Best 3 Hole Punch Reviews 2018

As an office worker or student, there’s a fairly high chance that you can’t escape working with paper on a regular basis. The onus is therefore on you to find a way to package your project in the neatest way possible within a reasonable time frame. A 3 hole punch will be a handy tool for this, but then you face the challenge of choosing a suitable option. You can depend on us for this one as we’ve reviewed many available options and have narrowed them down to 5 of the best 3 hole punch brands. You only have to read through our review while keeping a mental note that these brands have other variants to offer if the options we present here aren’t what you’re looking for.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Size

Capacity

Adjustability

Material

Our Top Choice

Swingline Commercial Electric Hole Punch

Since 1925, Swingline has been manufacturing high performance and durable office products designed for increased productivity and efficiency.

High performance. Fast and reliable. Silent operation. Easy to use. Features built-in chip tray and paper guide.

Does not release after drilling, making papers stick.

Electric; 3-hole

16.5 x 10 x 6 inches; 12 lbs

28 sheets

Fixed paper punches

Steel and plastic

Best Value

Officemate Adjustable 2 and 3 Hole Punch

Officemate has become one of the leading manufacturers of office products and accessories that boost productivity and convenience.

Sturdy ergonomic lever handle. Easy operation. Adjustable drill. Easily accessed and removable chip tray.

Excessive lubricating oil on moving parts.

Manual; 2- or 3-hole

10.5 x 6.6 x 3 inches; 5 lbs

32 sheets

Adjustable paper guide

Steel and plastic

CARL Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch

Since 1929, CARL has been designing and manufacturing high-quality paper trimmers and punching systems for offices, schools, and homes.

Built-in paper guide. Punches accurately. 300-sheet capacity. Easily accessible high capacity waste tray. Non-skid base. Adjustable margin depth selector.

Not adjustable for 2 holes.

Manual; 3-hole

.10.5 x 12 x 15.8 inches; 20 lbs

300 sheets

Adjustable margin depth

Steel

Bostitch Electric 3-Hole Punch

Founded in 1896, Bostitch manufactures and offers staplers and other office essentials that are crafted from top quality materials you can count on.

Steel punch heads. Smooth and clean punches. Easy to use. Portable design. Handy chip drawer to keep things tidy.

A little fragile.

Electric; 3-hole

13.2 x 3.3 x 3.5 inches; 2.25 lbs

12 sheets

Adjustable paper guide

Steel

Sparco Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch

Sparco is a top brand that offers quality office equipment and essentials that make everyday office activities efficient and convenient.

A centering guide for accurate positioning. Easy to use chip tray. Steel punches for a clean drill. Large handle requiring minimal effort. Works great on laminated sheets.

Cannot be locked when not in use.

Manual; 2- or 3-hole

11.6 x 3.9 x 2.2 inches; 0.55 lbs

30 sheets

Adjustable centering guide

Steel

(Updated August 6, 2017)

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Watch Our 3 Hole Punch Review

How Do I Choose the Best 3 Hole Punch?

It’s always important that you get the necessary tool to ease up your workload as much as possible, and this is no less the case when you’re working with a large volume of papers at a time. You need a printer to print out the documents, and when you’ve sorted them all out, those that need to go to the paper shredder can go while the rest need to be neatly organized. This is where your 3 hole punch comes in. With a sturdy 3 hole punch, you can efficiently package your document or project and conclude your task professionally.

A good 3 hole punch can drill a few sheets or a few dozen depending on its punching capacity. Some come with replaceable parts to ensure durability. 3 hole punches can easily fit right on your office desk or reading table if you’re a student. While some 3 hole punches use electric power and batteries, there are others that are still operated manually, the old-fashioned way.

Since 3 hole punches are designed to make your job easier, it’s only natural that the best 3 hole punch for you will be determined by your specific needs, the material you want to work with and the kind of project you’re handling. A wrong choice of 3 hole punch can mess the material up, destroy the punch itself or even cause injury to your hand.

Price

3 hole punches have different punching capacities and are made with various materials, the nature of which will determine the price of any particular product. A heavy-duty 3 hole punch with up to 300 sheet capacity can go for up to $250 while a less expensive option with steel construction and an adjustable center guide goes for about $30.

We came across cheap 3 hole punches during our research, but they’re hardly worth your consideration or your money as they’re highly compromised regarding construction and functionality. They’ll mess up your paper and aren’t durable. So, please, don’t expect those in the reviews on this page.

Features

A 3 hole punch is one of those tools that can’t be substituted; you can’t accomplish its task by yourself. If you’re looking to punch holes in paper, you need it, and that’s all there is to it. A good 3 hole punch will help you finish your project faster and better, and you can make it ready for the insertion of your choice. If you’ve decided to get one for yourself, watch out for the following features:

Punching capacity
Manual or electric
Design and construction
Material
Dimension

This list will familiarize you with what to expect from a proper 3 hole punch. As you proceed, you’ll increasingly understand how each of these features contributes to the functionality of a 3 hole punch.

