Top 10 Best Paper Shredders for Home Use

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Although paper shredders are used mainly in the office, they are also recommended for home use, especially if you need to discard lots of important documents and paperwork. The best paper shredder for home use is capable of shredding a large volume of papers into pieces, which prevents thieves from stealing or copying valuable information. This includes credit card numbers, social security numbers, and other important personal information that people can use against you.

In case you didn’t know, identity theft is becoming a common occurrence. It happens when a thief uses your identity to make transactions on your behalf. Although the information can be stolen in various ways, most of the time, thieves steal this information from papers and documents thrown in the trash. The best way to prevent this is to use a paper shredder.

Although a paper shredder is used mainly for shredding papers and documents, certain shredders are also capable of shredding other items such as DVDs, CDs, credit cards etc. Read on to find out more about the paper shredder and learn some tips to keep in mind when it comes to buying the best paper shredder in the market.

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Paper Shredder

Operates quietly

Comes with a large waste bin

Capable of shredding 20 sheets of paper at once

Can also shred optical discs, staples, plastic cards, thick envelopes etc

AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High-Security Shredder

Offers high-security 

Capable of shredding 12 papers at a time.

Can also be used in shredding CDs, DVDs, credit cards etc.

Won't make too much noise when operating

Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Shredder

Affordable for homeowners on a budget

Equipped with a window that shows waste basket level

Great level of performance at an affordable price

Fellowes Powershred 60Cs 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

Can shred up to 10 sheets of paper in one go

Features a 6-gallon lift-off head

SafeSense technology

Reliable and medium-duty shredding

Bonsaii 10-Sheets Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder

Features cross-cut blade that cuts paper into small pieces

Can shred up to 10 sheets at a time

Overheating protection

Large capacity wastebasket

What You Should Know About Shredding

Shredders are usually classified through the way they cut the paper into pieces. Strip-cut shredders are capable of cutting sheets of paper into strips. These shredders are fast and efficient but they don’t provide enough security since the strips will still be large enough to read and can be possibly re-assembled by anyone who wants to figure out what’s written on the documents.

Another type of shredder is the crosscut shredder, which is a more secure way of shredding pieces of documents. With this type of shredder, the paper will be cut into small and thin strips. If you prefer a more secure way of shredding your papers, opt for the micro-cut shredder, which is capable of slicing papers into tiny bits of pieces, just like the confetti. This is the best shredder to use for extremely confidential papers.

The shredder security is another factor to consider when buying this device. It’s measured based on the smallness of the paper that it shreds and is determined by the DIN 66399 standard, which is internationally accepted. The level of security ranges from P-1 to P-7, where P-1 is the least secure.

For documents that require a high level of security, the P-7 is highly recommended. Modern designed shredders are capable of shredding other objects as well. They can chop CDs into pieces, as well as thin cards and ID cards. Others can even shred thick envelopes fast!

The speed and capacity of the paper shredder are measured based on the number of sheets that one can feed into it. Another factor is the size of the basket where the shredded papers go. The length of time that the shredder can continuously shred papers is referred to as the run time.

Things to Look for When Shopping for the Best Paper Shredder

Shred Size

The size of the shredded papers is what determines the standard security of a shredder. Most shredders have a P3 standard, which is acceptable for home use and for small companies that don’t need to shred a huge number of papers. Others are also capable of shredding papers thinly and have a security protocol of P4. This is already enough to shred papers with very sensitive information.

Speed

The speed is also related to capacity. For instance, two shredders may be capable of shredding the same amount of paper, however, one shredder might be able to process 15 sheets at once while the other can only do 3 sheets at once. Of course, the one that can process 15 sheets is faster and more efficient.

Unit Size

Consider the space where you intend to place the shredder when deciding on the size of the shredder to buy. The best paper shredder for home use is not too big but not too small either. Furthermore, look for something that you can easily move around and can be carried from one room to another.

Unlike in the office setting where there are spacious tables and workspaces, you probably don’t have plenty of space in your home to accommodate a big shredder. If you intend to keep the shredder in a storage cabinet after use, make sure that it’s small enough to fit inside the cabinet.

