OK, won’t lie. I first became aware of so-called “electric scissors” when I saw an influencer hawking them on the TikTok Shop. The basic promise is that you can break down cardboard boxes quickly – and without the safety risks of using a box cutter, Stanley knife or whatever else you call those slicey things in your neck of the woods.
I didn’t click the TikTok link, but I did begin researching this product category, and discovered that, wow, electric scissors may be more useful than I expected. The most obvious benefit is that the cutting blade is fully electric-powered and attached to the end of a hand grip. This alone makes breaking down boxes for recycling a safer proposition.
With a box cutter, unless you’re laying the cardboard flat on a level surface, you’re likely wielding the sharp blade in a manner where it could potentially snag and slice into your leg. I mean, c’mon. Look at this guy at the 30 second mark.
But electric scissors, like the $46 Worx Zipsnip model I eventually bought on Amazon, afford you greater control and safety. I can hold a box in one hand, and the Worx in the other, and simply glide the scissors through the cardboard. The ease-of-use makes it a lot more convenient to break down boxes into multiple pieces—and that means I can pack more cardboard into the recycling bin.
Worx
The electric scissors also make quick work of clamshell “blister packs,” which have been estimated to spur more than 6,500 emergency room visits a year. Electric scissors are also great for cutting fabric, but be warned: They’re not strong enough to cut through 3/8-inch rubber floor mats. I tried.
So, yes, I’m an electric scissors convert, and here’s the kicker. The Zipsnip scissors give me a certain ASMR-like endorphin rush whenever I break down boxes and hear the lowkey industrial whir of the spinning blade. Cardboard boxes are a nuisance! So, seeing them reduced to progressively smaller pieces… well… it just feels good.
The Worx Zipsnip model I bought comes with an AC charger, an extra blade and a carrying case. Are they the best Amazon has to offer? I don’t know. But they’re rated at 4.5 stars, and I didn’t want to go with the cheaper models, which cost about $10 less. When it comes to commodity hardware at these low price points, I just have more confidence in the stuff that costs a bit more.
I haven’t tested any other models, so please poke around Amazon and do your own research. All I can share is that recycling day is now easier, quicker, safer and a lot more Zen.