10 Best Paper Trimmers in 2022 (Fiskars, Westcott, and More)
If you love crafting and enjoy making postcards, bookmarks, or tags, you might want to purchase a paper trimmer! It's usually designed with measuring grids and a ruler to help you get precise and even cuts. Also, there are two types of paper trimmers, including guillotine and rotary trimmers. While guillotine paper trimmers are heavy-duty and great for large cutting projects, rotary ones are more ideal for smaller projects.
To know more information about paper trimmers, read our buying guide at the end! It'll give you some tips in choosing the right product that meets your needs. We've also included our top 10 list of favorites for your reference. Our top pick is Fiskars' Recycled Bypass Trimmer which has a sturdy construction and can handle 15 sheets of paper at once. Read on for more options!
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How to Choose Paper Trimmers
Now that you know our top 10 favorites, it's time to move on to our buying guide! In this section, we will explain what features to look for to choose the best paper trimmer.
Choose Between a Rotary or a Guillotine Trimmer
Paper trimmers can be categorized into two types: rotary and guillotine. They have different cutting motions, blades, and uses.
A Rotary Trimmer is Great for Small Projects
Rotary paper trimmers have a sliding blade that trims paper with precision and accuracy as long as the blade is sharp.
If it gets dull, you might actually rip the paper instead of cutting it. To sharpen the blade, you can fold a large piece of tin foil several times and cut it using your rotary trimmer. You can also purchase an extra blade to replace the old one if it gets dull.
A rotary trimmer is ideal for small projects since it can only cut through one to three pieces of standard printer paper at once. You can use a rotary paper trimmer for trimming photos, cards, or a few sheets of paper. Depending on the blade of the trimmer, it might be able to handle thicker paper like cardstock.
Save Time Cutting Tons of Paper With a Guillotine Paper Trimmer
If you’re a teacher or working in an office where you need to cut large amounts of paper, go for a guillotine-style paper trimmer. It features a long blade that's attached to the handle.
It can take a bit of practice to get used to a guillotine paper trimmer. If you cut it slowly or don’t pull enough force into it while cutting multiple sheets at once, the paper can slide and result in uneven cutting.
If you're holding the paper in place, it might be a bit scary to use since you’re pulling the blade down towards your fingers. Nonetheless, a guillotine trimmer is heavy-duty and can usually cut more than 10 sheets of 20-pound paper (standard printer paper) at a time. So, if you need to cut tons of paper, this type of paper trimmer will save you a lot of time!
Opt for a Trimmer With a Self-Sharpening Blade
The blade of a paper trimmer is often made of titanium or stainless steel. If your budget allows, choose a titanium blade. A titanium blade is more expensive than a stainless steel one, but it's more lightweight, harder, and keeps its edge better. Therefore, you won't have to sharpen it frequently.
Stainless steel is affordable and corrosion-resistant. It's sharp and will help you slice through paper easily. However, a stainless steel blade will get dull, so you will have to sharpen it more frequently or replace it entirely.
Also, some blades feature a self-sharpening sheath and will remain sharp for a long time. We suggest choosing a self-sharpening blade since it's durable and won't require a lot of maintenance!
Make Sure There are Safety Measures
When choosing a paper trimmer, make sure that it has some safety features that make cutting safer and more accurate. Many rotary and guillotine trimmers have a guard rail to protect your fingers from the exposed blade while cutting.
Guillotine trimmers usually have a blade latch hook to lock down the blade when it's not in use. An automatic clamp helps secure the paper while cutting, so you don't have to hold the paper with your hand and accidentally hurt your fingers.
Some paper trimmers require you to exert a little pressure while trimming to ensure uniform and even cuts, so you should look for products with rubber feet. They will keep the trimmer from sliding around, so you don't have to worry about mishaps.
