The Best Paper Shredders for Your Home Office
It’s safe to assume that most of us aren’t harboring any Watergate-level sensitive material in our home offices. Still, even the most unassuming paperwork can do damage if it ends up in the wrong hands. In fact, it’s recommended that one shred all documents containing sensitive personal information, such as a bank statement, to safeguard against identity theft. That’s where a shredder comes in.
This nifty contraption was first manufactured in 1935 by Adolf Ehinger. It originally functioned more like a hand-crank pasta maker, but it’s come a long way since then. Today, shredders are fast, efficient and, most importantly, automatic.
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Of course, there are a ton of different models on the market. Even Ehinger’s company is still manufacturing shredders. This makes choosing the right one a little overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve curated four of the the best paper shredders available on Amazon to make protecting your privacy easy.
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1. Wolverine 18-Sheet Shredder
Allow us to introduce you to the superhero of paper shredders from Wolverine. As its moniker implies, this heavy-duty machine features razor-sharp blades just like our favorite X-Men member and can shred up to 18 sheets of paper, along with CDs and credit cards. Equipped with a patented cooling system, it can run for 60 minutes straight without overheating. What’s more, it emits just 58 decibels while shredding which is about the same as a percolating coffee maker. The shredder is fitted to a 6-gallon waste bin that can be pulled out and emptied when necessary. It can also automatically detect and clear paper jams should they occur.
Buy: Wolverine 18-Sheet Shredder
2. Bonsaii Cross-Cut Shredder
Bonsaii’s heavy-duty shredder very nearly earned the top spot on our list. Like Wolverine’s model, it features powerful blades that can turn 18 sheets of paper into tiny particles in a single pass. It is also fitted with a similar cooling system that means it can run continuously for an hour without burning out. As with our top pick, it is equipped with a 6-gallon waste bin and requires minimal emptying. It can also chew through credit cards if so desired. Where it does differ, however, is the noise output. This shredder produces 62 decibels, which means it’s a little louder than Wolverine’s model. Regardless, it’s a great pick for home offices.
Buy: Bonsaii Cross-Cut Shredder
3. Fellowes Powershred Shredder
There’s nothing worse than a shredder that consistently jams. Fortunately, Fellowes claims its machine is 100 percent jam-proof for problem-free operation. It’s also capable of churning through 16 sheets of paper, as well as staples, credit cards, paper clips. Somewhat of an outlier on this list, it’s the only one to sport a white exterior which makes it a little more subtle than the other designs. The shredder can run continuously for up to 20 minutes and features SafeSense technology that automatically stops the machine when hands touch the entry.
Buy: Fellowes Powershred Shredder
4. Aurora 14-Sheet Crosscut Shredder
Bigger isn’t always better. Case in point: Aurora’s compact shredder. Equipped with a 5-gallon bin, it’s by far the smallest option on our list which may actually be a good thing. The pocket-rocket is perfect for tight spaces and can comfortably sit beneath a desk or bench. The crosscut blades can slice through 14 sheets of regular paper and also destroy CDs, DVDs, credit cards and paper clips. This machine only offers 10 minutes of continuous run time, but that’s more than enough to time to get through a stack of sensitive material.
Buy: Aurora 14-Sheet Crosscut Shredder
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