Below, here are our picks for the best pencil sharpeners. No matter what you need a pencil sharpener for, you won’t be disappointed in the PowerMe Electric Pencil Sharpener, a quick and powerful product that delivers better results and includes all the safety features you could ask for. This top-rated pencil sharpener runs on AA batteries and can sharpen a dull pencil in just three seconds flat. It has a specially engineered spiral drill that won’t jam up and can sharpen thousands of pencils without getting dull. Plus, there’s an auto-stop function that prevents the sharpener from working if the lid is open, and you’ll always be able to see when the transparent reservoir needs to be emptied. The manufacturer even offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with the product. According to reviewers, the PowerMe Electric Pencil Sharpener is lightweight, compact, durable, and easy to use. Many love how quickly it sharpens pencils, and several note that even young children can use it with no problem. Price at time of publish: $19 This little 2-inch manual pencil sharpener includes a metal blade attached to a screw-on container. Just stick your pencil in the top and twist, and before you know it, your pencil will be as good as new! You won’t have to worry about the shavings spilling out if the product is in your pencil case or backpack thanks to the screw-on top. The design may be simple, but people say it does a “crazy good” job and is worth every penny. Price at time of publish: $4 You can power this pencil sharpener with AA batteries or by plugging it into an AC outlet. It has a helical blade that delivers a sharp pencil in just five to ten seconds, and it has an auto-stop feature that lets you know when the pencil is as sharp as can be. Plus, it also has a safety feature that prevents it from turning on when the lid is open, protecting the fingers of curious kids. Reviewers say you can’t go wrong with this electric pencil sharpener, which can stand up to regular use without losing steam! Plus, many love that you can switch between battery and AC power. Price at time of publish: $26 You can mount this manual sharpener on the wall, desk, or table, and it features dual helical cutters that get your writing implements nice and sharp. The all-metal construction can stand up to a high volume of use, making it perfect for a classroom or office, and it can even accommodate eight different pencil sizes! The X-ACTO Ranger Pencil Sharpener is designed to be sturdy and low-maintenance, and reviewers say it’s a great option for anyone who’s tired of electric pencil sharpeners pooping out on them. Price at time of publish: $28 This heavy-duty electric pencil sharpener plugs into an electrical outlet, saving you from having to change the batteries every week, and it can be adjusted to fit six different pencil sizes. It includes a system that automatically stops when a pencil is sharp, and the blade life is supposed to be more than 30 times longer than that of standard sharpeners. Reviewers love the reasonable price of this product, and many say that it performs effortlessly, even with you’re sharpening a high volume of tools. Price at time of publish: $42 The manual sharpener is specifically designed to work with prism color pencils, and it includes two separate blades—one that sharpens to a fine point and the other that achieves a medium point. Half of the sharpener’s body is translucent, so it’s easy to see when it’s full, and the compact 3-inch body will easily fit into any bag or pencil case. Reviewers love that it doesn’t eat up their pencils but still leaves their colored pencils super sharp without breaking the point. Price at time of publish: $10 This pencil sharpener has a stainless steel helical blade, and you can choose from blunt, medium, or sharp settings, depending on what you’re working on. It can sharpen up a pencil is around 10 seconds, and it has safety features that prevent it from operating while the cover is open, so you can feel safe with your kids using it. There are numerous artists in the comments who say it works perfectly on both charcoal and pastel pencils, getting them nice and sharp without breaking the points. Price at time of publish: $40
Pencil Diameter
While most of us think of standard school-issued No. 2s when the word pencil comes to mind, pencils come in more than one shape or size. Pay attention to this when selecting the right pencil sharpener for the diameter of pencils that you habitually use. There are dedicated pencil sharpeners for every type of pencil, from the most basic to those favored by artists who want to achieve specifically honed points on their graphite or charcoal pencils.
Built-In Reservoir
If you are a casual pencil user looking for an inexpensive simple tool to sharpen your No. 2s, a portable hand-held prism sharpener will do the trick. Note that some handheld pencil sharpeners come with built-in reservoirs to catch shavings, while others will require some clean-up after each use. Small details like this can affect your user experience, so be sure to keep them in mind when selecting the pencil sharpener that is best suited to your needs.
