10 Best Cordless Nail Gun [Reviews & Buying Guide 2022]

Carrying out fastening tasks using a hammer can be a hassle sometimes. And when you are handling a lot of fasteners, it would take you quite a long time as well. You will also not get that much amount of precision.

And one of the alternatives to the hammer for fastening tasks is the nail gun. However, hauling around compressors and hoses is another tedious task.

Best Cordless Nail Gun Reviews

Well, the industry has a much better option to offer, which is cordless nailers. As these have a simple and straightforward operation procedure, the best cordless nail gun that the manufacturers have to offer is gaining a lot of popularity nowadays.

And because of how powerful they are getting day by day, they are now capable of making fastening tasks feel like taking a walk in the park.



Our 10 Best Cordless Nail Guns Picks:

Not all of these cordless tools are made the same. While some are better at providing power, some excel in the operation process.

And to make sure that you do make the right purchase decision, we are here to offer you a narrowed-down list of the ones that we believe are well-balanced. The list that we have exclusively compiled for you is as follows:

1. DEWALT DCN692B 20V Framing Nailer

It is a high possibility that you might have already heard about the tools that are being offered by DEWALT. They have been around in the power tool market for a long time now, and each of the cordless tools they are offering is highly reliable. The same thing goes for this one as well.

Let us first talk about the motor that it packs because it is the brain of the tool. It comes with a brushless unit that is exceptionally efficient. Because of being brushless, the heat that it is going to output during operation will be pretty low.

This framing nailer will have a low chance of overheating, which will eventually lower the possibilities of performance throttles.

Alongside that, the motor is specifically designed to drive nails that are 3-1/2 inches in size. However, you will be able to make it shoot the fasteners that are lower than 3-1/2 inches. That means you will have a load of options regarding the size of the nails that you will be able to drive using this.

And the cordless model has a two-speed mechanism that will let you fine-tune the operational modes. That mechanism will ensure that it can optimally shoot the fasteners that you have loaded in the magazine. So no matter what size of bolt you are working with, you will get optimal results with each pull of the trigger.

On that note, the magazine that it comes with has a large capacity as well. It is capable of holding up to 55 bolts. For that reason, you would not have to reload it that frequently. And the rechargeable battery that it utilizes is quite powerful as well. The initial voltage is a staggering 20 volts.

Pros

  • The best cordless framing nailer packs a highly efficient motor
  • Can drive bolts that are up to 3-1/2 inches
  • Features a two-speed operation mode
  • Magazine can hold up to 55 nails
  • Utilizes a highly powerful battery
  • Excellent option for both professionals and amateur users

Cons

  • Battery life comparatively low
  • Takes a bit of time to get used to the operational modes

2. Metabo HPT Compact NR1890DRS Framing Nailer

Another brand that has been around in the power tool market is Metabo. And this framing nailer that they are offering takes the competition up a notch.

Even though cordless nailers are compact in nature, this one is a bit more compact. The overall size of the unit is smaller than most of the other ones. That means it will be much easier for you to maneuver it around in tight spaces. You will be able to efficiently drive bolts in cramped spaces.

Aside from being extremely compact, the rechargeable battery that it bundles along is exceptionally powerful. It has a 3.0 Ah rating, which is higher than what most of the other tools have. For that reason, you will not feel like you lack the driving power for most of the challenging bolting tasks. Also, it can drive two nails in one second.

Alongside that, the battery has fast-charging technology. That will charge the cell up exceptionally fast. Because of that, you would not have to wait that long when it runs out of juice when you are carrying out a bolting task.

After being fully charged, it can drive up to 400 bolts. It also bundles along with a contractor bag that will make storing it and carrying it around easy.

The framing nailer unit is exceptionally versatile as well. It is capable of driving fasteners that are from 2 inches to 3-1/2 inches in size. There is an air spring mechanism that will ensure that the driving process goes smooth regardless of the bolt’s size on the magazine.

It also has a selective actuation mode, which will let you switch between different firing modes. And the motor that it packs is brushless.

Pros

  • Bundles with a 3.0 Ah battery
  • Includes a contractor bag
  • Compact in size, good choice for long run
  • Can shoot bolts that are 2 to 3-1/2 inches in size
  • Features a selective actuation mechanism

Cons

  • Some of the units arrive with dead batteries
  • Charger gets extremely hot during charging

3. CRAFTSMAN V20 CMCN616C1 Finish Nailer Kit

As most battery-powered nailers are capable of accommodating bolts of different sizes, offering a consistent driving power for all of them becomes a problem. Well, CRAFTSMAN has come up with a solution, and they have implemented that in this finish nailer unit.

