The 10 Best Paper Shredders On The Market Reviewed!

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One of the best utilities to have in your office is a paper shredder. There is tons of paperwork going through each desk. 

Some carry important records, while others are used to deliver a particular message. The best paper shredder will help dispose of those important documents in tiny strips and micro-cuts that are almost impossible to reassemble again. Hence keeping your data safe.

The use of paper is still one of the most preferred ways of communication in the corporate world. If something is received or sent in a written form, it is immediately perceived as important. The tricky part arises when we are thinking about disposing of unimportant papers. It takes almost six weeks for them to decompose.

Plus, paper is made out of trees, and it is estimated that an average tree can produce 10,000 sheets of paper.

Not many people know this, but paper can be recycled six times before its fiber becomes useless.   Hence, the resources spent on making new paper can be directed towards recycling it. We can also save a lot of trees in the process.

Also, too much paper clutter in the office can create fire hazards. 

What is a Paper Shredder?

A paper shredder is a mechanical device that can cut paper into strips or fine particles. Paper shredders are commonly used in offices to destroy paper containing sensitive information so that the waste can be recycled.

The best paper shredders can also cut paper in a cross-cut style that becomes even more difficult to reassemble.

Some of the latest and best shredders can also cut through staples, paper clips, CDs, and credit cards. They can even cut through a bunch of papers or envelopes without any difficulties.

What to look for in a Paper Shredder

Consider this ultimate guide that helps you find the best paper shredder you can buy according to your needs. To ease the process, we have assembled a list of the 10 best paper shredders available on the market today. The list contains a detailed review and analysis of each paper shredder.

But before we get to the list. It is also important for you to know the exact parameters we set for these paper shredders to deserve a place on our list. The following are a few qualities that everyone should look for when buying the best paper shredder.

Security

Shredder security levels are determined by the sizes of shredded bits. The range of security levels starts from P-1 (weak) to P-7 (classified top-secret documents). For corporate settings and personal documents, a P4 level of security is optimal.

A  credit card shredder is equipped with micro-cut blades that help you dispose of your old credit card or tax document without having to worry about your confidential information being stolen.

Feeder Capacity

The feeder sheet capacity is another important factor one should look for while buying a shredder. Some feeders have a paper capacity of up to 150 sheets. It all depends on your use. If constant shredding is required, a shredder with more paper capacity will be a better choice.

Basket Capacity

Again, the capacity of the basket also depends on how frequently you use the shredder. If it is used more often, bins with more waste capacity can be preferred. Also, pull-out bins offer more convenience.

Run-time & Cool-down Period

Some heavy-duty shredders can run up to 60 minutes without a cooling break. Even when they overheat, the cool-down period of the heavy-duty shredders is relatively low. On the other hand, home-friendly shredders have a comparatively shorter run-time. Our paper shredders reviews include the run-time of each type of paper shredders.

Size

The size of the shredder also plays an important role. If you are using it for an office setting, the bin has to be of a greater capacity which ultimately increases the dimensions of the shredders. For homes, shredders are optimal if they are compact and can fit anywhere, especially on your desk.

 Safety Features

Anything that contains micro-cut blades is dangerous. Many shredders overheat and overloading protection. Some even shut off automatically. Other safety features include sensor technology that stops the blades as soon as your hand touches the entrance.

Jam Protection

Paper jams are one of the most common issues with these shredders. Many high-end shredders are equipped with jam-proof systems. Some of them are also enabled with auto-reverse or manual reverse features and can even cut through CDs and DVDs without any jams.

Now that we have gone through all the qualities the best shredder should have. Let’s move forward and look at the 10 best shredders that we think are well worth the investment and provide optimal functionalities.

Table of Contents

Pros:

Cons:

The Fellowes Powershred 79ci is one of the top-rated shredders on the market today. If you just look at the reviews, you will know what we are talking about. 

It is a durable machine that provides optimal paper shreds and high performance throughout its lifetime. In terms of data protection, the machine provides a cross-cutting pattern which is the best if you want sensitive data to remain hidden. 

With an average shred speed of MPM: 4.3, the Fellowes Powershred 79ci can cut up to 16 sheets in one single go. The paper shredder is also powerful enough to shred paper clips, staples, junk mail,  staplers, ID cards, CDs and credit cards.

It is 100% jam-proof and equipped with indicator lights that tell when you are overstuffing. The Silentshred feature offers a quieter process that is favorable for the workplace. 

The Fellowes Papershred 79ci is also user-friendly. The shredder is equipped with Safesense technology that ensures user safety.  It will stop shredding as soon as the hand touches the paper opening. The paper shredder also comes with a 6-gallon pullout bin.

Pros:

Cons:

If you are looking for a cost-effective product, the Aurora Desktop-style Cross-Cut Shredder is your best option.

The compact design can perfectly be placed at any corner of your table. The cross-cutting styles ensure full privacy. The 40-sheet basket capacity is also optimal for personal use.

The shredder can also cut through credit cards one at a time. This is another plus considering its low price.

Pros:

Cons:

If you are looking for convenience from your shredders, the Fellowes AutoMax 150c AutoFeed is as easy as they come. It allows for hands-free shredding that can cut up to 150 pieces of paper in one single go. The shredder is ideal for deskside use. The Automax 150c provides a cross-cut style that is in line with the p4 security levels.

It is also equipped with the latest Acufeed flex system that offers a fast and accurate shredding process. You can also cut credit cards, paper clips, and staples without detaching them first.

