5 Best Nail Pullers of 2024 – Review & Buying Guide
If the task of pulling out nails were as easy as driving them in, you probably wouldn’t be reading this. Nail pullers come in various shapes and sizes, and any buyer is likely to get confused from the countless options in the market.
So what does it take to find the best nail puller, and which are the five best nail pullers of the year?
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nail puller buying guide
I have worked with several nail removers, including powered tools and simple handheld devices, and I can say that no two devices are the same. Small design features can either increase the efficiency and flexibility of your nail removing task or make it a pain in the backside.
Watch out. Many nail removers will not only make the extraction a struggle but also cause costly damage to your wood and other surfaces. In my experience, here is what matters most when shopping for a nail remover.
Power
Consider how much power you are getting with your tool. If power is of prime importance to you, choose a pressure-powered nail remover. This type of nail puller will make the nail extraction task an effortless undertaking so you can do more on your business day.
Remember, too, that some nail pullers are only useful on wood. In contrast, some others can deliver reliability on all surfaces, and regardless of the clearance between the nails and the surface.
For non-powered tools, the anatomy of your nail puller matters a great deal when it comes to efficiency. Products with longer handles will minimize the amount of force needed to gouge out the nails.
Shorter handles may be convenient for storage and portability, but they have a low mechanical advantage.
The head/nose profile
Remember that a nail puller with a larger profile may be hard to wedge between the surface and the nail. A narrow profile is always preferable so the device can easily slide in the small space between the surface and the nail. Such designs facilitate a speedy nail extraction process and preserve the structure of your surface from damage.
Strength
What is the material make of your nail puller’s handle, and how is it designed? These factors impact the resilience of the product and the level of abuse that it can withstand.
Some nail pulling jobs require more force applied to the nail puller, so your product should have the structural strength to withstand the impact. Steel performs better than most materials in this aspect.
Ergonomics
Ease of use, as you can expect, is a critical factor to consider when buying these tools. The right de-nailer can be used all day comfortably, as the handle circumference is designed to minimize stress on your hands. The gripping area of the handle of the ideal nail puller will be layered with rubber or similar materials to improve grip and reduce blistering on your hands.
Think about your work surface
Traditional nail pullers are more likely to leave scratches and dents on your wood surface. Powered models have smooth and slender profiles and could, therefore, be ideal for precision nail removal. You don’t want your finished wood surfaces to end up looking defaced from the nail-pulling activity. Take your time and choose wisely.
Weight
Lightweight nail pullers are more comfortable to carry around and up (when working on roofs). Lighter is better because you can work all day with the tool without feeling your energy has been heavily taxed. Ensure, though, that the lightweight design doesn’t compromise the product’s structural strength and efficiency.
The Best Nail Removers
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Stiletto TICLW12 Clawbar Titanium Nail Puller- Made of good quality products
- Select propellants that deliver consistent accuracy and performance
- Product is manufactured in Taiwan
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Here you have a 14-inch nail puller that weighs only eight ounces. With its claw bar design, this product may be ideal for those seeking multi-functionality: a nail puller and a prying bar in one.
Material
Titanium is the material of construction in the Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool. Strength is one of the benefits of titanium material and should serve as an indicator of the type of performance you can expect with this nail puller.
Titanium is similarly resistant to rust and corrosion. Durability should, therefore, be a guarantee with your Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool.
Design
The design in this item features a pry bar end, as well as a V slot for nail extraction on the other end of the bar. You may be able to use this nail puller as a pry bar at the same time. That means potential cost savings in your demolition job.
Efficiency
The nail puller end has a sharp and low profile V slot edge that should prove easy to lodge between surfaces and nails without causing extensive damage to the material.
Ergonomics
The manufacturer promises that the Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool is easy to hold and work with. Beware, though, that there is no rubberized grip or a similarly designed handle on this product. You’ll need to put on some thick gloves or else you will suffer blisters.
Pros
- The titanium frame promises strength and durability
- The item is lightweight
- It has a nail exposer for easy extraction
Cons
- No ergonomic handle
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Crescent 11" Nail Puller Pliers - NP11,Red/Black
- The functionality of the pliers allows you to easily remove nails from the front or back ot the wood.
- Unlimited flexibility allows user to easily extract nails regardless of size or if head of nail is damaged or removed
- The durability of forged steel head and handles create a durable tool with rubber grips for comfort and control
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
The Crescent NP11 is a plier type of nail puller that may be ideal for those looking for precision when working with finished surfaces. It can similarly be a handy acquisition for pulling nails both from the front and back of the wood.
Material
The Crescent NP11 is made of steel. Comparing the structural strength of this product with the first entrant in the review can start a never-ending debate of steel versus titanium. You can rest easy, though, knowing that with both steel and titanium, you have an assurance of strength and durability.
Design
Pliers nail pullers are more functional in precision tasks. An 11-inch size, dual handles, and a wedging head make this product effective at pulling, rolling, and removing nails off your surfaces with minimal damage.
The other advantage with this type of nail puller is that you should find it relatively efficient at removing even a headless nail or a nail with a damaged cap. All you have to do is grip the exposed bit of the nail, rotate and pull.
Ergonomics
The handles feature a rubber grip for ease of use. The rounded head provides the leverage you might need for an effortless nail-pulling job.
Weight
Despite its compact design, this item weighs one pound, which is a little heavier than the Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool.
Pros
- It is compact and durably built
- Ideal for precision nail pulling without damaging the wood
- Scores high points on ergonomics
Cons
- It is weighty
- The jaws are not seamlessly aligned
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Air Locker AP700 Heavy Duty Professional Air Punch Nailer / Nail...
