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Electric, Manual or Pneumatic: Which Staple Gun Should You Use?

Staple guns for sale UK, best staple gun for upholstery UK
Electric, Manual or Pneumatic: Which Staple Gun Should You Use?

What’s the best staple gun for upholstery UK? If you’re reupholstering furniture, fitting insulation, or tackling trim work, choosing the right staple gun makes all the difference. This guide explains the three main types — manual, electric, and pneumatic — and why pneumatic staple guns are the preferred choice for professionals.

👉 Browse Pneumatic Staple Guns and find the best staple gun for upholstery UK


Manual Staple Guns: Handy for Light DIY

Manual staple guns are popular for occasional DIY projects. They’re lightweight, inexpensive, and don’t require a power source — but they’re limited when it comes to speed or tough materials and aren’t the best staple guns for upholstery.

Best for:

  • Light upholstery

  • Canvas stretching

  • Minor household fixes

Keep in mind: Manual guns aren’t ideal for long sessions or dense materials. For more power, you’ll need an electric or pneumatic option for the best staple gun for upholstery.


Electric Staple Guns: Easy for Light-Medium Work

Electric staple guns add speed and comfort. They’re good for hobbyists or DIYers who don’t want the setup of a compressor. That said, they often struggle with dense wood or thick fabric layers — where a pneumatic gun performs better. With these you aren’t going to get the best staple gun, but it’ll be fit for purpose.

Best for:

  • DIY upholstery

  • Underlay and soft trim work

  • Light woodworking


Pneumatic Staple Guns: The Professional’s Choice

If you’re serious about upholstery or joinery, pneumatic (air-powered) staple guns are the way to go. They offer unmatched precision, power, and consistency — and they’re the standard for professional trades.

Best for:

  • Upholstery workshops

  • Furniture production

  • Joinery and trim fitting

Why choose pneumatic?
✅ Strong, consistent firing power
✅ Minimal recoil
✅ Perfect for repetitive or commercial use
✅ Works with a wide range of staple lengths

👉 Explore Our Pneumatic Staplers
👉 80 Series Stapler – Bostitch 21680B-E Heavy Duty Tacker


Which Staple Gun Should You Use for Upholstery?

Type Pros Cons Ideal Use
Manual No power needed, low cost Slow, requires force Basic DIY, soft materials
Electric Easy to use, faster than manual Limited power, needs mains or battery Light upholstery, occasional use
Pneumatic Fast, powerful, precise, trade-quality Needs air compressor Professional upholstery & woodworking

For serious projects or regular use, pneumatic wins hands down. That’s why it’s the only type we stock — because it gets the job done right.


Featured Stapler: Omer CF15A

Omer CF15A Pneumatic Stapler
A favourite with upholsterers and joiners, the CF15A is powerful, lightweight, and built to last. It accepts narrow crown 15mm staples, making it perfect for high-precision work and one of the best staple gun for upholstery in the UK.

✅ Quiet operation
✅ Ultra-reliable firing mechanism
✅ Lightweight aluminium body
✅ Excellent for fabric, trims, and panels


Don’t Forget Your Staples & Oil

Keep your pneumatic tool running smoothly and get the perfect finish every time.


Need Help Choosing?

We’re always happy to help you find the right stapler or fastener for your next project.

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👉 View All Pneumatic Staple Guns
👉 Buy Staples for Upholstery

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