A paper shredder is the best method to cut the paper into pieces. It is a device that you can use to destroy delicate paperwork, files, magazine, or any paper piling up in office places.
It can destroy different types of paper, including credit cards. One of the major reasons why people purchase the device is for personal security reasons because you can use it to eradicate any piece of important information on a piece of paper or document to avoid any occurrence of identity theft.
Because of the increase of identity theft, throwing vital documents away, a means of eradicating them is not advisable. The paper shredder can help destroy confidential documents like bank information, names, or different types of personal data.
Because there are lots of paper shredders on the market, the process of selecting the best paper shredder for beginners who wants to perform the first project, so the guide below will give you a better understanding and help you make the right selection.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Paper Shredder
The process of selecting the right paper shredder can look straightforward, but it is not a straightforward decision to make because there are few factors that you should consider. You will find lots of paper shredder on the market, but below are the important things to watch out for before you purchase one.
Number of Sheets
You should always measure the paper shredders by the number of sheets that they can slice at once, the more the number goes up, so does the price and speed. If the number of papers that you want to shred extends over a hundred, you should get a high count device.
Jamming
Lots of the device have a particular jamming risk that regularly happens with cheap paper shredders. Although it is straightforward to clear the jamming problem in some version, unlike others, you should search for a high-end paper shredder with guarantees against that problem.
Credit cards
Another important factor that you should watch out for is to see if the paper shredder can slice credit cards, and some of the cheap devices cannot perform that task. Many organizations will want to destroy old credit cards and will ensure that the device can perform that task before purchasing it.
Volume
Another thing you need to consider is the amount of paper that you can shred before you have to take out all of the papers and restart the process. You can get to know this by the number of papers it can destroy at once, the number of papers should be the deciding factor.
Style of Cut
Paper shredder utilizes the cross-cutting method, but that is not the only available style, there are different styles of cuts and you should check that out before you buy anyone. If you do not like the one device cuts, you can select any one that fits your style.
The Comparison Chart 2020
Below is a simple comparison of the best paper shredder that provides the best performance, offers protection with excellent results on paper shredding exercises.
What is The Best Paper Shredder to Buy?
Now you understand how the paper shredder works and know how to select the right paper shredder for your exercises. The outline below explains different types of the best paper shredder and gives a great insight into the characteristics of the paper shredder before you purchase anyone.
- Best Paper Shredder: AmazonBasics 12-sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
"Comes with auto-reverse, very easy to use, and has an automatic sensor." - Best for Office Use: GBC Paper Shredder
"Has a compact and sleek pattern can contain about five gallons of sliced material." - Best Economical Paper Shredder: AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper shredder
"Affordable, very easy to use, and has a restricted session for shredding.” - Most for Security: Fellowes Powershred 99Ms Heavy Duty paper shredder
"Offers protection, can shred for more than twenty minutes non-stop and can slice plastic cards." - Best Run Time: Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet paper shredder
"Very easy to use, refill, and can shred for sixty-minute run time." - Best Bin Storage: Fellowes Powershred 125Ci paper shredder
"Has fourteen-gallon bin capacity, excellent for offices, and can slice twenty sheets of paper at once." - Best for Business: HSM SECURIO AF150 Micro-cut paper shredder
"It has a wide throat opening, uses a dual function, and can hold about one hundred and fifty papers." - Best Versatile Paper Shredder: Fellowes Powershred 79Ci paper shredder
"Versatile, easy to use, and can handle sixteen sheets of paper." - Best for Large Projects: Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder
"Very easy to use, quick shredding and can handle heavy-duty projects." - Best for Beginners: Aurora JamFree 20-Sheet Crosscut-Cut Paper shredder
"It has a JamFree technology that removes paper jam, touch guard for security, and can hold seven gallons of shredder pieces.” - Best for Plastic Cards: Bonsaii EverShred Pro 10-Sheet Paper Shredders
"Straightforward to use, has a jam-proof, high efficiency, and saves lots of time." - Fastest Paper Shredder: Ideal Continuous Operation Paper Shredder
"It has a steel shaft, straightforward switch, and can shred three hundred and twenty-four sheets of paper in one minute."
