Getting rid of old documents, paperwork and other paraphernalia accumulating is an amazing way to declutter your home. With the rise of identity theft, throwing away documents containing sensitive and personal information without proper disposal places you and your family at a risk. Let’s find out what is the best paper shredder for home use.
The need for a shredder for your personal use cannot be overemphasized. A home shredder is a perfect machine you need to destroy old and unwanted documents piling up in your home.
Some of them are also capable of destroying old credit cards, CDs, and DVDs. That’s a must-have for every home office.
Table of Contents
If you’re unsure what to look for when choosing a paper shredder, please check our paper shredder buying guide.
Best paper shredder for home use
There are many shredders out there in the market. In the search for the perfect shredder, you need tedious and time-consuming readings to find the best option.
That’s why we have compiled the best shredders for home use for you to choose from according to your needs.
Comparison table
| Product Name | Runtime | Cool Down Time | Pages per Load | Bin Capacity | Noise Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonsaii C204-C | 4 minutes | 40 minutes | 6 | 3.5 gallons (13,25 liters) | N/A |
| AmazonBasics 12 Sheet Shredder | 7 minutes | 30 minutes | 12 | 4.8 gallons (18 liters) | N/A |
| Fellowes Powershred W11C | 5 minutes | 20 minutes | 11 | 4.75 gallons (18 liters) | 72dB |
| Aurora AU870MA | 5 minutes | 5 minutes | 8 | 3.9 gallons (14,75 liters) | N/A |
| GBC Paper Shredder | 4 minutes | 40 minutes | 14 | 5 gallons (18,9 liters) | N/A |
| AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Shredder | 3 minutes | 30 minutes | 6 | 4.1 gallons (15,5 liters) | 68dB |
| Fellowes Powershred 60C | 6 minutes | 20 minutes | 10 | 6 gallons (22,7 liters) | 70dB |
| Sentinel FM122P | 2 minutes | 35 minutes | 12 | 4.2 gallons (15,9 liters) | 70dB |
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
BonsaiiC204-C
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 4 minutes
- Cool down time: 40 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 6
- Bin capacity: 3.5 gallons (13,25 liters)
- Shred type: Crosscut
The Bonsaii C204-C shredder is a stylish and simple-to-use machine that you can feed your unwanted documents, tax records, and bank statements into.
Its cross-cut shredder capacity is 6 sheets of A4 paper per load and will shred them into tiny particles into its 3.5 gallons lift-off bin. You can count on the machine to do the most job under its 4-minute continuous runtime and P-4 security level.
An overheating protection feature shuts the machine down automatically. With the manual reverse feature, you can unjam shredded paper stuck in its blades.
The bin is designed with a window that allows you to monitor the progress of the particles inside. A built-in handle allows you to easily lift the bin to empty its contents when it is full.
Some users have particularly been impressed with this machine, some attesting that its continuous runtime can be extended up to 15 minutes as long as it does not overheat.
A particular user noted that she shredded a huge volume of junk mail and other files that had been piling up and never did the machine overheat. Another user noted that it’s a great product considering the price.
Pros:
- Secured shredding
- Overheat protection
Cons:
- Longer cool-down time
- 6 sheets of paper per load
- Low bin capacity
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
AmazonBasics 12 Sheet Shredder
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 7 minutes
- Cool down time: 30 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 12
- Bin capacity: 4.8 gallons (18 liters)
- Shred type: Crosscut
The AmazonBasics is a perfect fit for the disposal of both unwanted paper and credit cards lurking in your home office. Its slot can effectively cross-cut 12 sheets of paper at a time into its 4.8-gallon pull-out bin.
With a continuous runtime of 7 minutes, it also has the capacity to completely destroy ATM receipts, mortgage receipts, and pay stubs. It has a separate slot to where CDs and credit cards can be fed into.
This device is designed with an auto-shred mode, which allows its sensor to easily detect material once it is fed into the slot. It is also equipped with overheating protection that shuts off the machine when needed. Its standard cool-off time is 30 minutes and you can get it working again.
It is also designed with an auto-jam feature that clears paper jams without your knowledge or input. It even comes with a handle that makes for easy removal of the bin when it is full.
Many users have been quite impressed with this machine’s capabilities, swiftness, efficiency, and mode of operation.
A satisfied user noted that this machine pulverized everything he had thrown in so far and is much quieter in operation.
Pros:
- Shreds Papers and plastic cards
- Jam protection
- 12 sheets of paper per load
Cons:
- Slow in operation
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Fellowes Powershred W11C
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 5 minutes
- Cool down time: 20 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 11
- Bin capacity: 4.75 gallons (18 liters)
- Shred type: Cross-cut
The Fellowes Powershred W11C is also a machine you can rely on to pulverize sensitive documents, credit cards, and other personal unwanted paper staples.
11 sheets of paper can effectively be fed into the slot which will completely cross-cut them into its 4.75-gallon lift-off bin. Its continuous runtime is 5 minutes before it cools off for 20 minutes.
With a security level of P-4, you can rest assured that every sensitive information will be completely destroyed.
One of the amazing features of this machine is the pet and child safe technology you can use to disable the machine. It is impossible to be overridden by someone else.
Some users have noted that the machine is powerful and suitable for home use. One user noted that he has been using this machine for over 7 years and hasn’t had any reason to buy another product.
Pros:
- Quiet operation
- Jam protection
- Safety lock
- 11 sheets of paper per load
Cons:
- Poorly designed
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Aurora AU870MA
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 5 minutes
- Cool down time: 5 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 8
- Bin capacity: 3.9 gallons (14,75 liters)
- Shred type: Micro-cut
The Aurora AU870MA shredder is a portable high-security machine that can completely destroy papers, credit cards, DVDs, and staples into tiny particles.
