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Top 11 Best Paper Shredders On The Market 2023 Review

When it comes to your important and sensitive documents, keeping them secure and out of the wrong hands is key. Many of these kinds of documents contain private information that, if landed in the wrong hands, could severely affect your financial or personal well-being.

Usually, these documents are only useful for a certain amount of time and end up creating clutter. You could file them away in a secure place, but even that isn’t fully secure, and you will eventually run out of space.

Contents

The best paper shredders offer the ideal solution…

A paper shredder is one of the most effective tools you can use to dispose of documents. However, there is a wide range of shredders on the market with different specifications and price ranges to fit anyone’s needs.

That’s why we have rounded up some of the best paper shredder options on the market and broken them down by price category, to help you find the one that’s right for you.

Top 11 Best Paper Shredders On The Market 2023 Review

Top 11 Best Paper Shredders In 2023 Reviews


Best Paper Shredders Under $50

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

First up on our list is a great budget shredder that is ideal for taking on small to moderate shred jobs in your home office.

The AmazonBasics 6-sheet Cross-Cut Shredder can take on up to 6 sheets of paper at once. This is ideal for quickly ridding yourself of junk mail or old bank statements that you have lying around. This shredder cuts paper in a cross pattern instead of long strips, which makes it difficult for someone to piece back together.

Cuts credit cards into indistinguishable shreds…

Don’t worry about having to store old credit cards or chop them up yourself. This shredder has the power to cut credit cards into indistinguishable shreds for your safety and peace of mind. Keep in mind you can only load one card in at a time.

You don’t need any special technical knowledge to use this shredder either…

Set it to auto mode, and the machine will begin shredding when the built-in sensor detects an item in the slot. It then drops into the 3.8-gallon bin below. A manual reverse button makes clearing paper jams a breeze.

The shredder can run continuously for 2 minutes before needing to cool-down for 30 minutes. If it shreds beyond the max run time and overheats, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor.


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

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Six sheet capacity.
  • Shreds credit cards.
  • Secure cross-cut shredding.
  • 3.8-gallon bin.

Cons

  • Not ideal for large jobs.

Best Paper Shredders Under $100

2 AmazonBasics 8-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Shredder

This next shredder is the more advanced version of the previous one. This AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Micro-Cut shredder offers more shred power and even more advanced specs to help you protect your privacy.

Nearly impossible to put pieces back together…

As the name suggests, this shredder can handle up to 8 sheets of paper at once, which makes it a great option if you want a little more power in your home office. The machine makes micro-cuts instead of cross or strip-cuts. This makes it nearly impossible to put all the pieces back together.

This shredder features a four mode switch that can power on and off as well as reverse and forward to clear paper jams. There is no guesswork involved in this printer. Indicator lights denote when the machine is on standby, overheating, overloaded, as well as when the door is open, and the bin is full.

The best part?

This AmazonBasics Shredder features a separate slot that can shred CDs and credit cards. You won’t have to worry about particles from these thicker items interfering with or jamming the paper shredder.

It includes a 4-gallon bin that houses all your shreds until you are ready to dispose of them. There are also four wheels on the bottom that make it easy to transport it around your home or office, so you can shred your papers right where they are.


AmazonBasics 8-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Shredder

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • 8 to 10 sheet capacity.
  • Micro-cuts.
  • Indicator lights.
  • CD shred slot.

Cons

  • Bin is difficult to remove when full.

Best Paper Shredders Under $150

3 Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder

If you work in an office, chances are you deal with sensitive documents regularly and in high quantities. So when it comes to shredding those documents, you are going to need something with a lot more power.

If so, this next shredder might be the one for you…

The Bonsaii Heavy Duty Shredder can shred up to 14 pieces of paper at one time. This is good for an office that deals with a higher volume of documents than you would have at home. It can also run for 30 straight minutes before needing a cool-down.

This is ideal for a fast-paced work environment…

The cutters are made from durable steel that shred papers into a cross-cut pattern. While it isn’t the smallest cuts you can get, it’s still enough to keep you feeling secure. It also has the power to cut and shred old credit cards and CDs.

