The 9 Best Button Machines
Special Honors
Badge-A-Minit Automatic For professional designers and business owners, the Badge-A-Minit Automatic will get the job done. You can count on its fully-automated operation for fast turnaround times, and to save you from repeated squeezing and handle-pulling. badgeaminit.com
Sticker Mule Custom If you're really only looking to make buttons once, perhaps for a special occasion or promotion, you can skip the work and try Sticker Mule Custom, instead. These full-color buttons come in several shapes and sizes, including round and oval, and can be ordered in bulk as well as in smaller quantities. stickermule.com
American Button Machines Rectangle It's quite an investment, but the American Button Machines Rectangle allows you to offer something a little different from the standard round buttons. Built for the long haul, this machine has an all-metal construction for stability and durability, but it's relatively compact, so it won't hog all the room in your workspace. americanbuttonmachines.com
Editor's Notes
November 20, 2020:
Models from American Button Machines remain an excellent value, which is why we've kept the American Button Machines Set in the top spot, despite a price that may render it unappealing to casual users. For those running a business, however, it's a useful option, one that's made in the USA and guaranteed for life. Plus, this particular bundle comes with a 1-year membership to their Build-a-Button design center, so if you're having trouble with the creative side of things, this might help.
Worthy alternatives to the former include the Neil Enterprises 2-1/4 Inch and the ChiButtons Press. When paired with a high-quality home printer, they'll have you turning out buttons in no time. We especially like that these models are packaged with a rotary cutter, since you most likely don't want to cut out endless circles by hand.
For choices that are a little lighter on the wallet, we kept the Mophorn 1-Inch and the Yescom Punch, and added the Vevor Rotate. Unlike the Mophorn and Yescom, the Vevor has a rotating base that, for some users, makes the dies easier to exchange. You might also consider the Badge-A-Minit Deluxe for occasional or casual use. Just note that despite the name "deluxe," it comes with very few supplies.
October 24, 2018:
Added choices from the most popular companies, including American Button Machines and Neil. Investigated claims about the usefulness and durability of the Badge-A-Minit machine, ultimately deciding to add it thanks to its budget friendly pricing.