Top 10 Best Finish Nailer 2023

10. Metabo HPT Finish Nailer

And finally, we have the Metabo NT65M2S Finish Nailer. This nail gun is another lightweight unit that boasts superior maneuverability and accuracy.

It has a tool-free depth adjustment system that allows you to derive accurate results regardless of the nail length and surface material. That ensures professional-level output at all times.

We also love that the Metabo NT65M2S Finish Nailer has a 360-degree exhaust port. This feature helps keep the debris and dust away from your face, so you can work in peace and without distractions.

Thanks to its convenient actuation switch, you can easily switch between sequential firing mode and bump firing mode. There’s no need for a complicated set of instructions just to switch between these two modes.

For its convenience and superior design, there’s no doubt that the Metabo NT65M2S is a top rated nail gun.

Our Verdict For This Product:

The Hitachi NT65MA4 1-1/4 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch 15 gauge Angled Finish Nailer is a great option for an accurate and powerful nailer. Its features make it valuable in any workshop, including its two fastening modes, integrated air duster, and 360-degree exhaust ports. Unfortunately, some users have reported issues with misfires and nail jams, but overall this is a great finish nailer that we would recommend.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Finish Nailer

Now that you know what a finish nailer is, the next step is to identify the factors that will help you pick out the best finish nailer in the market. While we’ve already listed the top ten, looking into these factors will help you choose the perfect one for your needs.

Power Source

One of the first factors you have to consider to narrow down your options is the nailer's power source. Generally, you only have two options: a pneumatic nailer and a battery-powered nailer.

A pneumatic nailer uses air pressure to drive the nail into the material. You can adjust the pressure you want to exert on the compressor, and that allows for more accurate and consistent performance. However, since this type of nailer is connected to a compressor, it has a hose that could limit your movement and maneuverability.

On the other hand, a battery-operated finish nailer has a built-in motor that’s responsible for shooting nails. These are cordless units, so maneuverability and portability are their key features. However, because it is dependent on a limited power source, you have to consider the battery life whenever you have to use it.

Also, some battery-powered nailers tend to have a reduced performance as the battery levels drop. This may not always be ideal, especially if you’re working on finishing projects for buildings or homes.

Durability

Another key factor you have to consider is its durability. Ideally, a great finishing nail gun should have metal parts and components to ensure its longevity. It should be able to take on the pressure necessary to shoot the nail into place without falling apart.

By making sure that the nail gun has a solid build ensures that you’ll be able to use it for a long time. And that guarantees excellent value for the money.

Ease of Use

Generally, nailers are designed to make work easier for us. Instead of manually driving nails into the material with a hammer, these modern tools help you get it done with just one swift motion.

With that said, your nail gun shouldn’t have a complicated set of instructions to function properly. This is especially true if you’re a beginner.

Fortunately, most of today’s nailers come with simplified features that allow for quick nail reloading systems, jam clearance, and similar maintenance tasks with a simple push of a button. That will surely make things easier for you.

Safety Features

The safety features that go into your nailer should also be a top concern. As much as possible, the nail gun should come with useful features such as an automatic turn-off function. Some nail guns even have sophisticated systems that keep them from engaging by accident. Make sure you check out what the model offers before buying it.

Magazine Capacity

A factor that’s often overlooked is the nail gun’s magazine capacity. The larger the capacity, the fewer times you have to keep on reloading. This is quite handy if you’re always working on big projects.

However, a larger magazine capacity will also make it weigh more, so always consider the added weight.

Also, if you’re mainly using your nailer as an emergency power tool in case of home repairs, then you won’t need one with such a large capacity.

Comfort

It’s also important to look into how comfortable you are while using the nail gun. Comfort largely depends on the handle of the nailer.

As much as possible, the handle should provide you with a nice and firm grip over the nail gun. Even if you have to use it continuously for hours, it shouldn’t leave you with a cramp or a trigger finger.

Also, look into whether the nailer is designed to absorb the vibrations from using it. This will allow your hand to feel more relaxed while operating it, so you can use it for longer periods.  

Weight

Speaking of comfort, the weight of the nail gun contributes largely to its level of comfort.

Generally, battery-operated nailers are heavier than their pneumatic counterparts. This is because of the built-in battery and motor that accompanies the unit. As such, you would have to gather a lot of effort to use it accurately.

Alternatively, pneumatic nailers do not have these built-in parts, making them more lightweight. This makes it ideal for users who can shoot nails more accurately with a lighter tool.

Design Components of a Brad Nailer:

To help you choose a finish nailer, you should have a decent understanding of its design components. Here’s a brief discussion of each component for your added reference.

• The Handle. That part of the nail gun that you hold onto as you maneuver and position it to your target is the handle. The handle should not only give you a firm grip, but it should also be comfortable to hold. That allows you to work on your project for hours without suffering from cramps.
• Also, it helps if the handle has an ergonomic design and offers shock-absorbent properties.
• The Trigger. We can all agree that the trigger is the heart of the nail gun. Pulling the trigger will cause the gun to shoot the nail out. In newer designs, the trigger has a bump-fire system that allows for easier and more comfortable nail release.
• The Magazine. The part of the nail gun that holds all the nails in the magazine. It's important to consider the magazine capacity because that will help you determine how often you have to reload it. It also helps if you can see how many nails you have left in the magazine, so you don’t have to keep on guessing when it’s time to reload.
• The Tip. At the end of the nailer is the tip. This is the part of the nail gun that comes into close contact with the surface of your material. The tip helps you accurately shoot the nail. Newer designs now have non-marring tips, so you don’t have to worry about leaving a mark as you shoot.
• Accessories. Depending on the type of finishing nail gun you own, it will come with different accessories. If you’re using a battery-operated one, make sure that it has a charger. In the case of a pneumatic one, it’s better if it comes with a hose to attach to the compressor.

