Shredding machines
A shredder can help you dispose of your most sensitive information—on paper documents, CDs, or even credit cards—whether for personal or business use.
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to think about end-of-year finances and, eventually, 2022 tax filing. That includes organizing all of your documentation. For every document you need to keep, you’ll likely have a half-dozen or so that should be discarded, some of which contain sensitive financial information. Shredders, thankfully, have come a long way since the days depicted in the film Argo.
You can be reasonably certain that your documents will be sliced up finely enough that they will not be pieced back together by any group…short of, perhaps, a national intelligence service.
What is a shredder
Paper shredders are machines that shred paper into thin strips or tiny particles. These machines are typically used to shred sensitive documents, though some of the best shredders can also shred credit cards and small metals.
How to pick a shredder for your own use
To choose the best shredder for yourself, you should first consider your shredding needs.
If you need to shred large amounts of paper, you’ll need a shredder that can cut up multiple sheets at once. Check the shredder’s run-time and cooling down-time depending on the number of documents you need to shred. Not all shredders can run continuously for 30-45 minutes; some only run for 2-10 minutes before requiring a 15-30 minute cooldown period.
While most shredders can only shred paper, some can also shred credit cards and CDs. If you frequently need to destroy these materials, invest in a suitable shredder. You should also consider the noise levels of the shredder.
In this list we are going to be counting down the top 10 office shredding machines.
10. Bonsaii 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Most shredders won’t tell you how full they are unless you remove the top lid, but not this Bonsaii shredder. With a small window, you can peek inside to see how full it is and when you should empty its disposal bin.
The bin holds a massive 25 litres of waste (320 sheets of A4 paper), but with a 4-minute continuous run time and a 40-minute cool-down time, it will take longer to fill than other models. The Bonsaii model boasts simple operation thanks to light indication and overhead and overload protection, allowing you to operate the machine with confidence.
The shredder can shred up to ten sheets of paper at a time and can also shred credit cards, staples, and paper clips.
Why is it on the list?
- bin of 25 liters
- you will be able to examine how full the bin is
- Overload protection
Cons
- It takes long to cool down
9. Aura AU1120XA
This shredder, which can slash through five A4 sheets at once, is ideal for use in any home office. Its 10-liter disposal basket isn’t the most spacious, but its small dimensions make it less noticeable than most models.
The ProAction 5 is one of the least expensive shredders on our list, but it still includes standard features like auto on/off shutdown, a safety cut-out function for finger protection, and the ability to reverse materials to quickly unblock paper jams. Its small size (28.5 x 13.49 x 39.5 cm) and lightweight (1.98kg) make it easy to transport and useful if you need all the space you can get.
Overall, this shredder is ideal for users who do not require extensive shredding and can do with something simple.
Why is it on the list?
- Ideal for a home office
- Standard characteristics
- Affordable
Cons
- This shredder only has basic features so wont fit into your advance shredding needs
8. GoECOlife GMW103P- Limited Edition
This GoEcolife model has a powerful motor that can shred up to 10 sheets of paper at once. One of the shredder’s best features is its whisper-quiet operation, which makes it ideal for more reserved home offices or businesses.
Its 16-liter disposal bin is large enough to hold anything you shred, from paper to standard staples and credit cards. It also has an overhead (and overload) indicator, which protects the motor and prevents damage.
Why is it on the list?
- Shredder that operates quietly
- Prevents overload
- It is ideal for a small offices
Cons
- Has the tendency to over heat.
7. Aurora AS810SD 8-Sheet shredder
This Aurora shredder is highly affordable and will cut anything from paper to CDs and credit cards. It has a cream and grey design that will look great in any office. It can shred up to eight sheets simultaneously into its 20.4-litre disposal basket. Metals (staples and paper clips) can also be destroyed by the shredder, eliminating the need to manually check and remove them from your documents.
Despite its low price, this shredder model has a lot of features, such as the ability to manually forward and reverse paper jams, and the fact that it doesn’t consume power in standby mode makes it ideal for any green-conscious home or office. The model will begin shredding as soon as you feed it something, and if stray fingers come into contact with its blades, a three-way safety switch will automatically shut it down.
Why is it on the list?
