We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Paper Shredder For Home 2026 in the United States

How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Fellowes ‎Powershred 79Ci 16-Sheet 100% Jam-Proof Heavy Duty Crosscut Paper Shredder Machine for Office and Home, Black/Dark Silver 3227919

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,252
Sheet Capacity
Additional Features
Safety Features

Most important from
10941 reviews

Sheet Capacity
It handles large shredding jobs effortlessly, processing up to 15 sheets at once with fast, smooth operation.
Additional Features
The anti-jam feature and LED indicators provide clear guidance on paper load, preventing most jams and allowing easy reversal when needed.
Safety Features
Safety features like the touch sensor that stops shredding if hands get too close make it ideal for homes with children or pets.
Noise Level
The shredder runs quietly, a welcome improvement over older models, making it suitable for home or small office environments.
Bin Size
Despite its bulk, the large waste bin holds a significant amount of shredded material, and the full-bin indicator helps manage maintenance efficiently.

The Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is a solid choice for home use, especially if you often need to shred a fair amount of paper quickly. It can shred up to 16 sheets at once, which is quite a high capacity for a home shredder, and it handles staples, credit cards, and even CDs, adding versatility. Its crosscut style provides strong security by turning documents into tiny pieces, making it a good pick if you want to protect sensitive information.

The shredder can run continuously for about 20 minutes before needing a cool-down period, so it works well for longer shredding tasks without frequent breaks. Safety is a priority here, with a feature that stops shredding if hands or pets get too close—helpful for families. The 6-gallon bin is large enough to hold a good amount of shredded material, and a light indicator tells you when it’s full, making maintenance easy. The machine operates quietly, which is a nice bonus for home environments.

One thing to keep in mind is that while it’s powerful, it’s also somewhat bulky and weighs over 28 pounds, so it’s not the most compact option if space is tight. Also, although it claims to be jam-proof, occasional jams can still happen, so some care is needed when feeding thick stacks. If you need a reliable, heavy-duty shredder with advanced safety and security features for your home or small office, the Fellowes 79Ci will likely meet your needs well.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,252
Sheet Capacity
Additional Features
Safety Features

Most important from
10941 reviews

Sheet Capacity
It handles large shredding jobs effortlessly, processing up to 15 sheets at once with fast, smooth operation.
Additional Features
The anti-jam feature and LED indicators provide clear guidance on paper load, preventing most jams and allowing easy reversal when needed.
Safety Features
Safety features like the touch sensor that stops shredding if hands get too close make it ideal for homes with children or pets.
Noise Level
The shredder runs quietly, a welcome improvement over older models, making it suitable for home or small office environments.
Bin Size
Despite its bulk, the large waste bin holds a significant amount of shredded material, and the full-bin indicator helps manage maintenance efficiently.
#2

Aurora Commercial Grade 200-Sheet Auto Feed High Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder/ 60 Minutes/Security Level P-5

Rating
9.1
Type of Cut
Sheet Capacity
Run Time and Cool Down Time

Most important from
1327 reviews

Type of Cut
It shreds everything into smaller sized, more secure confetti, which in turn takes up less space in your trash/recycling and is less of a mess than cross-cut shredded strips.
Sheet Capacity
This shredder is designed for you to open the lid, place several hundred sheets of letter size paper into the bin, close the lid, and walk away. You get other things done while it shreds.
Run Time and Cool Down Time
This has one of the longest run times, so it will shred way longer than the others before you need to stop. Which means more boxes of files done sooner.
Safety Features
Very strong, following instructions is key point as in staples in one direction no folded paper. Manual feed for other things.
Noise Level
Once unboxed, I was immediately blown away by its near-silent operation—so quiet, you can hardly tell it’s running.
Additional Features
Experience the ultimate in shredding performance with the Aurora Shredder! Not only did it arrive in record time, but it also came securely packaged to ensure it stayed in perfect condition.

