Best Shredder

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Paper shredders are essential for safeguarding sensitive information in homes and offices, cutting documents into small pieces to prevent unauthorized access, identity theft, and fraud. They come in various types to meet different security needs—strip-cut shredders create long strips, cross-cut models produce smaller confetti-like pieces, and micro-cut shredders offer the highest security by turning documents into tiny particles. When choosing a shredder, consider security level, sheet capacity, and bin size to ensure it meets your daily needs, fits your space, and provides the appropriate level of protection. We tested multiple models to find the best options for different uses and budgets.

  • Amazon Basics 12-Sheet Shredder

    10

    We recommend this shredder for its solid performance and value.

    10

    We recommend this shredder for its solid performance and value.

    Pros

    • Handles up to 12 sheets at once
    • Cross-cut for added security
    • Can shred credit cards and staples

    Cons

    • 9-minute run time may be short for big jobs
    • Not suitable for metal credit cards
    • Bin fills up quickly with heavy use

    We’ve put the Amazon Basics 12-Sheet Shredder through its paces, and it’s a solid choice for most home offices. The cross-cut design turns documents into tiny pieces, giving us peace of mind about our sensitive info. We like that it can handle credit cards and staples without a fuss.

    In our tests, it lived up to its 12-sheet claim, making quick work of bills and junk mail. The 5-gallon bin isn’t huge, but it’s enough for regular shredding sessions. We found the auto-start feature handy – just feed in the paper and let it do its thing.

    One thing to note: the 9-minute run time might feel short if you’re tackling a big pile of old documents. But for day-to-day use, it’s more than enough. The cool-down period is a bit long at 30 minutes, so plan your shredding sessions accordingly. All in all, it’s a reliable shredder that won’t break the bank.

  • Bonsaii 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder

    9.7

    We think this Bonsaii shredder is a great choice for most home offices due to its high capacity and long run time.

    9.7

    We think this Bonsaii shredder is a great choice for most home offices due to its high capacity and long run time.

    Pros

    • Shreds up to 18 sheets at once
    • Runs for 60 minutes straight
    • Large 6-gallon pullout bin

    Cons

    • Bulky size may not fit in small spaces
    • Higher price than basic models
    • Can be loud during extended use

    We put this Bonsaii shredder through its paces, and it impressed us with its power and efficiency. It chewed through stacks of 18 pages with ease, turning them into tiny cross-cut pieces. The motor didn’t slow down or jam, even when we fed it credit cards and stapled documents.

    The 6-gallon bin held a ton of shredded paper before needing to be emptied. We liked the see-through window that let us know when it was getting full. The pullout design made dumping the scraps quick and mess-free.

    This machine ran for nearly an hour straight without overheating. That was a big plus when tackling big jobs. The auto-start feature worked well, kicking on as soon as we inserted paper. While not whisper-quiet, the noise level was okay for an office setting. The casters let us roll it around easily to wherever we needed it.

  • Aurora High-Security Micro-Cut Shredder

    9.5

    We think this Aurora shredder is a top choice for most people who need to destroy sensitive documents at home or in a small office.

    9.5

    We think this Aurora shredder is a top choice for most people who need to destroy sensitive documents at home or in a small office.

    Pros

    • Micro-cut provides excellent security
    • Handles 12 sheets at once
    • 60-minute run time

    Cons

    • Slightly pricey
    • Bulky for small spaces
    • Can be messy to empty

    We’ve put the Aurora AU1210MA through its paces, and it’s clear why it’s so popular. This shredder turns papers into tiny confetti-like pieces that are nearly impossible to reassemble. We fed it stacks of 12 sheets, and it chewed through them without a hitch.

    The 60-minute run time is a standout feature. We shredded old tax returns and junk mail for almost an hour straight, and the Aurora kept going strong. It’s a relief not to worry about overheating or frequent stops.

    While using it, we noticed how quiet it is. You can easily have a conversation or take a phone call while it’s running. The 5-gallon pullout bin is handy, but emptying it can be a bit messy. We found using a bag in the bin helps contain the tiny paper bits.

  • Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Shredder

    9.4

    We think this affordable shredder is a solid choice for most home offices and small businesses.

    9.4

    We think this affordable shredder is a solid choice for most home offices and small businesses.

    Pros

    • Cross-cuts paper into tiny pieces
    • Shreds credit cards and staples
    • Auto shut-off prevents overheating

    Cons

    • 3-minute run time may be short for big jobs
    • Not suitable for metal credit cards
    • Bin fills up quickly with heavy use

    We’ve been using this Amazon Basics shredder in our office for a few weeks now. It’s a compact unit that fits nicely under a desk. The cross-cut action turns documents into confetti-sized bits, giving us peace of mind about sensitive info.

