If you are working with sensitive data in your workplace, or just want to be discrete about your financial situation, you are more than aware of the importance of shredding the documents, bills, etc. before you dispose them into the garbage. As you already know, many people may misuse the information found in your garbage and as a result discover business secrets, your financial situation and in general sensitive data.
For that reason, it is essential to destroy your documents before disposal and there is no better way to do that than using the best paper shredders. These devices will give you comfort and much-needed security that all your secrets will be kept hidden.
So, what is the best paper shredder for you? What are the things you need to look for in order to get the best possible deal? The answer is simple and is listed in the following lines. It only requires a few minutes of your time.
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Last update on 2023-10-06 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to Choose the Best Paper Shredder
Number of Sheets
Paper shredders, in general, can be compared by the volume of sheets they can shred in one pass; the higher the volume, the better overall performance and speed of a device.
However, although this might sound like an easy task, the fact is that with the rise of volume, the price also rises. In other words, you need to find the right balance.
If you are just a home user, six or eight sheets that can be shredded in one pass are more than enough for you. Nevertheless, if you are a heavy user, these volumes should certainly go as high as possible, which means that you will have to reach pretty deep into your pocket.
What It Can Shred
Although paper shredders are primarily made for paper, as their name suggests, the fact is that they are also used for the destruction of other items, such as DVDs or credit cards, which may prove to be very practical. For that reason, pay closer attention to the sorts of components your future shredder can handle and get the best multi-functionality possible.
How Long It Can Continuously Work
Many people are not familiar with this characteristic of paper shredders – they can continuously work for only a certain amount of time, after which they require rest, and as you have guessed, the longevity of that work is in direct correlation with the price of a device. Therefore, the heavier usage you demand, the more money you will have to spend.
Jamming
Jamming is a common thing for paper shredders, especially more affordable ones. Because of that, pay closer attention to what the specs say about this problem: are there any anti-jam functions, or guarantees about that, and what are the ways to handle this problem if it occurs. Choose the device that handles this issue the best.
Best Paper Shredders
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci
An Excellent Paper Shredder for Home Use
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is a quiet performing (its noise level is only 54 decibels) and feature-rich paper shredder, designed for home or small-office use. It is equipped with a jam-proof and energy saving function, and more importantly, SafeSense technology that stops the shredding process whenever the paper opening is touched by hands.
This shredder can handle 16 sheets in one pass and allows for continuous usage of up to 20 minutes after which it needs 30 minutes to cool off. It is equipped with a bin that has a six-gallon capacity and can shred not only paper, but credit cards, CDs, DVDs, and staples as well.
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is easy to use and clean and in general offers a very good balance of price and quality. It provides reliable and smooth performance, and overall delivers everything you would expect from the best paper shredder for home use.
- Quiet
- SafeSense technology
- Jam-proof system
- It can shred CDs, DVDs, staples, etc.
- It can work only for 20 minutes in continuity
- Not the best build quality
WOLVERINE SD9113 Shredder
Elegant, silent, & Easy to Use in any Office
Fitted with a Super Alloy steel cutter and a 6 gallons waste bin, this paper shredder is the perfect device for any type of office. Moreover, the papers are shredded into tiny pieces using a cross-cut pattern for increased security, which makes it ideal for confidential documents.
You can shred up to 18 sheets of paper at once and the device can go at a rate of 6.6 feet per minute. Moreover, the Jam Reverse System can automatically detect paper overload and manual reverse to clear paper jams.
Lastly, the SD91113 shredder is silent at 58dB and has thermal protection with an auto shut-off feature. It’s also fitted with wheels, so it’s easy to move it from one desk to another and can shred more than just paper.
- Cross-cut high-security level
- Ultra-quiet performance
- Up to 18 sheets of paper at once
- Shreds CDs, staples, clips, & credit cards
- Automatically detects paper jams
- Built-in cooling system
- 6 gallons pullout waste bin
- No instructions on how to maintain the cutters
- The motor slows down at the maximum sheet capacity
Bonsaii C220-A Paper Shredder
A Compact and Highly Mobile Paper Shredder
Finding a practical, but efficient paper shredder that can be easily moved from one place to another is something that many users are looking for, and Bonsaii C220-A is a device that perfectly fits into that role.
