15 Best Home Shredders – Top 10 Consumer

With many people working at home today it is more important than ever for office workers to have a home shredder for important bills and documents that are not supposed to be seen. Some may even want a shredder for security purposes or to make sure their documents are not seen by the sneaky eyes of others. But most people have never had a need for a paper shredder in their own homes and likely are unsure where to even begin. After all, there is a long list of the best home shredders to choose from in this day and age with some of them being better for smaller simpler tasks and others having multiple uses.

These shredders will help you or your business dispose of the important documents, CDs, or even your debit or credit cards that need to be disposed of. These are some of the best office shredders on the market right now and they can save you from issues that can arise in any business including stolen documents and identity theft.

Our purpose for this list is to help consumers be able to choose exactly what works for them at a reasonable price. We hope to share our personal picks for the best of the variety of paper shredders that are useful in their own ways without being overly complicated. Read some of the consumer reports and reviews below so that you can find the best top rated home shredder that’s perfect for your needs! Hopefully, with our list of the best home shredders, you can go forward and buy just what works for you without overspending on unnecessary features.

Top 15 Best Home Shredders

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1. Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet

[amazon box=”B07CX4DZ4Z” title=”Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet” description=” “]

For our first pick, we have an anti-jam twelve sheet shredder from Aurora. For a home office worker who needs just a little extra power from their shredder, the Aurora AU1230XA is a perfect choice. Twelve sheets with an auto stop feature to keep your machine from jamming up on you right as you are finishing up your daily work. Along with this, a larger wastebasket allows for longer sessions without having to take out the bin.

Sample customer review…I just recently bought this and am so far very happy with the product. It has everything you could want in a shredder and is of great value. Cuts cards and CDs, have jam clear mechanism, micro-cuts, rolls easily all directions, quiet, removable basket, and perhaps most importantly has a 60 minute run time! Now there is nothing worst than using your shredder only find you have to keep stopping for the overheating to cool down. And that can take a while.

Even on good shredders that happens all the time so keep that in mind when deciding on your purchase. I used it the other night for some time and no problems whatsoever. I was impressed by how quiet it was compared to my last shredder.

2. Fellowes Powershred 79Ci 16-sheet shredder

[amazon box=”B000WB397I” title=”Fellowes Powershred 79Ci 16-sheet shredder” description=” “]

Fellowes Powershred 16-sheet would likely be much higher on our list with some of its unique features it has to offer, but its increased cost simply isn’t worth it unless you are using a shredder every day throughout the day. It has digital displays that some may find extremely useful as well as a system to finish out jobs without stopping. If you have the money and need a sturdy machine that holds up job after job then this is the machine for you.

Sample customer review…This shredder is nearly foolproof. It prevents you from feeding it too many sheets at once, turns off the blades if you put your hand near the opening, shuts off when the bin is full (rather than letting the paper back up into the blades jamming it), and shuts off when it has had too much. It can run for 20 minutes before it needs to cool down, but unless you’re double-fisting paper into it end to end it’s probably not going to need to cool down.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

3. Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

[amazon box=”B0073MP6GQ” title=”Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder” description=” “]

People this shredder absolutely destroys big lumps of paper and seem to be very satisfied. If you are in a business that requires a lot of paper shredding daily, this is a great shredder for your business. Some shredders require lubrication or cleaning now and then but this shredder is so prestigious, and shreds paper also completely precisely that lubrication is not necessary for this. There is nothing in any descriptions that tell you to not lubricate, but that is NOT good for this shredder.

