The 7 Best Cordless Finish Nailers of 2023
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Install trim, molding, and baseboards quickly and easily
The Spruce / Kevin Liang
Fact checked by Emily Estep
When tackling a project that requires plenty of nails, like installing trim or molding, you could wear yourself out with a hammer, or you could instead use a cordless finish nailer. This powered tool shoots nails at rapid speeds and high power, making various carpentry or construction projects much easier. There are various types of nailers, distinguished by the sizes of nails they handle.
Deane Biermeier, a carpenter and former licensed contractor, as well as a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board, says: “Cordless nailers are excellent for speeding up smaller projects and for general DIY use. A cordless finish nailer allows the user to move around a room or an exterior work site without having to drag around a compressor and an air hose; however, many contractors still choose pneumatic nailers for their proven reliability.”
We researched and evaluated the cordless finish nailers in this roundup based on their power and capabilities, their configuration and ease of use in confined areas, the number of nails they can hold, and their overall value.
Best Overall: DEWALT DCN660D1 20V MAX XR 16-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer
This powerful nailer shoots up to 800 angled nails on a single charge.
What We Like
Built-in LED work light
Brushless motor
Two firing modes
What We Don't Like
Relatively expensive
If you're getting ready to install trim, molding, baseboards, or similar materials, then it's hard to go wrong with this powerful finish nailer from DEWALT. The kit includes a 20-volt, 2.0 amp-hour battery that can shoot up to 800 16-gauge nails on a single charge, plus a charger and a carry bag. The nailer has a brushless motor, which provides more runtime and longer motor life with fewer requirements for maintenance. It even has a LED light to help you more accurately place your nails. You can set this nailer to two different firing modes: bump mode, which fires a nail with each "bump" of the nailer's tip against the wood surface, or sequential mode, which requires a squeeze of the trigger for each nail. Bump mode is useful for speed, while sequential mode is best for precision.
The magazine is angled at 20 degrees, meaning you'll be able to reach into corners or tight spaces more easily without having to contort your hand. It loads with 16-gauge nails from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches in length and can hold up to 110 angled nails at a time. The nailer has a tool-free depth adjustment lever, which allows you to control how deeply the nail penetrates the wood, so you won't be left with a nail sticking out or driving too far into your finished project. There's also a tool-free lever to release jams, so should a nail become caught in the tool, you'll be able to easily free it. The only downside to this tool is its high price, but we feel it is worth the price thanks to its power, reliability, and sturdy construction.
Price at time of publish: $419
Magazine Angle: 20 degrees | Magazine Capacity: 110 nails | Battery: 20 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 800 | Weight: 6 pounds
Best Budget: Craftsman CMCN616B V20 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer
Here's a reasonably priced finish nailer that shoots 16-gauge nails.
What We Like
Can shoot 1 inch nails
Better center of gravity
No mar tip
What We Don't Like
No bump mode
If you don't need an exceptionally fast finish nailer, and you're looking to save a little bit of money, then this 16-gauge, straight-magazine tool from Craftsman is worth a look. You'll need to buy a Craftsman 20-volt battery separately if you don't already own one, but with the battery in place, this finish nailer can shoot up to 375 nails per charge. It takes straight, 16-gauge nails from a minimum of 1 inch long to a maximum of 2-1/2 inches long, and can hold up to 100 nails at a time.
You can adjust the drive depth with no tools, just a turn of the depth-adjustment wheel. However, this nailer only has a sequential firing mode; it does not have a bump mode. The handle is comfortable to hold, thanks to the straight firing angle, and this nailer has a built-in LED work light. While it may be lacking a bump mode, you can still feel confident that this tool won't leave any marks behind thanks to its no-mar tip.
Price at time of publish: $189
Magazine Angle: Straight | Magazine Capacity: 100 nails | Battery: 20 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 375 | Weight: 5.8 pounds
Best Heavy-Duty: Milwaukee 2839-20 M18 FUEL 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer
This battery finish nailer has power like a pneumatic tool.
What We Like
Powerful
Good for corners or tight spots
Two firing modes
What We Don't Like
Must purchase a Milwaukee battery if you don't already own one
This powerful finish nailer from Milwaukee has a nitrogen air spring mechanism that shoots 15-gauge nails into hardwoods or softwoods with the kind of power you'd usually expect only from a pneumatic nailer. Plus, it has a brushless motor for improved runtime and longer motor life. The nailer runs on an 18-volt battery, which is sold separately. With a Milwaukee M18 redLITHIUM CP2.0 battery pack, you can expect to shoot up to 750 nails on a single charge, and at a rate of 3 nails per second; that's fast. It can use 15-gauge angled nails from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches in length, and the magazine can hold up to 110 nails at a time.
