Ridgid 18V Brushless 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer R9893 Review

Introduction

Ridgid’s 18V Brushless 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer (model R9893) is a refresh of the brand’s original brushless finish nailer, and it arrives with a clear set of improvements: it is claimed to be 15% lighter, 10% more compact and 35% faster than the R09892 that came before it. It is available as a tool-only unit (suffix B) or as a kit (suffix K) with an 18V 2Ah lithium ion battery.

The tool-only version is priced at $269, which makes sense for anyone who already owns a stack of Ridgid batteries. If you want the complete kit, adding about $50 brings it to $319 and includes the 2Ah compact battery.

Who This Nailer Is For

This is a trim carpentry tool first and foremost. It is well suited to baseboard and crown molding installation, as well as on-site tasks like cabinet assembly. The 16 gauge format gives you a larger nail head and more holding power than an 18 gauge brad nailer, which matters when you want trim to stay put.

It drives 1-1/4 inch to 2-1/2 inch 16 gauge finish nails, including in hardwoods, so it covers most common trim work without fuss.

Main Strengths

Runtime is the headline claim: up to 1,700 nails per charge, which from typical trim jobs is effectively an all-day workload. Combined with the speed improvement over the previous model, the tool should feel responsive when you are working through a long run of trim.

The R9893 keeps several practical features that make it easy to live with. The tool-free jam release is retained, and there is a dry-fire lockout so the tool will not fire blanks when it runs out of nails and mark up your workpieces. The tool-free power adjustment regulates air pressure, letting you dial in the tool for the type of wood you are driving into.

An integrated LED light adds visibility when you are setting nails in corners or dimly lit areas. The contact tips offer what appears to be decent variability, and, as with all Ridgid tools, the lifetime service agreement is a genuinely valuable ownership benefit.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The obvious question is whether owners of the original brushless model should upgrade. Pricing between the two is very similar right now, with only around a $10 difference, so upgrading does not obviously make sense if you already own the older tool.

In fact, the previous model has a wider nail range, so if you need to fire shorter 16 gauge nails, the older model actually supports that. The R9893’s advantages are mainly that it is a little faster and a little lighter.

Buying Advice

If you are doing a lot of trim work, want a slightly easier tool to handle all day, or are simply due for a new nailer, the R9893 is the one to pick. If you already own the previous model and it works for you, there is little reason to change unless you specifically want the reduced weight and speed.

Tool-only buyers who already own Ridgid batteries get the best value at $269; first-time buyers should weigh the $319 kit with the 2Ah compact battery.

Conclusion

The Ridgid R9893 is a sensible evolution of an already capable finish nailer: lighter, more compact, faster, with up to 1,700 nails per charge and the lifetime service agreement backing it up. New buyers get a well-rounded trim tool; existing owners of the previous model can comfortably hold onto what they have.