Welcome to Best Brad Nailer Reviews and Buying Guide of 2023. If you are looking for the best brad nailer kit, than roaming through all manufacturer’s websites might make you little overwhelmed. After all, there are hundreds of power tool companies out there. It is quite hard to know about every manufacturer’s brand name. So you can imagine, it is nearly impossible to know about all of their product details. But don’t worry. This guide is here to help you out of this situation. On this website, you will find all your necessary information about the best brad nailer kits and their brands.
What Is Brad Nailer?
So, what is a brad nailer? Brad nailer is a commonly used power instrument. It is a handheld power device which drives brad nail into wood or some other kinds of materials. Brad nails are slim, little, finishing nails. Most brads have thin heads or sometimes can be headless, which protrude only a little to one side, helping the nails to become embedded when they are hammered into any surface. Brad nailer vs finish nailer look like each other. For finish nailer, the nails have no heads and easily blend with the material used making the finished look appealing.
***Explore BEST SELLER Brad Nailers on Amazon.com Now!
Brad nailer kit is an important tool for carpentry, construction or home improvements. It is a lightweight device that is useful for so many reasons. You can use it to install hardwood floor, for cabinetry and interior trim, for door casings and door frames, baseboards, window paneling, crown molding, small craft work and so much more. The list is never ending. You can do all of this fine work if you possess the right brad nailer kit. And this article is here to help you to make the right choice. Here you will get the right details about the most useful brad nailer kits. You will get all the product details, features, pros & cons, cheap and lower price, etc. on this website.
Not only that, we will also help you with the true brad nailer reviews from real users. You will also find important brand details with every product information so that you can get a clear view about the manufacturer. We provide all of those details based on the information and reviews from Amazon.com. When you get that much information in one place, it just simplifies your decision making. You can compare characteristics, prices, brands and everything else about brad nailer kit in just one visit of Best Brad Nailer Reviews and Buying Guide of 2023. So we can say that, if you want to buy the best brad nailer kit for you, than this buying guide is the best place for you.
Comparison Table For Top 8 Best Brad Nailer
These 8 brad nailers are the top rated brad nailer that have been high rated from customers.
Brad Nailer | Image | Power Source | Magazine Capacity | Weight | Editor's Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hitachi NT50AE2 18-Gauge 5/8-Inch to 2-Inch Brad Nailer | Pneumatic | 100 Nails | 2.2 lbs | Editor’s Pick (4.4 / 5) | See on Amazon | |
DEWALT DWFP12231 Pneumatic 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer Kit | Pneumatic | 100 Nails | 4.8 lbs | Runner Up | See on Amazon | |
WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | Pneumatic | 100 Nails | 3.0 lbs | Budget Pick | See on Amazon | |
PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA MAX Lithium 18GA Cordless Brad Nailer Kit | Battery-Powered | 100 Nails | 5.9 lbs | Upgrade Pick | See on Amazon | |
Ryobi P320 Airstrike One+ Lithium-Ion Cordless Brad Nailer | Battery-Powered | 105 Nails | 6 lbs | See on Amazon | ||
BOSTITCH BTFP12233 Smart Pt. 18Ga Brad Nailer Kit | Corded-Electric | 100 Nails | 5.16 lbs | See on Amazon | ||
Makita AF505N Brad Nailer, 2-Inch | Corded-Electric | 100 Nails | 3.0 lbs | See on Amazon | ||
DEWALT DC608K 18-Volt 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer Kit | Cordless-Electric | 110 Nails | 7.4 lbs | See on Amazon |
Top 8 Best Brad Nailer Reviews
1. Editor’s Pick – Hitachi NT50AE2 18-Gauge 5/8-Inch to 2-Inch Brad Nailer
Editor’s Rating:
Hitachi brad nailer weighs around 2.2 pounds. Despite its super-light structure, this tool delivers the best service. This brad nailer supports tool-less depth adjustment. It handles hardwoods like maple and oak very easily. This tool is really comfortable in handles while offering great balance.
Hitachi Brad nailer’s nose tip is perfect as it prevents dents while working on materials. The nose tip arrives with two extra nose pads. You can adjust the adjustable exhaust in any direction. This brad nailer works wonders on detailed works like baseboards, windows, doors, and trim.
The best part about this Hitachi brad nailer is that it offers a five-year warranty. However, you cannot shoot or fire from an angle. Here, the nailer needs to be gun down straightly, which you will find in most of the nailers.
