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10 Best Home Paper Shredders 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder and Credit Card Shredder - Black

The Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder is designed to meet everyday shredding needs for home or small office use. It offers a cross-cut shred type, which shreds paper and credit cards into small pieces (0.2 x 0.7 inches), meeting security level P-4 standards, making it suitable for disposing of sensitive documents. The shredder can handle up to 8 sheets of paper at a time, as well as staples and small paper clips, though it is not suitable for metal credit cards.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,496
Shred Type
Sheet Capacity
Bin Capacity

Most important from
65264 reviews

Shred Type
Turns sensitive documents into tiny bits, making it a reliable choice for privacy protection.
Sheet Capacity
Handles up to 8 sheets at a time and shreds quickly without jamming.
Bin Capacity
The bin is spacious enough for multiple shredding sessions and is easy to empty.
Noise Level
Operates quietly enough to not annoy the neighbors, while still making it clear that it's working.
#2
9.4 score

Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder, 5.5 Gal Home Office Heavy Duty Shredder for Paper, Credit Card, Mail, Staples, with Transparent Window, High Security Level P-4 (C275-A)

The Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder is a solid choice for those needing a reliable shredder for home or small office use. Its crosscut design ensures a high P-4 security level, which is ideal for securely disposing of sensitive documents, credit cards, CDs, staples, and paperclips. The shredder can handle up to 12 sheets of paper in a single pass, making it quite efficient for everyday shredding tasks. Its continuous run time is limited to 5 minutes, after which it will need to cool down, potentially causing interruptions during extensive shredding sessions. The built-in patented cooling system helps mitigate the overheating issue, somewhat balancing this drawback.

Rating
9.4
Sheet Capacity
Run Time and Cool Down Time

Most important from
6686 reviews

Sheet Capacity
Despite initial concerns, the shredder handles multiple pages, including stapled documents, with ease.
Run Time and Cool Down Time
Runs for long periods without overheating, allowing for uninterrupted shredding sessions.
#3
9.2 score

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 18-Sheet 100% Jam-Proof Heavy Duty Crosscut Paper Shredder Machine for Office and Home, Black/Gray 3229904

The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is a heavy-duty crosscut paper shredder that suits both home and office environments. It can handle up to 18 sheets at once, making it suitable for moderate to heavy use. One standout feature is its 100% jam-proof system, which ensures smooth operation even when shredding tough materials like staples, credit cards, and CDs. The crosscut mechanism provides a high level of security by turning documents into 397 small particles, ideal for disposing of confidential information (Level P-4 security grade).

Rating
9.2
Shred Type
Bin Capacity
Noise Level

Most important from
10874 reviews

Shred Type
Shreds through staples, gem clips, credit cards, and CDs effortlessly, showcasing its robust performance.
Bin Capacity
The bin might not be the largest, but it's easy to empty and manages a significant amount of shredding in a short time.
Noise Level
Operates surprisingly quietly, making it suitable for shared spaces without causing disruptions.
Safety Features
The shredder's jam-proof system and thermal overload protection ensure smooth and reliable operation during heavy use.
Additional Features
Handles junk mail and thick documents with ease, providing peace of mind for disposing of sensitive information.

Top 10 Best Home Paper Shredders 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7  score

Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder and Credit Card Shredder - Black

Shred Type: Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity: 8 sheets
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 3 min run, 30 min cool down
Bin Capacity: 3.7 gallons
Safety Features: Overheating Protection, 4-mode switch, LED
Additional Features: Handles staples, small clips, compact

Chosen by 1496 this week

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 18-Sheet 100% Jam-Proof Heavy Duty Crosscut Paper Shredder Machine for Office and Home, Black/Gray 3229904

Shred Type: Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity: 18 sheets
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 30 minutes run time
Bin Capacity: 9 Gallons
Safety Features: SafeSense technology
Additional Features: 100% jam-proof, shreds staples, cards, CDs

