Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Staple guns are available in three main types: manual, electric, and pneumatic.
The Spruce
Avid DIYers will suffice with a manual staple gun for projects around the house.
These are often more affordable and accept various types of staples.
In this case, look for ergonomic or padded handles to reduce fatigue, especially for large projects.
PHOTO: WORKPRO
Should you forget, all of the accepted staple types and sizes are labeled right on the stapler handle.
A small window lets you easily see when it’s time to reload.
Plus, a high/low power switch lets you adjust the tool’s force between hard and soft materials.
PHOTO: Mr. Pen
You get 1,000 T50, JT21, and T25 staples and 1,000 18-gauge brad nails along with the stapler.
Pen manual staple gun is ideal for your needs.
Plus, it’s budget-friendly.
PHOTO: Arrow
This stapler uses only D-shaped, 5/16-inch-length staples and includes a box of 2,000.
It’s a compact stapler, so it doesn’t hold a lot of staples at one time.
Pen is a useful addition to anyone’stoolbox or craft kit.
PHOTO: NEU MASTER
This corded electric stapler takes heavy-duty T50 (D-shaped) staples from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in length.
The staple gun fully charges in 90 minutes and can shoot up to 500 staples on a single charge.
The stapler has a comfortable handle that won’t tire out your hands.
PHOTO: DEWALT
The staple gun comes with 300 T50 staples and a USB charging cord.
And the tool’s heavy-duty ratchet provides more force when driving staples into hard materials.
A tension knob lets you adjust how deeply the stapler drives the fasteners.
PHOTO: Yeahome
However, the magazine pulls out for easy access to jammed staples.
you could lock the stapler handle when not in use to prevent accidental firings.
The stapler comes with 1,000 each of D, U, T, and I staples.
PHOTO: Arrow
For safety, this staple gun has two triggers that must be depressed to shoot staples.
This allows you to work very quickly when stapling along a long stretch of material.
An adjustable exhaust cover lets you direct hot air away from you while you work.
PHOTO: Arrow
Note that this stapler does not come with any staples, so you will need to purchase them separately.
It takes D-shaped T50 staples in lengths of 5/16-inch, 3/8-inch, or 1/2-inch.
Plus, it has an anti-jam mechanism to reduce misfires and staple jams.
PHOTO: DEWALT
The steel frame of this stapler is extremely durable.
Plus, its trigger is designed to be much easier to squeeze than similar tools.
But this general-purpose manual staple gun is not lightweight in terms of performance.
Wondering how to decide which is right for you?
For example, our best overall, theWorkpro 6-in-1, accepts six types of staples.
There are a few things to know about staples.
Staple gauge is a measure of the thickness of the staple wire.
The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire.
So, for example, a 12-gauge staple is thicker than a 16-gauge staple.
As a general rule, all-purpose staples are between 16 and 20 gauge.
Upholstery staples are usually 22-gauge, as these thinner staples wont show up on the finished furniture.
Within the various gauges, youll also find different widths and lengths of staples.
The width of the staple is typically indicated as a narrow crown, medium crown, or wide crown.
Wide-crown staples are large fasteners often used in construction.
Medium-crown staples are more of an all-purpose fastener.
Some brands use letters to identify the shape of the staples.
A D staple has a flat crown or top.
A U staple has a curved or rounded top.
A T staple is a small nail or brad.
An I staple is a small pin.
Staples also come in different lengths.
Youll frequently encounter T50 when looking at staple gun specifications.
T50 is a trademark of the Arrow company, which manufactures many popular staple guns.
Comfort
It can be very tiring to use a manual staple gun for long.
If you have weak or pain-prone hands, an electric staple gun can be your best option.
Many have a small window that lets you see at a glance if you are getting low.
Staples often are more visible in the finished project and are more difficult to remove if necessary.
Whatever key in of staple gun you choose, you are likely to experience jams occasionally.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullmanis the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce.