This Bonsaii shredder is guaranteed to provide you with a no-hassle shredding experience with easy operation. Simply put, the paper into the slot and the machine detects it and begins shredding.

The best part?

This shredder features a unique jam protection system that automatically detects when there is a jam. When you’ve overloaded it, the machine will automatically throw the cutters into reverse to remove the problem paper, saving you the headache of having to do it yourself.


Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • 14-sheet capacity.
  • 30 minute run time.
  • It can cut CDs and credit cards.
  • Jam protection system.

Cons

  • Loud.

Best Paper Shredders Under $200

4 Fellowes Powershred 79Ci

As we move up the price ladder, we are also moving up in power. This can certainly be intimidating for people that are worried about possibly injuring themselves with heavy-duty machinery.

Our next featured shredder is designed with safety in mind…

The main feature of the Fellowes Powershred 76Ci is the patented SafeSense technology built-in to the machine. If it senses a hand in the paper opening, it automatically shuts down in order to prevent any accidents.

No need to remove staples…

This Fellowes shredder can shred up to 16 sheets at one time on a continuous 20-minute run time. You don’t even need to remove staples before shredding, which saves you time. If you operate a small to medium-sized business, a shredder of this ability is ideal to handle all of your shredding needs.

Keeps the noise to a minimum…

If you work in an office, the SilentShred feature keeps the noise to a minimum so you won’t disturb your co-workers when you are shredding. Fellowes also claims this shredder is entirely jam-proof, which can save you a lot of frustration.

Move it around easily…

There are four wheels on the bottom of the shredder that enable you to transport it around your home or office if you need it in different locations or for easy storage.


Fellowes Powershred 79Ci

Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros

  • 16-sheet capacity.
  • SafeSense Technology.
  • SilentShred.
  • 20 minute run time.

Cons

  • Long cool-down time.
  • Made with some cheap materials.

5 Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper

This next shredder is another great option for offices with a moderate volume of shredding needs.

The Royal 1840MX boasts the ability to shred 18 sheets of paper at one time. You won’t need to waste time constantly feeding the machine small quantities of paper, and you can go through stacks in a matter of minutes.

There is even a smaller slot that makes quick work of credit cards and CDs…

This shredder cuts each paper into cross-cut patterns. While this may not make the smallest cuts you can get, it shreds much faster than machines that cut smaller pieces and offers enough security to feel protected.

With a 60-minute continuous run time, you will be amazed by how many documents you can destroy in an hour. Plus, the 8.5-gallon bin reduces the number of times you need to make a run to the recycling bin, saving you even more time!

The best part?

Many machines require that you periodically lubricate the cutters to maintain performance, but this can get quite costly. The good news is that this machine requires absolutely no lubrication, saving you time and money.


Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper

Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Pros

  • 18-sheet capacity.
  • Cross-cut pattern.
  • Self-lubricating.
  • 60-minute run time.

Cons

  • Heavy.

Best Paper Shredders Under $250

6 Aurora JamFree

Next up on our list of paper shredders is a commercial-use machine for small and medium offices that has some impressive features that are just not found on other shredders.

The Aurora JamFree has the ability to prevent any kind of jam by detecting when there is an overload and responding by shutting the system down. There is also an advanced TouchGuard system that will shut down when the sensor is touched by a hand.

This is ideal for spaces where children or animals might be present…

It can be easy to forget to turn off something in a busy office environment, which is why the auto-power-off feature will automatically shut the system down after 5 minutes of non-use. To start it up again, just insert the paper into the shredder, and it will be up and running.

Makes easy work of financial year-end…

The Aurora JamFree can shred up to 20 sheets of paper in a single pass on a 60-minute continuous run time. This time of year, the office can fill up quickly with financial documents. This shredder can handle all you can throw at it, including CDs and credit cards.

Still not convinced?

