking for the best brad nailer and do not want to break a bank to purchase one? Then you should consider investing in the WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer.

This tool comes at a relatively low price and still performs well. Its aluminum body keeps the weight to about 2.7 pounds.

This tool has a standard .25-Inch NPT air inlet, allowing you to use it with a wide range of air compressors and hose. It operates at a pressure of between 60 and 115 PSI. It also comes with a depth adjustable wheel, allowing you to choose the depth to which you want to drive the nail.

This unit also gives you full control over where you want the outputted air to go, thanks to its 360-degree adjustable exhaust.

The WEN 61721 has a contact trip trigger, which allows fast bump firing but is the riskier trigger type (see the safety section below). It shoots 18-gauge brads up to 2 inches long. The magazine has a view window.

The view window will let you in on the number of nails you have left. It also comes with a comfortable rubber-grip handle that makes the tool very easy to use.

A nose latch makes it quick to clear jammed nails. Disconnect the air hose before you open it. Its light weight helps during long trim jobs.

Specs

• Nail Size: 3/4 – 2 Inches
• Pressure: 60 to 115 PSI
• Capacity: 106 Nails
• Power Source: Pneumatic
• Weight: 2.7 pounds

Pros

• Made with lightweight aluminum body
• Comfortable handle
• Clearing jammed nails is easy and quick
• Inexpensive
• Comes with a carrying case

Cons

• The loading instructions are a bit complex

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2. Porter-Cable BN200C 2-Inch 18GA Brad Nailer Kit

Many contractors want tools that need little maintenance. This one fits the bill: its maintenance-free motor design is built not to leak oil that can stain your work surface.

No need to worry about jamming because this unit has a tool-free jam release function that removes jams even without the need for extra tools. With its lightweight and strong design, you can use this brad nailer easily and for a long time as it is capable of withstanding wear and tear.

The body is made from magnesium, which is strong and light. The rubber grip reduces hand fatigue on long jobs.

It drives nails accurately, and the belt hook keeps it within reach. Beginners and professionals alike will find it easy to use.

Specs

• Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches
• Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI
• Capacity: 100 Nails
• Power Source: Pneumatic
• Weight: 2.6 pounds

Pros

• Body is made from magnesium for longevity and durability
• Rubberized grip for a comfortable hold
• Delivers great accuracy when driving nails
• Nifty belt hook to keep the tool closer to you.

Cons

• It does not come with a nail indicator that will let you know the number of nails left in the magazine.

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3. DeWALT DWFP12231 Pneumatic Brad Nailer Kit

If you are looking for a highly reliable and powerful brad nailer, then you might want to give the DeWALT DWFP12231 Pneumatic Brad Nailer Kit a try. This is one of the most popular brad nailers on the market, and it offers great value for your money.

You can use this tool to shoot 18-gauge nails from 5/8 inches to 2 inches long, and this is the ideal nail size range for most woodworking jobs.

DeWALT describes a long-life, maintenance-free motor. Depth-of-drive adjustment is tool-free, with detents for setting nail heads consistently.

The process of clearing jammed nails is also very easy, and you do not need any tool to do that. These features will help you to finish your project easily and quickly, as they help to reduce downtime.

The DeWALT DWFP12231 has a lightweight magnesium body that stands up to normal job site use.

The operating pressure of this tool is 70 to 120 PSI. It comes with a rear exhaust to keep contaminates away from your workspace. You need a compressor to use this product. However, the compressor does not come with the tool. This tool also comes with an adjustable belt hook that allows you to keep the tool close to yourself.

Specs

• Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches
• Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI
• Capacity: 100 Nails
• Power Source: Pneumatic
• Weight: 5.03 pounds

Pros

• Long-life, maintenance-free motor
• The nail depth is very easy to adjust
• Well-balanced and lightweight
• You do not need a tool to clear jammed nails

Cons

• It does not come with a view window to keep track of the number of nails left

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4. Bostitch BTFP12233 Nail Gum Brad Nailer, 18GA

The next brad nailer on our list is the Bostitch BTFP12233 Nail Gum Brad Nailer. This is another popular brad nailer with woodworkers. Its main feature is Bostitch's Smart Point technology.

Smart Point uses a smaller nose, so placing nails at the exact spot on the workpiece is easier. If you want a precise brad nailer, this is one of the best options to consider.

One of the most outstanding features of this tool is that it works without oil. As such, you do not need to add oil to the nailer. This also helps to eliminate the chances of oil stains on your workpiece.

It sets brads well in both softwood and hardwood. If a nail jams, the tool-free jam release makes removal easy.

The tool itself weighs about 3.1 pounds; the 5.16-pound figure in our specs includes the kit. It is light enough to use all day.