Unlike some of the other fastener driving tools, this one has a depth adjustment mechanism. That will enable you to precisely tune the depth setting by factoring in the bolts’ size that you have put inside the magazine.

That will ensure that the driving power is consistent. And to adjust that mechanism, you are not going to need any sort of tools either. It has a tool-free adjustment procedure.

Another thing that you will be able to adjust without any tools is the jam and stall mechanism. When the bolts get jammed inside the finish nailer device, you would not require any tools to release the bolt. That will increase your overall efficiency and will allow you to finish off your fastener tasks quickly.

And the overall weight of the device is pretty minimal. It has the right center of gravity that will enable you to get an optimal balance when operating it. And the handle is exceptionally comfortable too.

It is contoured and has rubber molding on the exterior. You can use it for a prolonged amount of time without facing any discomfort.

Lastly, the battery that it comes along with has a 20 volts rating. It has a fair amount of capacity as well. With a full charge, you can drive 375 two inches nails. As a result, there would be fewer amount of interruptions when you are carrying out fastening tasks.

With its magazine capacity, lightweight design, heavy-duty build, and extra battery life, this provides the best value for your money.

Pros

  • The best cordless finish nailer has a tool-free depth setting mechanism
  • Offers a consistent driving power
  • Can drive up to 375 bolts in one full charge
  • Features a tool-free jam and stall mechanism
  • Handle has a thick rubber molding

Cons

  • Small bolts tend to get stuck quite frequently
  • Tends to overheat

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

Jams are something that will occur to every nailer, no matter how well-performing it is. But this battery-powered nailer from PORTER-CABLE has managed to make that issue seem like a small thing.

First of all, the unit comes featured with a tool-free jam release lever. That means even if you are using a type of bolt that tends to get jammed quite frequently, you will have no trouble at all in the case of releasing it. This lever will make driving the small-sized nails to feel like carrying out an effortless task.

Aside from that, the tool has a depth-adjustment wheel, allowing you to set the firing depth precisely. Because of that, you will be able to adjust the firing power according to the bolt you are planning to work with.

It will also ensure that the driving power is consistent, regardless of the bolt’s size inside the magazine. The countersink of the bolts is also going to remain constant.

The batter that it utilizes has quite a high capacity as well. It sports a 1.5 Ah 20 volts battery, which will hold the charge for an extended amount of time. So you would not have to charge it up that frequently.

And you will be able to drive up to 1300 bolts after charging it up entirely, which is higher than what most of the other tools are able to offer.

It also has a built-in belt hook that is going to make it easier for you to carry it. There is a multi-functional LED light on the front. That light will let you bolt down fasteners in the dark and dimly-lited environment. It is also reasonably lightweight, which means carrying it around will not be an issue.

Pros

  • Jam release lever is tool-free
  • Features a depth adjustment mechanism
  • Can fire up to 1500 bolts with a fully charged battery
  • Battery can hold the charge for an extended use
  • Lightweight and easy to carry

Cons

  • Some of the packages arrive with defective units
  • Body is not that compact

5. Makita XNB02Z 18V LXT Straight Finish Nailer

While there are plenty of nailers available in the market, there are hardly a few that are capable of driving 16 gauge bolts properly. And this one that is from Makita is among those few.

To begin with, the motor that it comes with is exceptionally efficient. Because of that, it achieves the capability to drive 16 gauge nails. You can also make it nail bolts that are of different sizes. It can accommodate fasteners that are between 1 and 2-1/2 inches in length.

There is a tool-less depth adjustment mechanism that will enable you to set the depth according to the bolts’ size. Because of that, no matter what the length of the fastener you are driving, you will be able to set them flush to the surface. That mechanism will also ensure that the pins are fired with the proper amount of countersink.

The finish nailer also has a trigger lock mechanism that enhances the overall safety of the user. So you would not have to worry about making accidental fires when you are carrying it around.

And the reversible belt clip that it has on the bottom is going to make it easier for you to carry it around as well. The unit also has a firing mode selector. That will offer you full control over the nailing operations.

Aside from that, it has an anti-dry firing mechanism. That will first check whether there are any pins on the magazine or not. If it is empty, it will not actuate the firing mechanism.

The magazine is also relatively easy to install, thanks to the lock-and-load magazine loading mechanism that it features. Also, the tip of the device has a tool-less design that will let you extract the jammed and stuck nails without using any separate tools.

