10 Best Brad Nailer: 18 Gauge (2024 Update)

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by John Patterson

What are the best brad nailers for woodworking, trim, DIY, and Baseboards?

Not only for this type of work, but we also researched the Top brad nailers for the money to give you an honest and unbiased guide.

We have picked ten great brad nailers, which we consider top-notch models you can find today.

They are durable, precise, versatile, and, most importantly, get the job done.

We examined them thoroughly, providing a complete and objective summary of each model.

Our research team spent 48 hours on writing, editing, making an infographic for the high-quality 18 Gauge Brad Nailer to help you find the top brad nailers for your projects.

Now you want to ask me what a brad nailer is? The short and quick answer is it is one of the most commonly used power tools.

These brad nailers are thin, small, finishing nail guns.

Today, you can find a wide range of power tools.

They are all designed for varying projects and work differently, so understanding their features becomes increasingly important if you look for the right tool.

If you need precision and delicacy for flawless operation on lighter materials, brad nailers would be the suitable instruments.

They can do what other, more extensive nailers can never do.

So, a quality brad nailer would be ideal if you need a tool for your home improvement projects.

Let’s know what it is and how to use a Brad Nailer.

Additionally, we will view the applications of brad nailers and their benefits, as well as help you get the lightest model.

Let’s now start looking into the detail without further ado!

Best Brad Nailer: Best Overall (Top Picks)

#1. Brad Nailer for the money: Wen 61720 

#2. Hitachi NT50AE2 

#3. DEWALT DWFP12231

Our Air Nailer Buying Guide discussed Dewalt DWFP12231 and a few of its alternatives.

18 Gauge Brad Nailer (Top Picks)

#1. PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA (Top Choice)

Li-Ion Battery:

Porter-Cable Brad Nailer model PCC790LA is yet another battery-operated brad nailer in our guide of the brad nailer. But unlike DC608K, it features a 1.5 Ah 20V Lithium-Ion battery, which is not sensitive to the memory effect. Additionally, the battery lasts longer than typical NiCad batteries. PCC790LA comes with both a battery and a charger.

Sequential mode:

Interestingly, porter-cable pcc790la has only a sequential firing mode. This means that the device is much more precision-driven and is more suitable for slower and more certain projects.

Depth adjustment:

The depth adjustment wheel allows for consistent brad nail countersinking. Paired with the sequential mode, the right depth setting will deliver outstandingly precise brad nail positioning.

Magazine:

PCC790LA features a 100-piece magazine, which works best with 5/8 to 2-inch 18-gauge brad nails.

Size:

PCC790LA is quite bulky and heavy. It measures 13.9 x 5 x 12 inches but only weighs 5.9 lbs. Less than DC608K, despite more significant dimensions!

LED lights:

Unlike the other researched tools, this model has inbuilt LED lights to help you illuminate your job site and quickly discover errors.

Jam and stall release:

As you would expect, PCC790LA features a tool-free stall release and jam release.

Accessories:

Unfortunately, the package includes only the tool, the battery, and the charger.

What about the downsides? The first one to come to mind is the absence of bump contact operation mode. But we feel that it is more like the narrow specification of PCC790LA. Those who do not need to drive the nails quickly won’t notice bump mode’s absence. PCC790LA won’t be the right pick for you if you want to complete projects rapidly.

PCC790LA is quite a bit bulkier than the previously mentioned heavy-duty brad nailers. It measures 5 x 13.88 x 12 inches, which will make fitting it in tighter areas a little bit of a struggle. How would it weigh with such dimensions?

Most of the buyers would probably also want to get more accessories with the 18 gauge nailer.

Apart from this, PCC790LA can be one of the brad nailers if you need a precise one with inbuilt light, which you won’t be sticking into too confined areas.

#2. BOSTITCH BTFP12233

Pneumatic operation:

Bostitch Brad Nailer’s BTFP12233 model is a little bit different. The most significant difference is that it operates on compressed air instead of a battery. Thereby, BTFP12233 will be much less mobile, but it won’t be an issue if you don’t want to hassle with batteries and do not need mobility. This tool operates at 70-120 psi.

