Top 10 Best Paper Shredders/The last thing you can imagine is your confidential documents falling into the wrong hands. I mean, how would you feel if an unauthorized person accessing your account or bank details, personal information, residential address, credit card information and other sensitive information? Of course, you would be devastated if not feel insecure. Unfortunately, many people expose themselves to such risks by discarding bank statements, credit cards, bank cards, and other items improperly. They tear or rip them in large pieces, and this makes most information visible. Some will try to burn them but at times won’t always burn completely. You can ensure the documents are cut into the tiniest bits and pieces and are impossible to put back together by choosing a good shredding machine. We have rounded up the top 10 best paper shredders that are worth buying.
List Of Best Paper Shredders
AmazonBasics 17-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper
- Weight: 38.2 lbs.
- Dimensions: 16.3 x 11.9 x 26.2 in.
- Bin Capacity: 6.7 gallons
- Noise Level: 65dB
This paper shredder is loved for its decent power that will make easy work of paper, bank cards, DVDs, credit cards, CDS, and others. Also, it’s sharp and durable cutters chop pins, staples, and clips easily and in the case of a paper jam, all you need is hit merely the manual reverse button.
Consumers also marvel at its silent nature that makes it appropriate for quiet environments and the 6.7-gallon bin that can handle lots of paper before needing emptying.
Sentinel FM101P 10-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut
- Weight: 21.6 lbs
- Dimensions: 11.2 x 15.2 x 18.6 in.
- Bin Capacity: 4 gallons
- Noise Level: –
Shredding up to 10 sheets of paper at a go is effortless with this well-crafted paper shredder. Designed for home and office use, it cuts in micro-cuts, which are the smallest, and guarantees you of maximum security and satisfaction.
Its 4-gallon removable bin saves you from using a plastic bag and improves convenience. Last but not least, users also love the transparent window that makes viewing easy and manual reverse for clearing jams.
AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper
- Weight: 38.2 lbs.
- Dimensions: 26.2 x 16.3 x 11.9 in.
- Bin Capacity: 3.8 gallons
- Noise Level: 70dB
Enjoy maximum satisfaction and peace-of-mind when shredding documents by investing in this shredder by AmazonBasics. Coming in a 24-sheet capacity, it’s undoubtedly one of the most powerful out there.
In addition to a good speed, it’s also very silent, rated at 70dB. Furthermore, it cross-cuts in tiny pieces that are impossible to put together, and you can be confident that your identity and personal information will be safe.
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper
- Weight: 14.7 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.8 x 12.2 x 16.5 in.
- Bin Capacity: 3.0 gallons
- Noise Level: 68dB
This has to be one of the lightest and most compact items on the market. Also, it’s straightforward to move and also fits in very little spaces. You will also love its decent capacity that can handle up to 8 paper sheets and also destroys DVDs, CDs, and credit cards one by one.
Users also love its quiet and smooth operation and the user-friendly pull-out bin that is easy to empty and install.
Bonsaii EverShred C149-C 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
- Weight: 23.1 lbs.
- Dimensions: 14.2 x 11.2 x 21.5 in.
- Bin Capacity: 6.0 gallons
- Noise Level: 62dB
One thing people can’t stop talking about is the quiet operation of the Bonsaii C149-C Shredder. Also, you can use it without disturbing the person in the next or even in the same room. In spite of its silence, the motor is quite powerful and will shred up to 18 paper sheets at a time.
It’s also quite effective on credit cards, bank cards, DVDs, CDs and more. Lastly, consumers also appreciate the simple design and the advanced cooling system that allows it to run for longer and cools down much faster.
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof
- Weight: 44.5 lbs.
- Dimensions: 25.19 x 11.44 x 17.31 in.
- Bin Capacity: 9.0 gallons
- Noise Level: 56dB
Capable of shredding as many as 18 sheets at a go, this paper shredder by Fellowes is suited for home as well as office use. Also, it features a powerful motor that works together with sturdy and sharp shredders to crosscut paper, credit cards, bank cards, DVDs, and CDs.