Aurora offers a 1-year limited warranty on the machine itself and a 5-year warranty on the cutters. With a heavy-duty shredder like this one, having such an extended warranty on the mechanics is extremely valuable.


Aurora JamFree

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • TouchGuard.
  • Auto shut-off.
  • 20-sheet capacity.
  • 60 minute run time.

Cons

  • Slow shredding.
  • Long cool-down time.

7 HSM Shredstar

Next up is another shredder that is an ideal fit for your home or in a workplace with one to five employees.

Easily on the side of a desk…

The HSM Shredstar is a compact, yet powerful shredder that can fit easily on the side of a desk. It boasts a 20-sheet shred capacity that can handle the toughest jobs. It even has the power to shred through staples and paper clips, so you won’t need to meticulously remove them before you shred.

This shredder cuts papers into a cross-cut pattern that makes piecing everything back together, a near-impossible task. The shreds empty into a removable 7-gallon waste bin that makes recycling bin trips few and far between.

We like the window on the waste bin…

The waste bin features a viewing window that helps you keep tabs on when the bin is close to full. What’s more, if the bin is full of paper shreds, it will automatically stop running so as to avoid any accidental jamming.

Maximum 57 decibel sound output…

The thing about powerful paper shredders in offices is that they tend to get a bit noisy, which can annoy the people around you. But with HSM’s Quiet Operation technology, the sound output is limited to 57 decibels, ensuring you hear nothing more than a little white noise.


HSM Shredstar

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • 20-sheet capacity.
  • 7-gallon waste bin.
  • Anti-jam technology.
  • Low noise.

Cons

  • Only a 15-minute run time.
  • 30-minute cool-down time.

Best Paper Shredders Under $300

8 Bonsaii Paper Shredder

As we start to move up the price ladder a bit more, we are moving beyond simple home or small office shredders. If you work in a busy office with a high demand for secure document disposal, then this next paper shredder might be the one for you.

The Bonsaii Paper Shredder boasts a 240-minute continuous run time. That is 4 hours of non-stop shredding power to handle large scale document disposal.

But how does this work?

This shredder features a patented cooling system that is built into the machine to keep it running smoothly. Moreover, once you hit the max run time, you only need to let it cool-down for 10 minutes before starting it back up again.

You may be surprised to find that this machine can only shred 10 sheets of paper at once…

But because of the advanced run time, you are able to shred over 15,000 documents in that time frame. This machine is built for the marathon, not the race.

Just because it can only shred 10 documents at one time doesn’t mean this machine can’t handle your toughest tasks. This shredder still has the power to plow through paperclips, staplers, CDs, and credit cards with minimal effort.


Bonsaii Paper Shredder

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • 240-minute run time.
  • 10-minute cool-down.
  • Micro-cuts.
  • Quiet.

Cons

  • Only shreds 10 papers at once.

Best Paper Shredders Under $500

9 Fellowes Powershred 125Ci

If you work in a large office, then the shredders we have featured so far will probably not cut it. If you need something with the power and long-lasting performance needed for an office with a lot of people, then this next shredder might be the one for you.

Non-stop continuous run time of 45 mins…

The main feature of Fellowes Powershred 125Ci is its non-stop continuous run time. You heard that right; this shredder can shred for 45 minutes until it needs to cool-down. When you are working in a big and busy office that deals with mountains of important documents, this machine is ready to handle it all.

Not only can it shred through 20 papers in a single go, but it also has the power to cut through CDs, credit cards, staples, and paperclips without skipping a beat.

No job is too big for the Powershred…

While it may have intimidating power, it is also safe. This shredder comes with SafeSense technology that halts operation as soon as it senses a hand near the paper opening. This is a really great feature if you work in a child or pet-friendly office.

Doesn’t take up too much room…

At only 11 inches wide and 28 inches tall, you won’t need a huge amount of space for this shredder. It can easily fit next to or under a desk without taking up too much room. The massive 14-gallon pull-out bin means you don’t have to make frequent trips to the recycling bin either.


