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6 Best Amazonbasics Paper Shredders 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross Cut Paper Shredder with Pullout Basket, Black

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,418
Shred Type
Bin Capacity
Noise Level

Most important from
63541 reviews

Shred Type
Shreds faster than expected and reduces papers to tiny bits, making it highly secure.
Bin Capacity
The bin is spacious and easy to empty, perfect for multiple shredding sessions.
Noise Level
Noise level is manageable—loud enough to know it's working but quiet enough to not disturb.

The Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross Cut Paper Shredder is designed for users who need to shred large quantities of paper efficiently. Its cross-cut shredding type ensures that documents are turned into small, confetti-like pieces, providing a high level of security (P-4 standards). A standout feature is its 200-sheet automatic shredding capacity, which is very convenient for bulk shredding tasks, while the manual feed can handle up to 10 sheets at once. You won't need to remove staples, which adds to its ease of use.

With a run time of 60 minutes for the auto feed and 10 minutes for the manual feed, it's suited for heavy-duty shredding, though it requires a 45-minute cool down period thereafter, which may disrupt workflow for some users. The 8.5-gallon pull-out bin is spacious, reducing the frequency of emptying, and it includes helpful LED indicators for various statuses such as bin full or door open. Safety and convenience are enhanced with features like anti-jam auto reverse and automatic shut off to prevent overheating.

However, the shredder is relatively large and may take up considerable space in your office. Additionally, noise could be an issue as most shredders tend to be loud. The energy-saving sleep mode is a plus for reducing power consumption. This shredder is best suited for small to medium-sized offices that require frequent, high-volume shredding.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,418
Shred Type
Bin Capacity
Noise Level

Most important from
63541 reviews

Shred Type
Shreds faster than expected and reduces papers to tiny bits, making it highly secure.
Bin Capacity
The bin is spacious and easy to empty, perfect for multiple shredding sessions.
Noise Level
Noise level is manageable—loud enough to know it's working but quiet enough to not disturb.
#2

Amazon Basics Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder, 12 Sheet (New Model), Black

Rating
9.6
Sheet Capacity

Most important from
63541 reviews

Sheet Capacity
Shreds 12 sheets at a time efficiently and continuously without jamming.

The Amazon Basics Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder is a practical choice for home or small office use, boasting a 12-sheet capacity and the ability to shred credit cards, staples, and small paper clips. This shredder provides a reasonable security level with its cross-cut mechanism, producing pieces about 0.2 x 1.2 inches, meeting P-3 security standards, which is suitable for most general documents but not highly sensitive information.

Its runtime of 9 minutes is decent, but the 30-minute cool down period may be a bit long for larger shredding tasks. The automatic shut-off feature helps prevent overheating, adding a layer of safety and convenience. A 5-gallon bin means you won't need to empty it too often, which is a plus for continuous use.

The shredder is relatively straightforward to operate with its 4-mode control switch and LED indicators for power, overheating, and overload. One thing to note is that the shredder is not suitable for metallic credit cards and should be kept away from aerosol products, as indicated in the instructions. If you need a versatile shredder for moderate use, this model from Amazon Basics could be a solid option.

Rating
9.6
Sheet Capacity

Most important from
63541 reviews

Sheet Capacity
Shreds 12 sheets at a time efficiently and continuously without jamming.
#3

Amazon Basics 6 Sheet Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Home Office Shredder with 3.8 Gallon Bin, Black

Rating
9.3
Shred Type
Bin Capacity
Noise Level

Most important from
63541 reviews

Shred Type
This little beast turns sensitive documents into confetti dreams, making even the most determined identity thief give up.
Bin Capacity
The bin is easy to empty and has a perfect capacity for multiple shredding sessions, making it convenient and efficient.
Noise Level
The shredder hums along like it's auditioning for the office ASMR channel—loud enough to know it’s working, yet quiet enough to not annoy the neighbors.

The Amazon Basics 6 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder is designed for home or small office use, offering several practical features. One of its strengths is its ability to cross-cut, which is more secure than strip-cut shredding. It can handle up to 6 sheets of paper at a time, and also shreds credit cards, small paper clips, and staples, which adds to its versatility.

