The 10 Best Nail Guns For Concrete
Updated by · How we research
Battery nailers with air springs now fire concrete pins too. Ten cordless, gas, powder and air tools compared, with the Metabo HPT NC1840DA on top. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
OSHA requires workers to be trained on the specific powder-actuated tool they use, while gas and air nailers need no certification. All of these tools drive hardened pins or nails into concrete, block or steel to hold furring strips, sill plates, metal track and conduit straps. Contractors, remodelers and DIYers all rely on them.
From the manual
- Use only genuine Metabo HPT pins, in unbroken strips of four or more pins of one length. pp. 10, 20
- Firing is full sequential only: press the nose, then pull the trigger within two seconds, or it won't fire. p. 21
- It stops firing with three or fewer pins left and powers off after 30 idle minutes; hold the switch a second to restart. pp. 21, 26
- Compressed air stays inside after the battery is out, so keep the nose pointed away while clearing a jam. p. 23
Why the Metabo HPT NC1840DA is our top pick
Our pick fires pins from a magazine with no powder to handle: up to 25 at a time, or 45 with an optional long magazine, at 1.5 shots a second and 110 joules each.2 Our runner-up, the Hilti DX 2, hits harder, up to 245 joules,4 and takes nails up to 62 mm, about 2-7/16 inches, against our pick's 1-9/16,3,1 but it takes one nail per shot, and its maker recommends no more than 450 an hour.3
The rules differ too. OSHA lets only workers trained on the specific tool run a powder-actuated tool like the DX 2,5 and its cartridges come in three strengths, so the manual says to start with the weakest and step up.3 Our pick needs only a charged battery, and Metabo HPT backs the tool for life and the battery for two years.2
It has limits. Its manual calls for Metabo HPT pins only and fires only in sequence, with the trigger pulled within two seconds of pressing the nose.1 With its battery it weighs 10.4 pounds, about twice the runner-up.1,3 For old, hard slabs, longer pins or a few shots a day, the DX 2 is the better tool if you're trained for powder.
| Metabo HPT NC1840DA | Hilti DX 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fasteners per load | 25 pins (45, optional magazine) | 1 nail per shot |
| Driving energy | 110 J | Up to 245 J |
| Longest fastener | 1-9/16 in | 2-7/16 in (62 mm) |
| Weight | 10.4 lb with battery | 5.3 lb |
| Operator training | Not covered by OSHA's powder rule | Required by OSHA |
Sources
- Metabo HPT NC1840DA 1Instruction and safety manual (PDF), pp. 9, 10, 21 2Product page
- Hilti DX 2 3Operating instructions (online copy), pp. 5, 7 4Technical data, Hilti international site
- 5OSHA 29 CFR 1926.302(e): powder-actuated tools
From the manual
- Power is set by the cartridge color, green, yellow or red. Start with the weakest and step up. pp. 5, 7
- Clean it and check the piston daily under heavy use, and at the latest every 3,000 fasteners; use Hilti spray or an equal, never grease. p. 8
- In concrete, stay about 2-3/4 inches (70 mm) from an edge, in slabs at least 4 inches (100 mm) thick. p. 6
- If a cartridge misfires, keep the tool pressed square to the surface for 30 seconds before lifting it. p. 7
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Power source | Longest fastener (in) | Tool weight (lb) | Fasteners loaded | Maker warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Metabo HPT NC1840DA | 18V battery, air spring | 1-9/16 | 9.0 | 25 (45 optional) | Lifetime, tool only |
| 2. Hilti DX 2 | .27 powder strip | 2-7/16 | 5.3 | 1 | 20 yr; 2 yr wear repair |
| 3. Bosch GNB18V-12N | 18V battery, air spring | 1-1/2 | 9 | 22 (44 optional) | 5 yr tool |
| 4. Hilti GX 3 | Gas can | 1-1/2 | 8.6 | 40 + 2 | 20 yr; 2 yr wear repair |
| 5. meite ST64E | Compressed air | — | — | — | — |
| 6. Ramset HammerShot | .22 load, hammer-fired | 3 | 2.3 | 1 | 90 days, after exam |
| 7. Freeman PSSCP | Compressed air | 3 | 6.2 | 1 | 7 yr; 90 days wear parts |
| 8. ITW 40088 | .22 load, trigger-fired | 3 | 4.4 | 1 | 90 days |
| 9. Air Locker CN64A3 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 10. Max HN120 | High-pressure air | 2 pins, 2-1/2 nails | 6.4 | 50 | Up to 5 yr |
Weights are for the bare tool, without battery, gas can or fasteners. Counts in parentheses need an optional longer magazine. Metabo HPT's US page lists the NC1840DA at 10.4 lb without the battery, but its manual says 10.4 lb includes the battery and HiKOKI lists 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) bare, so we show 9.0. Hilti's warranty is its US policy; the GX 3 sold here is an import, so check its coverage. Ramset's 2013 MasterShot manual says six months, its product page now 90 days. Max's catalog says one or five years without naming the HN120. The meite and Air Locker publish no manual or spec sheet we could find; a dash means no maker source.
