Contents
- 1 Top 7 Best Brad Nailers
- 1.1 #1 Wen 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer
- 1.2 #2 Metabo HPT Pneumatic Brad Nailer
- 1.3 #3 Bostitch Nail Gun and Brad Nailer
- 1.4 #4 NuMax S2-118G2 Pneumatic Brad Nailer
- 1.5 #5 Neu Master NTC0040 Electric Brad Nailer
- 1.6 #6 Neu Master N6013 Electric Brad Nailer
- 1.7 #7 Campbell Hausfeld Air Stapler and Brad Nailer
- 1.8 How We Decided
- 2 Best Brad Nailer for Household Work Buyer’s Guide
To help you find the best brad nailer for household work, we have tried out a multitude of top models, testing them for power and efficiency, preferring nailers that could handle a wide variety of brad nail sizes and those with the capacity to accept plenty of PSI, ensuring they adequately drive nails. We also liked brad nailers made from long-lasting and durable components and those that were comfortable to use, often featuring ergonomic grips.
The best brad nailer that we tried was easily the Wen 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer. This brad nailer can handle nails from 3/8 to 2 inches in length and boasts an extra-large 106-nail capacity magazine, for efficiency. We also loved the high-grade nose latch, which easily clears out nail jams. Keep reading to learn more about other high-quality brad nailers available for purchase.
Top 7 Best Brad Nailers
#1 Wen 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Pneumatic design with a nose latch to clear out nail jams and an extra-large 106-nail magazine, in addition to shipping with 2,000 nails in a variety of sizes.
- Nose latch easily clears out jams
- Depth adjustment wheel and large 106-nail magazine
- Ships with over 2,000 brad nails
- Does not ship with carrying case
- Can only handle nails up to 2 inches long
The Wen 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer is the best cordless brad nailer available for purchase, thanks to an extremely powerful pneumatic design that can work with compressors up to 115 PSI, though it does need to be attached to said compressor via air tube. We also loved the included nose latch, which offers a tool free jam release, the depth adjustment wheel and the extra-large capacity magazine, which can hold 106 nails at once. This 18 gauge brad nailer also ships with 2,000 nails in a variety of sizes, from ⅜ inch to two inches long.
Though this best brad nailer is cordless, except for the compressor tube, and efficient, it can only handle nails up to two inches in length, which is enough for most projects, but perhaps not for large framing or construction jobs. Additionally, this powerful brad nailer does not ship with a carrying case or protective glasses. You might also want to add the best hammer to your at home toolkit.
#2 Metabo HPT Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Pneumatic design with a fully adjustable exhaust port, to keep debris away from projects, and shipping with multiple useful accessories, including safety glasses, a carrying case, hex bar wrenches and more.
- Ships with suite of accessories, including safety glasses
- Easy depth adjustment, via ergonomic dial
- Extremely light, at 2.2 lb, for all day use
- Needs air compressor to work
- Does not ship with any nails
The Metabo HPT Pneumatic Brad Nailer is a rebranded Hitachi brad nailer, so it brings the same power and convenience the company has long been known for. This brad nailer for household work is cordless, via an air-based pneumatic design, and ships with a bevy of accessories, including safety glasses, hex bar wrenches, a hard carrying case and a specialized tip designed to reduce accidental markings. We also loved the easy depth adjustment, via dial, and the light form factor, weighing just over two pounds.
Though this brad nailer does come with safety glasses and other high-quality accessories, it does not ship with any brad nails, which will have to be purchased separately. Also, the pneumatic design does require an external air compressor in order to function. If you don’t already have one, you should also look at our guide to the best socket wrench.
#3 Bostitch Nail Gun and Brad Nailer
Award: MOST CONVENIENT
WHY WE LIKE IT: Design that emphasizes convenience, with an oil-free engine that does not require daily maintenance, a built-in knob for depth control and a built-in pencil sharpener for marking on the fly.