Operation Modes:

The selectable trigger will allow you to quickly switch between the precise sequential mode and the much quicker bump contact operation mode.

A noteworthy feature of this heavy-duty brad nailer is that it doesn’t need compressing the contact tip for activation, letting you work much quicker.

Rear exhaust:

The rear exhaust will keep away from the operator’s face and the materials he is working on. Additionally, BTFP12233 works oil-free, ensuring little to no oil stains.

Depth adjustment:

With the Dial-A-Depth controls, you can quickly and precisely countersink the brads.

Narrow nose:

A remarkable feature of BTFP12233 is its small-point nose, allowing you to reach much tighter corners safely.

Magazine:

The straight magazine accepts 100 5/8 to 2 1/8-inch 18-gauge brad nails.

Jam release:

The jam release handle is designed for quick brad removal on-site without requiring any instruments.

Size:

BTFP12233 measures 3.2 (W) x 9.5 (H) inches and weighs 3.1 lbs. It is more of a compact and lightweight model.

Accessories:

This model comes with a carry case, standard no-mar tips, ¼-inch air fitting, and an adjustable belt hook.

The downside of BTFP12233 is its less mobility. The second con is that although it works best in tight corners, it doesn’t have onboard lights. They are often necessary for those places where there could be little to no illumination!

Otherwise, BTFP12233 is a great light and compact tool for those who do not need mobility that much. Make sure your air compressor can deal with this heavy-duty brad nailer!

#3. SENCO FinishPro

And the last model on our list of one of the brad nailers under $100 is another air tool, FinishPro, delivered by Senco. It is an entirely affordable model with some useful features.

Pneumatic operation:

FinishPro is connected to air compressors via the standard ¼-inch plug, so you should not have problems pairing the tool with your compressor.

The nailer works with 70-120 psi, which most compressors will be capable of providing you with.

Operation Modes:

FinishPro features two operation modes – bump and sequential – which can be easily switched with just a flip of the selectable trigger.

Depth adjustment:

The depth setting can be adjusted via the onboard wheel, which will help you countersink your nails into the material without damaging it.

Narrow nose:

FinishPro works best with tight corners! It is the most compact and lightweight model we described today, measuring only 9.75 (H) x 10.5 (L) x 2.5 (W) and weighing just 2.48 lbs. FinishPro is so light, thanks to the magnesium body, which makes the tool quite durable. The over-molded rubber grip adds up to the overall convenience of FinishPro.

Magazine:

The 110-piece straight magazine accepts 5/8 to 2 1/8-inch nails.

Jam release:

FinishPro comes with a tool-free jam-release mechanism. Besides, it features a rotatable rear exhaust, which will keep the debris away from you and the job site.

Accessories:

This model includes the nailer, a carry case, a swivel plug, and a wrench.

Despite having a not-so-mobile design, FinishPro works well with hoses and provides good comfort. The swiveling plug will rotate to adapt to your working position, although it won’t be able to free you from hassle with the hose completely.

As for the drawbacks, FinishPro features a plastic magazine, which will be much less durable than metal analogs. But that is what you get for the low price of the tool.

If you don’t need LED lights and won’t get disappointed with the plastic fastener, FinishPro would be an excellent choice for the majority of tasks!

Best 18 Gauge Brad Nailers For Woodworking and Trim (Top Picks)

#1. Dewalt DWFP12233R 

Designed by professionals, this Dewalt production induces a powerful and robust nailer kit. It offers top-of-the-line performance with utmost reliability through an array of features.

Features and Benefits

Patented Technology for Accurate Placement:

This versatile unit comes with a precision point technique. The patented technology induces better placement of nails. The technology requires a small nose footprint which provides more comfortable placement of the nails.

Improvised Firing Allows Smooth Operation:

The firing system of this nailer kit is selectable. Not to mention, it accommodates not just sequential but also contacts operation. Both the firing systems induce rapid-firing and more precise placement without hassle.