The magazine on this finish nailer is at a 34-degree angle, and the nailer itself is fairly compact in size, so this is a great tool for reaching into corners or other awkward spots. No tool is required to change the drive depth, so you can easily adjust how far you want the nails to penetrate the wood. It can be set to shoot in bump mode or sequential mode, as well. A built-in LED work light helps improve your accuracy, and a metal belt hook lets you keep the nailer at hand when roaming your job site.
Price at time of publish: $329
Magazine Angle: 34 degrees | Magazine Capacity: 110 nails | Battery: 18 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 750 | Weight: 6.6 pounds
Best 15-Gauge: Ryobi P330 ONE+ 18V AirStrike 15-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer
Fasten wooden pieces securely with this 15-gauge finish nailer.
What We Like
Can use 1-inch nails
Pressure control
Comes with starter nails
What We Don't Like
Must purchase a RYOBI battery if you don't already own one
A 15-gauge finish nailer is useful for fastening larger materials like crown molding, or for when you need to be sure your fastener will hold. This powerful tool from Ryobi lets you control how deeply the nail penetrates the wood in two ways: You can adjust the pressure with which the tool shoots the nail, or you can use the depth control lever. Either way, you'll be able to shoot angled nails as short as 1 inch up to a maximum of 2-1/2 inches in length, which is a wider range than many similar tools. You can also set the nailer to fire in either sequential or bump mode.
The 18-volt battery needed to power the nailer is sold separately, but with Ryobi's One+ 4Ah High-Performance Lithium-Ion battery, you can shoot up to 750 nails per charge. You'll need angled nails, as the magazine is at a 34-degree angle, which makes it easier to use the tool in corners or other confined spaces. A built-in LED light will help illuminate your work area, and there's a belt clip for easy toting of the tool. And unlike most finish nailers, this one comes with a pack of 500 2-inch nails to get you off to a good start.
Price at time of publish: $165
Magazine Angle: 34 degrees | Magazine Capacity: Not listed | Battery: 18 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 750 | Weight: 7.8 pounds
Best Angled: Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS 18V 15-Gauge Angled Finish Nailer
You can shoot a lot of nails with this powerful angled finish nailer before needing to recharge.
What We Like
Shoots up to 1,100 nails on one charge
Includes 3.0 amp-hour battery
Two firing modes
What We Don't Like
Relatively heavy
This powerful finish nailer from Metabo HPT can shoot up to a whopping 1,100 nails with the included 18-volt, 3.0 amp-hour battery. That means you can work longer without having to worry about recharging. The magazine is at a 34-degree angle for easy use in tight spots and it holds up to 100 nails. You can use 15-gauge angled nails ranging from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches in length, and no tool is required to set the drive depth. You can set the nailer to fire in either bump or sequential mode; bump when you want to work as quickly as possible, and sequential when you need more precision.
The nailer has a brushless motor for longer life with less required maintenance, an LED work light helps you stay accurate, and the nailer has a belt loop to keep it close at hand. One of the few downsides to this finish nailer is that at 7.5 pounds, it's a little heavier than some other models, which can make it harder to work overhead or for long sessions without a rest. Still, we feel the speed and power of the nailer makes it a worthwhile addition to your carpentry tool collection.
Price at time of publish: $274
Magazine Angle: 34 degrees | Magazine Capacity: 100 nails | Battery: 18 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 1,100 | Weight: 7.5 pounds
Best Straight: Ryobi P326 ONE+ 18V AirStrike 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer
Shoot up to 1,000 nails on a single charge with this straight-magazine finish nailer.
What We Like
Takes nails as small as 3/4-inch
Shoots up to 1,000 nails on a single charge
Small firing tip
What We Don't Like
No bump mode
Battery must be purchased separately if you don't already own one
While most straight finish nailers aren't quite as easy to use in corners or awkward spots, this nailer has a fairly small tip, making it easier to fit into tight spaces. And we especially like that this Ryobi 16-gauge nailer can handle nails in an impressively wide range of lengths, from a minimum of 3/4 inch to a maximum of 2-1/2 inches. Remember that it uses straight 16-gauge nails, not angled nails, which will save you a little money. The nailer is powered by an 18-volt battery, which is not included. Depending on the battery you choose, the nailer can shoot up to 1,000 nails on a single charge, easily driving them even through hardwoods. Its magazine holds up to 100 nails at a time.
You can adjust the level to which the nail penetrates the wood either with the pressure adjuster dial or the drive depth lever. It also has a tool-free jam release. However, the nailer only has a sequential firing mode; it does not have a bump mode. Still, this is a great nailer for installing crown moldings, baseboards, door jambs, paneling, and other interior or exterior trim. It's reasonably priced, as well.