On top of that, it will still power through the pins, staples clips, and binding material for maximum efficiency and productivity. The unit can run nonstop for up to 30 minutes before needing at least 40 minutes to cool down.
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper
- Weight: 11.3 lbs.
- Dimensions: 7.32 x 12.76 x 15.94 in.
- Bin Capacity: 4.1 gallons
- Noise Level: 68dB
This high-security shredder micro-cuts ordinary paper, cards, DVDs, CDs, and other items seamlessly. Also, it can handle up to 6 sheets of paper at a time while the other items are inserted one at a time.
Furthermore, the unit’s powerful motor and metal cutters are also sturdy enough for pins, staples, and clip, and you don’t have to remove them. It’s a preferred choice because of its decent speed, cuts in tiny strips and is also reasonably silent. Moreover, the 4.1 gallon offers excellent storage and is also easy to empty.
AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper
- Weight: 25.8 lbs.
- Dimensions: 13.39 x 17.01 x 24.29 in.
- Bin Capacity: 6.7 gallons
- Noise Level: 65dB
Don’t let your private and confidential matters go public. Simply acquire this shredder that micro cuts paper, credit cards, bank statements, medical records, DVDs, CDs, old tax returns, and many other documents.
Furthermore, it comes with a big pullout bin that can accommodate up to 6.7 gallons or approximately 600 sheets. The unit can safely be operated for 8 continuous minutes and will need about 45 minutes to cool down. Last but not least, it cuts approximately 6 feet of paper every minute.
Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper And Credit Card Shredder
- Weight: 8.25 lbs
- Dimensions: 15 x 12.1 x 7.7 in.
- Bin Capacity: 3.8 gallons
- Noise Level: 70dB
Shredding up to 6 sheets of paper at once is easy with this AmazonBasics shredder. Moreover, it comes in a light and portable design that makes it also suitable for small spaces. Also, the accessory crosscuts in very tiny bits that can’t be put back together.
According to the manufacturer, it shouldn’t be used continuously for up to 2 minutes. However, if this time is exceeded, it will automatically shut off. You need to give it at least 30 minutes to cool down.
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Paper Shredder
- Weight: 31.75 lbs.
- Dimensions: 16.25 x 20.25 x 11.62 in.
- Bin Capacity: 6.0 gallons
- Noise Level: 54dB
This heavy-duty shredder will handle up to 16 paper sheets, papers with clips, pins, and staples, and also is fit for DVDs, Cds, bank and credit cards. It cross-cuts in tiny bits and directs the pieces into the 6-gallon pullout bin that features a Led indicator that shows when it is full.
It can run nonstop for as many as 20 minutes and is very silent. According to reviews, this shredder is well-built to tolerate daily use as well as demanding work in a busy office.
What To Look For When Buying A Paper Shredder
The need for paper shredding frequently arises in office premises and even it may be needed for home purposes. Investing in a paper shredder is not an easy task because you cannot frequently change such units and invest repeatedly. Therefore, you need to make an investment in the paper shredder machine carefully. There are many people who do not know what it means by paper shredder machine. The paper shredder unit basically proves to be an excellent addition to your home or office inventory, particularly when you require a higher level of confidentiality. But, similar to the majority of the other office appliances like a fax machine, Xerox machine, bill printer, and many more, there is a knowledge gap regarding how the shredders operate.
It is vital to understand the features, performance, and specifications of a paper shredder unit before buying it. By doing this, you will prevent from facing disappointment later on. It is essential to cool down such units after 2 minutes of the shredding process. When there is a need to regularly shred at the office, it is crucial to look at the paper handling capacity. There are many cheap quality paper shredders that cannot handle over 3 sheets of paper per feed when you require shredding regularly. In order to save you from purchasing a wrong shredder unit, it is essential to look at the features to consider.
