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 Amazon Basics 18 Sheet Cross Cut Shredder is a solid choice for both home and small office use, particularly for those seeking a reliable way to dispose of sensitive documents and other materials securely. Its cross-cut shredding capability ensures that paper is turned into small, confetti-like pieces, meeting a security level P-3 standard, which is suitable for basic personal data protection. The ability to shred up to 18 sheets at once, along with dedicated slots for CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, adds versatility to its functionality, making it more than just a paper shredder.

One of the key strengths of this shredder is its relatively high sheet capacity, allowing for efficient shredding without needing to frequently reload. Additionally, the 6-gallon bin is large enough to hold a good amount of shredded material, reducing the need for constant emptying. The inclusion of casters makes it easy to move around, and the LED status indicators provide clear information about the shredder’s operation.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. The 30 minutes of continuous run time followed by a 10-minute cool-down period can be limiting if you have a large volume of shredding to complete in one go. While the noise level is generally manageable, it may still be noticeable in a quiet setting, which could be a factor for some users. Additionally, while the shredder is efficient, users should be aware that it may not handle thicker staples or multiple layers of paper as smoothly as some higher-end models.

The Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder is a reliable option for personal or small office use. It meets security level P-4 standards, meaning it cuts paper and credit cards into small pieces (0.2 x 0.7 inches), offering a good level of security for confidential documents. With an 8-sheet capacity, it can handle moderate shredding tasks but might not be suitable for heavy use. The shredder also handles staples and small paper clips, which adds to its convenience. However, it is not designed for metal credit cards.

The 3-minute runtime is relatively short, followed by a 30-minute cool down period, which might be inconvenient for larger shredding jobs. The device includes safety features like overheating protection, automatically shutting off to prevent damage, and has a 4-mode control switch plus LED status indicators for ease of use. The 3.7-gallon bin is easy to empty but might need frequent emptying during extensive use.

The shredder is quality tested, ensuring reliability, though you might notice some paper shreds from this testing process. Users should be cautious not to use aerosol products near the shredder and avoid shredding certain items, as advised in the user manual. This shredder is compact and lightweight, weighing 8.7 pounds, making it easy to move around. It is best suited for users who need a compact, efficient shredder for regular, but not heavy-duty, shredding tasks.