7 Best Staple Guns for Upholstery 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Working with upholstery is challenging as it is, and the last thing you need is to struggle by not having the right tools. Having the right staple gun will make your tasks much easier, but having a subpar product will make it more frustrating.

So, how do you know which staple gun to get? The market boasts an array of manufacturers that claim to have the best product and examining all of them would take hours, if not days. We’ve made your search easier by identifying seven staple guns. Our reviews specify their features, how they will help you and where they might fall short of the job that you’re trying to accomplish.

To make your selection more solid, we’ve included a buyer’s guide, detailing exactly the aspects you need to consider for the type of work you need. It will answer most, if not all, of your questions about what to look for in a staple gun.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites on 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Stanley TRE550Z Electric Staple/Brad Nail Gun	Power selection Comfort grip Durable	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Stanley TR45K Light Duty Staple Gun	Lightweight and compact Durable Affordable	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Porter-Cable Pneumatic Upholstery Staple Gun	Rear exhaust pot Easy to clear jams High-capacity magazine	CHECK PRICE
		Surebonder 9600B Pneumatic Stapler	Adjustable air exhaust Includes accessories Affordable	CHECK PRICE
		WEN 61710 Narrow Crown Stapler	Durable body Quick-release mechanism Good price	CHECK PRICE

The 7 Best Staple Guns for Upholstery

1.  Stanley TRE550Z Electric Staple/Brad Nail Gun– Best Overall

The Stanley TRE550Z should make your life easier because you don’t have to fret about using an air compressor. Its heavy-duty design will ensure durability, but it also provides power so that you don’t have to exert yourself. The other cool feature of this staple gun is that it comes with Hi/Lo power feature, enabling you to adjust the power according to hard and soft materials.

While working with the TRE550Z throughout the day, it’s important not to experience hand ache, so they’ve fitted a contoured grip to ensure you get the ultimate comfort. If you struggle with other guns to get into tight spots, Stanley’s TRE550Z flush-nose design will help you to do that.

Stanely has fitted a quick-jam-clear mechanism so that you don’t struggle when using the gun. There’s also the low-brad indicator window, which will show you when you’re running low. Although you’ll get power from this gun, Stanley could’ve added even more, but no product is perfect.

When comparing this staple gun’s features to the rest on our list, we found that it was the top product.

2. Stanley TR45K Light Duty Staple Gun – Best Value

Balancing the features of a product to its price is important, and the Stanley TR45K walks a fine line between the two. You can use this staple gun around the home or office because it’s manual and comes with a convenient handle lock for safe storage. It weighs only 1 pound, so it’s lightweight and easy to carry around.

Don’t fret over durability because Stanley made this gun from chrome-plated steel to ensure that it lasts for the long-haul. And it comes with a lifetime limited warranty, which is always a good sign. You’ll find that it’s easy to operate due to the quick-jam-clear mechanism that’s on the gun, and you can use light duty staples such as TRA200 or Arrow JT-21.

This staple gun is cheaper than the TRE550Z from Stanley, but it’s manual. That means, your hand strength plays a big role in the gun’s effectiveness. It also means that you’ll exert more strength than on an electric staple gun.

After comparing the features of this product to the price and the other products, we found that the TR45K was the best upholstery stapler for the money.

3. Porter-Cable Pneumatic Upholstery Staple Gun – Premium Choice

If you’re looking for the best stapler for upholstery, don’t be surprised to find the Porter-Cable Pneumatic Upholstery Staple Gun is convenient to work with because it’s lightweight and small but doesn’t compromise on quality. The manufacturer used C-type 22-gauge ⅜-inch staples so that it’s effective. Porter has made a product that should last you for a while thanks to the steel top cap that can endure quite a bit of punishment.

You’ll find that the 1-inch nose extension comes in handy when you have to reach tight spots. It also helps that that the magazine can handle 185 staples, so you’re not loading frequently. What’s really convenient is that the driver guide moves back with the magazine so that you can easily clear jams when you open the magazine.

