5 Spiral Binding Machines that Won't Break the Bank in 2023

Searching for a coil binding machine can be tough. Not just because of the various features and specifications that you have to compare, or because you need to figure out the quality through a screen, but because there are hundreds of options at varying prices from a couple hundred bucks to tens of thousands of dollars. With such a vast collection, it is no wonder why one of the most frequently asked questions we get from customers is, “what is the best, cheap coil binding machine?” 

We get this question often enough that we’ve decided to compile a list of these spiral binding machines so that you can easily browse through five machines that won’t break the bank. We will also compare their key features and tell you the benefits so you can figure out which of these affordable spiral binding machines is best for you. 

In no particular order, here are the top five machines to consider: 

• Minicoil 

• RubiCoil 

• TPC-4600 

• Optimus 46i 

• CoilMac Plus 

How We Chose These Machines 

Because you’re looking for something affordable, we are automatically making the assumption that your volume and usage needs are on the lower end. That is why you will find that all the machines listed here are “manual.” What does that mean? It means that to punch the holes in your pages, you will need to pull down on a handle. It also means that rolling the coil through those holes is done by hand, and that crimping in the ends will be completed with a pair of crimping pliers. 

Other things we considered when selecting these manual spiral binding machines include the quality of the machine. We’re taking into account how satisfied past customers are with their purchase, product reviews, and our own personal account of how durable the machine is. Great quality and a low price = awesome value, which is our ultimate goal with this post.  

Key Features to Take Note Of 

When buying a spiral binding machine online, there are some important features to understand before you start shopping. Let’s cover those first. 

Throat/Binding Edge Capacity 

The first and most crucial specification to understand is the binding edge capacity or width, often called the “punching throat.” This indicates the maximum width of page that you can punch with the machine, effectively limiting your use to that size of book or smaller (note: see “disengageable pins” below about the “smaller” comment). If you are working with standard letter size documents, then you should be golden for the huge majority of coil binding equipment out there. But if you need to punch something a little less common, such as legal or tabloid size, then you will need to make sure you get a machine that can handle that width or has an open-ended punch. 

Open-Ended Punching 

This feature means that the punching throat is not closed in and actually had one open end. If you are working with those larger pages, this feature allows you to punch documents twice as long as the punching width by simply flipping your pages over and punching the second half. While not crucial for letter size documents, it can be a handy feature to have if you ever think you may want to use your machine for larger documents, reports, or maybe even a fun project.  

Disengageable Pins 

Another important feature of coil binding machines is whether or not they have disengageable punching pins. This feature is only necessary if you ever plan to punch any document other than letter size; that includes smaller or larger documents. A disengageable pin means you can effectively “pull” a pin partially out of the machine to prevent it from punching that single hole. This is beneficial when working with other page sizes so you can center your book and prevent half-holes on the edge of your pages. 

Punching Capacity 

Another feature many people like to consider is the punching capacity. Most manual machines will be able to handle no more than about 15 sheets of 20# bond copy paper at a time. When punching cover stock, you should really just punch one at a time. This is something to keep in mind if you ever punch thick books (i.e. you would be punching a lot of batches of pages at a time for each book) or if you make larger quantities of books at a time (even if they’re thinner books). Think about your volume before settling on the sheet capacity you want for your spiral bind machine. 

Hole Shape 

Hole shape is another feature that you may not initially consider but can be valuable to think about prior to a purchase. When it comes to spiral coil binding machines, the holes will be one of two shapes: round or oval. Round is the most common, especially for the level of machines we’re looking at here, but oval is sometimes available and can make inserting the coils through the holes significantly easier (you can look for the word “plus” in the model name, which can sometimes indicate this feature). 

 Imagine you have to bind 20 books together that are 1-inch thick. Having to manually insert each of those 20 coils through 44-holes can be a chore, especially when working with that thicker book. When the holes are oval, it makes this process significantly quicker and easier on your wrists and shoulders. And they are only ever so slightly oval anyway, with just 1mm of extra punch on one end to aid in that inserting process. 

