The best stapler

The best office stapler for general use

+ Compact
+ Jamless

While some compact staplers can only handle a few sheets of paper at a time, this tough cookie can staple at least a couple of dozen. Its no-Jam technology is designed to avoid those familiar frustrating jams you get with more flimsy staplers, and it opens 180 degrees for tacking or crafting use.

The best stapler for stylish looks

+ Smart looks
+ Very durable

This is the most elegant stapler on our list. Its double-coasted die-cast zinc construction and sleek, streamlined looks means it will fit at home in even the fanciest office, especially if you opt for the gold or silver finish. As for the mechanics, you get a jam-resistant mechanism for accurate stapling.

The best stapler without staples

+ Lightweight
+ No staples

Instead of using metal to fasten sheets of paper, this stapler makes a small hole and tucks tiny pieces of the paper inside themselves to fasten the sheets together. It's easy to use and it's a lot more effective than you might expect. It's also highly portable, easily fitting into the palm of one hand.

Best automatic stapler

+ No need to press
+ Efficient

Staple up to 30 sheets at a time on AC or battery power with this automatic stapler. It has no less than 14 different settings for supreme adjustability. You can adjust the throat depth between .25 inches and 1.5 inches and lock it, and it comes with 210 staples included, which is refreshing.

Best long-arm stapler

+ Solid build
+ Long reach

The Rapesco ECO 790 is a heavy duty long-arm with a a full metal chassis and a front loading magazine. It has a calibrated adjustable paper guide/margin adjuster and offers a stapling depth of up to 300mm. It's able to take both 24/6 and 26/6mm staples, or 24/8 and 26/8mm staples.

The best plier stapler

+ Strong build
+ Multi-material

If you need to staple tougher materials, use this. It functions just like a pair of pliers – you just squeeze the two handles together. It's still a reasonably compact device, but it can bind up to 70 sheets of paper at a time and can handle thicker material like card, canvas, sack cloth and plastic wrapping.

Best staple gun for crafts

+ Powerful
+ Great value

If you need to staple things to a surface like a wall or a frame, then you're getting into staple gun territory. this relatively lightweight staple gun is maneuverable enough to access tight spots, and the chrome-plated steel construction makes it a durable tool with a jam-clear mechanism.

The best mini stapler

+ Small and portable
+ Very cheap

This mini stapler is very compact but takes regular-sized staples. It performs as well as a lot of larger desktop staplers, the only difference being its lower capacity and perhaps its durability, since it's made mostly of plastic. Also, the tab that holds staples in place is a little temperamental.