The Best Paper Shredders
We compared 8 paper shredders on owner ratings, specs, and price. The Amazon Basics 24-Sheet Cross Cut High Security Paper Shredder is our top pick.
Updated
The bottom line
The Amazon Basics 24-Sheet Cross Cut High Security Paper Shredder (B07WJ4NLFX) is our top pick for its balance of security, capacity, and ease of use. It shreds up to 24 sheets at a time, handles CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, and has a pull-out basket for easy emptying. The closest alternative is the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder (B09N991KVT), which offers similar security and capacity at a lower price but has a cheaper-feeling bin. The budget pick is the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder (B0C6LZ8S34), which offers P-4 security at a lower price but has a shorter runtime and requires more frequent cool-down periods.
Amazon Basics Paper Shredder $146.29
Best balance of security and capacity
The Amazon Basics 24-Sheet Cross Cut High Security Paper Shredder ($146.29) offers high security with P-4 level shredding, a large 24-sheet capacity, and a pull-out basket for easy emptying. Owners report it handles paper, CDs, and credit cards without issues. The tradeoff is its higher price and larger size.
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Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder $55.24
High security at a lower price
The Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder ($55.24) provides P-4 security and a 12-sheet capacity at a lower price than the top pick. It has a 6-minute continuous shredding time and a 5.5-gallon bin. The tradeoff is a cheaper-feeling bin and a slightly lower capacity.
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Amazon Basics Shredder $30.18
Affordable high security
The Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder ($30.18) offers P-4 security and an 8-sheet capacity at a much lower price. It has a 3-minute runtime and a 3.7-gallon bin. The tradeoff is shorter runtimes and more frequent cool-down periods.
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- Amazon Basics Paper Shredder Best balance of security, capacity, and ease of use. 9.0/10 $146.29 Amazon
- Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder High security at a lower price, but cheaper bin. 8.0/10 $55.24 Amazon
- Amazon Basics Shredder Affordable high security, but shorter runtimes. 7.0/10 $30.18 Amazon
- Amazon Basics Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder High capacity and security, but larger and more expensive. 7.0/10 $101.52 Amazon
- Amazon Basics Paper Shredder Reliable performance, but currently unavailable. 7.0/10 $97.20 Amazon
- Amazon Basics Shredder Good security and capacity, but durability issues. 6.0/10 $40.08 Amazon
- Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder Compact and affordable, but limited runtime. 6.0/10 $32.28 Amazon
- Bonsaii Low Noise Operation Paper Shredder Low noise and compact, but limited capacity. 6.0/10 $41.99 Amazon
Who should buy which
If you need the highest security and largest capacity, the Amazon Basics 24-Sheet Cross Cut High Security Paper Shredder (B07WJ4NLFX) is the best choice despite its higher price. If you're looking for a balance of security and price, the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder (B09N991KVT) offers P-4 security at a lower cost. For those on a tight budget, the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder (B0C6LZ8S34) provides affordable high security, though with shorter runtimes.
What owners complain about
Owners of the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder (B0C6LZ8S34) and the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder (B09N991KVT) mention noise and the need for frequent cool-down periods. Some owners of the Bonsaii 12-Sheet model also note the cheaper-feeling bin. The Amazon Basics 24-Sheet model has fewer complaints, but some owners mention its larger size and higher price.
The also-rans
The Amazon Basics Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder (B07R3FXLLQ) and the Amazon Basics Paper Shredder (B08NY9W23W) are solid choices but don't offer enough advantages over the top picks to warrant a higher ranking. The Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder (B0DQTNZCWN) and the Bonsaii Low Noise Operation Paper Shredder (B0F2HPWGHJ) are good for those with limited space but have lower capacities and runtimes.