Read My Full Review About Hitachi NT50AE2!
Pros
- Well balanced
- Lightweight and easy-to-use tool
- Comes with tool-less depth adjustment
- Handles hardwoods
- Non-marring extra nose pads
Cons
- Angle needs to be straight while shooting
2. Runner Up – DEWALT DWFP12231 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer Kit
Editor’s Rating:
The Dewalt brad nailer is heavier than the top pick with having a weight of around 5.15 pounds. This brad nailer also supports tool-less depth adjustment tool. It even comes with a built-in case. The back exhaust is not as modifiable as I thought, but the sturdy grip and excellent balance made up for it.
Dewalt nailer kit comes with a warranty of three years. It could not grab the first position due to two factors. Firstly, this brad nailer jams a lot. However, this factor is not enough to disqualify this brad nailer.
The real issue about this brad nailer is that it stops working more often than I expected it to be. It happens when the piston sealer ring forms cracks. After a bit of research, I found that this Dewalt brad nailer has some design-related issues. However, this problem does not happen with every product on this line. That’s why it spotted second place in my review.
Read My Full Review About Dewalt DWFP12231!
Pros
- Offers tool-less depth adjustment
- Comes with a case
- Offers warranty of three years
- Comfortable grip and balance
Cons
- Comes with a bad piston design
- Jams frequently
3. Budget Pick – WEN 61720 3/4-Inch to 2-Inch 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
Editor’s Rating:
This brad nailer is made with aluminum, which weighs around 3 pounds. It comes with a fine rubber grip. WEN brad nailer offers a solid performance at just an inexpensive range. Personally, I am quite impressed with this brad nailer from WEN.
The brad nailer comes with two wrenches for adjustment, a carrying case, and oil. There is a 1-year warranty on this product. I even found its manual interesting. This brad nailer works best on softwoods and reasonably hardwoods at 60-100 psi.
Sometimes, the nail gun often tries to gun down two nails at one time. On certain occasions, the nail heads sticking out. In addition to this, I found that this nailer does not take 2” nails, contrary to what the company advertised.
This brad nailer does not share the reliability and power of the top models. However, nothing can be better than this brad nailer at such an exciting price.
Read My Full Review About WEN 61720!
Pros
- Good and comfortable grip
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Lightweight tool
Cons
- Often shoots twice
- Stick-out heads
- Issue with 2-inch nails
4. Upgrade Pick – PORTER CABLE PCC790LA MAX Lithium 18GA Cordless Brad Nailer Kit
Editor’s Rating:
Porter-Cable brad nailer weighs around 5.9 pounds while having a 1.5Ah battery. As its name suggests, this is a cordless brad nailer. It is a perfect tool for those who do not like to tangle up between wires. Here, you do not have to deal with gas cartridges, hose, or air compressor.
This brad nailer delivers consistent firing power into several materials and weather conditions. Additionally, this tool offers a lot of tool-free settings for easy use. It features dual LED lights for error indication and workspace illumination, which is my favorite thing about this gun. However, it only features the sequential firing mode and not the bumping one.
Pros
- Features tool-less jam clearing operation
- Offers tool-free depth adjustment
- No requirement of oil
- Supports a trigger-lock feature
- Comes with a warranty of three years
Cons
- Comes with no carrying case
5. Ryobi P320 Airstrike One+ Lithium-Ion Cordless Brad Nailer
Editor’s Rating:
Unlike most conventional nailers, this cordless brad nailer does not run on an air compressor. It runs on two operational modes, sequential mode and contact actuation mode. This brad nailer takes a wide range of 18-gauge brad nails, from 5/8 inches to 2 inches.
Ryobi brad nailer comes with a pair of white LEDs on the borders of the tool tip. You can easily store up to 105 nails on its magazine cartridge. On a maximum, this brad nailer shoots 60 shots a minute. The interesting feature about this tool is its dry-fire lockout, which stops the operation when there left 0-5 nails in the magazine.
Pros
- Comes with a reversible tool hook
- Cordless and battery-powered brad nailer
- Stops functioning when no nails left
- Comes with bright LED lights
- No requirement of air compressor
- Feature depth adjustment through a dial
Cons
- Difficult to resolve nail jams
6. BOSTITCH BTFP12233 Smart Pt. 18Ga Brad Nailer Kit
Editor’s Rating:
This brad nailer comes with a narrow nose gun, which supports pinpoint precision. I will definitely opt for this tool when need to ensure accuracy. It is perfect for delicate projects or when using for something small.
