Summary: If you are looking for the best paper shredder to use at home or office, this essay will share a list of best paper shredder for home/office use for you, and we reviewed all features, pro & cons of each paper shredder picks, read on.

When it comes to protecting your personal information and that of your friends or business associates, you can’t be too careful. Never let anyone try to benefit from sensitive information in your home or office.

One of the best ways to protect your documents from the prying eyes of the world is to use a shredder. With one of the best paper shredders for personal use, you are guaranteed 100% security. The fact that they are called paper shredders does not mean that the machine only shreds paper. It can also shred credit cards, DVDs, CDs and anything else that contains private and sensitive information.

Quick Summary

If you are looking to purchase a home paper shredder that is efficient and capable, the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Office Home paper shredder will do a fantastic job. Although it can only shred about six sheets of paper at a time and won’t shred more than one credit card at a time, it’s the most affordable and family-friendly shredder, which is why it’s on our list.

Another product worthy of note is the Fellowes Powershred W11C paper and credit card cross cut shredder, this product shreds up to 11 sheets at a go and can run for five minutes before being cooled for twenty minutes, it comes with a patented lock for extra security and is ideal for shredding credit cards and junk mail.

Then again there is the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci paper shredder, a product well known for its ability to be 100% jam-proof, not only will it shred up to 18 papers at once, it’s a cross cut shredder also can shred staples, DVDs, CDs, junk mails and so on, all this can be done within its thirty minutes running time after which it takes 40 minutes to cool down. It is touch-sensitive, a feature that can be used to stop the machine with the mere touch of your hands, isn’t that amazing?

The AURORA AS890C 8-Sheet paper shredder with its 125-sheet capacity wastebasket which has a light that alerts you once it’s filled is ideal for every home. Its blades are also sensor active and have a reverse mode for when paper jams. We also look at the Bonsaii Evershred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy Duty Shredder. This fantastic product runs for an entire hour before it’s required to cool down; it is noiseless and shreds up to 18 papers at once.

In this article, we take a look at these five shredders in detail and discover why they are out top five home paper shredders for 2022. Come along as we find out together the best home paper shredder and what to look out for when making a buying decision.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Paper Shredder for Home Use

Before going ahead to purchase a paper shredder for your home use, it is necessary to consider some basic factors as these will help you make the best buying decision. They include:

Quality

With regards to shredding machines, quality refers to the ability of a shredder to work efficiently with minimal jamming and overheating. A quality paper shredder won’t also make a loud noise and will be able to handle the required number of documents stated in its manual. Also, a paper shredder of good quality will be lightweight and easy to move around. Hence, when purchasing a paper shredder, it is essential to look out for these features, anything less is not suitable.

Size of the Machine

This is an essential factor to consider. Some paper shredders are large and cannot be moved around easily, they are noisy and cumbersome, while some others can be tucked away neatly, behind your desk or just placed on your table. If you have an ample office space either at home or work, then the size of the paper shredder may not matter so much, but if your office is small and cramped, then it will not be wise to cramp it up further with large paper shredders. Ultimately, the best shredder for home use based on size is solely dependent on the size of your office.

Capacity

If you are going to be shredding a lot of sensitive information, then it’s best to go for a cross cut shredder that handles a lot of papers & cards at once. But if the work to be done is not so much then a shredder that handles about six documents at once will do just fine. Also, for shredding large documents purchase a paper shredder with a large capacity wastebasket to avoid emptying the trash always, this will save time.

Speed

This is also a direct result of capacity. For instance, two shredders may take the same amount of time to shred papers to bit, but if one has the ability to process 15 documents at once, and the other only processes only three papers within the same time than the one which handles 15 papers at once can be said to have more speed, as it is five times faster than the other. Naturally, most customers prefer a shredder with more speed than one without.

Running Time

This is another essential factor to consider when purchasing a shredder. Most of the shredders have a running time of between three to five minutes before they are required to take a break and cool down. However, there are some exceptions; the Bonsaii Evershred C149-C shredder can run for an hour before taking a brief pause. Despite this, it is also critical to respect the cool off time of whatever shredder you purchase to avoid overheating.

Shred Size

Most shredders are designed to meet with the standards of security protocol. Hence, most shredders for home use abide by the P3 standard, which is said to be the standard for personal information as well as a company’s data. Some shredders also adhere to P4 standard, which cuts the paper into tinier bits; this is usually used by organizations to get rid of sensitive information which could prove a threat to the organization if leaked out. Then there the P5 standard which is used for state secrets and cannot be bought easily.

Noise

The noise generated by a shredder is dependent on its design and the type of job it has to perform. Typically, the harder the machine and the more substantial the work duty, the noisier it becomes. While purchasing a shredder, it’s essential to buy one with minimal mechanical noise.