Sources
- Metabo HPT NC1840DA Instruction and safety manual (PDF) Product page HiKOKI EU specifications
- Hilti DX 2 operating instructions (online copy) DX 2 product page GX 3 operating instructions (PDF) US tool warranty
- Bosch GNB18V-12N Operating/safety instructions (PDF) Product page
- meite ST64E CE certificate (PDF)
- Ramset HammerShot product page HammerShot operator's manual (PDF) MasterShot (ITW 40088) product page MasterShot operator's manual (PDF)
- Freeman PSSCP Manual (PDF) Product page
- Max HN120 Operating and maintenance manual (PDF) Construction tool catalog, warranty (PDF)
From the manual
- It won't run below 23 F, worth knowing before winter slab work. p. 8
- The standard magazine holds 22 collated pins and stops firing with two left; single-shot pins need 8 mm heads. pp. 8, 9, 18
- Bosch suggests a service-center inspection every six months to a year, and only an authorized shop may recharge the gas reservoir. p. 23
- Five years on the tool and three on 18V batteries, but driver blades and pistons count as wear parts. p. 79
From the manual
- After fitting a new gas can, press the tool to the work three times without pulling the trigger to bleed air from the lines. p. 23
- Nails top out at 1-1/2 inches, and when the base is too hard, Hilti's troubleshooting table points to a powder tool. pp. 22, 27
- It works from 14 F to 113 F and won't fire with two or fewer nails left in the magazine. pp. 22, 28
- Take the gas can out and empty the magazine whenever you finish or leave the tool unattended. p. 23
From the manual
- Ramset says it's for licensed operators only; passing the exam in the manual earns the operator card. cover
- The 90-day warranty is valid only after ITW Brands receives the completed exam and a copy of your receipt. p. 2
- It takes only Ramset .22-caliber loads and Ramset pins. cover
- Load the pin before the powder load, and strike squarely with a one-pound hammer; an off-center blow costs power. pp. 7-8
From the manual
- Drive a test pin at 90-95 psi, then raise or lower the pressure to the least that sets pins consistently. p. 8
- Your compressor must hold at least 70 psi while working, and the tool wants a few drops of tool oil often. pp. 9-10
- Steel bases are limited to 3/16 to 5/16 inch; in concrete keep pins 3 inches from edges and from each other. p. 6
- Air stays in the tool after the hose comes off; fire into scrap wood until it's spent before clearing a jam. p. 8
From the manual
- Ramset says only licensed operators may use it, and the warranty starts once ITW Brands receives the completed operator exam. cover
- It takes only Ramset .22-caliber CW loads and Ramset fasteners. cover
- In concrete, keep pins 3 inches apart and 3 inches from any edge, with at least an inch of penetration. p. 10
- This 2013 manual promises six months of warranty; Ramset's product page now lists 90 days. p. 2
From the manual
- It runs only on Max's PowerLite compressor and hose at 210-320 psi; an ordinary shop compressor won't do. p. 4
- The magazine ships set for short pins; flip it for pins of 38 mm or longer, or they won't feed. p. 11
- Match the nose attachment to the job: the wrong one leaves nails proud, and thin steel track needs pins, not nails. p. 15
- After each day's work, put two or three drops of ISO VG32 oil into the air plug. p. 16
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read the makers' manuals for eight of the ten picks and added a spec table, notes from those manuals and a section on why the Metabo HPT NC1840DA leads. We corrected the MasterShot's pin range, the cordless nailer weights in the guide and the claim that Metabo HPT's nailer takes other brands' pins, and noted that Ramset's powder tools are for licensed operators.
