The Best Paper Cutters of 2024 for Crafting Projects, Tested
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We tested today’s top paper cutters to help shoppers find the best model for their specific needs.
A paper cutter can cleanly cut paper, photographs, and other items more quickly and accurately than a pair of scissors. These tools create the crisp, straight lines that crafters, teachers, homeschoolers, and a host of remote professionals often need to make daily for work or school. We wanted to know which paper cutters were truly up to the task, so we decided to test today’s top models.
First, we analyzed dozens of paper cutters designed to accomplish various cutting tasks, then selected the highest-rated models to test. We sliced through hundreds of sheets of paper (individually and stacked), card stock, and cardboard. We even chopped a book in half!
In testing the cutters, we discovered that some functions are more important than others. Unfortunately, not all the models we tested earned a spot on this lineup, and you can find which ones didn’t make the cut (pun intended) under “Also Tested” below.
This guide will explore the different types and cover the considerations to keep in mind while shopping. Ahead, learn more about our testing process and find out how the following models earned a spot in our lineup of the best paper cuttersfor most users.
- BEST OVERALL: X-Acto Commercial-Grade Guillotine Trimmer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Carl Professional Rotary Paper Cutter
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR ANGLES: Dahle 534 Professional Guillotine Trimmer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR TEACHERS: Dahle 554 Professional Rotary Trimmer
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ROTARY: Carl Manufacturing Rotary Heavy-Duty Paper Cutter
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SCRAPBOOKING: Firbon A4 Paper Cutter
↓ Jump to Review - BEST STACK: HFS Heavy-Duty Guillotine Paper Cutter
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Swingline ClassicCut Ingento Guillotine Trimmer
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Paper Cutters
Before we selected several paper cutters for hands-on testing, we researched more than 30 models to determine which ones were most likely to stand up to the cutting tasks of our readers. We looked at ratings and reviews, but we also carefully analyzed cost, weight, design, and safety features, keeping in mind that users’ projects vary widely.
Our actual testing process was relatively straightforward. We set the paper cutters up, assembled those that required assembly, and then checked to ensure all the parts were working as intended. Then we started cutting…
One of our primary goals was to establish how easy it was to align the paper using markings or grids on the tool’s cutting bed. We also focused on how well the device cut the maximum number of sheets based on the manufacturer’s claims, and we noted whether the cutter offered guidelines for making common-size cuts. By the time we finished testing, we’d cut through four entire reams of printer paper, plus a ream of card stock, dozens of poster boards, and even a paperback book. Yes, one model was advertised as being able to cut through a book, so we tested it, and it sliced the book in half cleanly.
We used a rubric and awarded points based on the quality of the materials, usefulness, design, and functionality. The better a cutter performed, the more points it earned. After testing, we added and averaged the points and used the results to help determine the best uses and categories for the cutters.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 9 |
| Hours spent testing | 2 to 3 |
| Sheets of printer paper cut | 2,000 |
| Price range | $50 to $350 |
Our Top Picks
The following paper cutters all scored well in our hands-on testing. While each offers a range of functions best suited to specific types of projects, all are among the best options for quality paper cutters. We cover the pros and cons of each model so our readers can make an informed buying decision.
Best Overall
X-Acto Commercial-Grade Guillotine Trimmer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Portability 5/5; Performance 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Guillotine
- Cutting bed size: 18 inches long by 18 inches wide
- Maximum sheets: 15 (tested), 20 (claimed)
What We Like
- Sharp, smooth-cutting blade; easy to use and suitable for beginners as well as experienced crafters
- American Standard (ANSI) and European Standard (DIN) metric measurements.
- DIN measurements plus grid for precise sheet alignment
- Rubber stoppers on the bottom keep cutter from sliding
- Self-sharpening blade requires less maintenance than comparable options
What We Don’t Like
- Safety latch could be tripped by older children
- Bottom of blade extends about 0.0625 inch below the cutting bed
The guillotine paper cutter from X-Acto is ideal for cutting through various sheet materials, including paper, photographs, film, and poster board. This is the type of paper cutter we remembered from our school days, and it was every bit as precise at cutting a stack of 15 sheets of paper as it was when we cut a single sheet. We liked that it has horizontal and vertical grid markings in addition to two rulers—one near the top and another near the bottom of the cutting bed. The lines and markings made it easy to select the correct size when cutting and aligning the paper.
