The best paper shredders can be a lifesaver when it comes to getting rid of sensitive documents. These machines are designed for efficiency and convenience, with the ability to handle all types of media from CDs and DVDs to credit cards or even old floppy disks. In this blog post, we will take a look at some different features that make one machine better than another.
The worst thing you can do is buy a cheap paper shredder because they often have trouble cutting through thick stacks of paper or don’t have enough power to get through staples or compact discs without jamming up the blades. If you plan on using your machine frequently for heavy duty jobs, then I would recommend looking into an industrial strength model instead—these.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Rated Paper Shredders
Amazon Basics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper
- Cross-cut shredder turns paper into confetti-like pieces measuring 3/16 by 1-9/16 inches (5 by 40 mm); meets security level P-3 standards
- Shreds up to 12 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time; also destroys credit cards (one at a time, through dedicated slot), staples or small paper clips
- 7 minutes on / 30 minutes off; if shredder runs continuously beyond the max run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating
- 4-mode power switch (auto, off, reverse, forward); auto start and anti-jam auto reverse to minimize/clear paper jams; LED indicators (power on, overload, overheat, misaligned); 8.7-inch paper-entry width; lift handle; easy-to-empty 4.8-gallon bin
- Quality tested: as part of Amazon Basics quality inspections, we test every shredder before shipping it, which means you may see some paper shreds from the testing
The Amazon Basic Cross-Cut Shredder with 12 sheets is a powerful, effective shredding device. It’s designed to handle up to 20-lb bond paper and can also destroy credit cards (one at an extreme time) or staples/paper clips. This powerful gadget will turn your paperwork into confetti size pieces in just 7 minutes on the normal shredding setting.
The 4-mode power meter has auto start, anti-jam auto reverse for minimizing jams, LED indicators so you know when it needs more oil or if its jammed, and auto shutoff after seven minutes on normal mode to keep your machine running smoothly. Setting it on overdrive for 30 minutes will keep the motor protected from overheating while evenly distributing wear across all moving parts.
Features:
- Shreds 12 sheets of paper at a time.
- Destroys credit cards, staples or small paperclips.
- Never have to worry about your personal information being leaked again.
- Keep your bank account safe from hackers and identity thieves.
Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper
- Crosscut paper and credit card shredder destroys your sensitive documents
- Shreds credit cards, paper clips and staples
- 8-sheet capacity
- 8.7-inch throat width
- Measures 12.60 x 7.48 x 14.78 inches
The Aurora AS890C Cross-cut Shredder is for people who want to shred sensitive documents at home or in the office. This machine features openings up to 12 x 7 inches, meaning you can dump multiple papers at once and start shredding faster than ever before. It’s also small enough to be stored in your closet when not in use, so it won’t take up space on your desk or cluttered floor. With its safety angled feed entry, this model doesn’t require you to bend over while emptying bags of paper into the hopper like other models might! Say goodbye to injuries with Cross-cut Shredders that are intuitively designed for us – not them!”.
Features:
- Safer for children and pets
- Reduce the risk of identity theft
- Protect your privacy at home or in the office.
- Make a clean break from your past.
- Be more confident when applying to jobs, schools, etc.
Fellowes 10MC 10-Sheet Micro-Cut Home and Office Paper Shredder
- Ultra-Secure Micro-Cut: Ideal for disposing of highly confidential documents, shreds up to 10 sheets per pass into 7/64 by 25/64 inch micro-cut particles; Level P-4 security grade
- Protective Safety Lock: Our shredders for the home and small office use come equipped with a patented Safety Lock that disables the machine to better protect you and your family
- Quiet Operation: The perfect shredder for home and small offices quietly shreds documents into micro-cut particles, as well as handling staples and credit cards
- 5-Gallon Pull Out Waste Bin: Our 5 gallon pull out waste bin holds over 80% more paper per gallon than standard cross-cut shredders
- Continuous 7-Minute Run Time: Ultra-efficient, our paper shredder for home and office use can run for up to 7 minutes at a time; 60-minute cool down period
The team at Fellowes is proud to introduce the newest addition to our range of products, the 10MC Micro-Cut Paper Shredder. Our patented Safety Lock feature keeps you and your family safe from paper cuts while entertaining daughters for hours with an easy to use machine that effortlessly zips through up to 10 sheets in one pass. The 62MC shreds papers into 7/64’x 25/64’ micro-cut particles (Security Level P-4), 6x smaller than cross or strip cut, making it more secure than any other type of paper shredder on the market today. This shredder can withstand continuous usage up to 7 minutes without overheating, giving way for a quick job completion unlike many others!