Capacity

As mentioned, the capacity of a shredder is measured based on the number of paper that you can feed into it. Another way to measure the capacity is the size of the shredder tray where you will place the papers to be shredded. For home use, you don’t need to shred a massive amount of documents so you can settle with the small capacity.

But if you’re going to use it to shred more than 12 sheets of paper, then look for a shredder with a large capacity. Remember that if you’re going for large capacity, the shredder should also have a bin that’s large enough to handle the shredded papers so you won’t have to keep on emptying it.

Run Time

Paper shredders, in general, are capable of continuously processing sheets of paper for 3 to 5 minutes. After this, they need to cool down before they can process another batch again. But some models are powerful enough to continuously operate for up to 60 minutes before cooling down. Regardless of the run time of your shredder, always adhere to the cool-down period to avoid problems.

Noise

Paper shredders produce noise when they start operating. The typical noise they make is almost similar to the sound that a normal conversation does. Heavy-duty shredders are noisier although a few models work quietly. Generally, the harder that a shredder machine needs to work, the more noise it will make.

Cross-Cut vs. Strip-Cut Shredders

When looking for the best paper shredder for home use, you’ll encounter different types of shredders and the crosscut shredder and strip-cut shredders are the most popular among them.

Cross-Cut Shredders

If you want to make sure that no one can read the documents you’ve shredded, go for the crosscut shredder. This type of shredder cuts papers into tiny pieces, making it ideal for destroying bank statements, old tax returns, health records, and other very confidential documents.

Strip-Cut Shredders

Between the two, it is the strip-cut shredder that is more popular and you’ll usually find it almost anywhere, from offices to homes. It can shred papers that are as thin as the spaghetti. But the drawback is that it’s still possible to obtain information from the document because it can be re-assembled. This shredder can be used for discarding junk mails, although it’s not recommended for highly confidential documents.

How to Properly Use a Paper Shredder?

Most shredders need to be positioned above a waste bin before they start operating. Otherwise, you’ll end up producing a lot of mess resulting from the shredded papers. After positioning the shredder on the bin, it’s time to plug it in.

For those that have auto feeders, you just need to stack the sheets of paper in a tray and leave it to work on its own. However, if you’ve got a manual feed, you have to stay beside it to manually feed the documents to the shredder. If you don’t want to waste time waiting for the shredder to work, the auto feeder is highly recommended.

Paper Shredder Benefits

Shredders are a great device for discarding important documents in the home and office setting.

Below are some of their main benefits:

Professional

Using a paper shredder is a more professional way of discarding sheets of paper, especially if you’re talking about hundreds of documents and paperwork. Heavy-duty paper shredders are capable of operating for several hours and will shred massive amount of papers without delay.

Although the paper shredder is highly recommended for office use, it can also be used to shred papers at home. It’s a more professional and safer way of discarding documents than burning.

Safe

Shredding papers is a safer and cleaner way to throw your trash. Throwing sheets of papers in the bin can be a mess and burning is not the safest way to get rid of them. If you’ve got a shredder at home, there’s no longer a need to accumulate sheets of paper in a bin to be burned later on. A shredder provides a clean and safe way of discarding your paper trash.

Good for Confidential Information

The biggest benefit of using a paper shredder is that it helps keep your personal information safe. With this device, you’ll minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft because all the paper works and important documents will be shred into pieces, making them unreadable to thieves.

This is also very important for companies that handle personal information of customers daily. Using a shredder complies with the federal regulations when it comes to protecting employee and customer’s personal information.

Easy to Use

When discarding a huge amount of papers, using a shredder is a good idea. This can save you a good amount of time, whether it’s used in the office or at home. If you want a shredder that will work on its own without you having to stand beside it, then choose the auto-feeder. With this feeder, you can leave it to work on its own while you take care of other more important tasks.

Instant Shredding

Some of the older models of paper shredders can’t shred high amounts of paperwork. With these shredders, you may have to wait for a long time before you can shred a single document. Therefore, when it comes to investing in the best home shredder, you should go for the latest model.

