Staplers Price Comparison
Compare 197 staplers from Leitz, Rexel, Rapid and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from everyday desk models to heavy-duty options.
Staplers price comparison UK
A stapler is one of those office tools you barely think about — until it jams mid-presentation or gives out after stapling the third document of the day. We've tracked 197 models across this category, and the range is wider than most people expect: from a basic Rapesco for under 13 £ to Leitz's premium electric-adjacent desktop units pushing close to 57 £. The sweet spot for most offices sits firmly around the median, where you get metal construction, jam-free mechanisms, and a decent staple capacity without overspending.
Leitz dominates the catalogue with 60 products — more than any other brand — but that breadth doesn't automatically mean best value. Rexel and Rapid are close behind and consistently competitive on price, while Bostitch punches above its weight for heavy-duty capacity. Fellowes, often overlooked, offers some of the most affordable reliable models in the range. Our analysis shows that the biggest price jumps aren't between brands but between stapling capacity tiers: moving from a 20-sheet standard model to a 40-sheet low-force stapler can double the price, but for anyone stapling thick reports daily, it's a worthwhile investment.
One thing worth flagging: staple gauge compatibility is a genuine pitfall. Not all 26/6mm staples are interchangeable across brands, and buying the wrong refills is a frustratingly common mistake. If you're replacing an existing stapler, check the gauge before switching brands. For heavier workloads, consider pairing your stapler with a quality hole punch — many offices use both together, and buying from the same range often means a matching aesthetic and consistent build quality.
The market has also shifted noticeably towards low-force technology. Models like the Rexel Optima 70 demonstrate that high sheet capacity no longer means a punishing grip — a real benefit for users who staple frequently throughout the day. If volume is your main concern, it's also worth browsing electric staplers, which handle repetitive tasks with zero hand fatigue. For most desk workers, though, a well-chosen manual stapler in the 15 £ range will do the job reliably for years.
How to Choose the Right Stapler
Most people buy a stapler without thinking twice — and then regret it within a week. The difference between a frustrating, jam-prone model and a genuinely reliable one often comes down to three things: sheet capacity, operating force, and build quality. Here's what actually matters.
Sheet capacity for your actual workload
Standard desktop staplers handle 20–30 sheets of 80gsm paper — fine for everyday correspondence, but inadequate if you're regularly binding reports or multi-page documents. Heavy-duty models (40–50 sheets) cost more, typically from around 15 £, but they're a necessity rather than a luxury in busy offices. Industrial-grade units at 70+ sheets exist but are overkill for most. Be honest about your daily volume before buying.
Operating force and low-force technology
This is the most underrated criterion. Standard staplers require 3–4kg of downward force — fine for occasional use, but genuinely tiring over dozens of staples a day. Low-force models (1.5–2.5kg) use improved leverage mechanisms to cut the effort significantly. If you or your colleagues staple frequently, or if anyone has limited hand strength, prioritise this feature. Rexel's Optima range and Leitz's low-force models are the benchmark here.
Full strip vs. half strip — more than just size
A full-strip magazine holds around 210 staples; a half-strip holds roughly 105. Half-strip models are more compact and lighter, which suits portable or occasional use. Full-strip wins for high-volume environments where you don't want to reload constantly. The trade-off is bulk — full-strip staplers are noticeably larger on the desk. Neither is objectively better; it depends entirely on how and where you use it.
Jam-free mechanism — worth paying for
Staple jams are the single biggest complaint about budget models. Anti-jam technology — found on mid-range and premium staplers — uses guided feed channels and improved anvil geometry to prevent misalignment. Models without it can jam several times a day under heavy use, requiring disassembly to clear. If you're buying for a shared office environment, a jam-free mechanism isn't a nice-to-have; it's essential. Expect to pay from 13 £ upwards for reliable anti-jam designs.
Build material and base stability
Plastic-bodied staplers are fine for light personal use, but they flex under pressure and wear out faster. Metal or reinforced hybrid construction holds up significantly better in shared office settings. Equally important is the base: a non-slip rubberised bottom keeps the stapler planted during use, which matters more than it sounds when you're stapling one-handed. Lightweight models under 300g tend to skid; anything above 400g with a rubber base stays put.
Staple gauge compatibility — check before you buy
This is where people get caught out. Staple gauges (26/6mm, 24/6mm, 23/8mm, 23/13mm) are not interchangeable. A stapler designed for 26/6mm staples will jam or misfire with 24/6mm. Always check which gauge your chosen model uses, and verify that replacement staples are readily available from UK retailers. Obscure gauges on budget imports can leave you stranded. Sticking to established brands like Rexel, Leitz, or Rapesco generally means easy staple sourcing from Staples, Amazon.co.uk, or Currys.
- Budget picks (From 7 £ to 13 £) : Basic plastic-bodied models from Rapesco and Fellowes. Adequate for light personal use — a few documents a day at most. Expect standard mechanisms, no jam-free features, and limited sheet capacity (20 sheets). Fine as a spare or for home use, but not recommended for shared office environments.
- The reliable middle ground (From 13 £ to 15 £) : Where most sensible buyers land. Rexel Centor, Rexel Meteor, and Rapesco models in this range offer solid build quality, half or full-strip options, and basic anti-jam designs. Good for everyday office use without unnecessary expense. Fellowes' LX range also sits here and punches above its price.