Consider the Material of the Base and Surface
If you’re looking for a lightweight trimmer, choose one that’s made of plastic. Plastic trimmers are portable, affordable, and don’t require a lot of maintenance. However, plastic might feel a bit flimsy and is only suitable for light cuts. It's also harder to hold it still while you're cutting unless it has anti-slip or rubber feet.
For durability, consider a wooden paper trimmer. It might be a bit heavy, but it won’t need a lot of maintenance. The sturdy, stable wooden construction is also ideal for projects that require cutting heavy or hard materials. Plus, plastic and wood don't rust, unlike metal.
Consider the weight of a trimmer, too. If you want to carry the paper trimmer around, make sure it has a compact, lightweight design. If you need one that's great for office use and can cut through thick, heavy materials, choose a heavy-duty product!
Choose a Trimmer With Measurement Guides
To get accurate cuts, choose a trimmer with measurement guides! The majority of paper trimmers should have an alignment grid printed on the base and a ruler to assist you with measuring.
Check to see if the measurements are imperial or metric, too. Some products come with both inches and metric measurements, while some are designed with either metric or inches scale.
Pick a Cutting Length That Meets Your Needs
The cutting length of a trimmer ranges from 12 to 20 inches. A 12-inch cutting length is the most common and can handle letter-sized paper. If you need a trimmer that works for larger paper, go for a longer cutting length. You will also need a larger work surface to provide a flat cutting surface for larger paper.
10 Best Paper Trimmers Ranking
| Products | Image | Click to purchase | Popularity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Recycled Bypass Trimmer｜01-005452 Fiskars |  | No.1 | |
2 | 12-Inch Paper Trimmer｜908 Jielisi |  | No.2 | |
3 | SureCut Delux Craft Paper Trimmer Fiskars |  | No.3 | |
4 | TrimAir Wood Guillotine｜15106 Westcott |  | No.4 | |
5 | Paper Trimmer｜9315 Swingline |  | No.5 | |
6 | Professional Rolling Trimmer｜20 in., 552 Dahle |  | No.6 | |
7 | Professional Rotary Paper Trimmer｜RT-218 Carl |  | No.7 | |
8 | Trimmer 12 Inch DK Gray ｜2006747 Cricut |  | No.8 | |
9 | Heavy Duty Wood Guillotine Trimmer｜26315 X-Acto |  | No.9 | |
10 | Paper Trimmer｜DHG-C-001 Amazon Basics |  | No.10 |
FiskarsRecycled Bypass Trimmer ｜ 01-005452
This paper trimmer is made of recycled material and comes with a lifetime guarantee. It has a self-sharpening blade, so you won't have to worry about replacing a dull blade. This paper trimmer can cut through 15 sheets of paper at once. Plus, it's the only option in our top 10 with a built-in handle.
Some buyers noted that this trimmer doesn't have a safety latch to keep the blade in place. On another note, many reviewers loved the alignment grid and double-scale ruler, saying these help them make precise measurements. They also said that its lightweight build and handle makes it easy to transport. Plus, reviewers confirmed that it cuts well.
This rotary paper trimmer from Jielisi is crafted from plastic and a metal alloy for durability. It allows you to cut in different angles from 45 to 90 degrees. The blade sits in a snug track that keeps it steady. Despite its small, portable size, it's capable of cutting 12 sheets of paper at the same time.
A few noted that it doesn't cut unless they push down, but others shared that this is a safety feature. Meanwhile, most reviewers said this trimmer easy to use and creates straight edges. They also noted that the blade doesn't get dull easily and is easy to replace. They appreciated that it comes with a replacement blade, too.
Fiskars SureCut Delux Craft Paper Trimmer
This compact paper trimmer compact can be tucked away in your desk drawer and is convenient to transport. The blade is interlocked with the track to ensure precision and stability while you're cutting. Also, it has an expandable ruler that increases the cutting range to 15 inches.
Although the blade is very sharp initially, some buyers mentioned that it dulls quickly. A few others suggested just cutting a few sheets of paper at a time to prevent the blade from wearing out. They said the blade is easy to replace, too.
