When you want to nail in very small confined spaces, which do not offer much room to swing a hammer, a palm nailer comes in very handy. Using a hammer for all your nailing jobs can be very tiring. It can be unsafe and also cause damage to the material. Using a palm nailer helps in increasing the accuracy of your nailing and it is also safer and faster when compared to swinging a hammer.
Palm nailers are small-sized nailers that can easily fit into your palm. However, don’t be fooled by their small size. These nailers can be as powerful as large-sized nailers. The big plus is that these palm nailers are extremely comfortable to use compared to their bigger counterparts.
Palm nailers are very useful for a variety of tasks whether you’re installing fences, frames, hanging joists, ceilings or trims, they can help you complete all your jobs effortlessly and in no time at all.
Palm nailers allow you to handle most of the jobs you can accomplish using a nail gun. But the big plus of using a palm nailer is that it is lightweight and compact, which helps to prevent hand pain and it is extremely portable too.
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Palm Nailers
There are several palm nailer brands and models available and many times the choice of the best palm nailer may become quite confusing and difficult. In this article, we have reviewed a few palm nailers on the basis of their features and the pros and cons, which will give you a fair idea of the choices available to you and help you make a decision on the best palm nailer for all your carpentry requirements.
| Image | Palm Nail Guns Reviews | Type | Weight | Amazon Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Milwaukee M12 | Cordless, battery-powered. | 3.4 lbs | Check Price |
  | BOSTITCH PN100K | Pneumatic, air-powered. | 2.9 lbs | Check Price |
  | Hitachi NH90AB | Pneumatic, air-powered. | 1.3 lbs | Check Price |
 | Ridgid R350PNE | Pneumatic, air-powered. | 3.4 lbs | Check Price |
  | BOSTITCH PN50 | Pneumatic, air-powered. | 1 lbs | Check Price |
  | Porter-Cable PN650 | Pneumatic, air-powered. | 4.5 lbs | Check Price |
Milwaukee M12 Cordless Palm Nailer – The Best Cordless Palm Nailer
The Milwaukee M12 Cordless Palm Nailer is packed with features compared to other models. The battery is quite powerful and provides sufficient power to do all kinds of jobs around your home. The nailer features an LED light that allows you to see your work clearly.
This battery-operated palm nailer comes with a lithium battery and a battery charger. While the Milwaukee M12 Cordless Palm Nailer is ideal for DIY jobs, it may not be suitable for professional, heavy-duty tasks. Also, price-wise, the nailer is on the expensive side.
Features of the Milwaukee M12 Cordless Palm Nailer
- Power: 12V red lithium battery
- Nail Size: 1½ to 2 inches
- Weight: 3.25 lbs
- Comes with a hand strap, battery, 30-minute charger and tool bag
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Battery operated and comes with a battery pack and charger.
- LED light makes it convenient to see your work area.
- Compact build.
- Not suitable for professional jobs.
- Battery power must be monitored and you may require buying a 2nd battery pack for backup.
BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer – The Best Performing Impact Palm Nailer
The BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer is very sturdy and durable and features a nose made of hardened steel that can stand plenty of wear. The nose has a magnetic insert that keeps the nails securely in place and there are 3 bore choices – regular, large and finish.
The BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer is so versatile that it can be used with a range of nails and for different kinds of projects. The nailer kit includes a leather glove which offers additional protection and prevents blisters and calluses caused due to extended use.
The BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer may seem more pricey than other nailers, but the high price is justified by the accessories that come along with the nailer unit. Overall, the BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer offers excellent performance, has an ergonomic design and is lightweight, which makes it extremely comfortable to use.
Features of the BOSTITCH PN100K Impact Palm Nailer
- Power: Air, 70–100 PSI
- Nail Size: Drives up to 5-inch nails
- Magnetic steel nose
- Comes with standard, finish and large bore noses, hex wrench, nose wrench, lubricant, extra
- O-rings and leather glove
- 7-year limited warranty
- Comes with 3 noses for a variety of projects.
- Ergonomic design makes the usage very comfortable.
- Comes with a convenient hard plastic carrying case.
- Comes with a variety of other maintenance tools and accessories.
- Changing the noses is not easy and the instructions are quite confusing.
- Air hose adapter not included in the kit.
- The glove may not fit people with really big hands.
Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer – The Best Compact Pneumatic Palm Nailer
The Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer is loaded with useful features. The grip has a rubber over-mold that offers better grip and added comfort and also reduces the vibrations when you hold the palm nailer. The air hose has a complete 360-degree swivel, which helps to keep the hose away when you’re working.
