Updated October 2026
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A brad nailer on this page is an 18-gauge trim gun that sinks 5/8-inch to about 2-inch (or 2-1/8-inch) brads into shoe, small casing, kitchen crown, and cabinet backs. It is not a 15- or 16-gauge finish nailer and not a framing nailer. Heavier heads: Best Finish Nailers. Walls and 3-1/2-inch nails: Best Framing Nailers.
We do not hand-test these tools. We use manufacturer ratings, then check that the Amazon listing is a real US product page (or Home Depot for Milwaukee). Prices move, so this page does not print street prices; check current price and seller on Amazon before you buy.
Milwaukee is a Home Depot exclusive in the US. We do not send you to an Amazon third-party listing for that line. A tank for the air guns: Best Portable Air Compressors, Best Air Compressors for Trim Work, and Best Air Compressors.
Quick verdict
Best cordless (lead): DeWalt DCN680B — 20V MAX XR, tool only, 18ga brads 5/8 to 2-1/8 in. Same packs as a yellow circular saw. Not a 16ga finish gun. Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
Best overall pneumatic: Metabo HPT NT50AE2 — 18ga, 5/8 to 2 in, 2.2 lb, 70–120 PSI, selective actuation, case. The default hose gun if you already own a pancake. Check price on Amazon
Best Smart Point kit: Bostitch BTFP12233 — oil-free 18ga, 5/8 to 2-1/8 in, case, 70–120 PSI. Check price on Amazon
Hose DeWalt: DeWalt DWFP12231 — 18ga 5/8 to 2 in, sequential trigger, case. Read our review. Check price on Amazon
Home Depot exclusive: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2746-20 — Gen II 18ga, nitrogen spring, no gas cartridge. Tool only. Not an Amazon buy. Marketplace listings are third-party. We are not linking those.
Comparison
| Model | Best for | Power | Gauge / nails | Notes | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCN680B | Already 20V MAX | 20V MAX XR | 18ga, 5/8–2-1/8 in | Tool only; micro nose | Check availability on Amazon (often third-party) |
| Metabo HPT NT50AE2 | Everyday hose brads | Air 70–120 PSI | 18ga, 5/8–2 in | 2.2 lb; case included | Check price on Amazon |
| Bostitch BTFP12233 | Smart Point + case | Air 70–120 PSI | 18ga, 5/8–2-1/8 in | Oil-free; case included | Check price on Amazon |
| DeWalt DWFP12231 | Yellow hose kit | Air ~70 PSI+ | 18ga, 5/8–2 in | Sequential; case included | Check price on Amazon |
| Milwaukee 2746-20 | Already M18 | M18 FUEL | 18ga, 5/8–2-1/8 in | HD exclusive; tool only | Home Depot only |
DeWalt DCN680B — best cordless (lead)
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
If the rest of the truck is yellow, this is the 18ga brad gun that does not take a hose. DeWalt: 20V MAX XR, brushless, 18-gauge brads 5/8 to 2-1/8 in, micro nose, sequential or contact, tool-free depth and jam, stall-release lever, dry-fire lockout. Tool only — no pack, no charger. Amazon listing B06XF6MZJ5. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Skip Renewed B07J2S37HB.
Who it’s for. Already on 20V MAX. Shoe, small casing, kitchen crown, punch-list trim in a finished house.
Who it’s not for. Starting from zero — you would be buying a pack on top of a tool-only body. Need 15- or 16-gauge holding power — Best Finish Nailers. Already on M18 — Home Depot. Want a hose gun — Metabo.
Specs that matter. 18ga brad. 5/8–2-1/8 in. 20V MAX XR. Tool only. Model DCN680B. Amazon B06XF6MZJ5.
Caveats. It is a brad nailer. Do not buy it expecting 16ga collation.
Check availability on Amazon (often third-party)
Metabo HPT NT50AE2 — best overall pneumatic
If you already own a 6-gallon pancake and a hose, this is the 18ga hose gun. Metabo HPT rates the NT50AE2 at 2.2 lb, 18-gauge brads 5/8 to 2 in, 100-nail magazine, 70–120 PSI, selective actuation, tool-less depth, 360° exhaust, no-mar tip, case. 5-year tool warranty (manufacturer). Amazon listing B07MK88Q33. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Do not use B0BGKF68VD (nails bundle) or B099XRHH51 (alternate listing).
Who it’s for. Shoe, small casing, furniture trim, and cabinet backs on a hose. Pair it with a 1.2–2.6 CFM @ 90 PSI tank — a 1-gallon quiet hot-dog will run it; a 6-gallon pancake is more comfortable. See Best Portable Air Compressors and Best Air Compressors for Trim Work.
Who it’s not for. No hose, no tank — buy DeWalt DCN680B or Milwaukee. Need 15/16ga finish — NT65MA4 / DCN660B on Best Finish Nailers. Want Smart Point nose in the same carton — Bostitch.
Specs that matter. 18ga. 5/8–2 in. 2.2 lb. 70–120 PSI. Selective fire. Model NT50AE2. Amazon B07MK88Q33.