This model provides a safety latch to keep the guillotine arm secure when it isn’t in use. It also offers an additional safety guard rail adjacent to the blade to protect fingers during use. The solid wood base is sturdy and comes with rubber bumpers that kept the paper cutter from sliding on the table as we tested it. At 18 inches long by 18 inches wide, it is also generously sized for larger cutting projects.
We found it to be well designed and accurate. We’d ask for a more secure safety latch if we had our druthers. With a bit of maneuvering, little fingers might be able to push the latch to the open position, which would allow full access to the blade. Plus, the bottom of the blade extends about 0.0625 inch below the cutting bed when closed and locked in place, so never position hands on the side with the blade when lifting the paper cutter.
Overall, this paper cutter is a high-quality product that will hold up well to frequent use. Still, due to the inherent safety risks, we’d suggest limiting its use to home offices, craft rooms, or other areas with adult supervision.
Get the X-Acto paper cutter at Amazon, OfficeSupply.com, or Zoro.
Best Bang For The Buck
Carl Professional Rotary Paper Cutter
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Portability 4/5; Performance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Rotary
- Cutting bed size: 18.18 inches long by 9 inches wide
- Maximum sheets: Up to 10
What We Like
- Makes clean, precise cuts for paper, card, and photo sizes
- No exposed blade for safety; suitable for adult as well as children’s crafts and projects
- Preprinted cutting sizes make it easy to find the right size when cutting
- Rubber feet on the bottom provide a secure hold during use
What We Don’t Like
- No bar magnet to help hold paper while cutting
- Not designed for cutting large stacks of paper; lacks the durability of some other heavy-duty models
There’s no need to spend a lot for a quality paper cutter. This affordable model, made by Carl, boasts an 18-inch cut length and cuts up to 10 sheets of paper at once. It features a sharp blade that allows for clean, precise cuts, and it can slice through plastic sheeting, mat board, and photographs as well as paper.
This was the first rotary cutter we tested, and we were impressed. While this is a relatively lightweight cutter—it weighs just 1 pound—it came with rubber stoppers on the bottom that held it firmly in place during cutting. The cutting bed is 18.18 inches long by 9 inches wide and comes with rulers along all four edges. Even better, it features alignment markings for common size cuts, such as 4-by-6-inch photos and 5-by-7-inch photos, as well as letter size, legal size, and more.
We tested it on single sheets of paper and then on a stack of 10 sheets. It made clean-cut edges on both, although we had to hold the stacked sheets firmly to keep them from shifting when we cut. The rotary feature makes this paper cutter safer than a guillotine cutter—a better option for homes with young children.
This model can be fitted with 11 different cutting blades (sold separately), including a perforated blade for creating a tear-off section or a scalloped blade for a pretty border on gift cards or scrapbook entries. We would have liked a magnet bar, such as those included with some of the other cutters we tested, which helps hold paper securely, but for the price, this is a good option for crafters, home offices, and homeschools.
Get the Carl professional paper cutter at Amazon, Carl Manufacturing, or MyBinding.com.
Best For Angles
Dahle 534 Professional Guillotine Trimmer
Photo: Staples
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Portability 4/5; Performance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Guillotine
- Cutting bed size: 22 inches long by 11 inches wide
- Maximum sheets: 13 (tested), 15 (claimed)
What We Like
- Guidelines make cutting accurate angles easy
- Rubber feet keep the cutter from sliding or shifting during use
- DIN guidelines provide an advantage for some users when cutting
What We Don’t Like
- No ANSI measurements, which is a downside for some users
The Dahle 534 trimmer looks like many other guillotine paper cutters at first glance, but as we inspected it more carefully, we noticed a series of angled guidelines on the cutting mat that allowed us to trim paper and card stock at precise 15-, 30-, 45-, 60-, and 70-degree angles. The 534 also offers guidelines for other square and rectangular sizes, but there we found it slightly lacking.
The rectangular guides on the cutting mat of the 534 are listed in DIN sizes (millimeters), which are slightly off from the sizes most Americans are familiar with. For example, on the 534, we found a rectangular guideline for A4-size paper labeled 210 by 297 millimeters. While this is similar to U.S. letter-size paper that measures 8.5 by 11 inches, A4 paper is about .24 inches narrower and .5 inches longer. Rulers at the top and bottom of the cutting mat, however, offer both millimeters and inches.
