X-ACTO XLR Electric Pencil Sharpener - 1818

TLDR Review: X-ACTO XLR Pencil Sharpener

Published: July 3rd, 2025
Last Updated: July 18th, 2025

Pros

  • β€’Works quickly to sharpen both regular and colored pencils, even 'design pencils' that manual sharpeners struggle with.
  • β€’Small footprint makes it easy to fit in any workspace without taking up too much room.
  • β€’Suitable for use by young children, with a mechanical stop to prevent oversharpening.
  • β€’The sharpener has a quiet operation compared to others in the same price range.
  • β€’Comes with a generous ear warranty, offering peace of mind regarding reliability.
  • β€’Provides a smooth, fine point on pencils efficiently.
  • β€’It is sturdy and does not slide around during use.
  • β€’Successfully sharpened around 60 colored pencils without breaking the lead.
  • β€’Has a stop function to prevent oveharpening.
  • β€’Effectively meets light to moderate home learning needs.

Cons

  • β€’Can be loud, making it less ideal for quiet environments.
  • β€’May leave pencil shavings outside the receptacle, requiring extra cleaning.
  • β€’Occasionally, the motor may stop mise to prevent overheating.
  • β€’Construction plastic is thinner than older models, affecting overall feel.
  • β€’Shavings catcher design is messy, adding to maintenance effort.
  • β€’Some users experienced the sharpener not performing effectively, breaking pencil wood instead.
  • β€’Requires deep pencil insertion, impractical for shorter pencils.
  • β€’Reports of units stopping after limited use, raising reliability concerns.
  • β€’The dependent switch mechanism can fail, sometimes needing modification.
  • β€’Quality control issues noted, potentially leading to performance inconsistencies.

Bottom Line

The X-ACTO XLR Electric Pencil Sharpener - 1818 offers reliable and efficient performance for regular and colored pencils, with features like a stop mechanism and compact design making it suitable for home and light office use. However, potential concerns about noise, shavings management, and mechanical reliability might be deal-breakers for some users. If durability and quiet operation are key, ensure your purchase includes a warranty, and perhaps consider investing in a higher-tier model if these drawbacks could be significant for your setting.

Lowest at Amazon
$19.99 at Amazon
Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$19.77 at Bonanza

Where to Buy

Prices last updated: July 17th 2025 6:56 pm
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