Features:
- Shreds up to 10 sheets per pass
- Safety Lock feature disables the shredder for added safety protection.
- You can complete your small-sized shred jobs in one sitting.
- 6x smaller shreds than cross cut paper.
Royal 112MX 12-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder
- Royal Machines 112MX 12-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder Shreds CD's with Console (Black)
- 12-sheet capacity cross-cut with Auto Start/Stop
- Shreds 12 sheets in a single pass
- 5/32 inch by 1 5/8 inch cross cut shreds and shreds CD's and credit cards
- 9 inch paper entry slot
A true workhouse, Royal Machines 112MX 12-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder can handle all your credit card shredding needs in one swift pass with the confidence of a sturdy 5/32 inch by 1 5/8 inch cross cut. Share documents securely, confidentially and delete them from your digital devices once the job’s done. Just open up to 9 inches wide for easy paper entry without having to face pages spread out on the floor like a crime scene waiting to happen again.
The machine boasts an impressive 12 sheet capacity that lets you do any grading or copying projects before leaving it at the office; Auto Start and Stop ensures there’s no worry about forgetting to shut off when you’re done; CD shredding.
Features:
- Safely shreds sensitive documents.
- Shreds up to 12 sheets of paper at once.
- Get peace of mind knowing you’re protecting your personal information.
Fellowes Powershred 125Ci 100% Jam Proof
- Shreds 20 sheets of paper per pass into 397 (5/32” x 1-1/2” Security Level P-4) cross-cut particles; shreds staples, credit cards, paper clips, CDs/DVDs, junk mail
- Runs for up to 45 minutes before a cool down period is needed. Bin full light feature is available
- 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs
- SafeSense Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening
- 14-gallon pull-out bin with LED bin-full indicator
The Fellowes Powershred 125Ci 100% Jam Proof shredder is the easiest way to make sure all your documents are properly disposed of by securely breaking them up into particles. SafeSense Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening, making it safe for kids. The large 14-gallon pull out bin with an LED Bin-Full indicator makes disposal easy and convenient; no need to stop midway through a task to empty it.
Choosing this Powerful Shredder will not compromise on efficiency as paper can be shredded 20 sheets per pass using one of four cutting options – Paper, cards, staples or CDs/DVDs —which is perfect for high volume jobs with tough materials.
Features:
- Shreds 20 sheets of paper per pass into 397 (5/32” x 1-1/2” Security Level P-4) cross-cut particles
- Safe Sense Technology stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening.
- Get a secure feeling knowing your documents are safely shredded and can’t be recovered.
Boxis 70-Sheet Autofeed Microcut Paper Shredder
- Auto feed microcut shredder is ideal for home or small office.
- Shreds up to 70 paper documents at speeds up to 11.2 feet per minute for rapid results.
- 10-Minute auto feed mode continues working even when away from the shredder.
- Automatic forward and manual reverse modes reduce the risk of jams.
- A 3.6 gallon waste bin capacity and on casters for easy mobility.
The Boxis 70-Sheet Autofeed Microcut Paper Shredder is an innovative paper shredder that provides all the quality and safety for your home or small office. This microcut machine includes auto feed mode, meaning it will continue to operate while you are away from the shredder. Other features include forward and reverse modes, meaning it offers better efficiency for less jams; a 3.6 gallon waste bin capacity; rolls on casters for easy movement around the office; bonus offer of 12 packs of ShredCare brand lubricant sheets and one sample pack of weight liner for fast disposal.