The magnetic nose of the palm nailer secures the nails properly so that you need not worry about the nail placement. The nailer has a frontal exhaust in the unit, so there is no air blowing on you when you’re working. It is a good idea to maintain the palm nailer by oiling it once so that it is in optimal working condition.
Features of the Hitachi NH90AB Palm Nailer
- Accommodates 21/2″ – 31/2″ bulk nails
- Weight: 1.3 lbs
- Front exhaust, 360-degree swivel fitting
- Over-mold grip
- Includes safety glasses
- Nailer very compact, lightweight and has an ergonomic build.
- 360-degree swivel air-hose attachment offers convenience.
- Magnetic nose of the nailer keeps the nails in place.
- Additional safety features such as the safety glasses included with the product.
- Requires regular maintenance.
- Does not work very well with hardwoods.
- Minimal accessories included with the nailer.
Ridgid R350PNE Palm Nailer – The Best Lightweight Palm Nailer
The feature that makes the Ridgid R350PNE Palm Nailer different from the rest is that it has a tool-less adjustable depth of drive, which allows you to get the precise depth for every shot without causing any damage to the work surface. The Hex Grip texture of the nailer along with the hand strap makes the unit very easy to handle and comfortable to use.
The air filter that is self-cleaning located in the handle is another great feature of the Ridgid R350PNE Palm Nailer helps in extending the unit life by keeping the debris and dust out of the motor. The mailer comes with plenty of accessories like a hand strap, hex key, oil and a carry bag for convenient transportation and storage. The Ridgid R350PNE Palm Nailer is a wonderful tool whether you are a professional, a DIYer or a homeowner.
Features of the Ridgid R350PNE Palm Nailer
- Power: Air, 50–120 PSI
- Nail Size: 1½–3½ inches
- Features depth of drive adjustment
- Self-cleaning in-handle air filter
- Adjustable handle strap
- Magnetic nail guide
- Zinc top cap and aluminum body makes the nailer durable and long lasting.
- Comes with several accessories for greater convenience.
- Hex Grip offers greater user comfort.
- Slightly pricey.
- Does not work with nail heads that are either too small or too big.
- If the nails are too small, then it causes nail jams.
BOSTITCH PN50 Palm Nailer – The Best Budget Mini Palm Nailer
The BOSTITCH PN50 Palm Nailer has a rubber over-molded handle that offers enhanced hold and comfort. The over-mold also helps to add insulation and reduces vibrations. The nailer also features the 360-degree swivel connector, which allows the hose to move freely.
This compact nailer is full of pleasant surprises, it can accommodate a wide variety of nails and can be used for many jobs from framing to timber work to finishing. The nailer also offers one of the best warranties of 7 years compared to others on the list. And, the best part is that all this comes at a fairly good price. So, if you are looking for a palm nailer for all your small jobs around your home, then this is definitely a good model to check out.
Features of the BOSTITCH PN50 Palm Nailer
- Power: Air, 70–120 PSI
- Nail Size: Drives up to 4 inches
- Weight: 1 lb
- 360-degree swivel fitting, front exhaust
- Comes with a 7-year warranty
- Compact and small sized.
- Inexpensive.
- Features a 360-degree swivel air hose connector.
- Bounces and vibrates a lot.
- Does not have safety features, which may make it unsafe to have around kids and pets.
- Does not work with nails having a large diameter.
Porter-Cable PN650 Palm Nailer – The Most Versatile Pneumatic Palm Nailer
The nailer features a magnetic tip to hold the nails for better positioning, especially in restricted a space. The Porter-Cable PN650 Palm Nailer comes with 3 other tips – a wide nail, a steel hammer and a finishing tip. The nailer is encased in a case made of soft leather with a unified strap which offers greater comfort and grip. The nailer unit and all the accessories come in a carrying case to keep all the accessories nicely organized together.
The versatility of the palm nailer, its reasonable price, ease of use and practicality makes it worth buying.
Features of the Porter-Cable PN650 Palm Nailer
- Power: Pneumatic, 50–120 PSI
- Nail Size: 1¼ – 6½ inches
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Features depth of drive adjustment
- Includes 4 tips (standard, magnetic steel hammer and no-mar)
- Comes with handy carrying case
- 1-year warranty
- The nailer features depth of drive adjustment.
- Accommodates a varied range of nails.
- Comes with a soft leather case and 4 different tips.
- The heads of two of the types of nails are not magnetized.
- Difficult to change between the various heads.
A palm nailer is an excellent and extremely versatile tool and it can drive nails of varied sizes depending on the requirement of your job. So, if you don’t really want to invest in different nail guns for varied carpentry jobs, making a wise investment and buying just one palm nailer is sufficient.