Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: June 26, 2021
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Trimming or cutting any paper with a pair of scissors or other unsuitable paper cutters is one hell of a hassle. You will not only fail to cut with precision but also waste also of your precious time. If you are in a profession that involves making cards, scrapbooks, or any professional crafts, then you have got to own the best paper cutter. He right paper cutter will save you time and give you the best results. It is also safer and easier to use and will serve you in the long-term.
There is a whole bunch of paper cutters in the market with varying characteristics that making a good pick will be daunting. We came up with this guide to help you make the right choice. We considered 38 products, and from our refined list of 15 products, the Swingline 1152 Guillotine Paper Cutter was our best pick. Its durability, portability, design and other convenient features set it apart. It also offers excellent value.
Our product list certainly the best paper cutters you can get in the market, for we put our best foot forward in conducting research in terms of time and sources. Some of the features on which we based our choices and rankings include; sheet capacity, cutting length, warranty, safety features, and material it cuts. These features determine the functionality and quality of a paper cutter. There are a comparison table, individual product reviews and a buying guide with all the necessary information you would need to buy the best paper cutter.
"A heavy-duty paper cutter with a 12-inch cutting length, a hand-operated clamp with a soft hand-grip for premium comfort and high-carbon steel blade."
"A professional paper cutter with a 20-inch cutting length, a solid metal base with metric and angle guides, an automatic clamp, and a self-sharpening blade."
"A heavy-duty rotary paper cutter with an 18-inch cutting length, a carbide blade, calibrated metal baseboard, large cutting capacity and a storage compartment."
"A heavy-duty guillotine paper cutter with a 15-inch cutting length, Perpetual Edge self-sharpening system, robust wooden construction and safety guard and latch."
"A guillotine paper cutter with a 12-inch cutting length, a hardened steel blade, a paper holder, a safety lock handle and a spring-loaded finger guard."
"An affordable paper cutter with a 12-inch cutting length, a patented TripleTrack System, an easy-to-grip blade carriage, rubberized feet, and self-leveling base."
Swingline is an edgy and popular brand in the paper cutting industry. This 1152 guillotine paper cutter is a fantastic choice for a faster cutting experience. It will give you clean and neat cutting results on your projects.
The cutter has a robust construction that offers dependable performance. It is built with a sturdy maple base, a self-sharpening steel blade, and a die-cast metal arm. Its wood-like design will look impeccable in almost any environment without occupying much space.
This cutter is remarkably accurate and powerful. With an alignment grid and a dual scale ruler for measurements, you will get clean and neat cuts of all kinds of paper. The measurements ensure you get the perfect trimming.
With an 18-inch cutting length, the cutter allows you enough space to accommodate various creative projects. The non-slip feet on its solid base also contribute to its high practicability.
This cutter’s ability to cut 15 sheets of paper at a time makes it ideal for shared workspaces because it can do so much at a go and occupies little space. Furthermore, it will cut everything from heavy matte boards to delicate tissues.
On top of being efficient, this trimmer is also safe to use. It features a steel tension spring that firmly holds the guillotine blade’s arm in place. Whenever the cutter is not in use, a blade latch hook will secure its arm. A protective guard rail will keep you safe from hand-cut accidents or inaccurate cuts that could damage your work.
Another exciting thing about this cutter is that Swingline stands behind its quality with a limited 10-year warranty.
Overall, this is a great buy for anyone looking for a paper cutter for high-volume projects. Its quality and excellent value make it one of the best guillotine paper cutters.
This is an ultimate pick for super busy schools and offices. The Premier 715 has an exceptional design and first-rate effectiveness that will make cutting any type of paper a wholesome experience.
The cutter comes in a sleek ergonomic design. It features a hand-operated clamp with a soft hand-grip for premium comfort. The clamp effectively holds paper to prevent it from moving or shifting. Also, part of this cutter’s strong body is a fully hardened, high-carbon steel blade that is self-sharpening.
The most remarkable thing about this cutter is its ability to cut up to 30 sheets of paper. Its powerful steel blade is angled to accurately cut various types of paper, including; film, tissue, matte board, textiles, and cardboard. This makes it an ideal paper cutter for busy schools and offices that have frequent high volume projects.
