Best Pencil Sharpeners of 2026

"I'm not usually the type to leave reviews for something like a pencil sharpener, but after using this one, I have to say it's hands down the best manual sharpener I've ever owned. It gives my pencils a perfect point every time, never breaks the lead, and looks good too. If you're on the fence, just get it—you won't regret it."

"As someone who uses expensive colored pencils for detailed work, I was blown away at how well this sharpener performs. I can choose between a sharp or blunt point, and the container holds a surprising amount of shavings. For under two dollars, it exceeded all my expectations. I'll definitely be buying more for my regular pencils and for my kids at school."

"I homeschool, so we sharpen a lot of pencils. These are my go-to sharpeners because they're reliable, affordable, and have two settings for different point styles. I have several already and plan to get more. They're simply the best for everyday use."

"I was genuinely surprised by how fun and efficient this sharpener is—it automatically grabs the pencil, sharpens it in seconds, and ejects it when done. It's solidly built, fast, and quieter than expected. The suction cups mostly keep it steady, and the bin holds a good amount of shavings. It's honestly the best sharpener I've tried!"

"Setting up my new desk, I couldn't resist getting this sharpener. The automatic sharpening and five sharpness settings make it feel high-tech, and it handles all my pencils, even the thicker ones. I love that it won't resharpen already sharp pencils, so my kids can't grind them into nubs! The big shavings bin and replaceable blades are a bonus, and it's just so satisfying to use."

"As an artist, I appreciate the five sharpening modes, especially the extra sharp one for detail work. It uses very little of the pencil and is super quick and consistent. The suction cups do a great job keeping it in place. This would be perfect for classrooms or studios."

"As a middle school teacher, I've seen my fair share of broken sharpeners, but this one is a game changer. It holds up even when kids try to break it, and no matter what they put in, it just keeps working. I’ve emptied shavings twice and found metal scraps, but the sharpener never gave up. This is the only one tough enough for my classroom."

"I love how fast and efficient this sharpener is. It works equally well on 2H and colored pencils, producing a clean, sharp point in seconds. One thing to note: hold your pencil tight or it might get pulled out of your hand. Overall, great value for the price."

"After years of struggling with hand-held sharpeners and even pocketknives, this electric sharpener has been a massive upgrade. It gives me the sharpest, most consistent points with almost no effort, and doesn’t waste my pencils. The only minor downside is that it takes up more space and needs to be plugged in, but the performance is totally worth it."

"I was searching for a reliable pencil sharpener for my children because the small ones kept breaking or getting lost. This sharpener worked perfectly right out of the box, handling a stack of colored pencils with ease. The automatic shutoff prevents over-sharpening, and it's compact and quiet. I also appreciate the secure top that keeps shavings contained. For the price, it’s a fantastic buy—highly recommended!"

"As a nursing student, I always need sharp pencils, and this sharpener has been incredibly dependable. Though it’s a bit bulky, it still fits nicely in my backpack. Every sharpening results in a super sharp, precise tip. I’m very satisfied and would definitely recommend it to others."

"In our busy office, this sharpener has been a great addition. It sharpens pencils fast and is quieter than other electric models. I love that it works both with batteries and a USB cable, making it super portable. The shavings compartment is easy to empty, and cleanup is simple."

"I'm really particular about having sharp pencils for my kids' handwriting and calligraphy practice, and this sharpener makes the monthly ritual of sharpening all their pencils so much easier. It works efficiently every time, and I love the results. If you want to keep your pencils perfectly sharp, this is a must-have."

"As a parent of a kid who loves writing, I appreciate that this sharpener is lightweight, durable, and sharpens pencils flawlessly on the first try. The price was great, so I got three—one for home, school, and the backpack. It holds up well to heavy daily use and doesn’t take up much space. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a powerful, inexpensive sharpener."

"I was tired of wasting watercolor pencils with cheap manual sharpeners, but this electric sharpener is a game changer. It gives precise, sharp points without breaking the pencils or creating waste. Plus, its compact size fits perfectly on my crafting desk. I’m genuinely happy with it and would recommend it to anyone who sharpens pencils often."

"After trying several brands, I found this sharpener to be a huge improvement over others like Prismacolor and Kum Magnesium. It gives a consistently sharp point and is much easier to empty. The build feels much sturdier, and my colored pencils are no longer getting chewed up. Definitely worth the extra few bucks!"

"This is the best pencil sharpener I've ever owned. The blade is super sharp and smooth, leaving my pencils with a perfectly pointy tip every time. I also appreciate that the top stays secure, so I no longer have to deal with shavings spilling everywhere. Highly recommended and worth every penny!"

"I bought this for my son to use at school, and it’s been fantastic for both colored and graphite pencils. It only takes a couple of spins for a sharp point, and the color options are a nice bonus. Perfect for parents and students alike!"

"I've found this sharpener to be sturdy and surprisingly sharp for the price. It cleaned my eyebrow pencils nicely, and although I needed a wet paper towel for cleanup, I'm happy with its performance and hope it lasts."

"This sharpener gives me a perfect point on my Wet N Wild eyeliner pencil—it works just like a regular pencil sharpener and delivers a sharp, precise tip every time."

"For makeup pencils, this sharpener has been reliable and the blades are still sharp even after several months. I would have liked a compartment for the shavings, but otherwise, it's a great value."

"I've used this sharpener in my classroom, and it holds up exceptionally well even with constant use by kids. It handles thousands of pencils, sharpens evenly every time, and is super easy to clean. I was impressed by its consistency and reliability—it really lasted until the very end!"

"The big container for shavings means less emptying, and the battery lasts ages. It’s simple to use and clean, and all the colors look amazing. I’m happy with how well it works!"

"This sharpener is compact and accurate, making it a great fit for my space. Quick sharpening without eating the pencil—and the price is right. Just be careful not to drop it on hard floors, as it might not survive the fall!"

"I picked this up to replace a pricier classroom sharpener that broke. What a difference—it sharpens pencils super fast, isn’t noisy, and stops automatically when done. My students are so impressed with the sharp, clean results that they even want one for themselves. Definitely the best sharpener I’ve used in my classroom."

"I was tired of struggling with handheld sharpeners for years, so I finally tried this one. It works wonderfully with both batteries and a cord, so I never worry about finding an outlet. Since using it, my planner pencils are always sharp, and I can keep my workspace cord-free. Absolutely love the convenience and performance."

"This sharpener does its job really well—my pencils are sharp in no time, and the size makes it super easy to store. I also like that it stops automatically when the pencil is ready. For the price, it’s a fantastic value."

"As a teacher, I find this sharpener to be a total lifesaver in my classroom. It’s not only fast and quiet but also delivers perfect pencil points every time. Even with daily, heavy use, it remains sturdy and dependable—no more wasted pencils. For any educator or homeschooling parent, I truly believe this investment is well worth it."

"Working in a busy children’s library, I needed a sharpener that could handle constant use and noise sensitivity. This model is a huge improvement over our last one, with much less noise and perfect results every time. I’m so relieved I trusted the recommendations from other teachers—it's been a game changer for us."

"As an artist, I rely on this sharpener for colored, pastel, and charcoal pencils. With care, it sharpens even delicate art pencils better than any alternative I’ve tried. While it can clog occasionally with softer materials, I find it so effective that I’m willing to keep a backup on hand. Despite the hassle, it outperforms every other sharpener I’ve used for art supplies."