Tearing up paper by hand is a big bother. It takes too much time, and sometimes the paper gets stuck or is hard to rip. That’s why we went on a search for the best paper shredder to make your job much easier. We found ones that do the tearing for you, saving time and making sure your papers are shredded properly.
This post is all about paper shredders.
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Table of Contents
- What is a Paper Shredder?
- How Does it Work?
- What Should You Consider When Getting a Paper Shredder?
- Security Level
- Shredding Capacity
- Type of Cut
- Run Time an Cooling Off Period
- Safety Features
- Bin Capacity
- Additional Functions
- Size and Design
- Best Paper Shredder Reviews
- Amazon Basics Paper Shredder
- VidaTeco Mini Paper Shredder
- Bonsaii Paper Shredder
- Bonsen Paper Shredder
- Fellowes Powershred 12C15
- Woolsche Paper Shredder
- Aurora Paper Shredder AU1220XA
- Levels of Paper Shredding
- Level 1-2
- Level 3-4
- Level 5-7
- Conclusion
What is a Paper Shredder?
A paper shredder is a simple yet essential device designed to enhance personal and information security. It consists of a motor-driven set of sharp blades strategically positioned within the shredder housing. When a document is fed into the entry slot, the blades swiftly engage, cutting the paper into either thin strips or confetti-like pieces, depending on the shredder’s configuration and security level.
How Does it Work?
When you insert a document into the shredder, electrically powered blades slices the paper into either strips or confetti-like pieces, depending on the shredder’s design. Modern shredders often feature sensors to detect paper thickness, automatically shutting down if overloaded, and a reverse function to clear potential jams. The shredded bits then fall into a collection bin for easy disposal.
With additional features like jam prevention technology and automatic oiling systems, paper shredders ensure a smooth and secure process for destroying sensitive documents.
What Should You Consider When Getting a Paper Shredder?
Security Level: Paper shredders come with different security levels, often classified from P-1 to P-7. The higher the number, the smaller and more secure the shredded pieces. For general household use, a mid-range security level (P-3 or P-4) is usually sufficient.
Shredding Capacity: Consider how much paper you’ll be shredding regularly. Shredders are rated by the number of sheets they can shred at once. If you have a large volume, you might want a higher capacity shredder.
Type of Cut: Shredders can provide strip cuts or cross-cuts. Cross-cut shredders offer higher security by producing smaller, confetti-like pieces. Strip cuts are more basic and may be suitable for less sensitive documents.
Run Time and Cooling Off Period: Pay attention to the shredder’s run time and cooling off period. Some shredders have a continuous run time, while others may need a cooldown period after a certain amount of use. This is essential for avoiding overheating.
Safety Features: Look for safety features like auto-stop, which halts the shredder when hands touch the opening. This is crucial, especially in households with children.
Bin Capacity: Consider the size of the shredder’s waste bin. A larger bin means less frequent emptying, which can be more convenient.
Additional Functions: Some shredders can handle materials beyond paper, such as credit cards, CDs, or staples. If you have a variety of materials to shred, a versatile shredder might be beneficial.
Size and Design: Consider the physical size of the shredder and how it fits into your workspace. If space is a concern, compact and stylish designs might be preferable.
Best Paper Shredder Reviews
The overall pick for paper shredding would be the Amazon Basics Paper Shredder.
For this review, we’ll be taking a look at the 8 Sheet Crosscut option. There are other sizes to choose from: 6, 12, 15, 18, and 24 sheets.
It cross shreds paper into pieces the size of a small paper clip (0.2 x 1.9in or 5 x 47mm). This means it passes security level P-3. It makes it much more difficult for someone to reassemble your shredded documents.
The paper shredder shreds 8 sheets of paper at a time. This includes staples and small paper clips. This is convenient because you don’t have to manually remove the small metal parts.
It also shreds credit cards but only 1 at a time.
It has a 3 minute continuous runtime and it shuts off after that to prevent overheating. This is a safety feature so that it doesn’t overheat and damage the machine allowing it to be used for a longer period of time. It has a 30 minute cooldown.
It also has a handle for easy so you can easily carry it around.
On to the portable end, we have the mini paper shredder from VidaTeco. This one is great for those who need a way to shred paper on the go without having to haul around a giant machine.
However, this paper shredder doesn’t have a storage container system, so you’ll have to find a way to dispose of the shreddings.
It has a P-2 security level rating. It means that it shreds paper down to 1/4 in strips or 6mm.
It has an extendable arm to fit over multiple baskets width from 11in (27.94cm) to 16.14in (40.99cm). So you don’t have to worry about the paper shredder not being able to fit your trash can as it can clip on to a variety of containers.
It has a paper shredding rate of 144 sheets per minute. This makes it a more convenient and efficient option compared to manual shredders
It also has a 2 minute runtime before it shuts off. It’ll be able to run again after a 40 minute cooling time.
The paper shredder also comes with a reverse function so you can clear the machine in case it becomes jammed.
The Bonsaii 10 sheet paper shredder is great for larger tasks.
It has a 5.5 gallon capacity so you don’t have to take frequent trips to the trash can to dump out paper (unless you want to). This means it can hold up to 320 sheets of paper.
It has a 10 sheet shredding capacity and cuts paper into 5mm (.19in) x 18mm (.7in) pieces. For context, that’s about 1/4 the size of a penny.