Construction and Design

3 hole punches are important tools to prepare your project for safekeeping or submission. You can easily put your documents in binders after punching them through. There are different kinds of 3 hole punches and the type that’ll work best for you depends on what you want to do and the volume of the project you’re working on. Some 3 hole punches will easily punch hundreds of paper since they’ve been built for heavy-duty use while others, which are designed for personal use, can punch up to 40 sheets.

How a 3 hole punch operates is also important. Some high-end 3 hole punches are electric-powered, which offer heavy-duty performance and require minimal manual labour. There are also some variants that use batteries alongside the electric power option. Other 3 hole punches are operated manually and can be used for small to medium sized projects. The type of punch you buy will likely depend on the size of the task you have at hand.

All the 3 hole punches in our review have a small footprint and don’t require a lot of space. However, their designs and construction vary. They also have different dimensions, weight and punch sizes. While some models come with fixed punch heads, others have adjustable punch heads, and still others come with replaceable dies.

To a large extent, the material that makes up a 3 hole punch determines its durability. That’s why some are made of heavy gauge steel, some with silver exterior, and some others are a combination of different materials. Steel is a durable metal that will guarantee long life for your 3 hole punch if all things remain equal. Some 3 hole punches are made primarily of plastic, but even these can still be highly durable. The diameter of 3 hole punch heads ranges from about 9/32 inches to 13/32 inches.

Performance and Ease of Use

If you won’t be using pre-punched paper for your projects, it’s important that you buy the best 3 hole punch to get what you need. Whether you’re a professional or a student, it’s essential that you make clean and tidy punches on your documents. You must have noticed that there are different types of 3 hole punches out there. There are some advantages that certain options may offer that you won’t find in others.

Some 3 hole punches can drill through magazines and laminations making them applicable to a broad range of materials. Those models that come with lever handle and ergonomic features are more comfortable and easier to use. With different sheet-capacities and different performance-levels, there are 3 hole punches that are suitable for industrial purposes, classroom environments, office settings, or for simple use at home.

Whether you want to use the paper chips for artistic purposes or as confetti or you simply want to throw them in the trash, 3 hole punches come with chip trays to collect the paper that’s been punched and easily disposes of it. Some also have a sleek finish to prevent the hole punch from retaining dirt.

You now have a better understanding of 3 hole punch. We hope you’ll be able to decide on the combination of features that you expect in the best 3 hole punch for you.

What is the Best 3 Hole Punch?

Now that you not only know about 3 hole punches but have decided on the features that matter to you, it’s time to read through our review of individual brands/products. We hope you’ll find it easy to decide on a product that’ll represent the best 3 hole punch for you.

Our Top Choice

The Swingline Electric Commercial Hole Punch uses patented technology to punch up to 28 sheets at a time using a touch button control which gives you a clean punch every time. If you’d prefer one with a higher sheet capacity, go for the Swingline Medium Duty Electric 3 Hole Punch which has a 50-sheet capacity and a jam reverse switch.

Swingline 8.5 Inch Centers 28 Sheet Capacity Commercial Electric Hole Punch — Available in 2 Styles

Swingline 3 Hole Punch A7074535A — 3 Holes

Features

Swingline was founded in New York City in 1925 by Jack Linsky. In 1939, it created a revolutionary stapler with a more practical loading system which is now standard among modern hole punches. It then went ahead to build other office products apart from staplers, which include pencil sharpeners, trimmers, binders, laminators, etc. Its innovative and practical designs make Swingline’s products easy and efficient to use.

The Swingline Electric 3 Hole Punch is a well-designed, easy to use, and high-performance office punch which uses patented technology to deliver clean punches. Unlike the manual types, this punch is electric-powered which spares you the hassles of pressing, seeing as it’s controlled with the touch of a button. It has a compact size and will easily blend in with the office environment. Below are some more features of this 3-hole punch:

Sleek and portable design
Electric-powered requiring less manual effort
Semi-adjustable center punch
28-sheet capacity
Built-in chip trap
Silent operation
Fast and easy to use
Ideal for heavy use
2-year limited warranty

Swingline has many other office punches you can check out if your mind isn’t yet made up.

Best Value

The Officemate Adjustable 2 and 3 Hole Punch has a sturdy metal construction and can handle heavy-duty use, allowing you to punch through 32 sheets of 20-pound paper at once and giving each sheet 9/32-inch holes. If you want a more affordable punch for smaller tasks, go for the Officemate Deluxe Medium Duty 3-Hole Punch, which has a chip drawer and a padded handle.

Officemate Heavy Duty Adjustable 2-3 Hole Punch with Lever Handle

Officemate 3 Hole Punch 90078

Features

With over 33 years of experience, Officemate International has grown to become one of the leading brands in the manufacture of office products and essentials. It has branches in many countries, thereby ensuring its products are well-distributed and readily available. Its products are also manufactured under strict supervision and quality control so you can count on the fact that you’re always getting the best quality possible.

