A staple gun drives wire staples into wood, fabric, insulation or house wrap with a squeeze of the hand. Most manual models use a spring and lever, so the choices that matter are the staple type, the body material, the way you load it and whether the tool also takes brads.
The six tools below include a boxed T50 kit, three squeeze-style tackers, a hammer tacker for roofing and house wrap, and a three-in-one kit. Specs come from each listing page and are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these tools ourselves. Where a listing is vague or lists odd figures, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Staple type | T50, Type-G and similar staples are not interchangeable, so match the tool to the staples you can buy |
| Body material | Metal housings and composite housings differ in weight and feel |
| Loading | Rear, bottom and window-style magazines change how fast you reload |
| Kit contents | Some come with staples, a remover or a case; others are tool only |
| Extra functions | A few also fire brads or work as a hammer tacker |
Specs at a Glance
| Tool | Staples listed | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrow T50 kit | T50, 1/4 to 9/16 in; 3750 included | Chromed steel housing | Rear load; staple-viewing window |
| DEWALT DWHTTR510 | DEWALT DWHTTA700 series or Arrow T-50; brads | Die-cast aluminum | Anti-jam magazine; protective case; 3 year warranty |
| CRAFTSMAN CMHT82643 | Not stated | Composite | Reverse squeeze; bottom load; locks for storage |
| BOSTITCH BTHTHT550 | 3/8, 5/16 and 1/2 in heavy-duty | Not stated | Hammer tacker; limited lifetime warranty |
| STANLEY STHT70250 | Type-G staples; Type-J brads | Not stated | High and low power settings |
| SHALL 3-in-1 kit | D, U and T type; T50, T18, 18 gauge brads | Alloy steel | Stepless power knob; 3000 staples and a remover |
The 6 Best Staple Guns
1. Arrow T50 Heavy Duty Staple Gun Kit, 3750 Staples
A T50 stapler sold with 3750 staples, 1250 each in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch lengths. The maker lists a chromed steel housing with parts hardened in a 1,500 degree furnace, a rear-load magazine with a jam-resistant mechanism and a staple-viewing window. It accepts T50 staples from 1/4 up to 9/16 inch.
Suits: upholstery, insulation and general repairs. Strengths: a large staple supply in the box and a viewing window. Weaknesses: T50 only, with no brad function. Skip it if you need to fire brads.
View Arrow T50 Heavy Duty Staple Gun Kit with 3750 Pieces T50 Staples on Amazon
2. DEWALT DWHTTR510 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker
A multi-tacker in a lightweight die-cast aluminum housing, with an easy-squeeze mechanism that the maker says reduces actuation force and an anti-jam magazine. It takes DEWALT DWHTTA700 series staples, Arrow T-50 staples and 18 gauge brads according to the listing, and it ships with a protective case and a 3 year manufacturer warranty. The details table shows a fastener count of 5, which looks like the number of fastener types rather than a quantity.
Suits: mixed staple and brad work. Strengths: several fastener types and a case. Weaknesses: no fasteners in the box. Skip it if you want staples included.
View DEWALT DWHTTR510 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker on Amazon
3. CRAFTSMAN Heavy Duty Reverse Squeeze Stapler (CMHT82643)
A composite-bodied stapler whose reverse squeeze design, which the maker calls PUSHFIRE, puts the leverage over the staple to cut kickback. It loads from the bottom with a pinch latch and locks closed for compact storage. The listing does not say which staples it uses, so check the maker’s page before ordering fasteners.
Suits: general repairs. Strengths: a bottom load and a storage lock. Weaknesses: no staple size or size range on the page. Skip it if you need clear staple compatibility before buying.
View CRAFTSMAN Heavy Duty Reverse Squeeze Stapler (CMHT82643) on Amazon
4. BOSTITCH BTHTHT550 AV Hammer Tacker
A manual hammer tacker meant for roofing, house wrap and insulation. The listing says it uses 3/8, 5/16 and 1/2 inch heavy-duty staples, has a multi-layer grip to reduce shock and vibration, an anti-jam loading mechanism and no-slip rubber bumpers for sloped surfaces. The maker lists a limited lifetime warranty.
Suits: roofing felt and wrap on large surfaces. Strengths: swing-and-tap action covers big areas. Weaknesses: not suited to delicate fabric work. Skip it if you do small upholstery jobs.
View BOSTITCH BTHTHT550 AV Hammer Tacker on Amazon
5. STANLEY 2-in-1 Multi Tacker Heavy Duty Stapler Brad Nailer (STHT70250)
A manual tacker that fires Type-G staples and Type-J brad pins, with high and low power settings and an anti-jam mechanism. The listing suggests uses such as drywall beads, scrim, carpet, fencing and roof sheeting. One bullet refers to retailer copy about squeeze action, so treat the handling claims as unconfirmed.
Suits: mixed fastening around the house. Strengths: a power setting and two fastener types. Weaknesses: a vague handling bullet. Skip it if you already own T50 staples.
View STANLEY 2-in-1 Multi Tacker Heavy Duty Stapler Brad Nailer (STHT70250) on Amazon
6. SHALL 3-in-1 Upholstery Staple Gun Kit, 3000 Staples
An alloy steel kit that the maker says fits D type and U type staples, T50, T18 and 18 gauge brads. It has laser-etched outlet markings, a stepless knob for adjusting power, a jam-clearing system and an anti-slip grip, and it comes with 3000 staples and a staple remover. The warranty is listed as 365 days.
Suits: upholstery and craft work with a remover on hand. Strengths: a wide power range and the remover. Weaknesses: the table repeats 3000 for item count. Skip it if you want a hammer-style tool.
Care and Setup
- Match the staple type and length to the tool before loading.
- Keep fingers clear of the staple outlet while loading and firing.
- Try the power setting on scrap before working on the real piece.
- Clear a jam only after the tool is unloaded, following the maker’s steps.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying staples that do not match the tool.
- Using a hammer tacker for fine upholstery.
- Assuming the tool takes brads when the listing does not say so.
- Skipping eye protection.
Staple Gun FAQ
What is the difference between a staple gun and a hammer tacker?
A staple gun is squeezed like a stapler. A hammer tacker is swung and fires a staple on impact, which suits large flat areas such as house wrap.
Do all of these take the same staples?
No. The Arrow takes T50, the BOSTITCH lists heavy-duty staples in three lengths, the STANLEY takes Type-G staples and the CRAFTSMAN does not say.
The Short Version
For a T50 kit with staples, the Arrow. For several fastener types and a case, the DEWALT. For a reverse squeeze design, the CRAFTSMAN. For roofing wrap, the BOSTITCH. For a power setting and brads, the STANLEY. For a kit with a remover, the SHALL.