Best Finish Nailers (2026)

The NT65MA4 is a 15 gauge angled finish nailer that accepts DA nails from 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches and weighs 4.2 lb. The angled magazine reaches into corners and tight spaces for crown molding, baseboard, door casing and stair work. A selective actuation switch lets you choose bump or sequential firing.

The thicker 15 gauge nail holds heavy trim and jambs better than a 16 gauge, at the cost of a slightly larger hole to fill. It needs a compressor and hose, and a lightweight 4.2 lb body reduces fatigue on a long day of trim. Compared with the 16 gauge NT65M2S, it drives a stronger nail but leaves a larger hole.

Keep it oiled, drain the compressor and keep the magazine clean. Metabo HPT is a trade brand, so nails, parts and rebuild kits are easy to find, and the gun can run for years. Set the compressor regulator to the pressure printed in the manual, usually 70 to 100 PSI for trim, and sink a few test nails into scrap of the same species first, because hardwood trim needs more pressure than pine and a depth setting that works on one board can split the next.

The NT65M2S is a 16 gauge straight finish nailer that drives nails from 1 to 2-1/2 inches. It has a selective actuation switch for bump or sequential firing and ships with an air duster. The 16 gauge nail makes a smaller hole than a 15 gauge, which is quicker to fill on painted trim.

A straight magazine is less handy in tight corners than an angled one, and the thinner nail holds less. Compared with the 15 gauge NT65MA4, it suits light baseboard, chair rail and cabinet trim better than heavy door casings. It is a lower price tier than the angled gun, and the brand is the same trade brand.

Oil it as the manual directs, and use a hose of 3/8 inch for steady supply. It is a good first finish nailer if you already own a compressor. Pair it with a small pancake compressor and a 25 ft hose, and you have a full trim setup that fits in a car trunk, which is the main reason the 16 gauge pneumatic is where most homeowners start.

The DEWALT cordless 15 gauge finish nailer runs on a 20V MAX XR battery with a brushless motor and needs no compressor, hose or gas cartridge. A micro nose improves line of sight and accuracy of nail placement. It is sold as a bare tool, so you need an existing 20V MAX battery and charger.

Cordless means more weight than a pneumatic and a higher price tier, plus the cost of the batteries if you do not own them. Compared with the Metabo HPT NT65MA4 it drives similar nails without a hose, but it is heavier and slower on a long day. It suits remodelers who move between rooms and do not want to drag a compressor.

Keep the battery charged, clean the nose and store the tool indoors. The brushless motor extends runtime and life, and DEWALT 20V MAX batteries work across a large tool line. Keep a spare battery on the charger and bring a few extra nails of each length, because a cordless gun that is out of power on the last room of the day costs more time than the hose ever did, and cold garages shorten runtime.

The DCN662B is the straight-magazine 16 gauge sibling of the 15 gauge DEWALT. It runs on a 20V MAX XR battery with a brushless motor and a micro nose, with no compressor or hose. A straight magazine drives 16 gauge nails into flat trim, casing and baseboard.

It costs a premium over the pneumatic NT65M2S and is a bare tool. Compared with the angled 15 gauge DEWALT it reaches corners less easily, and its nail holds less on heavy stock. It is a good choice for a carpenter who already has DEWALT batteries and wants a hoseless nailer for painted trim.

Charge a spare battery, clean the nosepiece and check the depth setting on scrap before you start. Cordless nailers can misfire in cold garages, so keep the pack warm. Because it uses a straight magazine, mark the nail line with a pencil before you fire, since there is little room to swing the nose into an awkward angle without damaging the trim or the wall.

The Craftsman V20 finish nailer drives up to 375 nails per charge with no compressor, hose or gas cartridge. It is a 16 gauge nailer sold as a bare tool for the V20 battery platform, and the maker says it fires in various climate conditions and with various materials. It is among the least expensive cordless finish nailers.

The nail count per charge is a useful number, though it depends on the battery and the wood. Compared with the DEWALT DCN662B it is cheaper, with a less refined nose and less brand weight. It suits a homeowner who already owns V20 batteries and wants to trim a room.

Charge the battery, check depth on scrap and keep the tool clean. The V20 platform is widely stocked at home centers, so batteries are easy to find. It is a sensible tool to buy if you already own V20 tools, since the battery is shared, and a simple install of baseboard in one room will tell you whether the cordless route suits you before you spend more.