Top 12 Best Paper Shredder Reviews 2020
Utilizing an inappropriate paper shredder for shredding papers can make the task harder to perform, but the right one makes the project very fast and efficient. But the issue here is that you will find lots of paper shredders on the market and they have different attributes.
Now that you know the factors to consider whenever you are on the lookout for one, here are my best paper shredders:
AmazonBasics 12-sheet Paper Shredder
(Best Paper Shredder)
You need a reliable and powerful paper shredder if you want to shred several papers, you need a capable device to get the job done, and that is what this device has to offer. It can slice about twelve sheets of paper at once, as well as slicing credit cards that you want to destroy quickly.
It can also continue to shred papers for seven minutes non-stop and just a thirty minutes cool off time. It comes with an anti-jam that clears the paper jams efficiently, and you can continue the task of shredding in a few seconds.
It is a small device that you can put anywhere inside your house, and it will stand out without obstructing anything and can hold about five gallons of sliced pieces of documents. It is straightforward to use and comes with a one year warranty.
Key attributes
- It is a cross-cut shredder
- It can shred for seven continuous minutes
- Can hold five gallons of shredded papers
Specifications
- Brand - Amazon
- Model number - AU1208XB
- Weight - 12.81 pounds
Pros
- It has a robust bin capacity
- It shreds at a good speed
- It shreds papers into tiny sizes for security
Cons
- It is not a cheap device
- It cannot slice optical discs
Watch the introduction of the AmazonBasics 12-sheet Paper Shredder here:
GBC Paper Shredder
(Best for Office Use)
Anytime you want to purchase paper shredder for your office, you should check for shredders that function well and does not contain a large space. GBC shredder is the perfect choice for your office because it does not take lots of space and efficiency.
It is a compact and small device that has an outstanding thirteen sheet capacity. It can slice any paper and has a different slot to cut and shred items like DVDs and credit cards easily so that you don’t have to utilize the blade which is not for cutting plastic materials.
The sharp blade can cut through pieces of paper without wearing out and can shred for four minutes non-stop. It will then need about forty minutes to cool off, and then you can continue shredding.
Key features
- It can hold five gallons of waste
- It is durable
- It a top-level security
Specifications
- Brand - GBC
- Model number - 1757391
- Weight - 20.5 pounds
Pros
- It does not make noise while performing its task
- It destroys every part of the paper
- It has a small and compact shape
Cons
- It does not indicate when the bin is full
- It cannot slice DVDs
Learn how to use the GBC Paper Shredder here:
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper shredder
(Best Economical Paper Shredder)
It is an excellent choice for quick shredding, it can shred thirty-two inches of paper, and it is a very compact tool as well as being perfect for offices. It can also contain about four gallons of the bin and can run for two minutes non-stop.
It requires thirty minutes to cool off and can shred receipts from the ATM as well as junk mails. You can start shredding when you see the sensor recognize that you have places papers or one credit card on its paper feed in automatic mode.
Key attributes
- It is a cross-cut shredder
- It can shred for two minutes non-stop
- It can shred credit cards
Specifications
- Brand - Amazon
- Model number - AS662C
- Weight - 8 pounds
Pros
- It can cut six-sheet at once
- It is straightforward to utilize
- It comes at an affordable price
Cons
- It can only run for two minutes and needs to rest for a few more minutes
Watch the video review of the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper shredder here:
Fellowes Powershred 99Ms Heavy Duty Paper shredder
(Most for Security)
One of the significant reasons for shredding is for security, and this device puts security first before anything else. The device has a nine-inch paper feed and can shred a letter-size piece of paper into over two thousand sheets particles, which makes it one of the best and most secure on the list.
It can function for fifteen minutes and cool off for about twenty-five minutes, which gives the user time to throw away the nine gallons of shredded pieces of paper that the bin contains. It can also shred papers into pieces that will be very difficult to assemble, which makes it a secured paper shredder.