This makes it ideal for larger work loads as you can shred more paper at once. However, I don’t recommend shredding that much paper at once even though it does say it can because it could jam more frequently. I’d recommended to go to only about 6 sheets of regular paper for a smoother operation.
The paper shredder features a whopping 5 minute shredding time and 40 minutes cooldown time.
It also has a light-indication that turns red when overheating and flashes red when its full.
You can also choose the 8 sheet option for a more lightweight job.
If you’re lookin for a more quiet operation, then you should consider the Bonsen Paper Shredder. It’s much quieter than other paper shredders but still gets the job done.
It has dimensions of 7.5 x 12.6 x 16.4 in (19 x 32 x 41.65 cm) and weighs 10lbs(4.53kg). It’s not ideal for portability so it’s best to leave it where you need it most.
The paper shredder shreds up to 10 pieces of paper at a time. It cuts the paper into 5 x 18mm (0.19 x 0.7in) pieces (about 1/4 the size of a penny).
It’s also easy to operate with 4 mode control switch (FED, AUTO, OFF, REV). The light indicator shows if the shredder is full or overheated.
Storage-wise, the shredder has a 4 gallon large bucket which can hold about 210 sheets of A4 paper. Also the shredder will stop if you life the top while it’s running to prevent any accidents.
The paper shredder can run for 4 minutes before it goes on a 40 minute cooldown.
Another feature is that the blades in the shredder goes through a nitriding process, enhancing the hardness of wear resistance of the blades in the machine. In other words, it means the paper shredder lasts longer.
The next one on the list is the Fellowes Powershred 12C15. On the larger end, this paper shredder can shred 12 sheets of paper at a time making it ideal for larger and bulkier jobs.
To add on, it can also run for 15 minutes straight before needing to cooldown. It means you can do your shredding job in 1 sitting.
It comes with a protective safety lock which prevents accidental operation of the machine.
It features SafeSense technology which means that if you put your hand too close to the feeder, it’ll automatically stop.
It’s also quiet so if you’re looking for quiet paper shredders, you should definitely consider this one.
But, in terms of shredding speed, it’s not as fast as other shredders which is one of the trade-offs for less noise.
And for storage, it’s equipped with a 5 gallon basket which is good for larger batches of paper.
The Woolsche 12-Sheet Paper Shredder can shred up to 12 sheets of paper at one time. It also has a separate slot for credit cards and CDs.
The paper shredder is US Patented which means the technology it uses is highly effective in preventing any damage to the shredder caused by paper jams.
It can shred up to 12 sheets at once into tiny pieces (5/32″ x 1-13/32″ or 4x35mm). You also don’t have to take out staples or clips.
It has a 5 minute continuous running time and needs a 30 minute cooldown afterwards. If left alone, it will automatically stop after the 5 minutes.
It has a 5.55 gallon basket which holds 500 sheets of paper.
Unjamming paper is also simple. You just need to turn the switch to reverse and push the paper up.
The Aurora Paper Shredder has a P-3 security level.
It cuts paper into 0.1875 x 1.5625 (4.76 x 39.6875) sized pieces. You can shred up to 12 sheets at once, but it’s recommended as it could lead to more jamming. I recommend using only half (6 sheets).
It’s ideal for smaller operations given it has a 3 minute runtime.
It has an angled feeder to prevent any accidents and the overload jam auto-stop is there to make sure the machine doesn’t get too clogged up.
There’s also a light that turns on if the machine is overheating.
Some of the other things you can shred with this are cardboard, newspaper, and junk mail. It’s definitely great if you get a lot of deliveries to your house and need a good way to dispose of the cardboard.
Although, I’d recommend shredding thin cardboard as to not jam the machine.
Levels of Paper Shredding
In the world of paper shredders, not all security levels are created equal. Ever wondered why some shredders produce tiny confetti-like bits while others opt for longer strips? It all boils down to security levels, and understanding these levels is your secret weapon in safeguarding your sensitive information.
Level 1-2 (P-1, P-2): Basic Shredding
Think of these as the rookie levels. Shredders at this stage do a decent job of breaking down documents, but the resulting pieces are larger, resembling long, spaghetti-like strips. While suitable for basic shredding needs, it’s worth noting that determined individuals might still be able to piece together information from these larger scraps.
Level 3-4 (P-3, P-4): Moderate Security
Stepping up the game, shredders at these levels provide a significant improvement in security. Cross-cutting comes into play, transforming your documents into smaller, confetti-like pieces. This makes it significantly more challenging for anyone attempting to reconstruct your shredded documents. Perfect for everyday personal and business use, offering a balance between security and efficiency.
Level 5-7 (P-5, P-6, P-7): Maximum Security
Welcome to the elite levels of shredding. Shredders in this range go above and beyond, producing minuscule, near-impossible-to-reconstruct particles. This level of security is often reserved for highly confidential or classified documents. If you’re dealing with top-secret stuff, or just want the pinnacle of protection for your personal information, these shredders are the Fort Knox of document destruction.
When choosing a shredder, consider the sensitivity of the information you handle. For most households and standard office use, a level 3 or 4 shredder should provide ample security. However, if you’re dealing with extremely confidential materials, opting for a higher security level might be a prudent move.
Conclusion
To sum it up, paper shredders are key to keeping our private info safe in the digital age. They’ve evolved a lot and make it easy for us to shred important documents, adding a layer of security to our personal info. Whether at home or work, they’re a convenient way to stay secure and organized in cleaning up unnecessary papers.