Features:
- Reduce the risk of paper jams.
- Shreds up to 70 pages at a time.
- Never worry about sensitive documents getting into the wrong hands again.
Aurora AU1800XA Anti-Jam 18-Sheet Crosscut Paper
- Crosscut with 18 sheet capacities; destroys CDs, DVDs, credit cards and small paper clips
- Shreds paper, CDs, DVDs, credit cards into small pieces (5/32 by 1-7/32 inches), security level P-4
- Nonstop 30-minute continuous run time
- Anti-jam Auto-reverse to clear paper jams; ultra-quiet operation
- 6. 0-gallon pullout bin with LED indicator lights Standby/ Overheat/ Bin-full/ Overload/ Door open status
Finally, an office shredder has had enough. Designed with 18-sheet capacities, Aurora’s AU1800XA destroys anything in its path: CDs, DVDs, credit cards and small paper clips. Specially made for offices that destroy confidential data on a regular basis and need to be particularly diligent about destroying the contents of these discs and papers to prevent fraud and identity theft, this machine is perfect for you.
The Aurora AU1800XA continuously grinds paper into small pieces (5/32 by 1-7/32 inches) at level P-4 security so there’s no chance of sensitive information being overlooked or stolen after it leaves your office. The safety features aid in making sure the auto-reverse system never jams as well as thermal.
Features:
- Destroy paper, CDs, DVDs, credit cards into small pieces.
- Secure shredding with security level P-4.
- Shred papers in a continuous 30 minute run time.
- Protect your identity with anti-jam auto reverse to clear paper jams and an ultra quiet operation
Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder
- Shreds credit cards and CDs / DVDs
- Auto start/ stop. Thermal protection / Overheat protection
- Jam-Remover (forward) and Manual reverse for cleaning paper jams
- Extendable arm to fit over most waste baskets (Max length is 15" or 38.1 cm)
- Shred Paper Capacity: 8 sheets of 20 lb. bond paper. NOTE : Over-filled basket: Insert a filing folder or any rigid sheet of cardstock (examples: old greeting card or a couple index cards) directly into the center of the feed entry while applying force to help push the jammed paper through.
The Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip-Cut Paper Shredder has auto start/stop so it can’t be accidentally turned on when not in use. Thermal protection and Overheat Protection helps prevent accidental fires while paper jams are easy to unjam with its Jam-Remover (forward) and Manual reverse for cleaning papers. It also fits over most waste baskets with extendable arm that is adjustable up to 15″ or 38.1 cm, which safely shreds 8 sheets of 20 lb bond paper per time.”
Features:
- Shreds 8 sheets of 20 lb. bond paper at a time
- Thermal protection and overheat protection
- Be more environmentally conscious by reducing your waste
Kensington Shredder – OfficeAssist 10-Sheet Anti
- Crosscut shredder shreds up to 10 sheets at a time, including staples and paper clips.
- P4 shredder provides a high level of security for private documents.
- Anti-jam technology automatically stops and reverses the blades when too much paper is inserted, avoiding time-consuming and frustrating paper jams.
- A six-gallon/225-sheet bin with window helps shred more and empty less; The window makes it easy to know when the bin is full.
- Touch panel buttons deliver simple, intuitive operation.
Securely get rid of all your scraps with the Kensington Shredder – OfficeAssist 10-Sheet Anti. Crosscut shredder shreds up to 10 sheets at a time, including staples and paper clips. All the while providing a high level of security for private documents with touch panel buttons that deliver simple, intuitive operation for both kids and adults alike. The 6 gallon bin comes equipped with easy-to-read window so you know when it’s full without having to open the door especially since large pieces may obstruct access before reaching capacity or making it impossible to fill completely in one go.
Knowing when it needs emptying is key to completing other tasks on time instead of wasting time standing by its side waiting patiently until time.