The Aurora Commercial Grade 200-Sheet Auto Feed High Security Micro-Cut Paper Shredder is a robust option for home use, particularly for those with high-volume shredding needs. One of its standout features is the automatic shredding capability, allowing you to load up to 200 sheets at once. This is complemented by a manual shredding capacity for up to 10 sheets, making it versatile for different shredding tasks. The micro-cut feature provides high security by turning paper into tiny confetti-like pieces, surpassing the standard cross-cut shredders in security, rated at P-5 security level. This is particularly beneficial if you need to dispose of sensitive documents securely.

Additionally, it can handle a continuous run time of 60 minutes, which is impressive and beneficial for extensive shredding sessions without frequent breaks. The anti-jam auto-reverse feature helps clear paper jams, improving convenience and efficiency. It operates quietly, which is a plus if you’re working in a home office environment. The 8.5-gallon bin is spacious, reducing the need for frequent emptying, and the LED indicator lights for various statuses (Standby, Overheat, Bin-full, Overload, Door open) add to its ease of use.

However, some potential drawbacks include its size and the fact that it might be overkill for those with minimal shredding needs. Additionally, its continuous run time might require a significant cool-down period, which could be inconvenient if you need to shred continuously for longer than 60 minutes. This shredder is well-suited for users needing high security and high capacity shredding, though it may be more than necessary for casual use.

Rating
9.1
Type of Cut
Sheet Capacity
Run Time and Cool Down Time

Most important from
1327 reviews

Type of Cut
It shreds everything into smaller sized, more secure confetti, which in turn takes up less space in your trash/recycling and is less of a mess than cross-cut shredded strips.
Sheet Capacity
This shredder is designed for you to open the lid, place several hundred sheets of letter size paper into the bin, close the lid, and walk away. You get other things done while it shreds.
Run Time and Cool Down Time
This has one of the longest run times, so it will shred way longer than the others before you need to stop. Which means more boxes of files done sooner.
Safety Features
Very strong, following instructions is key point as in staples in one direction no folded paper. Manual feed for other things.
Noise Level
Once unboxed, I was immediately blown away by its near-silent operation—so quiet, you can hardly tell it’s running.
Additional Features
Experience the ultimate in shredding performance with the Aurora Shredder! Not only did it arrive in record time, but it also came securely packaged to ensure it stayed in perfect condition.
#3

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 18-Sheet 100% Jam-Proof Heavy Duty Crosscut Paper Shredder Machine for Office and Home, Black/Gray 3229904

Rating
8.8
Sheet Capacity
Run Time and Cool Down Time
Safety Features

Most important from
10941 reviews

Sheet Capacity
This shredder handles large volumes effortlessly, shredding up to 15 sheets at once without jams or issues, making it a true workhorse for home use.
Run Time and Cool Down Time
The machine runs smoothly for extended periods but will automatically stop and cool down if it overheats, providing a valuable safety feature.
Safety Features
SafeSense technology effectively stops shredding when hands or fingers get too close, offering peace of mind for households with children or pets.
Additional Features
It shreds staples, credit cards, and CDs with ease, adding versatility beyond just paper shredding.
Noise Level
The shredder operates quietly, which is a significant improvement over older strip-cut models and ideal for home environments.
Bin Size
The large 9-gallon bin reduces the frequency of emptying, though packing down shredded paper inside the bin is sometimes necessary to continue shredding.

The Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is a strong choice for home use, especially if you need to handle sensitive documents securely. It uses cross-cut shredding, which cuts paper into small pieces, making it tough for anyone to piece documents back together. It can shred up to 18 sheets at once, which is quite high for a home shredder, so it can save you time on larger jobs. The 9-gallon bin is generous, meaning fewer trips to empty it. You can run it continuously for 30 minutes before it needs to cool down, which is helpful if you have a lot to shred at once.

Safety is a big plus here — it has SafeSense technology that stops the shredder automatically if your hands or pets get too close to the opening, reducing the risk of accidents. It’s also designed to be ultra-quiet, so it won't disturb your home environment. Another nice feature is its ability to shred not just paper but also staples, credit cards, and even CDs, adding versatility.

