The Best 18 Gauge Brad Nailers with Reviews 2024

The DeWalt DCN680D1 is one of the first cordless brad nailers that allows you to ditch your air compressor and still get impressive performance.

It drives nails from5/8 in. to 2-1/8 in. which makes it effective at securing trim including door/window frames, baseboard, and moldings.

The inevitable drawbacks are that it is a lot bulkier and heavier than its pneumatic counterparts. This can be annoying at first, but many users prefer this than carrying around an air compressor.

Overall it’s a solid tool which many users have rated highly.

This brad nailer from Makita has a narrow design that helps it get into tight spaces. It’s even covered with a rubber nose and bumpers to protect the material from any damages or scratches. The integrated hook rotates 180 degrees so it’s always handy and never in the way.

The tool-less depth adjustment allows it to be used on a variety of surfaces, including both hard and soft wood. The exhaust rotates 360 degrees so you can easier blow the air away from yourself while you’re working.

This tool does not have a dry lock out. There’s a dual indicator window so you can see when you need to reload. Some people prefer a dry lock out because it lets you know when you need to reload and you don’t really even have to be paying attention. That said, it doesn’t allow you to use your nails efficiently. In the event of a jam with this Makita, the cam-lock opens quickly without needing to use any tools. Clearing the jam is quick and easy so you can get right back to work without losing much time.

You also get safety goggles, oil, and a nice hard plastic case with this brad nailer – perfect for transport or storage. This is a solid performer with little room left to complain, but one thing it’s lacking a rapid fire mode which will affect your productivity.

For a value priced brad nailer that’s reliable and made by one of the most reliable brands in the industry, you can’t beat the Hitachi NT50AE2. This is an exceptionally lightweight tool at only 2.2 pounds. Just because it’s lightweight doesn’t mean it’s not a heavy duty tool. It’s designed with an aluminum core, which keeps the weight down. It’s also designed to be ergo-dynamic making this an exceptionally comfortable tool to use.

The magazine is side-loading and holds 100 standard size nails. One downside is that this nailer has a yellow indicator window to let you know when your magazine is getting low instead of a dry lockout. Some tools will warn you when you only have a few nails left in the magazine by not allowing you to fire the last few. Shooting a pneumatic nailer when the magazine is empty could damage the tool so watch the indicator very carefully during your work.

While the exhaust is adjustable to keep the air from blowing in your face, the air hose port is not. This is a bit of an inconvenience when you’re working because the hose could affect the tool’s movement and you have to kind of fight against it but it doesn’t impact the overall performance of the nailer.

This tool is fairly priced and performs really well. It’s a great choice for someone looking for a quality tool for DIY projects or small jobs around the house.

WEN has produced a small, powerful brad nailer that is just a fraction of the price of the more expensive models. The design is pretty basic but it performs very well. The body is composed of cast-aluminum which helps make it lightweight and won’t burden your arm during extended periods of use. The handle has a comfortable rubber grip to add even more comfort.

This nailer has a quick release mechanism that lets you reload the magazine and clear any jams relatively easy. While it does have a tendency to jam, at least you’ll be able to get back to work quickly. Everything about this brad nailer is easy to use thanks to the simplicity of the design. Even the maintenance is simple and you’ll only need to do it every so often instead of after every job.

You’ll need an air compressor to use this brad nailer but the good news is it’s compatible with almost any compressor on the market. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, simple nailer for small projects at home, this is one of the best.

As far as we are concerned, you won’t make a mistake if you opt for this particular model. It does offer quite a lot of things, and it doesn’t require much. If you’re on a tight budget, make sure you check this stapler out; it’s worth your time.

If you’re looking for another battery powered option, this brad nailer from Porter-Cable is an excellent choice. Battery operated tools automatically have several benefits. No need to lug and air hose and compressor around, this lightweight tool makes it much easier to move around because there’s nothing holding it back.

Battery powered tools are typically a little heavier than pneumatics and, while that is true with this Porter-Cable brad nailer, at 5.1 pounds it’s one of the lightest in its class. The nailer is designed so the balance it just right, making it easier to use and more comfortable to hold.

Something that this nailed has that we haven’t seen a lot of is LED lights to light up the workspace and act as indicator lights in case something goes wrong. There are a lot of tool free functions on this brad nailer, including an easy loading process that requires the push of a button.

The depth drive adjustment is also tool-less and easy to read. Jam clearing is also tool-less but a little involved because you have to remove the battery to get to the chamber. It’s designed to be a smooth process, though, but could be a bit annoying when you have to stop your work to do it.

This brad nailer tends to have consistent performance even as the battery weakens and the brand claims you get 1300 nails per charge with the right battery.

This Bostitch brad nailer has a nose with a smaller, Smart Point technology design that lets you see exactly where the nail will be going in. The 60% smaller nose also allows the nailed to be used in tighter spaces. This will make your work more look more precise and professional because you can better line everything up once you know right where the nails are going in.

This brad nailer comes with the tool itself, a carrying case, a ¼ inch swivel fitting, and a belt hook. You also get 1000 2-inch brads to get you started so you’re ready to go right out of the box. This is an oil free nailer which eliminates some maintenance. An internal filter helps keep dust and debris from damaging the motor.

The over-molded handle and bumper protect the material from any damages. The lightweight frame is composed of magnesium, which is just as durable as aluminum but not as heavy. Overall, this is a compact nailer that will be easy to handle, even for long term jobs.

The tool-free jam release is easily accessible and usable. So is the depth drive – located under the trigger so you can easily make changes. With all of these features and the Smart Point technology, this Bostitch brad nailer is great for homeowners, hobbyists, and professionals.