Your WFH Office Needs One of These Paper Shredders
In a world constantly filling itself with more data, ensuring you’re not leaving trails of valuable information can be a demanding process. Bank statements, pay slips and other private papers show important details, like your social security number, passwords and bank account numbers. These bits of information make you susceptible to identity theft. Whether at home, the office or your new work-from-home office, it’s a good idea to have one of the best paper shredders on hand.
There are, of course, a number of good general practices everyone should follow, like always protecting your social security number, securing all your passwords in a private place and regularly checking bank statements to see if anything is out of the ordinary. But, when it comes to destroying old documents and cards containing important or sensitive information, the best course of action is a shredder. These cutting devices save you from having to throw whole or partially torn documents in the trash, thereby ensuring your information won’t be taken and used by another person.
Some examples of important items you should be shredding to protect your identity and personal information include:
- Old credit card statements
- Old tax returns
- Banks statements
- Old credit cards
- Old passports
- Old photo IDs
- Insurance records
- Pay stubs
- CDs containing important information
- Medical records
- Old photos
Additionally, when it comes to choosing the best paper shredder for you, it’s important to consider whether you’re going to be shredding only paper or need a device capable of meatier items. Common items you may also want the ability to shred for ease and security include:
- Credit cards
- CDs
- DVDs
- Paper clips
- Staples
If you want a device capable of shredding these items. Make sure you search for a shredder which states the capability to do so. Otherwise, you may be left with regular jams or, even worse, a non-functioning device.
Below, we’ve put together a list of the 13 best paper shredders available. Options include devices for use at home, the office and even portable devices that can be moved with ease. Each device is well-reviewed and gives you an easy way to keep your information safe. Plus, they will help keep your living space free from stacks of unnecessary documents. Outside of having to manage the occasional paper jam, these effective machines really do keep your sensitive information safe and your space clutter-free.
1. Bonsaii EverShred Heavy Duty Paper Shredder
BEST OVERALL
The Bonsaii EverShred 18-Sheet Heavy Duty Paper Shredder offers up to 60 minutes of continuous paper shredding without stopping. The advanced internal cooling system and patented cutting technology let the device munch its way through as many as 18 paper sheets in a single pass. You’ll also be able to rid yourself of old CDs, DVDs and credit cards. You don’t have to worry about stapled documents, either. Plus, the fact that the device runs at only 62 decibels means you don’t have to disturb everyone at home or in the office every time you want to shred. This shredder features an auto-start and an auto-reverse to help prevent annoying paper jams and provide a simple, stress-free, shredding experience.
Image courtesy of Amazon
2. Aurora Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
PORTABLE PICK
If you need to shred in different places, then the Aurora Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder is the right option for you. Measuring only 9 x 7 x 10 inches, the device’s small size means it’s highly portable and can be moved between rooms or from the office to home easily. The design also includes a carrying handle and a built-in basket that has space for up to 40 sheets of shredded paper. The 4.5-inch throat is capable of taking up to four folded sheets of bond paper or one credit card in a single pass.
Image courtesy of Amazon
3. Pen + Gear Crosscut Paper/Credit Card Shredder
MOST ATTRACTIVE
If you’re after a shredder which does its job well and looks great at the same time, it’s worth considering this Pen + Gear Crosscut Paper/Credit Card Shredder. This all-black, compact device is capable of dealing with credit cards, staples and paper clips and includes a ShredSafe entry with an angled slot to help prevent potential injury. The design includes a smartly placed handle that allows for single-handed lifting when emptying the 3.7-gallon wastebasket. Additionally, the shredder’s comparatively small size makes it easier to fit it into smaller spaces.
Image courtesy of Walmart
4. Sentinel On Guard Crosscut Shredder
SLIM PICK
With its slim design, the Sentinel On Guard Crosscut Shredder is capable of fitting in those small spaces between desks and walls where nothing really seems to fit. It’s ideal for smaller offices or space-tight, work-from-home setups. It also uses a cross-cutting technique to minimize the amount of space your shredded paper takes up, meaning less emptying and less space wasted. Plus, it comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Image courtesy of Walmart
5. AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
BEST VALUE
If you’re after a tried and tested shredder, there are few as popular as the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. This option has a six-sheet capacity and can be used in 2-minute bursts between cooldown time. It’s also capable of manually reversing to help manage paper jams and can shred your credit cards one at a time. The paper feed is 8.7 inches wide, which is large enough for most documents around the home or office, and the device also comes with an AmazonBasics one-year warranty. This paper shredder has over 7,000 five-star reviews from happy users.
