The Best Paper Shredder - 2021
We looked at the top 13 Paper Shredders and dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Paper Shredders.
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Our Picks For The Top Paper Shredders
- The Best Paper Shredder
- 1. Aurora AS890C Cross-Cut 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
- 2. Ativa A06CC19 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
- 3. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper & Credit Card Shredder
- 4. Bonsaii 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
- 5. Boxis 70-Sheet Autofeed Microcut Paper Shredder
- 6. Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
- 7. Fellowes Powershred 79ci Cross Cut 16-Sheet Paper Shredder
- 8. Sentinel 12-Sheet Shredder
- 9. Royal 18-Sheet Shredder
- 10. AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Shredder
- 11. AmazonBasics 17-Sheet Shredder
- 12. Bonsaii 8-Sheet Shredder
- 13. Bonsaii 6-Sheet Shredder
Heavy DutySafety is of the utmost importance, which is why this paper shredder has a built-in overheat LED indicator light.
Convenient Carry HandleSince this paper shredder has a 3.4-gallon waste bin, you won't have to empty it as often as other models.
Easy to MoveDespite the low price tag, this shredder can handle everything from paper to plastic.
Fast OperationThis paper shredder comes with a handle for easy portability.
Why we recommend these paper shredders?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 13 Paper Shredders and also dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Paper Shredders.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Aurora AS890C Cross-Cut 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
Our Take
You'll be able to cut much more than paper with this high-quality paper shredder. The unit is also able to slice up credit cards into micro-cuts to protect your identity. It can run for up to 5 minutes without stopping and has a 3.9-gallon waste bin.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Ativa A06CC19 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Our Take
This paper shredder uses the cross-cut method to destroy sensitive documents. In addition to shredding up to six sheets of paper at once, it can also cut through staples, credit cards and paper clips. Thanks to the included carry handle, the unit can easily be transported from one office cubicle to another.
Overall Product Rankings
3. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper & Credit Card Shredder
7. Fellowes Powershred 79ci Cross Cut 16-Sheet Paper Shredder
Our Paper Shredder Findings
Aurora AS890C Cross-Cut 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
What We Liked: You’ll be able to cut much more than paper with this high-quality paper shredder. The unit is also able to slice up credit cards into micro-cuts to protect your identity. It can run for up to 5 minutes without stopping and has a 3.9-gallon waste bin.
Ativa A06CC19 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
What We Liked: This paper shredder uses the cross-cut method to destroy sensitive documents. In addition to shredding up to six sheets of paper at once, it can also cut through staples, credit cards and paper clips. Thanks to the included carry handle, the unit can easily be transported from one office cubicle to another.
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper & Credit Card Shredder
What We Liked: Although limited in capacity, this paper shredder has a price that fits every budget. In addition to paper, it can shred credit cards, and its lightweight form factor makes it easy to maneuver around your home or office. Though prone to jams, the model features a manual mode that allows you to reverse pages back out when they get stuck.
Bonsaii 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
What We Liked: Protecting your personal information is of the utmost importance, which is why this paper shredder cuts in a cross-cut pattern. The unit can handle up to eight pieces of paper at once and has a continuous running time of 4 minutes. The attached wastebasket is able to hold up to 3.5 gallons of paper before needing to be emptied.
Boxis 70-Sheet Autofeed Microcut Paper Shredder
What We Liked: This paper shredder is able to handle either eight sheets manually or 70 sheets on the automatic setting. Both the forward and reverse modes are automatic, which helps prevent those annoying paper jams. As an added bonus, this shredder comes with a waste liner and a 12-pack of lubricant sheets.
Our Paper Shredder Buying Guide
No one wants to fall victim to identity fraud — and investing in a paper shredder can help. Data theft and identity fraud pose such a big problem that many consumers have realized the importance of securing their information. This extends to the paper documents they toss in the garbage, which can easily end up in the wrong hands somewhere between the house and the landfill or recycling center. Ripping up every sheet of paper can be time-consuming, especially if you deal with a significant amount of paperwork on a monthly basis.
