The 10 Best Paper Cutters

Jul 09, 2023

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These make the cut for precision and ease of use.

Paper cutters can cut both ways: A really good one will make a project much more streamlined, and the end product more attractive, but a so-so cutter will add time and result in a sub-par product. But for committed crafters, scrapbookers, technical workers, artists, and teachers, a paper cutter is an essential tool, and produces (potentially) a much more precise cut, quickly, than a pair of scissors ever could. Still, there are several types of paper cutters on the market, which makes picking the right one for you even more important and challenging. We take the guesswork out of the search, below.

Paper cutters come in all types, shapes, and sizes. They also have features that may be convenient, necessary, or completely superfluous depending on your needs. Keep the following in mind for the best cutter for you.

Each type of paper cutter has a different style and purpose. A guillotine (a long arm that you move up and down) is the most common type of paper cutter on the market. But there are a number of other types, including rotary (with a sliding blade), stack (which can cut through 400 papers at once), and electric (this can also cut through hundreds of papers, but requires a plug in).

DIY craft lovers are going to need a much different size and type of cutter than a busy office or teacher; we noted best uses.

Keep in mind that some of the more powerful cutters on our list would not be ideal for families with small children running around. We made a note of safety mechanisms and concerns.

We considered all of the most common paper-cutting needs, and sifted through hundreds of options. We consulted expert and consumer reviews, and narrowed down our list to include the widest range of top-rated options available, from reputable companies.

Key Specs

This commercial grade paper trimmer slices right through 20 sheets of paper, film, or photographs at once. The trimmer features a perpetual edge self-sharpening system, so the blade will stay sharp, even with constant use. The cutter features a safety guard and latch.

Reviewers love this “amazing cutter.” One user says they use it to cut out “vinyl graphics. Works great. Sharp blade. Definitely a time-saver if you’re doing a lot of repetitive cutting.”

But others warn that it can be dangerous because it doesn’t have a spring-loaded hinge, which means “the blade will drop if you release it.”

Key Specs

This small-scale cutter is perfect for at-home crafters who want a paper cutter for scrapbooking and art projects. The trimmer features a patented Triple Track System, which features interlocking blades and rails for cuts that are straight and steady.

The base includes a built-in ruler for easy measurement, and the swing-out arm extends that measuring deck to 15 inches for extra-large cutting. The measuring arm comes with two safety stop locks. The cutter comes with a lifetime warranty.

One user says this trimmer “cuts everything I need like a dream.”

Key Specs

This paper cutter is easy to use, with a sharp guillotine blade, and a paper alignment grid. It’s also light, and with a 15-inch cutting length, making it a great choice for trimming tasks at home and school.

Families with children will love the easy-to-use ergonomic handle, lightweight design, and guard rails that protect little fingers from the sharp blade. There is also a blade latch hook that keeps the trimmer arm locked in place when it’s not being used.

Reviewers say it works “great for the price.” Others say it’s too large, “which is a good thing when you’re using it, but not so great when you’re not, which is most days of the year for me.”

Key Specs

This heavy-duty paper cutter is ideal for cutting paper on an industrial scale. You’ll be able to slice through up to 400 sheets of paper in one pass, thanks to a built-in heavy-duty clamp that eliminates paper shift and drag.

This trimmer will cut through papers up to 17 inches in length, large enough to create posters and large books. The HFS cutter comes with a moveable fence, allowing you to cut through multiple stacks quickly. The base also includes a grid and rulers.

If used improperly, this cutter can be dangerous, and while safety measures have been implemented (including a safety mechanism that holds the arm up until you’re ready to use, and a lock), it may not be a good choice if you have young children at home.

Key Specs

This paper trimmer is an Amazon best seller, and it’s easy to see why. It is super small and highly transportable, but creates efficient and clean cuts. The Firbon model includes a built-in grid, and will cut through paper, photos, cards, and laminated material up to 1.5 mm thick. This cutter also comes with a safety lock, and is ideal for at-home crafters who want a reliable cutter that doesn’t take up a lot of space.

Reviewers say it “cuts smoothly and straight—no frayed edges.”

Key Specs

This patented two-in-one paper guillotine and corner puncher includes self-sharpening blades that never need to be replaced. The cuts are super accurate, and the baseline grid includes a metric and inch measuring model.

The trimmer slices papers up to 12 inches in length, which makes it ideal for regular printing paper, fliers, handouts, and invitations. This trimmer also features a corner punch to round-out corners, which crafters appreciate. The blade includes a safety lock.

One crafter writes that this “cutter is simply amazing. It cuts all vinyl, iron-on, adhesives, cards, and boards like a dream. This is a must-have for crafters!” Others appreciate how “light” and “easy to move” it is.

Key Specs

This super heavy-duty trimmer is built to last for high-volume and frequent use. It does require an outlet to operate, but when it does, it does the paper trimming work accurately, on a large scale. This machine is designed for office and individual professional use.

Reviewers admit that it’s pricey, but say it’s a “great product worth every penny! Ten times better than working with a guillotine cutter!” Other reviewers appreciate that you can set it for your personal needs: “Highly recommended for anyone that needs to cut paper for daily or weekly jobs.”

Key Specs

This rotary trimmer comes equipped with a self-sharpening blade that doesn’t need replacing. It also features a unique, dual-rail cutting system that stabilizes the blade and creates precise cuts through a range of materials.

The Fiskars cutter is particularly popular for slicing and dicing thick card stock. The base comes with a grid-line measurement system, a built-in smudge-guard, a folding design for easy storage, and a safety lock.

One reviewer writes that “it’s still as sharp as the new one after more than a year!” Another dubs it the “holy grail of cutters.”

Key Specs

Germs are on everyone’s minds these days, and if you are going to be sharing this cutter, the antimicrobial handle may help set your mind at ease.

The handle is also soft and ergonomic, which is a bonus if you’re going to be cutting a lot of things at once. The cutter also comes with a safety guard and a 15-year warranty. The guillotine trimmer features a grid base, so you can measure your cutting projects carefully, and the Westcott produces clean lines.

One reviewer says it “cuts through paper like a hot knife through butter!”

Key Specs

This compact cutter is ideal for making precision cuts repeatedly. The stainless steel, no-touch safety blade is also a good option for families with young ones running around. The trimmer comes with an optional perforated blade, which is a nice thing to have on hand for crafters.

One reviewer writes that “I chose this one because I didn’t want to pay over a hundred bucks for a paper cutter. It serves my needs perfectly!” Another praises it for working “great” with a blade that “doesn’t seem to be dulling.”

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