Fellowes Powershred 125Ci

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • 45-minute run time.
  • 20 sheet capacity.
  • SafeSense technology.
  • Slim and compact.

Cons

  • Pricey.

Best Paper Shredders Under $800

10 ideal. 2465 Cross-Cut Deskside Paper Shredder

When you invest in a machine for your large business, you want to make sure that it not only has the ability to get the job done but also that it is built to last. You can get that with this next paper shredder.

Shreds over 300 sheets a minute…

The ideal 2465 brings high-quality materials and long-lasting performance into a single machine. This shredder can shred over 300 sheets a minute on a continuous run cycle. Plus, it can do all of that with minimal downtime. This is a great option to protect you and your clients from identity theft.

¾ horsepower motor…

The cutters are made from high-quality hardened steel that effortlessly shreds through documents, staples, paperclips, CDs, credit cards, and more. It runs with the power of a ¾ horsepower motor that stays quiet as it operates, ensuring it won’t be a distraction in the office.

With big jobs, you run the risk of paper jams messing up your workflow…

That’s why Ideal has taken the liberty of engineering their shredders with anti-jam technology to help your office maintain its operation. Auto-reverse and auto shut-off functions kick in at the first sign of a possible jam.

Safety is also taken into consideration with this machine…

The inclusion of a patented electronic safety flap is transparent and sits over the opening to protect fingers or ties from accidentally getting caught in the blades.

Ideal offers a full lifetime warranty on this shredder. Purchase with confidence, knowing that you are getting a paper shredder that will last the test of time.


ideal. 2465 Cross-Cut Deskside Paper Shredder

Our rating:4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

Pros

  • Continuous running time.
  • Short cool-down.
  • Jam prevention.
  • Safety flap.

Cons

  • Pricey.

Best Paper Shredders Under $1,000

11 Fellowes Powershred 225Mi

Last, but certainly not least, on our list is an industrial-strength shredder that is made for a large office with a high-volume of document disposal needs.

The Fellowes Powershred 225Mi can shred up to 16 sheets of paper on a single pass. While there may be other shredders out there that can shred more at a single time, the Powershred 225Mi has the benefit of operating on a non-stop run time.

You read that right, constant shred power with no need for a cool-down…

This shredder slices up junk mail, financial documents, staples, paperclips, and CDs into micro-cut pieces. This is absolutely the most secure way to shred your documents as it makes piecing them back together virtually impossible.

The pieces empty into a high-capacity 16-gallon bin that reduces the number of trips needed to empty it, saving you a great deal of time. You’ll know when it’s time, because of the handy LED indicator that eliminates the guesswork.

100% jam-proof system…

SafeSense technology also prevents any workplace hazards by preventing your fingers or a necktie from accidentally being caught up in the machine. You can also maintain a consistent workflow because of the 100% jam-proof system that offers three levels of jam protection.

The best part?

Fellowes is so confident in their products that they offer a 2-year product and service warranty on top of a 7-year warranty on the cutters. If you are looking for a product and company you can count on for years to come, then this is the one for you.


Fellowes Powershred 225Mi

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Continuous run time.
  • 16-gallon bin.
  • Sixteen sheets in a single pass.
  • Jam-proof system.
  • 2-year warranty.

Cons

  • Expensive.

Best Paper Shredders Buying Guide

Now that you have had a chance to take a closer look at some of the best paper shredder options on the market, you are probably closer to making a final decision. However, we realize there are a lot of factors to consider, so we decided to put together this handy buying guide with what we consider to be the most important ones.

Sheet Capacity

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

Sheet capacity refers to the number of sheets that the machine can shred in a single pass. The most basic shredders can do 1 to 3 sheets at a time, and the more advanced ones can go all the way up to 20 or more. This really depends on the typical load that your shredder will handle.

If you are using your shredder at home, then a basic one will do just fine. You will probably only be using it for your own documents, so you won’t be bothered if you can only do a few sheets at a time.

