20 Best Paper Shredders
As we enter into the new year, we’re going to look more carefully at both physical and cyber security.
With more and more companies and cities being affected by hackers and nefarious actors, companies need to take more stringent steps to ensure their information is kept hidden.
This is even more true for documents and physical items which need to be discarded.
We’ve therefore compiled a list of the 20 best paper shredders.
When it comes to security and protecting sensitive documents, having a paper shredder is a must.
Paper shredders will ensure that the documents or physical items you place in them are finely shredded and destroyed.
The best paper shredders listed below will also ensure that the sheets are unintelligible and cannot be repaired.
Paper shredders are an essential item in any corporate office.
With so many documents floating around, you will need a process which ensures that any sensitive, confidential, or private information is properly disposed of.
This can be done in a few ways, including hiring a company to dispose of those files for you.
That option tends to be more expensive though, which is why we recommend starting with paper shredders.
The absolute best paper shredders are the ones which can shred more documents in a shorter amount of time.
In addition, these sophisticated paper shredders will finely shred your documents, leaving them secure from actors which may try to repair them.
We also recommend taking additional steps to protect your documents, including mixing different garbage bags, burning the shredded pages, or hiring a company to dispose of those documents.
Best Strip Cut Paper Shredder
The strip cut paper shredder is the most basic, and typically, least expensive paper shredder on the market.
It cuts the paper into strips of varying sizes, but not fine enough to ensure no reassembly.
This paper shredder is great for discarding non-sensitive documents and documents which would normally be trashed or recycled.
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Office Shredder
Over 4,600 Amazon Reviews
4.5/5
- Strip-cut paper shredder with 8-sheet capacity
- No need to remove staples and can destroy credit cards, CDs, and DVDs
- 2-minute continuous run time with 15-minute cool down
- 8-3/4-inch-wide paper feed; 3.2-gallon wastebasket
- Measures 12.99 by 12.8 by 6.5 inches (LxWxD); AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty
HSM Shredstar S25 Strip-Cut Shredder
Over 260 Amazon Reviews
4.5/5
- Ideal shredder for 1-5 users in an office environment.
- Shreds staples, paper clips, credit/store cards, and CDs/DVDs
- Quiet operation minimizes noise development – shredder operates at 57 db
- LED indicator shows the device’s operating status: power, overload, overheat, bin full, door open.
- Lifetime warranty on cutting cylinder
Fellowes Powershred 70S 14-Sheet StripCut Shredder
Over 40 Reviews on Amazon
4/5
- Shreds 14 sheets of paper per pass into 37 (7/32″ Security Level 2) strip-cut pieces
- Runs for up to 12 minutes before a cool down period is needed
- Patented Safety Lock disables the shredder for added safety protection
- Provides reliable, medium duty shredding and is ideal for deskside use.
- 7-gallon pull-out bin
Fellowes Powershred 90S 18-Sheet StripCut Shredder
Over 25 Reviews on Amazon
4/5
- Shreds 18 sheets of paper per pass into 37 (7/32″ Security Level 2) strip-cut pieces
- Runs for up to 25 minutes before a cool down period is needed
- SilentShred offers ultra-quiet performance for shared workspaces
- Provides reliable, medium duty shredding and is ideal for deskside use.
- 9-gallon pull-out bin
Best Cross Cut Paper Shredder
The cross cut paper shredder is the perfect middle solution.
It is ideal for cutting paper into small and little bits.
Though not the best option, it typically suffices and will ensure that your sensitive and confidential documents are discarded of in a safe manner.
Bonsaii 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Over 3,100 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- Heavy duty shredder keeps working up to 30 minutes without stopping based on the patented cooling system
- Destroys about 3500 sheets of paper, ideal for your large office and home use
- Crosscut paper shredder, max. 14 sheets of paper shredding capacity (letter size,20lb)
- Jam proof system with auto start/stop and auto reverse functions
- 4.5 gallons pull-out wastebasket for less frequent and easy emptying
AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Office Shredder
Over 1,200 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- Cross-cut paper shredder with 12-sheet capacity; destroys credit cards
- Shreds paper into cross section strips measuring 7/32 by 1-9/16 inches
- 7-minute continuous run time with 30-minute cool-down time; auto start and anti-jam auto reverse to minimize/clear paper jams
- 8.7-inch-wide paper feed; 4.8-gallon bin; thermal protection with auto shut-off; lift handle for easy shredder-head lift up
- Measures 14.1 by 10.1 by 16.3 inches; backed by an AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty
Fellowes Powershred 100% Jam Proof Shredder
Over 1,900 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- Shreds 18 sheets of paper per pass into 397 (5/32” x 1-1/2” Security Level P-4) cross-cut particles
- Maximum run time: 30 min on / 40 min off. For 1-3 users.Amps: 5; Basket Type Pull-out Bin
- 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs
- SafeSense Technology stops shredder when hands touch the paper opening
- 9-gallon pull-out bin with LED bin-full indicator
Aurora 20-Sheet Crosscut-Cut Paper Shredder
Nearly 80 Reviews on Amazon
4.2/5
- 20 sheet crosscut. 7 gallon pullout basket. Allows continuous shredding for 60 minutes
- Advanced JamFree technology eliminates paper jams
- Touch Guard advanced safety feature shredder stops immediately when the Touch Guard sensor is touched
- Energy saving system auto power off
- Auto start/stop/overload/overheat protection.
