Do you need a personal shredder?
But you don’t know enough about them?
Then you should read this article. I will give you all the important information about the personal paper shredders that are available on the market. You can read about their sheet and bin capacity, type of the bin and additional features of the system such as energy efficiency, full bin indicator, special feed for credit cards, etc. Compare the models and decide for yourself which one among the others is the best for you. I will give my opinion also which can help you with the decision.
Things To Know Before Buying A Paper Shredder Personal Model
Sheet Capacity
One of the best personal shredder reviews is recommending to decide which sheet capacity you need before searching the right model. If you have a small office or need to use it rarely at home, you will be satisfied with 12-sheet capacity and below.
Does It Work Energy Efficiently?
Energy efficiency is one of the most important features that determine the longevity of the motor and other parts. Look for the model that has a cooldown period after a certain time of working constantly. Also, it’s great when the device automatically shuts off when nobody is using it for a few minutes.
Cut Credit Cards, DVDs And CDs
All shredders will destroy documents, junk mail, staples, and clips. But not all of the shredder personal models have the ability to cut thicker materials. Search for more user-friendly devices that are able to cut even credit cards, DVDs and CDs that can accumulate at home.
The Security Level
When cutting certain documents, the device can produce strip-sized shreds, cross-sized shreds, and micro-sized shreds. The first ones have the lowest security level because the shreds are the biggest, so the confident material can be readable. On the other hand, cross-cuts and micro-cuts produce tiny particles that are unreadable and ideal for sensitive content.
The Best Personal Paper Shredder Reviews
The Best Personal Shredder Under $100
Bonsaii 10-Sheet Model
This model can shred up to 10 sheets at once when the automatic function is turned on. It cuts the paper in the cross-cut shreds that are 1/5” wide and 1-50/87” long. This is a high-security level that allows you to destroy any confidential content without worry.
The device starts the shredding automatically when the feed slot detects the paper you’re inserting. It can cut paper, junk mail and other documents from the home. Also, you can cut staples, paper clips, and credit cards, but you must use the manual function.
And you must put them one by one into the feed.For the great price that’s under $100, this model has many additional features that make it one of the best personal shredder models. The system has to overheat and overloading protection.
That means the system works continuously for 4 minutes, and then it goes into the cool down stage that lasts for 40 minutes. In this time the motor can rest so it doesn’t overheat which extends its lifetime. There is an indicator that is red when the motor is overheated, and it flashes during the overload. A blue indicator shows the system is turned on.
Protection of overloading with paper prevents the paper jams of happening, so you can be sure that this home model will give you the best shredding experience without frustration caused by paper’s stuck in the feed.
After they’re shredded, the shreds are thrown away into the basket. The wastebasket is 5.5 gallons big and it can accumulate around 320 shredded sheets. It doesn’t have the indicator that lights when you have to empty it, but the transparent window allows you to see when it’s full.
It’s 12.6” long, 7.9” wide and 16.5” high. The dimensions are ideal for side desk use and according to the capacity, it’s optimal for 1 to 2 users. It weighs 18.6 pounds so it’s easy to move it. All parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
The Best Cross Cut Personal Shredder
AmazonBasic 12-Sheet Model
Unlike the previous model, this one has a bigger sheet capacity. It can shred up to 12 sheets at once when shredding automatically. The automatic function ensures that the paper shredding starts immediately after you insert the pages.
Its cross-cut type of shredding enables high security leveled shredding which ensures worry-free cutting of confidential data such as business cards or other documents that can have personal information.
The paper is shredded into the cross-cut shreds that are 7/32” wide and 1-9/16” long. It can cut documents, paper clips, staples, junk mail. You can also cut the credit cards which have a special feed.
They can’t be cut with the automatic shredding because it can cause jams. To avoid it, put one by one credit card into the feed. Other paper jams can also be avoided since the system has an anti-jam auto reverse function which minimizes and clears the jams.
Paper feed is 8.7” wide so you can normally put any A4 sized paper in it. The shreds are accumulated into the 4.8-gallon bin. It’s big enough so you don’t have to empty it often. There is no light indicator for the full bin, so you must track the level through the transparent window.
The great user-friendly feature that the previous model didn’t have is the lift handle for the easier lift up. It makes it even more practical. The model is 14.1” long, 10.1” wide and 16.3” high so it’s convenient for desk side use.
It weighs 12.81 pounds. The lightweight design and compact dimensions make it easy to move. The system has thermal protection which means if the model runs too long and starts to overheat, it will automatically shut off.