The cutting bed measures 22 inches long by 11 inches wide, and the base has rubber feet that keep it from sliding during test cuts. The manufacturer claims the 534 can cut up to 15 sheets of paper, but we found it topped out at 13 sheets. Every time we added one more sheet, the cutter pulled on the stack of 14, and the cut edges were slightly uneven.
A plus for the 534 is the inclusion of a bar magnet that helps hold a sheet of paper in place while cutting, and even though the guillotine blade does not come with a safety latch, it takes a firm pull to raise the blade, which we felt a toddler probably could not do. Plus, it has a plastic guard next to the blade, which keeps fingers from sliding under it. This is an excellent paper cutter, but this is not the best option if shoppers are looking for U.S.-standard guidelines.
Get the Dahle 534 paper cutter at Staples, Quill.com, or B&H Photo.
Best For Teachers
Dahle 554 Professional Rotary Trimmer
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5;Portability 2/5; Performance 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Rotary
- Cutting bed size: 28 inches long by 12 inches wide
- Maximum sheets: 20
What We Like
- Rotary cutting mechanism is safer because the blade isn’t exposed
- Very big cutting bed is suitable for sizeable projects and large paper
- Rubber feet keep it from sliding or shifting during use
- Magnet bar helps hold the paper in place for ease of use and accuracy
What We Don’t Like
- Large size takes up more space than other models; may be hard to store between uses
This oversize paper cutter offers everything we can envision a teacher might need when cutting paper, card stock, and photos. It features a precise cutting blade, and because it doesn’t have a guillotine bar, it may be a safer option for students.
The manufacturer claims it will cut up to 20 sheets of paper at a time, and our testing verified that it could—with clean, straight cuts. Unlike some other rotary paper cutters where the user must apply downward pressure on the blade housing to engage the blade, all we had to do was slide the housing from one end of the cutter to the other to cut through the paper.
A sturdy metal base helps keep the paper cutter from sliding around and likely adds to its durability and longevity. The work surface measures a large 28 inches long by 12 inches wide, which is suitable for various cutting projects.
Like the other Dahle cutter we tested, the 554 features metric DIN measurements and guidelines—but it also boasts ANSI measurements and template guidelines. This is a very nice paper cutter, and we were impressed by its performance and safe-use aspect.
Get the Dahle 554 paper cutter at Amazon, B&H Photo, or Today’s Classroom.
Best Rotary
Carl Manufacturing Rotary Heavy-Duty Paper Cutter
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Portability 5/5; Performance 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Rotary
- Cutting bed size: 18 inches long by 12 inches wide
- Maximum sheets: 25 (as tested), 36 (claimed)
What We Like
- Locking rail keeps paper from shifting during the cutting process
- Can create straight cuts or perforated, tear-off sections by switching blades
- Side, top, and bottom rulers feature both ANSI and DIN measurements
What We Don’t Like
- Weak magnet didn’t adhere well to the steel cutting bed
Those looking for a multiple-sheet rotary paper cutter should consider this option by Carl Manufacturing. It comes with a handy locking bar that raises to slide papers under the guide and then locks them in place during the cutting process. We found this especially helpful when cutting thicker stacks of paper sheets.
The manufacturer claims this cutter can handle up to 36 sheets of paper. We verified that in our tests, but at 36 sheets, the very ends of the cut edges were just slightly uneven. When we reduced the number of sheets to 25, the cut edges were clean with no pulling or tearing. The base alignment grid helps ensure precision and includes measurements for cutting common items, such as photographs and standard paper sizes. Rulers along the side, top, and bottom feature both ANSI and DIN measurements.
The overall dimensions of the cutting bed are 18 inches long by 12 inches wide. A perforated blade, a straight blade, and a storage compartment to hold extra blades are included. After replacing the existing blade with the perforated blade, we were able to create tear-off sections on papers.
A slight downside: The magnetic bar guide didn’t have much holding power. The magnet seemed weak, and a slight bump would cause the bar to slide out of alignment. Fortunately, the magnet bar isn’t necessary since the Carl paper cutter has the locking rail that holds the sheets when cutting. We cons