10 Best Shredders 2026 in the United States

The Amazon Basics 24 Sheet Cross Cut Shredder is a solid choice for home or small office use, especially for those looking to securely dispose of sensitive documents. Its cross-cut design turns paper into tiny pieces, providing a commendable security level (P-4), which is crucial for personal and financial information. With a robust sheet capacity of up to 24 sheets at a time, it suits moderate shredding needs efficiently. This makes it great for users who frequently handle documents that require shredding, alongside the ability to shred CDs, DVDs, and credit cards—albeit one at a time.

A notable strength is its decent run time of 40 minutes, allowing for extended use without frequent breaks. However, it does require a 50-minute cool down period after this, which could be a limitation for users with larger shredding tasks. The shredder includes helpful features like an auto-start function, anti-jam reverse, and LED indicators for alerts, enhancing usability.

On the downside, it weighs about 31.6 pounds, which may make it less portable than lighter models, and its size could take up significant desk space. Users should also be cautious not to attempt shredding metallic items as this can damage the machine. Additionally, while the pull-out bin holds 7 gallons, frequent emptying may be needed if used for large projects.

The Amazon Basics Paper Shredder is a solid choice if you need a reliable shredder for home or small office use. It uses cross-cut shredding, cutting paper into small pieces that meet a decent security level (P-4), which is good for protecting sensitive documents. You can shred up to 15 sheets at once, including stapled paper and small clips, which is a good capacity for occasional or moderate shredding tasks. The 6-gallon bin is fairly large, so you won’t have to empty it too often.

It also handles one CD, DVD, or credit card at a time, which is a nice extra for disposing of old discs or cards securely. The shredder runs for 20 minutes before needing a 20-minute cool down, which is enough for most home or light office shredding but might feel limiting if you have a lot to shred regularly. It has helpful features like an auto-reverse to clear jams and LEDs that alert you to issues like overload or a full bin.

The unit includes casters, making it easy to move around, and it automatically goes to sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity to save power. The shredder can be a bit noisy, typical for shredders at this price and power range, so keep that in mind if you need something very quiet. Also, because it only accepts one CD or card at a time, shredding multiple discs could be slow. For those seeking a dependable shredder that covers the essentials without extra bells and whistles, this model delivers good performance and security for everyday use, especially for occasional shredding of documents, cards, or discs.

The Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross Cut Shredder is a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable and secure paper shredder. It uses cross-cut shredding, which slices paper into small confetti-like pieces, meeting a high security standard (P-4), making it effective for protecting sensitive documents. One of its standout features is the large 200-sheet auto-feed tray, allowing you to shred stacks of paper without manual effort, along with a 10-sheet manual slot for quick jobs.

Equipped with an 8.5-gallon pull-out bin, it reduces the frequency of emptying, and LED indicators alert you if the bin is full or if there’s a paper jam. The shredder can run continuously for up to 60 minutes with the auto-feed, followed by a 45-minute cool down to prevent overheating, which may be inconvenient during frequent large shredding tasks. It also includes safety and energy-saving features like automatic shutoff and sleep mode.

However, it does not handle items such as metallic credit cards or aerosols, limiting its use to paper and staples only. The shredder operates fairly quietly and has an easy-to-use control switch with anti-jam reverse, reducing user frustration. Due to its size and weight, it is better suited for a dedicated spot in an office rather than being moved around frequently. For home or small office use, this model offers a dependable balance of capacity, security, and ease of use without being overly complicated.