Image courtesy of Amazon
6. EZBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
BEST FOR HOME OFFICES
The EZBasics Six-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder combines style with function, giving you a great shredder option for home offices. The device features an exclusive cutter design, which requires no lubricant, has a seven-year life expectancy and helps prevent paper jams. The strong shredding jaws also have no problems with credit cards, staples, paper clips or heavy paper and can manage up to five single sheets at once. The 58-decibel noise level also means this shredder is only as loud as a normal conversation, so you won’t cause a disturbance when you start it up.
Image courtesy of Amazon
7. Boxis AutoShred Auto Feed Microcut Paper Shredder
BEST AUTO-FEED
With its impressive 50-sheet, auto-feed tray, there are few better options on our list for large quantity, effortless shredding than the Boxis AutoShred Auto Feed Microcut Paper Shredder. Every letter-sized document will be broken down into almost 1,500 pieces. The device is also capable of shredding credit cards. The 50-sheet auto-feed offers a 10-minute continuous run time, while the large, 3.6-gallon pull out bin ensures you’ll get plenty of shredding done in between emptying. Furthermore, the four caster wheels make this shredder easy to transport around the office.
Image courtesy of Amazon
8. Royal HD1400MX Crosscut Home/Office Shredder
BEST MID-RANGE PICK
The Royal HD1400MX Crosscut Home/Office Shredder is a well-reviewed shredder that can handle shredding CDs, DVDs and credit cards. It sports a stylish, rounded design and provides up to 40 minutes of continuous shredding. The feed is capable of shredding 14 pieces of paper per pass, while the front-loading, 6.20-gallon, pull-out paper bin makes emptying your device especially easy and convenient.
Image courtesy of The Home Depot
9. Royal ASF80 Microcut Paper Shredder
MOST VERSATILE
With its easy-to-use design, ability to take up to eight sheets of paper in a single pass and an auto-feed tray with an 80-sheet capacity, the Royal ASF80 Microcut Paper Shredder ticks all the boxes for the average user. Simply place your paper in the tray and let the well-reviewed shredder get to work for an effort-free experience. It’s capable of cutting paper, card stock, credit cards and staples. It also sports LED-ready overheat and overload Indicators. Plus, as it’s mounted on wheels, it’s easily transported from place to place, whether between desks or your home and office.
Image courtesy of Walmart
10. Fellowes Powershred 16-Sheet Paper Shredder
LARGE CAPACITY PICK
If you frequently need to shred a large volume of documents, you should consider the Fellowes Powershred Paper Shredder. It’s capable of dealing with 16 sheets of paper in a single pass and also sports an impressive 100% jam-proof system, so you never have to worry about being held up. The SilentShred system ensures a quiet operation, which is ideal for shared workspaces. You’ll also find the device includes SafeSense technology to prevent unwanted accidents and an energy-saving system to maximize energy efficiency.
Image courtesy of Amazon
11. Bonsaii Paper Shredder
QUIETEST
The Bonsaii Paper Shredder is an attractive device that comes in six, eight and 10-sheet tray models. Each model features a transparent window on the front of the bin to make it easier to see when you need to empty it. It’s also capable of dealing with all your shredding needs, including paper, cardstock, CDs, DVDs, staples, paper clips and credit cards. Handily, the shredder provides up to four hours of continuous shredding, and, perhaps best of all, it runs at a 58-decibel level, making it one of the quietest devices available.
Image courtesy of Amazon
12. Fellowes Powershred 99Ci Jam Proof Paper Shredder
BEST JAM-PROOF
If you despise the hassle and time wasted having to constantly deal with paper jams, you’ll definitely want to choose this Fellowes Powershred 99Ci Jam Proof Paper Shredder. It’s capable of shredding 18 sheets of paper per pass using a cross-cut style shredding technique and can deal with everything from cards and paper clips to CDs and DVDs. The shredder claims to be 100% jam-proof by boasting enough power to get the required job done. Plus, it includes built-in wheels for easy portability around the office.
Image courtesy of Amazon
13. BOXIS AutoShred Auto Feed Microcut Paper Shredder
BEST SPLURGE
The BOXIS AutoShred Auto Feed Microcut Paper Shredder is so impressive it even has the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles running scared. This advanced device is capable of breaking documents down into near-unreadable parts and can do it at an impressive rate of up to 19.7 feet per minute. The 650-sheet tray makes it easy to leave the shredder shredding while you get on with other work, saving you time and effort. You’ll also find a 14-gallon collection bin, which ensures you’ll get plenty of shredding done in between the need to empty it.
Image courtesy of Amazon