Traditional sharpeners can be quite a pain to use, especially when the nibs of your pencil keep getting stuck in between the blade of the sharpener. You also need to be standing in front of a bin to avoid littering the place with shavings. For this reason, many individuals as well as schools and offices have switched over to electric sharpeners.
Bostitch and X-ACTO are two brands of electric sharpeners that are quite popular and great for daily use. If you’re having trouble deciding which one to buy, you’ve come to the right place. The following review will be comparing the two sharpeners side by side along with their features, uses, as well as drawbacks. Customer reviews have also been mentioned to give an accurate depiction of what it would be like to use either of these 2 sharpeners.
| Bostitch | X-ACTO | |
| Image |  |
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| Dimensions | 10.63 x 6.13 x 9 inches | 8.5 x 8 x 5.68 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound | 1 pound |
| Cutter System | XHC | Flyaway |
| Sharpener Type | Desktop | Desktop |
| Power Type | Electric | Electric |
| Cutter material | Steel | X-ACTO Steel |
| Cord Length | 6 ft | 5 ft |
| Quiet | Yes | Yes |
| Number of holes | 6 | 6 |
| Certifications | UL / CSA Certified | UL / CUL certified |
| Warranty | 7 years | 10 years |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Similarities
Let’s take a look at the similarities between Bostitch and X-ACTO electric pencil sharpeners.
Weight
The Bostitch and X-ACTO are quite lightweight and compact, which makes them easy to carry around. As they aren’t that bulky, they can easily be moved from one room to the other, which can be quite convenient for users.
Sharpener and Power Type
These sharpeners were designed to be used for home, school, or office purposes and were intended to be placed on a desktop. They are heavy-duty and quite durable. Both Bostitch and X-ACTO are powered by electricity through a cord. The motor is quite fast and has minimal to no discrepancies, with a quiet engine that is perfect for an environment that requires a high level of concentration such as school or office. They also come with extra added features that prevent them from overheating or any other damage.
Holes and Certifications
These devices have 6 holes that can be adjusted to accommodate multiple pencil sizes and sharpen them smoothly. The Bostitch and the X-ACTO are both UL Certified.
Differences between Bostitch and X-ACTO
These electric pencil sharpeners have certain differences, and we will list the differences between them, as well as which sharpener is better in a certain category.
Design and Size
Bostitch
The tip saving technology has been accommodated into this electric sharpener which automatically stops your sharpener once your pencil has been sharpened. It also comes with a shaving tray to hold the shavings. Its dimensions are 10.63 x 6.13 x 9 inches. Rubber pads underneath the surface of the sharpener ensure it doesn’t slip and slide.
X-ACTO
The X-ACTO has a rectangular shape and also comes with a translucent shaving tray to hold the shavings. With dimensions of 8.5 x 8 x 5.68 inches, it is slightly smaller when compared to the Bostitch. It also has built-in pads that keep it firm and steady for use.
Winner: Tie. The design and size of the devices are quite similar and do not affect the working of the device, and both are accommodated with a shaving tray to avoid creating a mess.
Cutter system and material
Bostitch
The XHC cutter of this sharpener is made out of steel and is hardened which gives it a 10x longer life and makes it more durable. It also makes sharpening pencil an easier and much faster process.
X-ACTO
The Flyaway cutter of the X-ACTO electric sharpener has been fashioned out of X-ACTO Steel. The flyaway cutter system makes the blades retract once a pencil has been fully sharpened. The points of the pencil are rounded, and safe to use by kids. It is a fast and heavy-duty sharpener.
Winner: The X-ACTO. Recent models have the Bostitch tend to be quite slow as compared to the X-ACTO.
Cord Length
Bostitch
The Bostitch has a cord length of around 6ft.
X-ACTO
This electric sharpener has a cord length of around 5ft.
Winner: Tie. A larger cord length has both advantages and disadvantages. Although it may be great to use in areas where the plug is in a further position, it is also easy for people to trip over it, or for the cord to get tangled.
Value for Money
Both of these devices have quite similar features. However, the X-ACTO is faster and safer to use, and the X-ACTO Steel makes sure it does not rust easily. It should also be mentioned that Bostitch has a warranty period of 7 years, whereas the X-ACTO has a warranty period of 10 years. Although the X-ACTO’s price is slightly higher, its warranty period and additional features will give users better value for their money.
Pros and Cons
Bostitch Electric Pencil Sharpener
Pros
- Sturdy enough for kids to use.
- Has the ability to handle 6 sizes of pencils.
- A quiet sharpener that is great for use in classrooms and offices without any disturbance.
Cons
- Users complained that the pencils were not sharpened as advertised.
- Some Bostitch sharpeners may break down easily.
Pros
- Budget-friendly electric sharpener.
- The bin for shavings is translucent which makes it easier to empty when full. It is also quite sturdy and large.
- Pencils are not wasted as blades retract once the pencils are sharpened.
- Different sized holes are great for different sizes of pencils.
- Blades are made out of X-ACTO steel which prevents it from rusting easily.
Cons
- Users claimed that there were instances where the pencils were not sharpened evenly.
- May stop working abruptly.
Which Electric Pencil Sharpener to Choose?
To conclude, both the Bostitch and the X-ACTO are decent quality electric sharpeners that are built mainly for desktops. Though they have similar features, the X-ACTO has an upper hand as it is super speedy, has stainless X-ACTO steel blades, and is safer and sturdier for kids to use. With a higher warranty period and better value for money, it is recommended to purchase this electric sharpener instead of the Bostitch.