If you own your own business or work in a small office with only a few employees, then you want to bump up the sheet capacity to at least five sheets at a time. When you have multiple people that will be operating the machine, it’s best to try to limit the amount of time they spend shredding to save time at the office.

If you work in a large office with a large volume of papers that need shredding, then a shredder that can handle ten or more sheets is ideal.

You may also want to get your hands on a shredder that can shred through things like staples and paperclips. If you are wasting time trying to remove these small items, you could be slowing down the workflow of the entire office.

Run Time And Cool-Down Time

Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder

Paper shredders are machines in the same way that cars are. They run on a motor that eventually needs a break to prevent overheating and maintain its longevity. This also depends on the workload being handled, as well as the size of the office.

There is a wide variety of run times and cool-down times, so you want to consider your specific needs carefully before making a purchase.

If your shredder is being used at home, then runtime probably doesn’t matter much to you. But if you work in a large office, the highest run time with the lowest possible cool-down is what you want to find.

While you will have to pay a lot more, some shredders can run non-stop without a cool down. But you really don’t need something like that unless your office handles a heavy load of sensitive documents.

Cuts

Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut

Not all paper shredders cut paper in the same way. There are three main cuts that shredders make that offer different levels of efficiency and security.

The first kind is strip cuts that shred your paper into vertical strips. They offer a rather low level of security since someone could easily go through your trash and link the pieces back together. If security is your main concern, we recommend not going for this one.

Cross-cutting shredders cut your documents diagonally into smaller, confetti-like pieces. These types of shredders offer a medium level of security since trying to piece the paper back together would be an extremely difficult process.

Micro-cut shredders slice up papers into very small, square-shaped pieces. To give you an idea, a micro-shredder would cut a piece of paper into over 3,000 pieces. Try putting that back together! These offer an unmatched level of security, but keep in mind that they do take a bit longer to shred than cross-cutters.

Jam Prevention And Safety

All machines malfunction, and the number one issue that plagues paper shredders is the risk of a paper jam. If you work in a fast-paced office environment, a paper jam could cause a significant setback of the day’s workflow, which is why finding a shredder with anti-jam technology is key.

So how does this work?

Fellowes Powershred 79Ci 100% Jam Proof Medium

There are two common ways manufacturers try to prevent jams in their shredders. The first is ‘auto-reverse.’ This setting will sense a jam and throw the cutters in reverse to try to remove the problem sheets. This means you won’t have to open up the machine and remove it yourself.

The second way is through the use of an auto-shutdown feature that will stop the shredder when the waste bin becomes full. Without it, machines would continue to work after it has reached capacity, which could cause serious issues for the machine.

Since you will be working with a machine with sharp components, safety must also be taken into consideration. Finding a machine with SafeSense technology can help prevent accidental finger injury. Some shredders even have a protective shield on the opening that can help prevent your necktie from becoming confetti.

Shopping Around For Office Accessories?

We have other great home and office accessory reviews you may be interested in. We recommend you check out the Best Computer Speakers, the Best Office Staplers, the Best Digital Voice Recorders reviews, the Best Label Makers reviews, and the Best Cordless Phones reviews.

Then, to improve your comfort at your office desk, do check out our reviews for the Best Budget Office Chairs review, the Best Ergonomic Computer Desks, and the Most Comfortable Office Chairs too.

Back to shredders…

Final Thoughts On The Best Paper Shredders

We’re confident that you have all of the information you need to find the perfect paper shredder for your needs. But if you need a second opinion, we want to offer you our top pick from the list, which is the…

Royal 1840MX

Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

This shredder gives you high-performance shredding that saves you both time and money. With an hour-long run time and 10-minute cool-down, this shredder is great for offices on a strict schedule. Plus, it can eat-up 18 sheets at one time, getting a lot done in that hour.

With this kind of shredding ability at under $200, you simply cannot find another shredder that matches up.

Happy shredding!

About Paul S. Brunet

Known as the "Tech Lover", Paul is an expert of current and trending technology. Here at TinyGrab, he makes "tech" easy to understand for the average person.

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