Bostitch brad nailer is compact and lightweight, which definitely feels great when handling. It even offers a comfortable experience due to the rubber grip. Additionally, this brad nailer comes with a ¼” air connector. The best part about this impressive tool is that you enjoy a 7-year warranty on it. It definitely makes you consider this tool.
Pros
- Comes with a warranty of 7 years
- Tool-less jam resolution
- Great precision due to its small nose
- Offers non-marring tips, a carrying case, a belt hook, and sample fasteners
- Accommodates contact and sequential trigger options
Cons
- Not efficient with hardwoods like oak
7. Makita AF505N Brad Nailer, 2-Inch
Editor’s Rating:
When it comes to Makita brad nailer, I like the convenience derived from its tool-free adjustment and reversible tool hook. The brad nailer is designed in such a way to offer simple and quick usability. It features an extra-narrow snout.
Although it is not as smooth as other brad nailers, it still features great accuracy and fit really well into stretched spaces. I admire its compact, light, and sleek design. The one commendable thing is that Makita AF505N brad nailer is more effective when it comes to jam-clearing operation. Not just that, but it is also easier to use than other tools. Also, it comes with safety goggles, a carrying case, two nose tips, and nailer oil.
Pros
- Features tool-free jam-clearing operation and depth adjustment
- Comes with multi-directional exhaust
- Rotatable hook
- Comes with non-marring nose
- Features a reload indicator pane
Cons
- Not feature a rapid-fire maneuver
8. DEWALT DC608K 18-Gauge 2-Inch Brad Nailer Kit
Editor’s Rating:
It is another great product from Dewalt. This brad nailer is cordless, where you do not have to struggle with wires. The Dewalt brad nailer is a perfect tool for professionals who cannot accommodate the bulky air compressor brad nailers.
I like the fact that this product comes with a charger and battery as you do not get them with most electric nailers. Here, you do not have to go through the hassle of buying them separately. However, it is heavier than other tools on this tool, which is powered by its battery. Dewalt brad nailer weighs around 7 pounds.
Read My Full Review About Dewalt DC608K!
Pros
- Accommodates contact and sequential trigger options
- Comes with tool-less depth adjustment and jam-clearing operation
- Features an impact-resistant cap
- Comes with NiCad battery, safety glasses, case, and charger
- Offers rotatable belt hook
Cons
- Heavier than other brad nailers
There is a similar model of this item:
DEWALT Bare-Tool DC608B 18-Volt Cordless 2-Inch 18 Gauge Brad Nailer (Tool Only, No Battery)
Editor’s Rating:
The DEWALT Bare Tool DC608B is another great product from Dewalt. It provides the combination of accuracy of traditional manual nailing with the speed and ease of pneumatic nailers. It is a very portable and convenient nailer that offers the use of brad nails ranging from 5/8 to 2 inches in length.
This nailer can fire several brads per second. The cherry on the cake is that it is a completely cordless device. It does not require any air compressor or fixed power sources. This brad nailer comes with two operating modes and sports a box style magazine that can be loaded with 110 Nails. The DC608B has a lot of positive reviews and is surely one of the best brad nailers around.
Read My Full Review About DEWALT Bare Tool DC608B!
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Types of Brad Nailer
You can find several types of brad nailer kit in the best nail gun market. Sometimes you might find those types quite confusing. Well, don’t worry. Here you will get a brief description of the main types of brad nailer kits. There are mainly two types of brad nailer kits based on their power source. One is the pneumatic brad nailer and another one is the electric brad nailer. You will also find some battery operated brad nailers in the market.
Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Pneumatic brad nailer is the most popular one of the best brad nailer kit types. They need a continuous supply of compressed air. That’s why pneumatic brad nailers are powered by air pressure from a small portable air compressor. The compressed air gets fuelled through the lightweight hose. This hose runs the compressor and powers the nail gun. The nail driving system is not too complicated to understand. When you fire a nail, a valve opens in the device and air loads a cylinder. Then a piston in the cylinder quickly shifts downward and shoots the nail in front of it into the work area at the tip of the brad nailer.
