Standard equipment for the builder and around the workshop, a Brad nailer is almost a must have. All of the units we review here are in the mid-range category and not cordless. All of these units are either made with magnesium or a derivative alloy making these nailers lightweight and suitable for all-day use. While some units feel different to the hand, it’s best to check it out in the store to make sure you find a comfortable grip. All of these nailers have adjustable depth settings so that you can go from hardcore construction to detailed, controlled, nailing of fine materials.

The Milwaukee 7150 and the Bostitch BT-200K both offer oil free designs, which is very important for those who want to avoid the possible mess of oil and exhaust damage and stains on a project. To account for this the Hitachi NT50A2E2 has an exhaust nozzle that swivels so that you can control the output direction. At the top end of the prices is the Milwaukee 7150 which comes in much higher than our lowest priced competitor, the Hitachi NT50A2E2. While the build quality on all of these units is good the Milwaukee feels solid and comfortable enough for daily or semi-daily use.

The Bostitch BT-200K comes to the workbench ready to go, and quiet to boot, thanks to its unique exhaust design. The Hitachi NT50A2E2 does require some attention in terms of oiling, and may not be suited for indoor jobs where you can’t afford to have oil stains on materials or nearby surfaces.

With your purchase consider how often and where you’ll be using this nailer. If you don’t mind attending to the Hitachi’s oil need, and don’t plan to use it frequently then it may be just the value for you, for more rugged use look into the Milwaukee and the Bostitch.