On another note, many reviewers said that this trimmer makes it easy for them to cut straight lines. They also loved the ruler and the gridlines, saying these features help them get accurate and even cuts every time.
WestcottTrimAir Wood Guillotine ｜ 15106
This paper trimmer comes with a sharp titanium blade that can slice up to 30 sheets of paper at once. It also has a safety guard to protect your fingers. What's more, the handle has an anti-microbial coating that prevents germ transmission.
A few people complained that this trimmer's grid guide is a bit off. Still, the majority praised its sturdy yet lightweight construction and very sharp blade. Reviewers confirmed it's able to cut through thick paper like butter. Most people agreed that it can handle around 15 to 20 sheets of paper at a time, too.
This guillotine paper trimmer comes with a guard rail that helps keep your fingers safe. The blade latch hook also provides you with more safety when the trimmer isn't in use. It can cut up to ten sheets of paper. Also, the manufacturer offers a limited 10-year warranty.
Some buyers complained that this trimmer doesn't cut straight since the guide isn't properly aligned. However, most said that that it's great for both home and office use and is well-made. They liked that the blade is very sharp and slices through thick paper with ease. Reviewers also appreciated the safety features.
Dahle Professional Rolling Trimmer ｜ 20 in., 552
This paper trimmer is great for large projects and can slide through 20 sheets of paper. Its steel blade is self-sharpening, and it has a 20-inch cut length. It also has an automatic clamping system that will keep your paper in place.
Some buyers said the magnets in the base were loose upon arrival, but most buyers didn't have this issue. They said that it's easy to use and creates precise cuts without any tears. Many photographers loved using it for photo trimming.
CarlProfessional Rotary Paper Trimmer ｜ RT-218
This rotary paper trimmer has a sharp carbide blade that can easily slice through mat boards, cardstock, and other thick materials. The ruler and alignment grid on the surface lets you measure cuts accurately. It also has comes a guard rail that protects your fingers from the blade.
Some reviewers said they have to apply quite a lot of pressure, and a few others wished it had an extended ruler. Yet, the majority were pleased with this trimmer's durability. They said it produces clean, precise, and consistent cuts. They also said the 18-inch cutting length makes it suitable for cutting large materials.
CricutTrimmer 12 Inch DK Gray ｜ 2006747
This small and portable paper trimmer features a rotary blade that's ideal for cutting photos, cards, or a few sheets of paper at a time. It also comes with an alignment grid and a dual-scale ruler to ensure that you get an accurate cut.
Some reviewers report that it can't handle thick paper and is best for light use. However, most reviewers said that this trimmer produces clean, accurate cuts and is easy to use. They liked that the swing-out ruler extends the measuring area. Its compact, lightweight size was another plus for buyers, and they noted that it's easy to store.
X-ActoHeavy Duty Wood Guillotine Trimmer ｜ 26315
This guillotine paper trimmer from X-Acto has a wood base with rubber feet to ensure stability while you're cutting. The self-sharpening blade can cut through 15 sheets of paper. The handle has a rubber grip for comfort, too.
Some reviewers said that this paper trimmer doesn't feel that sturdy. For a few others, the plastic guide doesn't slide easily. Nevertheless, the majority said it cuts well. They liked the adjustable guide with measurements and angles that helps them get accurate cuts.
Amazon BasicsPaper Trimmer ｜ DHG-C-001
This guillotine-style paper trimmer from Amazon Basics has a cutting length of 12 inches and can cut through 10 sheets of 20-pound paper. It has a guard rail to help you avoid imprecise cuts and keep your hands safe. There are rubber feet for better stability, too.
A few reviewers complained that the product is a bit flimsy, saying the handle breaks easily. They also said there's no mechanism to lock the blade. Yet, many reviewers praised the sharp blade, saying it cuts through paper and cardstock easily. They added that it's lightweight and easy to store. Others confirmed that the measuring lines help them get precise cuts.
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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