Pros

  • Can drive 1 to 2-1/2 inches 16 gauge bolts
  • The cordless finish nailer tip has a tool-free depth adjustment feature
  • Drives bolts flush to the surface
  • Has a firing mode selector
  • Features a trigger lock mechanism
  • Durable tool will serve for many years

Cons

  • A bit heavier in comparison
  • Long ramp up time

6. Ryobi P320 Airstrike 18 Volt One+ Cordless Brad Nailer

Are you looking for an affordable tool that has a large battery? Do you want something that can drive a large number of nails with a single full charge? Then look no more because Ryobi has got the right thing for you!

Let us start by talking about the most highlighting feature of the brad nailer device first. It utilizes an 18 volts high-capacity battery that has a four-amp hour rating. After you charge it up fully, you will be able to fire up to 1700 nails.

That means you would not have to worry about running out of juice while you are carrying out prolonged nailing tasks.

Like some of the other devices, this one also boasts a tool-less adjustment dial for depth. You can adjust the depth in just seconds because of that. And after you do modify it accordingly, it will ensure that each of the nails that are fired is flush to the surface.

Also, there is a built-in LED indicator. It will light up when the magazine is low on bolts to let you know when you need to reload it. For that reason, the chances of dry will be minimum. Also, it has an integrated belt clip, which will enable you to carry it around with you.

Moreover, the handle that it comes with is comfortable to hold onto as well. It has a rubber coating, which will let you get a firm grip over it.

The motor that it comes packed with is quite powerful as well. It has the same amount of power that most of the gas-powered devices have the offer. Thus, it will be able to ensure that each of the bolts is appropriately driven,  regardless of the size.

Pros

  • Able to drive up to 1700 bolts with one charge
  • Has the same amount of power as gas-powered devices
  • Comes with a built-in depth adjustment dial
  • The brad nailer sports a comfortable handle
  • Features a low nail indicator indicator

Cons

  • Does not include a battery in the package
  • A bit heavy and bulky

7. Paslode, Cordless XP 905600 Cordless Framing Nailer

Even though most of the nailers are going to offer you the power that is needed to drive bolts easily, not all of them are that easy to carry. Well, that is where this one from Paslode stands out.

First of all, the unit is exceptionally lightweight. The overall weight is just 7.2 pounds, which means you would not feel like you are carrying gym weights when you are working with it. It also has a belt clip on the bottom, which will let you conveniently carry it with you using a tool belt.

Aside from being easy to carry, Paslode did not skimp one bit in the case of battery. The cell that it utilizes is a lithium-ion cell, which has a 7 volts rating.

Because of implementing a lithium-ion chemical formula, the framing nailer is able to hold the charge for an extended amount of time. With a fully charged cell, you can drive up to 9000 small nails.

The framing nailer unit is reasonably compact as well. For that reason, you would not have any trouble storing it. You can easily put it inside the small toolbox that you might have.

It packs quite an amount of power too, thanks to the highly-efficient motor that it has. You will be able to drive nails on most of the hardwoods without any issues at all.

Also, the motor has an adequate amount of built-in protection. It can withstand both extremely high and low temperatures. Even when the temperature is around 14 degrees Fahrenheit, you will not notice any hiccups in the performance. And as it is compact, you will have no trouble working in tight spots.

Pros

  • Great battery power
  • Packs an efficient motor
  • Lightweight and compact in size
  • Easy to store framing nailer
  • Has built-in temperature protection circuits

Cons

  • Includes a flimsy case
  • Not that easy to release jams

8. Milwaukee 2746-20 M18 Brad Nailer (Bare tool)

Were you on the lookout for a nailer that is capable of firing 18 gauge bolts? Well, you can stop your search here because we have got the thing that you were searching for. And yes, it is from Milwaukee.

To start with, the brad nailer comes sporting a nitrogen air spring mechanism. That allows it to achieve an exceptional amount of driving power. You will have no trouble at all driving heavier nails, such as the 18 gauge ones. It can also fire plenty of other bolts that are of different sizes.

The device is also capable of providing consistent countersink power, which is going to make sure that each of the brad nails that you are going to fire is flush to the surface. Because of that, fastening bolts on hardwood and other rough surfaces will be a pretty easy task for you.

Aside from that power that it packs, the motor that it comes boasting with is extremely efficient too. It is one of those brushless motors that have insanely low ramp-up time.