5 Best Paper Shredder for Home Use Comparison Table

Product	Dimension	Weight	Brand	Unique Features
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper & Credit Card Home Office Shredder	12.1 x 7.7 x 15 inches	8 pounds	AmazonBasic	It is ideal for light use
Fellowes Powershred W11C, 11-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder with Safety Lock	8.5 x 13.8 x 18 inches	14 pounds	Fellowes	Its child/pet safe shredder features a patented safety lock
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder	17.3 x 11.4 x 25.2 inches	39.1 pounds	Fellowes	It is 100% jam proof
AURORA AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder With Basket	12 x 7 x 16 inches	7 pounds	AURORA	Shreds paper in a cross-cut pattern for better security
Bonsaii Evershred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy-Duty Paper/CD/Credit Card Shredder	14.2 x 11.2 x 21.5 inches	23.1 pounds	Bonsaii	Has a continuous running time for 60 minutes

Detailed Review of the 5 Best Home Paper Shredder

With so many products available in the market, we recognize how making the best choice may be difficult and so we thought it wise to do the job for you, all you need do is go through the review and make the best choice suitable for your needs. After carefully surfing through the internet, we bring you the top five paper shredders for home use. They include:

1. AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder

Are you in search of a standard paper shredder capable of turning paper into tiny strips? Then the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder is your best choice.

It is a crosscut shredder with the ability to shred up to six papers at a time; it cuts down paper up to a dimension of 7/32 by 1-27/32 inches. It can also reduce documents measuring up to 8.7 inches. What’s more, it comes with a bin measuring about 3.8 gallons and has a one-year warranty.

Furthermore, it not only shreds papers but can also be used to destroy ATM cards mortgage statements, insurance packets, and other sensitive information that you don’t want people gaining access to. It will also shred credit cards, albeit one at a time. There is also no need to remove the staple pins or paper clips attached to papers or documents; this shredder will take care of all that.

While this product is efficient, it can only be used for home and small business use, it will also not run for a long time (only about two minutes) and has a cooling time of thirty minutes. It also won’t shred a large document at once, so you will need to shred them six at a time. In spite of these drawbacks, this shredder will serve you well, so purchase one today and protect your identity from prying eyes.

Pros:

• Ease of use
• Has a one-year warranty
• It provides the highest level of security
• Efficient and capable
• It is durable

Cons:

• It runs for only two minutes
• Takes up to 30 minutes to cool down

 

2. Fellowes Powershred W11C, 11-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder with Safety Lock

As the name implies, this product shreds everything and anything in its path, from paper, staples, and credit cards to paper clips, CDs, DVDs, junk mail, and so much more. One of the highlights of the Fellowes Powershred is its ability to be jam-proof (although it may jam when overloaded).

It can run up to five minutes non-stop and then takes about twenty minutes to cool down. Also, it is able to shred up to 11 papers at a go and will cut them into 5/32-inch by 1-3/8-inches in a cross-cut pattern. It also comes with a 4.75-gallon bin which has a lightweight and easy lift-off cover.

Furthermore, it is ideal for the home and office use and is a child/pet safe shredder as it has a safety lock which can disable shredder for additional security. So, if you are looking for a shredder that works efficiently look no further than the Fellowes Powershred W11C, 11-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder with Safety Lock.

It is reliable, efficient, and durable; it is also affordable and lightweight. All these commendable features make it the ideal choice for your home or office.

Pros:

• Ability to shred up to 11 papers at a go
• Shreds any document
• Its patented safety lock disables the shredder for additional protection
• It runs for up to five minutes

Cons:

• It has a poor bin design

 

3. Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder

From the stables of Fellowes comes yet another fantastic product, the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder.  This product, which is known to shred any document, is just what you need to get rid of sensitive materials either in your home or office.

It can shred up to eighteen papers at once and will shred it into 397 (5/32″ by 1-1/2″ security level P-4) cross-cut patterns. It not only shreds papers but also credit cards, ATM, DVDs, CDs, junk mails, staple pins, and staples. This product, which is stress-free brags of 100% jam proof as it deletes paper jams and muscles through challenging jobs and maximizes productivity.

It not only protects your identity; it also has a SafeSense Technology which is made of an electric safety sensor that surrounds the paper path and auto disables the paper shredder when the opening is touched. This is not all; it works silently and makes no mechanical noise; it also maximizes energy and can work correctly in any environment.

Besides, it has a running time of thirty minutes after which it cools down, it can be used by 1-3 users and comes with a 9-gallon easy pull-out bin. It comes with a 2-year warranty as well as a lifetime cutter warranty. Surely you don’t want to miss out on this product.