Key features
- It shreds for twenty minutes non-stop
- It can shred credit cards
- It is very durable
Specifications
- Brand - Fellowes
- Model number - 4609001
- Weight - 41.5 pounds
Pros
- It has a good shredding speed
- It has auto-reverse
- It has a nine-gallon waste bin capacity
Cons
- It comes at a fair price
Watch the video to learn the Fellowes Powershred 99Ms basic concepts here:
Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Paper shredder
(Best Run Time)
It is a device that can run for forty-minute non-stop and an excellent option for small and home businesses. Its long run of functioning time helps the gadget to dismantle about eighteen sheets of paper in a run and also shred items like credit cards, DVDs and so on.
After shredding the sheets of paper, it sends the particles of the paper to its eight-gallon wastebasket, where you can easily dispose of it. It comes with an automatic start, reverses and stops control keys and can destroy one sheet of paper in five seconds.
Key features
- It can run for sixty minutes non-stop
- Eighteen-sheet general-purpose cross-cutter
- It has an 8.5-gallon wastebasket
Specifications
- Brand - Royal
- Model number - 1840MX
- Weight - 38 pounds
Pros
- It has a very efficient and quick shredding
- It does not make noise while in action
- It is a portable device
Cons
- You need to install its wheels
- It not good for kids to use
See a video explanation of the Royal 1840MX here:
Fellowes Powershred 125Ci Paper shredder
(Best Bin Storage)
It is an energy-efficient device that you can use in big offices and can shred about twenty paper sheets at once and then send the particles into the waste bin. It can also dismantle and destroy several items like credit cards, staples and paper clips, and so on.
It can continue to run non-stop for forty-five minutes and then requires some time to cool off. It is a jam-proof device, which means you will avoid the paper jamming problems while working seamlessly at least keep it to the barest minimum.
It also comes with a safe sense technology that can help freeze the divide anytime it senses that a hand touches the paper opening and the silent shred that reduces the noise to a bearable minimum.
Key attributes
- It can destroy twenty sheets of paper
- It comes with a jam-proof system
- Can run for forty-five minutes non-stop
Specifications
- Brand - Fellowes
- Model number - 125Ci
- Weight - 55.1 pounds
Pros
- It runs quietly when in use
- It comes with jam prevention
- It can run for thirty minutes before cool off
Cons
- It may not last more than ten years
Watch the Fellowes Powershred 125Ci review video here:
HSM SECURIO AF150 Micro-cut Paper shredder
(Best for Business)
It came with a warranty for three years and made of top quality materials for security and long-lasting during the life span of the device. It also comes with energy preservation controls that release about .1 watts during standby.
It consists of an auto-feed tray that can take about one hundred and fifty sheets and can shred about 12.8 feet in one minute. It also comes with a nine-gallon waste bin with a large throat and also has an auto-stop and start for controls.
The device destroys items at a high level, which means it dismantles every piece of data on the item to avoid theft of identity or any personnel or organizations. You can as well continue to include paper manually while it continues to shred.
Key Features
- It is time saving and reliable
- It comes with an energy controls system
- It is a multi-function device
Specifications
- Brand - HSM
- Model number - AF150L4
- Weight - 42.6 pounds
Pros
- It is perfect for huge shredding tasks
- It is swift and best for security
- It saves energy and very quiet
Cons
- It comes at a fair price
See a video explanation of the HSM SECURIO AF150 here:
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Paper shredder
(Best Versatile Paper Shredder)
It is one of the paper shredders on the list with universal purpose and can shred any paper as well as credit cards, DVDs, and so on. It also comes with a jam-proof that handles paper jams and can easily destroy tough tasks especially items with multimedia.
It also comes with a safe technology that can shut down the device when you place your hands close to the paper booth. The device is also capable of destroying sixteen paper sheets per pass and can slice it into 397 pieces, which makes it difficult to reorganize back.
Key attributes
- It comes with a system that saves energy
- It has a safe technology for security
- It can shred sixteen sheets of paper at once
Specifications
- Brand - Fellowes
- Model number - 3227901
- Weight - 28.2 pounds
Pros
- It is very secure and reliable
- It can shred DVDs
- It can handle a large number of tasks
Cons
- Setting it up can be confusing
Watch the video tutorial of the Fellowes Powershred 79Ci here:
Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder
(Best for Large Projects)
If you destroy lots of documents regularly, then you should not look away from this device because it can continue to shred for thirty minutes non-stop. The device can also shred fourteen paper sheets at once and will destroy every piece of information on the document.