You will appreciate the precise cuts this trimmer makes thanks to its heavy ¾” wood base that offers a permanent hold. The ½” alignment grid and dual metric rulers also contribute to the cutter’s precision.
As for your safety, you can trust this cutter to be one of the safest to use. It has a patented automatic blade latch that locks itself with each cutting motion made. The entire length of the blade is also protected with a finger guard to prevent you from cutting yourself. Additionally, there is a torsion spring featured to prevent the blade from falling when it is being used.
All in all, this is one of the best heavy-duty paper cutters that is affordably priced. Schools and offices would get the most out of it.
If you need a paper cutter for large posters and notices, this is your prime pick. It is one of the best large paper cutters with a cutting length of 20 inches. It is also not very expensive given it has top-notch features and offers peak cutting performance.
This German engineered cutter comes in a sleek, durable design that offers reliability and precision. It features a solid metal base that increases its durability and an automatic clamp that efficiently prevents paper shifting and tearing.
You can forget about replacing dull blades with this trimmer. Its self-sharpening blade sharpens every time it cuts to maintain a honed edge. The sharpened edge of the blade will deliver unparalleled precision. It will remove even the tiniest shred of paper.
Its automatic clamp will also save you some energy as you won’t have to hold the papers securely by hand. It provides even pressure and firmly holds your work.
Without forgetting, this professional paper cutter is the king of precision. Its robust metal base has carefully screened metric, angled, and inch guides for aligning your cuts. The guides have all the measurements indicated for your cutting needs.
Moreover, this cutter can cut up to 20 sheets at a go. This, together with its 20 inches cutting length, makes it a popular choice for graphic design agencies, print shops and professional photographers.
The cutter features non-skid rubber to prevent it from falling off during operation.
If you are willing to part with what this cutter costs, you will get unmatched precision and effectiveness. It is one of the best paper cutters for photos and is worth investing in.
If you are looking for an ultra-heavy-duty paper cutter for your photo studio or graphic design shop, this is your best bet. Its cutting length and capacity make it the best heavy-duty paper plus, it is affordably priced compared to its peers.
This cutter has sturdy construction with a solid metal baseboard that is calibrated and a storage compartment. You can store the extra blades it comes with in the storage compartment.
Carl 12238 is not your typical paper cutter with its exceptional cutting capabilities. Its cutting length of 18 inches and a cutting capacity of 36 sheets at a go make it the best option for highly demanding projects. It is a perfect choice for professional photographers and graphic designers because it can cut large prints and photos.
It not only cuts fast but with high precision as well. The calibrations on the solid metal base (an alignment grid, ruler, and common measurements) will ensure you get accurate cuts. An adjustable magnetic paper guide will ensure the papers stay put during operation and is also great for repetitive cuts. The cutter’s premium carbide blade held securely by its patented locking rail mechanism adds to its high accuracy levels.
What’s more, the cutter comes with extra accessories like a spare cutting mat, perforated and straight blades. It can cut various types of paper including cardstock, plastic sheets, chipboard, artist board, film and many more.
The manufacturer backs up this cutter’s excellent quality with a limited lifetime warranty making it one of the best rotary paper cutters. It is a rare gem with all its first-rate features and performance affordably priced.
This is one of the best looking paper cutters you can get out there. It is not only good looking but also one of the safest and most reliable in the market. This is not a cutter you can overlook given it is from a known top-rated brand.
Don’t be deceived by its wooden construction, this cutter will outlast many others as it is built to offer great durability and resistance. Its robust body can hold up well with regular heavy-volume cutting operations. The quality construction also enhances the cutter’s stability and ease of use.
The cutter has rubber feet to ensure it does not fall off during operation. It also has a rubber hand grip for your maximum comfort during extended periods of cutting.
Most importantly, the cutter features a self-sharpening steel blade with an unmatched perpetual edge. You can gladly forget about the hassle of replacing dull blades as it sharpens itself with every cutting motion. It can cut up to 15 sheets of paper at once; thus, a perfect option for schools and offices.
You can use this cutter to cut neat and straight photographs, film, or any kind of paper. The adjustable paper guide will ensure you make high precision cuts just like you intend for them to be. Additionally, with the measurement scales on the wooden base, you will be able to cut with confidence.
