Best Framing Nailers - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide

by Scott Miller Updated on May. 13, 2019

As it has been considered a tool designed only for professionals, in the past decades you could not see a framing nailer in the hands of amateurs, wanting to do some easy, home-based tasks with it.

Nowadays, everything has changed.

DIY enthusiasts number is growing, people are in searching of the ideal framing nailer, and maybe you are among them.

Our idea was to create a page on which you will be able to find everything you need to know about framing nailers.

This guide is designed to help you decide what the best is for you.

What we offer you is a list of the best framing nailers available on the market and the buying guide, with important tips and tricks related to this product.

So, let’s find the best framing nailer out there to fit your needs.

Spoiler Alert - Check out my top choice here >>

Top Rated Framing Nailers

Model	Rating	Buy Now
Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer	4.3	Check Price
Paslode 902600 CF325Li	4.5	Check Price
NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer	4.4	Check Price
Hitachi NR90AES1 Pneumatic Framing Nailer	4.6	Check Price
BOSTITCH F21PL Framing Nailer	4.2	Check Price

* Ratings are based on Editor's own opinion.

5 Best Framing Nailers Reviewed

#1. Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer

Top Pick

Check Price on Amazon

The first one on our list is there with a reason.

It does not only have the best features, but also can be bought at an affordable price.

The approximate price of pneumatic framing nailers is between $350 and $450.

The Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer is certainly one of the most affordable ones in its class.

Now, you might be wondering if its performance and functionality are good or not, due to the low price.

What you should pay attention to when it comes to performance parameters is the nail length, type of nail head, and nail head collation.

The Freeman PFR2190 Framing Nailer accepts 21° angled plastic collated round head nails between 2 inches and 3.5 inches long.

This is considered a good characteristic.

People mentioned having some issues with plastic collated sticks.

So, they rather choose paper collated sticks, as they are safer to use and provide a better finish.

However, paper collated sticks are pricier than plastic collated sticks which makes your costs even greater.

When its functionality is in question, this framing nailer offers tool-less depth adjustment, an anti-dry fire mechanism, a no-mar tip, an adjustable air exhaust, and an ergonomic grip.

All these are amazing features and justify why it deserved the first place on our list.

Nevertheless, each product, no matter how great its characteristics are, has some weaknesses.

What this tool lacks is an actuation mode selector and tool-less jam clearing.

But, you have to know that this class framing nailers do not include these features due to the low price range.

The great advantage of this model is that it has an interchangeable trigger which makes you able to use the machine in sequential mode and bump mode.

The last, but not the least, the warranty is the important thing when buying any device.

What we can notice is that the warranty period for this nailer is amazing.

The PFR2190 comes with a 7-year limited warranty which just proves the producers faith in this product.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Price
No-mar tip
Great air exhaust
Ergonomic
Impressive warranty

Cons

Lack of actuation mode selector
Lack of tool-less jam clearing
Plastic collated stick

Check Price on Amazon

#2. Paslode 902600 CF325Li

Check Price on Amazon

It is true that the Paslode 905600 Cordless XP is not our top pick, but that does not diminish its great features and characteristics.

Being that it is an improved version of the already powerful Paslode 902600 cordless framing nailer, the producers invest more in this model and it is now a device that comes with a 7-Volt Li-ion battery and a fuel canister.

After only 90 minutes the battery gets fully charged and the Paslode 902600 framing nailer can push 9,000 nails, while one canister is for 1,200 nails.

The type of nails is 30° angled round head paper collated nails.

These are available in brite and hot-dipped galvanized varieties.

The machine is designed to take nails between 2” and 3.25” long.

The Paslode 905600 Cordless XP can be described as a high-performing framing nailer.

The great features that some other less advanced models do not have are tool-less depth adjustment, tool-less jam clearing, heavy duty rafter hook, lightweight design, ergonomic grip, and compact frame.

The Paslode has a 2-year service promise and 5-year limited warranty which shows that this product is really worth buying.

The main drawback is that this cordless framing nailer, as well as all the others, is more expensive than pneumatic framing nailers.

The price is high, but at the same time you get excellent mobility.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Power
Paper collated nails
Durability
Lightweight
Battery and charger go with the device
Purchase protection

Cons

Price

Check Price on Amazon

#3. NuMax SFR2190 Framing Nailer

Check Price on Amazon

Prime Global Products Inc. boasts with its two brands – NuMax and Freeman.

As they are made by the same company, it is very likely that the NuMax SFR219 as well as the Freeman PFR2190 have the same features.