October 17, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
A battery nailer, the Metabo HPT NC1840DA, now tops this page, and only three of the 2020 tools remain in the ranking. The Senco SCP40XP, Bostitch MIII812CNCT and Apach LHT-64 are unavailable, we couldn't confirm the Freeman PCTN64 is still sold new, and the Freeman PCN65 is a siding nailer that never really belonged here. The DeWalt DCN890P2 had no price or stock when we checked, so it moves to special honors, and the Hilti GX 3 takes over from the older Hilti GX120.
The big change is cordless. Battery nailers with air springs now fire concrete pins without gas or powder. The Metabo HPT NC1840DA arrived in 2026 rated at 110 joules, which its maker calls the highest in its class, and the Bosch GNB18V-12N joins as the pick for anyone who wants to shop around for pins.
We also added real powder tools, because that's what many people mean by a concrete nail gun: the Hilti DX 2 for regular work, plus the Ramset HammerShot and ITW 40088 for a few pins at a time. The Freeman PSSCP, Air Locker CN64A3 and Max HN120 stay, and the meite ST64E is the new low-cost T-nailer.
One honest caveat: we found almost no independent tests of these tools. The ranking rests on makers' energy ratings and pin ranges, OSHA's training rules, owner feedback and recall checks.
Earlier notes
December 7, 2020, by Will Rhoda:
Without much evolution in the category since the last time we visited it, this was a relatively uneventful round of updates. The only option we ended up removing was the Hitachi NC40G, which has been discontinued.
My original suspicion was that this discontinuation was simply due to the company’s 2018 rebrand, which left a new line of virtually identical, like-model-numbered Metabo HPT tools available for former fans of Hitachi. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Not only was Metabo HPT not offering a replacement for the NC40G at the time of this update, but it also appears to be offering no replacement for the CM75EBP — another nail gun rated for concrete that Hitachi used to offer. [2026 update: Metabo HPT returned to this class in 2026 with the cordless NC1840DA, now our top pick.] A conversation with a representative from the company didn’t provide us with any insight as to why these tools have been discontinued, or if and when a replacement will be offered.
This is purely speculative, but I can’t imagine that it’s easy to engineer a tool up to this task, and I wonder if an inordinate amount of warranty claims on these units led the company to remove them from their lineup, if they felt the current design wasn’t living up to their brand’s standard of quality. Notably, the Makita GN01 – a cordless option that could fire fasteners as long as 1-9/16 inch – has also been discontinued without an apparent replacement.
If you need a nailer like this regularly at work, then there’s no doubt that they can save you hours, compared to most powder-actuated alternatives, but pneumatic models also require you to show up to the job site with an air compressor, an air hose and maybe even an air hose reel — which can be quite a pain. Of course, battery-powered models – like our new addition: the DeWalt DCN890P2 – provide an easy workaround for this, but if you’re looking at these tools simply to fire a few fasteners for a small home renovation, perhaps you’ll be interested in checking out our list of powder-actuated tools, which can be more affordable at the lower end (though just as expensive at the top of the category).
You’ll also want to be careful that the nailer in question is capable of accommodating the right length of fasteners for whatever job you’re hoping to take on. Some models in this category can only fire nails as long as an inch, while others – like the Freeman PSSCP – can handle hardware up to three inches long. We noticed that the Senco SCP40XP presented conflicting information, claiming to have a 1-1/2-inch magazine, yet purportedly only being able to accommodate 1-1/4-inch hardware. As the company didn’t get back to us with a comment in time for the publication of this update, we played it safe and went with 1-1/4 inches for the purpose of our description.
January 22, 2019, by Brett Dvoretz:
We realize people have different needs when it comes to buying a concrete nailer. Contractors will require a much more powerful and durable model than a consumer doing a one-off job on their home for whom price will be a major factor in their buying decision. Because of this, we strived to include a variety of tools that are well-suited to each of these needs. We also made sure to include both gas- and air-powered options.
Special Honors
DeWalt DCN890 DeWalt's 20-volt cordless concrete nailer runs on the same batteries as its other 20V MAX tools, with no fuel cells to buy. DeWalt lists it for pins from 1/2 to 2-1/4 inches in concrete and steel, with variable power settings, tool-free jam clearing and a driver blade that can be replaced on site. The kit comes with two 5.0Ah batteries and a charger. Check stock before you plan around it. dewalt.com
Hilti DX 5 For crews that set thousands of pins, Hilti's fully automatic powder tool feeds fasteners from a collated strip instead of one at a time, using .27 caliber cartridge strips. It's built for high-volume work such as decking and track, and its price puts it beyond most buyers. Hilti sells it with fastener and cartridge systems matched to each job. hilti.com
Four Ways To Drive A Pin Into Concrete
Concrete takes hardened pins driven with much more energy, and four kinds of tools supply it.
