Nail Gun Comparison — What’s the Best Nail Gun?
If you have been in the market for a nail gun, you know that there are seemingly endless options out there. However, not all nail guns are created equal. Whether you are a DIYer who wants to work like a pro or a contractor who needs a reliable option, you must select the best nail gun for your intended usage.
With that in mind, we have created this nail gun comparison. Below, we discuss what factors you should consider when searching for a quality nail gun. We also reveal our picks for the best framing nail gun, the best cordless nail gun, and the best nail gun for fencing — let’s dive in!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nail Gun
When choosing between the most popular nail guns out there, we suggest that you consider factors like the following:
Type of Nail Gun
Before you start comparing top options, you must first decide what type of nail gun fits the needs of your project. Each type of nail gun is designed for specific applications and can accommodate different nail sizes.
For instance, framing nail guns have a recognized nail size of up to 3 ½ inches. They are designed for heavy construction, installing fencing, and building wood decks.
Roofing nail guns accommodate roofing nails with large diameter heads and lengths up to 1 ¾ inch. As the name suggests, they are made to secure shingles to sheating.
Another common type of nail gun is a finish nailer. These nail guns can be used with 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails as long as 2 ½ inches. They are used to install crown molding, baseboards, and trim.
Power Source
Nail guns are available using two primary power sources, pneumatic or electric. Electric nail guns can be further divided into cordless (battery powered) or pneumatic options.
The best cordless nail guns are versatile, have a long battery life, and are easy to tote around a job site. Pneumatic options are popular because they hold the most power, avoid any hassle with batteries, and can still maintain a high level of versatility with proper extension cords.
While pneumatic nail guns must be connected to an air compressor during use, they provide much greater power than electric alternatives. This capacity makes them an appealing choice for use on construction sites or when performing heavy construction like framing.
Nail Gauge
The nail gauge refers to its diameter. Most nail guns can accommodate a range of nail diameters. When examining this attribute of a nail gun, you should select an option with a range that includes the nail gauges you use the most on the job site.
Nail Length
In addition to accommodating several different gauge sizes, most nail guns can also be used with various nail lengths. When comparing nail gun options, determine the minimum and maximum nail length supported by each model.
Top Nail Gun Brands on the Market
There are some brands you just can’t go wrong with. A few of our top picks are:
- Metabo
- Everwin
- Makita
- Max
- Senco
- Bostitch
- DeWalt
- Milwaukie
- Stabila
To help streamline your search, we have highlighted examples of top nail gun brands on the market in three categories: fencing, framing, and cordless nailing.
Top Framing Nail Gun
Our pick for the most popular and all-around best framing nail gun on the market is the Metabo NR83a5.
This versatile framing nailer is pneumatic powered and has plenty of strength for framing, heavy construction, building up trusses, and assembling wood decks. In addition, it has an easy-to-use depth adjustment feature and an ultra-reliable trigger design.
Best Nail Gun for Fencing
The Makita XNB02Z is a great nail gun that can accommodate nail lengths of up to 2 ½ inches. In addition, it is ergonomic, lightweight, and reliable. These features combined make this portable nailer ideal for building fences.
Best Cordless Nail Gun
If you want a nail gun that offers maximum convenience and versatility, the DeWalt DCN680D1 is an excellent choice. It is one of the most popular cordless nail guns on the market, thanks to its lightweight, reliable, and user-friendly nature.
Crane Point Industrial Carries the Best Nail Guns in the Industry
That rounds out our list of some of the top nail guns on the market. If you would like to explore these nail guns and other great options, we invite you to browse the extensive Crane Point catalog. We offer direct contractor sales and can help you find the ideal tools for your needs. Need nail gun repairs? Bring it to our power tool repair shop!