Features:
- Safely shred up to 10 sheets at a time.
- Avoid paper jams with anti-jam technology.
- Stay on top of your work with less hassle.
- Protect important documents from prying eyes
EZBASICS 5-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
- Ultra low noise design: 58 dB Noise Level is equivalent to the sound of a two-person conversation. Maintain your quiet office/indoor environment!
- Lubricant is not needed: Exclusive Cutter Design: Perfect for shredding all your confidential documents, Credit Cards, Clips and Staples. Lubricant is not needed and reduces paper jams.
- Compact & Stylish: Fits anywhere and amplifies your décor. The transparent window makes it easy to see when the wastebasket is full. Pull-out design provides an easy tray for dumping.
- Higher Security Level: Cross-cut shredder with 5 sheets capacity; Destroys credit cards (one at a time); Shreds paper measures 3/19"x 1-3/16", meeting security Level P4 standards.
- Functions: Auto start and manual reverse to clear paper jams; Automatically stops shredding when it overheats, overloads or the wastebasket is removed.
One shredder to rule them all! The Kensington EZBASICS 5-sheet cross-cut paper and credit card shredder fits any space, sustains the most demanding workload with 58 dB noise level, effortlessly handles documents up to 3/19″x 1-3/16″.
The cutting blades are unaffected by lubricants―perfect for safeguarding sensitive information. And with a transparent window that displays wastebasket contents clearly enough for you to tell when it’s time to empty the collector, your office will never be too messy again.
Cross-cut shredding with 5 sheets capacity means there’ll always be room for more―tornadic papers, incriminating files or near addiction of junk mail? You name it!
Features:
- Keeps your office private.
- Shreds confidential documents.
- Keep your business safe from identity theft.
- Protect yourself from unwanted intruders.
BUYING GUIDES: Choose Paper Shredders
There are more and more people that use copiers and printers. Anyone who has a business office or is even slightly into technology knows the importance of paper shredders. Paper shredders, as defined by Wikipedia, is a machine used to cut paper into either strips or fine particles. Paper shredders were originally invented for protection against spies and secret agents stealing information from discarded waste paper (for example letters, computer printouts, etc.).
Although they are still used for this purpose, paper shredders have become indispensable in many homes and offices around the world.
What makes it important to have a paper shredder?
Prevent Identity Theft – Identity theft is described by Wikipedia as the unauthorized use of existing accounts or personal information, especially in order to access resources or obtain credit and benefits in the name of another person. It has become increasingly common with more data being stored on computers and on paper. The destruction of these documents prevents people from accessing them through your garbage bins, taking original copies of your documents without you knowing, or outright stealing them while recycling, etc.
Paper Shredders help prevent these situations by making sure that confidential documents are not disposed of improperly.
Protect Company Information – Confidential documents fall into the hands of “competition” in an office environment. This could be either due to not having a paper shredder available or people simply being too lazy to use the one they have access to.
Paper Shredders are needed for this for you can not very well expect people to stop printing off important documents when it is so easy to find out what other companies do by taking a few papers.
Save Time – If you are someone who prints lots of documents then investing in a Paper Shredder will save you time and money! You don’t have to go through your bin every day, looking for an important document that should be shredded, etc. Having a Paper Shred there conveniently at your disposal or even in your office saves you time and money.
Safety – Paper Shredders are a very safe and easy to use (and cheap) item. They do not require much energy or effort to run. Paper Shredders make it easier for any company, regardless of size, to protect their private information.
Reduce the amount of waste paper – Paper Shredders help prevent waste as they can shred all those papers that might otherwise go into recycling bins as “recyclable material”.
Having a Paper Shredder means that these papers will be recycled at a faster rate. This also helps reduce the carbon footprint by protecting our environment from harmful emissions caused by old paper decomposing inside bins etc.
How to maintain your new paper shredder?
Cut paper into smaller sections – Paper shredders are designed for standard-sized pieces of paper. Carrying them in whole sheets could make the machine jam easily.