Price at time of publish: $219
Magazine Angle: Straight | Magazine Capacity: 100 nails | Battery: 18 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 1,000 | Weight: 5.9 pounds
Best Combo Kit: DEWALT 20V MAX XR 15-Gauge Finish Nailer and 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
This kit contains both a 15-gauge angled finish nailer and an 18-gauge brad nailer.
What We Like
"Micro" nose for tight spaces
Two firing modes
Brad nailer for delicate work
What We Don't Like
Battery sold separately
Somewhat expensive
If you need a nailer for delicate work, such as installing very thin moldings like shoe moldings along baseboards, or even for crafts like making birdhouses or picture frames, then a brad nailer, which uses thin 18-gauge nails, is the best choice. But if you also need a nailer that can handle typical finishing tasks, including the installation of larger moldings, such as baseboards, crown molding, chair rails, and wainscoting, then you'll love this combo kit from DEWALT, which includes both an 18-gauge brad nailer and a 15-gauge angled finish nailer. Both tools are powered by a DEWALT 20-volt battery, which is not included.
Both of the nailers have thin "micro" noses that easily fit into tight areas, can be used in either bump or sequential mode, and have easily adjusted drive depths. The finish nailer has a 34-degree angled magazine that can hold up to 110 15-gauge angled nails in sizes ranging from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches. It can shoot up to 680 nails per charge, depending on the battery you choose. The brad nailer can shoot 18-gauge nails from 5/8 inch to 2-1/8 inches in length and can hold up to 110 nails in its magazine.
While pricey, this is a great set of powerful nailers with DEWALT's reliable performance and durability.
Price at time of publish: $648
Magazine Angle: 34 degrees | Magazine Capacity: 110 nails | Battery: 20 volts | Nails Per Charge: Up to 680 | Weight: 5.8 pounds
Final Verdict
If you want a superior finish nailer that has a lot of power, can shoot up to 800 nails on a single battery charge, is angled to reach into corners or tight spots, and includes a battery and charger, then our Best Overall pick, the DEWALT DCN660D1 20V MAX Angled Finish Nailer, is our recommendation. But if you prefer a straight finish nailer that comes at a lower price, yet still shoots up to 1,000 16-gauge nails on a single charge, then we recommend our Best Straight pick, the Ryobi P326 ONE+ 18v 16-Gauge Cordless Finish Nailer.
What to Look For in a Cordless Finish Nailer
Power Source
While we are focusing on battery-powered finish nailers here, you should know that there are also finish nailers that are pneumatic, or powered by air from an air compressor. Pneumatic nailers have a lot of power, they are lighter than cordless models since they don’t have the extra weight of a battery, they are generally very durable and require little maintenance, and they are typically less expensive than battery nailers. However, they keep you tethered to an air hose and compressor, which for most DIYers is enough of an annoyance to rule out a pneumatic tool.
Battery Life
Cordless finish nailers are powered by either an 18-volt or 20-volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery. While voltage can be an indication of power levels for many cordless tools, it isn’t actually an issue for finish nailers, which require 18 volts of energy during their runtime even if they have a 20-volt battery. However, battery amp-hours is a number that you will want to pay attention to, as this is the most important factor determining the amount of runtime you’ll have before needing to recharge. The higher the amp-hours, the longer the runtime. You’ll find batteries with as little as 1.5 amp-hours and batteries with as much as 6 amp-hours, but the majority of finish nailers sold with a battery include a 2.0 amp-hour option. However, our Best Angled pick, the Metabo HPT NT1865DMAS, comes with an 18-volt, 3 amp-hour battery.
Generally, manufacturers don’t provide an estimated runtime in minutes for these tools, but rather, tell you how many nails you can expect to shoot before needing to recharge the battery. That number can be anywhere between a few hundred to over 1,000. Our Best Straight choice, the Ryobi P326, can shoot up to 1,000 nails before needing a battery recharge.
Most battery nailers have some sort of battery life indicator, usually, a light on the battery, which lets you know when it’s time for a recharge.
Nail Size and Type
Finish nailers by definition use either 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails. You cannot use 15-gauge nails in a 16-gauge nailer, and vice versa. Generally, 15-gauge nails, which are slightly thicker than 16-nails and have a slightly wider head, provide greater hold, but a 16-gauge finish nailer will be a little bit lighter and smaller than a 15-gauge finish nailer. Our choice for the Best 15-Gauge finish nailer is the Ryobi P330.
Most finish nailers can hold around 100 nails at a time. The nails for these tools come in strips, which are loaded into the magazine. There are finish nails as short as 1 inch and as long as 3 inches, but note that most finish nailers cannot hold that full range of sizes—many nailers have a maximum of 2.5-inch nails—so be sure to check your specific model before buying nails, which are normally sold separately from the finish nailer.
