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Buying guide · Updated October 2026 · By the OfficeRated team
Letter Openers: A Buying Guide
Opening mail by hand takes a mailroom hours a day. An automatic letter opener feeds a stack of envelopes and opens each one along an edge so the contents can be pulled out.
The quick rule: match the cutting method to how careful you need to be with the contents, then the speed and maximum thickness to your daily mail.
What to look for
- Cutting method. Slitters cut one side open without removing paper. Blade openers trim a thin strip off the edge. Milling-cutter openers grind away a fraction of a millimetre, leaving a soft edge and less risk of cutting the contents.
- Speed. Rated per minute or per hour, sometimes with both a theoretical and a production figure. We show the maker's figures as published and don't convert between them.
- Envelope thickness and size. Check the thickest piece you receive (overnight packs, flats) against the maximum thickness and length.
- Feed and mixed mail. Some openers take mixed sizes and thicknesses without pre-sorting; others need envelopes of one size per stack.
- Extras. Larger openers can count, print a date/time or sequence number on each envelope, or sort by thickness.
- Waste. Edge-trim and milling openers collect chips in a bin; check how many envelopes it holds before emptying.
Models in the catalog
The letter openers catalog lists 10 current models with manufacturer specifications, sources and photos: Formax (2) · Martin Yale (5) · OPEX (3). Brands are listed alphabetically.
We don't name a “best” model or rank brands. The right machine depends on your volume, stock and space, so filter the catalog on the specs above. We don't list prices; most of these machines are sold through authorized dealers.