In this video I put two cordless nailers head-to-head: the Metabo HPT 18 gauge brad nailer vs the Metabo 23 gauge pin nailer. I’m always bouncing between random DIY adventure projects—repairs, builds, and whatever seasonal chaos I’ve got going—so I need tools that can actually hang. The big takeaway right up front: the 18 gauge brad nailer has been a fantastic all-purpose cordless nailer for the kind of work I do. On the flip side, my experience with the Metabo 23 gauge was a total letdown. I’ll own my part of it—I pushed it past what it’s really meant to do—but even with that said, it shouldn’t have failed like it did. The 23 gauge nailer was basically done by day two, and that’s not something I’m willing to work around when I’m trying to get projects finished. If you’re deciding between these two, my opinion is simple: grab the 18 gauge brad nailer for real-world DIY use, and skip the 23 gauge unless you’re only doing the lightest, most delicate pin-nailing jobs.