When you take a look at their design, even the dimensions and weight of the two devices are almost equal.

Furthermore, if we think about the performance and functionality aspects both the Freeman PFR2190 and the NuMax SFR2190 are excellent devices.

The features that this tool includes are tool-less depth adjustment, anti-dry fire mechanism, a no-mar tip, adjustable air exhaust, and ergonomic grip.

On the other hand, there are some features that do not go with the tool, such as an actuation mode selector and tool-less jam clearing.

You should know that the two models use the same type of nails, too – 21° angled round head plastic collated nails between 2 inches and 3.5 inches long.

Now, there comes the difference.

The NuMax SFR2190 costs half as much as the PFR2190 and this is due to the warranty period.

The NuMax SFR2190 has only a 1-year limited warranty, while the PFR2190 has a 7-year limited warranty.

Your choice is whether you want to risk or not, but for those who value extra purchase protection, then theFreeman PFR2190 is the framing nailer to buy.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Amazing price
No-mar tip
Air exhaust can be adjusted
Ergonomic

Cons

Lack of actuation mode selector
Lack of tool-less jam clearing
Plastic collated stick
Short warranty period

Check Price on Amazon

#4. Hitachi NR90AES1 Pneumatic Framing Nailer

Check Price on Amazon

It is on the fourth place on our list, but this model is definitely considerable choice.

If you are thinking about buying the Hitachi NR90AES1, just go through these reviews and make sure that it is the right device for you.

It is a tool which offers the features that are missing even in our number 1 model – the Freeman PFR2190.

This machine is designed to accept 21° angled plastic collated round head nails between 2 inches and 3.5 inches long.

Furthermore, this amazing framing nailer comes with tool-less depth adjustment, a tool-less jam clearing and an actuation mode selector.

The last one is a great feature, as it enables you to switch from sequential mode to bump mode by flipping a switch.

Among all these advantages, some weaknesses has to appear, which proves why it is not on a better place on the list.

The Hitachi model does not have a no-mar tip, adjustable exhaust, or anti-dry fire mechanism. At

The last, but not the least – the warranty period.

The Hitachi NR90AES1 comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

The second reason why it is not our top pick is the price.

The Freeman framing nailer is a little cheaper than the Hitachi NR90AES1.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Affordability
Tool-less depth adjustment and jam clearing
Actuation mode selection switch
Great warranty period

Cons

Lack of no-mar tip
Air exhaust is not adjustable
No anti-dry fire mechanism

Check Price on Amazon

#5. BOSTITCH F21PL Framing Nailer

Check Price on Amazon

It is true that we put it on the last place, but that is not the reason to avoid getting acquainted with this model’s features and characteristics as well.

The fact is that this product is a little different from the others because it is a combination of two machines, thus more expensive.

The two machines that are combined in this one tool are a framing nailer and a positive placement nailer.

Now, the tool is not designed for amateurs, so you are probably thinking why you need a positive placement tip.

It is an amazing tool for people who work with metal connectors, as it is very hard to get the contact tip to match the holes on the connector.

So, they can use a positive placement tip which can fit into the connector’s holes and make their work shorter, easier and more efficient.

The further great advantages of this machine are tool-less depth adjustment, tool-less jam clearing, and an adjustable rafter hook.

Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages, too such as plastic collated nails, no actuation mode selector and no anti-dry fire mechanism.

What makes this product even better is the fact that if you purchase it, you will get a 7-year limited warranty and a 1-year full warranty on this framing nailer.

Check current price on Amazon >>

Pros

Tool-less depth adjustment and jam clearing
Rafter hook included
Amazing limited warranty period
1-year full warranty period

Cons

Lack of actuation mode selector
Plastic collated nails

Check Price on Amazon

Framing Nailers: The Ultimate Buying Guide

If we take a look at the price, we can say that you can find a good framing nailer at the price from $350 to $450.

As this is not at all a small investment, people tend to go through all the specifications in search of the best of the best available on the market, while producers are doing their best to create the one that will suit customers’ needs.

This requires considerable amount of effort and time, so we are providing some of the crucial information to have in mind when purchasing a framing nailer.

Nail quality is important. What should I have in mind when selecting nails?

The first step in the process of finding the ideal tool for you is the nail selection.

What you have to have in mind are three factors: nail length, type of nail head, and type of collation.

Nail Length – this refers to the range of nail size that the nailer will accommodate. What you need to do is to make sure the framing nailer you have chosen has the capacity to nail 3.5-inch nails.