U-Shaped Divot  

One final feature to consider is whether the machine has a U-shaped divot in the base. Just as the oval holes make coil inserting easier, this precision-shaped indent on the machine is used to shape the spine of your punched pages into the ideal curve to match your coil curve. If your machine does not have one of these, then you can use a coil binding sleeve in the size of your coil to assist. 

Down to the Nitty Gritty – Our Top Picks 

It’s time to dive into the best affordable coil binding machines on the market today!  

Minicoil 

This desktop coil binding machine is one of our most popular units, boasting all 5-star reviews from customers. It is the perfect little unit to handle occasional spiral binding needs, such as for a home office or small office with needs a couple times per month or less. Probably the main reason why customers love this so much: it actually has an electric coil inserter on it. A rarity for any machine in this price range, the Minicoil lets you more quickly insert coils through your punched pages with this tool.  

That’s all well and good, but nothing gives you a feel for how a machine actually works through a screen than a product video! Check out this Minicoil video to see it in action and learn more:  

Interested to know more or ready to get started binding with the Minicoil? Learn more or buy the Minicoil online. 

RubiCoil 

The RubiCoil is another top spiral binding machine for low volume users, allowing anyone who needs to occasionally make a coil-bound booklet to easily do so without spending much money. Available as a standalone machine or in an affordable starter kit, the RubiCoil features exceptional quality-built parts, such as metal chassis and hardened steel punching pins to ensure clean cuts and a long machine life. 

Check out this Rubicoil video to see it in action:  

Want to start binding with this perfect small coil binding machine? Learn more or buy the Rubicoil online. 

TPC-4600 

The TPC-4600 is another 5-star machine that offers some great features in a compact, occasional-use spiral binding machine. This system can handle a bit more volume than the others, as it is on the lower-end of the moderate-use category. It also features a single electric roller on top to assist with inserting those coils, alleviating the strain on you having to manually insert when doing more books at a time.  

Here is a video so you can see the Tamerica TPC-4600 in-action:  

Interested in this lower/mid-volume tabletop machine? Learn more or buy the TPC-4600 online. 

Optimus 46i 

Taking one step up, the Optimus 46i is a great spiral binding machine to help make the binding process easier and faster. It includes not only an electric roller inserter on top, but also fully disengageable punching pins to prevent those half-holes for any sheet sizes other than standard letter. The inserter is also controlled by a foot pedal, which is convenient because you can quickly turn it on and off without taking your hands off your document. With a nice punching capacity and quality, 5-star rating, the Optimus 46i is the perfect spiral binding machine for users of all kinds. 
 

Here is a video to help you get a feel for how this machine can help improve your binding station:  

Want to add this handy unit to your workroom? Learn more or buy the Optimus 461 online. 

CoilMac Plus 

Last up, but not least, we have the CoilMac Plus. This machine is great to work with as you can actually feel the quality. Manufactured by Akiles, it is the perfect machine for occasional binding projects. The fully disengageable punching pins, open ended punch, and oval holes make for an efficient system to work with. In addition to oval holes, this “Plus” machine also has an improved hole pitch with 0.248 spacing (as opposed to 0.2475) that makes it easier to insert the coils. You can also check out the standard CoilMac machine if the “Plus” features are not relevant for you. 

Ready to see how this machine can help your home or small office? Watch the demo video here:  

Learn more or buy the CoilMac Plus online. 

Final Comparison 

Need to see each of these machines side-by-side? Here is a comparison chart showing the noted key features outlined above.  

MyBinding: We Make it Easy  

At MyBinding, we believe that shopping for an affordable spiral coil binding machine should not be a stressful experience. If none of the above machines fit the bill (or your specification requirements), give us a call to chat with our expert team about your unique needs so we can make a personalized recommendation. Or you can browse our full collection of coil binding machines and accessories here. Best of luck with your search! 

Click to Call Us at 1-800-944-4573