To operate this Porter-Cable Pneumatic staple gun, you’ll have to use an air compressor that pumps out 70-120 pounds per square inch (PSI) air pressure. It’s got a rear exhaust port-channel, which condenses the air pressure away from you.

Porter-Cable staple gun comes with a 1-year warranty, but if you need Porter to repair it, you’ll have to be patient since it might take longer than usual.

If you want a premium staple gun, then the 22-Gauge C-Crown will be your first pick.

4. Surebonder 9600B Pneumatic Stapler

The 9600B Pneumatic Stapler needs compressed air to operate and #4 or Arrow T50 staples. It comes with a safety mechanism so that you don’t hurt yourself but also has an adjustable air exhaust so that you can direct the air away from yourself. The rubber cushion is comfortable and loading staples is easy thanks to the quick-release magazine.

The Surebonder comes with a carrying case that contains an Allen wrench, ¼-inch quick release connector, and a bottle of tool oil. The attractive feature of this staple gun is that it provides good speed and power so that you can do an array of jobs efficiently and effectively.

It’s slightly heavier than the top three staplers we’ve reviewed, weighing 3 pounds, but it’s also smaller.  Although it comes with several features that the other top products do, it’s more affordable. One of the things that can be a bit annoying about this product is that you might find it jams. That’s frustrating and can delay your project.

5. WEN 61710 Narrow Crown Stapler

If you need a heavy-duty stapler gun that’s made to be durable, then you should have a look at the WEN 61710. It’s an 18-gauge, ¼-inch crown stapler that can load 100 staples and needs a 60-100 PSI pressure to operate. It should last a long time since WEN made this stapler with a die-cast aluminum body. The only problem with that is the weight since this stapler is almost five pounds, and its dimensions don’t exactly make it one of the most compact staplers.

WEN has included a quick-release mechanism so that you can easily clear jams and a case. You’ll also get a one-year warranty for parts and labor. Most of its features are attractive but so is the price. You’ll find that this stapler’s price and featured are well balance.

Although this crown stapler has a quick-release mechanism to clear jams, you might find that they happen more than you’d want from this stapler.

6. 3PLUS H7116SP Crown Pneumatic Upholstery Stapler

The 3PLUS Crown Pneumatic uses 22-gauge ⅜-inch staples to achieve ¼-inch to ⅝-inch in penetration. It only weighs 2 pounds, so you’ll find that this stapler is lightweight and easy to use. What makes this stapler gun stand out is the 360-degree adjustable exhaust, which you can adjust to make the air flow out where you want.

If the gun gets jammed, you can use the quick-clear jam for easy release, and you’ll also find that the grip is comfortable. That’s also handy when you have to use it for long periods. This stapler needs an air compressor to function, but it’s got a magazine that can take 180 staples, so you don’t have to load frequently. It’s a bottom-load magazine that enables you to load quickly, and the manufacturer used aluminum, steel and rubber to make the product.

Make sure that you load with the right staples. It might be advertised as accepting KT50 staples, which is not the standard T-50 staples. 3PLUS could’ve done a better job with the safety lever to ensure that it’s more protective.

7. WORKPRO 6 in 1 Cordless Staple Gun

The fact that it’s 6-in-1 means that it’s compatible with six different staples or nails. Once you’ve loaded the staples, you can use it immediately. It works on batteries and allows you to use 1100 staples after fully charged. You can fire up to 60 staples in a minute, making it perfect for working on large projects.

You’ll find that the WORKPRO is quite light, allowing you to work for extended periods, and it’s also got a contact actuation mode, preventing you from hand discomfort while it fires long rows of staples.

The transparent window lets you see the staple levels, and the quick-release magazine lets you top up efficiently. The safety is great because it comes with a double-safety mechanism that prevents the gun from firing until the nose is pressed against the surface. You’ll also find that the tip prevents dents.

Since it works on batteries, you’ll have to charge it. That’s the only setback because the battery can deplete while you’re busy working.