- Low price tag
- 20.4 liter basket
- Power saving
Cons
- It doesn’t have the features of other shredders
- Can overheat
6. AmazonBasic shredder
For smaller shredding tasks, the AmazonBasic shredder will perform many functions that more expensive models can, but without the high initial cost. This model will cross-cut paper, credit cards, and CDs into tiny strips for less than £50 – but only for five minutes before needing to cool down for 30 minutes.
When you feed something into it, it begins shredding automatically, and it has a manual reverse mode for clearing paper jams. The Amazon model has a paper capacity of 10 to 12 sheets and a decent 18.2-litre pullout bin for the price.
Why is it on the list?
- Budget paper shredder
- Cross cut
- Autostart
Cons
- Lacks features of other shredders
5. Suntico 14 sheet paper shredder
The Heavy Duty shredder can shred up to 14 sheets of paper at a time. Widely used in the office, home, bank, and school. Stainless cutter made in the United States with a US Patent that can prevent 100% of shredder damage from paper jams and extend its life span.
This crosscut paper shredder for office shreds up to 14 sheets of paper at a time into 5/32″ x 1-13/32″ (4x35mm) pieces without the need to remove staples or clips. Shreds credit cards, CDs, and junk mail as well (one at a time).
Why is it on the list?
- Control switches with three modes (Auto, Off, and Reverse); auto start/stop and manual reverse functions simplify shredding and paper jam clearing processes, free you from jamming frustration.
4. Bonsai 14-sheet microcut paper shredder
With an advanced cooling system and patented cutting technology, the Bonsaii C149-D paper shredder can run for up to 60 minutes without stopping. Heavy duty professional paper shredders for home office use
Why is it on the list?
- Low noise
- Can take heavy duty cutting
- Advanced cooling system
3. Rexel 2101942UK
This Rexel shredder is a small but powerful model for shredding everything from bank statements to utility bills and credit cards – but keep in mind that it will not shred CDs. It does, however, support GDPR compliance by disposing of your documents in a secure and compliant manner, protecting your business from identity theft.
It is suitable for up to A4 paper size and has an auto start and stop function, as well as the ability to run in reverse to clear paper jams. This shredder operates in short bursts, lasting up to two minutes before requiring a cool down period. Its compact bin can hold 7.5 litres of waste, and you can keep the shredder running for longer by oiling it on a regular basis.
Why is it on the list?
- Portable
- GDPR compliance
Cons
- Shreds paper only
2. Bonsaii Evershred (c196-B)
The Bonsaii Evershred can shred 3500 sheets of A4 paper in a single charge and has a 30-minute run time, making it an excellent choice for chewing through all of those documents you’ve been meaning to get rid of. It has a maximum shredding capacity of 14 sheets and cuts paper into tiny 5mm x 50mm particles, just like the Fellowes shredder at the top of our list. It will also shred credit cards, CDs, and staples.
This model has a jam protection system with autostart and autoreverse, which eliminates the frustration of paper jams, and its 17-liter pull-out bin, while not class-leading, is more than adequate. Overheat and overload protection technology protects and extends the life of the shredder’s blades and motor. Not to mention, the low noise design provides a peaceful and quiet shredding experience.
Why is it on the list?
- 14 input sheets
- Shredding thoroughly
- Protection against jamming
- CDs and staples are shredded.
Cons
- High maintenance cost
1. Fellowes Powershred 99Ci Paper shredder
The Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Paper shredder has a 23-liter capacity and uses a cross-cut mechanism that will slice and dice anything you feed into it in two directions for maximum security. One of the best features of this model is that it is completely jam-proof, so you will never have to wrestle with it to get paper out. In addition to paper, the shredder shreds plastic cards, CDs, and other materials.
It also includes SafeSense Technology, which disables the unit immediately if anyone’s fingers get dangerously close to its internal components, making it an excellent choice for home offices. It also has a maximum sheet input of 14 sheets, which is double the amount found on most budget models.
Why is it on the list?
- 23-liter capacity
- Doesn’t jam
- Safesense
- 14 sheet input
Cons
- High cost
Conclusion
You can’t put a price on security, and a shredder can be a great investment. And, while it may be most useful in the spring, after you’ve completed and submitted your taxes, it can help you protect your finances and identity all year long with just a few minutes of work. The shredders featured here range from personal and home-office models to heavy-duty shredding in a large office.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.