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Swingline Electric Pencil Sharpener, Optima, Fits Six Different Pencil Sizes, Black/Orange (29968)

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Brand Swingline
Specific Uses For Product Pencil
Color Black
Power Source Electric
Special Feature Thermal Protection, Spill Resistant, Quiet Operation, Auto-stop, Lead-saver

About this item

  • Pencil sharpener has an adjustable dial that accommodates six different pencil sizes including triangular student pencils
  • Quiet performance will not disturb others; large, translucent shavings receptacle is spill resistant for neater disposal
  • Lead saver feature prevents over-sharpening, thermal cutoff prevents overheating

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User Manual (PDF)

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Product Description

Product Description

Swingline's Optima Electric Pencil Sharpener is beautifully designed to minimize its footprint on the desktop and provide maximum sharpening quality and flexibility. The Optima has a powerful motor which sharpens extremely fast. Its moveable dial can accommodate six different pencil sizes, including triangular student pencils. A large capacity, translucent, spill-resistant shavings receptacle keeps things neat. There's even a storage area at the back to hold and organize pencils, so you have an all-in-one pencil area. The unit itself has a thermal cut-off to prevent overheating. 100% performance guarantee, limited lifetime guarantee. In black with attractive orange and gray trim.

From the Manufacturer


Smart design. Fast sharpening. Trusted reliability.



Swingline electric sharpeners are designed for durability, speed, quietness, and ease of use

The most trusted name in staplers now brings you the newest addition to the family--Swingline electric pencil sharpeners. Featuring modern designs combined with improved user experience, Swingline electric pencil sharpeners deliver superior sharpening for each and every use.

Professionals have very high expectations for their electric pencil sharpeners ...and the newest line of Swingline electric sharpeners delivers. A quality Swingline sharpener provides a perfectly sharpened pencil every time you use it. It performs quickly and quietly--quiet enough for use in office and school environments. And all with an easy, non-messy experience when emptying the shavings receptacle.

  • Stylish design saves work space
  • Fast, quiet operation, will not disturb others
  • Easy-to-empty shavings receptacle for quick clean-up
  • Lead saver prevents over sharpening, so you will get the most out of each pencil

Available in Multiple Sizes to Fit Any Need

Swingline sharpeners come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs and frequency of use. Choose from Compact, Personal, SpeedPro, and the Optima.

Compact--Compact is a space-saving design that fits in your hand, with fast and quiet operation from battery and electric power. An auto-stop feature prevents oversharpening.

Personal--The Personal's size fits easily on your desk. Like the Compact, it has fast and quiet operation with an auto-stop feature that prevents oversharpening. Personal also features an easy-to-empty shaving receptacle and a pencil storage bin.

SpeedPro--The powerful motor of the SpeedPro provides extremely fast sharpening. It sharpens 6 different pencil sizes with an auto-stop feature to prevent oversharpening plus a thermal cutoff to prevent the motor from overheating. SpeedPro also has an easy-to-empty shaving receptacle and a pencil storage area.

Optima--Optima's spill-resistant shavings receptacle eliminates mess. Its powerful motor provides extremely fast sharpening with quiet operation. Sharpen 6 different pencil sizes with confidence thanks to auto-stop features for oversharpening and overheating. Optima excels in high-frequency usage environments such as busy offices or classrooms.

Product information

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Swingline Electric Pencil Sharpener, Optima, Fits Six Different Pencil Sizes, Black/Orange (29968)

Swingline Electric Pencil Sharpener, Optima, Fits Six Different Pencil Sizes, Black/Orange (29968)

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Top Brand: Swingline

Highly Rated
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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
152 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the speed of the pencil sharpener, saying it's super fast and quiet. They also appreciate the power and speed, saying the motor wouldn't stall no matter how much pressure they apply. Customers are also satisfied with appearance. However, some customers have mixed opinions on quality, performance, sturdiness, size, noise, and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

15 customers mention15 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the speed of the pencil sharpener. They mention that it is super fast and quiet. Some say that the motor is sturdy and wouldn't stall no matter how much pressure they apply.

"...I get a perfectly sharp point every time, it's fast, heavy (solid), and larger than I expected, but that was certainly not a deal breaker, in fact,..." Read more

"...Kids use this one over all the others--it's just super fast and quiet.Pros: Fast, very quiet, stable, sharpen with one hand...." Read more

"...It sharpens smoothly, easily, quickly and the tips don't break off. My 8 yr old has no problems sharpening her pencils on her own...." Read more

"...This pencil sharpener is still going strong, still sharpening pencils very quickly, and I've had no issues with it...." Read more

7 customers mention7 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the pencil sharpener. They mention that it is sleek, nice, and has a sliding shaving tray. Some say that it does well with graphics wrapped pencils.

"...It has also done well with the graphics wrapped pencils, although I rarely sharpen such pencils...." Read more

"Looks cool but doesn't sharpen with a good tip on the lead. Not a good item. Do not buy this item." Read more

"...I like the shavings tray, its average size and does have a slightly useful sliding cover so you dont spill too many shavings...." Read more

"really nice but SOOOO big...like all the Optima products...just a little big for an office desk. Would be perfect for a workroom...." Read more

48 customers mention31 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the quality of the pencil sharpener. Some say that it sharpens pencils nicely, smoothly, and easily, while others say that the tips break off and that it never became usefully sharp. Some customers also mention that it tends to sharpen only one side of the pen.