One downside is that at 36 pounds and a decent size, it’s not the most compact model, so it might take up some space. Also, while it is powerful, it might be more than what a very light home user needs, and it’s priced accordingly. For anyone who regularly needs to dispose of confidential information and seeks a reliable, safe, and efficient shredder, the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is well worth considering.

Rating
8.8
Sheet Capacity
Run Time and Cool Down Time
Safety Features

Most important from
10941 reviews

Sheet Capacity
This shredder handles large volumes effortlessly, shredding up to 15 sheets at once without jams or issues, making it a true workhorse for home use.
Run Time and Cool Down Time
The machine runs smoothly for extended periods but will automatically stop and cool down if it overheats, providing a valuable safety feature.
Safety Features
SafeSense technology effectively stops shredding when hands or fingers get too close, offering peace of mind for households with children or pets.
Additional Features
It shreds staples, credit cards, and CDs with ease, adding versatility beyond just paper shredding.
Noise Level
The shredder operates quietly, which is a significant improvement over older strip-cut models and ideal for home environments.
Bin Size
The large 9-gallon bin reduces the frequency of emptying, though packing down shredded paper inside the bin is sometimes necessary to continue shredding.

Buying Guide for the Best Paper Shredder For Home

Choosing the right paper shredder for your home involves understanding your specific needs and the key features that will best meet those needs. A paper shredder is an essential tool for protecting your personal information and ensuring that sensitive documents are disposed of securely. When selecting a shredder, consider factors such as the type of cut, sheet capacity, bin size, and additional features that can enhance convenience and security.
Type of CutThe type of cut refers to how the shredder slices 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 basic security. Cross-cut shredders cut paper into small pieces, providing a higher level of security. Micro-cut shredders offer the highest security by cutting paper into tiny particles. If you need to shred highly sensitive documents, a micro-cut shredder is the best choice. For general home use, a cross-cut shredder is usually sufficient.
Sheet CapacitySheet capacity indicates how many sheets of paper the 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 occasional use, while those with a higher capacity (10-20 sheets or more) are better for frequent use or larger volumes of paper. Consider how often you will be shredding and the volume of documents you typically need to dispose of to determine the right sheet capacity for you.
Bin SizeThe bin size refers to the volume of the waste bin that collects the shredded paper. A larger bin size means you won't have to empty it as often, which can be more convenient if you shred a lot of documents. Bin sizes can range from a few gallons to over 10 gallons. For light, occasional use, a smaller bin may be sufficient. For more frequent shredding, a larger bin will save you time and hassle.
Run Time and Cool Down TimeRun time is the amount of time a shredder can operate continuously before needing to cool down. Cool down time is the period the shredder needs to rest before it can be used again. Shredders with longer run times and shorter cool down times are more efficient for heavy use. If you only need to shred a few documents at a time, a shredder with a shorter run time will suffice. For larger shredding tasks, look for a model with a longer run time and a shorter cool down period.
Safety FeaturesSafety features are important to prevent accidents, especially if you have children or pets at home. Look for shredders with features like automatic shut-off, which stops the shredder if hands or objects get too close to the blades, and safety locks that prevent the shredder from being used when not intended. These features can provide peace of mind and ensure safe operation.
Noise LevelNoise level is an important consideration if you plan to use the shredder in a shared or quiet space. Shredders can vary significantly in how loud they are when operating. If noise is a concern, look for models that are specifically designed to operate quietly. This can make the shredding process more pleasant and less disruptive.
Additional FeaturesAdditional features can enhance the convenience and functionality of your shredder. Some shredders come with features like jam-proof technology, which prevents paper jams and makes shredding smoother, or auto-feed capabilities, which allow you to load a stack of papers and let the shredder do the work automatically. Consider which additional features might be useful for your specific needs and choose a model that offers those benefits.

FAQ

Most Popular Categories Right Now