DeWalt just rounded out its finish nailer lineup. The DCN220 20V MAX XR 16-gauge straight finish nailer is official, and it’s the most compact 16-gauge straight nailer the company has ever built. The announcement came out of DeWalt’s Built Black and Yellow event, alongside four other new carpentry tools.
The DCN220 in context
This is a direct successor to the DCN662, and the numbers tell the story. The DCN220 measures 3.1 inches wide at the nose, compared to 4.4 to 5.8 inches on prior 16-gauge models. At up to 5 nails per second and a 110-nail magazine, it’s built for trim crews who spend a full day hanging casing. It handles fasteners up to 2.5 inches, which covers baseboard, crown, and doorstop work.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Gauge | 16-gauge straight |
| Max fastener | 2.5 in |
| Firing rate | Up to 5 nails per second |
| Magazine capacity | 110 nails |
| Width at nose | 3.1 in |
| Jam release | Tool-free |
| Price | $399 bare |
| Platform | 20V MAX XR |
Why the size matters
Narrower is genuinely useful here, not just a marketing line. A 16-gauge straight nailer gets shoved between cabinet faces, under chair rails, and into corners where an angled body can’t fit. The narrower the tool, the closer to the edge you can place a nail without leaning on the workpiece. DeWalt also kept the tool-free jam release and added a low-nail lockout LED, so you’re not dry-firing at the top of a ladder.
Features that carry over from the XR line
- Tool-free jam release: clears a bent nail without reaching for a hex key, mid-trim.
- Low-nail lockout LED: blinks when you’re running low instead of letting the gun click on empty.
- Stall release: eases off if a fastener hangs, so you can pull the tool away cleanly.
- Bare tool config: $399 is the tool only, which makes sense if you already own 20V MAX XR packs.
The bump to 110-round capacity is the other quiet upgrade. On a finish nailer, reloads are the bottleneck, and 110 vs the usual 100-plus on this class saves a few minutes on a full door-and-casing build.
How it stacks up
16-gauge straight is the workhorse gauge for trim work, and the competition is thick. Milwaukee sells the M18 FUEL 16-gauge angled (2841-20), Makita has the XNB02Z, and Bosch runs its own 18V offering. DeWalt’s pitch is the narrow body plus the existing 20V MAX XR battery platform. If you’re already running DeWalt batteries, the bare-tool price at $399 is really the only number that matters.
Where this gets interesting for DIYers: a 16-gauge straight nailer overlaps with 18-gauge brad work for most home projects. Our best cordless brad nailers roundup covers the smaller-gauge side of that equation, and best cordless finish nailers 2026 covers the 15-gauge angled guns if you’re deciding between gauges.
When and where to buy
DeWalt hasn’t published a ship date or a retailer listing yet, so treat $399 as announced pricing until stock shows up. It should land at the usual DeWalt retailers (Amazon, Acme Tools, Home Depot) in the coming weeks. If you’re on the fence about a nailer at all, our cordless nailers guide walks through the full lineup including gauge choices.
Source: Pro Tool Reviews, August 28, 2026. Specs as announced; verify current price at purchase.
FAQ
Is the DCN220 the same as the DCN662?
No. The DCN662 is DeWalt’s existing 16-gauge angled finish nailer. The DCN220 is the new straight version with the narrower 3.1-inch body. If your work is mostly through baseboards and corners and you want the slimmest profile, the 220 is the one to watch.
Will it work with my existing 20V MAX batteries?
Yes. It runs on the same 20V MAX XR packs as every other DeWalt 20V tool, including the PowerStack and FlexVolt options.