Another amazing fact about this device is that it only needs ten minutes to cool off, and then you can resume shredding. It also comes with about five gallons of the waste bin that you can dispose of easily when it gets full after the exercise.
Key attributes
- It can shred fourteen sheets of paper at once
- It comes with a jam-proof system
- It has an LED indicator
Specifications
- Brand - Bonsaii
- Model number - C169-B
- Weight - 16.8 pounds
Pros
- It has a short cooling time
- It has a jam-proof system to prevent paper jamming
- It is straightforward to use, quick and reliable
Cons
- Its waste bin is a little bit small compared to others
Learn how to use the Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Heavy Duty Paper Shredder here:
Aurora JamFree 20-Sheet Crosscut-Cut Paper shredder
(Best for Beginners)
You will find this device on wheels, which makes it very easy to move around the room or move to your waste bin when you want to empty the device bin. The device can shred about twenty sheets of paper at once.
It is a high-speed device and can prevent paper jams. It also has an auto sensor that can detect the device operating capacity and regulate it to avoid time wastage and errors.
It can shred continuously for sixty minutes and can shut itself off if it is not in use for five minutes. It also requires about fifty minutes to cool off.
Key features
- It has a touch guard for security
- It comes with an energy-saving system
- It has a jam-free technology
Specifications
- Brand - Aurora
- Model number - 20-Sheet CrossCut
- Weight - 36.5 pounds
Pros
- It saves energy and time
- It can run for sixty minutes non-stop
- It has a touch guard security
Cons
- It does not have a long life span
Watch the Aurora JamFree 20-Sheet Crosscut-Cut Paper review here:
Bonsaii EverShred Pro 10-Sheet Paper Shredders
(Best for Plastic Cards)
It can shred about ten sheets of paper at once and can continue to run for two hundred and forty minutes. It can shred any paper as well as other items like a staple, credit cards, and so on.
It also comes with an auto-start and reverses attribute to avoid paper jams. It has a 7.9 waste bin gallon, which is enough room for paper particles and also has a different bin for items like credit cards and DVDs.
Key features
- It saves time and very efficient
- It comes with a jam-proof system
- Has a large wastebasket
Specifications
- Brand - Bonsaii
- Model number - 4S30
- Weight - 38.6 pounds
Pros
- It is a secure and reliable paper shredder
- It is a multi-purpose device
- It runs quietly
Cons
- It runs at a slow pace compared to others
Watch the Bonsaii EverShred Pro 10-Sheet Paper Shredders video explanation here:
Ideal Continuous Operation Paper Shredder
(Fastest Paper Shredder)
It is an outstanding machine that can shred about eleven sheets of paper in one minute. It can run at very high speed for long hours and does not need time to cool off during exercises.
It can handle heavy-duty exercise and comes with paper jam technology to avoid jamming.
Key attributes
- It has a steel cutting shaft
- It has a safety flab
- Can shred eleven sheets of paper at once
Specifications
- Brand - Ideal
- Model number - IDEDSH0069H
- Weight - 39.5 pounds
Pros
- It is a high-speed shredder
- It is straightforward to use
- It has a compact design and lightweight
Cons
- It does not indicate when the bin is full
Watch Ideal continuous paper shredder review video here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
For newbies into the paper shredding world, I recommend the Aurora JamFree 20-Sheet Crosscut-Cut Paper for your shredding tasks. It has JamFree technology that removes paper jam, touch guard for security and can hold seven gallons of shredder pieces
But when it comes to advanced exercises, I would recommend the AmazonBasics 12-sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. It comes with auto-reverse, straightforward to use and has an automatic sensor
If you want to enjoy paper shredding exercises, then you should select the right paper shredder that is fast, easy to use, and reliable. All of the above products have outstanding attributes to make shredding papers very fast, efficient and provides excellent results.