An ordinary framing, finish or brad nailer can't fasten into concrete. The nails bend, and the tool can be damaged. Concrete takes hardened pins driven with much more energy, and four kinds of tools supply it.
Cordless concrete nailers use a battery motor to compress an air spring, then release it to fire the pin. There are no fuel cells, powder or hoses. They're heavy, about 9 pounds before the battery goes on, and costly, and most take pins no longer than about 1-1/2 inches, though DeWalt lists its model for pins up to 2-1/4 inches (DeWalt).
Gas tools burn a small fuel can to fire collated nails. They're quieter than powder tools and kick less, and Simpson Strong-Tie notes that they need no operator certification, though gas delivers less energy than powder (Simpson Strong-Tie). The Hilti GX 3 is a typical example, sized for metal track and hangers.
Powder-actuated tools, often called by the brand name Ramset, fire a .22 or .27 caliber load that pushes a piston against the pin. They're the most powerful and the cheapest to buy: Hilti rates its compact DX 2 at up to 245 joules, more than twice a strong battery nailer. The trade-offs are noise, recoil and training rules. Erik Elwell, then owner of a New York City remodeling firm, compared five strip-fed powder tools for the Journal of Light Construction in 2007 and found that the two that tamed recoil best were also much quieter, which matters in tight spaces.
Pneumatic tools run on compressed air. Cheap T-nailers fire 14-gauge T-nails for furring strips on block and newer concrete, single-pin air nailers fire the same washered pins as powder tools, and pro high-pressure pinners need a special compressor.
Match The Tool To The Concrete And The Job
Concrete varies more than buyers expect. Fresh, or green, concrete is soft enough for air tools, and Freeman says its pneumatic pin nailers work best with longer pins in concrete poured within the last 25 days. Old, cured slabs, hard aggregate and rebar call for more energy, which means powder or a strong cordless tool. Hollow block can crack or let pins punch through, so aim for the solid webs.
Pick a pin long enough to hold but not so long that it breaks the slab. Simpson Strong-Tie uses an example of 3/4-inch embedment and says the concrete should be about three times as thick as the embedment (Simpson Strong-Tie). Add the thickness of the board or track you're fastening, and check the maker's tables for edge distances and load ratings. For powder tools, loads are color coded from brown, the weakest, up to purple. Start low on a test spot and step up.
Think about volume and running costs. A few sill-plate pins don't justify an expensive cordless nailer; a hammer-fired powder tool or concrete screws will do. In a Fine Homebuilding forum thread, one builder's rule is powder pins wherever they work and screws where they don't, while another says Tapcons, driven into holes from a hammer drill, go in almost as fast with the right setup and hold better where pull-out is a worry (Fine Homebuilding). Green Building Advisor's rundown of concrete fasteners covers sleeve anchors and other options for heavier loads (Green Building Advisor). For daily use, check pin prices: Bosch sells its nailer as an open system that takes other brands' pins, while Metabo HPT's manual calls for its own pins and Ramset's powder tools are built for Ramset loads and fasteners.
Safety, Training And The Rules
Every tool here fires a hardened fastener with enough force to injure. Wear safety glasses, hearing protection and gloves, keep your free hand away from the nose, and never point a tool at anyone. Disconnect the battery or air line before clearing a jam, and treat the tool as live even then: Metabo HPT warns that its nailer holds compressed air with the battery out, and Freeman says to fire its pinner into scrap wood until the air is gone.
Powder tools carry extra rules. Under OSHA's construction standard (OSHA 1926.302), only employees trained on the specific tool may use one. The tool must be tested each day before loading, loaded only just before firing and never left loaded and unattended. OSHA also bans firing into brittle or very hard materials such as cast iron, glazed tile, glass block and surface-hardened steel, into easily penetrated material without backing, and into spalled areas. Simpson Strong-Tie adds that powder tools often need operator certification, and that powder loads can be restricted on some sites, such as schools, airports and federal projects. Some states and employers set their own certification rules, so check before you buy one for work.
