The Best Framing Nailers, Tested and Reviewed
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Give the hammer a rest and quickly, efficiently nail that framing job with the power from one of the best framing nailers.
There was a time when neighbors could tell a crew was framing a house by the sound of metal-on-metal-on-wood, since hammering nails was the only way to connect large dimensional lumber. That sound is now a thing of the past, replaced by the repetitive “pop!” of framing nailers. These powerful tools operate by using combustion, electricity, or compressed air to create enough force to fire nails up to 3½ inches long into wood.
A huge boon to the construction industry and ambitious DIYers alike, framing nailers speed up what was once only possible through tedious manual labor. But just as the framing nailer is a specific type of nail gun, there are also different categories of framing nailers with varying features and functions geared to specific uses.
For anyone in the market for the best framing nailer, this guide will provide information to help make the right decision. It details what to look for when shopping for one of these tools and provides the results of our hands-on testing to show why the following are among the best framing nailer options available.
- BEST OVERALL: Metabo HPT NR90AES1 21-Degree Framing Nailer
- RUNNER-UP: Freeman G2FR2190 Pneumatic 21-Degree Framing Nailer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21-Degree Framing Nailer
- UPGRADE PICK: Metabo HPT NR83A5 21-Degree 3-1/4 Inch Framing Nailer
- BEST CORDLESS: Metabo HPT NR1890DRS Cordless Framing Nailer Kit
- BEST COIL-FRAMING NAILER: Metabo HPT NV90AGS Coil-Framing Nailer
- ALSO CONSIDER: Estwing EFR2190 21-Degree Full Head Framing Nailer
Our Top Picks
Even with all of that background information on framing nailers, shopping for one of these tools can be intimidating. To help streamline the process, check out the following list of top models. The lineup includes some of the top battery, fuel, and pneumatic framing nailers on the market from some of the most highly regarded tool manufacturers in the business.
Best Overall
Metabo HPT NR90AES1 21-Degree Framing Nailer
Photo: amazon.com
This lightweight, high-performance framing nailer boasts a number of additional features that make it one of the best in class. A pneumatic nailer that drives nails up to 3½ inches long, it has a rubber grip and weighs just 7½ pounds. The magazine features a 21-degree angle to offer a bit of maneuverability, allowing buyers to fit in some tighter spots while still utilizing round-head framing nails.
It also features an easy-to-disassemble head, so users can quickly clear jams that might occur. Another convenient feature is its toolless depth adjuster, which allows users to make adjustments without changing the pressure on the air compressor. There’s also a switch that allows for toggling between bump and sequential fire on the fly, and the soft rubber grip offers improved comfort. If there is a complaint, it’s that there isn’t an adjustable exhaust, so framers will need to keep their faces clear of the air discharge.
During testing, we found the NR90AES1 to be everything it’s cracked up to be. It held lots of nails, the magazine was smooth and easy to fill, and switching between modes was a breeze. The grip was also comfortable, and the depth adjustment was easy to use. This was, however, the sole nailer tested that we found challenging to attach the air hose to, as the angle of the magazine made it necessary to swap hands to get to the quick-connect fitting. But once the we became familiar with the long magazine (it can be tricky to maneuver), this is one excellent framing nailer.
Product Specs
- Power source: Pneumatic
- Style: Stick
- Angle: 21 degrees
What We Like
- 21-degree magazine for improved maneuverability
- Lightweight at just 7½ pounds
- Toolless depth adjustments
What We Don’t Like
- No adjustable exhaust
Get the Metabo HPT framing nailer at Amazon, Acme Tools, or Toolbarn.
Runner-Up
Freeman G2FR2190 Pneumatic 21-Degree Framing Nailer
Photo: amazon.com
A quality build and extra features make this pneumatic Freeman nailer worth consideration. The nailer has a lightweight yet durable magnesium-and-aluminum body, which gives it a weight of just under 8 pounds. Its 21-degree angled magazine allows for maneuverability while still making it compatible with full round-head nails. It will fire nails up to 3½ inches long, and an integrated switch allows for quickly switching between single fire and bump fire.
Helpful features include an adjustable exhaust to keep air out of the user’s face during use, no matter what position they’re in. A depth adjuster allows users to fine-tune nail depth for different materials and wood sizes. Plus, they can switch between a no-mar tip for protecting the wood and a no-slip tip that grips the wood for accurate firing.
While Freeman might not be one of the more popular names in framing nailers, we thought it might be worth a shot so we tested it out. Other than the fact that a bunch of the parts are plastic, it passed with flying colors. The sequential firing was easy to switch into—a big improvement over the old model’s interchangeable trigger.
What Our Tester Says: “I really liked how the adjustable exhaust port kept air off my face, even when working in tighter spaces. This prevented sawdust from flying back at me when I was nailing on a deck.”– Tom Scalisi, Bob Vila Product Tester and Writer
Product Specs
- Power source: Pneumatic
- Style: Stick
- Angle: 21 degrees
What We Like
- Adjustable exhaust port
- Sequential firing switch a big improvement
- No-mar tip removes easily for nonslip tip
- Adjustable exhaust redirects airflow away from the face
What We Don’t Like
- Not a popular or well-known framing nailer brand
- Plastic magazine parts
Get the Freeman framing nailer at The Home Depot or on Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21-Degree Framing Nailer
Photo: amazon.com
This pneumatic framing nailer performs as well as some of the higher-priced competition. With its 21-degree angle magazine, it can handle full round-head nails and still fit into smaller spaces than a 15-degree nailer. A die-cast magnesium body affords durability while keeping things light at 8½ pounds. A dual-mode trigger allows for single-select or sequential firing, helping to speed up big framing jobs that require a lot of nails (though it does require swapping the trigger).