Moreover, the cutter is easy to use, with a simple downward cutting motion that anyone can handle.
Your safety was not forgotten during this cutter’s quality construction. There is a safety guard that protects your fingers from the blade and a safety latch that holds the guillotine arm in place when it is not in use.
Another thing worth mentioning about this cutter is its affordability. It is a perfect low-budget choice made for precise cuts and enhanced safety. This makes it the best paper cutter for office use.
The High-End (HE) rotary paper cutter lives up to its name when it comes to quality and functionality. It is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a large paper cutter because of its cutting length.
The cutter is built to serve you in the long-term effectively. Its solid base and rubber feet make it stable for easy cutting. The metal base also makes it incredibly lightweight thus, highly portable.
The rotary paper cutter is engineered with an automatic paper fixing function. You will not experience trouble slipping paper under the guard, which is common with most cutters.
Precision cutting is what makes this cutter superior to its peers. Its self-sharpening bi-directional steel blade makes the fastest, neatest, and most accurate cuts. The pre-printed measurement grids on its solid metal base also ensure you make high precision cuts. The good thing is they are both in inches and centimeters.
You can use the cutter to cut papers and thick as 1mm and as long as 24 inches. It is, therefore, best suited for cutting canvas, photos, film, graphic photo film and laminating film. Professionals in photo studios, offices and sticker stores would get the most out of it.
Additionally, this high-end rotary paper cutter comes with an extra carbide rotary blade and 2 years warranty from the manufacturer.
If high precision and practicality are what you mainly need from a paper cutter, this is your ideal pick.
This is another low-budget paper cutter for professionals and artists who care for spot-on precision in their works. This cutter employs the laser guide technology for accurate cuts. Its excellent value, combined with its top-notch performance, makes it the best guillotine paper cutter.
The cutter comes in a laid back design with multiple convenient features. It features a hardened steel blade that cuts clean and straight through film, photographs, and other types of paper. All your projects will be as perfect as you imagined. The steel blade will stay sharp with every cut on account of the cutter’s self-sharpening system.
This cutter’s laser-guided accuracy sets it apart. Other than accuracy, it also makes cutting and measuring pretty simple. The self-healing mat which is attached to its base also allows easy cutting by providing an additional cutting surface. Artists and professionals will appreciate the micrometer level of accuracy this cutter offers.
Furthermore, the paper cutter is designed with multiple safety features for worry-free use. It has a paper holder, a safety lock handle and a finger guard that is spring-loaded. All these will keep you safe from cutting yourself as well as making unexpected cuts that would damage your work.
With a cutting length of 12 inches and a capacity of 12 sheets, it is best suited for minimum paper cutting operations that require first-rate precision.
Overall, this cutter is a fantastic choice for hobbyists, teachers, artists and other professionals looking for a highly functional cutter at a low-budget.
This is an ideal paper cutter for office use. It is built to withstand regular office use, and its convenient features will make paper cutting an experience to look up to.
The cutter comes in a sturdy build with a solid metal base that increases its durability. It provides a strong foundation that will hardly crack or whip. Its design is lightweight and highly portable.
Unlike most trimmers, this Dahle features a cutting blade with a machine ground lever style. It cuts with remarkable precision and will remove even the minutest bits of paper from your work for accuracy.
Like with other Dahle paper cutters, securing your work with your hand is not necessary with this cutter. The automatic clamp will hold it firmly with even pressure to ensure it does not shift.
Other than its exceptional blade, this cutter’s solid base also contributes to its high precision. It contains measurement grids that ensure you make accurate cuts. It also has an adjustable backstop, which ensures there is accuracy with repetitive cuts.
As for safety, you can lock the handle in the down position to protect the blade and your fingers. The cutter’s spring action handle also prevents it from falling down when in use. The non-skid rubber feet also keep it steady.
You can cut up to 15 sheets at once with a cutting length of 18 inches. This, together with its unique features that offer safety and convenience, make it a perfect choice for office use.
Why are we impressed?
Solid build
Cuts accurately
Easy and safe to use
Lightweight and portable
Automatic clamp
What negatives must you be aware of?