Gas, cordless and pneumatic tools need no operator certification, which is a big reason crews choose them for repetitive work. Treat them with the same care anyway. Stay away from slab edges and cracks, where concrete can break off and fly, and test fasteners on a scrap or out-of-sight area before you commit to a pattern.
How we researched this
We screened about 30 concrete nailers and powder, gas and air tools and looked closely at 21. For the ten picks we read Metabo HPT's NC1840DA instruction manual, Bosch's GNB18V-12 operating instructions, Hilti's operating instructions for the GX 3 and DX 2, Ramset's operator manuals for the HammerShot and the MasterShot (ITW 40088), and the Freeman PSSCP and Max HN120 manuals; we found no manual for the meite ST64E or the Air Locker CN64A3. OSHA's powder-actuated tool rule (29 CFR 1926.302) and Simpson Strong-Tie's powder-versus-gas guide shaped the safety and pin-length advice. A search of the CPSC recall database in November 2026 found no recall for any pick or either special honor; the nailer recalls on file are for other tools.
Sources (30)
- Metabo HPT: NC1840DA concrete pin nailer
- Hilti: DX 2 powder-actuated tool
- Hilti: GX 3 gas-actuated tool
- DeWalt: DCN890P2 cordless concrete nailer kit
- Simpson Strong-Tie: PAF, GAF or pass? Selecting a power-actuated fastening solution
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.302: power-operated hand tools
- ProBuilder: DeWalt DCN890 review
- Journal of Light Construction: semi-automatic powder-actuated tools
- Fine Homebuilding forum: Tapcons vs. Ramset
- Green Building Advisor: fasteners for concrete and brick
- Milwaukee Tool: M18 FUEL Duplex Nailer press release
- CPSC recalls (saferproducts.gov)
- Metabo HPT: NC1840DA instruction and safety manual (PDF)
- HiKOKI: NC1840DA specifications (EU)
- Bosch: GNB18V-12 operating/safety instructions (PDF)
- Bosch: GNB18V-12N concrete nailer
- Hilti: GX 3 operating instructions (PDF)
- Hilti: DX 2 operating instructions (online copy)
- Hilti: DX 2 technical data (international site)
- Hilti: US tool warranty
- Ramset: HammerShot operator's manual (PDF)
- Ramset: HammerShot
- Ramset: MasterShot (40088) operator's manual (PDF)
- Ramset: MasterShot
- Freeman: PSSCP manual (PDF)
- Freeman: PSSCP single pin concrete nailer
- Max: HN120 operating and maintenance manual (PDF)
- Max: HN120 PowerLite concrete pinner
- Max: construction tool catalog, warranty (PDF)
- Guangdong Meite: CE certificate listing the ST64E (PDF)
Frequently asked questions
Can a regular nail gun shoot into concrete?
No. Framing, finish and brad nailers can't drive nails into concrete; the nails bend and the tool can be damaged. Use a concrete nailer, a powder-actuated tool or a gas tool, with hardened concrete pins or T-nails made for it.
Do I need a license to use a powder-actuated tool?
OSHA requires workers to be trained on the specific tool before using it, and many employers, states and job sites require operator certification. Ramset's manuals go further: its tools are for licensed operators, and the exam inside the manual earns the operator card. Powder loads are also restricted on some sites. Gas, cordless and pneumatic tools need no certification.
What concrete nail gun doesn't need a compressor?
Cordless battery nailers, gas tools and powder-actuated tools all work without a compressor. Battery tools need no fuel, gas tools use fuel cans, and powder tools use .22 or .27 caliber loads.
How long should a concrete pin be?
Long enough to embed in the concrete after passing through the material you're fastening. Simpson Strong-Tie uses 3/4 inch of embedment as an example and says the concrete should be about three times that thick. Follow the pin maker's tables.
Can a concrete nailer fasten into steel?
Many can. Hilti lists the DX 2 and GX 3 for steel, Metabo HPT lists its nailer for concrete and steel, and the Max HN120 pins into steel. Cheap pneumatic T-nailers are meant for concrete and block, and only light-gauge steel at most.
Does Milwaukee make a concrete nailer?
We didn't find one when we checked in October 2026. Milwaukee's M18 FUEL Duplex Nailer is often mistaken for one, but it nails lumber for concrete formwork rather than fastening into concrete (Milwaukee).