Its slot can conveniently swallow up and micro-cut 8 sheets of paper per load into a 3.9 portable bin.
With the security level of the machine at P-4, every sensitive information thrown into this machine will be erased completely. Its standard continuous runtime and cool-off time are both 5 minutes.
It is equipped with overload protection and manual reverse which protects against paper jams. Another unique feature is the LED indicator at the top of the machine for overheating.
The wastebasket is designed with a window that shows the level of shredded contents inside. With the single-hand lifting handle on the bin, you can lift and take out the trash with ease.
Users have commended this shredder’s capabilities, attesting that it doesn’t disappoint in shredding sensitive documents. A user jokingly noted that if you’re trying to evade arrest by destroying incriminating documents, this machine is the ideal choice for that.
Another user remarked that it is quiet in operation, fast and efficient in destroying credit cards.
Pros:
- Affordable for residential use
- Bin indication window
Cons:
- Runs loud
- Short runtime
- Low bin capacity
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
GBC Paper Shredder
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 4 minutes
- Cool down time: 40 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 14
- Bin capacity: 5 gallons (18,9 liters)
- Shred type: cross cut
The GBC shredder is another powerful machine that needs to be in your home office. With a P-4 security level, you can count on it to destroy every secret buried in your DVDs, documents, junk mail, and paper clips.
Its slot is built to cross-cut 14 sheets of paper per load into a 5-gallon pull bin. The GBC shredder can conveniently work up to 4 minutes with 40 minutes to cool off. You can also auto-start the machine which will come on after it has cooled off.
What makes this machine stand out is the separate slot for CDs and DVDs to be fed into preventing wear-and-tear of the main blades. There’s also an LED indicator that informs you when the bin is full to empty its contents
Many users have noted that this shredder is exactly as described and commend the swiftness it takes to shred pieces of paper per load. An impressed user remarked that the machine is super-fast, destroying an entire box of bank statements in about 20 minutes.
Another user noted that the shredder is a serious workhorse, capable of shredding any paper.
Pros:
- 14 sheets of paper per load
- User-friendly
Cons:
- High cool-down time
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
AmazonBasics 6 Sheet Shredder
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 3 minutes
- Cool down time: 30 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load: 6
- Bin capacity: 4.1 gallons (15,5 liters)
- Shred type: Microcut
This product from AmazonBasics offers quality shredding to papers and credit cards. With a security level of P-4, this micro-cut shredder can shred 6 sheets of paper at a go into a 4-gallon lift-off bin.
This machine has a runtime of 3 minutes and cools off for 30 minutes. This machine is designed with an auto-start and manual reverse to clear paper jams.
It has thermal protection and an auto-stop feature that prevents it from overheating by automatically shutting down to cool off. The window attached to the bin allows you to see the level of the trash before deciding to empty it.
This machine comes with an auto-start feature; this allows its sensors to easily detect items that need to be shredded.
Some users have noted that the machine is perfect for light-duty, quiet in operation, and compact in design. A satisfied user he had 5 years’ worth of mail and this shredder performed excellently in shredding them.
Another user was also impressed with the way the machine shreds paper clips into tiny bits.
Pros:
- Secured shredding
- User-friendly
- Auto-start
Cons:
- Long cool-off time
- 6 sheets of paper per load
- Prone to be loud during operation
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Fellowes Powershred 60C
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 6 minutes
- Cool down time: 20 minutes
- Security level: P-3
- Pages per load:10
- Bin capacity: 6 gallons (22,7 liters)
- Shred type: Crosscut
Another product from the Fellowes family, this sleek shredder is another ideal product you should consider for your home office.
This machine can conveniently cross-cut paper clips, credit cards, and staples in a 6-gallon lift-out bin. With a security level of P-3, this shredder has a runtime of 6 minutes before cooling off for 20 minutes.
What makes this shredder recommended is the Safe Sense technology feature; it stops shredding immediately after hands come in contact with the paper slot.
A lot of users have commended its performance in shredding sensitive documents into tiny particles and its Safe Sense Technology.
A particular user who had been using the machine for 3 years noted the quality is top-notch and does its job expertly. Another user noted that the shredder is quiet in operation and recommends it for home users.
Pros:
- Swift performance
- Adequate bin for home office use
- 10 sheets of paper per load
- Safe Sense Technology
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!
Sentinel FM122P
Main highlights:
- Runtime: 2 minutes
- Cool down time: 35 minutes
- Security level: P-4
- Pages per load:12
- Bin capacity: 4.2 gallons (15,9 liters)
- Shred type: Microcut
The Sentinel FM122P shredder is another product you should be interested in for your home office.
Its slot is built to micro-cut 12 sheets of paper and or one credit card at a go. With a security level of P-4, you can rely on this machine to shred critical and sensitive information pieces. It has a separate slit you can feed CDs and credit cards into and a continuous runtime of 2 minutes.
Its 4.2 gallons pull-out bin contains a window that displays the level of the content of trash inside. It is also equipped with an overheat and overload indicator notifying you when the machine gets overheated or overloaded with papers. The Sentinel FM122P is designed with 4 casters which make for easy mobility.
Some users have been impressed with its performance and its design. One user attested to its true capability of shredding pages of paper into tiny bits.
Pros:
- Secure shredding
- Overheat and overload protection
- 12 sheets of paper per load
- Easily movable
Cons:
- Slow in operation
- Low bin capacity
Wrap-up
I’m sure that reading this article you found what is the best paper destroyer for home use.
Please check out our review about Paper Shredder for office use if you’re looking for a more intensive use machine.