Loading the magazine is easy. A dial-a-depth control sets nail heads precisely. It drives 18-gauge brads from 5/8 inch to 2-1/8 inches long and comes with a carrying case.

Specs

• Nail Size: 5/8 – 2-1/8 Inches
• Pressure: 70 to 120 PSI
• Capacity: 100 Nails
• Power Source: Pneumatic
• Weight: 5.16 pounds

Pros

• Smart Point technology for precise placement
• Tool-free jam release mechanism
• Precise countersinking of nails
• The nail replacement process if very easy

Cons

• Kit is heavier than some rivals

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5. Makita AF505N Brad Nailer, 2-Inch

The Makita AF505N is a well-made brad nailer at a fairly reasonable price.

This tool has a narrow design that allows it to reach tight spaces. To protect the material from scratches and damages, Makita covered this tool with a rubber nose and bumpers.

You can adjust the depth of the nail without any tools, and this allows you to use the tool on a wide range of surfaces, including soft and hardwood.

This unit also allows you to choose the direction you want the air to blow away from, thanks to its 360-degrees exhaust. It comes with a dual-indicator window to keep you updated on the number of nails left and when to reload.

For those who prefer a dry lock out, you might want to consider other options on this list, as this brad nailer does not have a dry lock out. If a jam occurs, the cam-lock of this tool opens easily and quickly. You do not even need a tool to open it. Clearing nail jams is easy and quick, and this helps to reduce downtime.

The packaging of this tool includes oil, safety goggles, and a hard plastic carrying case. The case allows for easy storage and transportation. You can rotate the tool hook 180 degrees, so it can remain close to you. For precise contact, this unit features a cast and machined nosepiece.

The magazine holds 100 brads, and the tool weighs about 3 pounds. The operating air pressure of this tool is between 60 and 115 PSI.

Specs

• Nail Size: 5/8 – 2 Inches
• Pressure: 60 to 115 PSI
• Capacity: 100 Nails
• Power Source: Pneumatic
• Weight: 3 pounds

Pros

• Lightweight and very easy to use
• Narrow design that makes it easy to get into tight spaces
• Clearing the jam is easy and it does not require any tool
• Hard plastic carrying case

Cons

• It does not come with a dry lock out feature

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What You Should Look For When Buying A Brad Nailer

Construction and Build

You do not want your nailer to fail on you after just a few uses. That said; look for a nailer that has a durable body that is resistant to common wear and tear.

Choose one with a body made from wear-resistant materials such as magnesium. Also, check how well-constructed the brad nailer is. There should be no loose parts that can be prone to damages.

Magazine Length and Nail Size

Check the range of brad lengths it accepts; a model that drives 2-inch brads covers most trim. Also check magazine capacity, since a larger magazine means fewer reloads.

Anti-Jamming Feature

If you have worked with a nailer before, you probably already know how annoying jamming can get. When the nails jam up, it can be frustrating to free up that jam.

That is why you should look for a brad nailer that does not just have the ability to prevent nails from jamming up but will also allow easy access to the jam so you can remove it with ease.

Lightweight

Choose a brad nailer that has a lightweight design. If it is light in weight, it is much easier to use as you can maneuver it any way you want. This also helps you work on your projects without feeling hand fatigue.

Low Maintenance

Maintenance-free nailers need less upkeep and are less likely to spit oil onto light-colored wood. Models that need oiling get a few drops in the air inlet, as the manual directs.

Trigger Type and Safety

The trigger matters more for safety than most buyers realize. A NIOSH and OSHA guide reports that the risk of a nail gun injury is twice as high with a multi-shot contact (bump) trigger as with a single-shot sequential trigger, and it recommends the full sequential trigger.

If your nailer has a selectable trigger, use sequential mode for trim work. Always wear safety glasses, keep your free hand away from the nose, and disconnect the air before clearing jams.

Brad Nailer versus Finish Nailer – Are They the Same?

They are not the same. Family Handyman explains that finish nailers shoot thicker 15- or 16-gauge nails, typically up to 2-1/2 inches long, while brad nailers shoot thinner 18-gauge brads.

Brads leave smaller holes that need less filler, so they suit thin trim, small moldings, and holding glued parts while the glue dries.

Brads have less holding power, though. Use a finish nailer for heavier trim like baseboard and door casing, or for anything that needs to stay put without glue.

Many woodworkers own both and choose by the job.

Conclusion

For more tool reviews, visit our homepage.

Our top pick is the WEN 61721 18-Gauge 3/8-Inch to 2-Inch Pneumatic Brad Nailer because it is light, inexpensive, comfortable to hold, and quick to clear when a brad jams.

Sources

• Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors, NIOSH and OSHA
• Basic Finish Nailer Tips, Family Handyman
• 2 in. 18ga Brad Nailer Kit (DWFP12231), DeWALT