Driving Depth Adjustment Delivers Precise Nailing:

You can easily adjust the depth of the drive. You will require no tool to make the organization. Along with appropriate adjusting for the driving depth, you will receive accurate countersinking with ease.

Swiveling Air Hose Keeps in All the Time:

It contains a rear exhaust port along with a swiveling air fitting. The exhaust can thus rotate at about 360°. Through the rotating exhaust, you can get off the air with ease. Of course, it also keeps the hose away from your work.

No Compression is Necessary for Contact Trip:

It is a common practice for the contact trip to require higher compression. With this unit, you won’t need that. As you require lower pressure to operate, it saves your investment to deliver more precise placement.

Verdict:

Along with patented technology without any oil requirement, you will receive quite a versatility. Performance with professional quality makes this a perfect tool for nail placement.

#2. NuMax S2-118G2

Being a professional and innovative quality tool for home improvement, this NuMax S2-118G2 heavy-duty Brad Nailer and Stapler is an excellent choice. You will get only a few matches for its convenient design and incredible construction.

Features and Benefits

Greater Service against Repetitive Use:

The complete structure is made of high-quality aluminum having good die-cast. The included aluminum cylinder is quite sturdy. Quality aluminum inhalants have superb durability. You can make a repetitive and lengthy application.

Reloading Indicator for Continuous Usage:

There comes one red indicator at the base. The indicator becomes visible when fasteners are running out. Through the red light, you can reload to use this for quite a long time.

Versatile Application with 2 Fasteners:

Along with this unit, you will get two different fasteners. One is an 18 gauge 0.25 inches narrow crown staple, and the other is an 18 gauge brad nail. With the two fasteners, you can apply the required one in the broader sense.

Depth Adjustment for Consistent Driving:

The driving depth depends on the firing depth. To meet your demands, you can make precise adjustments to the depth. Appropriate depth customization will help you achieve accurate, consistent driving.

Flexible Exhausting with 360° Adjustment:

You can make a complete 360° rotation to adjust the exhaust. It induces better flexibility.  When necessary, you can redirect the adjustable exhaust with the utmost ease to a suitable place.

Verdict:

Suitable adjustments and lightweight making allow this product’s perfect exterior and interior finishing. Therefore, you will indeed receive a satisfactory result for trimming, cabinetry, backing, and personal hobbies with this unit at an affordable price.

#3. PORTER-CABLE BN200C Brad Nailer 

You can impose a perfect finishing touchup for carpentry or woodworking through this versatile nailer kit. You can consider this one of the high-quality brad nailers for woodworking.

You will get some of the most valuable and essential features in a perfect combination with the Porter-Cable Brad Nailer.

Features and Benefits

No Staining through the Motor:

The included motor has an excellent service life. Again, you will barely require undergoing maintenance tasks. You will experience almost no staining for the working surface through the engine.

Driving Depth Adjustment for Detention:

To attain the desired depth, you can make the required adjustments. You will be able to set up a perfect setting for the nail head. Adequately adjusted depth will get you accurate and time-saving driving with less effort.

Lightweight Design with Magnesium:

Having a magnesium frame, this unit offers lightweight construction. Also, it induces a sturdy and durable nailer kit for large-scale use. You can use it with the utmost comfort through the lightweight frame. This is why it is pretty convenient for a professional application.

Jam Release Allows Nail Removal:

Effective nail disposal depends on the jam release. Regarding this, it contains a smooth jam-releasing mechanism. Along with the mechanism, this device provides a perfect nail removal for a better workplace.

Contact Safety to Increase Visibility:

For equipment like this, safety is essential. You will receive a contact safety that lies behind the driver-guide. Thus, it encourages better visibility for the ongoing operation, which helps you to attain further satisfaction.

Verdict:

Delivering a sturdy and lightweight frame to use, this one induces superior acceptance for effective action. Along with the specially hardened blade for the driver, it offers quality assurance at a reasonable value.

#4. Ryobi ZRP320 Brad Nailer

Introducing the next generation in superb cordless convenience, this Ryobi ZRP320 offers unique performance. Without any gas cartridge, air hose, or compressors, this one provides quiet and safe operation at the site.