The guide bar at the top is not square with the base
Maybe this multi-functional personal trimmer from Befacai is the perfect tool you need to make those cards or cut out pictures professionally. It is versatile with multiple convenient features that will offer you the best cutting experience out there.
This guillotine cutter comes in a compact and lightweight design that makes it perfect for home or office use. It features a solid wood base and rubber feet that keep it steady. Its plastic ergonomic handle will offer you superior comfort throughout the cutting process.
The cutter is not the best for cutting big stuff but will work like a gem for small operations like pictures, photos, cards, and labels. Its sharp steel blade cuts with unmatched precision which is typical of guillotine paper cutters anyway.
The alignment grid and ruler printed on the cutter’s base also ensure you make accurate cuts. With a cutting length of 12.4 inches, you can cut A4, A5, B5, B6, and B7 papers. You can cut up to 10 sheets at ago, making it more convenient.
This cutter is not only efficient and convenient but also safe to use. It has a clamp next to its blade that helps keep your fingers away from it. The cutter’s arm hook also securely locks when it is not in use.
What’s more, this tool is one of the cheapest in the market. Its construction might not be high-grade like that of the costly cutters, but you will enjoy its effectiveness at an affordable price.
All considered this paper cutter is the most exceptional small design that offers accuracy and multiple convenient features at its price. It is best suited for cutting out professional photos.
CARL’s motto is to empower you to create with their products, and they truly do honor it with their top-rated cutters. This particular cutter is a perfect choice for home or office use. Any professional would highly benefit from the versatility it has to offer.
This professional rotary trimmer from Carl comes in a solid build with a sturdy metal blade and other features that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. It features an even pressure rail mechanism that holds your work in place during cutting. It prevents shifting and any accidental tearing.
What makes this cutter superior to others is the versatility it offers with multiple blade options. You can get up to 10 different decorating blades that will serve various purposes like scrapbooking and card making. The premium carbide straight blade it comes with cuts through different types of paper like butter. It is sharp enough to give you a neat and accurate cut.
You can cut up to 10 sheets of paper at a go. The sharp blade can trim card stock, plastic sheets, acetate, matte board, and many others.
The measurement calibrations on the metal base also ensure you get a precise cut. It has measurements for various items.
Furthermore, the cutter comes with a storage compartment at its base, which comes in handy for storing extra blades. Also included is a cutting mat that offers you extra space for cutting efficiently.
The blade locks itself when not in use for your safety and its protection.
As if that’s enough, you get a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
In conclusion, with all its capabilities and features, this is one of the best paper cutters for scrapbooking, card making and other projects that require spot-on precision. It is also very affordable.
This is what you have to get for your home paper cutting needs. It is affordable, easy, and safe to use. It is also designed to save a lot of space and can various types of paper.
This impeccable tool comes in a sleek, foldable design that will add an aesthetic appeal to your space. Its veneer surface that is anti-wear will undoubtedly serve you in the long-term.
The cutter features a special double rail system that ensures the blade stays stable for perfect and accurate cuts.
DIYers will appreciate this cutter’s rotary bypass blade that sharpens itself. You can forget that pain that comes with replacing dull blades every now and then. It is sharp enough to cut through many thick materials like magnet, chip and cork among many others.
The grid line measurements on the top and bottom of the smudge guard are additional innovations that will ensure you get precise cuts. They also enhance the cutter’s versatility by making it possible for both left and right-hand users to have a smooth operation.
You might find it a bit heavy but won’t be awkward to move around with, especially with its foldable design.
Overall, this is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a high-quality and efficient paper cutter to use at home. It is best suited for various DIY paper tasks, is affordable, and has a lifetime warranty.
Swingline is a notable edgy brand in the paper cutting industry. Their cutters are known to produce clean and accurate cut lines on projects. This particular one does not fall short with its high-quality features and peak cutting performance.
The cutter comes in a compact and lightweight design that you can easily move around. It also won’t occupy much of your space in your office or classroom. Its sturdy plastic base adds to its stability.
The cutter features a self-sharpening blade that gets sharper with every cut. It is sharp enough to cut through various kinds of paper, including; construction paper, photos, customized presentations, card stock and bond paper among others.
