Quick Look At Our Favorite Products
Before we jump into our buying guide, lets take a closer look at five of the best and most popular staple guns that are available now.
Five Of The Best Staple Guns – Reviewed
1. Arrow Fastener Pneumatic Staple Gun PT50 Pneumatic Staple Gun
This brand is a trusted and well-respected brand of staplers. The PT50 model combines performance and economy in a compact package. The versatile stapler can be used with any P50 Arrow staple and is available in sizes 6-14mm so you’ll always have the right one for the job.
Convenience features like a quick-load magazine and adjustable exhaust cover make this intuitive tool easy to use, and an over-molded grip makes it comfortable to hold, even during longer and more strenuous jobs. This tool can be bump fired, which will help you breeze through larger jobs with ease.
This staple gun works with any home air compressor up to 120 PSI, and it includes all the fittings youll need to hook it up to your machine and get going.
Add to that the fact that this stapler comes in at a very attractive price point and you have a comfortable and easy to use tool that packs plenty of power and value, too.
What We Like
- Powerful
- Comfortable and easy to use
- Strong warranty
What Could Be Better
- Jamming is not for you
2. Knnig Heavy-Duty 3-in-1 Manual Staple Gun
This heavy-duty stapler from Knnig is ideal for anyone who is looking for a no-frills manual stapler that can get the job done right.
This stapler’s greatest asset is its versatility. This model can fire standard or U-shaped staples as well as brads, making it ideal for everything from basic home improvement work to furniture re-upholstery.
While this stapler does require a bit of elbow grease, the soft rubber handle makes this stapler comfortable to use on most jobs. This stapler is made of all-steel and has a durable chrome plated finish that will withstand any kind of abuse.
A drop-in quick loader makes it easy to refill the stapler in a matter of seconds. Additionally, a reload indicator tells you when you will run out of staples.
As a bonus, this stapler includes a total of 1,500 fasteners, including 500 standard and 500 U-shaped staples as well as 500 brads.
What Could Be Better
- After prolonged use, it can take a toll on your hands
3. Stanley Sharpshooter TR150HL Manual Staple Gun
With its array of smart performance features and its comfortable design, its no wonder the Stanley Sharpshooter is the most popular manual stapler on the market.
This lightweight stapler is made of aircraft aluminum. It features an ergonomically-molded handle that’s easy to squeeze. This reduces hand fatigue when working long hours.
A Hi/Lo power mode selector allows you to tailor the power of the stapler to the type of material youre working with to ensure that the staples are driven perfectly regardless of the material youre working with.
Anti-jamming mechanisms are a time saver and a welcome addition, as jamming is a common problem for manual staplers.
This stapler accepts staples from 6-14mm long, and its compatible with Stanley TRA700 series staples as well as the industry standard T50 from Arrow Fastener.
What We Like
- It is simple to use
- Less fatigue during longer jobs
- Power mode Hi/Lo
- Affordable
What could be better?
- Plastic handle is prone to breakage
4. Stanley TRE550Z Electric Staple Gun
If you use your stapler often, or on larger projects, youre already well aware of how taxing it can be to use a manual stapler hundreds of times in a row. Electric options such as the Stanley TRE550Z help you to focus on your work.
This powerful electric stapler features a Hi/Lo power mode so you can tailor the power of the tool to the material youre working with. Theres also an indicator window that lets you know exactly when its time to reload.
It is versatile and can accept both staples of the Stanley TRA700 series and Arrow Fastener T50 staples. Brads are also accepted.
The stapler’s nose is flush with the surface. This makes it easy to tap in tight spaces that larger staplers might not be able to.
A contoured grip makes this stapler even more comfortable to use, and since it doesnt require any hand power, youll be able to work for longer without hand fatigue becoming a concern.
The TRE550Z also features a very impressive lifetime warranty, so youll be covered forever if your stapler ever fails on you.
That said, if theres one knock against this machine, its the short eight-foot power cord. If youre working away from an outlet, youll need an extension cord to keep the party going.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Compatible with brads and staples
- Power mode Hi/Lo
- Lifetime warranty
What could be better?
- The power cord is just 20 cm in length
5. Milwaukee M12 Stapler Lithium Ion Cordless
The M12 is part of Milwaukees popular 12v lithium-ion line of products, and it offers the power of an electric stapler with the convenience and mobility of a battery powered tool.
This stapler fires staples in a variety of sizes from 6-14mm and it features a slotted magazine so you can always see how many staples you have left before its time to reload.