Pros:

• 100% jam proof
• Shreds up to 18 papers at once
• It has a SafeSense technology that can be used in stopping the shredder
• Has a maximum running time of 30 minutes and 40 minutes cooling time

Cons:

• It cannot be disassembled

 

4. AURORA AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper/Credit Card Shredder With Basket

When it comes to disposing of sensitive documents, personal information, or junk mail this product with its cross-cut technology can be trusted to get the job done. With the ability to trash as much as eight papers at a go, it is what you need at home or the office.

Even when the paper is folded in half or filled with staples, it is up to the task as its stainless steel will glide through it all and shred it to bits. It has a size of 12 x 7 x 16 inches and a 59-inch power cable which ensures it can be kept far from the power source.

Furthermore, when the 125-sheet capacity wastebasket gets filled up and needs to be emptied, a light will alert you. Also, the blades are usually activated by a sensor each time a paper is inserted; the manual reverse mode is also a helpful feature for times when paper jams. In addition, it comes with thermal overload protection for every time the shredder has been used for too long; this prevents overheating.

Pros:

• It is ideal for home and office use
• Cross-cut shredding for better protection
• It is convenient and durable
• Has a 125-sheet capacity wastebasket

Cons:

• Does not shred many papers at once

 

5. Bonsaii Evershred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy-Duty Cross-Cut Paper/CD/Credit Card Shredder

Looking for an effective shredder capable of protecting your privacy then the Bonsaii Evershred C149-C 18-Sheet Heavy-Duty Cross-Cut Paper/CD/Credit Card Shredder is what you have been searching for.

This high-quality product has a fantastic running time of 60 minutes! With this feature, you need not waste so much time waiting for your shredder to cool down before it can be used again. Also, it has a patented cooling system which ensures that the sophisticated control system is shielded from overheating while you shred away. The machine makes no mechanical noise while working; it is library quiet and can shred up to eighteen papers all at once.

Not only does it shred papers, but it also shreds credit cards, staples, CDs, DVDs, and paper pins. What’s more, it will shred the papers into a cross-cut shape without hassle using its cross-cut technology to get an excellent job done.

Its average duty motor shreds up to 5.3 feet per minute, also,  its 8.7 inches entry path is designed to take in small and large-sized documents and cut it to pieces. Also, it has a jam protection system (JPS) which ensures that papers don’t get stuck in the machine; with its auto-reverse technology, all stuck papers get automatically reversed.

Pros:

• It has a one year warranty
• Continuous running time for up to one hour
• Cross-cut shredder of up to 18 papers
• 6 gallon pull out basket capacity
• It has auto-start and auto-reverse option

Cons:

• It is expensive
• It is heavy

 

Conclusion

Protecting sensitive your sensitive information is of paramount importance. Whether it’s for home or office use, a shredder can help you keep your life and documents private by disposing of your sensitive information, be it on paper, CDs, DVDs, or credit cards. With the best paper shredder for home use, you need not worry about your personal information leaking to the public, all you need do is purchase one and shred that information.

Paper Shredder for Home Use FAQs

Q1. How to use a paper shredder?

A1. Before the use of the shredder, ensure it is positioned over the trash bin. If this is not done, then prepare to have a whole lot of mess to deal with. Once the shredder is appropriately positioned over the bin, plug in your machine, if your shredder is the auto-feed kind then place your document into the shredder tray and go about your business, it will get the job done without hassle.

However, if your shredder is manually operated, then you will need to be physically present as you will be required to feed the document into the tray by hand. While putting in your paper, ensure you don’t feed in more than the number needed for that shredder to avoid jamming the machine.

If you are shredding a lot of the document, ensure you check the trash can from time to time and empty when full to avoid overspilling. If the shredder gets to its running time, give it the recommended time to cool down, then resume again. This cool off time will ensure the machine doesn’t overheat. 

Q2. Can paper shredder shred materials like Credit cards, ATMs, CDs, DVDs, staples?

A2. Yes, most certainly. Most paper shredders which are capable of shredding sensitive information on papers are also capable of destroying other materials containing confidential information as well. It could be credit cards, ATMs, CDs, DVDs, staples and so on. However, when shredding these materials, ensure you don’t insert too many of them into the machine at once to prevent jamming or damaging the device.

Q3. How is shredder machines cleaned, maintained, and sharpened?

A3. Just like any other machine, the shredder machine also requires occasional cleaning, maintenance, and sharpening to remain effective. By following the steps below, you would have succeeded in keeping your device in good working condition:

• Empty your trash can frequently (at least once a month) regardless of whether the bin is full or not
• Try running your shredder in reverse mode once in a while as this ensures all hidden debris are cleared
• Never turn on the machine’s back-up earlier than recommended