Best Flooring Nailer: 7 Best Hardwood Flooring Nailer

Last Updated on November 17, 2024 by John Patterson

In this researched article, we considered the best flooring nailer for the money and hickory and the best manual floor nailer.

We researched Bostitch flooring nailer, Freeman, Numax, and a few other top-quality brands in 2024.

We shared our experience on flooring nailers vs. staplers.

Did you ever deal with hardship in nailing the floor of the house?

A flooring nailer is a tool in rescue.

Therefore, if you are about to add hardwood floors to your home, the first tool you need is the best hardwood floor nailer.

If you nail the floor by hand, that means manually with a hammer, which can be tiring and time-killing.

By using a flooring nailer, you not only can save time but also accurately nail the floor without making any wrong placement.

But, the question is which flooring nailer is the best choice.

We have the answers right here. Our research will guide you to identify the best type of flooring nailer for your projects.

See the below comparison chart before you decide to buy a flooring nailer. Make sure you accept the right flooring tool, which is high-quality and easy to use.

Best Flooring Nailer List of 2024

#1. Freeman Flooring Nailer: PFL618BR 3-in-1 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer 

From now on, forget the troubles of using a hammer when you are working to lay down wood flooring.

Because the Freeman PFL618BR 3-in-1 flooring nailer, which is quite convenient, is here with a bunch of helpful features.

Our research team considered this one as the Best Pneumatic Flooring nailer on the market in 2024.

Along with three different types of fasteners, get aluminum and oil-less components by purchasing this flooring nailer.

Aside from these, this 3-in-1 flooring nailer has to offer tons of other prominences.

Special Features & Benefits

Different types of fasteners
This 3-in-1 flooring nailer can drive three fasteners; no change magazine is required.

For saving time and providing versatility, this feature helps a lot.

Interchangeable Floor Plates
Come with two-floor plates that can be changed with each other whenever necessary.

With this prominence, both grove and tongue flooring can be accomplished.

So, whichever is required by the user, this 3-in-1 flooring nailer can provide both.

Solid Construction
For the raw material, there is die-cast aluminum for both the cylinder and the body.

On top of that, there are rubber O-rings around.

For maximum durability, no other material can be as good as these.

Cordial Grip
With a grip made of exalted quality, holding the nailer firmly is no longer a challenge.

Moreover, this grip inflicts anti-vibration for more comfort.

Anti-Dust Cap
Keeping the inside of the nailer clean is not a challenging task anymore.

With the anti-dust cap, always keep your nailer neat from the inside and evermore ready to go.

Verdict
There are undoubtedly more benefits for the Freeman PFL618BR than the impairments.

It has exquisite features, like the anti-dust cap, air filter, three different fasteners, composite floor plates, and aluminum magazine nails. This nailer is also very sturdy and manufactured with a heavenly quality of materials.

Conclusively, the Freeman PFL618BR has versatile usage because of having three individual fasteners.

Picking this flooring nailer for hardwood floors can support you in different tasks and provide some financial advantages.

#2. NuMax SFL618 3-in-1 Pneumatic Flooring Stapler/Nailer 

The NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Stapler is mainly designed to grasp the load of nailing the hardwood flooring.

With the exclusive styling of the body, this nailer can get into tight corners quickly.

This is one of the Best Flooring Staplers researched by our expert team.

And with the might to fusillade cleats and cleated nails, this one is eminent for taking on the contradictions of laying wood flooring.

If you are finding these attributes fascinating, check out the details about them right here.

Unique Features & Benefits

Eminent Compatibility
The NuMax SFL618, the pneumatic flooring nailer, is compatible with all L-Cleats or T-Cleats fasteners of 16 GA 1.5 to 2 inches and with flooring staples of 15.5 GA.

It has a persistent metal erection and can last a while altogether.

Lenient Grip
The easeful grip and simple shape of this aligning flooring nailer brew it to be delectation to work along for a long period.

Extended Handle with Large-Capacity Magazine
A 23-inch tall and expanded handle removes all the back pain.

Also, the exalted-capacity magazine, with 120 nails to accommodate conceives it easy to alter between T-cleated and L-cleated nails on the go.

Easier Reloading
There is no need to put a higher force on the actuator.

Also, the comprehended mallet reconstructs as a device disposing of a tool.

Hence reloading the nails are pretty facile with just a push of the given button.

Versatile Changeable Baseplate
Finally, the NuMax SFL618 is a multipurpose nailer with changeable base plates.

This makes it easier to assign 0.5, 0.625, and 0.75 inches flooring material.