There are tons of innovative features designed to help you work smarter and more effectively, such as a staple leg locator and contact actuation for rapid firing. A dry fire lockout mode helps prevent unintended damage to your work surface.
An adjustment dial also allows you to quickly adjust the power of the stapler for the material youre working with to ensure perfectly flush stapling every time.
This stapler is compatible with all M12 series batteries, and it provides up to 1,500 staples on a single charge, so youll be able to power through all but the biggest of jobs before you need to switch out your batteries.
What We Like
- Compatible with all M12 Batteries
- Power adjustment dial
- Staple leg locator
What Could Be Better
- Doesnt fire brads
Staple Gun Buying Guide
You can choose from one of the models that we have already mentioned or a completely new model. However, there are important things you need to consider in order to find the right staple gun for you.
Different Types Of Staple Guns
The most important decision you will need to make is which style of staple gun you prefer.
Manual Staplers
These are a classic hand tool thats stood the test of time, even as electric and pneumatic versions of the tool have become more popular.
Manual staplers do not require power. Instead, they are powered by the lever action in your hand that pulls the trigger down. The energy from the handle is then transferred to the hammer inside the stapler, which drives the staple into the material youre working with.
Although they are reliable and simple to use, prolonged use can cause hand fatigue, even with work gloves. Professionals prefer electric or pneumatic staplers. However, if youre looking for a stapler to use occasionally on smaller jobs, a manual stapler will probably be your best choice.
Electric Staplers
Electric models eliminate the need to press down on the trigger with your hand. Instead, power is generated by the electric motor.
These staplers are easiest to use, and they dont require anywhere near as much energy as a manual stapler does. Simply pull the trigger, and the machine does all the work.
Electric staplers are available in both corded and battery-powered models. Corded models offer reliable power time after time, but youll need to be working close to an outlet, or have an extension cord available.
Battery-powered models dont require outlets or extension cords, but the batteries do drain, and if you dont plan ahead, you may find yourself halfway through the job with a battery you need to recharge before you can continue.
Pneumatic Staplers
There are also pneumatic staplers. These staplers get their power from an air compressor instead of an electric motor. Theyre popular because they offer impressive power and they also have less moving parts that can break, jam, or malfunction when compared to electric staplers.
They are however less useful for DIY projects because they require an air compressor to run.
Cordless Lithium-Ion Staple Gun
Never feel like you are stuck with an electric compressor, compressor, or sore hand for the remainder of the day. The cordless Lithium-Ion staple guns are easy to use and don’t require a lot of additional equipment. I carry the Milwaukee M12 every day on the job.
What Features Should You Look For?
While all staplers serve the same basic purpose, there are several key features that help differentiate the most useful and well-made versions from cheap junk. These features should be considered when selecting a stapler.
Adjustable power
The power adjustment settings can alter the depth at which the stapler will drive the staples through the material you are working with. Softer materials are easier to drive staples through, while harder materials require more power.
Adjustable power will also you to tailor the amount of power you have to the material youre working with, which will ensure perfectly flush staples every time.
Fastener Compatibility
There are several styles of staples on the market, including standard and U-shaped varieties and small nails called brads. Different jobs require different fasteners. However, not all staplers can be used with all types of fasteners. In fact, most only work with standard staples.
You will want to be able to drive multiple types of fasteners, so look for models with 3-in-1 functionality. These models can drive both brads and staples.
Further, all fasteners come in multiple lengths, but not all staplers are compatible with fasteners of all lengths. Youll want to make sure your tool can handle different sizes as well as types when evaluating different staplers.
Anti-Jamming Mechanism
Another key feature to look out for is an anti-jamming mechanism. Staple jams can be frustrating and time-consuming, as well as making a small project seem like a full-time job.
A quality anti-jamming mechanism helps eliminate this issue, so you can focus more on the task at hand and less on removing staple jams.
Warranty
The last factor to consider is the type of warranty offered by the manufacturer. While manual staplers rarely break and usually cost under more expensive electric or pneumatic models should be built to last.
You have peace of mind knowing that your stapler is covered in the event of a problem.
The Final Word
Each of the staplers that we have covered is an option for the title „best staple gun“, but only one can win. The Stanley TRE550Z is our choice for best staple gun. This stapler is affordable, compatible with a variety fasteners and lengths, has an anti-jamming mechanism and can withstand any type of damage.
