A flooring nailer is an excellent tool that allows you to nail material to the subfloor efficiently and quickly. These versatile power tools help to the make the job of floor nailing, especially hard floors very easy. A flooring nail gun is very simple to use and even if you are a beginner, you can start using the tool right away.
In-Depth Reviews of the Top 6 Flooring Nailers
There are many brands and models of flooring nailers available and in this article, we have reviewed some of the best hardwood floor nailers, their features, as well as their pros and cons, so that you can buy one that’s suited to your requirements.
| Image | Flooring Nail Gun Reviews | Weight | Summary | Amazon Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | NuMax SFL618 | 15.8 lbs | The Best Affordable Unit | Check Price |
  | Bostitch MIIIFN | 11.2 lbs | The Best Professional Option | Check Price |
  | Dewalt DWFP12569 2-in-1 | 10.6 lbs | The Best Lightweight | Check Price |
  | Freeman PFL618BR | 12 lbs | The Best Entry-Level Unit | Check Price |
  | Ramsond RMM4 | 26.9 lbs | The Most Versatile Model | Check Price |
  | Freeman PFBC940 | 4 lbs | The Best Miniature Option | Check Price |
NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Stapler/Nailer – The Best Cheap Flooring Nailer & Stapler
The unit includes a wrench, oil and a white rubber mallet which makes your nailing work very comfortable. The NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer can shoot up to 15.5-inch gauge flooring staples and 16-inch gauge L and T cleats. The high-quality flooring nailer can penetrate up to 0.5-0.75 inch into solid hardwood flooring. The flooring nailer is made of die-cast aluminum and is equipped with a rubber grip that helps to minimize fatigue.
The aluminum cast driver blade made of hardened steel makes the nailer very durable and the rubber O-rings and superior-quality cylinder help in effective nailing. The flooring nailer can hold up to 100 nails and staples. The nailer unit comes with interchangeable non-marring base plates that protect the floor surface from scratches and any other damage.
The unit also has an anti-dust cap and an air filter that prevents dust and debris entering the nailer and this enables the nailer to maintain optimal performance at all times. The NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer is quite lightweight which makes it portable and it can be carried around very conveniently. The best part is that this fully-loaded flooring nailer is quite inexpensive and offers extremely efficient performance.
Features of the NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
- 3-in-1 nailer, uses staples L and T cleats.
- Includes one-piece hardened driver blade and white rubber mallet.
- Black oxide rail.
- Base plates that can be interchanged.
- Comes with a 1-year warranty.
- Durable nailer with excellent construction.
- Ergonomic design with rubber handles offering superior grip.
- Actuator needs very little force to activate the trigger.
- 3-in-1 design accommodating 120 L and T cleats and flooring staples.
- Good fastener capacity.
- Excellent portability.
- It is a good idea to oil the plunger shaft before use, as it can cause jams.
Bostitch MIIIFN Hardwood Flooring Cleat Nailer – The Best Professional Flooring Cleat Nailer
The nailer can drive 1.5-2-inch cleats for deep nailing jobs. The unit also includes adaptor plates that enable you to nail floors up to ¾-inch thickness. The impressive power of the flooring nailer makes it suitable for all kinds of hardwood flooring jobs. The bumper does not require a lot of force to activate and the nailer comes with a rubber-tipped mallet.
The Bostitch MIIIFN Hardwood Flooring Nailer has a graphite handle with a rubber grip which offers superior comfort and you have the option of using the nailer with the handle or without it. The nailer has a soft face which can be detached and replaced and it is vented to protect the flooring from being scratched or damaged.
The ergonomically designed Bostitch MIIIFN Hardwood Flooring Nailer is ideal for creating professional looking floors. And, although the flooring nailer is one of the most expensive models, the features and advantages offered by the model make it an excellent buy.
Features of the Bostitch MIIIFN Hardwood Flooring Nailer
- Pneumatic flooring nailer 11/2-2 inches drives L floor cleats.
- 420-inch pounds of power.
- High capacity 110 fastener magazine.
- Made of aircraft grade aluminum.
- Includes rubber-tipped mallet.
- Interchangeable base plates of ½-inch and 3/4 -inch.
- Comes with a 7-year limited warranty.
- Sturdy and durable, made of aircraft-grade aluminum.
- Ergonomic design that prevents fatigue.
- Delivers powerful force of 420 inch-pounds.
- Quite expensive.
Dewalt DWFP12569 2-in-1 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer – The Best Lightweight Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
This ergonomically designed flooring nailer is great to work with on large surfaces and it is equipped with a tall handle and a grip that offers superior comfort. The flooring nailer allows you to work with 15.5-inch and 16-inch L cleats. The nailer features interchangeable, non-marring anti-skid base plates that make the unit very stable and the interchangeability allows you to work with floors of ½”- ¾” thicknesses.
The nailer magazine has a holding capacity of up to 100 staples or cleats and it comes along with wrenches, oil, 1-inch air fitting and a no-mar mallet. The dust cover prevents dust and debris from entering the nailer unit. The durability, efficiency and speed make the Dewalt DWFP12569 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer one of the best 2-in-1 flooring nailer and stapler out there.