Nail Head Type – this refers to the right type of nail head, and t

hey can be either a clipped head or a round head. What goes with them are the different firing mechanisms, as well as the fact that clipped head nails occupy less space. However, they are not as strong as round head nails and even some areas do not allow the use of clipped head nails. What you need to do is to first check your local building codes to see if they permit the use of clipped head nails.

Nail Collation – this determines the method manufacturers use to hold the nails in a cartridge together and those methods can be.

Paper – When the paper collated nails are in question, a strip of paper holds the nails together. With this kind of nails, you will get the cleanest finish and the least safety concerns. The disadvantage is that they are more expensive and less durable than plastic collated nails.
Plastic – In this kind of nails, a strip of plastic hold the nails together, but they do not provide the clean finish as the paper collated sticks do. Its advantage is that they are cheaper and more durable. The drawback is that using plastic collated nails is more dangerous as the plastic bits can hurt you.
Wire Weld – When we speak about this type, we can mention that a thin wire tack-welded to the nails holds the cartridge together and makes them extremely durable. Still, the price is quiet high and greater are the safety concerns. Furthermore, the finish is not as great as with the previously mentioned ones.

Which features should be taken into account when buying a framing nailer?

As you have determined which types of nails you require, you should look at the features related to the framing nailer itself.

Magazine Angle – The magazine angle is actually the angle the magazine makes relative to the ground when you hold the nailer upright. In case the angle is greater, it would be easier for you to access hard to reach places. However, the greater the angle is followed by the fact that the price increases since the nails become more expensive. For those people who work with the machine in its upright position, a 21-degree angle is good enough and that kind of device would be considered satisfying. On the other hands, working in tight places requires a machine with a 33-degree magazine angle.

Magazine Type – there are two types of magazine – the stick magazine and the coil type magazines. The stick one is more common, but the coil magazine can carry more nails. Coil magazines are not ideal in the situations when you need to work at an angle.

Actuation Mode – This mode determines the rule for firing a nail. You can choose between the sequential and bump actuation. When the first one is in question, the nailer fires one nail each time you press the trigger. In bump actuation mode, if the trigger is pressed, the nailer would fire one nail each time you bump the contact tip against the surface, meaning that you will fire many nails quickly. The machine that has a possibility of switching between the two modes without using any tools is the ideal solution.

Depth of Drive – This feature determines how deep the machine drives the nail. What you should have in mind is the mechanism for setting the depth of drive and it is better to get the machine which has tool-less depth of drive adjustment.

Jam Clearing – When the nailer gets jammed, the trouble comes. You need to clear the jam and you need certain tools to do that., That is why it is suggested to get the nailers that have tool-less jam clearing.

Anti-Dry Fire – A dry fire is the firing without any nails in the device and this can cause damage the tool and the work surface, as well. Some machines offer an anti-dry fire mechanism, whose aim is to stop the firing of the machine when the magazine is empty. Rafter Hook- This is amazing feature which allows you to put your device on a safe place to rest your tool. You are suggested to check whether the framing nailer comes with an adjustable rafter hook prior to your purchase.

Contact Tip – There are different types of contact tips. Some nailers have a no-mar tip designed to prevent the tip from leaving marks or a positive placement tip designed to nail accurately metal pieces.

I think I got it, what are my options?

If you think that this list of the best framing nailers combined with the buyers’ guide is not enough for you to determine the right device, then you can take a look at other models available on the market, both from famous and less popular poducers.

However, make sure that the product possesses importnat features that we discussed. The best machines are definitely made by Bosch, Hitachi, Bostitch, DEWALT, Paslode, Senco, and Porter Cable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we will go through all of the products discussed and mentioned why the exact model should be your choice.

As it is already said, the Freeman PFR2190 and the NuMax SFR2190 have equal performance and functions, but the difference is in the price, as the PFR2190 costs twice as much as the SFR2190.

Furthermore, machine that has tool-free jam clearing and actuation mode selector is the Hitachi NR90AES1 and the DEWALT DW325PL, being that the latter one is quite an expensive device.

If these features are not important to you, as not having an actuation mode selector is not a great issue, then you can pay less and use the contact trigger on the Freeman PFR2190 and the NuMax SFR2190 in place mode or contact mode.

So it can be concluded that the Freeman PFR2190 is definitely the best, and if you do not mind a short 1-year warranty that comes with the NuMax SFR2190, then this is an ideal tool for you.

When it comes to determining which framing nailer is the best for you, it is not an easy decision and you can easily get confused.

Through this guide, we wanted to make it easier for you to find your perfect tool.

Table of Contents