The shredder comes with a 3.8-gallon bin, providing a decent capacity for shredded materials, reducing the frequency of emptying the bin. It includes safety features like auto start and overheat protection, which help prevent damage and ensure safe operation. Additionally, it has thermal protection, which stops the shredder if it gets too hot, and a manual reverse function to clear paper jams, making it user-friendly and reliable.

A notable drawback is its short run time before needing to cool down, which means it’s best suited for light, occasional use rather than heavy, continuous shredding tasks. The noise level is typical for shredders in this category, but it may still be noticeable in a quiet environment. It’s also important to follow the safety instructions, such as avoiding the use of aerosol products around the shredder and not shredding metallic credit cards, to prevent potential hazards. This shredder is a solid choice for those needing a reliable, basic shredder for home or small office needs.

Rating
9.3
Shred Type
Bin Capacity
Noise Level

Most important from
63541 reviews

Shred Type
This little beast turns sensitive documents into confetti dreams, making even the most determined identity thief give up.
Bin Capacity
The bin is easy to empty and has a perfect capacity for multiple shredding sessions, making it convenient and efficient.
Noise Level
The shredder hums along like it's auditioning for the office ASMR channel—loud enough to know it’s working, yet quiet enough to not annoy the neighbors.

Buying Guide for the Best Amazonbasics Paper Shredders

When choosing a paper shredder, it's important to consider your specific needs and the features that will best meet those needs. Paper shredders come in various types and sizes, each designed for different levels of use and security. Understanding the key specifications will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you select a shredder that is both efficient and secure for your purposes.
Shred TypeThe shred type refers to the way the shredder cuts the paper. There are three main types: strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut. Strip-cut shredders cut paper into long, narrow strips and offer the lowest level of security, suitable for non-sensitive documents. Cross-cut shredders cut paper into small pieces, providing a higher level of security and are ideal for most personal and office use. Micro-cut shredders offer the highest level of security by cutting paper into tiny particles, making them suitable for highly confidential documents. Choose the shred type based on the sensitivity of the documents you need to shred.
Sheet CapacitySheet capacity indicates the number of sheets a shredder can handle at once. This is important because it affects how quickly you can shred documents. Shredders with a lower sheet capacity (5-10 sheets) are suitable for light, occasional use. Medium capacity shredders (10-20 sheets) are good for regular use in a small office or home office. High capacity shredders (20+ sheets) are designed for heavy use in larger offices. Consider how often you will be shredding and the volume of documents to determine the right sheet capacity for you.
Run Time and Cool Down TimeRun time refers to how long a shredder can operate continuously before needing to cool down, while cool down time is the period the shredder needs to rest before it can be used again. Short run times (2-5 minutes) with longer cool down times (20-30 minutes) are typical for light-duty shredders. Medium-duty shredders may have run times of 10-20 minutes with similar cool down times. Heavy-duty shredders can run continuously for 30 minutes or more with shorter cool down periods. Choose a shredder with a run time and cool down time that matches your shredding habits and volume.
Bin CapacityBin capacity refers to the amount of shredded paper the shredder's waste bin can hold. Smaller bins (1-3 gallons) are suitable for light use and need to be emptied more frequently. Medium bins (4-8 gallons) are good for regular use and require less frequent emptying. Larger bins (9+ gallons) are ideal for heavy use and can hold more shredded material, reducing the frequency of emptying. Consider how often you want to empty the bin and the volume of shredding you will be doing to choose the right bin capacity.
Noise LevelNoise level is an important consideration, especially if you will be using the shredder in a shared or quiet environment. Shredders can vary in noise output, with quieter models producing around 60 decibels and louder models reaching up to 80 decibels or more. If noise is a concern, look for a shredder that is specifically designed to operate quietly. Consider where you will be using the shredder and how much noise you can tolerate to choose the right noise level for your needs.
Safety FeaturesSafety features are important to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation. Common safety features include automatic shut-off when the bin is full or the shredder overheats, safety locks to prevent accidental operation, and sensors that detect hands or objects near the shredder blades. If you have children or pets, or if the shredder will be used in a busy office, look for models with robust safety features. Consider the environment in which the shredder will be used and the potential risks to choose the right safety features.

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