Best Framing Nailers In 2022

Our first pick of the best framing nailers is the mighty NuMax SFR2190 21 Degree Framing Nailer which boasts a durable magnesium body and a versatile design to tackle a variety of different projects either at work or around the house. It’s powerful, operating between 70 and 115 PSI, and accepts 3-1/2” nails, which are readily available whenever you need a refill. The interchangeable triggers are also useful for adding further versatility and control when on the job.

Even if you’ve never used a framing nailer before, you’ll have no trouble getting to grips with this, and it’s an excellent entry-level option at a fantastic price. It’s a little on the heavy side, especially considering how big it is (not very, by the way), but we’re sure a tough guy like you’ll have no problem. For more amazing tools to add to your collection, check out our guide to the best drill bit sets.

Shifting into the realm of better affordability, our choice for the best value nailer on the market is the 3PLUS 21 Degree Full Round Head Framing Nailer. This tool boasts easy depth adjustment with no need for hex keys or screwdrivers and is suitable for 2” to 3-1/2” nails.

With it, you’ll also get a multidirectional exhaust for easy portability and minimized hassle, while the dry-fire lockout helps to protect the tool even when it stops working like you expect it to. For convenience, there’s rear nail loading and a long motor life, which further pushes its fantastic value. You can also opt for precise or countersink nailing, but we found that despite all its positives, it’s very prone to jamming, so if you’re looking for a nail gun that will guarantee all-day use, there may be better options out there.

The Hitachi Framing Nailer is one of the favored options for both pros and casuals alike, and with the new design, it’s easy to see why. Hitachi have worked hard to revolutionize the style, changing the head design and improving the disassembly process to ensure simple maintenance and making it easy to get back on track should the nails jam.

It’s well-balanced, which slightly offsets the heavier weight when compared to other options, and it’s also sturdy and durable, ensuring it can take a battering you’d expect from high quality tools. Despite this, it’s also compact enough to squeeze into tight spaces to maximize your nailing potential, and the tool-free depth adjustment ensures further convenience. There isn’t a rafter hook, though, which could be an issue when working up high. If you prefer to keep your feet and projects firmly on the ground, though, there are few better options. You may also like some of the best heat guns from our list, so take a moment to check them out.

The BOSTITCH Framing Nailer is essential 2 entire nailers in one to give you a spectacular choice for a variety of demands. This is made possible with the 2 quick-change nose pieces that allow you to work with either framing or metal jobs with the utmost ease. Along with this, the durable magnesium design ensures you’re getting a high-quality tool, and with features such as the adjustable rafter hook and adjustable depth, you’ll have everything you need for your next home project.

The high capacity magazine is also essential, and it can hold 60 plastic-collated nails measuring from 1-1/2” to 3-1/2” that drive into the surface at 1020 inch-pounds. It’s a little too loud for our liking, though, so we’d avoid any midnight DIY, and we’d also recommend wearing hearing protectors when using it even during the day.

More durable than other options thanks to the heavy-duty and long-lasting brushless motor, the DEWALT 20v Max XR Framing Nailer is a true contractor’s tool. It delivers all the quality expected for large jobs while also being easy to use and boasting a consistency we love to see in our selections.

The trigger offers both sequential and bump modes, while the Dual Speed design ensures an optimized motor for varying nail lengths and depth demands. The nosepiece is easy to access should a jam occur – which unfortunately seems more common than other options, while the trigger lock-off provides safety and minimizes tool damage. It works entirely on battery, which makes it easily portable for those hard-to-reach areas, and the integrated belt hook keeps it secure at easily at-hand when climbing up a ladder. A perfect DIY gift for any enthusiast in your life.

The Freeman 21-Degree Full-Head Framing Nailer boasts a plethora of features to make it a superb mid-range option for the more serious hobbyist, or just someone looking to upgrade from their original model. It’s comfortable, with an ergonomic grip that keeps your hand feeling fresh even during more intense jobs, while the adjustable air exhaust and interchangeable trigger ensure it’s easy to use and versatile. The magazine holds 55 fasteners, and the depth adjustment features give you the chance to determine how deep the nails go.

It’s ready to use straight out of the box, and you’ll get a variety of safety equipment included. However, it has an unfortunate habit of leaking air, which will affect productivity and performance if not kept in check. Our guide to the best cordless impact wrenches features more great tools for your workshop.

As we drive closer to the end of our list, we bring you the PORTER-CABLE Framing Nailer, which boasts much of the same as the 3PLUS but also comes around $20 more expensive. You’ll get easy depth-adjustment and selectable trigger options for more versatile operation, while the low-nail lockout features keep it in top condition.

It’s perfect for 3-1/2” nails, and the magazine axis sits at 22-degrees which makes it great for smaller DIY projects, especially if you want to spend a little more for better peace of mind. It’s also lightweight, while the over-molded comfort grip ensures comfort throughout the day. The safety features, while useful and greatly appreciated, are far too sensitive, though, as if PORTER-CABLE don’t think we’re capable of looking after ourselves, and while these settings are adjustable, we’d still prefer they had a little faith. But in any case, perfect tool to have in your tool box.

Our final pick of the best framing nailers around is the WEN Pneumatic 34-Degree Clipped Framing Nailer which is another low-cost option that still does the job you need it to. The 100-nail magazine is one of the most comprehensive we’ve selected, while the aluminum body is tough and durable and the ergonomic handle ensures comfort and reduced fatigue.

All included is maintenance equipment to extend its lifespan even when using it all day both at home or on the site. It uses less air than other options, and the wide pressure range gives you greater control over the power. However, at nearly 20 pounds, it’s the heaviest nailer we’ve selected, which isn’t ideal for those needing to work around rafters, but if you think you can handle it, you’ll get a reliable machine that will give you an arm workout, too. For more handy tools, check out our reviews of the best screw guns.

Metabo is the preferred brand of professional framing nailers. If you go onto a professional worksite, you’ll probably find one of these nailers. The reason they’re so popular is simple – they’re powerful and they’re reliable. The Metabo HPT Framing Nailer is one of their more affordable options. It accepts nails up from 2” up to 3.5”, which means it’s suitable for most materials. It’s perfect for flooring, truss build-up, window build-up, roof decking, and much more. 

One of the reasons we like the Metabo HPT Framing Nailer is that it’s lightweight enough to use with one hand. A lot of framing nailers are large and cumbersome but this one is relatively compact. Users have remarked that this framing nailer is super easy to use as well. It has a quick transition trigger, depth adjustment, and a comfortable rubber grip. 

Next up, we have a more advanced framing nailer in the Metabo range. This model – the Metabo NR83A5 – is very similar to the last one we looked at, it’s just a little more powerful and is designed to withstand years of abuse on the jobsite. It accepts 2” – 3.25” nails, has selective actuation on the trigger for sequential and contact nailing, and accepts two strips of nails at a time. The power comes from the cylinder valve drive system, which provides rapid response and impressive durability. Other features included depth adjustment, selective actuation, and a non-slip rubber grip.