Rachel Shubin
Adrian Black-Seitz
Jasmine Paxton
Buying Guide for Hole Punchers
Why buy a hole puncher?
For those who like to keep organized, a hole puncher is a great tool to keep loose paper sheets from getting messy. Hole punches come in various types, depending on the number of pages you need to punch at one time. Whether working in an office or at home, a hole puncher is a great tool to have nearby.
What should you consider in a hole puncher?
- Holes: Consider how many holes you want to punch; three holes are the standard for 8.5- x 11-inch paper. However, sometimes you want something that can handle more than the standard binder rings or even punch a single hole.
- Capacity: Determine how many sheets you need to punch at a time. Hole punchers can get jammed like anything else, and some can only take a few sheets at a time.
- Portability: Some hole punchers are a bit smaller, making it easy to take on the go with you; others are larger and are best left in one place. Think about what works best for your needs.
How much should you expect to pay for a hole puncher?
There’s a relatively wide range of prices for hole punchers. You can find one for as little as $5, while a premium option can be reasonable at even $30. The larger the paper capacity and the number of holes, the higher the cost. If you need a basic one-hole punch or one that has a smaller capacity for the number of paper it can hold, you’ll most likely pay a lower price.
Our Picks for the Best Hole Punchers
Officemate Heavy-Duty 2-Hole Punch
A great option for a two-hole puncher with a comfortable grip.
$15.87 
Pros: The Officemate Heavy-Duty 2-Hole Punch is an excellent option if your paper needs two holes. It works on up to 50 pieces of paper so that you can fly through even thick stacks of paper. There’s even a padded handle, which makes it comfy to punch your paper. There are prong fasteners, making it easy to punch the paper you need accurately.
Cons: This is a great option for home use, but if you’re looking for something more professional-grade, this may not be the best fit.
Bottom Line: Get busy punching with this two-hole puncher that gets the job done. While it may not be up to the most complex tasks, it works great on almost any basic task in your home or office.
Bostitch Office 3-Hole Punch
A standard three-hole punch that cuts 12 papers at once.
$9.11 $9.89 Save 8%
Pros: The Bostitch Office 3 Hole Punch has three holes and can punch up to 12 sheets of paper at once. This durable, all-metal design comes with an easy-to-clean chip tray and a rubber base pad for stability during use. It is a slim and lightweight product, which takes up minimal space on the desktop and is easily stored in cabinets and drawers. This option works great for classrooms, offices, and homes.
Cons: It can be difficult to align your paper with this puncher.
Bottom Line: This quality option looks and works well on your desk or table at home. It provides a clean three-hole punch for up to 12 pages and even holds the punched-out paper so that it won’t make a mess.
AFMAT Electric Hole Punch 3-Ring
An electric hole puncher that works effectively without requiring much effort from you.
$37.99 $49.99 Save 24%
Pros: The AFMAT Electric Hole Punch 3 Ring is a time-saving hole puncher that works electrically. It also has a paper guide that helps ensure you get a clean and accurate punch for your papers. It can punch up to 20 pages at a time for a quick and easy way to keep your papers together. All you have to do is push a button to get this hole puncher going. It also comes with a battery to take it on the go.
Cons: This does not work well to punch a hefty amount of pages.
Bottom Line: Take the work out of hole punching with this electric option that works for you. All you have to do is press a button, and this option will punch up to 20 pages of paper.
Pros: The Swingline 1 Hole Punch is a handheld, single-hole punch made from metal. The slim handle plier design is easy to operate. It can also punch up to five sheets of paper at once, creating precise 1/4-inch holes. The metal hole punch opens easily to allow for disposal of scraps, and it fits easily in pockets to take along to school or store in a desk.
Cons: This hole puncher works best if you need to hole-punch a few sheets of paper. It can take a while to hole punch one at a time if you have a whole stack.
Bottom Line: This sturdy option won’t have any trouble hole punching your homework or small stacks of paper. While you wouldn’t want it for a major job, it’s a convenient way to punch holes.
Final Thoughts
Make your life a little easier and keep your important documents and papers in order with a quality hole puncher. It’s easy to find the right one if you know what you want, considering the amount of paper tasks you have and where you will store them—either at home, the office, or the classroom.
