What's inside
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Quick verdict
The Metabo HPT NT1850DE and Milwaukee 2746-20 are cordless 18-gauge brad nailers for trim, cabinet work and other finish jobs where a compressor and hose would get in the way. Both drive brads from 5/8 to 2 inches and use a flywheel-style mechanism rather than a gas cartridge. The practical difference is less about nail length than about the battery platform you already own, how each tool feels in your hand, and what you pay for a bare tool.
Choose the Metabo HPT if you have compatible Metabo HPT batteries or find the tool at a better price. Choose the Milwaukee if you already use M18 batteries and want one more tool on that platform. If you are buying batteries and a charger from scratch, compare complete kit prices: a lower bare-tool price can disappear once you add the battery the nailer needs.
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Specifications that matter
| Feature | Metabo HPT NT1850DE | Milwaukee 2746-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Tool type | Cordless 18-gauge brad nailer | Cordless 18-gauge brad nailer |
| Brad length | 5/8–2 inches | 5/8–2 inches |
| Drive system | Flywheel | Flywheel |
| Battery platform | Metabo HPT 18V | Milwaukee M18 |
| Magazine capacity | 100 brads | 110 brads |
| Notable controls | Tool-free depth adjustment; selective actuation | Tool-free depth adjustment; sequential or contact actuation |
Both are heavier and bulkier than a pneumatic nailer at the nose, with the battery adding weight behind the grip. That matters during overhead work or when installing a long run of crown molding. Check the manufacturer’s current manual and included accessories before buying; package contents and specifications can vary by listing.
Driving performance and common trouble
For baseboard, door casing, shoe molding and cabinet face frames, either tool can handle ordinary fastening without an air hose. Set the depth on scrap of the same material before moving to the finished piece. A brad that sits proud can be tapped in, but a brad driven too deep leaves a divot that needs filling and paint. Soft pine and MDF usually need a gentler setting than dense hardwood trim.
These nailers are not substitutes for a framing nailer, and 18-gauge brads are not structural fasteners. They are useful for holding trim while adhesive cures or keeping a small assembly aligned; use screws or appropriate construction fasteners where the joint must carry load. Very short brads can also split narrow stock if fired too close to an edge. Test the location and nail length, especially on delicate molding.
Flywheel tools need a moment to spin up after the trigger is pressed. They are less immediate than a pneumatic nailer, particularly when making rapid shots. If the motor runs but a brad does not fire, check the battery charge, confirm the magazine is loaded correctly, and clear a jam only with the tool switched off and the battery removed. A dry-fire lockout helps prevent firing with an empty magazine, but it does not make a jam impossible. Keep the nose pressed squarely against the work; an angled or incomplete contact can produce a poor set.
Platform, handling and workflow
The NT1850DE’s main advantage is straightforward for anyone already invested in Metabo HPT 18V tools: shared batteries and chargers reduce the cost and clutter of adding a nailer. The same logic favors the 2746-20 for an M18 owner. Battery compatibility is platform-specific, so do not assume a battery from another brand will fit just because the voltage is similar.
Milwaukee’s magazine holds 10 more brads on paper, a small convenience during a long installation. In normal trim work, both magazines need refilling often enough that capacity is unlikely to settle the decision. More important is whether you can comfortably reach the trigger and keep the nose square while holding the workpiece. If possible, handle each tool in a store or compare its weight with the battery you intend to use.
For occasional punch-list repairs, a pneumatic nailer may still be the better value if you already own a compressor. It avoids buying another battery platform, though the hose can snag around finished surfaces and stairs. If mobility is the priority, compare cordless 18-gauge brad nailers with the cost of a battery and charger included.
Price and value
Neither bare tool is a complete working setup if you lack its battery and charger. Before choosing by sticker price, total the tool, a battery suitable for sustained nailing, and a charger. A small battery may keep the tool lighter, but runtime and balance depend on the specific pack; a larger pack can add noticeable weight during overhead work. Check whether a listing is bare tool or a kit, and verify the exact model number before ordering.
The Metabo HPT is the sensible buy when it is substantially cheaper for a buyer already on that battery system. The Milwaukee is equally sensible for an M18 owner, particularly if buying the Metabo HPT would mean starting another platform. If neither battery system is on hand, shop the full package rather than assuming one nailer is inherently the bargain. A Metabo HPT NT1850DE listing and a Milwaukee 2746-20 listing are worth checking for current kit contents and price.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the NT1850DE if its price is better and you already own compatible Metabo HPT batteries, or if you prefer its handling after comparing the tools. Buy the 2746-20 if you are already invested in M18 and want to share packs across your tools. For a homeowner with a compressor and only a few trim repairs to do, neither cordless model is automatically worth the premium.
For frequent finish work, the convenience of leaving the compressor behind is real, but it does not remove the need for careful depth testing, correct brad selection and sound fastening practice. Pick the platform that fits your existing kit, then judge the final purchase by the complete price and the weight you will actually carry—not by a small difference in magazine capacity.