Best 6 Electric Binding Machines: Save Your Power, Let Machine Do It

To save your power and time, it’s best to purchase electric devices that will do the job for you.

In this post, you will learn how to bind the books with an electric binding machine and which features should have a quality binding machine. Read our buying guide first, then check out our list with the best models on the market.

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What Is Electric Binder?

An electric binder is a type of binding machine used for simply binding documents and presentations. With a single press of the button or the use of an electric pedal, an electric machine will punch the holes through the pages at the same distance. It is a great machine to have in your office for medium to heavy binding projects.

Electric Vs. Manual Book Binder

While an electric model punches the holes itself, with a manual bookbinder, you will have to punch the holes yourself, by closing the handle over for punching. This is why manual is more used for smaller projects and personal use.

Types Of Electric Binders

You can choose between electric binders with comb, wire, spiral, and coil binding.

Electric Comb Binding Machine

One type of binding your paperwork and presentations together is with a comb. It includes a plastic comb that binds papers together through rectangular holes, allowing the pages to lay flat. The plastic comb binding consists of 19 or 21 rings. It is also referred to as plastic comb binding or spiral comb binding.

Electric Wire Binder

Wire binding is more durable than comb binding as the wire is made from material that is more durable than plastic. It looks professional and durable (it is also more durable than coil binding), but is also more expensive. You can choose between 2:1 and 3:1 pitches in wire binding usually. The first one means that there are two holes per inch and the latter that there are three holes per inch.

Electric Coil Model

This type binds papers together by a coil, resembling a long spring. The coils are inserted and twisted through the small holes along the spinal edge of the book.

Coil Vs. Comb Binding

Coil binding is more durable and has no moving parts. On the other hand, comb binding can become open and is less durable, which makes it less reliable. However, it is a cheaper option and is usually used for projects that are not professional.

What Are Electric Binders Used For?

Why should you go for a binding machine with an electric punch? What are the advantages of having an electric machine for binding compared to a manual? Here is why:

• For frequent binding – if you are going to bind professionally and frequently, it will be much easier to punch through documents with a button or an electric pedal
• For offices – having an electric model is great for use in an office where you can save time without having to manually punch through holes
• For medium and heavy-duty use – having a binder with an electric puncher is great for bigger binding projects, especially professional heavy-duty ones

Things You Should Consider Before Buying An Electric Binder

If you want to bind your books and other documents with an electric machine, you should learn about the following features first to find out what the best choice for you is.

What Is The Best Style Of Binding For Your Needs?

If you are going to bind a personal project, plastic combs might be enough for you. They are easy and affordable, and the pages lay flat which is great for revision. Another style for consideration is Wire-O, where pages also lay flat, but with 360-degree rotation. Moreover, Therm-a-Bind is a binding type that puts the pages together without holes or any kind of fasteners, good for when revisions aren’t necessary. Finally, VeloBind gives almost a book-like finish with a spine, great for when you have to stack, file, or mail documents.

Sheet Punching Capacity

The capacity of how many sheets you can punch at once is one of the most important features to look out for. It tells you how many pages you can insert for a single punch. The home binding machines can punch up to 8 sheets and the heavy-duty machines punch up 20+ sheets of paper.

Page Binding Capacity

The binding capacity depends on how often you are going to use a binding machine. For personal use and creating booklets, you probably won’t need more than 250 pages. For professional binding, it is better to choose options with 400+ page binding capacity.

Size

You will probably have to bind more than just documents of just one size. Sometimes, it will be legal-size pages, sometimes A4 pages, etc. Look for models that have depth adjusters so that you can bind even extra-large documents.

Wide Throat System

Look for binding machines that have wide-throat systems if you want to bind together longer documents. If not, standard throat systems will be enough.

Binding For Left-Handed Individuals

If you are left-handed, look for models that are adjusted to your way of using a binding machine. You won’t have to work with your non-dominant hand as everything will be adjusted to you.

Removable Binding Unit

If you want to be extra fast and efficient, go for electric binders that have a removable binding unit. One person will be able to punch holes while the other will be binding the documents together for higher productivity and efficiency when working simultaneously.