Also, switching between the combined 0.75 inches with a tinier 0.5 inches of nails adds to the versatility.

Verdict
For having the best flooring nailers with a lower budget, picking the NuMax SFL618 could be a wise decision.

This nailer provides ultimate durability with quite simple to use, as you can see.

Moreover, it has interchangeable base plates with multiple magazines.

Just keep in mind that it requires some extra maintenance.

Simply with oiling, it can be maintained precisely.

In short, if you have a tight budget or your task needs T-cleats, the NuMax SFL618 is the best option.

#3. Bostitch Flooring Stapler EHF1838K  (Best for Engineered Hardwood)

If you are looking for a cost-effective all-rounder flooring nailer, particularly for installing engineered hardwood, this Bostitch floor stapler has all those praiseworthy aspects.

Let’s talk about some of its significant features and benefits.

Features & Benefits

Virtually No Jamming and Misfiring
This is one of the most impressive features of this unit.

It almost doesn’t misfire or get jammed.

With that said, no stapler/nailer confirms 100% jam-free performance or zero misfirings. This very model is not an exception. That’s why I’m using the term “virtually” here.

Adjustable Depth
The adjustable knob lets us deal with various thicknesses of floors with ease.

For stapling solid hardwood, adjust between 5/16” and 7/16”; for engineered hardwood, change between ½” and ⅝.”

Ensures Comfort and Safety
Overall the ergonomic design with a rubber grip handle lets us operate the flooring tool comfortably for an extended period.

It also ensures some crucial safety features—for example, non-marring trip tips to prevent accidental floor damage.

This model features an easy-sight tongue adjustment to hit the pocket every time.

#4. Freeman Flooring Nailer: PF18GLCN 18-Gauge Cleat Bamboo and Exotic Flooring Nailer

If you’re assigning solid groove flooring, then the Freeman PF18GLCN has to be your chosen option.

The PF18GLCN was intended for hardwood flooring.

It co-operates excellently on bamboo, Brazilian teak, cherry, and other emerged woods.

This flooring nailer also contains a fiberglass pestle, so you own all the parts you desire to get started with your job.

Key Features & Benefits

Suitable for Exotic Flooring
The Freeman PF18GLCN is a strong nailer suitable for hard floors like Brazilian teak, woven bamboo, etc.

With the durable construction, no hardwood floor can stand in its way.

Switchable Baseplates
A user of the Freeman PF18GLCN can quickly alter the base plate of this nailer.

By doing so, installing grove floors and solid tongues both have become get-at-able and smooth for you.

No-Mar Tip
One major problem the users face while working with a regular nailer is the scratch it leaves after finishing the job.

Fortunately for you, the Freeman PF18GLCN is unlike those flooring nailers containing the no-mar tip.

So, get relief from the tension of floor scratches with this nailer.

Extended Reach Handle
Nailing has never been so comfortable with a flooring nailer before now that you have the Freeman PF18GLCN.

Its oversized handle gives you a proper grip to finish your task quickly and like a pro.

Verdict
You will love how the Freeman PF18GLCN is sturdy enough to brew with frieze flooring.

And as this nailer offers some subsidiary accessories like oil, a mallet, and wrenches, you will like it even more.

After you use this nailer for variant days straight, you will never have problems with jamming, and they will be just a few tongues rending on your planks.

If you’re brewing with exotic woods, the Freeman PF18GLCN is the best option.

#5. BOSTITCH Pneumatic Flooring Nailer: MIIIFN 1-1/2- to 2-Inch 

Are you tired of positioning your nailer correctly and hence dealing with a lot of misfiring?

Well, these days are over for you as the BOSTITCH MIIIFN is here to help.

This exalted-quality nailer is all you need to give a smoother finish to your work.

And with the higher magazine capacity, never worry about frequent reloading and running out of nails.

Main Features & Benefits

Composite Base with Extra Width
This high speedy flooring nailer has a strong and viable base with a width larger than any other regular nailer.

Such a base ensures the stability of the nailer while working.

So, there will be less chance of misfiring, and you can quickly nail the nails correctly.

Build with Aluminium
Aircraft-grade quality aluminum is used to construct the BOSTITCH MIIIFN.

With this high-quality material, the nailer gets a reliable and durable body along with a lighter weight.

So handling is more comfortable with this nailer, and the nailer won’t get damaged that easily.

Rubber Tipped Mallet
Along with the BOSTITCH MIIIFN, you will also get a mallet with a rubber tip and an excellent grip on it.

This mallet will help in the finishing process of your work.

