The spool design is flimsy and constantly moves on the base causing the tape to dispense at an angle. It's very loose in the housing and you'll spend more time resetting the spool of tape. Take my advice and spend a couple more dollars on the name brand.
I was looking for a desktop stapler that had to meet two criteria: (1) it had to be a certain size to fit inside of a specific drawer space and (2) it had to be weighted enough for one hand use. Staples offered several staplers and I narrowed it down to two one was the Staples brand and the other a well known manufacturer's unit. The sales associate was kind enough to suggest I try the one used at the copy center desk which I did. That clinched my decision. I chose the Staples brand because the size was a tad smaller it was definitely solidly weighted and had a permanently attached tape holder which was an added feature I didn't think of. The icing on the cake was that this stapler was least expensive of the comparable models.
To be totally acceptable the tape dispenser should be heavier (to facilitate using just one hand to pull and cut without the dispenser moving toward the person pulling the tape) and should accomodate more than one width of tape BUT it wasn't costly and that was a redeeming factor !
This is a sturdy tape dispenser not some cheap piece of junk. This dispenser appears as if it will hold up for some time. It is also aesthetically pleasing so it does not distract from the look of my office desk in a negative way. Of course it dispenses tape too which is the real reason to buy one. Pretty easy to install a roll of tape into the dispenser core and there is no risk of the core falling out. All in all the Staples Desktop Tape Dispenser is an exceptional product especially for a tape dispenser.
These tape dispensers are worth their weight you better believe it! How many times have I searched to a flimsy clear tape dispenser and can't find it? These stay put are easy to use with one hand! I really use mine a lot. I also use it as a paperweight. It is very handy and not a strange distracting color --traditional look and perfect for what it is designed to do.