Best Cordless Brad Nailers
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A cordless brad nailer fires thin 18-gauge nails for trim, molding, cabinet panels and craft projects without a compressor or hose. This guide compares eight cordless 18-gauge brad nailers using published specifications. Nobody at WorkshopCompare has used these tools, so the guide reads the specifications and how the designs are meant to be used.
There is also a 16-gauge finish nailer. It is a different tool for heavier trim, so it appears only as an alternative later in the guide. Price tiers are ranges, not exact prices.
The Milwaukee, RYOBI and Ridgid buttons go to Home Depot; the others go to Amazon. For the gauge decision see 18-gauge vs 16-gauge cordless nailers.
Our Top Picks
- For a kit in the $100–200 tier: Metabo HPT 18V 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
- For V20 owners who already have batteries: Craftsman V20 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
- For tight spaces and decorative trim: Bosch 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
- For a kit with a 160W fast charger and two firing modes: Flex 24V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
- For Makita 18V LXT owners: Makita 18V LXT 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
- For ONE+ owners who want a rated nails-per-charge figure: RYOBI 18V ONE+ AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
- For M18 owners: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
- For Ridgid 18V owners: Ridgid 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
Comparison Table
| Product | Price Tier | Battery in Box | Battery System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metabo HPT 18V 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit | $100–200 | Yes (one 2.0Ah battery, charger) | Metabo HPT 18V |
| Craftsman V20 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | $100–200 | No (bare tool) | Craftsman V20 |
| Bosch 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit | $200+ | Yes (2Ah battery, charger) | Bosch 18V |
| Flex 24V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit | $200+ | Yes (2.5Ah battery, charger) | Flex 24V |
| Makita 18V LXT 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | $200+ | No (bare tool) | Makita 18V LXT |
| RYOBI 18V ONE+ AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | — | No (tool only) | RYOBI 18V ONE+ |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | — | No (tool only) | Milwaukee M18 |
| Ridgid 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer | — | No (tool only) | Ridgid 18V |
The Picks in Detail
Metabo HPT 18V 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
Metabo HPT uses a mechanical spring rather than a gas cartridge or compressor and rates the nailer at up to 700 nails per charge with the included 2.0Ah battery, which has a fuel gauge. It weighs 5.5 lbs, has a low center height for tight spaces, a bright LED and tool-less depth adjustment.
It drives 18-gauge brads from 5/8 to 2 inches, and the spring design means nothing to refill. The motor is brushed and the kit includes one battery. The tier is $100–200.
- Up to 700 nails per charge
- Mechanical spring drive, no compressor or gas
- Battery with fuel gauge and charger included
- Brushed motor, not brushless
- Kit includes one battery
Craftsman V20 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
The bare Craftsman nailer drives up to 420 nails per charge and needs no compressor, hose or gas cartridge. Jam and stall settings are tool-free, the body is lightweight and balanced, and a belt hook is included. It sits in the $100–200 tier.
It has a brushed motor and works with the V20 system. A kit with one 1.5Ah battery and a charger is also available: Craftsman V20 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit.
- Up to 420 nails per charge
- Tool-free jam and stall settings
- Belt hook included
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Brushed motor, not brushless
Bosch 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
The Bosch kit is aimed at decorative trim and tight spaces. A thumb wheel gives stepless depth adjustment, single and bump-fire modes toggle quickly, and a dry-fire lockout stops the tool at the last five nails. A 2Ah battery and charger are included.
The compact battery limits run time and the tool accepts 18-gauge brads only. It is in the $200+ tier.
- Thumb wheel for stepless depth adjustment
- Single and bump-fire modes
- Dry-fire lockout at the last five nails
- Compact 2Ah battery limits run time
- Accepts 18-gauge brads only
Flex 24V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
Flex states that this nailer drives 5/8 to 2-1/8 inch brads at up to 3 nails per second with zero ramp-up time, and rates it at up to 2,200 nails per charge. The kit includes a 2.5Ah battery and a 160W fast charger, and a lever adjusts depth quickly.