The wood surface won’t get scratched if you use the mallet and will get a smooth finish.

Large Magazine Capacity
With the larger capacity of the magazine, never worry about running out of nails when it’s a needy situation.

There won’t be any trouble with reloading the nailer frequently with the help of the exalted capacity of the magazine.

Verdict
As you can see how handful and beneficial this nailer can be, I am sure you will consider choosing this nailer for your floor nailing tasks.

It has some elegant prominences that make it one of the tops in the market, as you can see above.

If you ask me, it will be smart to choose this one.

#6. Metabo HPT (N4004AB) Flooring Nailer 

Metabo is the new name of Hitachi hand tools. So, the quality is the same; only the name has changed.

This versatile crown stapler is another top-notch tool for installing solid and engineered hardwood.

Here are some of the notable features and benefits of this tool.

Features & Benefits

Ease of Use
Metabo HPT offers different features to make your life easy to operate this tool efficiently.

The 360-degree air exhaust port allows you to work without worrying about airflow to your mouth.

The handle is remarkably comfortable to grip and won’t cause any fatigue for constant use for an extended period.

You don’t have to use any large-capacity air compressor to power up this tool. A small pancake air compressor will get the job done.

Versatility
This flooring nailer allows us to work with different thicknesses of hardwood by adjusting the depth quickly.

It features a toolless depth adjustment mechanism that lets you adjust the depth between 5/16” and 7/16” for solid hardwood and between ½” to ⅝” for engineered hardwood.

It drives ¼” crown staples (18-gauge) of various lengths ranging from ½” to 1-9/16”.

High-Quality Magazine
The magazine is made from high-quality material that ensures durability.

It’s easy to load the magazine, and it’s a jam-free unit too.

#7. BOSTITCH BTFP12569 2-in-1 Flooring Tool/Guns

Would you like to nail down your base with a heavenly, engineered sagacity appearance?

Then brew the BOSTITCH BTFP12569 2-in-1 Flooring Tool for elevating down the hardwood flooring you have.

It aids in driving a 1.5 inches cleat or even 2 inches one for profound nailing purposes.

And this 2-in-1 flooring nailer is sturdy enough to support you for a fair amount of time.

Important Features & Benefits

Nails Thicker Floors
With this aerial 2-in-1 flooring nailer, you will be able to bring about high viability and rending measures to your jobs just like a professional.

It also beholds an adaptor plate that can nail your floor with a size as thick as 0.75 inches.

Well Manufactured & Designed
It is precisely manufactured with a graphite handgrip and rubber grip.

To raise the overall viability, this feature is a handful.

Also, the design of this 2-in-1 flooring nailer is ergonomic so that you can reduce the vibration that transmits on the nailer for a lenient usage purpose.

High-Quality Base/Foot
Tackling previously finished flooring tasks is no longer a big problem with the clamp foot included in this 2-in-1 nailer.

As it has a non-marring base, it stays subtle in its place and prevents misfiring at a vast range.

Comprises a Mallet
The BOSTITCH BTFP12569 includes a mallet that is very beneficial for you.

This mallet helps to give a smoother finish to your tasks.

Moreover, the mallet is made of rubber, so there is no risk of getting any scratches on the work surface.

Verdict
Conclusively, make the ability of the compressed gas to turn out to be harnessed and use that ability to get your nailing tasks done with this flooring nailer.

Aside from that, there are tons of other benefits you can get, as seen in the guides above.

In short, you can pick this nailer for the simple and easy navigation it has to offer you.

What to Look for When Buying a Flooring Nailer?

Choosing the best floor nailer is not very difficult if you know what to look for in the nailer.

Here are some prominences you must judge before you dig up your desired one.

Build Construction

Flooring needs to be solid to provide a longer lifespan.

For that, it has to have a reasonable construction.

A nailer made of aluminum is always a good one to choose from.

As aluminum is a durable metal, it will make your nailer sturdy enough to support you for an extended period.

Weight

Weight is a significant factor when choosing a flooring nailer.

Because if you buy a heavy nailer, it will be problematic for you to work with it.

But a nailer which is light in weight can help you to avoid such problems.

It can be pretty expedited if you pick a nailer within the weight range of 10 – 17 pounds.

Power Type

All the flooring nailers run on gas or electricity, which means the power type can either be pneumatic or electric.

Both are suitable and efficient to work with, but choosing the power type is up to you.

If you have easier access to electricity, you should want an electric one and vice versa for a pneumatic flooring nailer.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics or efficiency of a nailer depends on several things.

