Best Pencil Sharpeners of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2025

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Pencil sharpeners are a must-have for anyone who uses pencils regularly, whether it's for writing, drawing, or coloring. They come in different types, including manual sharpeners, electric sharpeners, and portable sharpeners. Manual sharpeners are the most common and affordable, while electric sharpeners are faster and more convenient. Portable sharpeners are great for on-the-go use, and some even come with a container to collect the shavings. Pencil sharpeners are available in various designs, colors, and sizes to suit different preferences and needs. They are essential tools that help keep pencils sharp, allowing for precise and neat work.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover #TOP 1
Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Colorful Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener Cover #TOP 2
Colorful Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.8
STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener Cover #TOP 3
STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Pencil Sharpeners

Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener

EPS4 - BLACK
Black
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
Compact Desktop Electric Pencil Sharpener, Black, Sold as 1 Each

This pencil sharpener has a powerful motor and a HHC cutter that allows for 4x longer cutting life. It has a space-saving design and a giant shavings tray that can handle lots of pencil shavings. The safety switch ensures the operator's safety when the tray is removed. It is a perfect addition to your current office supplies, especially when you are in a home office with limited space.

What We Like
Sharpens quickly and precisely
Quiet operation
Lightweight and compact
Large shavings tray
Great for colored pencils
What We Don't Like
Requires different power supply in some regions
Sharpener hole slightly large for colored pencils

Colorful Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener

WH-ZBD-FA
Multicolor
A-Pencil sharpener
Colorful Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener Cover
Pencil Sharpener, Manual Pencil Sharpeners, 4PCS Colorful Compact Dual Holes Pencil Sharpeners with Lid, Colored Pencil Sharpener for Kids & Adults, Portable Pencil Sharpener for Travel School Office

The Aipker Double Holes Plastic Sharpener is a compact and portable pencil sharpener, available in 4 colorful designs. It has 2 different sized holes to accommodate standard to large sized pencils. The carbon steel blade effectively sharpens your pencils to sharp points, and the transparent shavings receptacle allows you to know when to empty the easy-to-clean shavings tray. Its spill-proof design and small size make it great for travel, school, or office use.

What We Like
Various cute colors
Good for occasional use
Container for debris
Cost-effective solution
Sharpens No. 2 pencils well
What We Don't Like
Not all sharpeners work
May run out quickly
#TOP 3

STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener

STD51163
Multi-color
1 Pack
STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener Cover
STAEDTLER pencil sharpener, premium quality sharpener with screw-on lid, prevents accidental openings, compact size for pencil case and work-station, 511 63BK (Pack of 1) , Assorted colors.

The STAEDTLER Premium Quality Pencil Sharpener is a must-have tool for those who value a sharp pencil. The metal sharpener comes with a secure screw-on lid that prevents accidental opening, making it safe to carry around. It is compact and portable, perfect for your pencil case and work-station. The sharpener is available in assorted colors, adding a fun surprise to every order.

What We Like
Durable metal construction
Sharpens pencils quickly
Produces fine sharp points
Easy to clean
Suitable for various pencil types
What We Don't Like
May break fine points
Somewhat pricey
#TOP 4

X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener

19501X
Black
X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener, Black/Silver (19501/19501X)

The X-ACTO Mighty Mite Electric Pencil Sharpener with Pencil Saver, SafeStart Motor is a small and efficient pencil sharpener that is perfect for teachers and homeschool supplies. The sharpener is equipped with a Pencil Saver feature that prevents over-sharpening and extends the pencil life. The SafeStart Motor prevents operation when the shavings receptacle is removed, ensuring the safety of the user. The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to move around and fit in small spaces.

What We Like
Easy to use
Compact size
Sharpens colored pencils
Quick sharpening
Durable and long-lasting
What We Don't Like
Weighted bottom would be ideal
Requires power outlet

Yuntop Manual Pencil Sharpener

206360
Yuntop Manual Pencil Sharpener Cover
12 Pcs Manual Pencil Sharpener for School Office Home Pencil Sharpeners for Kids with Lid Colored Compact Dual Holes Portable Handheld Plastic Pencil Sharpener for Adults Students Class Home Office

This Yuntop Pencil Sharpener is a high-quality and portable pencil sharpener designed for kids and adults. Made of durable plastic, it is easy to hold and operate. The sharp blade ensures quick and precise sharpening without breaking the pencil tip. With two different-sized holes, this sharpener is suitable for pencils of any size, making it perfect for primary school students and art enthusiasts. The pencil sharpener also offers safety and convenience features, such as a plastic hole cover to prevent accidents and a transparent drawer to collect pencil shavings neatly. The set includes 12 sharpeners in various colors, making it ideal for classrooms, offices, or as gifts. Buy with confidence, as Yuntop promises quality products and excellent customer service.