For that reason, you would not have to worry about pre-fires, nor will you have to worry about the motor heating up quickly. You will be able to carry out prolonged nailing sessions without facing any issues.

And the battery that it utilizes has quite a high capacity, too, which means it will be able to hold the charge for a long amount of time. You will be able to get an extended run time out of this.  

The form factor of the brad nailer device is reasonably compact as well. That design will make it easier for you to work in tight and cramped places. You will also be able to store it pretty easily because of the compact size.

Pros

  • Features a nitrogen air spring mechanism
  • Utilizes a high performing battery
  • Sports a compact form factor
  • Has insanely low ramp-up time
  • Offers a good amount of driving power

Cons

  • Not that lightweight
  • Comes only bare tool. Battery and other attachments will add additional cost.

9. BOSTITCH 20V MAX Finish Nailer Kit

Accuracy is something that you are going to need when you are fastening bolts on softwoods and other types of soft materials. And that is what you are going to get at max level in this unit.

To begin with, it packs a brushless motor that is exceptionally efficient. Because of that, it will be able to provide a high amount of power without producing that much amount of heat. You would not have to worry about it overheating and losing performance.

And the unit is compatible with a plethora of nails as well. You will be able to fire nails that are in the 1-1/4 inches to 2-1/2 inches range. And to adjust the depth, there is a tool-less dial.

Because of that, you will be able to the right amount of depth without using any sort of intricated tools. It also has a tool-free fire mode selector. With that, you will be able to switch between different modes instantly.

The nose that it has on the front is relatively narrow. For that reason, you will be to fire the finish nails with high precision. You would not have to worry about ruining a delicate wooden piece for a misplaced nail.

And as the finish nailer features a tool-free jam ejector, you will able to extract jammed nails within seconds. You will not have to fiddle the nose around too much for that.

Alongside that, the body has an integrated LED indicator that will show you the battery life instantly. And the battery that it comes included has a 20 volts rating. It charges up relatively fast as well. So even if you forget to store it with a full charge, you would not have to wait that long before starting a nailing project.

Pros

  • Has a relatively narrow nose
  • Features a tool-free jam release lever
  • Boasts a built-in LED battery indicator
  • Firing mode switch allows easy mode change
  • Can fire bolts that are of different sizes

Cons

  • Some of the units ship with a malfunctioning charger
  • A bit large in size

10. KIMO 20V 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer

There are a plethora of nailers out there that are capable of firing 18 gauge bolts. But only a few have different convenient operation modes. And a perfect example of units such as that would be this one that KIMO is offering.

To start with, it is exceptionally versatile. With just a flick of a switch, you will be able to convert it from a nailer to a stapler. The bolts that it is capable of firing are the ones that are from ¾ inches to 2 inches in length.

And it can also drive staples that are within the ¾ inches to 1-5/8 inches range. You will be able to do both of the tasks using the same device.

Apart from being versatile, the battery that it utilizes is quite powerful as well. It uses a 2.0 Ah battery that can hold the charge for a reasonable amount of time.

After the cell is fully charged, you will be able to drive up to 700 fasteners in the woods. And all of the fires that you are going to make in that time will have a consistent amount of force.

You will also have the option to switch the firing modes. It has a toggle switch, which will let you change the operational settings. You either choose the contact-actuation mode or the sequential mode. With the contact-actuation, you will be able to drive about 80 nails in one minute.

The form factor of the unit is relatively compact too. It is lightweight as well. The overall weight of the device is just six pounds. That means you will have problems regarding storing and carrying it around. It has an LED light, which will provide light in dark and dimly-lit environments.

Pros

  • Can drive both nails and staples
  • Has two operational modes
  • Comes with a 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery
  • Can drive 80 nails in a sixty seconds
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • Tends to get jammed pretty easily
  • Depth adjustment wheel is not marked

Features to Look for Before Buying the Best Cordless Nail Gun

Cordless nail guns do not come in cheap. And as you are spending this much money on something, you would want to get something that is worth every penny, right? Well, for that, you need to keep these factors in mind aside from just going through the reviews:

Motor

As we have mentioned earlier, the motor is the brains of the nailers. Considering that, you should prioritize this the most. These usually utilize two types of motor. One of them is brushless, and the other one is the regular type.

Among both of them, the ones that are the most efficient is the brushless ones. Those also have a lower tendency of overheating as well.

Other than the type, you would also have to consider the power rating of the motors. The higher the power rating, the more powerful they are going to be. And getting something that is efficient and powerful means there would be no nailing tasks that you will not be able to carry out.