For example, it depends on how much pressure the nailer needs and how many nails it can hold and shoot within a minute.

Depending on these attributes, choose a nailer that can be more efficient for you.

Nail Fire Mode

There are two types of fire modes available for flooring nailers.

One is sequential, and the other one is rapid.

You should choose the one you find compatible with your work.

Depth Adjustment

Depth adjustment is significant for a nailer.

You need to know which depth your work the most with, and hence pick a nailer that can be adjusted to that depth.

Jam Clearing

As a machine operating with the power of gas or electricity to provide force, it is not surprising that jamming may occur.

However, some flooring tools work on that to fix or reduce that problem.

So, choose a nailer with less probability of jamming otherwise, your task can get delayed.

Brands

There are a lot of brands that manufacture the best flooring nailers, but only a few provide high-quality nailers. Some famous brands are Bostitch, Freeman, NuMax, Dewalt, etc.

Before you pick anyone from these brands, make sure to match the correct model as sometimes there might be substantially different inside of two models while the outside may still look the same.

Price, Warranty, and Repair

When you are purchasing a nailer, you will indeed have a budget.

So when you choose one, match your budget and pick the one with more years of warranty.

Also, a repairable nailer is always better to choose if you need to repair your nailer.

Grip

Holding your nailer precisely is very important for you.

Because, without that, you cannot work comfortably.

And the holding depends vastly on the grip of the nailer.

So when you choose a nailer, make sure it has an excellent grip, or you cannot have a good working experience with your nailer.

Adjustable Exhaust

It is always better to have an adjustable exhaust as the exhaust will ensure proper firing and avoid misfiring.

Also, an adjustable exhaust can be used to nail to your choice’s depth and also helps fire a certain number of nails at a time.

So, keep this in mind when you pick a nailer.

Manual vs. Pneumatic Flooring Nailers

Choosing both manual and pneumatic flooring nailers mainly depends on the nailer’s efficiency, speed, and productivity.

Despite these attributes, some differences are noticeable between these two flooring nailers.

Tight Corners
Pneumatic flooring nailers are more suitable for tight corners.

Manual flooring nailers cannot handle tight spots as smoothly as pneumatic ones.

Cost of the Flooring Nailers
A manual nailer is relatively cheaper than a pneumatic flooring nailer.

Because a manual nailer doesn’t require any compressors or hoses to run.

But as a pneumatic flooring nailer needs this equipment, they are more costly than manual ones.

Nailer Weight
Regarding weight, you have to give points to the pneumatic flooring nailers as they are much lighter compared to a manual ones.

Ease of Set-Up
Setting up a manual nailer is much simpler than a pneumatic one.

Pneumatic flooring nailers require a lot of arrangements before they can start working; on the other hand, a manual nailer is ready to go the moment you need it to be.

Jamming Troubles
Jamming is a common problem for all types of flooring nailers.

But when you compare a pneumatic flooring nailer with a manual one, it is safe for you to use it as it is less probable for a pneumatic nailer to get jammed.

Cleats vs. Staples

Because of having ribs, cleats can go all the way down to the shank of the nail.

This helps the cleats to have a better grip than staples.

But, as staples are more comfortable to manufacture, you can get staples with a lower budget than cleats.

Hardwood floors with a thickness of 0.75 inches are suitable for staples.

But the floors which are thicker than this size require staples.

Staples can give a greater initial grip, but they can split out of the tongue of your hardwood at any time.

So, in this case, using a cleat is better.

Floor Stapler vs. Floor Nailer

Floor nailers and Floor staplers are both available in two types, one is manual, and the other one is pneumatic.

Users prefer manual flooring nailers more than manual staplers because it is harder to work with them.

But when it comes to pneumatic ones, both are great.

For the main operation, a flooring nailer usually requires nails for fastening.

But a floor stapler requires staples.

As nails are more costly to manufacture, flooring nailers are also more expensive than floor staples.

But at the same time, floor staplers have less work efficiency than flooring nailers.

While inserting a nail into the flooring nailer, you have to hit the head of the driver to place the nail inside the nailer correctly.

But you can quickly get the perfect placement of the staples in a floor stapler without hitting on the head.

So, the main difference is in the placement of the nails or staples.

When it comes to pressure, a floor nailer can give more pressure to the workpiece than a floor stapler.

So, based on the pressure level of a tool, if you have a thicker and more rigid workpiece, it is better to use a floor nailer.

On the other hand, you can use a floor stapler for thinner and softer wood floors.

Types of Flooring Nailer

The primary two types of flooring nailers are pneumatic and air flooring nailers.