It can cut up to 10 sheets of paper at a length of 12 inches. The imperial grid and ruler on the base will ensure you get proper alignment for perfectly precise cuts. As common with guillotine cutters, you will not be disappointed by the level of accuracy it has to offer.
As for your safety, there is a latch hook that holds the blade in place when not in use and a guardrail that keeps your fingers away from it. This way, your finger won’t smudge your project or accidentally interact with the blade.
In conclusion, this being a guillotine paper cutter; it is a perfect choice for regular and multi-purpose use. It is one of the best paper cuts for teachers because it is remarkably affordable, cuts with high precision and is highly
What makes it stand out?
Accurate cuts
Self-sharpening blade
Safe to use
Durable build
Affordable
Lightweight and portable
10-year warranty
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
The handle doesn’t stay in an upright position when lifted
This is one of the cheapest paper cutters out there. However, it does not operate cheaply. It does live up to its SureCut name when it comes to high-precision and neat paper cutting. In fact, it is the best choice for cutting specialty materials.
As usual. Fiskar doesn’t disappoint when it comes to design. This cutter comes in a sleek, lightweight design that you can easily move around as well as store. Its base is one of the widest in the market and it provides the cutter with sufficient stability.
You can trust this cutter to give you the most accurate cuts of all your projects. It features a sharp blade with a high-profile carriage that will allow you to make quick, accurate cuts. A permanent scale and grid also ensure you get spot-on precision with your cuts.
The tripletrack system that Fiskars employs on this model also ensures accurate straight cuts by interlocking the blade. Additionally, there is a wire cut line that indicates the exact cutting points on your work to make sure you get what you want.
All in all, this is one cutter that will cut everything you need like a dream, especially those specialty materials. It is also the best portable with great looks. At its low price, it is not a paper cutter you want to ignore for your crafting needs.
This paper cutter is not only the most portable and simple looking cutter out there but also reliable, effective and safe to use. Being a guillotine cutter, you can count on it to deliver high precision cuts and great endurance to regular use.
It comes in a laid back and compact plastic design. You can easily move it from one point to another. Its quality construction will certainly stand the test of time and hold up well to everyday use.
It features a self-sharpening steel blade that can easily cut through pretty much anything (papers, of course!). Though it is famously known to be the best paper cutter for cardstock, photos, construction paper and much more.
The durable plastic base has some grid lines that ensure you make proper alignments for perfectly accurate cuts.
You can cut up to 10 sheets of paper per session at a length of 12 inches. This is ideal for all of those paper cutting projects at home or in the office.
Your safety was not forgotten in this cutter’s design. A guardrail was included to keep your fingers safe from the blade. When the cutter is not in use, its arm can be secured in place to hide the blade fully.
To top it all, Amazon backs up this cutter’s high quality with a 1-year limited warranty. It is also among the few wholesome paper cutters that are affordably priced.
If you are the kind of person that really seeks to get a bang for their bucks on stuff, this is your ultimate pick. This Fiskar paper cutter offers excellent value with so many high-end features and superior performance.
Just like other Fiskar cutters, this one comes in a beautiful design that is highly portable and space-saving. The hand punch will offer you a comfortable and versatile paper cutting experience. Its grip is also cushioned for added comfort.
Its color-coded handle will make identification easy for you and ensure you have a mistake-free cutting.
The cutter employs a patented tripletrack system that ensures straight and accurate cuts by interlocking the blade. You will be able to make quick and precise cuts thanks to this cutter’s aluminum cutting surface that enhances the visibility of the measurements and reference guides. This will ensure you make proper alignments for superior precision cuts.
The cutter features a bi-directional blade that cuts easily through various types of paper. Plus, you also get a replacement blade in case the first one becomes dull.
Just to mention, this is the best paper cutter for scrapbooking. Its swing-out arm extends the measuring surface, making it ideal for cutting extra-large scrapbook pages. It can cut papers within a length of 12 inches.
Fiskar backs up all the goodness of this paper cutter with a lifetime warranty. Since it is the cheapest on this list, you literally have no excuse to not get it for all of your scrapbooking needs.
Why did it make our list?
Offers excellent value
Ideal for scrapbooking
Durable build
Lightweight and portable
Great design
Superior precision cuts
Lifetime warranty
Comfortable
Easy and safe to use
Replacement blade
What is not ideal about it?
