10 Best Shredders 2025 in the United States

The Amazon Basics 24 Sheet Cross Cut Shredder is a solid choice for home or small office use, especially for those looking to securely dispose of sensitive documents. Its cross-cut design turns paper into tiny pieces, providing a commendable security level (P-4), which is crucial for personal and financial information. With a robust sheet capacity of up to 24 sheets at a time, it suits moderate shredding needs efficiently. This makes it great for users who frequently handle documents that require shredding, alongside the ability to shred CDs, DVDs, and credit cards—albeit one at a time.

A notable strength is its decent run time of 40 minutes, allowing for extended use without frequent breaks. However, it does require a 50-minute cool down period after this, which could be a limitation for users with larger shredding tasks. The shredder includes helpful features like an auto-start function, anti-jam reverse, and LED indicators for alerts, enhancing usability.

On the downside, it weighs about 31.6 pounds, which may make it less portable than lighter models, and its size could take up significant desk space. Users should also be cautious not to attempt shredding metallic items as this can damage the machine. Additionally, while the pull-out bin holds 7 gallons, frequent emptying may be needed if used for large projects.

The Bonsaii 200-Sheet Auto Feed Paper Shredder is a solid choice for offices with heavy shredding demands. It can automatically shred up to 200 sheets at once, which is excellent for processing large batches of documents efficiently. In manual mode, it handles up to 12 sheets and can shred credit cards, staples, and clips, adding to its versatility. Its 8.1-gallon bin holds around 700 shredded sheets, meaning you won't need to empty it frequently—a convenient feature for busy environments.

The shredder can run continuously for up to 60 minutes before needing a cool-down period, allowing for extended use without interruption. Its micro-cut (P-4) security level cuts paper into very small pieces, making it suitable for sensitive documents and protecting privacy well. Noise is kept reasonably low at 58 decibels, so it won’t be disruptive in an office setting. Additionally, it has an energy-saving mode that activates after 10 minutes of inactivity, helping reduce power use.

The shredder is relatively heavy (almost 40 pounds) and somewhat large, so it requires a dedicated space and might not be very portable despite its wheels. The maximum sheet capacity applies only to auto-feed mode; manual feeding is limited to fewer sheets at a time. This shredder is well suited for medium to large offices that need reliable, high-volume shredding with strong security features.

The Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is a solid choice for both home offices and small businesses needing reliable, secure document destruction. It uses a cross-cut shred type, which slices paper into small pieces (397 particles per sheet), meeting a high security level (P-4). This makes it well suited for confidential paperwork. It can shred up to 16 sheets at once, plus staples, credit cards, and even CDs, offering good versatility. The 6-gallon bin is a practical size, meaning fewer trips to empty it during regular use.

One standout feature is its continuous 20-minute run time before a cool down is needed, allowing for longer shredding sessions without interruption. Safety is also considered with SafeSense technology that stops the shredder if hands or pets come near the opening. The unit runs quietly, which is helpful in shared or home environments.

While 20 minutes of continuous use is decent, heavier office use might require breaks more frequently than some commercial models. Additionally, at about 28 pounds and its moderate size, it’s portable but not ultra-compact. If you need a shredder that balances strong security, decent capacity, and safety features without being overly noisy or complicated, the Fellowes 79Ci fits well. It’s especially attractive if you occasionally shred bulky items like CDs or credit cards along with paper.