- Oil-free engine requires no daily maintenance
- Built-in knob for depth control and selectable trigger
- Ships with carrying case and reversible belt hook
- On the heavy side at nearly 3 lb
- No air hose included
This Bostitch Nail Gun and Brad Nailer is built for convenience, with a pneumatic cordless design that doesn’t require daily maintenance, thanks to an engine that forgoes the use of oil. It includes a number of other convenient features as well, including a built-in reversible belt hook and pencil sharpener, the latter perfect for making markings on the fly. We also loved the built-in knob, for depth control, and the selectable and lockable trigger, making this the best brad nailer for woodworking.
Though this is a brad nailer for household work that is efficient and easy to use, it is on the heavy side, at nearly three pounds, though it does ship with a hard carrying case. Additionally, it does not ship with an air hose, which is a necessary component for hooking pneumatic models up to air compressors. For your woodcutting needs you should also read our review of the best jigsaw.
#4 NuMax S2-118G2 Pneumatic Brad Nailer
Award: BEST GRIP
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features a best-in-class ergonomic grip with padding designed to reduce vibrations and is made from ultra-durable aluminum, with a 2-in-1 functionality that excels with both brad nails and crown moldings.
- 360 degree exhaust for keeping air out of your face
- Can handle both brad nails and crown staples
- Durable aluminum construction
- Does not ship with carry case or safety glasses
- Depth adjustment wheel can be somewhat finicky
The NuMax S2-118G2 Pneumatic Brad Nailer boasts a fantastic and comfortable grip that features thick padding, to reduce vibrations, and an ergonomic design that reduces hand and wrist fatigue. We also loved the exhaust, which is adjustable up to 360 degrees so as to keep air out of your face as you work, and the durable aluminum construction. As for convenience, this is a handy two-in-one pneumatic design that excels with both brad nails and crown staples.
Though the grip is certainly best-in-class, we found the adjustable depth wheel to be somewhat finicky, though we eventually got the hang of it. Also, this brad nailer for household work does not ship with a carrying case or safety glasses. You won’t regret adding this nailer to your set of best tools.
#5 Neu Master NTC0040 Electric Brad Nailer
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality electric design with a rubber nose that reduces accidental marring and a two-in-one functionality that excels with both brad nails and crown staples.
- Rubber nose designed to reduce marring
- No air compressor necessary
- Functions with crown staples and brad nails
- Does not support brad nails longer than 1”
- On the heavy side, at over 5 lb
The Neu Master Electric Brad Nailer is the best electric brad nailer for a number of reasons, including a built-in rubber nose that effectively eliminates accidental marring and a sensor that makes sure it does not fire unless it is intentional. We also loved that this electric brad nailer for household work does not need an air compressor to function and that it features a handy two-in-one design, excelling with both brad nails and crown staples, making it a must-have for many DIY projects.
Though we loved the support for both brad nails and crown staples, we did notice that this model cannot handle brad nails longer than one inch, which could impact performance with heavy duty construction projects. Additionally, this is a heavier-than-average brad nailer, clocking in at over five pounds. To complete your set of DIY materials, you should also read our guide to the best levels.
#6 Neu Master N6013 Electric Brad Nailer
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly electric design that functions with both brad nails and crown staples, with a quick-release magazine and an adjustable power knob for working with both hard and soft materials.
- Easy magazine release for quick reloading
- Works with both brad nails and crown staples
- Adjustable power knob for hard and soft materials
- Somewhat heavy, at nearly 3.5 lb
- Limited when it comes to brad nail sizes
The Neu Master N6013 Electric Brad Nailer comes in at a budget-friendly price point while still offering a number of high end features, including a magazine that releases easily and efficiently for quick reloading and an adjustable power knob that is suitable for hard and soft materials. We also loved the two-in-one design, which excels with both brad nails and crown staples. To that end, this brad nailer for household work ships with 400 crown staples and 100 brad nails.
Like most electric brad nailers, this is a heavier item than most pneumatic nailers, clocking in at nearly 3.5 pounds. Also, this model can only handle brad nails from ½ inch to ⅝ inch, which could impact use scenarios.
#7 Campbell Hausfeld Air Stapler and Brad Nailer
Award: BEST FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Perfect for DIY arts and crafts projects, thanks to a non-marring tip that won’t damage the work surface and a two-in-one design that excels with both crown staples and brad nails.
