The 6 Best Framing Nailers in 2024 - Best Nail Guns for Framing

Nov 06, 2024

These hefty, durable power tools fire nails quickly and accurately—even into dense hardwood.

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Framing nailers are specifically designed to sink large nails into dense lumber with tremendous power and speed. These durable tools withstand frequent use and even rough treatment thanks to their large, angled magazines that maneuver well in and around tight spaces.

For home projects like constructing a deck, backyard shed, or raised garden bed, a framing nailer adds much needed stability to the finished product. This tool is more hefty than finish nailers and brad nailers, and with that heft comes the ability to effortlessly drive larger nails into your desired location.

For all these reasons, there really is no substitute for a reliable framing nailer, and as such, we’ve put together a lineup of the best framing nailers we’ve found, along with expert advice on what to consider before shopping for one.

Pneumatic: These framing nailers, which are the most common type, use compressed air to drive nails. While they have a practically unlimited runtime, pneumatic nailers require the purchase of a separate air compressor. The length of the air hose also limits the nailer’s range.

Fuel-Cell: Fuel-cell nailers have no external power attachments and use a gas cartridge–typically butane—and a small battery to drive nails. While the lack of attachments is a plus, purchasing fuel cells adds up over time.

Battery-Powered: Another cordless option for maximum portability, battery-powered nailers don’t require any air hoses for operation, although their high price tag and limited runtime may not suit your needs. If you already have a collection of compatible batteries on hand, you can save money by purchasing a “tool-only” version.

Framing nails are designed with two types of heads—round and clipped. Round-head nails have a fully circular head, which provides plenty of surface area for maximum stability when driven in the wood.

Clipped nail heads have less surface area and therefore less holding power, but their shape means more nails fit in a magazine at a time, so you don’t need to refill as often when you use clipped-head nails.

Not all framing nailers accommodate both head types, so before purchasing, double check that your preferred nailer accepts the type you want. Keep in mind that many building codes require round-head nails only.

An extra pound or two really adds up when you’re using a framing nailer over the course of a long day. If you expect to use your framing nailer for extended periods of time, look for a lightweight model that still covers your nail compatibility and power needs. This is especially true for any overhead framing projects in your future. Pneumatic nailers tend to be the lightest, with gas-powered units a bit heavier, and battery-powered models the heaviest.

If you plan to use your framing nailer on a range of materials, look for one with tool-free depth adjustment to save you time. A folding rafter hook is convenient for hanging the nailer on a nail or ladder rung when taking a break. Dry lockout features are also popular and prevent the nailer from firing when it runs out of nails. This saves you time by letting you know exactly when it's time to reload, and it also prevents unnecessary wear and tear on any internal components.

Belt hooks come in handy for hands-free carrying, and nailers with “bump fire” mode operate ultra-fast. When you hold the trigger, you simply press the tip of the nailer against the wood to fire. All of these help with specific framing tasks or work styles and settings. Choose a nailer that has the best combination of features for you.

My experience as a residential and commercial carpenter, as well as time spent on a variety of construction projects—particularly framing interior walls during renovation projects—has given me a lot of insight into what makes a great framing nailer.

I used this experience—in addition to research into key specs and verified customer reviews—to recommend the best framing nailers from the most trusted brands, like Metabo, Paslode, and Bostitch.

It’s worth noting that if you notice a lack of Hitachi products in our lineup, it’s because Hitachi nailers are now sold under the Metabo name, and we’ve found no evidence to suggest that the quality of their products has suffered.

By providing maximum productivity with minimal user effort, this Metabo model is essentially the Cadillac of framing nailers.

The selective actuation trigger gives you the ability to quickly switch between contact and sequential nailing, which saves you a lot of time over the course of a project. The rear-loading magazine also helps shave wasted time off of reload breaks.

The non-slip rubber handle provides a really secure and sturdy grip, and while it’s on the heavy side, the weight is well balanced, so the entire experience of operating this tool is surprisingly comfortable considering how powerful it also is. Plus, it comes with a five-year warranty, which makes this model even more of a standout.

This Bostitch nailer not only accepts a wide range of nail sizes—from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches—but also fires them into metal framing connectors. By swapping the quick-change standard nose piece with the metal connector attachment, it quickly and accurately drives nails into hardware like joint hangers and hurricane ties. While this feature might not be necessary for those who are simply looking for a sturdy and quick-firing woodworking tool, it nonetheless sets this Bostitch model apart from others on our list. It also includes a comfortable rubber grip, which, when combined with the tool’s light weight, minimizes hand and shoulder fatigue while you work for prolonged stretches.Although I haven’t used this exact model, I have used Bostitch brad nailers during my time working in a custom furniture shop, and I found those to be extremely tough, durable, and reliable. There’s no reason to think this framing nailer is any different.

At 7.5 pounds, this Metabo weighs less than similar options , but it sacrifices nothing in terms of durability. The tool-less depth adjustment saves you time as you sink nails to your desired depth, and while this nailer doesn’t include a storage case, it does come with a pair of safety glasses (which should be worn at all times when using any framing nailer).

Just like the Metabo model above, this one comes with a five-year warranty that covers you if any manufacturing issues arise. An alternate listing for this nailer includes 1,000 round-head nails for about $35 more.

Although not ideal for everyday, heavy-duty use, this Freeman nailer handles occasional framing jobs well and is therefore a great choice for those who aren’t ready to make a large investment.

It has many of the useful features of higher-end models, like a tool-free depth adjustment and a removable no-mar tip for use on less-rugged applications. It also weighs about as much as the higher-end models above, which isn’t ideal. An anti-dust cap prevents any debris or contaminants from entering the tool when it’s not in use. This nice touch should keep the Freeman nailer in top shape for a long time.

The included hard-sided carrying case keeps the tool safe and convenient to transport, and the mind-blowing seven-year warranty has you covered if any issues arise.

Powered by a rechargeable battery, this impressive DeWalt model eliminates the need for pneumatic hoses and compressors, though it still packs serious nailing power.

It works with nails 2 to 3-1/2 inches in size. A tool-free depth adjustment drives them to your preferred depth, while a dry-fire lockout feature prevents wasted time and damage to internal components.

This “tool only” option lacks the necessary battery pack, though, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you don’t own one already. And if you don’t, this model includes a 5.0Ah battery and charger kit (although costs nearly $200 more).

Capable of driving 2- to 3-1/4-inch nails into heavy-duty framing materials (like engineered lumber), this Paslode model combines power and convenience without any pneumatic hoses to worry about.

The nailer’s light, 7.9-pound weight and sturdy handle encourage a natural, comfortable grip, which really comes in handy during all day projects, and the straightforward controls toggle between rapid-fire and single-fire modes without trouble.

Thanks to the gas-powered fuel cull, the power output doesn’t fade over time like batteries sometimes do. Each of these cells also drives 1,200 nails before needing replacement, but the price of these cells adds up over time, so it’s worth considering this before investing in the tool.

Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

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