Sample customer review…So far, so good. I am very impressed with the way this shredder absolutely destroys (shreds 😉 the mounds of paper I am feeding its hungry mouth on a daily basis. It doesn’t even start to slow down in the slightest, the way other lesser shredders that I have owned, do. I was very close to buying another brand entirely when I happened upon a review from another Amazon buyer that had recommended this unit.
Having been through two shredders from other popular brands that simply up and died through normal wear and tear, I feel that I have made a really good choice and am very happy. The fact that the manufacturer warranty covers the cutting blade and motor for FIVE YEARS should be a pretty good indicator of the quality of the product.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

4. AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper Shredder

[amazon box=”B00HFJWKWK” title=”AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Paper Shredder” description=” “]

Our number one pick for an average home office worker would easily be AmazonBasics 6-sheet shredder. With the ability to shred up to six sheets at once it allows for relatively quick disposal of documents not meant to be seen. It also houses a runtime and thermal protector that auto stops it if the belts are turning for too long. Though the best part of this unit is its low price making it a great value for someone who needs something that can get the job done without breaking the bank.

Sample customer review…This works great! I feel this one is secure, but it’s not like I’m shredding secret government documents or million-dollar bank statements. Still, it would take some serious effort to try to put these bits back together. I did try shredding a credit card and although it slowed a bit, it handled it.
You just have to do those one at a time. I also put through stacks of paper and even if some of them got fed in at a bit of an angle, it didn’t jam and everything went through fine. Again, it slows a bit, but that’s fine as long as it doesn’t jam. The first day I got it, I used it for about a half hour and it didn’t overheat or shut off. I pretty much filled up it on the first round and it was a trooper. .
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

5. Bonsaii EverShred C149-C 18-Sheet Paper Shredder

[amazon box=”B00IOFD08C” title=”Bonsaii EverShred C149-C 18-Sheet Paper Shredder” description=” “]

For our second pick, we would have to go with the Bonsaii Evershred 18-sheet shredder. Not for the everyday office worker, but for anyone who has a lot of paperwork they have to get through quickly the Bonsaii Evershred is for you. With an hour runtime without stopping and an 18-page limit at a time even the toughest stack you have doesn’t stand a chance. It also has a cooling system to keep it from overheating. Be ready to spend a little extra on this one though.

Sample customer review…Right out of the box I put this baby to the test. It does what it says it can do and more. I ran it for an hour straight with no problems. Let it cool down a bit (but did not need it). I was a bit scared when it hit a dime glued to my junk mail. It kept ongoing. I was going to spend $109.00 on a professional shredding service but went for another $50.00 and bought this machine. No complaints here. I did about 100 plus pounds of documents in total.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

6. Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet

[amazon box=”B00N296LHW” title=”Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet” description=” “]

For those who need a more secure shredding experience, Aurora’s high-security 8-sheet shredder is the way to go. With micro shredding capabilities, this machine will leave all confidential documentation confidential. Its 8-sheet limit is on the lower end but for the average worker’s amount of paperwork, it works well without being overly expensive. Similar to other Aurora models it also has one handle lift for easy disposal which is good considering the bucket is on the smaller side.

Sample customer review…Awesome smaller shredder. Shredded pieces are tiny, the P4 micro-cut shred size is exactly what you need for security purposes. The shredder teeth are made of steel and made for the long haul. This shredder is very quiet relative to the job of shredding. Other reviewers have stated it is noisy, however, I found mine to be very quiet comparatively speaking.
The pull-out basket is a must in a home shredder with the basket moving in and out easily. Wheels under the shredder make moving it easy. The all-black design looks good as well. Outstanding purchase. You won’t be disappointed.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

7. AmazonBasics 6 Sheet Cross Cutter

[amazon box=”B00HFJWKWK” title=”AmazonBasics 6 Sheet Cross Cutter” description=” “]

This is overall one of the best home shredders you can have or if you don’t need it for your home it will go great in your office. If you are shredding important documents where the information needs to be permanently destroyed then this shredder is perfect. It cross-cuts paper and basically turns it into small confetti.

It can shred up 6 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time. Also, it can destroy staples and small paper clips. The good thing about this shredder is that it will automatically cut off if it runs past the max run time so there is no overheating. This has been quality tested from AmazonBasics quality inspections ensuring that it is 10/10 perfect before shipping.