Power of the Battery

Getting a unit that packs an efficient and powerful motor does not guarantee that you will get excellent overall performance. There are other factors too. One of them is the power of the battery.

If the battery is not that powerful, it will not make the motor spin at the max capacity. And as a result, you would not be able to get the full performance out of the motor.

For that reason, we would recommend checking whether the battery that the nailer you are planning to pick uses a powerful battery or not. In this case, what you need to consider is the Ampere Hour rating and the voltage. The higher those numbers will be, the better the performance you will get.

The Capacity of the Battery

Aside from the power of the battery, you also need to consider the capacity. You will not be able to operate the device for a long amount of time if you get something that utilizes a relatively low capacity battery.

Furthermore, the high-capacity ones can hold the charge for a long amount of time. That means, with them, you will be able to drive a large number of bolts with a full charge.

The two types of batteries that are out there are lithium-ion and ni-cad. Among those two, the lithium-ion ones are the ones that we would recommend you to get. Those have a high capacity alongside a high power-rating as well.

The Charger

No matter how big the capacity of the battery is, if the charger can not charge it up fast, you will have to wait for a long amount of time.

And even if the battery can hold charge reasonably well, getting something that bundles with a fast charger is always recommended. With those, you would not have to wait for hours just to charge the cell up fully.

The tip

Accuracy is something that is going to depend on how narrow the tip is. The narrower it will be, the higher the accuracy you will get. And usually, most quality nail guns are exceptionally accurate, but if you want extra accuracy and want to drive nails precisely, you would want to get the ones with a narrow tip.

But do ensure that the tips are not too narrow, or else the nails will not get fired properly. You will also have to deal with a lot of jams if you get something that is too narrow.

Firing Modes

The firing mode is something that increases the flexibility of the device. Usually, these will come with two firing modes. One of them would be sequential, and the other one would be manual.

Moreover, the ones with proper sequential firing modes will be able to fire a high number of pins in a short amount of time. As a result, it would not take that much amount of time to fasten a large number of bolts with those.

Nail Compatibility

It is highly unlikely that you are going to use the same size of nail for all the fastening tasks that you are going to carry out.

Considering that, if you get something that is not compatible with a broad range of bolts, you will not be able to perform most of the fastening tasks. For that reason, we would recommend shooting for the devices that can fire a broad range of bolts.

The Capacity of the Magazine

One of the things that can improve the overall speed of fastening tasks is the capacity of the magazine. The higher the capacity, the less frequently you would have to reload it.

Also, you will be able to carry out demanding nailing tasks without any interruptions with those. Keeping that in mind, you should shoot for the ones that come with a large-sized magazine.

Alongside, we would also recommend checking whether the body has a multi-purpose LED indicator or not. That indicator will light up when the magazine has a low amount of nails in it. As a result, the possibilities of dry firing will be considerably low.

Size and Weight

One of the factors that are underlooked while buying these devices is the form factor. But the form factor is what is going to decide whether the tool is going to be easy to use or not.

The first thing that you need to consider regarding this is the weight. For this, we would recommend going for the lightweight units. Those will be easier to maneuver.

Secondly, you should opt for compact and small-sized units. Those are not only going to be easier to store, but also you will be able to easily work in cramped and tight spaces with them.

Jam Releasing Lever

We have mentioned earlier that no matter how well-performing the tool might be, it will jam at some point. And if there is no convenient way to release the jam, you would have to use intricate tools, which is not that ideal. Keeping that in mind, we would recommend you to shoot for the ones that feature a tool-free jam release lever.

Handle

The last thing that you need to factor in is the handle. Make sure that the one that you are shooting for has rubber coating or molding on it. Those will be the most comfortable to hold onto.

Editor’s Note: The best benefit of having a cordless nailer is the freedom in the job and the non-requirement of an air compressor. The Air compressor is bulky and costs a lot of money. Having the best cordless nailer will relieve you from these two issues and give you the utmost freedom working on any project. However, pneumatic nailers may be needed for heavy-duty woodworking projects.

Final Words

Maximum precision, power, and easy operational modes are something that makes a nailer the best cordless nail gun. And the ones that we have recommended in our recommendation list all excel in those factors. For that reason, no matter which one you decide to pick, you are going to get the best that the industry has to offer.

As you have been reading the top cordless nail guns, you may find our guide on best nailers for hardie trim in budget. And for a perfect finishing job, we recommend having a quality flush cut saw along with hand saws.

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