Thanks to its compact size and four removable wheels, its transport can be done with ease, while its overheating and overload protection systems prevent you from going too far with its exploitation.
Bonsaii C220-A has a one-year warranty and allows for destruction of clips, staples, as well as CDs and DVDs and up to 12 sheets of paper in one pass.
Unfortunately, this shredder also has a couple of downsides, such as a rather limited bin capacity with its 3.5 gallons and the ability to work for only five minutes in continuity, after which it demands for a 45-minute break. These characteristics prove that this device is designed for small-volume consumers that need this type of device only occasionally.
Altogether, if you belong to home users and don’t demand a paper shredding on a daily basis, this device is a great option for you. Otherwise, better go for some larger-volume machine.
- Compact
- Easy to use
- Easy to move thanks to its four wheels
- Low capacity bin
- It allows for only five minutes of continuous work
Aurora AU1210MA
Great Characteristics at Affordable Price
If you need a decent paper shredder that you can place next to your monochrome laser printer for the destruction of all the clutter or badly printed documents, Aurora AU1210MA is the thing for you.
This shredder is easy to use; it is equipped with the anti-jam system and provides very quiet operations that may prove to be vital in crowded spaces, such as offices. Its five-gallon bin could be a bit larger; however, it can still accept a lot of shredded pieces.
Aurora AU1210MA is able to shred paper, credit cards, DVDs and CDs and work continuously for up to 60 minutes, which is an impressive number for such an affordable device. Moreover, this device can handle 12-paper sheets with one pass, it has LED status indicators for easier use and comes fitted with a set of wheels that make it highly mobile and practical for use in a larger space.
All in all, if you need the best heavy duty paper shredder for your office, Aurora AU1210MA is pretty much it.
- Good price
- It can continuously work for 60 minutes
- It comes equipped with wheels
- Not the best customer service
Bonsaii C237-B
Ideal for Small Office Use
With a capacity of only 6 paper sheets at once and a 3.4 gallons bin, the C237-B shredder is ideal for small offices. The cross-cut pattern can handle confidential documents (high-security P-3 level), credit cards, CDs, and even paper clips due to the stainless steel blades that destroy everything in their path.
Moreover, the device can be set to Auto Start mode, so it will start on its own when it detects there’s something to shred. It also has overload and overheat protection and a Manual Reverse function in case of paper jams.
Lastly, the device can run for 4 continuous minutes, but it needs about 40-minutes of cool-down before it can be used again. It also has a small footprint and a convenient handle to carry it around.
- 6 sheets of paper at once
- High-Security P-3 level
- Can also destroy clips, staples, and credit cards
- 3.4 gallons bin with window
- Auto Start and Manual Reverse functions
- Portable handle
- Cool downtime is a bit long
- It gets jammed easily
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Shredder
A Solid, Low-Volume Paper Shredder
If you are looking for a cheap and discrete, but efficient paper shredder that can easily blend with your other office equipment such as a scanner, photo printer, or PC, AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper Shredder is a tool for you.
This is a small paper shredder that offers cross-cut shredding and can handle up to six sheets at once. It can shred paper, staples, DVDs, as well as credit cards and comes fitted with a modest 3.8-gallon bin that should be enough for occasional home use.
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper Shredder comes with a one-year warranty, thermal protection with auto shut-off and overall provides ease of use.
Unfortunately, this device can work for only two minutes in continuity, after which it demands a 30-minute break. In other words, it is strictly built for home or occasional office use.
For that reason, if you need an affordable, but decent performing paper shredder that will be just frequently used, AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper Shredder is a good solution for you.
- Compact
- Cheap
- Decent performance
- Low capacity
- It struggles with thicker components
- Noisy
Conclusion
Who doesn’t love shredding paper? It really makes us feel like we are in a movie, right? And if you actually really need one in your home or office, all the more reason to get one as soon as possible. Consider your needs and wants and make sure to follow our guidelines, and we’re sure you’ll find your perfect match!