The blade has to be replaced every time it gets dull
Things to Consider
Just like with any other tool, there are certain things you have to consider before buying a paper cutter. You have to make the right buy that is within your budget and meets all your cutting needs. This section contains all the information you need to know about different types of paper cutters, their benefits, and critical features to look out for.
What is a Paper Cutter?
A paper cutter, also popularly known as a paper trimmer or guillotine, is a tool often used by schools, graphic design shops and offices to cut large sets of paper sheets at once. They cut perfectly straight edges with high precision.
There is a wide range of paper cutters with different designs and sizes. Most of them have measures for different dimensions of paper in centimeters or inches.
Benefits of Paper Cutters
Other than cutting several sheets of paper at once with high precision, paper cutters can benefit you in many ways including:
They make paper cutting an easy and enjoyable process because their operation is straightforward.
They are safer to use because they are built with multiple safety features.
They can be easily transported anywhere because of their portable designs.
Most of them have a sturdier and resistant construction that can serve you in the long term.
The make accurate cuts because of the measurement features that offer you a mistake-free operation.
They cut faster.
Types of paper cutters
There are different paper cutters with various features that are best suited for specific uses. They include:
Guillotine paper cutters
These cutters have a blade and an arm that have to be pulled down manually to cut through a stack of papers. They are common among offices and schools and are best known for cutting through thicker sheets of papers. They have safety features to prevent you from cutting yourself.
Foam paper cutters
These are a must-have for any sign making workshop or a graphic studio. They are designed to cut all the specialty material used in the graphics industry like graphic boards, laminate and various types of paper. They have a larger cutting space than the standard paper cutters and can, therefore, cut large foams. Foam cutters have to be bought with a stand or placed on a working surface.
Rotary paper cutters
These cutters are most preferred by photographers and graphic designers because of their neat and accurate cuts. They use a round cutting blade that slides along a rail and can cut in any direction. Their cutter bases have measurement grids that ensure you get an accurate cut. Some of them come with optional blades for various purposes.
Stack paper cutters
These are designed to cut through very thick stacks of papers. They are built with a ruler and guide to help you achieve your most desired cut. They come with a clamp that holds the paper in place to avoid unnecessary movement and tears that could damage your work. They are manual as you have to pull down the arm to cut the stacks of papers. Schools, offices, and institutions that do a lot of paper cutting can benefit more from these cutters.
Corner paper cutters
These cutters help you achieve a beautifully rounded radius to the edges of your documents, business cards, covers or printed materials. They are also popularly known as corner rounders. They come in different dimensions and have varying features. You can get either the electric or manual model.
How to use a paper cutter
Once you have a paper cutter for your cutting needs, you need to ensure it is rightly placed in a stable position, ready to get the job done. Here are a few more things you need to do to use your cutter well:
Check if there is any spring, hatch, or pressure on the blade and unlock it.
You can then insert the sheet/s of paper you intend to cut in the cutting surface of the paper cutter.
Using the ruler and measurement guides on the cutter, measure the inches, centimeters, or angles you want to cut then fix a clamp to hold the sheet/s of paper.
Grab the cutting arm or holder of the cutter and push or slide it down as needed. To avoid any cutting mistakes, ensure you do only one cutting process.
Ensure the blade cuts through the paper slowly for an effective and accurate cut.
Repeat the entire process if you are cutting more papers and bear in mind all the safety measures.
Features to consider when choosing a paper cutter
Now that you know the importance of having a paper cutter, you need to know how to pick the right one. Here are some of the critical features to consider before buying one.
Dimensions
Cutters come in different sizes. Choose a cutter that won’t occupy much of your space and is easy to move from one place to another. Especially if you want one for personal use. The cutters for industrial-like operations can be bigger because of the amount of work they are built to handle.
Cutting length
Paper cutters come with a pre-selected cutting length in inches, mostly between 10 and 20 inches.
Though 12-inches paper cutters are the most common in the market and are also highly preferred because they can handle nearly all the cutting operations.
It is better to settle for the 12 to 15 inches for personal or home use and the larger ones for industrial purposes. But it all depends on what you want to use the cutter for, so choose the length according to your needs.