Fellowes 14C10 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Home Office Paper Shredder

Shred Type: Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity: 14 sheets
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 10 minutes run time
Bin Capacity: 5 gallons
Noise Level: Operates quietly
Safety Features: Safety Lock
Additional Features: Shreds credit cards, paper clips

Aurora AU120MB 120-Sheet Auto Feed High Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder / 30 Minutes (White/Black)

Shred Type: Micro Cut
Sheet Capacity: 120 sheets auto, 10 sheets manual
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 30 min run, cooldown required
Bin Capacity: 5 Gallons
Noise Level: ultra-quiet operation
Safety Features: auto start/stop, jam prevention, overload
Additional Features: LED indicators: overheat, bin-full, door

Bonsaii 10-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder, 5.5 Gal Home Office Heavy Duty Shredder for Credit Card, Staple, Clip with Transparent Window(C209-D)

Shred Type: Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity: 10 sheets
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 4 min run, 40 min cool
Bin Capacity: 5.5 gallons
Safety Features: Overheat protection
Additional Features: Transparent window, handles staples, cards

Bonsaii Paper Shredder, 18-Sheet 60-Minutes Shredder for Office Heavy Duty Cross-Cut Shredder with 6 Gallon Pullout Basket 4 Casters(C149-C)

Shred Type: Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity: 18 sheets
Run Time and Cool Down Time: 60 minutes continuous runtime
Bin Capacity: 6 gallons
Noise Level: 62 dB
Safety Features: auto start/stop, auto-reverse, overheating protection
Additional Features: transparent window, four casters
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Buying Guide for the Best Home Paper Shredders

Choosing the right home paper shredder involves understanding your specific needs and the key features that differentiate various models. A paper shredder is an essential tool for protecting your personal information and ensuring privacy. To make an informed decision, consider the following key specifications and how they align with your requirements.
Shred TypeThe shred type determines how the paper is cut. There are three main types: strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut. Strip-cut shredders cut paper into long strips and are the least secure. Cross-cut shredders cut paper into small pieces, offering a higher level of security. Micro-cut shredders provide the highest security by cutting paper into tiny particles. If you need to shred sensitive documents, a cross-cut or micro-cut shredder is recommended.
Sheet CapacitySheet capacity refers to the number of sheets a shredder can handle at once. This is important for efficiency. Shredders with a lower sheet capacity (5-10 sheets) are suitable for occasional use, while those with a higher capacity (10-20 sheets) are better for frequent use. If you have a lot of documents to shred regularly, opt for a higher sheet capacity to save time.
Run Time and Cool Down TimeRun time is the duration a shredder can operate continuously before needing to cool down. Cool down time is the period the shredder needs to rest before it can be used again. For light, occasional use, a shredder with a short run time (2-5 minutes) and cool down time (15-30 minutes) may suffice. For more intensive use, look for a shredder with a longer run time (10-30 minutes) and shorter cool down time.
Bin CapacityBin capacity indicates how much shredded paper the bin can hold. A larger bin means less frequent emptying. For light use, a smaller bin (3-5 gallons) may be adequate. For heavier use, a larger bin (6-10 gallons) is more convenient. Consider how often you want to empty the bin when choosing the right capacity.
Noise LevelNoise level is measured in decibels (dB) and indicates how loud the shredder is during operation. If you prefer a quieter environment, look for shredders with lower noise levels (around 60-70 dB). Higher noise levels (above 70 dB) may be acceptable if noise is not a concern for you.
Safety FeaturesSafety features are important to prevent accidents, especially if you have children or pets. Look for shredders with features like automatic shut-off, safety locks, and sensors that detect hands or paws near the feed opening. These features can provide peace of mind and prevent injuries.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features can enhance the functionality of your shredder. Some shredders can handle staples, paper clips, credit cards, and CDs. Others may have anti-jam technology to prevent paper jams. Consider what extra features might be useful for your specific needs and choose a shredder that offers those capabilities.

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