The Automax 150c auto-reverse feature automatically stops the process if there is a jam. It goes further and re-adjusts the paper while resuming the whole shredding process on its own.

The 8.5-gallon pull-out bin is a plus since it takes minimal effort to pull out the bin and dispose of the waste. 

Pros:

Cons:

The AmazonBasics 15-sheet cross-cut is an affordable yet optimal entry on this list.

It offers a cross-cut style per the p4 security level. It can cut up to 15 sheets in one go. The AmazonBasics 15-sheet can also cut through credit cards, CDs, paper clips, and staples. It is also equipped with LED indicators that tell you when the shredder is on standby, overheating, overloaded, or when the bin is full. The LED lights also indicate you when you forget to close the door.

The AmazonBasics 15-sheet lets you control the paper shredder with four different modes. There is the auto mode that lets you shred automatically. The reverse and forward modes, on the other hand, help avoid paper jams. The six-gallon waste bin capacity is also optimal for workplace use.

Pros:

Cons:

The Fellowes Powershred 73ci cross-cut paper shredder complies with the p4 security level. This means that it is optimal for office use if you want your sensitive data and information to remain unencrypted while disposing of paper.

The Fellowes Powershred 73ci cross-cut paper shredder can cut through 12 sheets of paper in a single go. It can even cut credit cards, staples, CDs, and even paper clips. It is equipped with a 100% jam-proof system that makes the whole shredding process smooth and error-free.

Like other Fellowes models, the Powershred 73ci is also equipped with the Safesense feature. This technology ensures safety all around by making sure that the shredder stops as soon as it touches your hand.

The Fellowes Powershred 73ci is also equipped with LED indicator lights. These indicate when the bin is full and when the cutting blades are jammed or overused. 

The shredder contains a 6-gallon pull-out bin that provides ample space.

Pros:

Cons:

If you are looking for a heavy-duty shredder,  the Bonsaii Evershred C149-C is your ultimate choice. One of the most impressive features is its incredible 60 minutes run-time.

The Bonsaii Evershred C149-C  shredder is equipped with an advanced cooling system. Some reviewers even claimed to have shredded for 4-hours non-stop with this beautiful machine.

The shredder is also equipped with a patented cutting system that allows for accurate and optimal cutting. The shredder can also cut through credit cards and staples. The cross-cut shredding patterns are in line with the p4 security level ideal for home-office use.

The low noise level that this shredder produces is also a huge plus, especially if you look at its heavy-duty performance. At 62 dB, the shredder provides a quieter, more bearable shredding experience. The four casters below also make it easy to mobilize the shredder.

The Bonsaii Evershred C149-C is stacked with other features as well. The Auto-start feature allows you to only put the paper in the entrance of the shredder, and it will automatically start shredding it.

The auto-stop and reverse feature prevent the blade of the shredder from being jammed. On the other hand, the overloading protection feature keeps the shredder from overheating, prolonging its lifespan.

Pros:

Cons:

The Micro-cut feature ensures that your sensitive information gets stripped down into the tiniest of pieces. Leaving zero chance for any misuse of your delicate information. The AmazonBasics Micro-cut shredder can shred 42 sheets per minute, achieving a shred size of 5/32″ x 15/32.

It can cut up to six sheets of paper in a single go. It is also equipped to cut through ID and credit cards.

The compact size is almost similar to a dustbin. This makes it easy to fit almost in any corner of the house. It also weighs 9.7 pounds, which makes it easy to carry.

Pros:

Cons:

Another shredder best suited for home use is the Swingline Style+. The Style+ shredder can cut through 7 sheets of paper in one single go. It can cut one sheet of paper into 656 tiny bits.

The cross-cut style of the Style+ shredder is in line with the p4 security level. This means that it is optimal for professional use. The compact design makes it suitable for home office use. It will fit in any corner of your house, even under your work table, without taking much space.

The bin capacity is relatively small, however, in terms of home use. The 3.3-gallon bin capacity is optimal for everyday shredding needs. The Style+ shredder can run for six minutes straight before it requires a 30-minute cooling break.

Pros:

Cons:

The Aurora AU870MA is among the most affordable paper shredders on our list. The shredder can cut up to eight A4 sheets at a time. If you want something for your personal shredding needs, this machine can be one of your best choices.

The Aurora AU870MA shredder provides a high level of security with its micro-cut blade. The shredder can also cut through credit cards into 5/32″ x 15/32″ tiny confetti-like pieces.

The LED light present at the top indicates when the shredder is overheating and requires cooling down. You can also reverse the micro-cut blade if there is a jam. The machine can shred for 5 minutes straight before it requires cooling.

The run-time is comparatively shorter than other high-end machines. But then again, if you are looking for a personal shredder only for home use, the Aurora AU870MA can be a perfect choice. 

Pros:

Cons:

The Bonsaii Heavy-duty shredder is ideal for corporate settings. The high-performance shredder can shred for sixty minutes straight without requiring to cool down. The six-sheet capacity Bonsaii Heavy Duty shredder offers a P5 security level cutting. You can also shred plastic cards, one at a time, with its heavy-duty micro-cut blade. The Bonsaii heavy-duty shredder is equipped with an autorun feature. The machine will stop working if it is overheated or overloaded.

The noise levels of the shredder are also very low at 58dB. The 4.2 gallons capacity bin, which is also see-through, is optimal for the workplace.  Bonsaii Heavy-duty shredder is also very easy to mobilize with casters.