10 Best Paper Shredder for Home Use

With a paper shredder, you can effectively destroy sensitive documents, junk mail, credit cards and other types of documents. Three types of paper shredders offer different levels of document security. Why does one need a paper shredder at home? It is a security risk to throw away or recycle intact documents with personal information that could lead to identity theft.

If you are a business owner, the motivation to buy an effective paper shredder is even higher. Several regulations require the business owner to destroy any document containing employees’ credit information, employment history, social security number, prior address and other information. You can hire a professional agency to destroy these documents, but you will save more when you buy the right shredder and do it in-house.

1. AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder

AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder

With this crosscut paper shredder, you can shred multi-page documents of up to six sheets at a time. It can destroy credit cards, ATM receipts, and stapled papers without the need to remove the staples. It has a large 3.8-gallon bin to help you shred many documents before needing to empty the bin. The product is a perfect balance between price and performance and will help you protect your identity. It offers better security compared to the strip-cut shredder. The shredder comes backed by AmazonBasics one-year limited warranty.

Get the peace of mind by destroying documents and credit cards. It is easy to operate, and in auto mode, the sensor will detect something being shredded. It shreds and then drops the pieces into the large bin. The machine has a manual reverse to help clear any paper jam. It can work continuously for two minutes and rest for 30 minutes to cool down. It is small enough for a small business or home and can conveniently fit under the desk. The shredder removes easily to allow access to the bin when it is time to empty.

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2. Fellowes Powershred 60Cs 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

Fellowes Powershred 60Cs 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

The Powershred 60Cs is the perfect crosscut shredder for all your home and small office needs. It is both child and pet safe featuring a Safe Sensor Technology that automatically stops shredding when a hand touches the paper opening. It can handle ten sheets per pass, which a pretty high amount of paper. It shreds into very small pieces, a security level P-3 for your peace of mind. It can work for six continuous minutes before resting for 20 minutes. A 6-gallon bin supports the large shredding volume, so you do not have to stop frequently to empty it.

It comes with a one-year product warranty and five years on the cutter. It is the perfect house shredder and can shred all documents including stapled and paper clipped documents and plastic credit cards.

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3. Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Medium, Duty Cross, Cut Shredder

Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Medium, Duty Cross, Cut Shredder

Get shredding every sensitive document and protect your information from unauthorized eyes. It can handle paper, DVDs/CDs, credit cards among other confidential material you want to be kept secure. It is child and pet safe due to the SafeSense Technology that immediately stops the shredding action when it senses a hand on the paper opening. It has a volume of 16 sheets per pass and shreds into 5/32-inch by 1-1/2-inch crosscut pieces for a security level P-4.

It can shred continuously for 20 minutes before cooling down for 30 minutes. You will get a lot of shredding done at such excellent intervals. The 6-gallon bin will carry a lot of waste, so you do not have to empty it very often. It comes with a two-year product warranty and 5-years on the cuter. The shredder is designed to be jam proof; this is assured by the patented advanced jam prevention Jam Proof System.

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4. Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

It is fun shredding your sensitive documents using this efficient shredder. The Powershred 99Ci Cross-Cut Shredder is all you need for a medium use for homes and small offices. It features a child and pet safe technology that ensure the machine stops when a hand touches the paper feed opening. It can handle up to 18 sheets per pass and shreds them into small pieces of security level P-4. No more fear of someone piecing together your shreds from the bin, this shredder makes it virtually impossible to recover the information on the sensitive documents.

This powerful shredder can work continuously for 30 minutes before taking a cool down rest for 40 minutes. The 6-gallon bin is large enough to handle the large volumes of shredded paper in one session.

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5. AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

With this 24-sheet shredder, you can destroy a lot of paper in just a few minutes. This crosscut shredder is efficient at securing your sensitive documents including paper, credit cards, DVDs/CDs, Blu Rays among other unwanted but sensitive documents. Whether at home or work, it is crucial that you protect your information from theft. You may face litigation if information entrusted to you falls into the wrong hands.

Get the best compromise between price and performance in this AmazonBasics crosscut shredder. It offers more security than that of the basic strip shredder. Its 7-gallon bin can handle the heavy output of paper waste from the shredder, so you do not have to keep stopping to empty it.

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6. Fellowes Powershred 125Ci Commercial Grade Paper Shredder

Fellowes Powershred 125Ci Commercial Grade Paper Shredder

When you have the Fellowes 125Ci, even a large office will shred smoothly. It is jam proof so no stressful clearance of paper jams. It crosscuts paper into highly secure pieces and requires no recovery time between users. Its three levels of jam prevention remove the hassle from operating this shredder. It is capable of crosscutting up to 20 sheets per pass. It is tough enough to shred plastic credit cards, documents with staples and paper clips, junk mail and DVDs without complaining. It features SafeSense Technology to stop the shredding when a hand touches the paper opening.

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7. Fellowes 62MC 10-Sheet Micro-Cut Home and Office Paper Shredder

Fellowes 62MC 10-Sheet Micro-Cut Home and Office Paper Shredder

Shred with confidence and leave knowing no one will piece together what you have destroyed. This shredder is essential for the security of your document and information. It is pet and child safe so you can safely use it at home. It can shred up to 10 sheets per pass into micro-cut particles of security level P-4.