- Non-marring tip
- 2-in-1 design for crown staples and brad nails
- Adjustable depth control and exhaust
- No carrying case or safety glasses included
- Only supports staples with a ¼” crown
The Campbell Hausfeld Air Stapler and Brad Nailer is designed for DIY and craft projects, thanks to a two-in-one functionality that supports both brad nails and crown staples. We loved the non-marring tip, which eliminates work surface damage, and the adjustability options on offer, as this brad nailer for household work features a depth adjustment dial and an exhaust that can be rotated for safety and convenience. It is also extremely light, as it weighs just eight ounces, further enhancing its useability as a crafting tool.
This is a pneumatic brad nailer and, as such, requires an air compressor for use, and it does not ship with a carrying case or safety glasses. Additionally, this model offers wide support for brad nail lengths, up to two inches, but falters when it comes to crown staples, as it only accepts staples with a ¼ inch crown.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we made sure to include both electric and pneumatic brad nailers for household work. Pneumatic brad nailers use air as a power source and, as such, can create more pressure when it comes to nailing, making them perfect for heavy duty construction projects and the like. The downside? They need an air compressor in order to function.
Electric brad nailers are corded and work right out of the box, with no air compressor needed. This makes them great for smaller projects, such as DIY crafting. They are not typically quite as powerful as their pneumatic counterparts, so may not shine in construction projects. They also tend to be heavier than pneumatic brad nailers, as the power source is built-in to the nailer itself, rather than coming from an external source, such as an air compressor.
For both types of brad nailers, we preferred models that were made from ultra-durable components that were designed to last for years. We also liked brad nailers that shipped with safety glasses, hex wrenches, carrying cases and other useful accessories. Finally, we preferred models that offered maximum adjustment along a variety of metrics, including depth and exhaust, and those that offered support for crown staples, in addition to brad nails.
Best Brad Nailer for Household Work Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Pneumatic vs. Electric
Brad nailers for household work come in two general designs. There are pneumatic brad nailers, which use compressed air to function, and electric brad nailers, which are corded and use a built-in motor to function. Pneumatic brad nailers tend to be better suited for heavy duty tasks, as the air pressure that enables these models can create plenty of nailing power. Of course, they need an external air compressor to function and some require specific types of air compressors, so make sure to read the fine print. Electric brad nailers work right out of the box, without the need for an air compressor. These corded nailers are ultra-convenient but often lack the raw power of their pneumatic counterparts. Additionally, they tend to be on the heavier side, as the motor is built-in to the unit itself, rather than being sourced to an air compressor. Both types of brad nailers are great for household projects. - Adjustability
You are going to want to make sure that your preferred brad nailer offers plenty of adjustment options. High-grade nailers can be adjusted along a variety of metrics, including depth and exhaust. Depth adjustment can generally be done via a built-in knob along the side, while exhaust adjustment is handled in the rear of the unit. - Magazine
Look for a brad nailer that has a large magazine that can hold plenty of nails at once, so you won’t have to reload too often. To that end, many brad nailers offer quick-release mechanisms which help to simplify the reloading process. - Useful Accessories
Many brad nailers for household work ship with a number of useful accessories, including carrying cases, hex wrenches and safety glasses. Some also ship with all necessary cabling to be attached to air compressors, in the case of pneumatic models, while others come with protective tips and other odds and ends.
Brad Nailer for Household Work FAQs
Are cordless brad nailers any good?
Absolutely, though results may vary depending on which model you end up purchasing. Generally speaking, pneumatic brad nailers are cordless, though they are attached via tube to an air compressor. Battery powered brad nailers are often plenty powerful for DIY projects, but not for heavy duty jobs. They also tend to be heavier and larger, as are finish nailers.
What is the best brad nailer to buy?
We think all of the above brad nailers are excellent powered tools, though if we had to choose we’d go with our top pick. The Wen 61721 Pneumatic Brad Nailer ships with over 2,000 brad nails and boasts a design that reduces nail jams.
Can you use a hammer for brad nails?
Technically, yes, though in practice this can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Hammers can easily bend brad nails, forcing you to repeat the same area over and over. Hammers can also damage work areas if you accidentally apply too much force.
What size brad nails should I use?
This entirely depends on the material you are working with, but in general we recommend making sure the length of the nail is around three times the length of the material you are nailing through.
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