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Chances are you have some sensitive documents in your home or office, whether it’s banking information, medical bills, or old credit cards. Rather than simply toss these items into the garbage can, it’s advisable to run them through a shredder to protect your security and prevent identity theft.
These days, paper shredders are relatively compact, small enough store underneath your home office desk. There are manual models that shred a single sheet at a time and electric shredders that automatically cut up hundreds of pages. No matter what type you're looking for—or how much you want to spend—read on for our best paper shredder recommendations, plus shopping advice to consider before buying.
For more home office essentials, check out our picks for the best home printers and document scanners.
Best Paper Shredders
- Best Overall: Amazon Basics 15-Sheet Paper Shredder
- Best Budget: Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
- Best For Identity Protection: Aurora High Security AU1000MA Paper Shredder
- Best Premium: Fellowes Powershred LX22M Micro Cut Paper Shredder
- Best Auto-Feed: Aurora 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
What to Consider
Style
There are a few different types of shredders available. Electric shredders are the most common and there are models with or without an integrated waste bin. These are ideal for shredding large quantities of documents at a time. However, there are also manual shredders that cut up one or two pieces of paper, and they’re often small enough to tuck away when not in use.
Paper Capacity
When choosing a paper shredder, first think about how much paper you need to be shredding. The paper capacity number gives you the best indication of how much paper the shredder can handle at once.
If you just want to shred a few sheets per day, like credit card statements and junk mail, you can get away with a relatively cheap and compact shredder. If you want more of a commercial-style shredder for a busy office, you’ll want to spring for a more expensive, rugged machine that’s designed for frequent, heavy use.
Cut Type
Security is another factor to consider. If your main priority is destroying sensitive information, you’ll want to choose a shredder that transforms your paper into small bits of paper—as opposed to “strip cuts” that can be re-assembled with a little time and patience.
“Cross-cut” shredders produce small pieces a few inches long, while “micro-cut” models turn documents into confetti-sized pieces. Keep in mind that micro-cut shredders take longer to work, and are typically the most expensive option.
How We Selected
We’ve been using paper shredders for years–in home and office settings–for both security and basic paper disposal purposes. We kept this experience in mind when selecting the models for this list, and also performed extensive online research to ensure we included the most popular and well-reviewed options. Since customers have a wide range of jobs and projects in mind when choosing a shredder, we made sure to include a variety of sizes, as well as a range of prices. Whether you need a compact model for occasional bill shredding, or a heavy-duty machine for maximum efficiency, you should find an option below that fits your needs.
Pros
Can shred staples and paper clips- Six-gallon pull-out bin
- Rolling casters
Cons
- Messy to empty
Thanks to an impressive 15-sheet capacity and security-friendly cross-cuts, this Amazon Basics shredder was an easy choice for our top overall pick. It’s also tough enough to power through staples and small paper clips and has a dedicated slot for credit cards and CDs. The automatic reverse mechanism prevents frustrating paper jams, and the LED indicators let you know the exact cause of any operational issues.
You’ll need to let it cool down for 20 minutes after 20 straight minutes of use, but that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker unless you have an especially huge amount of paper to shred.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 10.3 x 20.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 15 sheets |
| Bin Size | 6 gal. |
| Weight | 22 lb. |
| Cut Style | Cross |
2
Best Budget
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cross-cutting capability
- Low price
Cons
- Does not have wheels
- Cannot cut CDs
Combining efficient cross-cutting capabilities and a low price, this Amazon Basics shredder would be perfect for those who want a machine that can shred the occasional batch of papers without breaking the bank.
It doesn’t have any wheels, but the light, 8.3-pound weight should still make it comfortable to transport. Despite the low price, this shredder doesn’t lack in the security department, and cross-cuts your documents into small, difficult to match pieces. It’s also strong enough to chew through credit cards, and up to eight pieces of 20-pound paper at a time.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 7.3 x 15.9 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 8 sheets |
| Bin Size | 4.1 gal. |
| Weight | 8.3 lb. |
| Cut Style | Cross |
Pros
- Higher paper capacity
- 30 minute continuous runtime
- Comes in two colors
- Extremely quiet during operation
Cons
- Shreds slower than other models
If money’s no object, and you’re looking for a high-end shredder that’s built to last, this Fellowes model could be the perfect choice. It can handle up to 20 sheets of paper at once, micro-shreds them into tiny particles with ease, and can operate continuously for up to 30 minutes.
