Review: Metabo HPT Sets a New Standard for Cordless Framing Nailers

Cordless framing nailers have come a long way, but there’s still a noticeable difference between the best battery-powered options and the speed and feel of a pneumatic nailer. Metabo HPT takes a different approach with its NR1890DRBQRY (memorize it—there’s a quiz later), using its improved drive system to bring a familiar pneumatic-like experience to an 18V platform. That said, we want to know how the Air Spring Drive + System performs in real life.

We put this nailer through a few of our standard hands-on tests to see how it handles the demands of framing and where it fits among today’s cordless nailers.

Pros

Lightweight design
Lightning-fast firing rate
Excellent ergonomics
High-capacity magazine
Impressive driving power

Cons

Jam clearing requires a tool
A little expensive

Buy at Acme Tools

Buy at Lowe’s

Metabo HPT Cordless Pneumatic Framing Nailer Performance

Metabo HPT 18V Cordless Pneumatic Framing Nailer

Driving Power

As far as cordless nailers go, Metabo HPT absolutely hit the mark. This nailer fires with 120 J of driving power and sports a staggering 6 nail per second firing rate. This is almost unheard of for cordless nailers, which usually top out at around 3 nails per second. Metabo HPT also claims up to 1,170 nails per charge with the kitted battery, which is about 300 more than the 36V MultiVolt NR3690DR. That makes a big difference on those longer framing days.

With that said, bump firing 6 nails per second isn’t exactly the most practical for precise applications, but if you’re laying down subflooring or sheathing, it really comes in handy. Even in those high-speed applications, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to outpace it. The point is that Metabo HPT’s Air Spring Drive + System is incredibly efficient. It delivers pneumatic speed and performance without being hindered by a hose, and you’ll never be waiting for a compressor to keep up with your workflow.

To get a feel for this nailer’s raw power in practice, we drove 3 1/2-inch framing nails into a section of LVL, which is the true litmus test for framing nailers. The NR1890DRBQRY actually managed to overdrive the nails at first, but once we got the depth adjustment dialed in, we were able to drive nails perfectly flush without issue.

Firing Modes

Like most framing nailers, the Metabo HPT NR1890DRBQRY features a sequential firing mode as well as a bump-fire mode. The control panel for these modes is located at the base of the grip for easy access. To switch modes, simply press and hold the selector button. When the blue light is solid, you’re in single-fire mode. When it’s blinking, you’re in bump-fire mode.

As I mentioned earlier, for you speed demons out there, you can expect to drive up to 6 nails per second. There’s a noticeable amount of recoil, similar to what you’d experience with a more powerful pneumatic nailer, which can make bump firing in harder materials a challenge. In other words, pick your battles when you’re trying to run it wide open.

Whether you’re using single or bump-fire mode, there’s virtually no ramp-up when you pull the trigger. Combined with the noticeable recoil, Metabo HPT’s Air Spring Drive + System gives the tool a familiar pneumatic-like feel that sets it apart from many cordless nailers.

Toe Nailing

Toe nailing is actually really easy with this nailer for a few reasons. First, the nose claw is very aggressive and allows you to get a solid bite into the wood. Second, the nose profile is very slim, making it easy to get into tight spaces without much hassle.

Moreover, the lightweight design makes this nailer easy to maneuver, especially when working between studs.

Metabo HPT Cordless Pneumatic Framing Nailer Design Notes

Size and Weight

One of the most standout aspects of this nailer is the weight…or lack thereof! The Metabo HPT NR1890DRBQRY weighs 8.2 pounds as a bare tool and 10.3 pounds with the kitted 18V 10.0Ah battery.

If you’re even remotely familiar with battery-powered framing nailers, you know this is a big deal. Compared to a comparable battery-powered nailer, like the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2744, which weighs 11.3 pounds with a 5.0Ah battery, Metabo HPT will give you noticeably less wrist fatigue over a long day.

Even more impressive is that this nailer is primarily metal with only a few plastic components in the whole design.

Ergonomics

Overall, this nailer is very comfortable in the hand. As I mentioned earlier, this thing is light, almost rivaling its pneumatic counterparts, such as the Metabo HPT NR 90AE, which only weighs 7.75 pounds. This lighter design ultimately leads to less wrist fatigue and makes those long days on the jobsite a little bit easier.

I especially love how well-balanced it is. Although this nailer is paired with a 10Ah tabless battery, it doesn’t feel top or bottom heavy, and we found it was easy to maneuver, even while working overhead or toe nailing.

Admittedly, the grip is on the larger side, especially when compared to Metabo HPT’s other battery-powered nailers. This can be an advantage in some ways by giving you a little more to hang on to, but it can also present some issues if your hands are on the smaller side. Ultimately, it doesn’t bother me, but I would suggest you visit your local Metabo HPT retailer and hold one for yourself before making your purchase.

Jam Clearing

Although we didn’t experience any jams during our hands-on time with this nailer, it’s bound to happen sooner or later.

Unlike many battery-powered nailers I’ve reviewed, Metabo HPT takes a much more traditional approach to their jam-clearing procedure. Rather than a quick-release latch, you need to use the onboard Torx wrench to remove two screws from the top of the nailer and slide the magazine down. This will give you access to the firing chamber and allow you to remove the obstruction.

Just be sure to remove the battery and any remaining nails to prevent an accidental discharge.

Depth Adjustment

Adjusting the drive depth is as simple as turning the knob on top of the nose. Rotate it until you reach the depth you want, then make a quick test drive to confirm the setting. I like to keep a scrap piece of 2x material nearby so I can make small adjustments and check the results as I go.

Additional Features

Folding Rafter Hook and Belt Hook: Quickly hang the nailer on your tool belt or 2x material between uses
Removable No-Mar Tip: Protect delicate work surfaces from accidental damage
LED Worklight: Illuminate dark workspaces for improved nail placement
Dry-Fire Lockout: Prevents blank fires and excess wear when the magazine is empty or you’re running low on nails

Metabo HPT Cordless Pneumatic Framing Nailer Price

This nailer retails as a kit for $579.00 and comes with a lifetime warranty on the tool body, a 2-year warranty on the battery, and a 1-year warranty on the charger.

This is a little more expensive than other cordless nailers on the market, but from our experience with this nailer, those extra few bucks certainly seem worth it.

Should You Buy It?

If you’re looking for a cordless framing nailer that feels genuinely close to a pneumatic, the Metabo HPT NR1890DRBQRY deserves a serious look. Its lightweight, well-balanced design makes it easy to handle throughout a long day, while the Air Spring Drive + system gives it the quick response that many cordless nailers struggle to replicate.

It’s not perfect. The larger grip won’t suit everyone, and the jam-clearing process feels more involved than the quick-release systems found on some competing models. Those are relatively minor drawbacks, though, especially if your priorities are speed, maneuverability, and minimizing fatigue.

For Pros who want to leave the compressors and hoses behind without giving up the characteristics that make pneumatic framing nailers so appealing, Metabo HPT is a very compelling option. It’s particularly easy to recommend if you’re already invested in the platform and want a cordless nailer that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

Now, quick—read back the model number without looking. I told you there’d be a quiz!

Buy at Acme Tools

Buy at Lowe’s