Sample customer review…I had several file cabinets worth of shredding to accomplish over a weekend. I did not want to spend $$$ on a shredder, so I opted for this model. I was concerned that it would overheat, but it worked like a champ! I shredded about 10-12 bins worth in one day and it NEVER overheated! It did jam a few times when I pushed the 12-sheet limit, but I was able to get that resolved. I do wish the bin was larger, but overall, I am very happy with this shredder and I think it is excellent for the ~$50 price point.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

8. AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder

[amazon box=”B07HMPQPHY” title=”AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder” description=” “]

Like the last shredder I mentioned in this article, this is also a cross-cutting shredder. This can do a little more heavy-duty than most considering it can shred up to 12 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time and this you can also shred debit/ credit cards only one at a time though. It is a user-friendly machine with a 4 mode control switch.

There is a LED status indicator that lets the user know the status of auto, off, reverse, forward, etc. There is an 8.7-inch wide paper entry along with an easy to empty 4.8-gallon bin.

Sample customer review…I’m so glad I got this paper shredder. I’d had a shredder some years ago that was such a dud that I had a hard time imagining one working well for such a reasonable price. It’s swift, efficient, and effective, and unlike the machines, I shopped in Staples, it feels very solid. Now I can dispatch in seconds those papers that need to be destroyed.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

9. BOXIS AF120 120-Sheet Paper Shredder

[amazon box=”B07TBQ4QVN” title=”BOXIS AF120 120-Sheet Paper Shredder” description=” “]

For more heavy-duty usage our choice is the BOXIS AF120 for its high paper capacity and long twenty-minute runtime. For the average home office worker, this machine may be a little pricey, but if you need to get through a good amount of paperwork while working on other businesses this machine is for you. Whereas with most machines on our list you would have to sit and watch as the paper gets shredder this one you can set and work on other things.

Sample customer review…This shredder is fantastic! I love being able to load a stack of papers into the feeding slot and let it go automatically. Yes, this shredder is pricey but totally worth the $ spent. I wanted a reliable shredder that I didn’t have to continually feed as well as shred large amounts over a long period of time. This is it! Thank you for a quality product!
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

10. Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

[amazon box=”B000QTAU7I” title=”Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder” description=” “]

If you are looking for a smaller cheaper option for your home or office shredder then this is an excellent option. This machine has three different options of sizes of 12, 4, or 8 sheet shredding capacity. The basket can hold up to 40 shredded sheets as well as having an easy emptying basket.

This is very safe and easy to use with a three-mode power switch of on, off, reverse. The thermal protection will protect and regulate the machine from overheating when it is being overused. Lastly, this is a small and light machine that is easily portable for moving from place to place if needed.

Sample customer review…I bought this to help aide a big job I had so I could alternate between machines when one overheated as they all seem to do. However, it NEVER failed or overheated so I didn’t need to alternate between this and my other machine. I love that it’s a lighter color and not black because it can discretely sit beside my desk and not stick out like a sore thumb.
I’m very impressed with the quality and ease of use, it shreds very smoothly. I’m definitely a fan, and I’m going to look to this brand first above other more well-known brands on the market in the future.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

11. Fellowes Powershred Shredder

[amazon box=”B0026I2HLO” title=”Fellowes Powershred Shredder” description=” “]

If you are looking for a durable shredder then this is the model for you. Not only can this power shredder shred 11 sheets of paper per use, but it can also shred credit cards. When sifting through the dozens of positive reviews, a very common term is, “durable.” Some reviewers have stated that they have shredded so many items, like cereal boxes, and the shredder still performs exceptionally well.

Once it gets going, the shredder has a 5 minute run time, and then a 20-minute cool-down period. The entire bin has a 4.75-gallon bin capacity and is easily removable with the easy lift-off head. This model is a perfect home office shredder while also being pet safe and child safe. The safety lock prevents small children or animals from getting injured. Overall this model is an excellent choice!

