A paper shredder is an electronic device designed to eliminate paper trails and is a tool that is geared toward keeping sensitive information confidential. Not to mention that it prevents identity theft, and disposes of paper clutters.
So, do you need to buy a paper shredder but do not know where and what to buy? Well, this is your lucky day as our team of experts has curated the five best paper shredders that will surely tick all your checkboxes! To inspect further, all you have to do is click on the yellow boxes to grab their best deals on Amazon. Nonetheless, let us first have a comprehensive review of each one of them.
Best Paper Shredders Comparison & Rating
Paper Shredders | Features |
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1. Fellowes LX22M Powershred Micro Cut 20 Sheet Paper Shredder
Brand | Fellowes |
Weight | 39.1 pounds |
Dimensions | 16.5 x 11.75 x 23.25 inches |
Color | Black |
This paper shredder is superior because of its run time indicators that help you monitor its real-time performance. It also has a runtime of 30 minutes and will only take 15 minutes to cool down. In addition, this paper shredder cuts paper into 5/32” x ½” micro-cut particles for enhanced security. Plus, this shredder is available in 6 different styles with two cutting patterns!
2. Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet Crosscut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
Brand | Aurora |
Weight | 13.01 pounds |
Dimensions | 13.31 x 8.46 x 15.87 inches |
Color | Black |
This paper shredder includes an integrated handle that makes it easy for users to empty the 5.2-gallon wastebasket. It also features a 4-mode power switch option that enables the machine to turn off, go forward, reverse, and go in auto-mode. Aside from that, the shredder’s throat is 8.7 inches wide, which makes it optimal for continuous shredding for 5 minutes. Lastly, its shred speed coverage is 6.6 feet per minute.
3. Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Brand | Bonsaii |
Weight | 3.92 kilograms |
Dimensions | 30.2 x 18.7 x 38.7 cm |
Color | Black |
This paper shredder is simple yet very efficient due to its advanced functions that can shred ATM receipts, bills, pay stubs, and other confidential documents into micro-particles measuring 13/64 x 1-49/64 inches. The shredder has a P-3 security level and can shred six sheets of paper at a time. If you encounter any paper jams, you can quickly solve this by switching the REV manually and clear out the blockages. Lastly, it has a user-friendly handle and has a transparent wastebasket for you to easily empty it out once it’s full.
4. AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder
Brand | AmazonBasics |
Weight | 8 pounds |
Dimensions | 12.1 x 7.7 x 15 inches |
Color | Black |
This paper shredder can shred paper into 5.6 x47 mm and is capable of ridding staples, paperclips, and credit cards. It also has an 8.7-inch paper-entry width and a removable wastebasket. Aside from that, the brand makes sure to test out all their products before shipping to guarantee no factory defects.
5. Bonsaii 6 Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder
Brand | Bonsaii |
Weight | 6.39 pounds |
Dimensions | 11.8 x 7.1 x 14.3 inches |
Color | Black |
This paper shredder can handle up to 6 sheets of paper at once and shreds it into tiny particles measuring 5x50 mm. It also features a transparent 3.4-gallon waste bin that serves as a window for you to check once it needs to be emptied out. Also, aside from a one-year limited warranty, the brand offers a 7x24 hour online service. Alas! A paper shredder that guarantees maximum security with no hassles.
Best Paper Shredders - Buyer's Guide
You must consider the paper shredder’s load capacity. This means the more sheet capacity, the faster it gets the job done. For office workers or individuals who have a lot to shred, a machine that can accommodate multiple sheets would be a plus. Paper shredders can come in a variety of load sizes, some can take six sheets, and some can take up to 30 sheets at a time. This feature should be on top of your list to ensure speed and efficiency.
Paper shredders are inherently noisy because their primary purpose is to tear and slice documents into small pieces. However, if you are particular about noise, you might want to invest in shredders with a noise-control feature. Of course, the more features you need, the pricier the product becomes.
Another vital feature to consider in choosing a paper shredder is its safety features. Shredders that are not handled properly can cause unwanted accidents or even injuries. This is why getting a paper shredder equipped with thermal protection technology and an auto-off function feature is highly recommended.
Appliances mostly used in offices or at home consume a lot of electricity, especially if it runs in large numbers. Many paper shredders in the market automatically shut off when not in use. Consequently, 80% of your electric bill comes from appliances that are consuming energy even when not in use. This is why you should also consider ones that prioritize energy consumption, whether in use or not.
Purchasing a paper shredder might be tricky due to the over-saturation of products in the market. However, it would be best if you went for shredders that include the following features:
a. Can through plastics, credit cards, paper clips, and staples.
b. Anti-jam feature to for a faster shredding
c. Portable and easy to lift handle for emptying the bin.
Best Paper Shredders - FAQs
Some paper cutters have advanced features that can cut cardboards and folders. Nonetheless, for most of the paper shredders available in the market, these are the typical documents they are capable of shredding:
Staples
Paper
Paper clips
Loyalty cards
Credit and debit cards
Identification cards
CD’s and DVD’s
Receipts
Pay stubs
There are three common types of cuts when dealing with paper shredders. These are:
Strip-cut- These are the basic cuts common for most shredders that are vertically narrow strips and can be fairly read. These are also called ribbon cut or straight cut.
Cross-cut- Shredders with cross-cut motors shreds paper diagonally from both sides and are barely readable. These are also called Diamond cut or confetti cut.
Micro-cut- Documents that are cut with these types are almost unreadable. This shreds papers diagonally from both corners and results in small square-shaped pieces.
The best type of shredder depends on the security level you need, the kind of document you intend to shred, and how confidential the content is. Strip-cut shredders have a low-security level, while cross-cut shredders have a medium level. The recommended paper shredders are micro-cut shredders due to their high level of security.
There are three levels of security;
Basic Security- provides a P-2 level of security and best for documents with low confidentiality needs. This offers basic protection for information.
Higher Security- this offers enhanced security for highly confidential documents. It provides a P-3 and P-4 security level that cuts papers into strips that are extremely difficult to assemble and read.
Ultimate Security- this is best if you desire an even higher security level, level P-5 and P-6. These slices document into tiny square particles and are impossible to read.
