See Our Test Results from 2024’s Best Staple Guns for Various Projects
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about See Our Test Results from 2024’s Best Staple Guns for Various Projects and hope the blog can help you.
We’ve tested and tacked down a group of the top staple guns on the market for home and professional use.
Staple guns can be just the tools for jobs where a nail gun would be overkill. Staples can penetrate and fasten weaker materials like plywood, sheathing, screen, or fabric without tearing it apart. Whether you’re hanging outdoor holiday decorations, installing house wrap, laying carpet, or mounting delicate moldings, a staple gun can be indispensable for plenty of projects.
To help you choose the right model for your job, we performed hands-on testing with several top options. We also spoke to licensed contractor and owner of Blue Rise Roofing, Yaeir Moinzadeh, to get an expert’s opinion on using these tools.
Based on our tests and research, we voted the DeWalt Heavy-Duty Staple and Brad Tacker the best choice overall. It’s easy to load and boasts a lightweight yet quality build that can withstand frequent DIY or jobsite use. Still, several other options performed admirably and may be better suited to your specific needs. From standard manual models to high-powered pneumatic tools, these are some of the best staple guns for a variety of tasks.
- BEST OVERALL: DeWalt Heavy-Duty Staple and Brad Tacker
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Arrow T50 Heavy-Duty Staple Gun
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Stanley Heavy-Duty Steel Staple Gun
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ELECTRIC: DeWalt Heavy-Duty Electric 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PNEUMATIC: Arrow PT50 Pneumatic Staple Gun
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR FINISH WORK: Bostitch 18-Gauge Pneumatic Finish Stapler Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR CONSTRUCTION: Senco SNS41 2-Inch Construction Stapler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR UPHOLSTERY: Porter-Cable 22-Gauge ⅜-Inch Upholstery Stapler
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Hours/Weeks/Time spent testing | 8 hours |
| Tests performed | 6 |
| Price range | $20 to $200 |
Our Top Picks
Choosing the right staple gun might seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we detail our test results and provide additional insights to help you select the right model.
Best Overall
DeWalt Heavy-Duty Staple and Brad Tacker
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Gauge: T50, 18
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
What We Like
- Lightweight yet durable for frequent use
- Suitable for heavy-duty projects and construction
- Easy to load compared to other staple guns
- Features a built-in viewing window
What We Don’t Like
- Works best with softer woods
When it comes to manual options, our choice for the best overall is Dewalt’s heavy-duty staple and brad tacker. This nailer fires standard T50 staples and 18-gauge brads, providing flexibility for many fastening projects. While its aluminum construction makes it a lightweight tool, we found it to be quite durable in our tests.
We also liked how easy it is to load staples for our tests, though we did struggle at first to figure out how to load the brads. Once loaded, however, this model drove them through moldings with ease. Its built-in view window made it easy to see when our fasteners were getting low, and the tacker’s attached belt clip was very sturdy.
What our tester says: “This model packed more punch than any other manual model. When I fired the longest staples the gun would hold into construction lumber, it resulted in a near-flush penetration. Also, compared to other options, this DeWalt’s build quality really stood out.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester & writer
Read our full review: DeWalt Heavy-Duty Staple and Brad Tacker
Get the DeWalt staple gun at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Arrow T50 Heavy-Duty Staple Gun
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Gauge: T50
- Weight: 1.96 pounds
What We Like
- Durable, all-steel construction
- Suitable for DIY or light professional use
- Affordable price point
What We Don’t Like
- Can be difficult to squeeze and load
DIYers looking for a value-forward staple gun with enough power to tackle most projects should check out Arrow’s heavy-duty staple gun. This manual model features chrome-polished, all-steel construction that’s both durable and rust-resistant. It shoots T50 staples and is useful for stapling house wrap, upholstery, signage, and more.
Testing revealed that this manual staple gun had decent power, though it was not the most powerful in the group. We liked its classic design and heavy-duty steel construction, but it was sometimes difficult to squeeze. It was also a little finicky to load, but at its very reasonable price tag, a couple of minor inconveniences aren’t enough to deter us from endorsing this option.
Get the Arrow T50 staple gun at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Upgrade Pick
Stanley Heavy-Duty Steel Staple Gun
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Type: Manual
- Gauge: T50
- Weight: 2.03 pounds
What We Like
- Ideal for DIYers and professionals
- Strong chrome-plated steel construction
- Features a jam-clear mechanism and handle lock
What We Don’t Like
- Staples are not included with purchase
Stanley’s steel staple gun will be a reliable, lightweight tool for any homeowner or DIYer, yet it’s also strong and well-made enough for use on a jobsite. Though it’s still a manual option, it has upgraded features like a convenient handle lock for safety and a jam-clear mechanism for consistently effective use.