Specifications:

Cross-cut shredder
Shreds 11 sheets of paper per use
5-minute run time
Patented safety lock
14 pounds
1-year warranty
4.75-gallon capacity

Sample customer review…I’ve owned a number of shredders over the years, and have been amazed at the drop in quality over time. They went from shredders that could be operated continuously to shredders that had to be allowed a rest period after a relatively small amount of use. This shredder is a little more expensive, but if you actually need to use a shredder, and not just shred a few pages a few times a week, this is well worth the relatively small added cost. It work’s like a lot of the other brands used to work.
Read more reviews on Amazon.com

12. Rexel Style Plus Confetti-Cut Shredder

[amazon box=”B00122ZKXM” title=”Rexel Style Plus Confetti-Cut Shredder” description=” “]

Looking for a paper shredder that works, but is also small enough to fit on your desk? If so, then this Rexel Paper Shredder is the one for you! The compact and portable design is very easily transportable, while also getting the job done. The cross shredding design makes this a perfect option for ensuring confidentiality when shredding important documents.

This model is also built with an auto-start function, which allows it to run in reverse and clear paper jams. The shredder runs continuously for two minutes, and then enters a cool-down period. Ensure longevity by oiling the shredder with oil sheets. Overall, this is a great option for your home office or desk!

Specifications:

13.24 pounds
Holds 7.5 Litres
Shreds 5 sheets at a time
Compact
2-minute run time

Sample customer review…Had a Rexel shredder previously but after 5yrs of use, it has finally stopped performing so ordered another which came very quickly and is just perfect. Excellent performance but slightly smaller than the previous one. Takes 7 sheets instead of 11. Would recommend it to anyone as l am very satisfied with it and shredding is a lot smaller.
Review from Ebay.com

13. HSM Shredstar PS820C 20-Sheet Cross Cut

[amazon box=”B0722N9YN4″ title=”HSM Shredstar PS820C 20-Sheet Cross Cut” description=” “]

This is an ideal shredder that is good for an office with 1 – 5 people so it doesn’t get too cluttered. Additionally, this shredder has extra power as it can shred staples, paper clips, credit/debit cards, and CDs or DVDs. I like that aspect because you have no worries about wasting time taking staples or paper clips out of paper that you do not need anymore.

There is minimal noise with this machine, so if you have that concern then this is not an issue. Lastly, there is an attractive LED indicator that shows the machine’s operating status that includes power, overload, overheat, bin full, and door open.

Sample customer review…Had this for at least a year. Love it. A little pricier than some others, but it’s worth it. Quiet, fast, and has an auto shut off. Strip-cut is a little bit of a trade-off, but that’s what contributes to the speed and quietness. Having it on wheels is nice and provides convenience depending on where you keep it. There are some occasional pieces of shred that don’t stay in the bin, but even the $1,000 shredders have this problem. Recommended.
Update 10/20/2018: Still going strong, no issues after using it every day to shred junk mail and kids’ homework.
Read more customer reviews on Amazon.com

14. Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper

[amazon box=”B01LWWLEET” title=”Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper” description=” “]

Are you looking for a shredder that will keep your confidential files confidential once you no longer have a use for them? If so, the Aurora 8-Sheet Strip-cut Paper Shredder is perfect for you. This is an eight-sheet paper, CD, and credit-card destroyer. This shredder will make sure all your documents that contain sensitive information will be irretrievable once the shredder has a go at it.

This shredder was built to be used at home. It doesn’t come with a trash bin, but it was built to fit over regular trash bins because of its extendable arm. This shredder has a variety of additions. In order to clean up jammed sheets, this item comes with a manual reverse and jam remover.

Specifications

Shreds 8 sheets of 20 lb. bond paper
Extendable arm to fit wastebaskets (Max length is 15″ or 38.1 cm)
Overheat protection/ Thermal protection
Shreds CDs/ DVDs and credit cards
Manual reverse and jam remover for clearing paper jams
Automatic start and stop.

15. HOME-X Hand Crank Paper Document Shredder

[amazon box=”B07N5LGK4M” title=”HOME-X Hand Crank Paper Document Shredder description=” “]

This shredder is hand-operated and can be used anywhere, whether at home, at work, or in the classroom. This shredder is made out of durable plastic and it is attached to a transparent dust box that helps reduce mess. This item allows the user to cut and shred paper documents with ease. To use this shredder all you have to do is crank it up and it doesn’t need to be plugged up. This shredder will keep all of your paperwork confidential by making long paper strips and can function as a confetti maker.