Magazine
The magazine of a nailer is the holder for the nails. There are two basic types of magazines: straight and angled.
Straight-magazine finish nailers, including our Best Budget pick, the Craftsman CMCN616B, have a magazine that is parallel to the surface being nailed. They are quick and easy to use, and generally, the nail heads aren’t as visible in the wood, as straight nailers generally only accept 16-gauge nails, which are a bit smaller than 15-gauge nails. Usually, straight finish nailers are less costly than angled finish nailers, but straight nailers are generally a little heavier, and are not as easy to fit into corners or other awkward spaces.
Angled-magazine finish nailers, such as our Best Overall pick, the DEWALT DCN660D1, have a magazine that’s at either a 20- or 21-degree or 34-degree angle to the nailer. The angle makes it much easier to fit the tool into a corner or other confined space, especially with a 34-degree angled nailer, including our Best Heavy-Duty option, the Milwaukee 2839-20. Also, angled nailers are available in both 15-gauge and 16-gauge models. You can of course also use these finish nailers parallel to the surface being nailed simply by adjusting your hand position. While angled finish nailers are more versatile overall, and usually weigh slightly less than straight nailers, they are also more expensive.
It’s important to note that both types of finish nailers require nails specific to either straight or angled magazines, although, of course, the nails themselves are always straight. Nails for angled finish nailers are more expensive than nails for straight nailers.
Tool Compatibility
Note that as a general rule, each manufacturer’s lithium-ion batteries can be used to power any of their battery tools with the same voltage. So for example, if you already own a DEWALT 20-volt drill or driver, you can use that same battery to power a DEWALT 20-volt finish nailer. However, you cannot swap batteries between different brands. For this reason, if you already own 18-volt or 20-volt power tools from a particular brand, you might want to choose a finish nailer from that same brand. Most manufacturers offer their cordless tools for sale both with a battery, and without the battery (called tool-only or bare-tool) so you can save money by buying a tool-only finish nailer if you already have the right battery to run it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different kinds of nailers?
There are several types of nail guns, each with a slightly different use.
Framing nailers are powerful tools used to drive the large nails used for framing and other construction purposes.
Finish nailers shoot either 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails, and are very useful for installing large trim pieces such as baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails.
Brad nailers shoot 18-gauge nails, making them useful for installing thin trim pieces, as well as carrying out carpentry repairs and even doing crafts.
Pin nailers use tiny 23-gauge nails, or pins, and are used for furniture or cabinet building, as well as other delicate carpentry projects.
What is a finish nailer used for?
Finish nailers are very versatile tools that come in handy for a wide range of carpentry projects. They are mostly used for installing various types of interior or exterior trim, including window trims, crown moldings, and baseboards, but they are also useful for installing hardwood flooring, furniture and cabinet building or repairs, and for building staircases. That makes them one of the most useful carpentry tools for your tool collection.
What are some drawbacks to battery-operated nailers?
While battery-powered nailers free you from the tethers of a cord or air compressor, thus allowing you to use the tool wherever you need to be, they do have a few drawbacks. They are more expensive than pneumatic nailers but are not as powerful, and they require you to keep an eye on the battery charge. Still, for most DIYers, the pros outweigh the cons.
Is a finish nailer stronger than a brad nailer?
"A finish nailer uses 15- to 16-gauge nails to fasten larger pieces of trim work, such as window and door trim, crown molding, and baseboards, whereas a brad nailer uses 18-gauge or smaller nails to install delicate trim pieces like base shoe molding and for other woodworking applications," says Deane Biermeier, a certified lead carpenter and former licensed contractor.
Because a finish nailer uses either 15-gauge or 16-gauge nails, in contrast to the thinner 18-gauge nails used by a brad nailer, a finish nailer can achieve a more secure fastening between two pieces of wood. Generally, finish nailers are used for heavier tasks than brad nailers, which are mostly used to install very thin trim or carry out delicate carpentry work.
What is better: 16-gauge or 15-gauge finish nailer?
While the differences are not extreme, as a rough guideline, a 15-gauge nailer is better if you need the best hold, as 15-gauge nails are a little bit thicker than 16-gauge nails. However, a 16-gauge nailer is usually a little lighter than a 15-gauge nailer and will leave behind a smaller nail hole to fill.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, who is a writer specializing in home and garden products. She has been a commerce writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers. To choose the best cordless finish nailers for this article, she evaluated dozens of these tools from various brands, evaluating each for power, range of usable nail sizes, magazine type, ease of use, extra features, and overall value. She also relied on feedback from customers, both positive and negative, as well as information from various DIY and home improvement websites.
Further expert advice and input came from Deane Biermeier, certified lead carpenter and former licensed contractor, as well as a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
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