A shredder deals with the paper a scanner leaves behind: old statements, junk mail and printed drafts. The details that matter at home are the cut type, how many sheets it takes per pass, how long it runs before a cool-down and how big the bin is.
The six shredders below range from a 6-sheet desk-side unit to a 200-sheet auto feed model. Capacities, cut sizes and run times come from each listing page and are the makers’ own figures. We have not used these shredders ourselves.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Cut type | Strip, cross-cut and micro-cut leave different piece sizes |
| Sheets per pass | Higher counts mean fewer passes |
| Run time | Short run times need a cool-down between jobs |
| Bin size | A larger bin means emptying less often |
| Extras | Cards, staples and clips are handled differently by each model |
Specs at a Glance
| Shredder | Cut and capacity | Bin | Run time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics 12-sheet | Cross-cut, 0.2 x 1.2 in pieces; 12 sheets | 19 liters | 9 min, then 30 min cool-down |
| Amazon Basics 6-sheet | Cross-cut, 0.2 x 0.7 in pieces; 6 sheets | 3.7 gal | 3 min, then 30 min cool-down |
| Fellowes Powershred 12 | Cross-cut; 12 sheets | 5 gal | Up to 20 min |
| Fellowes 14C10 | Cross-cut; 14 sheets | 5 gal | Up to 10 min |
| Aurora AU1210MA | Micro-cut, 5/32 x 15/32 in; 12 sheets | 5 gal | 60 min continuous |
| Amazon Basics 200-sheet | Cross-cut, 5/32 x 25/32 in; 200 auto, 10 manual | 8.5 gal | 60 min auto, 45 min cool-down |
The 6 Best Paper Shredders
1. Amazon Basics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
A 12-sheet cross-cut shredder, 7.9 by 13.2 by 16.5 inches and 12.6 pounds, with a 70 dB noise figure on the listing. It takes credit cards one at a time, staples and small clips, runs 9 minutes before a 30-minute cool-down and has a 4-mode switch. The bin shows as 19 liters in the details and 5 gallons in the bullets.
Suits: a general home shredder. Strengths: 12 sheets and a 9-minute run. Weaknesses: a 30-minute cool-down. Skip it if you shred in long sessions.
View Amazon Basics 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder on Amazon
2. Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
The smallest here at 14.6 by 12.2 by 7.2 inches and 8.5 pounds, with a carry handle and a 3.7 gallon bin. It takes 6 sheets per pass in 0.2 by 0.7 inch cross-cut pieces and runs 3 minutes before a 30-minute cool-down.
Suits: a few sheets at a time. Strengths: small and light. Weaknesses: 6 sheets and a 3-minute run. Skip it if you shred stacks.
View Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder on Amazon
3. Fellowes Powershred 12 Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
A 12-sheet cross-cut shredder with a 5 gallon pull-out bin and a patented Safety Lock, per the maker. It runs up to 20 minutes before a cool-down and handles paper, staples, clips, cards and unopened junk mail. The title gives 19.50 inches high and the details give 19.69.
Suits: longer jobs. Strengths: a 20-minute run and a pull-out bin. Weaknesses: 17.2 pounds and a tall body. Skip it if you want a low unit.
View Fellowes Powershred 12 Sheet Cross-Cut Home Office Shredder on Amazon
4. Fellowes 14C10 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Home Office Shredder
A 14-sheet cross-cut shredder with a 5 gallon pull-out bin that the maker says holds over 250 shredded sheets, a 10-minute run time and a 1-year warranty plus a 5-year cutter warranty. The listing weight of 5.17 kg looks low next to the 12-sheet Fellowes at 17.2 lb.
Suits: a step up in sheets. Strengths: 14 sheets and a Safety Lock. Weaknesses: an uncertain weight figure. Skip it if you need a confirmed weight.
View Fellowes 14C10 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Home Office Shredder on Amazon
5. Aurora AU1210MA 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder
The only micro-cut model here, cutting 5/32 by 15/32 inch pieces from up to 12 sheets, plus CDs, DVDs and cards. The maker lists a 60-minute continuous run time, anti-jam auto-reverse and a 5 gallon pull-out bin, in a 22.4 pound body.
Suits: a finer cut and long sessions. Strengths: micro-cut and a 60-minute run. Weaknesses: the heaviest 12-sheet model. Skip it if you want a light unit.
View Aurora AU1210MA 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper CD and Card Shredder on Amazon
6. Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross-Cut Shredder
An auto feed tray holds 200 sheets with no staple removal, plus a manual slot for 10 sheets. It cuts 5/32 by 25/32 inch pieces, runs 60 minutes in auto mode, has anti-jam auto-reverse and an 8.5 gallon pull-out bin, and weighs 32.9 pounds.
Suits: a big backlog. Strengths: auto feed and an 8.5 gallon bin. Weaknesses: 22.8 inches wide and 32.9 lb. Skip it if desk space is tight.
View Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross-Cut Paper Shredder on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Follow each maker’s guidance on lubricating or oiling the cutters.
- Respect the run time and let the motor cool.
- Empty the bin before it fills.
- Keep aerosol sprays away from the unit.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the feed beyond the listed sheet count.
- Shredding metallic cards or items the maker excludes.
- Ignoring the cool-down period.
- Choosing a small bin for a large backlog.
Paper Shredder FAQ
What is the difference between cross-cut and micro-cut?
Both cut in two directions. Micro-cut leaves smaller pieces. Compare the piece sizes the makers list.
Can they shred cards and staples?
Most listings here say yes for cards and staples, one card at a time. Check each listing first.
The Short Version
For a general desk unit, the Amazon Basics 12-sheet. For small and light, the 6-sheet. For long jobs, the Fellowes Powershred 12. For 14 sheets, the Fellowes 14C10. For micro-cut, the Aurora. For a backlog, the Amazon Basics 200-sheet.