Another great energy saving feature is that the motor has a cool down period of 30 minutes after 7 minutes of continuous work. Therefore, the motor is protected from damages caused by overheating. All parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
The Best Heavy-Duty Personal Shredder
Fellowes 16-Sheet Model
This is the model that has more advanced professional features that you can use in your home. The system has SafeSense technology that stops the shredding when hands touch the paper opening.
The average shredding speed is 4.3 mpm which is enough to shred a lot of paper very fast. During the shredding, you don’t have to worry about the paper jams because the device has a 100% jam proof system that eliminates any jams with auto reverse function.
Besides paper, paper clips and staples, junk mail and credit cards, this device can also cut CDs and DVDs which the previous model couldn’t do. It also has a special feed for the thicker materials such as CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, and you have to put them inside manually, one by one. Automatic function shreds up to 16 sheets at once.
The system has optimal energy efficiency that is enabled with the 30 minutes cooldown period after 20 minutes of continuous shredding. It has a very strong motor that can support this long constant work, and cool down stage enables its longevity by preventing overheat.
Paper is shredder into cross-cut shreds that are 5/32” wide and 1-1/2” long. These particles are at security level P-4, which means any confident content is unreadable after the shredding. The automatic function allows starting immediately after you insert it in the feed.
The shreds are accumulated in the 6-gallon wastebasket which is big enough so you don’t have to empty it often. The performance is very quiet and around 54dB which is optimal for any environment. The device is 10.4” long, 15.4” wide and 21.3” high. It weighs 28.2 pounds and unlike previous models, it has wheels for easier mobility.
The Best Micro Cut Personal Shredder
Aurora 8-Sheet Model
Unlike previous models, this one has a micro-cut shredding system which is enough for the highest P-4 security level. You can be sure that any confident data will be unreadable after shredding it with this device.
The shredder cuts the sheets into the particles that are 5/32” wide and 15/32” long. It can cut the paper, paper clips and staples, junk mail and other documents. With auto feed, the device will take up to 8 sheets at once.
Credit cards and CDs/DVDs have a separated feed entry which previous models didn’t have. That ensures optimal shredding with no jams. Print jams are also prevented with the overload protection that will stop the shredder if you’ve put too much paper in it.
There is also a LED indicator for power, overheat and misaligned status. The shredding starts automatically after you insert the paper. The cards and CDs must be put manually, one at a time. If the system is overheating it will automatically shut off.
Overheating is avoided with the cooldown break after 5 minutes of the continuous working time. A great user-friendly feature is a ShredSafe technology that stops the shredding if your hand is detected in the feed entry.
The bin is 4.8 gallons big, and you can track the level of waste through the transparent window. Also, it has integrated handle for easier emptying. It’s 2.5” wide, 8.9” long and 15.7” high. It weighs 14.04 pounds and it’s easy to move it. Compact design is ideal for desk size use and optimal for 1 user.
The Best Strip Cut Personal Shredder
Swingline 12-Sheet Model
Unlike previous models, this device has the lowest P-2 security level because it’s a strip-cutter. The paper is cut in 30 shreds. This level provides basic security. You can use it for junk mail, documents with expired data and any other content that doesn’t have sensitive information.
When the automatic functions are turned on, it can shred up to 12 sheets at once. It has the special entry for credit cards and DVDs but they must be put manually, one by one, to avoid damages.
Except for damages, you can cause paper jams. They are also caused by paper overload. This device has anti-jam technology that prevents and clears jams with the auto reverse function. The shreds are accumulated in the 6-gallon big detachable bin.
There is no light indicator, so you must watch the level of shreds through the transparent window. You can empty it in the shredder bags that are sold separately for more simply clean up.
The device is energy-efficient and it will take a brake od 20 minutes, after 15 minutes of continuous work. Since it can shred that long, the motor is strong, but it needs the shut-off period before starting again to prevent overheating.
It’s ideal for home or small office, and suitable for 1-2 users. It’s 9.5” long ¸13.8” wide and 19.5” high. The weight is only 12 pounds, so you can easily move it from one side of your home or office to another.
Conclusion: What’s The Best Personal Shredder?
My opinion is that the best model among other personal paper shredders I’ve reviewed is the Fellowes personal shredder. It has advanced features such as anti-print jam, SafeSemse technology and strong motor. Large bin and sheet capacity together with low noise level makes it ideal for 1 to 2 users in a home or office. But, if you aren’t satisfied with this choice for your home paper shredder, or office paper shredder, read my list of best paper shredders right here.