Wheel For Margin

To set your margin, a machine will have a wheel that you can turn to set your margin properly and punch holes on paper where you would like. Also, a binder should have a measuring tool for thickness to adjust everything to the size of your book.

Binding Frequency

If you are going to use a binding machine frequently, then an electric model is a good choice for you so you don’t have to make the punch manually many times a day as it might be tiring.

Durability Of Electric Binders

For greater durability, look for machines for binding made from an all-metal construction. It will last you a long time and be much harder to wear down.

Is An Electric Binder Easy To Use?

The punching isn’t complicated, especially the electric one, there is a push-button or an electric pedal. For binding, you should read the instruction, because you can ruin your documents to learn how to do it properly and easily.

Best 6 Electric Binding Machines

Fellowes 5218301 Binding Machine

Large Offices
The Fellowes 5218301 Galaxy E500 binding machine is designed for daily use in large offices. This product measures 19.75 x 8.31 x 23 inches. It is pretty heavy, there are 32 pounds. It’s best to find someplace for this machine and don’t move it often. The color is grey.

25-sheets At The Time
This electric comb binding machine is useful for school, recreational and business use. The Fellowes is able to punch up to 25 sheets of paper at a time. With a 2-inch comb, this machine binds up to 500 sheets. You need to insert the documents vertically for accurate punch alignment.

Two Users
You can separate the binding mechanism and use them individually. In that way, you can increase productivity. Also, you can release the dies for different paper sizes. You can quickly set up the machine because the integrated comb storage tray features a document measurement device.

Mistake-proof Tool
The edge guide is adjustable and allows you to center the documents preciously. The mistake-proof tool helps you to choose the right size of the comb for your documents. It’s easy to use this binding machine, just push the button and the device will automatically punch up the sheets.

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TruBind Binding Machine

Professional Use
TruBind is a machine intended for professional office use. It is an electric machine which has a high price. Also, it comes with a 1-year warranty. This model has an electric punch and electric coil inserter. The package includes the binding machine and coil cutter/crimping tool.

Electric Coil Binding Machine
This electric coil binding machine is able to punch up to 25 sheets of paper at a time. It is intended for high volume binding requirements. Also, there is an electric coil inserter, you can insert 7/8 inches of coils. There is a disengaging die type, so use disengaging pins and eliminate a partially punched hole in your book easily.

Oval Dye Shape
This electric spiral binding machine has an oval dye shape, even the round shape is most common. With this dye type, you can easily turn the pages and insert the coil. With this machine, you can adjust the length of the hole punches. Also, you can adjust the side margin and choose where you want to punch holes.

Hands-free Operation
It is very easy to control this machine. With the front button, you can turn on/off the electric coil inserter. Push the button to electronically punch the documents or book. You can use the foot pedal for that. If a jam occurs, you need to unplug the machine and use the handle for manual reverse.

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GBC ProClick Electric Binding Machine

Professional Binding
This binding machine is made of high-quality materials, its warranty lasts 1 year. The product dimensions are 14 x 16 x 8 inches. It weighs 22 pounds. This is the ProClick P210E model which will give you professional binding power. It has a high price.

Mid-sized Offices
Choose this electric machine if you need to bind the documents or other projects on daily basis. But the ProClick isn’t designed for heavy-duty tasks, but for mid-size offices or schools. Use this binding machine with GBC ProClick Spines only, you need to buy it separately.

Open & Edit
The binding capacity is 110 sheets. The electric punch is able to pierce 15 sheets at the time, then they are ready for binding. The GBC ProClick is a flexible machine, you can easily open and edit the content. For the opening, you can use the pen or your hand. You can easily open and close binding.

Handy Right Feature
This model works with a max spine size of 5/8 inches. Use the ProClick for letter-size documents as well as oversized papers and covers. The Handy Right feature provides accurate punching and binding every time. There is no messy work anymore.

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Akiles WireMac Binding Machine

Powerful Motor
The Akiles WireMac-EX31 machine features a powerful motor that is ideal for commercial volume workloads. This machine provides fast, accurate and professional binding. The dimensions of the machine are 19 inches in width, 16 inches of depth and 17.5 inches of height.