What We Like
Affordable price
Good for classroom use
Popular with children
Includes colorful designs
What We Don't Like
Broke easily
Inconsistent sharpening

X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener

1670X
Black
X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
X-ACTO Pencil Sharpener, SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener, Heavy Duty Electric Pencil Sharpener for School, Classroom and Teacher Supplies, Perfect Addition to Homeschooling Supplies, Black

The X-ACTO SchoolPro Electric Pencil Sharpener is a heavy-duty pencil sharpener suitable for schools, classrooms, and homeschooling. It features a break-resistant sharpener that creates precise tips to reduce lead breakage, a flyaway cutter that prevents oversharpening, and an easy-to-empty XL shaving bin that keeps the workspace tidy. The six-size dial fits nearly every pencil, including colored pencils.

What We Like
Large and convenient design
Multiple pencil size settings
Strong motor and cutter
Auto shut-off feature
Less messy cleanup
What We Don't Like
Not the quietest option
Pricey compared to basic models
#TOP 7

Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes

XBD-001
Covered
Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes Cover
Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners, 4 Pcs Pencil Sharpeners Manual,Dual Holes Compact Colored Handheld Pencil Sharpener for Kids with Lid Adults Students School Class Home Office (Covered)

Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes are perfect for students, teachers, and professionals. The pencil sharpeners come with dual holes design, made of high-quality materials, easy to carry and clean, and available in four different colors. You can sharpen pencils of different thicknesses and reduce children's exposure to pencil dust, providing essential stationery supplies for all.

What We Like
Great value for money
Portable and small size
Effective and easy to use
Attractive colors
Includes cover for shavings
What We Don't Like
Top can come apart easily
Sharp edges may be a concern
#TOP 8

Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener

EPS4-BLUE
Blue
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener Cover
Bostitch Office Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener, Powerful Stall-Free Motor, High Capacity Shavings Tray, Blue

The Bostitch Personal Electric Pencil Sharpener is designed to provide you with a longer-lasting cutting performance through its HHC cutter technology. The powerful motor ensures that your sharpening experience is always smooth and stall-free. Additionally, it comes with a safety switch that prevents operation when the shavings tray is removed. The high capacity shavings tray is easy to clean, making maintenance a breeze. Its space-saving compact design allows for easy storage in small spaces.

What We Like
Durable and long-lasting
Compact and efficient design
Powerful stall-free motor
High-capacity shavings tray
Handles various pencil types
What We Don't Like
Small shavings tray

Bostitch Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener with Tip Saver and 8-Hole Dial

MPS1-BLK
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Bostitch Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener with Tip Saver and 8-Hole Dial Cover
Bostitch Office Wall Mount Manual Pencil Sharpener, Tip Saver, 8 Hole Dial, 6X Longer Cutter Life, Vertical or Horizontal Mounting Black (MPS1-BLK)

Bostitch Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener has a Tip Saver that prevents over sharpening and an 8-hole dial that accommodates different pencil sizes. It features Dual Cutter Technology that is 6X longer and has replaceable cutters. The sharpener comes with clams and screws that allow for vertical or horizontal mounting.

What We Like
Sturdy and reliable design
Easy to mount
Wide variety of pencil sizes
Long cutter life
Great pencil point quality
What We Don't Like
No screws included for mounting
Hard to empty shavings
#TOP 10

Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener, 3-Pack

PS1-ADJ-3PK
3-pack
Pack of 3
Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener, 3-Pack Cover
Bostitch Office Twist-N-Sharp Manual Pencil Sharpener, Easy Open Tray, Perfect for Kids, Works with Colored Pencils & Makeup Pencils, 3-Pack

The Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener is a manual sharpener that is perfect for kids, colored pencils, and makeup pencils. It features premium ratchet technology that allows for fast and comfortable sharpening. The attached dispenser drawers make it easy to clean the shavings and prevent losing any parts. The center dial allows for customizable sharpening, either sharp or blunt. The tip saver technology prevents over-sharpening, making the pencils last longer. This pack includes all three colors.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Sharpens quickly and effectively
Easy for kids to use
Mess-free operation
Good value for three-pack
What We Don't Like
A bit tricky to empty
Buying Guide Image

A Guide to Selecting Pencil Sharpeners

Pencil sharpeners are devices used for sharpening pencils. If you use pencils regularly, you would understand how essential pencil sharpeners are. Sharpeners are of diverse types, and the most popular types are manual and electrical sharpeners. These objects allow pencil owners to sharpen their stationeries by ensuring contact with the blade through the conical chamber.