Features of the Dewalt DWFP12569 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
- Lightweight, 10.6 lbs.
- Can use 15.5 GA staples and 16 GA L cleats.
- Non-marring, interchangeable base plates suitable for all sizes of floors.
- Ergonomic long handle and rubber grip for ease of use and enhanced comfort.
- Low CFM for lesser compressor runtime.
- Operating Pressure: 70-100 PSI.
- Comes with a 90-day returns guarantee and 3-year limited warranty.
- High-quality construction suitable for professional use.
- Lightweight, offering good balance and control.
- Ergonomic design featuring soft bumper and long handle.
- Cannot handle 18-inch nails commonly used for flooring purposes.
Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer – The Best Entry-Level Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
The Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer has a capacity of 100 cleats and 120 staples and you don’t have to keep recharging it, as it can retain the charge for a decent amount of time. The nailer is very easy to use and allows you to change the types of nails super quickly. It comes with ½-inch and ¾-inch interchangeable base plates that make the unit very stable and also lets you work with materials of varied thickness.
The ergonomically designed flooring nailer comes with a wooden mallet with a rubber tip which can be used to relocate the nail without causing any damage to the paint of the work surface. If you have never purchased a flooring nailer before, then you could consider the quite affordable Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer as your first, to start off.
Features of the Freeman PFL618BR Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
- Drives 3 kinds of fasteners – Staples, T and L cleats without magazine change.
- Maximum capacity 100 cleats, 120 staples.
- Comes with 2 interchangeable base plates suited for ½-inch and ¾-inch tongue and groove flooring.
- No-mar base plates provide greater stability and also prevents the surface from scratches and any other damage.
- Wooden mallet and sturdy carrying case included with the nailer.
- Grip is very ergonomic and comfortable. Helps to prevent any back pain.
- Made of die-cast aluminum that makes the nailer very durable.
- 3-in-1 mechanism lets you work with various types of fasteners.
- Magazine capacity of 100 cleats and 120 staples requires lesser recharges.
- Jams pretty often and requires clearing.
Ramsond RMM4 Pneumatic Hardwood Flooring Cleat Nailer – The Most Versatile Pneumatic Flooring Nailer
The body of the flooring nailer is made of die-cast aluminum alloy that makes it lightweight, yet it can withstand heavy-duty usage at an industrial worksite. The unit features many interchangeable base plates that protect the floor from scratches and damage. The internal driver blade is manufactured from sturdy heat-treated steel that produces perfect floor nailing.
The Ramsond RMM4 Pneumatic Hardwood Flooring Cleat Nailer is equipped with a long handle with an extra padding cushion grip which offers maximum comfort, stability and safety. The sturdy build, strength, durability and versatility make the Ramsond RMM4 Pneumatic Hardwood Flooring Nailer an excellent buy.
Features of the Ramsond RMM4 Pneumatic Hardwood Flooring Cleat Nailer
- Air-operated nailer.
- Drives U staples and L cleats.
- Comes with carrying case and all other accessories.
- Improved nail driving due to air booster chambers.
- Lightweight and easy to carry around.
- Ergonomically designed, safe to use.
- Provides extra flooring protection.
- Many users felt that the quality of seals not very good.
Freeman PFBC940 Mini Flooring Nailer/Stapler – The Best Miniature Flooring Nailer
Since this is a miniature nailer, it works with ¼-inch narrow crown staples and smaller 18-gauge brad nails. The nailer works well with groove and solid tongue flooring of ¼-⅝ inch. The best part is that you can convert the flooring nailer to a brad nailer very easily. The nose of the nailer allows easy jam clearance. The ergonomic shape and the rubber grip handle makes the Freeman PFBC940 Mini Flooring Nailer very easy and comfortable to work with.
The only drawback of the Freeman PFBC940 Mini Flooring Nailer is that being a mini nailer, it is suited only for small-time nailing tasks and not meant for thick hardwood floor nailing.
Features of the Freeman PFBC940 Mini Flooring Nailer
- Can be converted into an 18-gauge brad nailer for finish work.
- Suitable for ¼-inch to ⅝-inch solid tongue and groove flooring.
- Lightweight nailer suitable for extended use.
- Can be used with all 18-gauge collated brad nails and 1/4-inch narrow crown staples (from ⅝-1⅝-inches).
- Features quick-release nose and easy jam clearing, reload indicator and tool-less depth adjustment.
- Small sized, lightweight and portable.
- Build quality is excellent.
- Very versatile, can be converted to a brad nailer.
- Uses flooring staples as well as brad nails.
- Ergonomic and comfortable grip.
- 360-degree exhaust that can be adjusted.
- Not effective for nailing large surface areas.
- Not suitable for nailing materials that are thicker than ⅝ inch.
The best flooring nailer can make all the difference in installing your flooring easily and quickly. This unique power tool has been designed solely for flooring purposes and has made the process of laying a floor very convenient and easy. It is not surprising that the popularity of flooring nailers has steadily risen in the last few years. And, today, buying a high-quality flooring nailer is a great investment whether you’re a DIYer, homeowner or a professional.