Makita XNB04Z 18V LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 2” Brad Nailer, 18 Ga., Tool Only

Why it's worth it

The Makita XNB04Z is a brushless 18-gauge nailer built around speed and runtime, rated at up to 4,250 nails on a single 5.0Ah LXT battery. Its slim nose and compact body make it easier to work in tight spots than the Milwaukee or DEWALT.

Runtime here is in a different league. Makita rates the XNB04Z at up to 4,250 nails with a 5.0Ah LXT battery and 1,700 with a 2.0Ah pack. At roughly 8 to 10 linear feet of baseboard per 100 nails, that's a whole floor of a house without touching the charger. If you hate mid-job battery swaps more than you hate anything else about cordless tools, this is your gun.

The compact body earns its keep in tight work. At about 6.1 pounds with a battery — Makita claims up to 17% lighter than comparable models — and with a slim nose designed for confined access, it gets into places where a bigger gun makes you angle the shot. Cabinet interiors, stair stringers, closet shelving, inside miters on window stool. You spend less time contorting.

From our review of 8 cordless brad nailers for trim carpentry, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +Runtime here is in a different league
• +The compact body earns its keep in tight work
• +Owners who've used the Milwaukee alongside it describe the Makita as feeling as good or better in hand, and several note it's a…
• +This is a bare tool, and it only makes sense if you're already on 18V LXT — batteries and chargers for that platform aren't…

What to know

• –It's a newer listing with thin owner feedback, so long-term reliability is less established than the DEWALT's
• –The nose is slim, but the overall package isn't small, and no-mar protection is something you'll want to confirm is in place…