Do not overfeed the Paper Shredder – Just like other machines, Paper Shredders can be damaged if they are overloaded. It is important that you do not overload your new Paper Shredder with too much paper. Limit it to one or two pages at a time!
Empty the waste container often – The waste container should be emptied often depending on how often you use your Paper Shredder. If it is full, it will jam easily and the motor may overheat.
It is always better to empty it before this happens to avoid damage or injury due to overheating etc.
Things you should know before buying a new one?
– Paper Capacity – How many pages can your Paper Shredder hold at once? This will reduce the amount of time you spend feeding it paper. Remember, if it can’t handle standard-sized sheets then there’s no point in getting one!
– Size and Weight – If these Paper Shredders are for home use only then a small size would be better. However, if you need to bring it around with you (e.g. office use), then weight could be an issue.
Paper Shredders should always be light enough not to cause any problems when transporting them from one place to another etc.
Auto Stop Feature – Will the device automatically switch itself off after a certain amount of time? There are some devices that will automatically turn off after shredding five or more sheets. This feature can be useful when you are away from the Paper Shredder for a short while, e.g. in an office environment.
Security Level – Does your device have different security levels? This is very important in offices where some documents may need to be destroyed less than others. Having different settings is also ideal if you often find yourself shredding odd sized pieces of paper!
Shred Type – There are three types of Paper Shredders: strip cut (and micro-cut) which “cuts” your paper into hundreds of tiny pieces; cross-cut which produces fine little squares; and the most secure option: micro-cut which cuts your paper into over a hundred pieces. You can choose whatever you are comfortable with or whatever is best for the documents you will be shredding!
Shredder Capacity – This is quite self-explanatory. The higher, the better. If your Paper Shredder has a very low capacity it takes longer to shred more papers etc.
The best paper shredders on the market today, including recommendations and pros/cons:
Personal Cross Cut Paper Shredder:
This is a good option for home and small office use. It’s affordable, cross-cut, and has anti-jam technology. The model also includes fun extras such as credit card and CD shredding capabilities! Its dimensions are 15″x11″x5″ and it weighs about 12 lbs.
Office Commercial Strip Cut Paper Shredder:
Perfect if you need to destroy commercial-grade documents for your company or organization. Strip-cut with an 8 sheet capacity makes it ideal for home use too! Dimensions: 23″ x 18.5″ x 7″, Weight: 28 lbs which means that this device is best suited in the office area, etc.
Pros: It has high security for sensitive documents etc.
Cons: It is quite noisy while operating so some people might find it distracting, especially in the office area where silence is key!
Personal Micro-Cut Paper Shredder:
If you need to protect yourself with extra security then this model will be good for you. The device has a 4.5 sheet capacity and the highest level of security available (Cross & Micro). Perfect if you are looking for an easy way to keep your identity safe or if you want to eliminate all traces of personal information on your documents before throwing them out! Dimensions: 14″ x 6.3″ x 7″. Weight: 6 lbs which means that this machine is portable enough even for home use etc.
Pros: Very secure (highest level of security), light and portable, affordable.
Cons: Only suitable for average or below-average usage as it won’t last long otherwise
Office Commercial High-Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder:
This is a very high-security device that can handle multiple sheets at once, so it’s great if you need to use it every day! It comes with a 5-year warranty which indicates the company’s confidence in their product. Dimensions: 14.5″ x 9″ x 8″, Weight: 36 lbs which means this machine is quite big and heavy so it’s best suited to an office environment, etc.
Pros: The highest level of security available (Micro Cut), durable and reliable.
Cons: It takes longer to shred documents because of its micro-cut feature, it’s quite loud while operating so again this is not ideal for the office environment etc.
Office Commercial High-Security Strip Cut Paper Shredder:
This device is perfect if you have a lot of documents that need to be destroyed every day! It has an 8 sheet capacity which is higher than most standard devices and can handle many sheets at once so it’s very efficient. Dimensions are 17″ x 16″ x 6″, Weight 54 lbs which means it’s best suited in an office environment or somewhere with plenty of space etc.