Buyer’s Guide – Finding the Best Staple Gun for Upholstery

Numerous manufacturers offer staple guns and various models. Which one is best for you? You have to understand what the different types are best suited for. The buyer’s guide will reveal to you which staple gun is perfect for your needs and the features it requires.

Different Types

Manual

Manual staple guns are the most common type and are more affordable than the other two types. It’s got an elasticity and spring mechanism that are the key components for it to function, but that means you’ll need to exert more strength than the other staples. Working with it for prolonged periods means that your palms and hands could feel more pressure and discomfort.

What’s great about manual staples is that they are very portable. You can use them indoors and outdoors, inside your house or to put up flyers on a telephone pole. Just keep in mind that manual staples are mainly used for small projects. If you’re going to work on bigger projects, it’s best to opt for an electric or pneumatic gun because you’re going to exert a lot of effort to get the job done with a manual staple.

It’s perfectly suitable for projects such as:

Electric

You won’t need to strain yourself by using an electric stapler because it works on batteries and gets power from the main grid. Just like a drill, it’s got a trigger than you pull to activate. Electric guns tend to ruin or waste fewer staples than manual ones. The big advantage of electric guns over manual is that they produce more staples. You can also load divergent point staples into an electric gun but not into a regular one. These tend to be stronger and hold on for longer.

Since they work electrically, they are more efficient than manual guns and require less strength to operate. That makes them perfect for bigger projects. They also tend to be cheaper than pneumatic guns, as well as less noisy and more portable. One of the few setbacks is that they are not the best option for nooks and crannies. They also don’t fit into tight spots as well as manual guns. You won’t need a compressor to operate it, but you’ll have to replace the battery after it wears off.

Best suited for:

Pneumatic

These types of staple guns are mostly suitable for professional contractors. If you want a great heavy-duty stapler, then the pneumatic is your first choice. This gun is also the preference of people who need to do a lot of stapling but don’t want to exert tremendous strength. They’re perfect for very big projects because they can cover a large area the quickest of the three guns, and the pressure works through the air inside the nozzle.

Thanks to its nose, you can use it to reach into corners, and the really impressive feature is that they use several different types of staples or nails. They usually require less maintenance than electric guns but tend to be very durable. Pneumatic guns have tremendous power, so they can fire out lots of staples but also have a higher safety risk.

They cost more than electric guns and are also noisier but will last for the long haul thanks to the tough materials that it’s made from.

Pneumatic guns are suitable for:

Important Features

Durability

You need a staple gun that is going to take a lot of punishment, especially if you’re going to work with it the whole day on large projects. Preferably, you want to get a gun with a die-cast aluminum body.

Staples

There are two aspects to staples that are important. You need to determine how many staples a gun can hold and how quickly it can fire it. If you’re going to work on big projects, you want a magazine that holds many staples, so you don’t have to reload often and you want a gun that fires out a lot of staples in a minute.

Jams

There’s no point in getting a stapler gun that can fire a lot of staples, but it gets jammed a lot. Make sure that the gun you choose doesn’t jam often and has a quick-jam-clear mechanism, allowing the gun to carry on swiftly.

Operating function

Your setting also determines whether you’re going to use a manual gun or if you’re going to need an air compressor for pneumatic guns. You could also opt for a battery-operated electric gun. Determine which one is convenient and suitable for you.

Conclusion

Our reviews have shown you the staple guns we feel that you should take a look at and consider purchasing. We’ve also included a buyer’s guide so that you know what to look out for when making a purchase. After comparing all of the products, we found that the Stanley TRE550Z Electric Staple/Brad Nail Gun was the best overall. Its features were excellent, and it fared better against the rest.

If you want great features but also a price that matches the value, then Stanley TR45K Light Duty Staple Gun should be the topic pick. We found that it was the best staple gun for upholstery for the money. Professional contractors who want an unbelievable product should go for Porter-Cable Pneumatic Upholstery Staple Gun, as it was our premium product.

These seven reviews and buyer’s guide should’ve made your life easier when it comes to choosing the right staple gun for your need.

See Also: 

• 10 Best Staple Guns
• 10 Best Pneumatic Staple Guns