The short answerFor trim, crafts and small projects, buy an 18-gauge brad nailer. Pneumatic costs $30 to $80 if you own a compressor, and cordless costs $130 to $280. Framing nailers are for building walls and sheds, and most people should rent one.
What to buy
Tight budget, already own a compressor
Pneumatic 18-gauge brad nailer
Light, cheap and reliable, and it fits in tight corners. You need a compressor, and you'll drag a hose behind you.
$30 to $80
See options on Amazon →Most DIYers
Cordless 18-gauge brad nailer
No hose and no compressor, so you grab it and go. It's heavier than an air nailer, and the battery and charger are often sold separately.
$130 to $280
See options on Amazon →Baseboards and door casing
16-gauge finish nailer, nails up to 2-1/2 in
Thicker nails hold heavy trim and door frames that brads can't. The holes are bigger, so you'll fill more of them before painting.
$100 to $300
See options on Amazon →Walls, sheds and fences
Framing nailer, nails from 2 to 3-1/2 in
Drives big nails into 2x4s all day. It's heavy and powerful, and far too much gun for trim.
$100 to $450
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Framing one shed or one basement wall? Rent the framing nailer and compressor for the weekend. A brad nailer is cheap enough to own.
What the numbers mean
- Gauge
- Nail thickness. Higher numbers are thinner, so an 18-gauge brad leaves a smaller hole than a 16 or 15-gauge finish nail and holds less.
- Nail length
- Brad nailers take about 5/8 to 2 in nails. Finish nailers go to 2-1/2 in, and framing nailers drive 2 to 3-1/2 in.
- Pneumatic vs cordless
- Pneumatic runs on air from a compressor and is lighter and cheaper. Cordless runs on a battery, costs more and weighs more, and needs no hose.
- Collation angle
- The angle of the nail strip on a framing nailer, commonly 21, 28 or 30 degrees. Nails have to match your gun's angle, so check before you buy a box.
- Trigger mode
- Sequential fires one nail each time you press the nose down and then pull the trigger. Contact, or bump, fires whenever the nose touches with the trigger held, and it causes more injuries.
What not to pay for
- A framing nailer for trim
It will split baseboard and blow through thin wood. Trim wants a brad or finish nailer.
- Bump-fire mode
It saves seconds for roofers and framers. At home, stay in sequential mode.
- Forgetting the compressor
A $40 air nailer still needs a compressor, a hose and fittings. If you own none of that, cordless may cost about the same.
Wear safety glasses every time, and keep your free hand at least 12 in from the nose. Use sequential trigger mode. Disconnect the air hose or pull the battery before you clear a jam.
Questions
What's the difference between a brad nailer and a finish nailer?
A brad nailer shoots thin 18-gauge nails for light trim, with holes you can barely see. A finish nailer shoots thicker 15 or 16-gauge nails that hold baseboards, door casing and crown.
Can a brad nailer do baseboards?
For thin baseboard, yes. Use 2 in brads into the studs and add a bead of construction adhesive. For thick or tall baseboard, a 16-gauge finish nailer holds better.
Do I need an air compressor for a nail gun?
Only for pneumatic ones. Cordless nailers run on a battery and need nothing else. A small 6 gal compressor runs any brad or finish nailer.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.