How we picked the best paper shredders
Methodology
When searching for the best paper shredders, I considered over 50 models from 10 brands in all price ranges, looking for a balance between performance and price. My picks were based on the following criteria: Ease of use: Reverse buttons to remove jams, simple emptying mechanisms, and easily empty baskets add to overall ease of use. Safety: Thermal overload sensors and safety mechanisms that turn off the cutters when the lid is removed from the basket are among the features I looked for. Versatility: Cutters that can handle a wide range of materials, including paper clips and staples, take some of the work out of shredding. Versatile models also have wide mouths for easier paper entry. Capacity: Capacity included paper capacity, as in how many papers could the shredder handle at once? Capacity also included the basket volume, which determines how often it needs to be emptied.
The best paper shredders: Reviews & Recommendations
Best overall: Fellowes Powershred 14-Sheet Micro-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder
Why it made the cut: This shredder from Fellowes can take on big jobs with its nine-gallon bin, but it’s quiet and safe to use, making it great for home or office. Specs:
Dimensions: 25.2 x 11.4 x 17.3 inchesPaper capacity: 14 sheetsSecurity level: P-5
Pros:
High capacityChildsafeQuiet
Cons:
Expensive
Shred 14 sheets of paper at once in the teeth of this heavy-duty shredder from Fellowes. The micro-cut size means enhanced level P-5 security, and saved space, in part thanks to the nine-gallon integrated bin, and a tiny shred that comes out to roughly 2,000 particles per sheet of paper. It’s super quiet, making it perfect for shared workspaces, and the auto-stop feature can detect when your hands are close to the opening, so it’s extra safe to use and child-proof.
Best for home: Wolverine SD9113 Heavy Duty Shredder
Why it made the cut: The Wolverines P-4 cross-cut comes with an 18-sheet capacity and long runtime that catapult it to the front of the heavy-duty shredders. Specs:
Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.4 x 22 inchesPaper capacity: 18 sheetsSecurity level: P-4
Pros:
Shreds through paper, credit cards, CDs, clips, and staplesCross shreds for added securityCompletely pull out the waste bin for dumping
Cons:
LoudBasket fills quickly
The Wolverine SD9113 Heavy Duty Shredder puts P-4 security on everything that passes through its cutters. Those cutters handle a wide range of materials, including staples, paper clips, credit cards, CDs, and (of course) paper. A high 18-page capacity and 60-minute runtime goes through paper quickly, without the need to cool for up to 60 minutes. While the wastebasket fills quickly, it is easy to empty and pulls completely out of the shredder. The only other downside to this model is the noise. It makes a racket but gets the job done.
Best for office: Aurora AU1580MA Professional Grade Micro-Cut Paper/ CD and Credit Card Shredder
Why it made the cut: The AU1580 makes quick work of paper, credit cards, CDs, and paper clips, turning them into a micro-shredded mass that’s nearly impossible to identify. Specs:
Dimensions: 16.93 x 12.99 x 23.62 inchesPaper capacity: 15 sheetsSecurity level: P-4
Pros:
60-minute continuous runtimeQuiet operationReverse mechanism effectively fixes jams
Cons:
Big and heavy
The Aurora AU1580MA shredder isn’t your average Home Depot shredder. This behemoth can hold 8.5 gallons of shredded paper. That kind of capacity doesn’t come without significant weight. The AU1580 weighs in at 43.28 pounds but features casters to provide some mobility. It makes quick work of 15 pages at a time and can handle CD/DVDs, paper clips, and credit cards. The blades turn them into a micro-shredded P-4 mass that’s caught in the basket. An impressive 60-minute runtime lets offices with a high paper volume stay ahead of shredding. Even when shredding at full power, this model stays relatively quiet. Five indicator lights provide insight into the current status, such as door open, overload, bin full, overheat (includes automatic shutdown), and power. This model’s size takes up a good amount of space, so it’s not the best for small offices or homes.
Best heavy duty: Ideal 2604 P-4 Office Shredder with Automatic Oiler
Why it made the cut: This German-designed shredder can handle the shredding needs of up to 10 people, is fast and secure, and comes with a sustainably made wooden cabinet. Specs:
Dimensions: 19.5 x 18.5 x 36.5 inchesPaper capacity: 23-25 sheetsSecurity level: P-4
Pros:
High capacityFastComes in a wooden cabinet
Cons:
Heavy Expensive
This industrial-grade shredder from Ideal is a high-security, German-engineered solution perfect for legal and medical office use as well as any high-volume home business where privacy needs to be protected at all costs. It runs continuously thanks to its automatic-oiling feature and can easily munch through staples, paper clips, and stacks of paper 25 sheets thick, adding up to a shred rate of about 500 sheets per minute. This, thanks to its sturdy, steel-toothed construction and its 26-gallon wastebasket, make it ideal for use by a staff of 8 to 10 people.
