The Best Three Hole Punches

Bostitch inPRESS 20 Three-Hole Punch

Punch Above Your Weight

This excellent three-hole punch makes an impression.

Best Overall

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This excellent option from Bostitch has all the standard features you would want in a three-hole punch. Its patented design allows for 50% easier punching of up to 20 sheets at one time. It also has a handle lock for storing in compact spaces and collects paper scraps in a waste compartment for tidy and convenient disposal. To empty, you can simply flip open the compartment door and empty out the paper holes into a trash bin. Additionally, this three-hole punch comes with a built-in ruler for accurate measurements. This option is also made with a long-lasting, all-metal body that ensures heavy-duty performance with a sleek profile.

Pros:

• Easy, jam-free punching
• The waste compartment collects paper holes
• Built-in ruler
• High-quality material and design

Cons:

• Paper holes may fall from the bottom

Swingline Two or Three-Hole Punch

Two Birds with One Punch

Punch either two or three holes with this versatile device.

Most Customizable

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We love this model from Swingline because you can use it to punch either three holes or two holes. While most binders have three rings, there are some with only two. This is a great option to consider for those who prefer to use two-ring binders or who use a mix of two-ring and three-ring binders. This three-hole punch comes with a variety of other great features as well. It has a soft touch handle, chip tray, alignment guide, and a lock for storage. It can also punch up to 20 sheets at one time. It’s versatile, durable, and convenient, making it an excellent option for students and professionals alike.

Pros:

• Can be used to punch either two or three holes
• Chip tray to collect paper
• Alignment guide
• Lock for storage

Cons:

• If you’re not interested in a two-hole punch option, you might be better off with a standard model

Swingline Hole Punch with LightTouch Handle

Slim and Sturdy

This option’s streamlined design makes it perfect for desktop use.

Best for Small Spaces

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Swingline’s three-hole punch has a sleek design that makes it great for use in small places, such as a cubicle or home office. This three-hole punch is also well made with high quality, durable metal construction. It also is designed for easy punching with a soft-touch lever that requires 50% less manual force than traditional desktop three-hole punches. A light touch is all it takes to reliably punch clean, precise holes in up to 12 sheets of paper at a time. This option also includes a chip tray for paper holes for easy cleanup. If you’re looking for a three-hole punch that is easy to use with a streamlined design, we definitely recommend this option.

Pros:

• Soft-touch level for easy punching
• Chip tray for paper holes
• Can punch either two or three holes
• Streamlined design

Cons:

• No handle lock

Bostitch EZ Squeeze 40 Three Hole Punch

Packs a Punch

This heavy-duty option will help you punch through stacks of paper like it’s nothing.

Highest Capacity

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If you have a massive project ahead of you, or if you regularly need to punch through tons of paper, this option from Bostitch is the three-hole punch for you. It features their EZ Squeeze technology to cut through up to 40 sheets of paper with 50% less effort. Its precision punch heads can easily cut through standard paper, card stock, laminated paper, and more. It also comes with an easy-to -lean chip tray to catch your paper holes and a locking handle for easy storage. This three-hole punch also boasts a durable and sleek all-metal design. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty hole punch, this option is the one for you.

Pros:

• Can punch up to 40 sheets of paper at a time
• Chip tray for paper holes
• Lock for storage
• High-quality metal material

Cons:

• Placement of holes may be inconsistent in large loads

AFMAT Electric Three-Hole Punch

Futuristic Filing

You won’t have to worry about wrist pain with this automated option.

Best Electronic

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Manually punching dozens of sheets of paper can cause wrist pain for some people. To make this task a little bit easier, you can consider using an electronic three-hole punch. This one by AFMAT is super-fast to efficiently punch up to 20 sheets of paper at a time, and it comes with an adjustable paper guide for ease of use. Simply push the start button, and you can hole punch your papers effortlessly using the power of either an AC adapter or six AA batteries. It also comes with a chip tray that makes cleaning up super easy. If you prefer using an electronic three-hole punch, then we recommend this option to you.

Pros:

• Electronic
• Super-fast
• Chip tray for paper holes
• Can be powered by either an AC adapter or AA batteries

Cons:

• Might be loud for shared spaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a manual or electronic three-hole punch?

Electronic three-hole punches are convenient because they will automatically do the work for you. However, when using them, you sacrifice a certain level of precision. Electronic three-hole punches can be a bit loud for shared office spaces. They can also sometimes be slower than their manual counterparts as well. However, if you suffer from wrist pain, then you may want to invest in an electronic three-hole punch to reduce wrist usage during the workday.

Why shouldn’t I get the three-hole punch with the highest capacity?

While it may seem at first that high capacity would be the most critical feature of a three-hole punch, there are other considerations to account for as well. For instance, three-hole punches with a high capacity can be bulkier and heavier. If you’re planning on moving around your three-hole punch from room to room or home to office, you might want to consider a lighter, more compact option. For many people, they probably won’t be punching the highest capacity of sheets regularly anyway, so that’s also something to consider.