Aurora Anti-Jam 16 Sheet Crosscut Paper Shredder
Nearly 29 Reviews on Amazon
4.3/5
- Crosscut with 16 sheet capacities; destroys CDs, DVDs, credit cards and small paper clips
- Shreds paper, CDs, DVDs, credit cards into small pieces (5/32 by 1-7/32 inches), security level P-4
- Nonstop 30-minute continuous run time
- Anti-jam auto-reverse to clear paper jams; ultra-quiet operation
- 5.0-Gallon pullout bin with LED indicator lights standby/ overheat/ bin-full/ overload/ door open status
Bonsaii EverShred Pro 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper
Over 140 Reviews on Amazon
4.4/5
- Continuous running time up to 120 minutes without stopping for mass documents destroying
- High-security and heavy duty cross-cut paper shredder with 14 sheets
- Shreds paper, credit card, CD/DVD, clips, staples; Shredding speed reaches 7.2 feet per minute
- Jam protection system with auto start and auto reverse
- 6 gallons large pull-out wastebasket capacity for easy and less frequent emptying
GBC Paper Shredder, 14 Sheet, Super Cross-Cut
Over 320 Reviews on Amazon
4.3/5
- SUPER CROSS-CUT SHREDDER – Eliminate mess and clutter with a super cross-cut shredder.
With P-4 Level Security, it meets everyday security needs, plus added security for sensitive documents.
- 14-SHEET CAPACITY – Shreds up to 14 sheets at a time.
Hardworking shredder gives you a 4 minute continuous run time with 40 minutes off.
- 5-GALLON BIN – The convenient, 5-gallon pull-out waste bin gives you plenty of shred capacity and the bin full indicator lets you know when it needs to be emptied.
- VERSATILE SHREDDING – While primarily intended for paper, this machine also shreds DVDs, CDs, staples and paper clips.
Separate cutter for discs prevents wear and tear of main cutters.
- BUILT TO LAST – GBC stands behind this high-quality shredder with a limited 2-year warranty
Best Micro Cut Paper Shredder
The micro cut paper shredder is the ultimate workhorse.
Leaving your sensitive and confidential documents incomprehensible, illegible, and completely destroyed.
The micro cut paper shredders turn paper into confetti, ensuring the highest level of protection and security.
Fellowes 10-Sheet Micro-Cut Office Paper Shredder
Over 280 Reviews on Amazon
4.6/5
- Fellowes shredder shreds 10 sheets of paper per pass into 2,011 (7/64” x 25/64”) micro cut particles (Security Level P-4); Shredder can also destroy staples and credit cards
- Powerful confetti shredder with shreds up to 6x smaller than standard cross-cut shreds
- Safety Lock feature disables shredder when not in use for added safety protection
- Quiet Operation helps to eliminate noisy disruptions in shared office environments
- Includes 5 gallon pull-out waste bin that helps keeps workspace clean and casters for easy mobility
Bonsaii 10-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
Over 100 Reviews on Amazon
4.4/5
- Micro-cut paper shredder with 10 sheets (Letter Size, 20lb) shredding capacity and 5/32 by 15/32 inches (4x12mm), security level 4; shredding size is perfect to keep your confidential information safe.
- Destroys paper, staples, credit card(one at a time)
- Auto start and auto reverse function protect you from the frustration of paper jams; overheating and overloading protection technology keeps sustainable using and prolong shredder’s lifetime.