What is better, a brad nailer or finish nailer?

Often, users tend to be a little confused between a brad and a finish nailer. And we don’t blame them. At first glance, these two nail guns seem to look identical – but the similarities end there.

So at this point, a lot of users ask us this: what is better between a brad nailer and a finishing one? We’ll finally put an end to all this confusion.

Before giving you an answer, it’s best to discuss the difference between a brad and a finish nailer. After all, loading the wrong nail onto the gun will easily result in its poor performance – if not complete malfunctioning.

A brad nailer is a powerful tool that is loaded with 18-gauge nails called brads. These brads are usually thin and come in various sizes of up to two inches. Because of their narrower construction, brads do not offer the best hold. They are, however, excellent for installing decorative trims and panels since the smaller diameters do not affect the overall aesthetics.

With that said, a brad nailer tends to be more lightweight than its finishing counterpart. They’re known to be more affordable, too.

In contrast, a finish nailer uses 15 or 16-gauge nails. These are a lot thicker than brads, which is how they offer a better hold over the surface. This added holding power makes them perfect for hammering in finishing pieces like boards and larger trims.

Because of the thicker nails loaded into the magazine, a finish nailer is heavier and bulkier than brad nail gun. They’re also more expensive, considering the stronger build required for such a nail gun.

Bottom line, a brad nailer would be best for hammering in minor decorative trims. On the other hand, a finish nailer offers more versatile usefulness, and that makes it the best overall choice for finishing projects and similar repair work.

Safety Advice for Finish Nail Guns

We must all remember that nail guns are power tools. Because of this, they can cause serious damage or injury if the user isn’t careful. But we’re not here to scare you off. Instead, here is some safety advice for when you're using a nail gun. As long as you observe these pointers, there’s nothing for you to be afraid of.

• First of all, make sure that you read the instruction manual before you start using it. Finish nail guns come in different designs and with different specs. Some are powered with air pressure while others have built-in batteries. That means that each of them works differently, so you have to look for specific instructions to ensure peak performance.
• Aside from knowing how to properly operate it, these manuals will also contain useful care information that will teach us how to safely reload the magazine or how to make easy adjustments without any accidental injury.
• Always wear the appropriate gear. Since a nail gun is considered a powerful tool, you must operate it only when you're wearing the appropriate safety gear. You have to use goggles to protect your eyes and working gloves to protect your fingers against splinters as you work. You can also use a mask to prevent inhaling dust and harmful particles.
• Keep it well-maintained. A well-maintained nail gun will always function properly. That reduces the risk of it malfunctioning while in the middle of using it. As a result, it will also reduce the occurrence of potential accidents.  
• Always make sure that it is turned off as soon as you’re done using it. A common mistake that beginners make is to set the nail gun aside when they’re taking breaks. Unfortunately, someone could grab it and accidentally pull the trigger. That could instantly cause damage to your project – or worse, it could hit someone and cause serious injuries.
• Keep it out of reach of children. Similarly, it’s best to keep your nail gun away from children. Children are curious individuals, and they would often find a nail gun as a fascinating piece of machinery. Because of how simple it is to operate, kids can turn it on by accident and use it thinking it’s a toy. Not only will they get hurt, but they could also hurt others in the process.
• Avoid pointing the tip at others or any part of your body. With that said, don’t point the tip against others. Even if you’re just joking around, it might shoot out a nail that could get you in serious trouble. Thus, only point the tip and pull the trigger when you’re pointing at the surface you want to drive the nail in.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Finish Nailers

For added reference, here are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of nail gun. This will help you determine whether a finish nailer is right for you or not. Let’s start with the advantages.

Advantages

• It gets the job done faster than when you have to hammer in the nails manually. As a result, you can also get more done within a day.
• It requires minimal effort from the user. Finish nailers are powered by batteries or an air compressor. You can simply pull the trigger and the nail is instantly embedded onto the surface.
• Generally, they are easy to operate. Nailers are designed for the user’s convenience, so most of them have simple buttons that you can press for shooting the nail, clearing out jams, easy nail reloads, and similar functions.
• Finish nailers can accommodate 15 to 16-gauge nails which are thicker than brads. This makes them perfect for finishing work with superior hold.
• Because of the thicker nails used on these nailers, you can use them on a variety of wood for projects – including plywood and hardwood.
• These nailers are incredibly versatile. The nail size they accommodate is great for a variety of projects and repair work. Thus, professional handymen and homeowners will not regret having one in their toolbox.

Disadvantages

From what we’ve previously enumerated, you can see that owning a finish nailer has its advantages. But like all power tools, it isn’t perfect. So balance things out, here are its disadvantages.

• Since it uses thick nails, finish nailers are often heavier than other nailers. You would need a lot of effort to work with it.
• Similarly, these nailers are bulkier than brad nailers. That makes it hard to use in tight spaces.
• Since it’s a power tool, the price of these finishing nailers can be quite steep.