Features and Benefits

AirStrike Technique Offers Cordless Operation:

Along with the AirStrike technique, there comes cordless convenience for this. Therefore, it requires no compressor or air hose. You won’t have to worry about keeping in the hose or plugin without any cord.

Dried Fire Lockout with Full Metal Nose:

It includes a dry fire lockout facility to prevent automatic firing. Again, the noses are entirely metallic, having a quick-releasing latch. Blank firing reduces the accuracy, which is discarded by the lockout system. Also, the metal nose provides easy and quick jam removal.

Air Pressure Regulating Dial for Adjustment:

You can make sufficient adjustments for the driver’s depth. There comes air pressure regulating dials that allow depth adjustment. Through tool-free adjustment, you can obtain your desired nailing.

Grip-Lighting along with Clearer Sight:

Having suitable Grip-Lighting, it can engage LED by gasping. The whole combination allows a clear line-in-sight to make the placement. The lighting system confirms the smooth operation, whereas more evident in-sight lines place the nails with further precision.

Increased Nailing through Greater Capacity:

Its larger-sized magazine can store up to 105 nails. You will get a discharge of 60 nails/minute which tends to reach 700 nails over full charge. You can perform plenty of nailing in a row with a fully loaded magazine.

Verdict:

Providing an incredible adjustment facility, you will surely obtain a perfect placement of the nails. The cordless convenience comes at a suitable price to meet your demands.

Types of Brad Nailers

When it comes to types of brad nailers, there are pneumatic (air) brad nailers and electric brad nailers. They both get the job done but differ substantially in price and applications.

Pneumatic or air brad nailer

A pneumatic or air brad nailer operates on compressed air. That air must be delivered via a hose, which limits the tool’s mobility.

You can’t move it anywhere you need it quickly. Besides, the hose can be a slight headache because it may get in your way or even tangle.

The pneumatic brad nailer is an excellent choice for its typically lower price. Additionally, they allow you to work efficiently with no wasted time. You will be able to work best neatly and professionally, which will be great for more complex tasks.

But although you will get better results with air brad nailers, there are a couple of serious downsides you would also have to consider.

First, you would have to ensure that you have an air compressor compatible with the brad nailer. Luckily, most compressors will provide almost any nailer with the necessary pressure, but you should check that.

Another problem is the high cost of pneumatic brad nailers in the long run. Over time, expenses on oil checks, oil replacements, etc., will affect your budget.

Electric brad nailer

On the other hand, electric brad nailers are much more powerful and efficient. That’s what you would expect from an electric motor. The brad nailers powered by batteries are much more mobile than hose-connected pneumatic tools and could be moved around quickly.

By default, electric nail guns are bulkier because of their motors. You shouldn’t expect them to be compact as well. Electric brad nailers are exceptionally efficient but somewhat cumbersome.

Regarding cost, electric brad nailers will cost you more initially, but over time, the expenses won’t add up as much as with pneumatic brad nailers. Overall, electric brad nailers are much more cost-efficient.

Electric brad nailer requires essential safety precautions. Because they are powerful, you could severely injure yourself if you mishandle the instrument. Some brad nailers feature trigger-locking functions, but you should keep a first aid kit on hand when working with an electric device.

To summarize, the pneumatic brad nailer is more delicate, more compact, and costs more in the long run, while the electric brad nailer is more powerful, more massive, costs more, but requires less maintenance.

Cordless nail guns are mobile as well! So when choosing the top-quality brad nailer, don’t forget to consider your needs.

How to Choose The Best Brad Nailer?

To get the top-rated brad nailers possible for your needs, you must look into their features, keeping your demands in mind. Let’s now examine the essential elements you should be looking for.

Trigger Modes:

These affect the speed and precision of nailing. The most common modes seen today are sequential and bump. With sequential mode, you need to compress the nose and then press the trigger, while in the case of bump operation; the tool drives the brad as soon as you touch the device down.

The bump-fire mode is much quicker and better suitable for mass production applications. On the other hand, the sequential mode will be ideal for delicate and accurate projects.