Sharpeners are safe, fast, and easy to use. If you need well-sharpened pencils, you should consider getting a good pencil sharpener. The best electric pencil sharpeners consume very little power to ensure you have a sharp pencil. After cutting away the blunt edges, the pencil sharpener uses the blade embedded into it to sharpen any pencil. Before buying your pencil sharpener, there are some essential factors that you should consider.

Factors to consider before buying pencil sharpeners

Type of sharpeners: there are different sharpeners, but the most popular types are manual and electrical pencil sharpeners. Manual sharpeners are used more frequently than electrical sharpeners due to the cost implication. The best manual pencil sharpeners are often surrounded by plastic, forming the conical chamber where the pencil goes. You have to choose your preferred type of sharpener. For schools, workplaces, and other institutions, electrical sharpeners would be more efficient due to their speed and durability. For personal use, you can buy either of the two types.

Size: size is another factor you should consider before you buy your pencil sharpener. While sellers would recommend small sharpeners for personal use, it's not advisable for school/workplace. Bigger sharpeners would reduce the possibility of theft and loss. It would help if you bought big pencil sharpener machines for places where many people would use the sharpener. For personal use, you can buy smaller and easily accessible pencil sharpeners.

The shape of pencils: pencils come in different shapes, and you would have to buy a suitable sharpener to ensure it fits the purpose. Pencils can be circular, hexagonal, and even triangular. Pencil sharpeners for colored pencils come in different shapes to allow you to make better choices to suit the kind of pencils you would be using. If you buy a hexagonal pencil for a circular-based sharpener, you will find it difficult to sharpen your pencils effectively.

Benefits of pencil sharpeners

Time-saving: pencil sharpeners save time. While other tools might be used for sharpening pencils, none works as fast as an electric pencil sharpener. The device sharpens the pencil the moment the mouth enters the blade region. You don’t have to worry about your blunt pencil when you have an efficient tool like a pencil sharpener.

Saves energy: sharpening pencils with other tools tend to waste energy. If you have a good sharpener, you will save a notable amount of energy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do pencil sharpeners work?

Pencil sharpeners work by pushing a pencil against a blade. The blade sharpens the pencil through the process.

Why is my pencil sharpener not sharpening my pencil?

Many things could have caused your sharpener to go blunt. Always take care of your sharpener to prevent similar occurrences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it better to sharpen pencils with a knife or sharpener?

Sharpening pencils with a knife offers more flexibility in shaping the pencil's tip and can be considered an art form. It allows for greater variability in the shape and utility of the pencil tip compared to using a sharpener.

2. Are electric pencil sharpeners better than manual?

Electric pencil sharpeners have certain advantages over manual sharpeners. They are faster at sharpening pencils, saving you time and allowing you to focus on your work. Additionally, they provide a sharper edge to the pencil point, which enhances precision and accuracy during use.

3. Why do artists sharpen their pencils like that?

Artists sharpen their pencils in a specific way to optimize their drawing techniques. By whittling away the wood and leaving a long piece of graphite intact, they can achieve a fine point for sharp lines and better control shading in their artwork.

4. What do artists use to sharpen their pencils?

Artists often use a knife to sharpen their pencils. It allows them to sculpt different shapes that aid in stroke-making and offers more versatility. However, this method requires caution as the blade is exposed and can be dangerous.

5. What are the pros and cons of electric knife sharpeners?

Electric knife sharpeners have advantages such as user-friendliness, speed, and multiple sharpening options for various blades. However, they tend to be more expensive, require a power source, and can be bulky. Additionally, they offer less control compared to manual sharpeners.

Editor's Notes

During our pencil sharpener research, we found 24 pencil sharpener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 598,929 customer reviews through our big data system to write the pencil sharpeners list. We found that most customers choose pencil sharpeners with an average price of $13.56.

The pencil sharpeners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of pencil sharpeners, including Bostitch, Aipker, Staedtler, X-Acto, yuntop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 146 consumers with an average rating of 5.0.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.

Pencil Sharpeners Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand Bostitch Aipker Staedtler X-Acto yuntop X-Acto Sonuimy Bostitch Bostitch Bostitch
Color Black Multicolor Multi-color Black Blue+green+pink+orange Black Covered Blue Wall Mount Sharpener 3-pack
Power Source Electric Manual Hand Powered Corded Electric Hand Powered Electric NO Electric Hand Powered Manual
Material Plastic Plastic Metal Plastic, Metal Plastic Plastic Carbon Steel Plastic Alloy Steel Plastic
Specific Uses For Product Pencil Color Pencil Color Pencil, Graphite Pencil Color Pencil Graphite Pencil Color Pencil, Graphite Pencil Graphite Pencil, Color Pencil Graphite Pencil Graphite Pencil -
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.9
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.6
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.2
ftb score rating icon 9.2
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