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The Best Electric Pencil Sharpener For School Or The Office

Last updated on August 14, 2024

Our Review Process

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Our Picks For The Top Electric Pencil Sharpeners

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Top Pick

Bostitch Space Saving Electric Pencil Sharpener

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Bostitch

Space Saving Electric Pencil Sharpener

Thanks to the powerful motor on this electric pencil sharpener, you'll be able to save time and quickly get back to work. The machine comes with a giant shavings tray, so you won't have to empty it very often. For safety purposes, the sharpener won't work when the tray is removed.

Overall Take

Portable ModelThis electric pencil sharpener comes in black, metallic blue, dark blue and gray.

 Runner Up

JARLINK Easy Clean Electric Pencil Sharpener

Easy Clean Electric Pencil Sharpener

Get added flexibility with this electric pencil sharpener that has multiple power sources. The auto stop safety features ensure that fingers are kept safely away from moving blades. The shavings reservoir has a large capacity to reduce mess and increase convenience.

Overall Take

Multiple Power SourcesThis electric pencil sharpener can be powered by USB, battery or power supply.

 Strong Contender

RIYO RIYO Battery Powered Steel Blades Electric Pencil Sharpener

RIYO RIYO

Battery Powered Steel Blades Electric Pencil Sharpener

Keep your No. 2 pencils at the ready with this top-notch electric pencil sharpener. It's constructed using a rotating helical blade that is three times as powerful as traditional blades. The sharpener also features a built-in storage cup to hold your writing utensils when not in use.

Overall Take

Choice of ColorsThis electric pencil sharpener comes in a sleek black or a stylish blue.

 We Also Like

Toolsand Cordless Ultra Fast Electric Pencil Sharpener

Toolsand

Cordless Ultra Fast Electric Pencil Sharpener

This battery-powered electric pencil sharpener is great for both home and classroom use. It's automatic, quick and made with a built-in container to collect all your pencil shavings. You can even get this model in a choice of pink with white or black with silver.

Overall Take

Economical OptionWhen it comes to budget-friendly electric pencil sharpeners, you'll find this model is hard to beat.

Buying Guide

There is nothing quite as satisfying as a perfectly sharp point on a pencil. However, sharpening pencils with a manual pencil sharpener can be frustrating. Not only do they make a mess, with pencil shavings falling all around, but they also don’t always result in the perfect point you’re looking for. If you have multiple pencils to sharpen, such as at a school or children’s activity, then using a manual pencil sharpener can also feel like a waste of time.

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An electrical pencil sharpener improves the pencil sharpening experience considerably, especially when you have many pencils to sharpen. Running on electricity, battery, or USB power, electric pencil sharpeners offer convenience and tip quality. Unlike a manual pencil sharpener, which can waste the lead by not properly grinding it, an electric pencil sharpener always produces a sharp point.

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When you’re looking for an electric pencil sharpener, pay attention to the size of the pencils you typically use, as not all sharpeners accommodate all types of pencils. A 9 mm pencil is the most common type used; however, some pencil sharpeners are made for 8 mm pencils. You’ll also want to keep the shape of your pencils in mind. Pencils can be round, hexagonal or triangular. Ensure that your electric pencil sharpener can be used with the shape of pencil you have.

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Not all electric pencil sharpeners grind the pencil at the same angle. Some pencils may require a bigger angle to show the lead, while others would fracture if that were the case. You’ll need to ensure that the electric pencil sharpener you choose sharpens your pencils at the right angle to reduce lead wastage.

What to Look For

  • When you’re on the hunt for an electric pencil sharpener, pay attention to the kind of blades it has. You want to ensure that they are sharp and durable and can last a long time. Helical blades that are made out of strong material such as stainless steel ensure that you get a sharp point every time — including on pencils that have particularly hard lead.
  • If your electric pencil sharpener will be used by children, such as in a school setting, it’s imperative to keep safety in mind. Look for an electric pencil sharpener that has an auto-stop blade operation. This ensures that the blade stops by itself once the pencil has been sharpened. If the shavings tray is opened during sharpening, the blade stops automatically. This way, you can ensure fingers are always kept safe and away from moving blades.
  • For those that sharpen multiple pencils at the same time, having a large shaving receptacle is key. This way, you don’t need to stop sharpening after every few pencils to empty out the tray. A clear bin lets you see when it’s time to empty the receptacle.
  • Some electric pencil sharpeners can leave graphite streaks behind on the wood of the pencil. If you’re an artist, this can lead to smudges on your work. If this is the case, be sure to look for a pencil sharpener that doesn’t leave any graphite traces.
  • You’ll need to look at what kind of power source the sharpener has, to ensure it works for your needs. Some sharpeners come with multiple power sources, so you can use batteries in addition to plugging them into an outlet. This provides added flexibility if you need to move the sharpener around. You can also get a pencil sharpener that can be charged using a USB, which is perfect if you’re at a conference or trade show with no access to batteries or wall plugs.

More to Explore

From time to time, your electrical pencil sharpener may get jammed. This can happen easily if small children are using the sharpener. They may put the pencil into the sharpener with the eraser end first, or try to jam the pencil into the sharpener once it’s already been sharpened. If that’s the case, you can easily use a long-necked screwdriver to unscrew the main plate of the sharpener. Take a picture of the inside of the sharpener so you have a frame of reference for how to put everything back together. Very carefully remove the sharpening mechanism so you can inspect what is jamming it up. Use a screwdriver or knife to take out the object. Refer to your picture to put everything back together into the sharpener, and then screw the main plate back on.

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