Pneumatic/battery-powered:

We have researched and examined the differences between the two. To recap, pneumatic brad nailers are less mobile, more compact, and require more maintenance. Electric cordless brad nailers are mobile, bulky, and require less maintenance, but have higher prices.

Additionally, you would need to consider buying an air compressor if you are going to purchase an air brad nailer. In this case, you would need to consider compressor pressure and capacity, among other less important features.

As for electric brad nailers, their battery may become a concern. NiCad battery-operated tools are susceptible to the memory effect, which, simply put, reduces the charge of the batteries if not fully drained and then fully recharged. Li-Ion units won’t have such problems.

Swivel tube:

With pneumatic brad nailers, the hose becomes a problem. The swiveling tube makes things easier for you by allowing the hose to move freely. Such a construction won’t let the hose obstruct the worksite.

Jam release mechanism:

Most modern heavy-duty brad nailers come with a tool-free jam-release mechanism. As its name implies, it will help you remove jammed brads without resorting to additional tools, saving you time.

Nail depth adjustment:

Almost all brad nailers feature regulated brad driving depth. Some may find this feature unnecessary, but adjustable depth will be advantageous if you work more delicately.

Supported nail sizes:

Although these brad nailers typically accept 5/8 to 2-inch brads, you shouldn’t ignore the importance of brad sizes. Whether working with a wide range of brad sizes or just one, you should consider the nail sizes supported by the nailer’s magazine.

 

Magazine capacity:

Although heavy-duty brad nailers typically come with about 100-brad magazines, some accept much more. If you don’t need nearly 200 brads in your magazine, skip this feature; otherwise, look for something with more capacity.

18 Gauge Brad Nailer Uses

Home Improvement Projects

We are using heavy-duty Brad Nailers in our many home improvement projects, like fixing the window, and door casing, using baseboards, and replacing the crown molding.  More importantly, this nailer can be very handy when planning house renovations. If you have an essential skill and know how to do these, this tool will do the rest for you.

Professional Works

For a professional, this is one of the must-have nail guns. You can use this Nailer to make chairs, tables, file cabinets, and other essential furniture for your home and business.  It would help if you had top-quality Brad Nailers, passion, and a few necessary carpentry skills.

Toys and Crafts

You can make some beautiful toys for your kids using this nailer. We also can use it for making some exceptional photo frames; sometimes, we use it to attach some broken wood trim. Not only for home, but you can also make some fantastic crafts for your office. We are sure your colleagues will love those crafts.

Construction works

These brad nailers are perfect for keeping different structures in place. We can use it for securing parts of our building. Making the site safe for work can nail things in other blind spots.

Few other Odd Jobs

We are also using it to make fences around our house and use it in our several flooring works. We described only a few common uses of Brad Nailers; brainstorm, and you will find a lot of other areas where you can use this essential tool. And don’t forget to share your ideas with us here by commenting.

Benefits of the brad nailer

Brad nailers have some benefits to working manually, as well as some other types of nail guns. They are less potent than more essential tools, like a finished nail gun, but this doesn’t make them worse!

No need to cover the nail holes

Smaller and more thin-gauged nails mean you won’t need to use wood putty to cover the nail hole. This will save both your time and materials. Besides, you won’t have to consider including the putties to make the workpiece look good.

Works great with delicate materials

Where a finish nail gun would be overkill, the brad nailer would be just right. Brad nailers use thinner nails, which allows you to use them with more delicate wood trim or other similar materials. More prominent instruments would only destroy the fragile wood, while a brad nailer would do the job without damaging it.

Gets the job done quicker

No experienced worker can drive nails as quickly as a brad nailer. The quickest brad nailers can position about five brads per second! What do you think? Could anyone drive nails as quickly?

Safe fingers

When you drive the brads manually, there is a high risk of you hurting your fingers, at the very least. With the brad nailer, your hands will be kept away from the materials and the brads themselves. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should forget about safety precautions!