25 Sheets Of Paper
The Akiles is pretty heavy, there are 55 pounds. It’s made of quality metal materials and has a high price, but there is a warranty which lasts 1 year. The punch capacity is up to 25 sheets of paper. Also, you can insert a hardboard which is 2.6mm or 0.10 inches thick.

40 Disengaged Dies
The single punch length is 14 inches, but the side is open if you want to use even wider documents. There are 40 dies, but you can disengage them if you work with shorter papers. The Akiles has an anti-jam feature if the paper stuck. Turn off the device, then use the reverse function.

Manual Wire Closing
This wire machine makes three holes per inch. It has square holes of 4 x 4mm. You can punch the paper electrically, but the wire closing is a manual operation. But there is a convenient wire holder. This machine allows you to adjust the scale and control the margin.

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Fellowes 5216901 Electric Machine

Compact Machine
The Fellowes Quasar E 500 binding machine is compact and practical for use. It measures 7.10 x 18.75 x 20.5 inches and weighs 21 pounds. This sturdy machine is made of steel, so it is durable and lasts for many years. It is easy to use the Fellowes – first punch the holes, align the paper and put the comb on.

Measurement Device
This electric binder can punch up to 20 sheets of paper automatically. You just need to push the button. With a 2-inch comb, you can bind up to 500 sheets. There is a built-in comb storage tray with a measurement device for documents. That ensures more precise operation.

Daily Use
There is an adjustable edge guide, so you can easily center the documents and punch them more accurately. The mistake-proof tool prevents the wrong comb size. This electric comb binding machine is a good choice for daily use in large offices.

Vertical Loading
The Fellowes Quasar machine allows you to put the documents vertically for more accurate alignment. If you store some documents in the storage tray, it is easy to clean up, the front tray provides easy waste disposal. This machine is useful for school, recreational use for photographs or maps and business use.

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Swingline VeloBind V110E Machine

Lightweight Machine
The Swingline VeloBind V110E binding machine has 20 inches of length, 12 inches of width and 8 inches of height. It weighs 8 pounds only. It is the lightest model on this list. You can easily move the device from one office to another. The price is affordable.

Neat Binding
This machine is good for large offices, companies and departments. You need to use it with VeloBind spines because they will provide neat and stackable binding. You can bind up to 200 sheets of paper at a time. With an electric punch, you can pierce through 24 papers.

Push-button Operation
Read the instruction before use, but it is very simple to use this machine, when you want to punch the documents, push the button. That’s it. Use the Swingline machine for standard document size, but it is good for non-standard oversize documents.

Editing Tool
If there are paper jams, use the jam release knob to clean it up. The paper alignment guide ensures precise punching. The editing tool is included, use it to add or remove the documents without canceling the whole binding process. Call the customer support if you have any questions, also, you can rely on a 1-year warranty.

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How Do You Use An Electric Model?

Electric binders for documents usually work by following the next steps:

1. Turn on the binder by using the power switch, usually located at the back of the unit.
2. Adjust and set the depth margin according to the thickness of your project.
3. Insert a single test document into the machine and line it up against the punch line where you want the holes to be punched. Do not forget to disengage the unused pins at the end of the documents to prevent half holes at the edge of your document.
4. Put in your binding project and line it properly.
5. Press the button for punching or use the electric foot pedal for punching.
6. Punch the covers separately from the inside of the binding project.
7. Put the lever into an upright position and place your comb onto the opener. Then pull down the lever to open up the combs.
8. Place your documents face-down onto the open comb.
9. Close the comb by lifting the lever into an upright position.

Your project should be bounded together. Check out this video for a visual demonstration:

Maintaining An Electric Binder Machine

Lubricating the electric binder machine from time to time will be necessary to keep your electric binder working properly. Dab a cloth with light-weight machine oil and then gently rub the exposed areas of the punch pins while the die is out of them.

How Do You Un-Jam An Electric Binder Maker?

To un-jam a machine, open the cover, lift the tray, and remove the element. The machine will then run a full cycle after which you will be able to remove the element and the jam should be cleared.

How Do I Bind Files Without A Binding Machine?

If you do not have a machine for professional binding, you can either use report covers to keep your files together or use staples or binders. Also, you can use screw posts which are metal posts you thread through the holes in your document (after making three punch holes in your document.