Table of Contents
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re trying to do the job right and without a lot of visibility on the wood surfaces that you’re stapling, then using staples really is a good idea, and an electric stapler has a tendency to be the best choice for those looking for the highest amount of staples per minute.
As you can probably see, I picked a fairly varied selection of electric staplers to review, but what should you look for when you’re making a purchase? In this part of the guide, I am going to tell you some of the best features that you should consider before buying.
The Physical Dimensions of the Electric Stapler
If you’re wondering what the most important feature is, this may just be it. When I’m working double duty on a site, the last thing I want to experience is significant hand fatigue because of a heavy tool, which is why a stapler should be relatively lightweight, especially if you’re going to be stapling for the long haul.
Electric staplers are known to be some of the most lightweight options for this type of tool, and as a general rule, if you don’t want to get over-fatigued, I’d suggest choosing a product that’s less than seven pounds. This way, you can tackle larger upholstery projects without aching hands.
In addition to the weight, the size rating of the product is also very important. Are you frequently stapling in areas without a lot of vertical clearance? If so, a large, bulky electric stapler gun will only make the job harder.
For this reason, you can definitely find products on the market that are designed for tighter spaces – though you may have to sacrifice staple gun capacity in order to have a smaller size.
What are other important features to consider?
Corded or Cordless? When you’re working with one of these products, you’ll have a choice between a cordless or corded product, and this is a fairly important decision to make. Let’s break down the two types:
- Corded – The most basic style of electric stapler gun will usually run on AC power, which means that you can plug it right into a standard wall socket and get to work. As long as you have power, you’ll be able to staple freely, but on the other hand, some find that the presence of a cord is very limiting. Thus, if you’re going to be stapling consistently in a place without AC power, like outside, then you may not want a corded unit. With that said, these products can be extended via extension cords.
- Cordless – As you might expect, being unfettered by a power cord can be quite freeing when you need to get work done in a large area. Cordless electric stapler guns can last for a fairly long period of time; in fact, when I used the Ryobi product that I reviewed above, I was impressed that it has a runtime of more than an hour on a single battery. With one of these types of staplers, you can carry extra batteries with you if you expect to work extensively on a job site.
The main drawback of a cordless staple gun is that you can definitely expect to spend more money, which is somewhat problematic for those on a budget. Also, the battery may make the cordless product a bit heavier, which is why you should consider the weight of the product with the battery installed before you make a purchase.
Safety Features
I’m not going to dance around this: If you’re not careful, you can hurt yourself when you’re using an electric staple gun to staple wood or other materials. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to seek out a product that has safety features so you can be spared a trip to the hospital.
One of the best built-in safety features of electric staple guns is they don’t require a lot of force to place a staple, which means that you’ll have more control over the stapling process and can be safer.
Having said that, you should look out for other important features before you make a purchase. Let’s take a look at a few useful features that you should consider:
- Trigger Safety Latch – When your staple gun isn’t in use, it’s a good idea to have a trigger safety latch, because this feature ensures that the trigger won’t be accidentally fired while the product is powered. These latches will secure the actual trigger in place so that it can’t be depressed, and on electric staple guns, this has become a fairly common feature.
- LED Light – Unfortunately, not every worksite is well-lit, and when you’re working in the dark, you don’t always have the extra hands to deploy a good flashlight. This is why a product with an LED light can be helpful. The LED light is typically mounted near the nose of the product and will provide more than adequate light to ensure that you can see what you’re stapling. So if you work in a lot of narrow, poorly lit areas, this may work well for you.
- Reinforced Power Cords – A stray staple can actually do damage to your power cord, which of course is a definite workplace hazard. So, it’s a good idea to purchase products that have sturdy, reinforced power cords so you won’t run into electrical problems.
Final Thoughts
In my estimation, the best electric staple gun can carry you through many of the jobs that you’d use a quality brad nailer or nail gun for, and you don’t end up with nearly as unsightly a result. The products that I featured in our guide all have some excellent features and are some of the best currently on the market.
If they don’t quite fit your precise needs, I also included a buyer’s guide so you can find the product that fits your specifications.
With technology constantly advancing, who knows where it will lead us? Battery technology is ready for advancement, so maybe soon we’ll see cordless electric staplers that have a much longer operation.