The main reason for the popularity of the pneumatic brad nailer is its efficiency. It gives a very neat, professional finish without wasting your valuable time. Even if your task is a complex one, the neatness of the task won’t be lessened. If you are thinking of using the pneumatic brad nailer, please keep some safety issues in mind. The pressurized air can cause a great deal of accidents. And therefore it is very important that you handle the instrument with care. Pneumatic brad nailer comes in great variety. You will find different kinds of operating methods, different kinds of sizes and different kinds of prices. It’s up to you to choose the perfect brad nailer for you.
Electric Brad Nailer
Another widely used brad nailer kit variety is an electric brad nailer kit. The electric brad nailer takes the power from an electric motor and shoots brad nails through the working materials. This kind of machines is usable on almost every kind of surfaces. Whether it is hard surface or soft surface, you can use an electric brad nailer kit. But there is a little problem with this kind of brad nailer kits. Electric brad nailer kit is quite heavier than pneumatic brad nailer kit. The reason is, it possesses a bulky motor which adds some weight to its overall weight.
Despite of its bulky weight, electric brad nailer can be very much useful, effective and efficient. You just need to know the right way of using the product. Just like the pneumatic brad nailer, you have to be very careful while handling the electric brad nailer. There is a fair chance of injuries if you drive it improperly. It would be a very good idea to keep a first aid around while working. Electric brad nailer kit might seem little pricy. But it doesn’t need too much maintenance. So the price is worth it.
Battery Powered Brad Nailer
Some good quality battery powered brad nailers are also available in the market. They are not very popular. Because battery operated brad nailers are not very convenient for professional use. These kinds of nailers are helpful for those who use it for limited purposes and want the freedom to move it around. If you have a hobby of carpentry or you like to do small home improvements by yourself, then you can buy this kind of brad nailer kit.
How to Choose The Best Brad Nailer
Brad nailer kit is a very important tool for so many people. It is way more helpful than traditional hammer and it makes your life so much more easier. But we don’t buy a brad nailer kit every day. So you have to consider some key points before you plan to buy the best brad nailer kit.
When it comes to a brad nailer, there are lots of things you need to consider before settling on one. The most important features for a brad nailer include the brad length, nose size, cordless or battery-powered, warranty, and such others.
Here are some key features that you should know before buying. Please compare these features of various products. It will help you to understand which brad nailer kit is the most suitable for you and will help you to purchase the best brad nailer in the nail guns market.
Types
As discussed above, there are several types of brad nailer kits are available. It is most important to understand which type suits your job better.
Nail Size
You probably know this already but almost brads are 18 gauge, the nailers are designed for use with brads ranging from 5/8″ up to 2″. The carpenter often uses a brad nailer to nail along the opening edge of door and window casing, which uses 18 gauge nails. They also tend to bend a lot, especially when driven into dense hardwoods. An 18 gauge nail isn’t very big in diameter. So this is the best guide to find the best 18 gauge brad nailer for your woodworking project.
Pneumatic vs. Cordless
You may need the best cordless brad nailers for architectural trim, especially for trim carpenters who use them for installing door and window casing. They are more convenient when there’s a need to work on a small project where electrical power isn’t available but the pneumatic ones are more convenient in a workshop setting.
Cordless brad nailers carry a higher cost than their compressor-driven counterparts, but if you can justify the cost you will appreciate the convenience. Both battery and gas powered brad nailers offer a portability advantage than the traditional pneumatic ones, so choosing between these two types of guns depends on your own requirements.
Depth Adjustments
You should always give a good check on the depth adjustment system of brad nailer kits. A good depth adjustment system increases the usefulness of the brad nailer kit and makes it behave like multiple tools.
Loading
Brad loading system varies among brad nailer kits. Some brad nailer kits use magnetic strips to hold brads in position while they are being loaded. These kinds are more popular because they are rated better among the users and get good brad nailer reviews. Other brad nailer kits use cartridge systems as a way to make the loading simpler and to avoid spills.
Adjustable Belt Hook
These days, most brad nailers come with an adjustable belt hook. It is a practical feature of brad nailer kit. This hook enables users to place the brad nailer on their side while you are working on your venture. It makes the nailer handy and keeps your hand free at the working time. This handy accessory allows you to clip the nailer to your belt so that it is by your side wherever you go and prepared whenever you require it. This exciting feature comes handy when you climb on ladders for work.
Angle Adjustments
Different kinds of projects will require driving brad nailers into different angles or different positions. So when you plan to buy the best brad nailer kit for you, keep in mind your project types and compare the ability to adjust the nailer’s angle to match your requirements.
