As you're cleaning out drawers and sorting through papers, you may find yourself with a pile of documents containing confidential information. Old bank statements, medical records and anything with your social security number on it shouldn't get tossed into the recycling bin as is. This is when a paper shredder is an essential household appliance. We took a look around the internet and found the best paper shredders on the market. Next stop: confetti party!
Top Row:
• Ativa HD1600 16-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder from Office Depot Customer reviews for this unit state that it can rip through anything, including credit cards and stapled documents. $199.99
• Mailmate M7 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder from Staples — This shredder has 12 sheet capacity and the capability to shred 7 feet per minute. Of the 309 reviews on Staples' site, the majority are positive. $79.99
• Fellowes Powershred 13 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder from Amazon — With a jam proof system and the capability for 13 sheets at a time, this unit has proven very popular. Of the 369 reviews on Amazon, 253 gave the unit 5-stars and 75 gave it 4-stars. $179
Bottom Row:
• GearHead Home/Office 12 Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder from Home Depot — This unit has gotten all positive reviews on Home Depot's site. It can shred up to 12 sheets at a time, in addition to CDs and DVDs. $99.99
• Init 10-sheet Microcut DVD/CD Shredder from Best Buy — Reviews state that this shredder is quiet, can handle up to 10 pages at a time and effortlessly cuts through CDs and DVDs. Of the 25 reviews on Best Buy's website, 18 are overwhelmingly positive. $99.99
• Royal Machines 10-Sheet Full-Size Cross-Cut Shredder from Target Customer reviews for this compact unit are positive, citing it's quiet operation and ability to shred cards in addition to 10 sheets of paper at a time.
BEST PAPER SHREDDER POSTS AROUND THE WEB
• Best Paper Shredders on Consumer Search
• Good Housekeeping's Best Shredders on Yahoo
• Tips for Buying a Home Paper Shredder on House Beautiful
Have you had personal experience with these or any other paper shredders? Have your own favorite that we missed? Let us knew in the comments below and help us continue in our hunt for the best paper shredder on the market.
(Images: As credited above.)
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I have resisted getting a shredder. I resent having to spend $100+ on them, and I think they are kind of ugly. Instead I tear up sensitive documents, making sure to tear through any social security numbers, account numbers, addresses, etc. Then I put half the paper in the recycling bin and half in a paper bag in the closet to be recycled next week.
We have a huge shredder and I hate it. Not because it doesn't work well, because it's so ugly. I can't remember the name( it has a bulldog icon on it). It doesn't do the cross cut , just single shred, so I'm not sure how secure that is.
Does anyone make a small shredder that actually looks good? Perhaps in colors? All these are ugly as are most that I see on the market. I would like to get one for my apartment, but want something that doesn't make my eyes bleed.
We love our Staples MailMate. It's heavy duty, and we just keep it on the floor in the corner of our office. Before, in our old home we kept it in our kitchen landing strip on the counter, and people asked us if it was a coffee maker! I like that you can put a whole thick envelope in there and it shreds it like it's nothing!
It just never bothered me that it was ugly. It's usually next to the desk, hidden from view, and it's handy for getting rid of documents.
The most secure way of getting rid of documents is probably to burn them and reduce them to ash, but if you're not into starting document bonfires then the cross cut shredders are the most secure for consumers. There are shredders that are even more secure, and those practically pulverize documents into dust.
We just got a giant Fellowes (the third one in the list) after having burnt out our last one, and it's a BEAST!!!!!
The pre-shredded paper makes it easier to turn it into pulp for paper mache.
Our shredder is so annoying that we stopped using it. My husband tears up sensitive info and puts it in the compost container under the sink. By the end of the week when the compost goes outside you certainly couldn't read anything from the bits of paper.
I have the Fellowes 79ci model above and it's nice because it's very quiet (most others sound like a power tool, not this one). It also can be wheeled into a closet easily if you find it unsightly. It however looks less like a trash can than most shredders so I typically just leave it out in my home office where it fits right in to the decor.
Here's my video review of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NVSQZqZvt0
I have the mailmate and it's nice, but the container is small so you have to stop often to empty. I'm trying something new this year - I get the mail on the way to work and then use the shredder/recycle bins there so paper doesn't come into the house.
The last one from Target seemed to look the best.
Is there a stainless steel one anywhere?
This one looks very stylish but I don't know if it's functional:
http://www.amazon.com/Homedics-6-Sheet-Crosscut-Shredder-BD-VS600/dp/B0045I84IS/
After many times spending hours shredding documents I had collected over months, only to see my shredder burn out *yet again*, I now collect a box of shreddables and take it to Red Dog Shred, a company that will happily shred your documents before your eyes in about a minute, for a small fee- I think they charged me about $7 for a banker's box. I'm in northern california, but these places have to be cropping up everywhere. So nice to stop emptying that confetti bin over and over!
I'm on my 3rd shredder in about that many years. This time I read Consumer Reports before buying because I too am tired of sending out $100 and winding up with a big piece of junk after a few months. CR recommended a Staples model and that's what I bought.. It was a pain in the A-- to put together, but that thing is killing it as a shredder. I have NO affiliation with the store but Consumer Reports seems to know what they are talking about. It's tucked into a corner of the kitchen and it has casters so it's not too obnoxious to have around.
I agree with AngryRedhead, the Fellowes is a beast. We have had 3 shredders in four years. The beast is still with us. It is a work horse. Highly recommend!
If you do not want a shredder, contact your local recycling & garbage facilities. Here in DC, one location will shred stuff for you on the first Saturday of each month.
This is my paper shredder: http://www.officemax.com/technology/shredders-shredder-supplies/home-office-shredders/product-prod3111746 which I waited to purchase when there was a decent sale. It works great for me, but I don't always have to shred beyond a few documents at a time.
Best heavy duty shredder here! Shred size is tiny and can shred 20 mins nonstop. Had this thing for over a year and still rocks. http://www.amazon.com/SimplyShred-SG-830C-15-sheet-Micro-cut-Shredder/dp/B0035J6PUM/ref=zg_tr_172591_16