On top of this, there are many hybrid electric models hitting the market that work as both brad nailers and staple guns. These products work well for anyone that does a lot of varied work on wood like me, so it’ll be interesting to see where these hybrid electric products will go.
Reviews
Fasco 3G Electric Stapler by Maestri 71/C
No products found.
Best Electric Staple Gun for Speed
The first product that I tried in my electric staple gun reviews is the Fasco 3G Electric Stapler. This product includes a heavy duty hard case and is designed to be portable and lightweight.
In fact, despite its corded functionality, it’s very easy to use in a busy area due to the fact that it only weighs about six pounds. It’s able to shoot 3G, 7C, and 71 series 3/8″ to 5/8″ crown staples, and it’s a good product for doing upholstery.
If you’re looking for the best electric staple gun for compactness during upholstery, this one is fairly large, but the larger size means that you can hold several staples during the upholstery work process.
Also, if you need replacement parts for this gun, you may run into problems. The same can also be said for replacement staples, which have to be purchased online.
During initial use, I was pretty happy with the efficiency and quietness of this gun. It also has more than enough power to manage tougher materials like oak and other hardwood.
For those doing upholstery, you’ll find that you won’t need to apply much pressure to the surface to get a fairly deep staple.
Verdict
While I wouldn’t necessarily use this gun for hours on end in a professional capacity, I do think that it has enough oomph to manage most around-the-house jobs.
Fasco has done a fairly good job making this one of the best choices for anyone into upholstery because it doesn’t seem to have any issues going through hardwood.
Specifications
Type
Corded
Staples
3/8″ to 5/8″
Weight
6 pounds
Voltage
110 volts
PROS
- It has a trigger safety mechanism that will help prevent misfire.
- It has a fairly quiet operation.
- I found it to be relatively lightweight and easy to use for long periods of time.
CONS
- It’s a bit on the bulkier side.
- It’s hard to find replacement parts and staples.
Maestri ME 3G Electric Stapler
No products found.
Best Electric Staple Gun for Upholstery
The second staple gun on this list has a few similarities to the first. First, it can accommodate the same nails, such as the 3G, 7C, and 71 series 3/8″ to 5/8″ crown staples, which grants it significant adaptability for various upholstery jobs. It also weighs slightly more than the first gun at 6.61 pounds.
This isn’t much of a difference, and most people won’t experience extra fatigue during use.
It’s fairly hard to find replacement parts for this particular electric staple gun. The cord, which juts straight down from the base of the grip, has a tendency to get in the way during some jobs.
At almost seven pounds, this staple gun may be too much for some with weakened hands and arms.
This gun is very stable; if you need good accuracy for your upholstery projects, this may be the best stapler for your needs. When I used it, I also noticed that it didn’t really have any trouble piercing stronger woods.
The fact that this product can easily work with a wide variety of staples also makes it very versatile.
Verdict
Another great product for anyone that’s into doing their own upholstery, the Maestri 3G has a lot of built-in versatility. I noticed that the product’s construction is fairly sturdy; in fact, Maestri constructed it out of reinforced fiberglass, which means that it is durable for those that work in rougher environments.
Specifications
Type
Corded
Staples
3/8″ to 5/8″
Weight
6,5 pounds
Voltage
110 volts
PROS
- The product is capable of an impressive 100 shots per minute.
- The trigger is on the larger side, which makes it easy to depress accurately.
- Despite the larger trigger size, Maestri included a trigger latch for safety, which I found did a great job at preventing accidental firing during heavy duty jobs
CONS
- Finding replacement parts and staples can be tough.
- I noticed that it can jam sometimes, but the front plate is easily removable when this happens.
- It’s somewhat heavy.
Ryobi P360
No products found.
Best Electric Staple Gun for Portability
As the first product in this guide that is cordless, the Ryobi P360 really performs well for various jobs, including upholstery.
Not only does it accommodate 18 gauge narrow crown staples that range from 3/8″ to 1 ½”, but it also has a fairly lightweight construction.
In fact, the product, battery and all, only weighs about 6.45 pounds. The product uses an 18-volt battery pack that you can purchase multiples of so you can have extended cordless usage.