The Officemate Adjustable 3 Hole Punch is a heavy-duty office punch constructed from sturdy metal and has an ergonomic lever for easy operation. Its adjustable paper guide allows you to create accurate and neat holes. You can also adjust it to punch 2 or 3 holes depending on how you want it. The following are more features that make this heavy-duty office 3 hole punch a great product:

Steel construction
Easily accessible chip tray
Makes 9/32-inch holes
Has a capacity of up to 32 sheets
1-year limited warranty

If this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, Officemate has many other 3-hole punches you can check out.

The CARL Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch is a sturdy metal construct that makes your punching tasks a breeze with its capacity to drill through 300 sheets of 20-pound paper in one fell swoop. If your budget or task size is somewhat smaller, check out the CARL 63150 Model Heavy-Duty 150 Sheet 3-Hole Punch which uses the hollow punch head technology for less effort.

CARL Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch 9/32-inch 300-Sheet Capacity

CARL 3 Hole Punch 70617

Features

CARL has been a Japan based company since 1929 but established its American arm, CARL MFG, USA, in 1999. Since then it’s been offering the American market a full range of personal security products, paper punching systems, and trimmers. This brand was created with the aim of providing its customers with top quality products they can always depend on to perform whenever they’re needed.

This CARL Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch will help you punch through stacks of paper with minimal effort in no time. Its steel construction makes it tough enough to handle heavy duty use. The long handle and the hollow punching heads on this paper punch are the secrets behind how it punches through so much at once. Below are some more features of this monster of a paper punch:

Uses the hollow punch head technology
Has a 300-sheet capacity
Built-in paper guide
Easily accessible high capacity waste tray
Adjustable margin depth selector
Non-skid base
Limited lifetime warranty

There are plenty of other 3 hole punches from CARL if you want to see more options before making up your mind.

The Bostitch Electric 3-Hole Punch can be powered either through an electric cord or by battery. It has an adjustable paper guide that lets you customize your punches so you aren’t limited to any preset format. If you want a manual punch, go for the Bostitch EZ Squeeze Heavy Duty Adjustable 2-3 Hole Punch which has an ergonomic handle that’s suitable for both left and right-handed punching.

Bostitch Electric 3-Hole Punch AC or Battery

Bostitch 3 Hole Punch EHP3BLK

Features

Bostitch was founded by Thomas Briggs who also invented the wire stitcher which was used for fastening calendars, books, checks, etc. Bostitch later went on to create a foot-operated stapler which later led the company to offer different types of staplers for industrial markets. As time passed, the collection of its products continued to grow, and Bostitch didn’t relent in the quality and performance of its products. Today, it’s one of the leading manufacturers of office equipment.

The Bostitch Electric 3-Hole Punch can be powered by either AC current or by using 6 AA batteries. This versatility coupled with its portability makes it easy to carry around. You can adjust the paper guide to accommodate multiple paper sizes. This office punch has a trendy design that will serve as a nice décor in your office space. Here are some more features of this sleek office punch:

Sleek and compact design
Battery or electric powered
Steel punch heads for accurate punching
It punches 9/32-inch holes
Easy to empty chip drawer
12 sheets capacity
7-year limited warranty

Bostitch has some other great punch models if you want to see more from this terrific brand.

The Sparco Adjustable 3-Hole Punch is an all steel construct which has adjustable punch heads that can drill 2 or 3 holes through 30 sheets at a time. If you’d like a punch from this brand with a higher capacity, try out the Sparco Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch which has a capacity of up to 40 sheets.

Sparco SPR01796 Heavy-Duty Adjustable 9/32" 3-Hole Punch

Sparco 3 Hole Punch SPR01796

Features

For years, Sparco has been a leading brand in the supply and distribution of top quality and durable office essentials that are innovatively designed to enhance productivity and performance. It has a full range of products such as push pins, easel document holders, staplers, folders, computer papers and much more. It has a widespread distribution network that makes its products available wherever they’re needed.

The Sparco Adjustable 3-Hole Punch is a heavy duty steel office tool that drills through up to 30 sheets of paper at a time with 9/32-inch holes. These steel punches can be adjusted to drill 2 or 3 holes as is required and each punch can also be adjusted to customize how the hole is drilled. The following are some other features of this heavy duty punch:

Heavy-duty steel construct
Can make 2 or 3 hole punches
Adjustable punches for easy customization
Steel punches for a clean drill
Large handle requiring minimal effort
30-sheet capacity
Adjustable centering guide
Easily removable chip tray
Works great on laminated sheets

If this super puncher has you hungering for more, Sparco has other 3 hole punches you can check out.

Get the Best 3 Hole Punch of 2018!

As you’ve reached the end of our review of some of the best 3 hole punches, we hope you’re now sufficiently informed to be confident about your choice of your next office tool. You have no reason to wait anymore; go on, make your purchase and start punching those papers for a neat presentation.

Our Top Choice

Swingline Commercial Electric Hole Punch

Best Value

Officemate Adjustable 2 and 3 Hole Punch

CARL Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch

Bostitch Electric 3-Hole Punch

Sparco Heavy-Duty 3-Hole Punch