Blade
There are two types of blades featured in cutters, guillotine, and rotary. They are both efficient and work in different ways. The guillotine blade is best suited for heavier and larger materials while the rotary blade is great for high precision cuts. The rotary blade is, therefore, more suitable for smaller operations like card making and cutting photos.
Other than the type of blade, you also need to consider the material used to make it. Stainless steel is the cheapest but offers excellent cutting results though you will have to keep sharpening it or replacing it when it gets dull. To avoid this, you can get the self-sharpening titanium blades which are not very affordable but highly effective.
Measurements
Measurements are key for you to achieve accurate cuts. Go for a cutter that has clear measurements on its base in centimeters and inches. This way, you will be able to properly align the papers for precise cuts like the Fiskars 196920-1001 Portable Scrapbooking Trimmer reviewed above.
Some cutters even come with locked-in and expandable rulers that are very handy in achieving the most accurate cuts.
Sheet capacity
This depends on your workflow. If you need to print a lot of papers on a regular basis, then you need a paper cutter with a high sheet capacity. Schools and busy offices can benefit from heavy-duty paper cutters like the CARL 12238 Heavy Duty Rotary Paper Trimmer, which can cut up to 36 sheets at a go.
If you want something to use once in a while at home, then you can go for the small sheet capacity cutters that cut about 10 sheets or below at once.
Materials it can cut
It is possible to get one cutter for all your cutting needs, but to get the best results, you must pick a cutter for a specific purpose. For instance, if you want to scrapbook, get the best scrapbooking paper cutter in the market like the Fiskars 196920-1001 Portable Scrapbooking Trimmer.
If you intend to cut heavier materials, then you better get a cutter that is well suited for the task. The bottom line is, determine the material you want to cut before getting a cutter.
Construction
The materials used to build the paper cutter will determine how durable, reliable, and convenient it will be. Plastic cutters are highly recommended than metal ones because they are lightweight and highly portable. Maintaining them is also very easy.
Better still, you can go for wooden cutters. They are more stable than the plastic ones but are still lightweight and easy to maintain. They work best with a titanium rotary or guillotine blade.
Safety features
It is essential to choose a cutter with sufficient safety features for your sake and high effectiveness. Especially if you intend to use it somewhere many people or children will encounter it. Paper cutters come with various safety features, including a transparent cutting surface for greater visibility and a lock-in hatch for the blade.
Other safety features you should look out for include rubber feet, safety springs, guard rails, and a finger guard. They help to prevent common dangers.
Warranty
Most manufacturers back up the quality of their cutters with a warranty. Go for a paper cutter that has a warranty, whether it is a lifetime or limited one year. It is easier to trust the quality of a product that has a warranty.
Price
This is pretty much of personal preference. Choose a paper cutter that fits your budget. But if you want a durable and highly functional cutter, you will have to part with a good amount of money. Most heavy-duty cutters also cost a bit more compared to ones that handle light cutting tasks.
This does not mean that all the costly cutters are great; in fact, there are cheap cutters that work just as good as the expensive ones. Just have in mind that you get what you pay for.
In order to cut a paper straight, ensure you align it properly on the guide or measurement grids on the base of the paper cutter. Once you have measured what you want to cut, you can swing the arm of the cutter once to make a clean and straight cut.
Yes. There are several paper cutters that can cut photo papers in whichever dimensions you desire. Most of the cutters reviewed above can cut photo paper in a perfectly neat and accurate manner.
You can sharpen the blade of your cutter by removing it and running its flat side severally across a sharpening steel. You can also use it to cut a few pieces of thick aluminum foil and it would hone it back to sharpness.
Our Verdict
There are multiple brands and models of paper cutters in the market, and as much as they are simple and look similar by design, they are not all made equally. We considered 38 different models and of the 15 we reviewed, the Swingline 1152 Guillotine Paper Cutter stood out to us as the best choice. Its tried and true quality is dependable in the office, at home or in the classroom. It also offers great value and unmatched peak performance.
It is worthwhile to invest in the best paper cutter. It not only makes your work easier but also delivers neat and smooth results while letting you handle multiple projects at a go. With a whole bunch of paper cutters to choose from, from manual to electrical, guillotine to rotary, it is about time you got yourself one and enjoyed all the benefits they offer.
