Best Manual Pencil Sharpeners of 2025

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Manual pencil sharpeners are a classic tool that can be found in many classrooms, offices, and homes. These sharpeners are operated by hand and typically feature a cylindrical or conical design that holds the pencil in place while it is sharpened. They come in a variety of styles, from basic plastic models to more robust metal options. Manual pencil sharpeners are easy to use and offer a consistent, precise sharpening experience. They are also portable and do not require electricity, making them a great choice for on-the-go use. Whether for professional or personal use, manual pencil sharpeners are a reliable and cost-effective option for keeping your pencils sharp and ready to use.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Manual Pencil Sharpeners
Bostitch Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener with Tip Saver and 8-Hole Dial
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.
Sonuimy Pencil Sharpeners with Dual Holes
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.
X-ACTO Ranger 1031 Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener
The X-ACTO Ranger 1031 Wall Mount Pencil Sharpener is a commercial-grade sharpener designed for high volume environments. It features dual helical cutters that sharpen pencils with precision and is mountable on walls, desks, or tables using the included screws. The sharpener is adjustable to accommodate eight different pencil sizes and is easy for school children to use, thanks to its manual operation.
Colorful Dual Holes Pencil Sharpener
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.
Bostitch Twist-N-Sharp Pencil Sharpener, 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.
Bostitch Office Multi-Mount Manual Pencil Sharpener, Black (MPS2-BLK)
The Bostitch Manual Pencil Sharpener is a versatile tool that offers both temporary mounting with its vacuum base and permanent mounting with screws. Its heavy-duty steel cutter ensures long-lasting performance. The oversized, translucent shavings bin can be easily removed for quick waste disposal, keeping your workspace clean. The ergonomic kid grip handle provides comfortable use, making it an ideal pencil sharpener for kids.
Yuntop Manual Pencil Sharpener
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.
Bostitch Office Twist-N-Sharp Manual Pencil Sharpener
The Bostitch Office Twist-N-Sharp Manual Pencil Sharpener accommodates both standard and jumbo pencils, including Ticonderoga My First Pencil, with its two holes. The sharpener features ratchet technology, which allows for comfortable and fast sharpening, and tip saver technology, which prevents over-sharpening and makes your pencils last longer. Its accessible blade makes it easy to use as a colored pencil sharpener, and an attached shavings dispenser door helps you clean the shavings easily without losing the door piece.
Deli Auto-in Hand Crank Pencil Sharpener
The Deli Pencil Sharpener is designed for convenience and efficiency. Its auto-in feature allows you to simply insert the pencil for automatic sharpening, making it easy for kids and students to use. The sharpener also eliminates broken pencil cores, preventing frustrating jams while you work. You can adjust the point thickness by rotating the knob, accommodating various pencil shapes and sizes. This means you can achieve the perfect tip for your specific needs. Plus, the large-capacity shavings box reduces the frequency of emptying, allowing for uninterrupted creativity.
WEKOIL Manual Twin Metal Dual Pencil Sharpener
WEKOIL Manual Twin Metal Dual Pencil Sharpener has High-grade Sharp Blade, Dual Two Holes, Compact Tiny Pocket Design and Easy Disposal of Shaving features. The blades are made of High-grade steel making the sharpening process hassle-free. The twin metal sharpener can sharpen both graphite and colored pencils up to 11 mm diameter. Its aluminum alloy metal body makes it small and easy to carry. You can easily dispose of the shavings by holding it over a trash can or paper. With the ideal sharpened point, it is suitable for use by both adults and children at school or office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best alternative tool to pencil sharpener?
A craft knife is a recommended alternative tool for sharpening certain types of pencils like charcoal pencils, pastel pencils, and carbon pencils. To sharpen a pencil with a knife, expose the lead by starting lower down the pencil, around an inch from the tip.
2. What is the difference between electric and manual pencil sharpeners?
Electric pencil sharpeners have two advantages over manual sharpeners. They are faster at sharpening pencils, saving you time, and they provide a sharper edge to the pencil point, allowing for more precise use of the pencil.
3. Is it better to sharpen pencils with a knife or sharpener?
Sharpening pencils with a knife offers more variability in the shape and utility of the pencil's tip. It is a practical and artistic approach to sharpening pencils, especially if you don't have a sharpener available.
4. How often should you sharpen a pencil?
It is generally recommended to sharpen pencils frequently to maintain a sharp tip. Some artists suggest sharpening every minute or two to keep pencils needle sharp. However, it can be challenging to adhere to this frequency, and many artists continue working until their pencils have a flat edge.
5. Is an electric pencil sharpener worth it?
Yes, an electric pencil sharpener can be worth it for its convenience and efficiency. It can quickly sharpen dull pencils in seconds, making it ideal for breaking in new pencils or sharpening old ones. Electric sharpeners produce a fine and balanced point, which enhances the drawing experience.
6. What are the pros and cons of electric knife sharpeners?
Electric knife sharpeners offer user-friendly and speedy sharpening, often with multiple options for different blades. However, they tend to be more expensive, require a power source, and can be bulky. Additionally, they may provide less control compared to manual sharpeners.
During our manual pencil sharpener research, we found 24 manual pencil sharpener products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 279,452 customer reviews through our big data system to write the manual pencil sharpeners list. We found that most customers choose manual pencil sharpeners with an average price of $5.62.
The manual pencil sharpeners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of manual pencil sharpeners, including Bostitch, Sonuimy, X-Acto, Aipker, yuntop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

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.