These shredders are powerful and fast enough to process a massive amount of documents in only a few minutes. Others can also be used in shredding DVDs, CDs, flyers, magazines, booklets, and more!

Eco-Friendly

We all know that burning is not good for the environment. Also having lots of trash accumulating in the bin is not environment-friendly. Using paper shredders is more eco-friendly as it will not cause any damage to the environment. It helps to minimize the amount of trash that goes to the landfills each year plus, it prevents the need to burn things that could damage the environment.

Cost-Effective

Contrary to what many people think, paper shredders are not that expensive. They are a cost-effective way of discarding documents without compromising your security and safety. Paper shredders have an average price of $100 and $500. That’s nothing compared to the number of benefits that it can give you, especially in terms of protecting you against identity theft.

Best Paper Shredder for Home Use in the Marketplace

Before you start searching for paper shredders online, you may want to take the time to read our reviews below of the best paper shredder for home use. These shredders will give you the best value for your money since they work very effectively.

1 – Fellowes Powershred 99Ci – (Best Rated Cross Cut Shredder)

The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci paper shredder might be on the expensive side but it’s worth investing in. This heavy-duty shredder can be used in both home and office settings. It’s fast, efficient, and effective. Aside from having a good capacity, it’s well capable of cutting papers into tiny pieces, which is ideal for discarding sensitive documents.

The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci features a crosscut design, which means that it can produce extremely small pieces of paper compared to the strip-cut design. This shredder is not too big nor too small, making it the best shredder for home use. Furthermore, it weighs 36.3 pounds only so it’s not too heavy to move from one room to another.

This device is tall enough for a manual feed shredder and has 4 casters that can be attached at the bottom, allowing for easy mobility. Customers love the distinctive layout of the device, which features a 9-inch feed slot at the top that’s perpendicular to the front of the shredder.

Pros:

Works fast
Operates quietly
Comes with a large waste bin
Capable of shredding 20 sheets of paper at once
Can also shred optical discs, staples, plastic cards, thick envelopes etc

Cons:

Heavy and large for personal use
A bit expensive

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

2 – AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High-Security Shredder

This 12-sheet paper shredder from AmazonBasics is a micro-cut shredder that’s capable of cutting papers into very fine pieces that are even smaller than those in the confetti.

As such, no one will be able to figure out the information that’s on the sheets of paper that are being discarded. Equipped with a reliable basket with transparent design, you’ll be able to view the papers as they are being shredded. This way, you will be able to keep an eye on the bin and discard it before it gets full.

When looking for the best home office shredder, we can’t recommend this product enough. Its bin capacity is 6.7 gallons, allowing you to shred a massive amount of documents at once. The large capacity bin means you don’t need to empty it often, which saves you some time.

As indicated in its description, this shredder has a 12-sheet capacity. Thus, its blades and motors are powerful enough to handle up to 12 sheets of paper at once. For those who are after a shredder with a great design, this device is a great choice. It’s also not too heavy so you can move it from one room to another if needed.

Pros:

Offers high-security
Capable of shredding 12 papers at a time.
Can also be used in shredding CDs, DVDs, credit cards etc.
Won’t make too much noise when operating

Cons:

Short shred cycle

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

3 – Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Shredder

The Aurora AU870MA High-Security shredder is capable of shredding up to 8 sheets of paper at a time. It features an automatic on and off-key, which makes it stand out from the rest of the shredders in the market. Furthermore, the wastebasket of this shredder is very unique and has an exceptionally slim design, allowing you to easily store it in a cabinet after every use.

Another unique feature of this shredder is that it comes with a credit card slot. Furthermore, it uses a micro-cut design when cutting papers into tiny pieces. Customers are very satisfied with the overall performance of this shredder.

The narrow basket makes it easy to dump waste into a recycling receptacle. Despite these excellent features, you will be glad to know that this product doesn’t cost a lot! So if you’re looking for the best home paper shredder that will not cost you a lot of money, this shredder is highly recommended.