- The sweet spot for offices (From 15 £ to 21 £) : Metal construction, low-force mechanisms, and genuine jam-free technology become standard here. Leitz WOW, Rexel Matador, and Rexel Torador are typical. These models handle 25–40 sheets reliably and are built to last years in a busy office. This is the range we'd recommend for most professional environments.
- Heavy-duty and premium (Over 21 £) : Rexel Optima 70, Leitz 5552, Bostitch heavy-duty models, and Novus professional units. Designed for 50–70+ sheet capacity, ultra-low-force operation, and near-industrial durability. Justified for print rooms, legal offices, or anyone stapling thick documents all day. Novus models at the top end are a niche choice — excellent quality, but hard to justify unless you genuinely need the capacity.
Top products
- Rapesco ECO Full Strip Black (Rapesco) : The most affordable full-strip option in the top 15 — surprisingly solid for the price, but don't expect anti-jam features or a metal body. A sensible choice for light home use or as a desk spare.
- Fellowes LX840 White (Fellowes) : Fellowes is underrated in this category, and the LX840 is a good example why — reliable, well-priced, and available from multiple UK retailers. Not the most exciting stapler, but it does the job without fuss.
- Rexel Centor Half Strip Stapler Silver/Black (Rexel) : A compact, no-nonsense half-strip stapler that represents solid value. Good for moderate office use, though the half-strip magazine means more frequent reloading. The translucent purple variant is identical mechanically if you prefer a bit of colour.
- Rexel Optima 70 Low Force Heavy Duty Stapler Silver/Black (Rexel) : The standout heavy-duty pick in this category. 70-sheet capacity with genuine low-force technology makes it the right tool for anyone binding thick documents regularly. Pricey, but one of the few models that earns its premium.
- Leitz Stapler WOW 5502 Metal 30 sheets (Leitz) : The WOW range is Leitz's most popular for good reason — metal construction, 30-sheet capacity, and a clean aesthetic that suits modern offices. Well-priced for what it offers, and widely available across UK retailers. Our pick for the best all-round desk stapler.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 26/6mm and 24/6mm staples?
They are not interchangeable, despite looking nearly identical. The numbers refer to the wire gauge and leg length — 26/6mm uses slightly thinner wire than 24/6mm, meaning a stapler designed for one will jam or misfire with the other. Always check your stapler's manual or the packaging for the correct gauge before buying refills. Most standard desktop staplers use 26/6mm, which is the most widely available size in UK shops.
How many sheets can a standard office stapler handle?
Most standard desktop staplers are rated for 20–30 sheets of 80gsm paper. Beyond that, you're into heavy-duty territory — models rated for 40–50 sheets, which typically cost from around 15 £. Pushing a standard stapler past its rated capacity is the most common cause of jams and bent staples, so if you regularly bind thick documents, invest in the right capacity rather than forcing a budget model.
Is low-force technology actually worth the extra cost?
Yes, for anyone stapling more than a handful of documents a day. Low-force staplers use improved leverage mechanisms to reduce the required operating force from around 3–4kg down to 1.5–2.5kg — a meaningful difference over hundreds of staples. The Rexel Optima range is the most cited example in this category. For occasional home use, it's probably overkill. For a busy office, it reduces hand fatigue noticeably and is worth the premium.
Should I avoid half-strip staplers for office use?
Not necessarily — half-strip staplers are perfectly capable for standard office tasks, they just need reloading twice as often as full-strip models (105 staples vs. 210). The real advantage of half-strip is compactness: they're lighter and take up less desk space. If you're stapling continuously throughout the day, a full-strip model is more practical. For moderate use, half-strip is a reasonable choice, especially if desk space is limited.
What causes staple jams, and how do I avoid them?
Jams are almost always caused by one of three things: using the wrong staple gauge, overloading the stapler beyond its sheet capacity, or using a worn or budget mechanism without guided feed channels. To avoid them, always use the correct staple size, never exceed the rated capacity, and — if jams are a recurring problem — upgrade to a model with anti-jam technology. Brands like Rexel and Leitz build jam-free mechanisms into their mid-range and above models, which makes a real difference in shared office environments.
Are expensive staplers like Novus or Leitz premium models genuinely better?
For most users, no — the premium is hard to justify. Novus models average around £83 in this category and are built to an exceptional standard, but their advantages (ultra-low force, near-industrial capacity, precision engineering) only matter if you're stapling thick documents all day in a professional print or legal environment. For a typical office worker, a Rexel or Leitz model in the 15 £–21 £ range delivers 90% of the performance at a fraction of the cost. Buy premium only if your workload genuinely demands it.
Which stapler brands are easiest to find replacement staples for in the UK?
Rexel, Leitz, Rapesco, and Fellowes are the safest bets — their staples are stocked by Amazon.co.uk, Staples, Ryman, and most office supply retailers. Bostitch and Rapid are also well-supported. Where you can run into trouble is with budget imports or obscure brands that use non-standard gauges. Sticking to established brands means you'll never be caught short, and buying own-brand staples (e.g., Rexel staples for a Rexel stapler) virtually eliminates compatibility issues.