One of the first things I noticed about this product is that it’s on the bulkier side, which means it’s virtually disqualified from any upholstery projects that require a bit of maneuvering.
Also, after an extended period of usage, it seems like the pressure has a tendency to decrease, which is strange considering this model doesn’t require an air compressor.
This product is packed with some excellent features that I found very useful, like an LED light at the tip that makes darker upholstery jobs more visible.
Also, when I was far into the job that I was doing, the product warned me via an indicator that I’d need to reload soon, which is a great feature.
Verdict
You don’t always end up working on projects that are near a power outlet, which is where a product like the Ryobi P360 shines.
This is the go-to product for those that need more freedom of movement, and the fact that it has an LED light makes it great for darker jobs.
Specifications
Type
Cordless
Staples
18, 3/8″ to 1 ½”
Weight
6,5 pounds
Voltage
18 volts
PROS
- You’re able to adjust the depth without any tools.
- This product doesn’t require an air compressor, which is good for moderate duty jobs.
- It has a lightweight construction that won’t tire you out.
CONS
- You’ll need replacement batteries if you have a longer job.
- It can lose pressure over time.
Makita XTS01Z
No products found.
Best Electric Staple Gun for Versatility
This Makita product is another electric staple gun that’s designed to be used without the encumbrance of a cord. It has a 9 and 7/8-inch top surface which makes it fairly compact for closer jobs.
The product has a varied selection of compatible staples; in fact, it’s able to use 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 3/4″, and 7/8″ length staples, and 3/8″ crown staples.
When I was using this product, I noticed that some of my 3/8-inch crown staples simply would not fit into the machine.
This wasn’t the case with all of my 3/8-inch crown staples, which means that not all brands will work in this Makita product. The product can also be a bit slow to cycle.
I found it fairly easy to track exactly how many staples I had left because of the fact that Makita included a magazine window that shows the number of remaining staples.
You don’t have to adjust the depth with tools; this product has a depth control knob that makes it easy to go as deep as you need.
Verdict
One of the best features that I found set this product apart from its competitors is its incredible comfort; not only is it lightweight (5.3 pounds), but it also has a grip that’s very ergonomic and easy to use.
Specifications
Type
Cordless
Dimensions (inches)
4 x 11 x 10
Weight
5 pounds
Voltage
18 volts
PROS
- You can change the depth settings using a simple adjustment knob.
- The product has a heavy duty design that helps get staples into a wide array of materials.
- This is a very compact tool for tighter jobs.
- This product can even utilize Arrow T50 staples.
CONS
- Not all crown staples fit as well as others.
- This product doesn’t really have rapid firing.
Duo-Fast ENC-5418A
No products found.
Best Electric Staple Gun for Carpet
The final product in my guide also happens to be the lightest. The Duo-Fast ENC-5418A only weighs about four pounds, which makes it a good choice for large carpet-laying jobs or jobs where you’re doing upholstery for hours on end.
This product is a corded stapler, and I found that the long cord provided more than enough leeway to work comfortably. It works with 3/8″, 1/2″, and 9/16″ staples.
While you can certainly use the product for upholstery, it definitely excels more at laying carpet. I wish I could say that the product felt durable; however while I was using it, it felt a little bit flimsy.
This product was designed with a longer nose so that it can puncture and staple thicker carpeting, and the body of the product was designed for compactness, which makes it a good choice for anyone that works in tighter spaces.
It even has a lower tool height that will make laying carpet on stairs much easier.
Verdict
I loved the fact that this product came with a heavy duty case and 5,000 staples – it makes it much easier to get into your next project immediately. If you need a product that is great on carpet, then the Duo-Fast ENC-5418A might be your best choice.
Specifications
Type
Corded
Staples
3/8″, 1/2″, or 9/16″
Weight
Four pounds
Voltage
110 volts
PROS
- It has a low-slung design that’s good for carpet stapling.
- It can handle a wide variety of staple types.
- The magazine is nickel-plated, allowing very little dust to get caught in the load.
- At four pounds, this product isn’t heavy.
CONS
- This product’s durability ratings aren’t very high.
- If you’re doing upholstery, it may be better to find another stapler.