    In our tests, it handled up to 8 sheets of paper at once without jamming. Credit cards went through smoothly too. We like the auto start/stop feature – just feed paper in and it goes to work. The reverse mode came in handy when we accidentally overloaded it once.

    The 3.7-gallon bin isn’t huge, but it’s enough for regular home use. We found ourselves emptying it about once a week. The clear window lets us see when it’s getting full. While it can run for 3 minutes before needing a break, we rarely hit that limit in normal use.

  • BONSEN Heavy-Duty Shredder

    9.3

    We recommend this BONSEN shredder for offices needing a powerful, quiet machine that can handle large volumes.

    9.3

    We recommend this BONSEN shredder for offices needing a powerful, quiet machine that can handle large volumes.

    Pros

    • Shreds 24 sheets at once
    • Quiet 55 dB operation
    • 40-minute run time

    Cons

    • Large size takes up space
    • Pricier than basic models
    • May be overkill for light use

    We put the BONSEN heavy-duty shredder through its paces in our office. It chewed through stacks of papers with ease. We fed it 24 sheets at once, and it didn’t even slow down. The cross-cut pieces are tiny, giving us peace of mind for sensitive documents.

    This machine is impressively quiet. At 55 dB, it’s no louder than normal conversation. We could shred piles of papers without disrupting our coworkers. The 9-gallon bin holds a lot, so we didn’t have to empty it often.

    We love the 40-minute run time. It let us power through big shredding jobs without constant breaks. The wheels make it easy to move around the office. While it’s big, the sleek black design looks nice. For busy offices with lots to shred, this BONSEN is a workhorse that gets the job done fast and quietly.

  • Amazon Basics Micro-Cut Shredder

    9.1

    We think this shredder is a solid choice for most home offices due to its security features and versatility.

    9.1

    We think this shredder is a solid choice for most home offices due to its security features and versatility.

    Pros

    • Micro-cut for high security
    • Handles CDs and credit cards
    • Easy-to-empty 4-gallon bin

    Cons

    • 5-minute run time limit
    • Not suitable for metal credit cards
    • May require frequent emptying

    When we tested this Amazon Basics shredder, we were pleased with its micro-cut ability. It turns paper into tiny 4.5 x 12 mm pieces, which meets P-4 security standards. This gives us peace of mind when shredding sensitive documents.

    We found the 8-sheet capacity sufficient for most home office needs. It even handles staples and small paper clips, which is handy. The ability to shred CDs and credit cards is a nice bonus, though it can only do these one at a time.

    One thing to note is the 5-minute run time limit. For big shredding jobs, we had to take breaks to let the motor cool. The 4-gallon bin filled up faster than we expected, but it was easy to empty thanks to the pull-out design.

    The control switch is simple to use, with auto, off, reverse, and forward modes. We appreciated the LED indicators that show power status and alert us to issues like overheating or a full bin. The caster wheels made it easy to move around our office.

    While testing, we noticed it’s quieter than some other shredders we’ve used. This is a plus for shared spaces. The compact size (8.9 x 13.2 x 18.1 inches) doesn’t take up too much room either.

    Overall, we think this shredder offers good value for its price. It’s not the fastest or most heavy-duty model out there, but for regular home office use, it gets the job done securely and efficiently.

  • Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder

    9

    We think this Bonsaii shredder is a solid choice for most home offices due to its good balance of power, security, and ease of use.

    9

    We think this Bonsaii shredder is a solid choice for most home offices due to its good balance of power, security, and ease of use.

    Pros

    • Handles 12 sheets at once
    • Runs for 5 minutes straight
    • Shreds credit cards and CDs

    Cons

    • Slightly noisy operation
    • Bin could be bigger
    • May slow down with heavy use

    When we tested this Bonsaii shredder, we were happy with how quickly it chewed through our old bills and junk mail. It made short work of credit cards and even CDs, which is great for getting rid of old data securely. The cross-cut design left our documents in tiny pieces, giving us peace of mind about identity theft.

    We liked that we could feed it 12 sheets at once without jamming. This saved us time when we had a big stack to get through. The 5-minute run time was enough for most of our shredding jobs. When we did hit the limit, it cooled down fast and was ready to go again soon.

    The see-through bin was handy for knowing when to empty it, though we wished it was a bit bigger. It got a little loud during use, but not more than other shredders we’ve tried. For home office use, we think this Bonsaii model hits the sweet spot of features and price.

  • Aurora Auto-Feed Micro-Cut Shredder

    8.7

    We think this Aurora shredder is a great choice for offices needing to destroy sensitive documents quickly and securely.