Sheet Capacity
For any paper shredders, the sheet capacity showcases the number of papers a specific shredder can handle. It is known that the basic shredder machines are capable of handling approximately 1-3 documents at a single go. On the other hand, some heavy-duty machines are capable of handling as much as 20 sheets or even higher based on the purpose. Generally, the higher the capacity, the more efficient a shredder is. It is found that those paper shredders which are applicable for average office use are usually equipped with a large sheet capacity, i.e. within the range of 20 to 30 A4-sized documents. In case you are intending to shred a considerable pile of papers, it is best to go for an automated shredder with a higher sheet capacity.
Need For Paper Shredding
The kind of shredder unit you choose largely relies on how much and how frequently you need to shred. This is because the shredder designs are usually adapted to a particular level of usage. There are some shredder units that are lightweight and come with small document capacity. On the other hand, some units are specially designed for heavy use and some come with special features that make them versatile. The point is a shredder unit you buy for normal home usage will be quite unique from a shredder you are purchasing for office use. Subsequently, you need to focus on the shredder’s key features as well.
Shredder Capacity
Inside the paper shredder unit, a storage drum which is also regarded as a bin offers a clean and efficient way of amassing the shred. The majority of the shredder units are equipped with bins of different capacities. It is observed that the size of the drum has an effect on the overall efficiency of the shredding process. The bigger capacities shredder will make sure there is no need to open the bin frequently. Furthermore, the security level relates to the speed at which the bin could be filled.
Motor
The motor used in the paper shredder is an essential parameter linked with the shredders and the aspect to focus on is the duty cycle. The same relates to the maximum amount of time your shredder’s motor could run and cool down. It also implies that you are restricted to a particular amount of time to use the shredder prior to resting it. Similar to other prominent features, the run times usually different among different models of shredders. Subsequently, your choice will rely on how much and how often you wish to shred. For example, the fundamental shredders usually fall within the range of 5-10 minutes. Contrasting to that, the professional shredders could continue for 30 minutes before requiring a break.
Type of Bin
There are essentially three major types of bins linked with shredders –pull-out, lift-off, and bucket bins. The Lift-off bins are uniquely made by the presence of a lift-off head that can be easily lifted to showcase the bin beneath. It is found that this is a normal design of cheap quality shredders. However, it comes with inconvenience, particularly when you need to work with high volumes. The other two types, i.e. pull-out and bucket bins, can be separated from the shredder without changing the position of the shredder. The same boost convenience during the operation and facilitates high volumes of paper.
Turnaround Time
The significance of turnaround time is immense particularly when you plan to use the shredder for huge volumes of paper. Actually, there is a simple formula that allows users to use specific parameters to compute the overall speed of a shredder. Furthermore, the manufacturer commonly shows the parameters, and they incorporate parameters like feet per minute, sheet capacity, and run time. In order to obtain the overall speed, you have to multiply all these parameters to obtain the shredder score. It is important to consider buying the paper shredder units with low turnaround time.
Safety
There are many shredder units that comprise a few risky sharp blades that can pose a hazard to the user and the people in the surrounding. Furthermore, there are some shredder units that possess additional features to ascertain that you stay safe at best. Names of a few of the safety functionalities included in such shredders are sensor and safety lock. The presence of a safety lock enables the user to lock the shredder even though the shredder is plugged into a power source.
Conclusion
Well, after going through our top 10 best paper shredders in 2019 review, we now believe that finding the right product will be much easier. We based our analysis on the most critical features that include power, size, speed, design, energy efficiency, versatility, ease of use & maintenance, and more.
All the above shredders will not only work on paper, but other items including bank cards, credit cards, CDs, DVDs and are still powerful enough to cut the staples, paper clips, pins binding and more. You shouldn’t expose your confidential information to the wrong people. Choose the right paper shredder for the ultimate security and peace-of-mind.