School & Office Comparisons · Reviewed October 7, 2026
Swingline Optima 40 vs Bostitch B8 PowerCrown: Which 40-Sheet Stapler Fits Your Desk?
Both are manual flat-clinch staplers rated for up to 40 sheets. The practical split is a full-strip front-loading design versus a compact half-strip design with an integrated remover.
Best for
Home offices, classrooms and shared workspaces that regularly fasten packets larger than a standard desktop stapler handles comfortably.
Probably not for
Booklet stapling, heavy-duty jobs above 40 sheets, upholstery tacking, or shoppers who need an electric stapler.
Specifications at a glance
| Detail | Swingline Optima 40 S7087845 | Bostitch B8 PowerCrown B8RC-FC |
|---|---|---|
| Published capacity | Up to 40 sheets of 20 lb paper | 2 to 40 sheets |
| Magazine | Full strip, 210 staples | Half strip, 105 staples |
| Compatible staple | Optima, 1/4 in leg | B8 PowerCrown, 1/4 in leg |
| Loading | QuickLoad front-ejecting magazine | Top-loading half-strip magazine |
| Clinch | Flat clinch | Flat clinch |
| Other design details | Soft handle; stand-up or desktop use | Integrated remover; rubber base; all-metal construction |
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Swingline Optima 40 Desk Stapler (S7087845 / 87845)
The full-strip choice, with a 210-staple magazine, front-loading QuickLoad mechanism and a soft handle.
Pros
- Full-strip magazine reduces reload frequency
- Front-ejecting magazine is accessible without opening the body
- Flat clinch and stand-up design
Cons
- Uses Optima staples for the documented 40-sheet setup
- Larger full-strip body takes more desk depth
Who it’s for: Choose it for repeated packet work where fewer reloads matter. Skip it if a compact half-strip body or built-in remover is more useful than magazine capacity.
Check Swingline Optima 40 Desk Stapler (S7087845 / 87845) on Amazon Paid linkBostitch B8 PowerCrown Flat Clinch Stapler (B8RC-FC)
A compact all-metal 40-sheet model with a half-strip magazine, integrated staple remover and rubber base.
Pros
- Compact half-strip format
- Integrated staple remover
- All-metal construction and flat clinch
Cons
- Half-strip magazine requires more frequent reloading
- Requires B8 PowerCrown staples for the published capacity
Who it’s for: Choose it when desk space and an integrated remover matter. Skip it if you staple long batches and prefer a full 210-staple load.
Check Bostitch B8 PowerCrown Flat Clinch Stapler (B8RC-FC) on Amazon Paid linkThe capacity tie does not make these the same stapler
Both manufacturers publish a ceiling of 40 sheets, which makes this a useful like-for-like comparison for thicker office packets. That number is based on the specified paper and staple system, not every mix of cardstock, labels and folded sheets. Swingline states 40 sheets of 20-pound paper. Bostitch gives a 2-to-40-sheet range. Neither specification promises clean results through plastic covers or unusually dense stock.
If most jobs are five pages, either model is more capacity than you need. The choice becomes more meaningful when handouts, reports or closing packets often approach 25 to 40 sheets. Align the stack, keep it flat and do not force a second staple through a partly fastened bundle. For material outside ordinary office paper, use the fastener and tool recommended for that material. Test the first packet near the top of your normal range before preparing a whole batch.
Full strip versus half strip changes the working rhythm
The Optima 40 accepts a full strip of 210 staples. The B8RC-FC holds a half strip of 105. A full magazine means fewer interruptions in a shared copy area or during a long assembly job. The smaller Bostitch magazine helps keep the body compact, which may matter more on a crowded desk or in a supply drawer.
Count your recurring jobs instead of assuming more capacity is always better. Someone fastening one packet at a time may never notice the smaller magazine. A teacher preparing several class sets may appreciate the longer interval between reloads. Keep the correct refill box beside the tool, since these models use different staple systems even though both specify a 1/4-inch leg.
The staple systems are not interchangeable
Swingline specifies Optima staples for this model and describes a jam-free guarantee when the named premium staples are used. Bostitch specifies B8 PowerCrown staples, whose formed crown is part of the stapler system. Do not buy on sheet capacity alone and then substitute a generic strip because the leg length looks right. Crown shape, wire and strip format also affect fit.
For either tool, load the strip in the orientation shown by the manufacturer and close the magazine without slamming it. If a staple bends or the driver stops, remove the paper, disconnect the work from your hands and follow the maker guidance for clearing it. Do not probe the exit with fingers or another sharp object while the mechanism is under pressure.
Loading and cleanup favor different routines
The Swingline uses QuickLoad: a button releases a front-loading magazine. That arrangement is convenient when the stapler stays on a desk. The Bostitch uses a conventional top-loading half-strip magazine and adds a remover to the body. The built-in remover is useful when revisions are common, while a separate remover may be easier to replace if it wears or disappears.
Both use a flat-clinch result, which turns the staple legs flatter against the back of the packet than a conventional curved clinch. The purpose is neater stacking, not stronger binding in every material. Check the back of the first packet before repeating the job. If legs are exposed, the stack is misaligned or the staple is not closing fully, stop and correct the setup.
Match the body to the place it will live
Swingline describes the Optima 40 as a full-strip desktop stapler that can stand upright. Bostitch lists an all-metal body, rubber base and compact half-strip format. The rubber base can help the tool stay put on a clean desk, but it does not make an unstable surface safe. Use either stapler on a firm, level surface when working near the upper end of its capacity.
A shared office may value the Optima magazine and its visible low-staple indicator. A small reception desk may prefer the Bostitch footprint and integrated remover. Neither model opens for bulletin-board tacking according to the compared specifications. If tacking is part of the job, choose a stapler explicitly designed to open flat rather than trying to defeat the hinge.
Verify the exact model and decide around workflow
The linked Swingline is the silver and black Optima 40 model S7087845, commonly shown as 87845 on the Amazon listing. It is the full-strip desk version, not the similar Optima 40 compact. The linked Bostitch is B8RC-FC, not a standard B8 plier stapler or another Bostitch desktop model. Confirm the model and compatible staple name before ordering refills.
Choose Swingline for full-strip capacity and front loading. Choose Bostitch for the compact half-strip body and integrated remover. This guide did not measure hand force, jam frequency or long-term wear, so it does not turn manufacturer design claims into a performance ranking. Specifications were reviewed from current manufacturer pages on October 7, 2026.
Official sources and further reading
Sources reviewed on October 7, 2026. Prices, availability and terms can change; recheck before buying.
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