It has bump and sequential firing modes, and the kit includes one battery and a soft bag. It works only with Flex 24V batteries and is in the $200+ tier.
- Up to 2,200 nails per charge
- Quick depth adjustment lever
- Battery and 160W charger included
- Kit includes one battery
- Works only with Flex 24V batteries
Makita 18V LXT 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
Makita's nailer drives 18-gauge brads from 5/8 to 2 inches. Its magazine holds up to 100 nails and it has a two-mode selector switch. Tool-less depth adjustment and an anti-dry-fire mechanism designed to prevent driving blanks are included.
It weighs 7.7 lbs with the battery installed. The battery is not included. It is in the $200+ tier and works with the Makita 18V LXT system.
- Magazine holds up to 100 nails
- Two-mode selector switch
- Anti-dry fire mechanism
- Weighs 7.7 lbs with battery installed
- Battery not included, sold separately
RYOBI 18V ONE+ AirStrike 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
RYOBI's AirStrike technology removes the need for a compressor or air hose, and its page states the nailer can drive up to 1,900 nails per charge with tool-free depth adjustment.
It is sold as a tool only, so a battery and charger are separate.
- Up to 1,900 nails per charge, per RYOBI
- Tool-free depth adjustment
- No compressor or air hose
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
Milwaukee's page lists sequential and contact firing modes switched at the trigger, tool-free depth adjustment and a tool-free jam clearing latch.
It is a bare tool on the M18 platform.
- Sequential and contact firing modes
- Tool-free depth adjustment
- Tool-free jam clearing latch
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Milwaukee M18 batteries
Ridgid 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer
The Ridgid 18V Brushless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer is a bare brushless tool that drives brads from 5/8 to 2-1/8 inches long. Ridgid lists a dry-fire lockout and selectable contact or single sequential firing.
It uses Ridgid 18V batteries.
- Brushless motor
- Drives 5/8 to 2-1/8 inch brads
- Dry-fire lockout
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Works only with Ridgid 18V batteries
How to Choose a Cordless Brad Nailer
Know what 18-gauge is for. An 18-gauge brad is thin, leaves a small hole and is designed for trim, molding, cabinet backs and similar light fastening. It holds less than a thicker nail, so it relies on glue for much of its strength. The full comparison is in 18-gauge vs 16-gauge cordless nailers.
The alternative: a 16-gauge finish nailer. If you are fastening heavier trim, door casings or thicker baseboard, a 16-gauge finish nailer drives a thicker nail that holds more. One option is the Craftsman V20 16-Gauge Finish Nailer, which is rated for up to 375 nails per charge and is a bare tool. It is covered here only as the alternative; the picks above are all 18-gauge brad nailers.
Compare drive systems. A cordless nailer replaces the compressor with a spring, a flywheel or a small sealed gas or air system. Metabo HPT states a mechanical spring; RYOBI uses AirStrike. These affect weight and maintenance more than they affect everyday use.
Check depth adjustment and jam clearing. Tool-free depth control lets you set nail heads flush on different woods without a wrench. Tool-free jam clearing saves time when a nail bends.
Mind weight and balance. Weights are stated for the Metabo HPT (5.5 lbs) and Makita (7.7 lbs with battery). Working overhead on crown molding is where a lighter nailer pays off. Also check whether a 2.0Ah or 2.5Ah kit battery is enough, or whether you want a bare tool and a larger pack from your existing system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a compressor with these nailers?
No. Each of these cordless nailers is designed to run without a compressor or air hose.
Can an 18-gauge brad nailer replace a finish nailer?
Not for heavier trim. Brads suit light trim and cabinet work; a 16-gauge finish nailer is the step up for thicker moldings and casings.
Does sequential or contact firing matter?
Sequential firing needs the nose pressed and the trigger pulled for each nail, which gives more control. Contact (bump) firing lets you hold the trigger and bump the nose along, which is faster but easier to misfire.
Are the nails-per-charge numbers comparable?
Not directly. Each is a manufacturer figure measured with its own battery and conditions, so use them as a rough guide.