"...I get a perfectly sharp point every time, it's fast, heavy (solid), and larger than I expected, but that was certainly not a deal breaker, in fact,..." Read more

"...One thing I especially like about it is it can sharpen the very large black Tri-conderoga pencils that many other sharpeners simply aren't designed..." Read more

"Looks cool but doesn't sharpen with a good tip on the lead. Not a good item. Do not buy this item." Read more

"...The sharpened pencil comes out clean without waste shavings, a perfect point, and very smooth cut surface...." Read more

39 customers mention20 positive19 negative

Customers are mixed about the performance of the pencil sharpener. Some mention it performs very well, while others say it doesn't work properly.

"I've used this for about 20-30 pencils now, and I've been pleased with its performance...." Read more

"...sharpener did not last for me, and while it was working, it didn't do the best job. There's better pencil sharpeners out there...." Read more

"...Ultimately, it's good and gets the job done, but had enough little annoyances that I don't want to deal with. I sent it back." Read more

"...Unfortunately after a few weeks, it stopped working- I thought maybe it was too warm- I had sharpened about 30 pencils- I waited a while and then..." Read more

23 customers mention12 positive11 negative

Customers are mixed about the size of the pencil sharpener. Some mention that it works great and has many different sizes for all of your different pencils. They also like the shavings tray, which is average size. However, others say that it's really nice but too big for an office desk, takes up way too much room on their desk, and the shaving receptacle is not as large as it appears.

"...The ability to fit different sized pencils has been tested and it did well...." Read more

"...sharp point every time, it's fast, heavy (solid), and larger than I expected, but that was certainly not a deal breaker, in fact, it only added to..." Read more

"...I really like the variable sizes, the wheel turns easily to switch sizes...." Read more

"...I like the shavings tray, its average size and does have a slightly useful sliding cover so you dont spill too many shavings...." Read more

21 customers mention12 positive9 negative

Customers are mixed about the sturdiness of the pencil sharpener. Some mention that it works very well, is robust, and stable. However, others say that it does not seem to be holding up and broke after 3 weeks of use.

"...breaker, in fact, it only added to my conclusions that this is a solidly built, quality pencil sharpener. The results speak for themselves...." Read more

"...The motor seems solid, but weak. It stalled out pretty easily with little pressure.2) The pencil holder is a joke...." Read more

"...It seems to be holding up fairly well. It is, as another reviewer wrote, noticeably quieter than other electrics. That's nicer than you think...." Read more

"...There was a clear deterioration of the power and the motor.On the plus side, this one did keep chugging along, doing the bare minimum...." Read more

15 customers mention10 positive5 negative

Customers are mixed about the noise of the pencil sharpener. Some mention that it runs quietly and smooth, while others say that it shuts down and makes a weird noise. The motor is a little loud, but some customers don't find it terribly obtrusive.

"...Kids use this one over all the others--it's just super fast and quiet.Pros: Fast, very quiet, stable, sharpen with one hand...." Read more

"...both are comparable in size, price, and ability, but this one is slightly quieter, cuts to a point with minimum waste and seems to cut perfect every..." Read more

"...Personally don't find it very loud. The motor's a little loud, but I don't find it terribly obtrusive. All in all very pleased with it." Read more

"...It's bigger than I had pictured in my mind. It's no more noisy than any other electric sharpener I have been around and we have not had any problems..." Read more

11 customers mention4 positive7 negative

Customers are mixed about the value of the pencil sharpener. Some mention it's a wonderful product considering the price, while others say it'll ruin their pencils. The pencil holder is a joke and unnecessary.

"...The pencil holder is a joke. It holds 4 pencils, 6 if you have them half sticking out. It's also at the back of a large unit...." Read more

"...This item is worth the money. Thanks Swingline, a home run!" Read more

"...and some of the pencil-width settings seemed somewhat random and unnecessary--you could change the width with an inner wheel..." Read more

"...It's eating up my pencils instead of sharpening them. I bought this product in January, and only use it once a week to sharpen less than 12 pencils...." Read more

Neutral Stance
5 Stars
Neutral Stance
This is a great electric sharpener. However, when the tip of the pencil breaks off prematurely inside of the sharpener, there is no real way to get it out effortlessly. A lot of plugging and unplugging the device, tapping it here & there, along with other methods to get the jammed tip out. Otherwise, the sharpener will continue to spin but it won’t sharpen past a certain point.
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Top reviews from the United States

fnmc
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the BEST pencil sharpener on the market!
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
I read the reviews and the time has come for my review of this pencil sharpener. First of all, it's important to know that I'm a colored pencil artist so I sharpen more than graphite, and second that I purchased this sharpener based on an excellently written review by another colored pencil artist whom I do not know.