Specifications

Shreds mini paper
8.5×11 sheet paper must be divided into quarters for use
The handle is used to shred
Portable

When picking the best home shredder it depends on what your particular needs are for either your home or office. Considering the pandemic going on right now with COVID-19 most shredders will indeed be in your home. Some good indicators for a good shredder will be its speed, capacity (the amount of paper that it can hold after its been shredded), and run time. For a smaller office, you may want a faster shredder that can run through more paper in a faster amount of time.

If your office is dealing with sensitive documents that have great importance to customers or for your business then the shredder you will want is a micro shredder that dices the paper into very small pieces of almost confetti. An important message I must say is that the smaller the shredding size, the more paper will fit in the waste bin before you will have to empty. In other words, the capacity will be better for shredded paper.

If you have a need for space then your best bet is a compact shredder, they also can serve a good purpose for personal shredders. Some of the great shredders mentioned above have special safety features that will allow it to automatically shut off when it begins to overheat, or even if somebody’s hand touches the paper feeder slot. Some of the others have jam protection. Some of the shredders mentioned have a very sleek appeal that will fit your office or home beautifully.

Lastly, pick what works best for you! Don’t overspend on unnecessary features if you don’t need to or if you do need to then make sure it has everything you need. Most of these shredders will work for most home office workers, but some are more heavy-duty and costly to operate and keep.

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Purchasing a Home Shredder

Buying a paper shredder may seem like an easy task, but it’s not. For example, it may seem like all you need is a machine that will shred paper, but there is so much more to it. There are different factors to consider:

Cut type

Different cut types go into paper shredding: micro-cut, strip-cut, cross-cut.

Strip-cut is the most basic shred type. Shredders of this type produce confetti-like strips by only cutting lengthwise. They are typically used for shredding paperwork that contains non-sensitive information.

Cross-cut shreds paper lengthwise and widthwise by using two sets of blades in order to produce smaller strip pieces. This style of cut is ideal for documents that include sensitive and/or non-sensitive information.

The last type of cut type is Micro-cut. Shredders with this cut provide high levels of protection by turning paper into fragments ten times smaller than cross-cut shredding. These shredders are designed for highly confidential documents and are suggested to government agencies.

Security level

Paper shredders can also be categorized by security levels. The size in which a paper is shredded is what decided the rating of the security level of that shredder.

There are seven security levels, from P1 (lowest level) to P7 (highest level). Usually, each cut type is associated with particular security levels: strip-cuts are P1 or P2; cross-cuts, P3 or P4, and micro-cuts, P5 to P7. The shredders with higher security levels produce smaller fragments of paper and are more expensive.

Sheet capacity

This lets you know how many sheets of paper the shredder can handle at one time.

Sheet capacity is very important if you work with a lot of paperwork that is confidential and you have to constantly shred them. You need the right sheet capacity in order to get the job done efficiently and quickly. Paper shredders can shred anywhere from 6 pages at once to 150. This depends upon the time of shredder you buy and how much money you are willing to spend.

Cooldown and run time

Shredders do need time to cool down. After constantly shredding they usually need a couple of minutes to cool down. The number of minutes needed to cool down varies, but it’ll usually take 30 minutes or more.

To continue, shredders also have a run-time. The run-time informs you of the maximum amount of minutes it can continuously shred paper before needing a break. Depending upon the unit some can run from 20 minutes while others can run up to more than an hour.

Conclusion

Most of all make sure it is something you will want to use often because any of the above will last long and not need to be replaced for at least a few years. Whether you were looking for the best shredders under $50 or $100 or perhaps the best multi-sheet shredder available, we hope you were able to find just what you were looking for. When that time comes keep us in mind and come back and see what the year has to offer, you may find something even better.

Jo Wampler and Nicolle Lane

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