Below are the details of these two types.

Pneumatic Flooring Nailers

A pneumatic flooring nailer runs on compressed air.

To provide this compressed air, you will require an air compressor.

So basically, a pneumatic flooring nailer runs on the power of an air compressor.

Inside this type of nailer, there is a piston included.

This piston has the major operation to do.

It takes air from the compressor and pushes the nails from the nailer to the outside.

With air force, these flooring nailers can quickly push larger nails.

But there are a lot of parts to attach to this nailer.

So maintaining this nailer requires extra care.

Air Flooring Nailer

Air flooring nailers are gas flooring nailers that run on gas combustion.

Its mechanism is more straightforward, and maintenance is much more comfortable than a pneumatic floor nailer.

Inside the air floor nailer, you will see a reservoir that is there to contain the gas.

The nailer uses this gas from the reservoir to force the nails to come out.

For operating this nailer, a small ignition of spark is required so that the gas can get combusted and create flow energy for the nails to come out.

Air flooring nailers cannot handle large nails but can handle smaller nails smoothly.

18 Gauge vs. 16 Gauge Flooring Nailer

The gauge size is slightly different to understand compared to the conventional way.

A 16-gauge nailer is thicker than an 18-gauge nailer.

So the more significant the size shows, the thinner the nail is.

An 18 gauge floor nailer works with nails that are 18 gauge; hence they work with thinner nails.

On the other hand, a 16 gauge nailer uses 16 gauge nails to perform its operations.

A 16 gauge nailer can be suitable for thicker floors of your home.

An 18 gauge nailer is ideal for thinner floors or floors made of thinner wood.

What size is the nail for the 3/4 hardwood floor?

A ¾ inch floor is considered a thicker floor.

For that, you need to use nails rather than staples.

But the question is which size of nails you should use.

As you know, different sizes of nails are available for different floor types; every nail is not suitable for a particle size of hardwood.

If you use a thinner nail, the nail may not stick to the wood perfectly.

On the other hand, if you use a thicker nail, you might damage the floor.

So it is better to use a nail in the range of ¾ – 1 inch long.

Smaller ones than this can get loose and thicker ones can damage the floor.

Tools needed to install hardwood floors.

• The first tool you need is a Flooring Nailer, which can be used to nail the floor when you install it.
• Next, you need drill bits. Drill bits are essential to make holes in the floor before you stick the nails.
• Hammer is another essential tool for installing hardwood floors because hammers can make the surface smooth and give a finishing touch.
• Of course, you will need a set of nails because how else can you nail the floor right?
• Different types of saws, like the miter and, table saw, circular saw, are required to cut the wood.

Above are the tools you need to install a hardwood floor correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question #1: Are these nailers for rigid hardwood flooring?

Answer: These best nailers are for hardwood flooring and other floors.

Question #2: How can I stop a nailer from getting jammed frequently?

Answer: You have to lubricate the nailer by using lubricating oil.

Question #3: Nails or staples, which one is better for a thicker floor?

Answer: Nails are better for thicker floors, whereas staples are better for thinner ones.

Question #4: Are flooring nailers more costly than staplers?

Answer: They are costly but of better quality and can give better performance.

Question #5: For corners, should I use nails or staples?

Answer: For corner areas, staples are better to choose as they are thinner and can get to thinner places quickly.

Question #6: Pneumatic or air, which power nailer is better for flooring?

Answer: If you have a thicker floor, you need thicker nails. And for thicker nails, pneumatic flooring nailers are more suitable. On the other hand, you can get an air-powered nailer if you have a thinner floor.

Question #7: Do I need an air compressor to run a flooring nailer?

Answer: An air compressor is necessary for pneumatic flooring nailers only; you don’t need an air compressor for electric or air-powered nailers.

Final Verdict

Our best flooring nailer guides are about to end now.

So as a final word, we would like to say that the flooring nailers above have already proved how feasible they are with their features.

If you have read the guide thoroughly, you surely have noticed that each of the flooring nailers provides different user benefits.

So, you must pick the one that fits your requirements.

Conclusively, picking any of these flooring nailers can be an intelligent decision for you.

If you don’t know how to use a floor nailer, click the link. Thank you for being with us.

Other Best Nailers to Look at:
#1. Brad Nailer Buyer’s Guide.
#2. 23 Gauge Pin Nailer Buyers Guide.
#3. Finish Nailer Guide.
#4. Roofing Nailer Guide.
#5. Palm Nailer Guide.
#6. Staple Gun Guide.