The Stanley is constructed with chrome-plated steel, making it a suitable staple gun for wood, upholstery, plastics, and more. It accepts full-stick bottom-loading and holds T50 heavy-duty staples between ¼ and 9/16 inches. The only downside users should be aware of is that they’ll need to purchase staples separately before using this gun.
Get the Stanley staple gun at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Electric
DeWalt Heavy-Duty Electric 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Electric
- Gauge: 18
- Weight: 3 pounds
What We Like
- Electric functionality is ideal for extended use
- Comfortable rubber grip prevents hand strain
- Wire guide increases tacking accuracy
What We Don’t Like
- Slightly heavier than comparable options
The DeWalt 5-in-1 multi-tacker is the only electric staple gun to make our list. It can fire several sizes and styles of fasteners, including T50s and brad nails, and has a comfortable rubber grip. It also features an on/off switch for safety and a power regulator that makes it a great woodworking stapler.
DeWalt’s multi-tacker is a surprisingly affordable electric staple gun, given its ability to switch between staple styles and brads. This makes it a strong contender for homeowners looking to streamline tool purchases, as it can take the place of separate tools. It also includes a wire guide for safely stapling electrical wire in place—a handy feature for any job requiring even a little bit of wiring.
What our tester says: In our tests of the best brad nailers, staff writer and product tester Glenda Taylor notes, “The tool doesn’t feature a jam release, but it doesn’t need one—the brads and staples it shoots are short enough to access by dropping open the magazine and reaching in with a pair of needle-nose pliers. We fired the short brads into hard and soft wood and didn’t experience any jams.”
Get the Dewalt heavy-duty staple gun at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Best Pneumatic
Arrow PT50 Pneumatic Staple Gun
Photo: The Home Depot
Product Specs
- Type: Pneumatic
- Gauge: T50
- Weight: 1.57 pounds
What We Like
- Pneumatic firing is fast and effective
- Overmolded grip is comfortable during long projects
- Bump firing mechanism operates at up to 120 PSI
- Easy-load magazine enables quick fastener changes
What We Don’t Like
- Air compressor required for use
- Larger in size than comparable options
For those needing a substantial and heavy-duty staple gun for frequent or large-scale projects, the Arrow PT50 pneumatic staple gun might be a perfect fit. Though its bigger body makes it less portable than other options we tested, the PT50 is only 1.57 pounds, and its overmolded grip provides increased comfort during use.
This pneumatic model is also narrow enough to get into hard-to-reach areas, and its bump firing delivers quick stapling when paired with air compressors of up to 120 PSI. For added ease of use, it features an easy-load magazine for multiple sizes of T50 staples and an exhaust cover for quick reloading and safety. Plus, the fact that this model doesn’t need oil made it so much easier to test and use.
Get the Arrow staple gun at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best for Finish Work
Bostitch 18-Gauge Pneumatic Finish Stapler Kit
Photo: Amazon
Product Specs
- Type: Pneumatic
- Gauge: 18
- Weight: 3 pounds
What We Like
- Tool-free depth adjustment for safety and reliability
- Offers both sequential and contact firing depending
- Universal belt clip is perfect for construction work
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic components may not stand up to extended use
Anyone considering switching to staples for their finish work should check out this 18-gauge finish stapler from Bostitch. This heavy-duty pneumatic gun features a tool-free depth adjustment and an overmolded grip for comfort. Plus, it can switch from sequential to contact firing easily and works with 18-gauge staples ranging in size from ½ to 1½ inches. It comes with a handy carrying case to keep it safe when not in use and a universal belt clip that attaches to either side of the stapler.
We really liked how easy it was to position the tip of this tool in place, and we noticed how accurate our staple placement was as a result (which is very important in finish work). The staple holes this tool left behind were small and clean, allowing us to come behind with a bit of nail hole filler for a seamless finish. If we did have a complaint, it’s that this model is constructed using a fair bit of plastic. For that reason, it might be better suited to a DIYer than to the heavy-duty needs of a professional finish carpenter.
What our tester says: “The Bostitch passed all of our tests without breaking a sweat. I also found it very intuitive to use, and its built-in belt hook is a nice touch.”
Get the Bostitch staple gun at Amazon or Walmart.