Swivel Cord
Swivel attachment is an essential feature, if you buy a brad nailer that includes a cord or hose. This feature helps you to keep hose and cords clear as you move around.
Brand
All brad nailers are coming from different famous companies and brands of power tools, so they have different price and warranty services to offer. Some leading brands are Hitachi, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Bostitch, Ryobi, Senco, Campbell Hausfeld, Paslode and another famous brands in nail gun market as Craftsman, Ridgid, Bosch, Grex, Freeman, Omer, Milwaukee, Airco, etc... You will have the best comparison from many variety brands to choose.
Price
The cost varies from brands to brands or types to types. Progressive brad nailer kits are pricier than the regular ones. If you are a professional, the best brad nailer for you would be a progressive one from a famous brand. But if you are planning to buy it for small or personal reason, than the regular ones will be more cost effective for you.
Warranty and Repair
Different companies give different warranty and repair facility. So it is very important that you carefully read their warranty scheme before buying.
Extra Features
Nowadays, brad nailers come with a lot of extra features along with the basic ones. Although these features are not that much necessary but it would be nice if your brad nailer has them. So, let’s know about these nice yet advanced features of a brad nailer!
- Storage case: If you get a storage case with your tool, what can be best than that! A storage case works great for people who do not have to use their brad nailer on a daily basis. Using a storage case, you can store the brad nailer properly and safely. On the other hand, a storage case works perfectly as a carrying case if you want to carry it somewhere. Most of the time, you receive a brad nailer with a storage bag. It would be best to check with the manufacturer once.
- Rubber Nose: A rubber nose works as a great precaution. Here, you can either go for a rubber tip or fuller rubber on the nose. It provides protection to materials such as wood from minor scrapping or scratching that occurs when you use a nail gun. In this way, you do not have to deal with any scratches or cover them up with finishes like paint or seal.
- Oil-free Motor: It is best to go with an oil-free brad nailer. Here, you do not have to deal with any mess that arises from adding oil to the brad nailer. In the market, there are brad nailers that come with oil-free motor. It comes handy for people who do not remember to check the oil in their brad nailers.
- Easiness to clear jams: Jams are something that will occur periodically no matter how great your brad nailer is. On top of that, some brad nailers jam more than other brad nailers. So, you need to choose a brad nailer where you can clear off jams with quite an easiness. Undoubtedly, jams are going to add up a lot of frustration while you work on projects. So, it is better to go with a brad nailer that has been specially designed to resolve jams easily. In this way, you can cut down on additional frustration.
- Dry Lockout: It is one of the important features that you will notice in modern brad nailers. The dry lockout feature automatically stops the machine from firing nails when there are no or a few nails left in the nail magazine. This innovative feature prevents the user from shooting blanks. Ultimately, the dry lockout feature prevents the tool from damaging by locking out the tool. Meanwhile, the brad nailers with no dry lockout feature often comprise of a window, where you can take note of the left nails in the magazine. In this way, you will know when you have to refill the magazine of your brad nailer.
- LED lights: Generally, this feature is not much common on brad nailers. However, there are some modern brad nailers that accommodate LED lights. Using these lights, you can illuminate workspaces and indicate errors more perfectly. LED lights are perfect to work in tight spaces. In this way, you can get a clear view of where you are actually inserting your nail. Under this category, you have options like Portable-Cable and Ryobi cordless brad nailers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. I’m on a tight budget but want the best brad nailer for the money. Where do I buy the tool?
2. Should I go for a sequential or contact firing mode brad nailer?
3. I bought a new brad nailer. Any tips on how to keep it in top working condition?
4. Will a brad nailer be a good choice for building furniture?
5. What is the warranty period offered for brad nailer?
Conclusion
These are the main points of brad nailer kits. You will find all of this information in Best Brad Nailer Reviews and Buying Guide of 2023. Please read carefully all the brad nailer review. In this article, all the brad nailer reviews are from real users of Amazon.com. These reviews will surely help you to compare and choose the ideal brad nailer for you.
When you spend your money, it is very important that you spend it in the right way. And in this buying guide, you will get all the necessary information to make the right choice of buying the perfect brad nailer kit. You will get all the product details, features, brad nailer reviews, costs for sale, etc., which will help you to make your purchase an effective one. This website will put an end to your search for the right brad nailer kit. Everything you need to know about the best brad nailer kits are available in this buy guide.