Pros:

Affordable and ideal for homeowners on a budget
Equipped with a window that allows you to keep track of the amount of paper waste
Great level of performance at an affordable price

Cons:

It may not be able to shred a large number of papers at once

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4 – Fellowes Powershred 60Cs 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

The Fellowes Powershred 60C may not be recommended for heavy-duty shredding but it’s still a relatively good choice of paper shredder for home use. It’s equipped with crosscut blades, which means it shreds paper into tiny pieces instead of strips. This shredder is capable of cutting up to 10 sheets of paper in one go. However, it’s not recommended for thick envelopes because it tends to jam when used in cutting bulky and thick items.

Generally, the shredding quality of the Powershred 60C is good enough, especially when used for smaller jobs. However, if you’re going to shred multiple stacks of sheets, you might as well go for a different model.

Despite it being a small shredder, it has a fairly good speed, with the highest speed logged at 67 sheets per minute. Unless you want to shred several hundred sheets of paper in one go, the Fellowes Powershred 60C is good enough to handle the amount of shredding that you’ll do in your home.

Pros:

Can shred up to 10 sheets of paper in one go
Features a 6-gallon lift-off head
SafeSense technology
Reliable and medium-duty shredding

Cons:

A bit heavy

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

5 – Bonsaii 10-Sheets Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder

The Bonsaii DocShred C209-D Paper Shedder has a simple mechanism, making it a great choice for those looking for the best home paper shredder. This shredder can shred paper into tiny pieces so all the sensitive information from your old documents will be secured, whether it’s shredding bank statements, bills or tax records.

Capable of shredding up to 10 pages of paper at a time, the Bonsaii DocShred C209-D Paper Shedder should be capable of handling your shredding needs at home. The Bonsaii DocShred C209-D is equipped with a small handle that allows for a convenient and easy way to lift the shredded pieces in order to empty its wastebasket.

When set at the auto start mode, this machine will automatically start shredding as soon as the sensor at the center detects the presence of paper. If the paper gets jammed up because of the excess amount of paper, simply put it on manual reverse mode and the machine will clear it up.

This paper shredder also comes with safety features, such as the overheating protection system. Usually, if the shredder keeps on shredding more than its maximum running time, the device may overheat. But the protection system will keep this from happening since the device will be switched off immediately.

Pros:

Features cross-cut blade that cuts paper into small pieces
Capable of shredding up to 10 sheets at a time
Equipped with overheating protection system
The wastebasket has a large capacity
1-year warranty

Cons:

It might be a little noisy for some

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

6 – Aurora AU1230XA Paper and Credit Card Shredder

When reading paper shredder reviews online, you’ll find that the AU1230XA from Aurora is getting lots of favorable feedback. This is because the device works extremely well in shredding papers, cards, CDs and other objects. It can shred paper into tiny pieces, which is why it was given a P3 level of security protocols,

Since the Aurora AU1230XA is a crosscut shredder, no one can decipher the information on the discarded paper since it’s hard to put the pieces back together. It can shred continuously for up to five minutes and it comes with anti-jam protection that stops the shredder in the event that it gets overworked or overloaded.

Since the disposal basket of the device is a whopping 5-gallon capacity, you don’t need to keep on emptying the bucket often. Furthermore, it has an LED warning light that will alert you if the shredder is about to overheat.

Pros:

5 minute run time
Anti-jam feature that auto reverses the device in case of a jam
Comes with an integrated handle that allows for easy emptying of the basket
Ideal for home use

Cons:

Could get a bit temperamental

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

7 – Bonsaii EverShred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy Duty Shredder

The Bonsaii EverShred is capable of providing up to 60 minutes of continuous shredding and it produces tiny bits of paper that pass the C3 level of security protocol when it comes to disposing of credit cards, CDs, and other important items.

The downside of this shredder is that if you leave it to run for 60 minutes straight, it will produce a mountain of debris, which is why you need to carefully observe the waste bin.

One of the best features of the C149-C is that it has an extremely low noise level. It produces 62 decibels of sound as it shreds, which is about the same level of noise that a refrigerator makes.

Pros:

60-minute continuous run time
Produces a remarkably quiet sound
Capable of shredding 18 sheets of paper at a time

Cons:

Not very portable

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

8 – AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut with Pullout Basket

Another great shredder by AmazonBasics is this 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder with Pullout Basket. This specific model of a shredder allows you to shred up to 24 sheets of paper at a time. It’s high quality, durable, and comes with a host of amazing features.