This nailer, which can handle nails up to 3½ inches long, also includes a depth adjuster to fine-tune for different sizes of dimensional lumber and hardwoods. An adjustable exhaust, which redirects air away from the user’s face, can also be used to blow debris away from the work space. Also, an anti-dry-fire mechanism prevents the user from firing when the magazine is empty, which could damage the tool. Its 55-nail capacity makes this a good option for small to medium-size jobs.
This just might be the best deal in framing nailers. We enjoyed using it as much as the others in the lineup, and it didn’t jam or act up during testing. The magnesium body felt relatively light, and the magazine was smooth and straightforward to operate. We personally were not big fans of the no-mar tip, but the teeth worked quite well, even for angled shots. And while we did find the trigger swap to be a bit of a pain, we could grin and bear it for this budget-friendly price.
Product Specs
- Power source: Pneumatic
- Style: Stick
- Angle: 21 degrees
What We Like
- Affordable price point
- Adjustable exhaust port for redirecting airflow
- Toolless depth adjustment
- No-mar tip and nonslip tip
What We Don’t Like
- Requires swapping triggers for bump activation
- No-mar tip was slippery
Get the NuMax framing nailer on Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
Metabo HPT NR83A5 21-Degree 3-1/4 Inch Framing Nailer
Photo: amazon.com
There are no two ways about it: Pros need a powerful framing nailer like this Pneumatic Framing Nailer from Metabo HPT. This 21-degree pneumatic nailer features a cylinder-valve drive system that offers improved durability and faster nailing. Also, the long high-capacity magazine is designed to withstand the rigors of a jobsite as well as doubling the number of nails standard pneumatic nailers can hold. However, the maximum nail length it can hold is 3¼ inches, which is shorter than most comparable models.
This model includes an open-nose design that makes it easy to extract jammed nails that might otherwise slow the job down. Despite its sturdy all-metal build, this nailer weighs less than 9 pounds, and its ergonomic grip allows for a firm, comfortable hold. Other features include a toolless nail depth adjuster, a handy built-in rafter hook, and an adjuster on the trigger for either sequential or contact nailing.
This nailer proved to be a clear favorite during testing. The extended magazine held more nails than the others, and the operation was smooth as silk. It is a little long for tight spaces, and the average DIYer might struggle to find a place to store it (tip: save the box!), but none of the other models could touch its quality and capacity. We especially liked how this model contained almost no plastic, and how the depth-adjustment knob was front and center.
Product Specs
- Power source: Pneumatic
- Style: Stick
- Angle: 21 degrees
What We Like
- Receives 2 strips of nails
- Open-nose design for clearing jams
- Built-in rafter hook
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly shorter nail length (3¼ vs. 3½ inches)
Get the Metabo HPT pneumatic framing nailer on Amazon or at Acme Tools.
Best Cordless
Metabo HPT NR1890DRS Cordless Framing Nailer Kit
Photo: amazon.com
Framing nailers need ample power to do their job, and some battery models can fall short in that area. That’s not the case with this robust Metabo HPT thanks to a brushless motor and a 3 amp-hour (Ah) battery that make it powerful enough to drive 2-inch to 3½-inch nails flush into framing at a rate of two nails per second.
With the ability to drive 400 nails per charge, this is one long-lasting cordless framing nailer. If need be, though, an 8Ah battery capable of shooting up to 1,100 nails on a single charge is available. In terms of additional features, this Metabo framing nailer features a switch that transitions between sequential and bump mode and a nail-depth adjuster.
At just over 10 pounds, it was a little heavy during our test, but that didn’t offset how great this thing was to use. It kept up with bump nailing, no problem—despite coming with just a 3Ah battery—and it was compact and easy to maneuver. It was especially nice to work without a loud compressor in the background as well. Two complaints, however: The on/off and mode buttons are in a somewhat awkward spot, and it was the only model to jam during testing—and on a very shallow angled shot.
Product Specs
- Power source: Cordless 18-volt battery
- Style: Stick
- Angle: 21 degrees
What We Like
- Ultimate portability thanks to a cordless design
- Toolless depth adjustment
- Drives 2 nails per second
What We Don’t Like
- On/off switch is in a weird spot
- Jammed once during testing
Get the Metabo HPT cordless framing nailer kit on Amazon or Toolbarn.
Best Coil-Framing Nailer
Metabo HPT NV90AGS Coil-Framing Nailer
Photo: amazon.com
For big jobs like framing an entire house, DIYers may not appreciate stopping frequently to refill a standard straight magazine. This coil-framing nailer from Metabo HPT holds up to 300 nails, and when it is time to refill, a convenient side-load magazine allows for quick fastener replacements.
Just as powerful as the brand’s straight-stick-style model, this coil framing nailer can drive nails up to 3½ inches long. Despite its increased payload, at less than 8 pounds, it’s also lightweight. Additional features include a toolless depth adjuster and an open-nose design for easy removal of jams. Do keep in mind that this nailer, like all of Metabo’s current offerings, is rebranded Hitachi gear. Some of the branding is confusing, but they’re still the same reliable models the industry is used to.
Nothing else in the test fit in tight spaces as well as the Metabo HPT Coil Framing Nailer. Our framing project had joists that were closer to 15.5 on center, and this nailer was able to get in there. Loading and reloading was a breeze (something not all coil framers excel at), and it truly did feel lightweight. If we had to complain, we’d say that the plastic magazine parts seem a little flimsy, but that’s the trade-off for a lightweight nailer.
Product Specs
- Power source: Pneumatic
- Style: Coil
- Angle: N/A
What We Like
- Lightweight design, yet holds up to 300 nails
- Toolless depth adjustment
- Open nose for clearing jams
What We Don’t Like
- Lots of plastic on the magazine
Get the Metabo HPT coil-framing nailer on Amazon or at Acme Tools.