10 Best Home Paper Shredders 2026 in the United States

The Amazon Basics Paper Shredder is a solid choice for home or small office use. Its cross-cut shredding turns sheets into small pieces, meeting security level P-4, which is good for protecting sensitive documents. It can shred up to 15 sheets at once, including staples and small clips, making it convenient for handling moderate amounts of paperwork without frequent pauses. The 8.7-inch wide slot also lets you shred CDs, DVDs, and credit cards one at a time, which adds versatility. A 6-gallon bin is reasonably sized, so you won't need to empty it too often, and the pull-out design with casters makes moving and emptying the shredder easy.

The shredder runs for 20 minutes continuously before needing a 20-minute cool down, which is typical for this type but might slow you down if you have large batches. It also has helpful safety features like auto shutoff if it overheats, jam prevention with reverse mode, and a sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity to save energy. LED indicators keep you informed about its status. On the downside, it can only shred one CD or credit card at a time, which may be slow if you have multiple to destroy. Also, its size and weight mean it’s not the most compact option, but it’s still manageable for home or office spaces.

This shredder provides a good balance of power, security, and ease of use for everyday shredding needs without overwhelming complexity.

The Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder is designed to meet everyday shredding needs for home or small office use. It offers a cross-cut shred type, which shreds paper and credit cards into small pieces (0.2 x 0.7 inches), meeting security level P-4 standards, making it suitable for disposing of sensitive documents. The shredder can handle up to 8 sheets of paper at a time, as well as staples and small paper clips, though it is not suitable for metal credit cards.

It has a 3-minute run time with a 30-minute cool down period, which may be limiting for heavy use but is generally adequate for light to moderate tasks. The shredder features a 3.7-gallon bin, which is relatively easy to empty. It operates with a 4-mode control switch and LED indicators to signal power status, overheating, and overloading, adding a layer of convenience and safety.

The shredder has a compact size (12.8 x 7.32 x 14.9 inches) and weighs 8.7 pounds, making it easy to move and store. Users should be mindful not to use aerosols near it or attempt to shred metallic cards, which could damage the unit. The shredder is known to be on the quieter side, thus minimizing disruption in a home or office environment. Additionally, each unit undergoes quality testing before shipping, ensuring reliability but might result in some pre-existing paper shreds inside the bin. This shredder would be a good fit for individuals or small offices looking for a reliable, mid-capacity shredder with essential safety features and decent performance for everyday use.

The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is a heavy-duty crosscut paper shredder that suits both home and office environments. It can handle up to 18 sheets at once, making it suitable for moderate to heavy use. One standout feature is its 100% jam-proof system, which ensures smooth operation even when shredding tough materials like staples, credit cards, and CDs. The crosscut mechanism provides a high level of security by turning documents into 397 small particles, ideal for disposing of confidential information (Level P-4 security grade).

Safety is a big plus with the SafeSense technology, which stops the shredder automatically if hands or paws touch the paper opening, making it safer for homes with pets and children. The shredder runs continuously for up to 30 minutes, which is good for lengthy shredding sessions, although it will need a cool down period afterward. The 9-gallon bin is quite capacious and features a convenient pull-out design with an LED indicator to alert you when it’s full.

At 36.4 pounds, it’s relatively portable and designed to be quiet, making it a good fit for shared workspaces. The shredder’s large size (33 inches tall) might be cumbersome for smaller spaces, and its higher price point might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. However, the strong build quality and extensive features, backed by Fellowes' long history of innovation, make this a reliable choice for those needing a robust and secure paper shredder.