There are certainly a lot of things that this powerful shredder is capable of. It works the moment it detects the presence of paper on its feeder and will run continuously for up to 25 minutes. This shredder has a cooling period of 60 minutes and if you end up overusing the device and operating it for longer than the usual, it will automatically shut off for security purposes.

Pros:

Multi-shredder capable of shredding paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards
LED indicators that prevents overloading and overheating
Features auto-reverse and auto-start function

Cons:

Will require more effort to produce cross-cut shreds
Doesn’t come with a “full bin” indicator

9 – Sentinel FM121P 12-Sheet Paper Credit Card Shredder

The Sentinel FM121P 12-Sheet High-Security Paper Shredder is another micro-cut shredder that’s preferred for its fast speed when compared to other shredding machines of the same features.

Usually, micro cutters are known to operate very slowly, which is why most people would opt for strip shredder even though these shredders don’t provide a high level of security. But this particular micro-cut shredder is a different story. It works well and is very efficient at shredding your discarded papers.

As stated on some paper shredder reviews, customers mentioned that this device could work well in an office setting and can be used at home too. Customers are very impressed with the speed of this micro cutter shredder. So if you’re looking for a machine that can shred very fast while providing a high level of security, this unit would be a great product to buy.

Pros:

It operates on caster wheels, which allows for easy and fast moving
Capable of shredding papers and credit cards
It cuts paper very finely and doesn’t create a large amount of waste

Cons:

It has a longer cool downtime of 30 minutes
You cannot just pull the basket out when emptying the shredded paper. You need to remove the top off

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

10 – AmazonBasics 15-Sheet Paper, CD Credit Card Office Shredder

If you need a heavy-duty paper shredder for home use, the AmazonBasics 15-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder is a great device to check out. Just because it has “basics” in its name doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s lacking the features needed for a reliable paper shredder.

Aside from shredding papers, this shredder also comes with a dedicated slot that can be used for DVDs, CDs, and credit cards. It can continuously operate up to 20 minutes and comes with safety protection that prevents the device from overheating. Furthermore, it can operate even with staples and paperclips included in the documents.

The AmazonBasics 15-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper shredder comes with a convenient pull out bin with a window so you can easily keep track of the shredded papers and know when it’s already time to empty the bin. But it also comes with a full indicator light and can be put into auto shredding mode to save you some effort and time!

Pros:

Can operate continuously for up to 20 minutes.
Capable of cutting up to 15 sheets of paper at a time
Comes with protection against overloading and overheating
LED indicators
6 gallon pullout basket

Cons:

Very heavy

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PRICE ON AMAZON

Conclusion

PLAN - PRICE

Description

Aurora AU1230XA Paper and Credit Card Shredder

5 minute run time 

Anti-jam feature that auto reverses the device in case of a jam

Comes with an integrated handle

Ideal for home use

Bonsaii EverShred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy Duty Shredder

60-minute continuous run time

Produces a remarkably quiet sound

Capable of shredding 18 sheets of paper at a time

AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut with Pullout Basket

Multi-shredder capable of shredding paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards

LED indicators that prevents overloading and overheating

Features auto-reverse and auto-start function

Sentinel FM121P 12-Sheet Paper Credit Card Shredder

It operates on caster wheels, which allows for easy and fast moving

Capable of shredding papers and credit cards

It cuts paper very finely and doesn't create a large amount of waste

AmazonBasics 15-Sheet Paper, CD Credit Card Office Shredder

Continuous operation for up to 20 minutes

Can shred up to 15 sheets of paper at a time

Protection against overloading and overheating

LED indicators

Of all the products in this list, it’s the AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder that we consider to be the best paper shredder for home use.

This 12-sheet paper shredder is a micro-cut shredder that can cut papers very finely, allowing for a higher level of security. Aside from papers, this machine can also shred CDs, DVDs, cards etc. Above all, this device will not produce a lot of noise when operating, which makes it great for office use.

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