There are several things to consider when you’re looking around for shredders, though. Perhaps the most important is capacity. Some shredders can handle large stacks of paper, while others make you feed only one or two sheets at a time. If you plan to shred items like credit cards, you’ll need to seek out a shredder with that capability.
One of the biggest issues with paper shredders is jamming. Unfortunately, most shredders may eventually jam, especially if you exceed their capacity or they overheat. It’s important to find a shredder that can help you easily recover from those jams. Another issue specific to all shredders is that they have a limited runtime, after which you’ll need to wait while they cool down before you can insert another document. This can understandably be inconvenient, so make sure you’re aware of the limits of whatever shredder you choose.
It may not seem a top priority at first, but shredders come in various sizes. If you plan to slide your shredder under your desk or set it on a table, measure in advance to determine the maximum space you’ll need. Some shredders also include wheels, making them easy to maneuver around as necessary.
DWYM Fun Fact
You may not realize it, but paper shredders have been around since 1906, when a Brooklyn entrepreneur came up with the idea and later patented it. However, the first shredder wasn’t manufactured until 1935. That was when a German man wanted a way to safely dispose of the anti-Nazi propaganda he was creating. His version of the shredder was based on the design of a pasta maker. He began selling his shredder soon after, with government agencies and financial institutions eventually buying them. The need to revolutionize shredding beyond thin strips of paper came from a 1979 raid of the American Embassy. The Iranian revolutionaries were able to put together the shredded documents and decipher what was on them.
The Paper Shredder Tips and Advice
- If you’ve ever shredded a stack of paper, you likely know the tedium that can come from the task. The more pages you can slip through the feeder at once, the quicker you can move on to other tasks. Some models promise to shred as many as 18 sheets in one pass. Typically, these models can shred one sheet of paper in less than five seconds.
- Paper isn’t the only thing shredders can tackle. Some can shred credit cards, as well. You don’t even have to remove your staples or paper clips with a few other models, which can even shred these supplies along with the paper connected to them.
- Traditionally, shredders cut paper into long strips, which was great, but not nearly as secure as today’s cross-cut shredders, which slice paper both horizontally and vertically. The AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Shredder cuts paper into 3/16″ x 1-27/32″ strips, while other models create 5/32″ x 1-1/2″ pieces. Some may have smaller shredding capacities, though, producing micro-shreds sized only 4mm x 15mm.
- Capacity isn’t just about the number of pages your feeder can handle. The size of the waste bin also matters. The larger the bin, the less frequently you’ll need to stop to empty it. Look for a model that has an 8.5-gallon bin. The AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Shredder is on the smaller end, with bins that only hold around 4 gallons.
- If you plan to slide your shredder under a desk, look for one that has a front-loading feeder that will let you use it without sliding it out.
- If you do need to maneuver your shredder around, consider the sheer weight the bin has before you have even put the first sheet in. The AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Shredder is by far the lightest, at only 9.74 pounds. Other models are pretty heavy, weighing as much as 28.2 pounds. However, it’s important to note that all of the shredders but the AmazonBasics one have wheels, so their weight likely won’t be an issue as long as you keep it in the same general area.
- Ideally, your shredder will rarely jam. If it does happen, though, it will help to have an easy way to get the pages out. The AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Shredder has built-in reverse features so that you can back your pages back out in the event of a jam. However, some models are designed to prevent jams.
- Every shredder only has a short runtime before it needs to cool down. With more powerful models, you can shred for 20 minutes before allowing it to rest for 30 minutes. The AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Shredder is considerably shorter, though. Amazon’s shredder runs for three minutes before cooling off for 20 minutes.
- Since shredders can vary dramatically in price, the cost may heavily influence your decision. No matter what features you’re looking for, you’re sure to find a shredder that fits your budget.
About The Author
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and professional writer. She lives in a beautiful one-acre home in the suburbs on the outskirts of Nashville. Her home and garden work has appeared on popular home sites. She's a true homebody and loves looking at new houses for sale for inspiration on her own home remodeling projects.