- 5 minute continuous run time with 45 minutes cooldown time; Auto start and manual reverse to clear paper jams
- 3.5 Gallons pull-out wastebasket capacity for less frequent and easy emptying, Easy to see when it is full with the semi-window
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder
Over 6,000 Reviews on Amazon
4.4/5
- High-security micro-cut paper shredder can shred 8 sheets of 20-pound paper at a time; separate credit card/CD slot
- Shreds documents into confetti-like particles, measuring just 5/32 by 15/32 inches; P4 security level
- 4-mode switch for Auto, Off, Reverse, and Forward (clog remover); 5-minute continuous run time; 30-minute cool-down time
- Indicator lights for Standby, Overheat, Overload, Door Open, and Bin Full; 4-gallon pull-out waste bin for easy emptying
- Measures 13 by 8.9 by 19.5 inches (LxWxH); black plastic housing; type-A plug; backed by an AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty
Aurora Professional Grade 12-Sheet Micro-Cut
Over 315 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- High security micro-cut with 12 sheet capacities; destroys CDs, DVDs, credit cards and small paper clips
- Shreds paper, CDs, DVDs, credit cards into small pieces (5/32 by 15/32 inches), security level P-4
- Nonstop 60-minute continuous run time
- Anti-jam auto-reverse to clear paper jams; ultra-quiet operation
- 5.0-Gallon pullout bin with LED indicator lights standby/ overheat/ bin-full/ overload/ door open status
Fellowes 6M5 Powershred Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
Over 30 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- Shreds 6 sheets per pass into 5/32” x ½” micro-cut particles (security level P-4) for superior security on highly confidential documents to help keep your information safe
- Provides powerful desk side shredding and, in addition to paper, can also shreds staples, paper clips and credit cards
- Patented safety lock disables shredder for added safety protection
- Shreds continuously for up to 7 minutes before a cool down period is needed allowing you to complete medium-sized shredding jobs in one sitting
- 3.5-Gallon bin with lift-off lid keeps shreds contained and workspaces clean
BOXIS Autoshred Micro Cut Paper Shredder
Over 40 Reviews on Amazon
4/5
- The Auto feed tray of the BOXIS Auto Shred AF90 can take up to 90 sheets at a time and will automatically start destroying your documents a page at a time at speeds up to 11 feet per minute.
The autofeed continuous run time is 10 minutes and the throat entry width is 8.66 inches
- Automatic forward and reverse modes reduce the risk of jams.
Din level P-4 High security.
- There is also a manual feed intake which will take up to 8 sheets for your convenience.
The manual feed has a 3-minute continuous run time to finish large shredding tasks.
- Other features include auto start/stop, manual reverse function, open door, overload & overheat indicator, quiet operation of 70Db, and casters make it easy to move
- A 3.6 gallon capacity pull out waste bin with a window to see when container is full
Fellowes Powershred 99Ms 14-Sheet Micro-Cut
Over 125 Reviews on Amazon
4.5/5
- Shreds 14 sheets per pass into 5/64”x 9/16” micro-cut particles
- Shreds for up to 20 minutes before a 40 minute cool down period is needed
- Auto Reverse stops and reverses paper if a jam occurs.
When the overheat Indicator is illuminated, the shredder has exceeded its maximum operating temperature and needs to cool down.
This indicator will remain illuminated and the shredder will not operate for the duration of the recovery time
- Safe Sense Technology stops shredder when hands touch the paper opening
- Bin Capacity 9 gallon pull-out bin holds over 80% more Micro-Cut particles per gallon than standard Cross-Cut
Ativa 8 Sheet Micro-Cut Desktop Shredder, OMM83H
Over 10 Reviews on Amazon
4.4/5
- Convenient and portable
- Fits easily and nicely on a desk
- Micro-cut to turn paper into confetti
- Small and compact
- Easy open and close feature for cleaning
Bonsaii High-Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
Over 50 Reviews on Amazon
4.3/5
- Micro-cut paper shredder with 12 sheets (Letter Size, 20lb) shredding capacity and 5/32 by 15/32 inches (4x12mm), P4 security level; shredding size is perfect to keep your confidential information safe.
- Destroys paper, staples, credit card(one at a time)
- 10 minute continuous run time with 45 minutes cooldown time; Auto start and auto reverse to clear paper jams easily
- 5.3 Gallons pull-out wastebasket capacity for less frequent and easy emptying, Easy to see when it is full with the semi-window
- 4 Removable universal wheels, 2 lockable front wheels, easy to move or park
Conclusion
Security is of the utmost importance in a corporate setting.
Although there are multiple layers and processes to security, one of the easiest and most impactful methods is implementing paper shredders throughout the office.
This will encourage employees to take advantage of their being there and will create a mindset of privacy and security as a default.
We’ve listed above the 20 best paper shredders for 2020 and hope that you find value in one of these options.