I've had this for awhile and I've come to the same conclusions as the previous artist...this is the BEST pencil sharpener ever! Oh, I know what all the reviews said, but I have not had ANY problems with this product. I get a perfectly sharp point every time, it's fast, heavy (solid), and larger than I expected, but that was certainly not a deal breaker, in fact, it only added to my conclusions that this is a solidly built, quality pencil sharpener. The results speak for themselves. Perfect point every time!

I have read so many reviews by teachers about electric pencil sharpeners and it just seems a little unfair to review an item getting that much use (by children) and then be irritated that you spent money out of your own pocket when it breaks. I used to be a teacher, so I know what you are asking of an electric sharpener and it's a lot.

Overall, I'm amazed at the number of negative reviews for this product. This pencil sharpener is everything I have been searching for as a colored pencil artist...

1) Will accept wax and oil based colored pencils
2) Will take pencils with larger barrels (such as Derwent, Faber-Castell, and Caran d' Ache)
3) Will not chew up any pencil I put in to sharpen, whether it is graphite or a colored pencil
4) Is solidly built and won't move around on me as I insert a pencil
5) Is fast (though 1 or 2 seconds slower is not a deal breaker for this consumer)
6) Has a bin for catching all those annoying shavings

I'm so tempted to purchase another, as I've been do disappointed since Boston pencil sharpeners have disappeared and been reincarnated into Xacto sharpeners...the new owners/manufactures. I'm thrilled to find this sharpener as it fits all of my needs and more. I can even sharpen a triangular shaped pencil evenly. I cannot recommend this sharpener highly enough. I will purchase again...in fact a few artist friends may be getting a gift.

Since I've had this sharpener I haven't had to use my hand sharpener...you have no idea how much my hand has thanked me. This item is worth the money. Thanks Swingline, a home run!
10 people found this helpful
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Matthew Dyer
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good sharpener - edit update
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
I've used this for about 20-30 pencils now, and I've been pleased with its performance. One thing I especially like about it is it can sharpen the very large black Tri-conderoga pencils that many other sharpeners simply aren't designed for. It has also done well with the graphics wrapped pencils, although I rarely sharpen such pencils. The wrap comes off and gums things up and they're just a pain. It's not too loud, it's fast, and it's heavy enough that it doesn't bounce around. It's not as lightning fast as my Royal P40, but I've never met another sharpener that is. I got this for $25 and consider it money well spent.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OK, this thing has now been through the first two weeks of school, and is probably sharpening about 30-40 pencils a day, most of them just dull, not brand new. It seems to be holding up fairly well. It is, as another reviewer wrote, noticeably quieter than other electrics. That's nicer than you think. It is also beefy and stable, so you can sharpen with one hand without having to hold the sharpener still with the other. That's nice too. My only complaint is that twice it has stopped sharpening for 10 or 15 minutes. All of the sudden it will just sit there and if a pencil is inserted it will hum but not sharpen. After a bit it starts working again. I don't know if this is thermal overload protection or what, but it is disconcerting to have a (relatively) brand new sharpener start to do this.

____________________________________________________________________________

It continues to sharpen pencils with abandon. It sort of turned off those two times, and since then there hasn't been a hiccup. Kids use this one over all the others--it's just super fast and quiet.

Pros: Fast, very quiet, stable, sharpen with one hand.

Cons: Stops working here and there, but will start again.
5 people found this helpful
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GH
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality sharpener with consistent results.
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
I was initially fairly happy with this sharpener. Size was a bit large and the adjustment for pencil width is different--one hole with a dial that narrows the hole internally. It stops actively cutting when a point is reached; it'll keep cutting if pressure is pushed on the pencil. The feel and sound (resistance) lets you know when it's done cutting. I also purchased an x-acto version and both are comparable in size, price, and ability, but this one is slightly quieter, cuts to a point with minimum waste and seems to cut perfect every time. The sharpened pencil comes out clean without waste shavings, a perfect point, and very smooth cut surface. Aesthetically, I'd prefer different colors and something not quite as large, but it does a great job. Other comparable sharpeners are equally as large.
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Yorgie
1.0 out of 5 stars Looks cool, works for. Do not buy this item.
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2016
Verified Purchase
Looks cool but doesn't sharpen with a good tip on the lead. Not a good item. Do not buy this item.
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Kara
5.0 out of 5 stars Sharpens my Prismacolors
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
I love my colored pencils, got several sets of the Prismacolor Premier pencils over the years. This thing sharpens them perfectly, and only one out of (I hate to admit) several hundred ever got eaten. I suspect that was a problem with the pencil core itself, rather than the sharpener. The thinner the core of the pencil you want to sharpen, the harder it will be to get a good point.
Bear in mind that if you do use this for colored (wax based) pencils, you'll void the warranty. For me it was totally worth the risk, and my sharpener has been going strong for years now. I bought this one as a back up, and I do sharpen a graphite pencil after every ten or so colored pencils to clean off any wax residue on the blades.
I read a LOT of reviews about how to sharpen a colored pencil. I'm not that patient, and I don't get the kind of tip I prefer from manual sharpeners, so for me, this is worth it. However you sharpen, good luck to you!
2 people found this helpful
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