Pros: High-security level (Strip Cut), fast shredding speeds, several features including credit card shredding capabilities.
Cons: Quite big and heavy, but this doesn’t really when you consider its high volume of documents it can handle at once, so great if you have a lot of shredding to do.
Office Commercial High-Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder:
This is the highest security level device available on the market with its micro-cut feature that cuts your papers into tiny pieces! It has an 8 sheet capacity which means it’s perfect for big businesses etc., but also great for ordinary users who need to destroy sensitive documents daily before throwing them out. Dimensions are 17″ x 16″ x 6″, Weight 54 lbs which means this machine is best suited to large offices or somewhere where there is enough space.
Pros: The highest level of security (Micro Cut), fast speeds, several features including credit card shredding capabilities
Cons: Quite big and heavy but not too much because the device has great features that make it suitable for business needs.
Office Commercial High-Security Strip Cut Paper Shredder:
This device is perfect if you have a lot of documents that need to be destroyed every day! It has an 8 sheet capacity which is higher than most standard devices and can handle many sheets at once so it’s very efficient. Dimensions are 17″ x 16″ x 6″, Weight 54 lbs which means this machine is best suited in an office environment or somewhere with plenty of space, etc.
Pros: The highest level of security (Strip Cut), fast shredding speeds, several features including credit card shredding capabilities
Cons: Quite big and heavy but not too much because the device has great features that make it suitable for business needs.
FAQS:
Why do I need a paper shredder?
If you have sensitive, personal, or business documents that would be better destroyed than kept for anyone to see, then you need a paper shredder. Paper shredders are affordable security devices that can keep your information private which is very important in this day and age when everything you do is being recorded by someone somewhere! Many people use delayed credit card statements, but it is much more secure not to leave that option open at all times especially if somebody is able to intercept these messages before they reach your mailbox, etc. By using a paper shredder regularly on every piece of the paperwork ready for the bin, utilize its ability to destroy something with main words on it completely so nobody will be able to see anything that was written on it. This includes bank statements, bills, invoices, etc.
Can I do this with other devices like scissors?
No, you cannot; paper shredders are ideal for this because they can cut paper but also punch holes in credit cards which makes them very secure to destroy your sensitive documents like these! With whizzing blades, it can completely strip off any information found on the outside of the papers and rip them into tiny pieces so nobody will ever be able to piece together what was once sent or written via letter through your post box or on a computer screen, etc. Most shredders will come with an alarm system too so if somebody tries to steal one it will immediately sound letting you know someone is trying to steal or break into your property.
What’s the best paper shredder for home use?
For home use you do not need anything too expensive but also something that can handle a lot of sheets at once is built with high-security features and is suitable for several kinds of materials including credit cards. Paper shredders are affordable machines however most people buy them once because they are so efficient they keep on working all year round without breaking! Some standard devices will have 5 sheet capacities meaning you will be wasting time destroying things one at a time which isn’t cost-effective.
What is the paper shredder with the most features?
The highest level of security (Strip Cut) Paper shredders that come with this feature will cut into pieces of confetti strips instead of tiny pieces, this is better than standard devices because it can’t be pieced back together like a cross-cut device would give you the option to do. Tips on searching for such a machine would be to look at devices that have several features including credit card shredding capabilities and higher sheet capacities – this means the machine can handle many sheets at once and has special features like these making it suitable for business needs.
Conclusion:
With so many paper shredders on the market, it can be tough to know which is best for your needs. We’ve compiled a list of five popular models and their features below with an in-depth review of each one at the bottom. If you want help choosing the right paper shredder for your situation, just give us a call or email! Our team will answer any question you have about our products and services, walk you through how they work, and even set up delivery if that suits your needs better than pickup from our store. As always we appreciate your business!
Listed below are Best Paper Shredders which satisfy both affordability and quality:
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API