No need to carry around 18-gauge brad nails

If you were to work on a material manually, you would also have to carry nails. This would become more difficult if you carry buckets of nails around! With the perfect brad nailer, you could load the magazine with hundreds of brads and easily take it!

Mobility

This applies to cordless brad nailers. With such a tool, you could transport the instrument quickly and easily. Also, you would be able to work on job sites without electricity!

What size do brad nails for a trim?

We have all framing nail guns in our office as a research team. You can buy a 15-gauge and a brad nailer and connect them to separate hoses while working. This method will make it easier to pick up the brad nailer for intricate pinning jobs.

Will you buy or rent a nailer?

We suggest you buy them both; an 18 gauge brad nailer and a 15 gauge finishing nailer will be a champion combination. Usually, 15-gauge nails, ranging in length from 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch, are perfect enough to secure other heavy trim materials and door jambs. The angled nose of 15 gauge nail guns can nail in corners and drive toenails more perfectly.

If you are doing delicate nailing tasks, 15-gauge nails can be very thick for these types of work. An 18 gauge bard nailer can help you here to complete your projects. These brad nailers can shoot very thin, 5/8-inch to 1-1/2 inch long.

If you are nailing the thin section of a door or window casing to the jamb, nailing miters, and other nailing works where a more significant nail would split the wood or protrude through the other side of the material.

When both brad nailers are connected to the compressor with separate hoses, you can quickly nail both side edges of the casings without changing the nails. If you do so, you can always have the perfect size nail for your job.

FAQs

Question #1: Can a brad nailer replace a finish nailer?

Answer: When it comes to more substantial and thinner materials, a finish nailer cannot be replaced by a brad nailer. They both have their applications; that’s why there are different nailer types, right?

We would discourage you from using a brad nailer instead of a finishing tool and vice versa. If you need the features of both, you should buy both and not try to save on one of them.

Question #2: Could I use other nails other than 18-gauge with brad nailers?

Answer: If you are considering using 16- or 15-gauge nails with a brad nailer, know that it won’t work as they are bigger and won’t fit into the magazine.  Do not experiment and have the tools you need.

Question #3: When would I need a pneumatic brad nailer?

Answer: A pneumatic brad nailer would be the right way to go if you have an air compressor and do not need the mobility and power of a cordless nailer. Additionally, an air nailer would be a great choice if you do not mind spending more on its maintenance in the long run. Otherwise, it would help if you looked for an electric cordless brad nailer.

Question #4: What is the difference between Pin Nailer and Brad Nailer?

Answer: This article discusses Pin Nailer vs. Brad Nailer’s difference.

In Conclusion

The ten brad nailers in our Best 18 Gauge brad nailer buyers guide of 2024 are similar but entirely different.

While they generally work with the same brads and offer the same magazine capacity, the subtler features distinguish each.

The DEWALT Brad nailers have a trigger lock, BOSTITCH BTFP12233 doesn’t require you to compress the nose to drive the nails, and the PORTER-CABLE PCC790LA is precision-driven.

Pneumatic brad nailer models are lighter, more compact, and cost less.

Got lost in the variety of those five brad nailer models?

To help you choose the right tool, we have presented you with the main features you should look for.

There is nothing too convoluted about buying an 18 gauge best brad nailer; you only need to know what functions you require precisely!

18-Gauge Brad nailers work accurately and delicately.

They are ideal for smaller projects and as well as in woodworking, where you don’t work with heavy and thick materials.

Besides, they would be good if you are concerned about the nail head size.

These nail guns are preferable to working manually because they are safer, relatively mobile, and do the job quicker.

If all this sounds good for your demands, maybe you should consider buying one of the above top-quality brad nailers! Make sure you purchase one of the best nailers.

Related Reading:
#1. Pneumatic Staple Nail Gun Guide
#2. Roofing Nailers with Buying Guide.
#3. Coil Roofing Nailer: Our Top 5 Picks
#4. Siding Nailers with Buying Guide.
#5. Framing Nailers with Buying Guide.
#6. 23-gauge Pin Nailers Guide.
#7. Difference Between Brad and Finish Nailers.