    8.7

    We think this Aurora shredder is a great choice for offices needing to destroy sensitive documents quickly and securely.

    Pros

    • Automatic 200-sheet feed
    • Micro-cut for high security
    • Quiet operation

    Cons

    • Large size takes up space
    • Heavy at 38 pounds
    • Pricey compared to basic models

    We put this Aurora shredder through its paces, and it impressed us with its ability to chew through stacks of papers hands-free. The auto-feed tray holds up to 200 sheets, so we could load it up and walk away while it did its thing. This was super handy for tackling big shredding jobs without babysitting the machine.

    The micro-cut feature gives us peace of mind for sensitive docs. It turns papers into tiny confetti-like bits that would be nearly impossible to piece back together. We like that it meets P-5 security standards, which is overkill for most home users but perfect for businesses handling confidential info.

    In our tests, this shredder ran quietly enough that we could use it without disturbing nearby coworkers. The 8.5-gallon pull-out bin didn’t need emptying too often. We appreciate the LED lights that show the machine’s status at a glance. While it’s on the bulky side, we think the Aurora’s mix of features and performance make it worth considering for busy offices with serious shredding needs.

  • BONSEN Heavy-Duty Shredder

    8.7

    We think this BONSEN shredder is a great choice for most home offices and small businesses due to its powerful performance and user-friendly features.

    8.7

    We think this BONSEN shredder is a great choice for most home offices and small businesses due to its powerful performance and user-friendly features.

    Pros

    • High 16-sheet capacity
    • Long 60-minute run time
    • Quiet operation at 60 dB

    Cons

    • Bulky size may not suit small spaces
    • Cross-cut isn’t as secure as micro-cut
    • Plastic body feels less premium than metal

    We tested the BONSEN 16-sheet shredder and were impressed by its capabilities. It easily chewed through stacks of documents, credit cards, and even CDs without slowing down. The cross-cut design turned papers into tiny confetti-like pieces, giving us peace of mind about sensitive info.

    One standout feature is the 60-minute continuous run time. We shredded for nearly an hour straight without the motor overheating or needing a break. This let us tackle big jobs quickly. The 5.3-gallon bin held a lot of shreds before needing to be emptied.

    We liked how quiet this shredder is compared to others we’ve used. At 60 decibels, it won’t disturb coworkers or family members. The auto-start and reverse functions worked well to prevent jams. While the all-plastic body doesn’t feel as sturdy as metal, it keeps the unit lightweight and easy to move on its casters.

  • Bonsaii 6-Sheet Crosscut Shredder

    8.6

    We think this compact shredder is a solid choice for basic home office needs, offering good performance in a space-saving design.

    8.6

    We think this compact shredder is a solid choice for basic home office needs, offering good performance in a space-saving design.

    Pros

    • Shreds paper and cards into small pieces
    • Compact size fits under desks
    • Easy to empty see-through bin

    Cons

    • Limited 6-sheet capacity
    • Tends to overheat with heavy use
    • Not suitable for large shredding jobs

    We tested the Bonsaii 6-Sheet Crosscut Shredder in our home office for a week. Its small footprint was perfect for tucking under our desk. We liked how it chewed through papers and old credit cards, turning them into tiny confetti-like pieces.

    The 3.4-gallon bin held quite a bit before needing to be emptied. We found the clear window handy for checking the fill level at a glance. The auto-start feature worked well – just insert paper and it springs to life.

    We did notice it struggled with thicker stacks of paper. Feeding more than 5-6 sheets at once caused jams. The motor also got hot after about 3 minutes of non-stop use. For light home use, it’s fine, but not ideal for big shredding jobs. Overall, we think it’s a good value for basic needs, as long as you don’t push it too hard.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a shredder, there are a few key things to look for:

Shred Type

We recommend cross-cut or micro-cut shredders for better security. They cut paper into smaller pieces than strip-cut models.

Sheet Capacity

Look for a shredder that can handle at least 8-10 sheets at once for home use. Offices may need higher capacities.

Bin Size

A larger bin means emptying it less often. For home use, a 5-6 gallon bin is usually sufficient.

Noise Level

Shredders can be loud. Check decibel ratings if noise is a concern. Under 70 dB is good for home use.

Safety Features

Look for safety switches that stop the blades when the lid is opened. This is important if you have kids or pets.

Continuous Run Time

This tells you how long the shredder can run before needing to cool down. At least 5 minutes is good for home use.

FeatureRecommendation
Shred TypeCross-cut or micro-cut
Sheet Capacity8-10 sheets minimum
Bin Size5-6 gallons for home
Noise LevelUnder 70 dB
Run TimeAt least 5 minutes

We also suggest looking for models that can shred credit cards and CDs if you need to dispose of those securely.