Best portable: Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder
Why it made the cut: This Aurora model made the list as the best home paper shredder for its power, small size, versatile fit, and range of shreddable materials. Specs:
Dimensions: 6.5 x 12.99 x 2.95 inchesPaper capacity: 8 sheetsSecurity level: P-1
Pros:
Compact and easy to storeExpands to fit different wastebasketsShreds credit cards and CD/DVDs
Cons:
Cannot handle a high volume
Bring your own wastebasket with this portable paper shredder from Aurora and use it in multiple locations from office to home. It cuts in strips and can destroy up to eight sheets of paper at a time as well as CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. It sits securely atop any open wastebasket and even has an extendable arm that allows it to accommodate bins up to 15 inches wide. The AU800 can handle eight pages at once and shreds them to ¼-inch pieces. That’s only P-1 security, so this isn’t intended for ultra-sensitive information. A jam remover button helps dislodge paper or other materials from the blades. However, be aware that this model isn’t designed for high paper volumes. It shuts down and requires a cool-down period fairly quickly. Specs:
Dimensions: 12.8 x 7.3 x 15.9 inchesPaper capacity: 8 sheet Security level: P-3
Pros:
Safety mechanism shuts it off if it’s not fit to the basket correctlyShreds quickly during its 30-minute runtimeAuto-senses paper for better energy efficiency
Cons:
Produces more paper dust than other models
Credit cards get a special center spot on the cutter, and it blows right through them. It also features the standard reverse mechanism and an auto-on feature that senses paper and turns on the cutters. If you’re worried about security, this is the best shredder for credit cards. You can also use it to destroy a single credit card at a time.
Best budget: Bonsaii 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Why it made the cut: For less than $100, this model provides security, transparent window, great capacity, and versatile shredding options. Specs:
Dimensions: 12.64 x 7.91 x 18.5 inchesPaper capacity: 10 sheetsSecurity level: P-3
Pros:
Shreds credit cards, paper, paper clips, and staplesSharp, steel cutters hold their edgeTransparent window lets you see when it’s full
Cons:
NoisyShort runtime
The Bonsaii 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder offers an impressive array of features for a relatively inexpensive model. Its 10-page capacity gets only better when you consider that it can also shred credit cards, paper clips, and staples. That reduces the work it takes to prep papers for shredding. It’s the heavy-duty steel blades that eat through materials and cross cut them into P-3 sized pieces. The basket’s transparent window gives you a visual before it gets too full. A safety mechanism turns off the machine if the head is removed from the wastebasket, keeping hands and fingers safe. While we like the automatic overheat protection and cooling system, this model can only run for about four minutes before it needs to shut down. That might limit the shredding capacity in a large office. It’s also a noisy addition to the office environment.
Things to consider before buying paper shredders
Security level
Paper shredders are given a security rating according to the size of the paper pieces they create. Larger pieces are easier to reassemble, warranting a lower security level. Levels range from P-1 to P-7. The P-1 level machines create basic strips and offer the least security, while level P-7 is reserved for organizations like the NSA that have to shred top-secret documents. Depending on the sensitivity of the document’s information, you may need a P-3 or P-4 level shredder that cuts documents into smaller pieces than a P-2 model. At the P-5 and P-6 levels, the machines micro-cut the paper into tiny particles, making it nearly impossible to reassemble.
Paper capacity and runtimes
Shredders can handle different paper volumes at once, anywhere from four to 20 pieces. Machines that can shred a higher volume at once cost more. However, if you’re shredding hundreds of papers every week, these machines will save you time. Models that can shred more at once also have more powerful motors with longer running times. Less powerful motors may only run for five minutes or less before they need to cool down. Heavy-duty models can often run 30-60 continuous minutes.
What you’re shredding
Paper isn’t the only thing that needs shredding. Some of the best paper shredders can also eliminate credit cards and CD/DVDs. For those who have secure information in multiple mediums, this kind of shredder can offer a secure way to dispose of more than paper.
Size
A home office may be limited in space with monitors and equipment taking up desk space, making the size of the paper shredder a serious matter to consider. Some models are as big as a garbage can, while others are small enough to sit on a desktop. A no-basket paper shredder can sit atop almost any garbage can and can be stored in a drawer.
Final thoughts on the best paper shredders
The Fellowes Powershred 14-Sheet Micro-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder gets top marks because of its security rating, high paper capacity, and safety features. However, if you’ve got a business that regularly handles sensitive information, you’ll probably need the power of the Aurora AU1580MA Professional Grade Micro-Cut Shredder. This model’s high-capacity cutters whip through paper, credit cards, and other materials. Bring your own wastebasket with this portable Aurora shredder and use it in multiple locations from office to home. It cuts in strips and can destroy up to eight sheets of paper at a time as well as CDs, DVDs and credit cards. It sits securely atop any open wastebasket and even has an extendable arm that allows it to accommodate bins up to 15 inches wide.
