Investing in a quality staple gun is a smart decision that will help you save time, effort, and energy in the long run. However, it’s difficult to decide which is the best staple gun for the project types you’re working on. Keep reading to discover the best manual, electric, and pneumatic options that are available today, and cover some of the important features and characteristics you’ll want to look for in a staple gun.
Quick Look: Our Favorite Products
Before we jump into our buying guide, let’s take a closer look at five of the best and most popular staple guns that are available now.
5 Best Staple Guns Reviewed 2019
1. Arrow Fastener PT50 Pneumatic Staple Gun
This brand is among the most well-known and trusted brands of staplers and nailers, and their PT50 model blends performance and economy in one neat little package. This versatile stapler uses any P50 Arrow staple, and they’re available in 6-14mm sizes so that you’ll always be able to find the right staple 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 you’ll 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
- Prone to jamming
2. Könnig Heavy-Duty 3-in-1 Manual Staple Gun
This heavy-duty stapler from Könnig is ideal for anyone who is looking for a no-frills manual stapler that can get the job done right.
One of the finest points if this stapler 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. The all steel construction and durable chrome plated finish help this stapler stand up to anything you can throw at it.
Convenience features like a drop in quick loader make this stapler easy to refill in just a few seconds, and a reload indicator lets you know exactly when you’re going to 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 We Like
- Built to last
- Accepts staples or brads
- Includes fasteners
What Could Be Better
- Takes a toll on your hands after extended use
3. Stanley Sharpshooter TR150HL Manual Staple Gun
With its array of smart performance features and it’s comfortable design, it’s no wonder the Stanley Sharpshooter is the most popular manual stapler on the market.
This lightweight stapler is made from aircraft aluminum and features an ergonomically molded handle that’s easy to squeeze, which generates less hand fatigue during long jobs.
A Hi/Lo power mode selector allows you to tailor the power of the stapler to the type of material you’re working with to ensure that the staples are driven perfectly regardless of the material you’re working with.
An anti-jamming mechanism helps you save time on the job, and it’s a welcomed addition since jamming is common among manual staplers.
This stapler accepts staples from 6-14mm long, and it’s compatible with Stanley TRA700 series staples as well as the industry standard T50 from Arrow Fastener.
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Less fatigue during longer jobs
- Hi/Lo power mode
- 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, you’re already well aware of how taxing it can be to use a manual stapler hundreds of times in a row. Thankfully, electric options like the TRE550Z from Stanley help take the hard work out of the job so you can 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 you’re working with. There’s also an indicator window that lets you know exactly when it’s time to reload.
It’s versatile, as well, and accepts Stanley TRA700 series staples as well as Arrow Fastener T50 staples, and brads from ½-⅝”.
The nose of the stapler sits flush to the surface, and the tool maintains a fairly low profile, which makes it ideal for stapling in tight quarters that larger powered staplers wouldn’t be able to fit in.
A contoured grip makes this stapler even more comfortable to use, and since it doesn’t require any hand power, you’ll be able to work for longer without hand fatigue becoming a concern.
The TRE550Z also features a very impressive lifetime warranty, so you’ll be covered forever if your stapler ever fails on you.
That said, if there’s one knock against this machine, it’s the short eight-foot power cord. If you’re working away from an outlet, you’ll need an extension cord to keep the party going.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Compatible with staples or brads
- Hi/Lo power mode
- Lifetime warranty
What Could Be Better
- Power cord is only 8’ long
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5. Milwaukee M12 Stapler Lithium-Ion Cordless
The M12 is part of Milwaukee’s 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 ⅜” 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 it’s 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 you’re 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 you’ll 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
- Doesn’t fire brads
Staple Gun Buying Guide
Whether you go for one of the models we covered above, or decide to choose a completely different model; there are some important factors you’ll want to evaluate to select the best staple gun for your needs.
Types of Staple Guns
Arguably the most important thing you’ll need to decide on is which of the three styles of staple gun is best for you.
Manual Staplers
These are a classic hand tool that’s stood the test of time, even as electric and pneumatic versions of the tool have become more popular.
Manual staplers require no power and are instead powered by the lever action of your hand driving the trigger down. The energy from the handle is then transferred to the hammer inside the stapler, which drives the staple into the material you’re working with.
They’re reliable and easy to use, but they can also cause hand fatigue with extended use, even if you use work gloves, so most professionals opt for electric or pneumatic versions. However, if you’re looking for a stapler to use occasionally on smaller jobs, a manual stapler will probably be your best choice.
Electric Staplers
With electric models, the lever action of your hand pressing down on the trigger is eliminated, and instead, power is generated from the electric motor of the stapler.
These staplers are easiest to use, and they don’t 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 you’ll need to be working close to an outlet, or have an extension cord available.
Battery-powered models don’t require outlets or extension cords, but the batteries do drain, and if you don’t plan ahead, you may find yourself halfway through the job with a battery you need to recharge before you can continue.
Pneumatic Staplers
Lastly, there are pneumatic staplers. These staplers get their power from an air compressor instead of an electric motor. They’re popular because they offer impressive power and they also have less moving parts that can break, jam, or malfunction when compared to electric staplers.
However, since they require an air compressor for power, they may be less practical for DIY jobs.
Lithium-Ion Cordless Staple Gun
Never be stuck needing electric, compressor or a sore hand for the rest of the day. Lithium-Ion cordless staple guns are great to pull out use without needing a bunch of extra equipment. The Milwaukee M12 really packs a lot of punch in its one of my daily carries on the job site.
Features to 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. Be sure to look for these features when choosing your stapler.
Adjustable Power
Power adjustment settings will alter how deeply the stapler will drive staples into the material you’re 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 you’re 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 call for different fasteners, but not all staplers will be able to work with all fastener types. In fact, most only work with standard staples.
If you want the added versatility that comes with being able to use multiple fastener types, look for a model with 3-in-1 functionality that can drive different staples as well as brads.
Further, all fasteners come in multiple lengths, but not all staplers are compatible with fasteners of all lengths. You’ll 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 are time-consuming and annoying, and they can also turn a small job into an all day project.
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 $30, more expensive electric or pneumatic models should be built to last.
A strong warranty covers you if something goes wrong with your new stapler, and it also provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re covered should the stapler break.
Final Word
While each of the staplers we’ve covered is a viable choice for the title of the best staple gun, only one stapler can be crowned the winner. Our choice for the best staple gun is the Stanley TRE550Z stapler. This stapler hits on every critical point: It’s affordable, it’s compatible with a variety of fasteners and fastener lengths, it has a quality anti-jamming mechanism, and it’s built to stand up to anything you throw at it.
While the power cord is a bit on the short side, a quality extension cord quickly renders that a non-issue. Add to that the unprecedented lifetime warranty and you have an affordable and useful tool that’s capable of tackling any DIY project you may have. What staple gun is your top pick? Leave a comment and let us know.