- Air Inlet: 1/4 inch NPT Thread
- Operating Pressure: 80-120 PSI
- Driver Diameter: 0.16 inch
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Unlike the items reviewed earlier, this is a pneumatic nail remover that could offer the high precision needed on finished surfaces. Being a pressure powered tool also means that you will potentially be able to clear your workload much faster with it.
Design
The Air Locker resembles a nail gun, but in this case, it is designed to push nails out and not shoot them into your surfaces. It features a slim and long nose, which the manufacturer says may help it to fit in the small spaces where you need to push out nails.
The power tool operates on pressure between 80 – 120 PSI, with a 1/4″ air inlet. The design of this nail remover should help you prevent damage to your wooden pieces and achieve a successful reclamation.
Material
The body of the Air Locker nail remover is cast aluminum, which makes it lightweight, sturdy, and corrosion-resistant. Beware, though, that its structural strength falls far short of what you get with steel and titanium.
Ergonomics
The nose is slender and long to help this power tool fit on the tiny spaces where you want to push out the nails. The handle also features a rubberized grip to minimize fatigue from working with the tool.
The Air Locker de-nailer weighs a little over two pounds. That should be a manageable weight for single-handed working. Similarly, the ergonomic design will likely help to decrease the impact of this weight.
Pros
- Sturdily built
- Ergonomic nose and handle design
- Can be used on both soft and hardwood
- As a power tool, it’s a time saver and more efficient than the simpler devices reviewed
Cons
- There is a tendency for nails to get stuck in the plunger
- Safety concerns with the force with which nails shoot out of the wood
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ESTWING Nail Puller - 12" Double-Ended Pry Bar with Straight & Wedge...
- HIGH LEVERAGE DESIGN - Engineered to produce maximum torque when pulling nails & prying boards, this claw tool excels above the rest.
- REMOVES HEADLESS NAILS – The design of this cat's paw nail puller allows for headless nail removal with minimal wood damage.
- FORGED IN ONE PIECE – The most durable, longest lasting prying tools available are crafted from a single piece of solid steel and honed into the optimal design for use.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Like the Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool, the Estwing nail puller is both a pry bar and a nail puller in one. That kind of versatility could be ideal for those looking for cost cuttings; you get two tools for the price of one.
Design
The rounded claw bar could help increase the leverage and torque with your prying and pulling actions. The other end is a V-slot end, which the manufacturer claims is thin enough for fitting into small spaces between nails and surfaces.
Material
This nail puller is forged out of steel, meaning that durability and strength are a likely outcome. Unlike the titanium material used on the Stiletto ClawBar Nail Remover Tool, steel is not prone to bending and snapping.
Size
The Estwing nail puller is a 12-inch long nail puller and claw bar that weighs 1.21 pounds. The weight appears manageable for any professional or DIY enthusiast; however, the length of this tool could minimize its mechanical advantage. You might have to work more to get the nails out.
Ergonomics
Hardly any features for comfort or reducing fatigue on this device.
Versatility
The nail puller is adaptable, given the claws on both ends. On one end, the claws are raised to make a digger that’s ideal for digging into nails or headless nails. The other end is slender and has straight claws for working on exposed nails.
Despite the high versatility here, please note that this tool may not be recommendable for pulling nails out of finished surfaces.
Pros
- Claw bar and nail puller in one
- Slim ends for getting into tight spaces with ease
- Steel construction implies durability
Cons
- It can damage wood
- Not enough torque provided by the length of the bar
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3PLUS HAPT50SP Punch Nailer/Nail Remover/Nail Puller
- Punch nails out of hard woods and ideal for recycling wooden pallet or case
- Removable Nails Range: 10-20 gauge
- Powerful and durable for continuous use; comfortable rubber grip for fatigueless operation
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Editor’s Comments
Like the Air Locker AP700, the 3PLUS HAPT50SP de-nails by pushing nails through to the other side of the wood. This device is a powerful tool that runs on pressurized air and could thus be efficient for professionals who want to cover more ground much faster.
Material
The body is lightweight, made of die-cast aluminum, which is a decent material when it comes to durability and strength, but not as excellent as steel. You can expect a lightweight machine that should prove easy to work with for longer periods of time.
Design
The 3PLUS HAPT50SP nail remover is modeled similarly to a nail gun, just like the Air Locker AP700 reviewed earlier. The slender and longer nose, the manufacturer says, makes it easy to remove nails from small spaces.
Ergonomics
There is a rubberized grip handle that gives this item an edge over the many reviewed hand tools. Also, the proportionality of its handle and design fit should enable you to work more comfortably and efficiently.
Beware, though, that this item weighs 4.5 pounds, which is quite a bit heavier than the other tools in the review; the weight could slow you down.
Versatility
This pressure powered nail remover works by hitting nails from the back, so they fall off from the front. It could also come in handy in hammering if you wish to drive your nails further in without damaging your beautiful wood.
Pros
- Power tools are a time saver for professionals and serious DIYers
- The rubberized grip added makes it comfortable for long hours of use
- Ergonomic nose for efficiency
- Versatile
Cons
- Cases of air leaks
- Isolated incidences of quality control issues
The Best Pick
There is a stark contrast in the level of efficiency you get with a powered nail remover and a simple hand tool of a similar function. Faced with the choice, anyone who intends to save on energy and time would pick a power tool. Also, in this case, powered nail removers cause the least amount of damage to your wood and other surfaces.
The 3PLUS HAPT50SP is, therefore, the pick of the bunch. Speed and versatility could be attainable with the design of this device. Its design offers good ergonomics with a rubberized grip, while the long, slender nose improves efficient nail extraction on small spaces.
Unlike the Locker AP700, no nails get stuck in the plunger or ricochet unsafely here. These features and more make the 3PLUS HAPT50SP nail remover the most highly recommended buy.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by Tom Bradly