Plus, its eight-gallon bin holds up to 750 shredded sheets of paper before it needs to be emptied. Its safety feature is impressive as well. Sensors detect and pause when fingers get too near and automatically resumes when the coast is clear.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 16.5 x 11.75 x 23.25 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 20 sheets |
| Bin Size | 8 gal. |
| Weight | 41.4 lb. |
| Cut Style | Micro |
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4
Best High-Capacity
Amazon Basics 24-Sheet Paper Shredder with Pullout Basket
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Higher paper capacity
- Easy to use
- Wide entry slot
Cons
- May be too bulky for occasional use
This Amazon Basics shredder can handle up to 24 sheets of paper at once, the highest capacity of any other option on our list. Five LED indicators on the top of the machine alert you of any issues—like when it's time to empty the bin, or if the motor is overheating—and a large slide control allows you to easily select the power mode you prefer.
The 8.7-inch entry width is also large enough for the majority of junk mail envelopes. It might be pricey, but if you have a busy home office or just a lot of paper to get through, the time saved could be worth the investment.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11.02 x 15.16 x 23.39 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 24 sheets |
| Bin Size | 7 gal. |
| Weight | 32.4 lb. |
| Cut Style | Cross |
Pros
- Carrying handle
- Light weight
- Large viewing window
Cons
- Cannot handle CDs
This low-budget shredder might cost less than most other options, but it packs nearly as many features as the higher-end models. It’s powerful enough to handle six sheets at once, can process 36 sheets per minute, and has the strength to chew through staples and credit cards. Plus, the overheat warning lets you know when it's time to give it a rest.
The large window on the bin allows you to see when it's ready to be emptied, and the top-mounted handle makes it convenient to do so.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11.81 x 7.09 x 14.26 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 6 sheets |
| Bin Size | 3.4 gal. |
| Weight | 6.4 lb. |
| Cut Style | Cross |
Pros
- Cuts paper into confetti-sized pieces
- Rolling casters for easy transport
- Pull-out waste bin
Cons
- Narrow paper slot
The micro-cut shredding capabilities of this shredder, combined with the power to shred CDs and credit cards, make it a great option for those who prioritize maximum security and destruction of their sensitive material. It’s designed for durability as well, with overload and overheat protection that protects it from unnecessary damage.
This shredder also automatically powers off after five minutes, saving energy and reducing the chances of accidents. We’re also big fans of the 5-year warranty on the cutting cylinders, and the 1-year plan for the rest of the components.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 13.86 x 16.73 x 24.17 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 10 sheets |
| Bin Size | 5 gal. |
| Weight | 25.9 lb. |
| Cut Style | Micro |
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Pros
- Automatically feeds up to 120 sheets
- Continuous shredding for 30 minutes
- Able to handle clips and staples
Cons
- Large stapled packets can jam the machine
If you have a lot of shredding to do, this Aurora shredder has a convenient auto-feed design. You can stack up to 120 sheets of paper on its auto-feed tray, and it feeds them in by itself, saving you from having to put in each document manually. (If you do want to put paper in by hand, the unit can handle 10 sheets at a time.)
This shredder creates compact micro-cut pieces for maximum security, and it can handle paper clips and staples, too. It can shred for up to 30 minutes at a time before needing a break, and the 5-gallon waste bin has a convenient pull-out design for easy emptying.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 11.3 x 14.41 x 19.69 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 120 sheets |
| Bin Size | 5 gal. |
| Weight | 24.25 lb. |
| Cut Style | Micro-cut |
Pros
- Compact size
- See-through waste bin lets you monitor level
- Built-in handle for waste emptying
Cons
- May not fully shred credit cards
The Aurora AS420C is a convenient desktop shredder that’s ideal for your home office. The compact design can shred four sheets of paper at a time, and it cuts them into small strips for increased security. The unit comes with a transparent waste bin, which lets you monitor when it needs to be emptied, as it doesn’t have an auto-shutoff when the bin is full.
While this shredder is compact and affordable, it does sometimes struggle to cut through credit cards, and its throat is only 4.5 inches wide, which means you’ll have to fold up standard-size documents before you feed them in.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 9 x 7 x 10 in. |
|---|---|
| Paper Capacity | 4 sheets |
| Bin Size | 1.32 gal. |
| Weight | 5.07 lb. |
| Cut Style | Cross-cut |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Alex Rennie
Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.
