Cordless Nailers: Battery vs Gas

Cordless nailers mean no compressor and no hoses. There are two main types: battery-only nailers, and gas nailers that use a fuel cell plus a small battery. Here's how they compare.

1. Battery nailers

The battery powers everything. Most use a motor to compress air or wind up a flywheel, which then drives the nail.

Good: no fuel to buy, no fumes, works with the batteries you already have.
Not so good: usually heavier, and some have a short delay before each nail fires.

2. Gas nailers

A fuel cell sprays a small amount of gas into a chamber. A spark from the battery ignites it, and that drives the nail. The battery only runs the spark and fan, so it lasts a long time.

Good: lighter, fast to fire, and the battery lasts for thousands of nails.
Not so good: you keep buying fuel cells, there's a smell of exhaust, they need regular cleaning, and they can be harder to start in the cold.

3. Which one?

Home workshop and odd jobs: a battery nailer on your existing battery system is usually the simplest.
All day framing or fencing: either works. Gas is lighter, and battery saves on fuel.
Indoors: battery, because there are no exhaust fumes.