It will shred continuously for 7 minutes, then rest for 60 minutes; this allows you to shred a small-sized paper quantity in one sitting. Its 5-gallon bin carries a lot of waste and pulls out easily for mess-free disposal. The shredder operates quietly so you will not disrupt the quiet at home or neighboring workspaces. Work with peace of mind under the one-year product warranty and five years cutter warranty.

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8. Fellowes Powershred 425Ci Commercial Grade Paper Shredder

Fellowes Powershred 425Ci Commercial Grade Paper Shredder

This powerful crosscut shredder will fit perfectly in your home or office setting. It is jam proof, so no wasting time clearing jams. The machine has a large volume of 30 sheets per pass making it the largest on this list. It is adequately tough to handle credit cards, junk mail, paper clips, and DVDs/CDs. It is safe for pets and children while the auto-oil technology oils the cuter regularly for easy maintenance.

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9. Swingline Paper Shredder

Swingline Paper Shredder

The Swingline will take just a little of your time compared to the traditional paper shredder. It can automatically shred up to 230 sheets and seven sheets at a time for a manual feed. Ti is tough enough to shred paper clips, staples, CDs/DVDs, and credit cards on the manual feed. It shreds one piece of letter-sized paper into about 400 pieces making it a security level P-4. The 9-gallon bin pulls out easily for disposal. The intelligent Auto+Jam clearance technology saves you time and stress by preventing jams. The intelligent self-cleaning cutters remove any build-up that can cause paper jams.

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10. Bonsaii EverShred Pro 3S16 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

Bonsaii EverShred Pro 3S16 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

A busy office will respect this heavy-duty shredder that can continuously shred for 60 minutes. It has a quiet operation that will not disturb others at just 58dB. It has a 12-sheet shredding capacity and destroys them into very small cuts of security level P-4. Other than the heavy and efficient performance, this machine can shred credit cards, DVDs/CDs, paper clips, and staples with ease. The jam protection system and auto reverse keep away the frustration of paper jams.

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Paper shredder types

Strip cut

This type slices papers into long, straight shreds. This offer the most basic level of security since it is not too hard for someone to reassemble the pieces of the shredded document to recover the data.

Crosscut

This type cuts papers crossways as well as lengthwise. This results in smaller chunks that can be tricky to reassemble except for the most determined criminals.

Micro-cut

This is the gold standard of paper shredding. The micro-cut shredder chips paper into confetti-like pieces that makes it virtually impossible to reassemble meaningfully.

Things to consider

Buying a paper shredder may seem like a straightforward endeavor. However, you need to consider several factors. These include the efficiency and durability of the model in carrying out its functions.

Number of sheets

The main measure gives to paper shredders is the number of sheets they can shred at a go. The higher the number, the more expensive it is and the quicker it will get the shredding done. If you have frequent shredding jobs that go into hundreds of sheets, then it is worth investing in a high-count shredder.

Jamming

There is always a certain risk of jamming in paper shredders. Cheaper models tend to jam more than others do. Some models are easier to clear the jam as well. The very high-end shredders come with a guarantee against paper jams.

Shred material

Any shredder can handle the basic materials. Some shredders, however, cannot shred credit cards since they are not made of paper. If you occasionally need to shred old credit cards or other tougher stuff, then consider a model that can cut it to pieces just like paper. Other materials include unopened junk mail, CDs, paper clips on documents among others. If you want to shred large items like a folder, then a paper shredder with a large feed slot is recommended.

Volume

This is the shredding volume per a given period. If you have many shredding tasks, then a high volume is recommended, so you do not waste any time. For a high volume of paper shredding need, consider a moderately sized shredder.

Type of cut and security

Most shredders use a crosscut method to destroy documents, but some can do micro-cuts. Some methods are more likely to jam than others are so you should be concerned how the shredder works.

Shredding batches

When shredding in long continuous batches, then a long run time shredder is the best type to buy. It needs to shut down to cool off before continuing. Most models will require 20-30 minutes to cool off, though some will take as long as 90 minutes. Most home offices, however, have small batches or just a couple of papers to shred at a time, so you will not need a heavy-duty paper shredder.

Safety

You may have curious pets and kids around who may attempt to play with the machine. Consider a model with a safety sensor that automatically shuts off if hands get too close or come into contact with the shredding mouth. Models with a slimmer paper entry can also give you enhanced safety. This will keep the little fingers and paws from getting in.

Spring for features

A model with a full bin indicator may seem unnecessary, but is very helpful. It saves you from always guessing if the bin is full or you may end up with an overflowing basket that messes your workspace. A model with an automatic cleaning cycle stops the paper build-up in the shredding mechanism.

Consider the placement location

Before settling on a model, consider where you will place it and if it will fit the space. If you want the shredder at your feet, then one with a vertical mouth is right and comfortable to feed. For a desk shredder, one with an angled mouth is recommended.

Bin type

High-powered shredders need impressive bins. You need plenty of space, so you do not have to empty the bin frequently. How does the basket empty? A side loading or slide out bin is easy to work with in the bigger units. A unit that requires lifting the lid to access the bin can be cumbersome since the shred mechanism can be heavy.

Ease of input

For small shredding tasks, the input will not be an issue. However, if you want to shred large documents regularly, you need at least 9 inches paper input. This allows you to insert the paper without having to fold it in half.
Conclusion
Every business small or large needs a reliable paper shredder. It is an efficient way to destroy documents and secure your documents from third parties. You can protect yourself from identity theft and liability when you shred documents the right way. This guide has all the information you need to make the right buying decision.

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