Caveats. Confirm the live price and that the title is still NT50AE2 only. Weight and “Pro Preferred” claims are Metabo’s, not a test from us.
Bostitch BTFP12233 — 18ga Smart Point kit
Hose gun with a case. Bostitch: 18ga 5/8 to 2-1/8 in, Smart Point (smaller nose; manufacturer says you do not have to mash the contact trip to fire), oil-free, Dial-A-Depth, tool-free jam, selectable trigger, 70–120 PSI. Kit: nailer, 1/4-inch fitting, case, extra no-mar tips. 7-year limited (1-year in production — Bostitch). A second catalog ASIN (B01N0HDZ3Q) exists; we link B01JKSIU90 only. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Read our full Bostitch BTFP12233 review.
Who it’s for. Same 18ga brads as the Metabo, plus a case and Smart Point nose in one SKU.
Who it’s not for. Cordless. Anyone who only wants the lightest 2.2 lb hose gun — Metabo. 15ga DA — BTFP72155 on the finish page.
Specs that matter. 18ga. Smart Point. Oil-free. 70–120 PSI. Model BTFP12233. Amazon B01JKSIU90.
Caveats. Confirm new, not Renewed. Smart Point claims are the manufacturer’s.
DeWalt DWFP12231 — yellow hose kit
Hose gun if you want yellow on the belt and a case. DeWalt: 18ga brads 5/8 to 2 in, maintenance-free motor (DeWalt’s wording — oil stain claim is theirs), tool-free depth and jam, rear exhaust, sequential-style trigger, case. Amazon B00AK4CY7S. Check current price and seller on Amazon. Read our full DeWalt DWFP12231 review.
Who it’s for. Already buying DeWalt air fittings and a pancake. Sequential-only fire (DeWalt lists sequential, not bump, on this SKU).
Who it’s not for. Need contact/bump on the same trigger — Metabo or Bostitch. Need cordless — DCN680B.
Specs that matter. 18ga. 5/8–2 in. Sequential. Model DWFP12231. Amazon B00AK4CY7S.
Caveats. Sequential trigger is DeWalt’s spec. Confirm you are buying a new, complete kit.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2746-20 — Home Depot exclusive, not an Amazon buy
Check the price at Home Depot for the tool-only Gen II 18ga brad (Internet #309752194). Confirm in the store or on HD’s page. Glasses bundles (313190766 and similar) are different SKUs.
Milwaukee: POWERSTATE brushless + nitrogen spring, no gas cartridge, zero ramp-up, sequential and contact, tool-free jam and depth, 18ga brads 5/8 to 2-1/8 in. Tool only — M18 pack sold separately. Drive-in-hardwood and “zero ramp-up” wording is Milwaukee’s, not a test from us.
Who it’s for. Already on M18. You want cordless 18ga without a DeWalt pack or a hose.
Who it’s not for. Anyone we would send to Amazon. Marketplace listings are third-party. We are not linking those.
Caveats. Confirm the Home Depot price. Tool only. Oak / ramp-up claims are Milwaukee’s.
How to pick a brad nailer
18ga vs 15/16ga vs framing. 18ga is a brad: smaller hole, less holding power. 15ga DA and 16ga finish are on Best Finish Nailers. Framing is 21°/30° strip into 2x — Best Framing Nailers. Do not mix gauges in the same magazine.
Air vs battery. Air (Metabo, Bostitch, DWFP12231) is cheapest per nail if you already own a pancake. Battery (DeWalt 20V, Milwaukee M18) skips the hose and uses packs you already own.
Compressor CFM. Brads are happy on 1.2–2.6 CFM @ 90 PSI. A 1-gallon quiet tank will run these guns; a 6-gallon pancake is less recovery pause. See Best Portable Air Compressors.
FAQ
Which brad nailer should I buy in 2026? The DeWalt DCN680B if you already live in 20V MAX and want cordless 18ga. The Metabo NT50AE2 if you have a compressor and want one hose gun. The Bostitch BTFP12233 if you want Smart Point and a case. The DWFP12231 if you want a yellow sequential hose kit. The Milwaukee 2746-20 at Home Depot if you already live in M18.
Do I need a compressor? Only for Metabo, Bostitch, and DWFP12231. DCN680B and Milwaukee do not take a hose.
Brad nailer or finish nailer? Brad is 18ga. Finish is 15/16ga. Wrong page: Best Finish Nailers. Framing: Best Framing Nailers.
Why no Amazon link for Milwaukee? Home Depot exclusive. We will not send you to a third-party Amazon listing.
Best Framing Nailers · Best Finish Nailers · Best Portable Air Compressors · Best Air Compressors for Trim Work · Best Air Compressors
Prices and Amazon offers change. We don’t list live prices; check Amazon for the current price and seller. Manufacturer PSI, weight, shot-count, and drive claims are the manufacturers’ published ratings, not tests we ran. Buy Home Depot exclusives at Home Depot, not from third-party Amazon sellers.