Being green has become an important part of modern-day living. Most households have already drastically cut back on paper use, but sometimes it remains unavoidable. You want to ensure that you prepare your paper waste for recycling in a way that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. One way to do this is by investing in an at-home paper shredder. This allows you to efficiently reduce your paper waste into smaller, more easily-sorted material.
Shredding your important documents helps combat identity theft, a crime increasing at an alarming rate in this day and age. With all this in mind, what is the best paper shredder for home use? What you should purchase can depend on a number of factors, but this comparison review will lay out in straightforward, understandable terms, the most popular shredding products available today, and how each is of benefit to you:
Fellowes Powershred (Model W-11C)
In shredder-speak, this is known as a ‘small business’ model, which means it is a mid-level product for moderate needs, and boasts of being able to handle up to 11 pages at once, as well as other items such as credit cards, unopened junk mail envelopes and adhesives, giving it plenty of heft for a mid-priced machine.
Fellowes Powershred W-11C 11 Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
As a home office shredder its a tempting proposition, capable of some 880 pages in five minutes. Its cross-cut blades reduce paper into confetti-like particles measuring some 5/32′ X 13/8′, while its safety feature ensures that the shredding ceases instantly if the unit is lifted off the waste basket component. A solid mid-range option.
Swingline Stack-And-Shred 100X
A clear difference in design from most printers is the first thing you’ll notice about this model. Rather than the usual vertical feed system, here you stack the paper into the machine, close it over and leave it to work away.
Swingline Stack-and-Shred 100X Super Cross-Cut Hands Free Shredder
Using this system, it can automatically shred up to 100 pages at at time, while using its manual function can allow you to shred up to 6 pages at a go. It also boasts an Auto+ Jam Clearance system which allows it to clear paper jams of its own accord, reversing stuck paper and re-feeding it into the blades. For those used to more traditional shredder feed systems, they may find that the stack-and-shred is a surprising time-saver.
Royal 1840MX
More of a premium shredder, the Royal is noticeably more expensive, but the extra performance that you get for the money is undeniable. Able to shred 18 pages at once with ease, the Royal can also cut through paper clips, staples and CDs, while its 9 gallon waste container is more than generous for home office use.
Royal 1840MX 18-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
If fed paper continuously, it will shred without fail for 40 minutes before it requires attention. Additionally, this crosscut shredder is wheeled, allowing for easy transport around the home, and a viewing window into the waste container, so you’ll know when it’s nearly time to empty it.
Aurora (AS809C model)
Looking for something affordable and functional? There are plenty of models available to suit the needs for an entry-level shredder, such as the Aurora. This crosscut shredder can handle up to 8 pages at once, as well as credit cards.
Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper/Credit Card Shredder with Basket
The shredder activates immediately as you begin to feed paper into it, while its light weight and compact size make it ideal for those caught on space, or as a secondary printer. Be careful not to insert more than the recommended number of pages however, while this model is good value, its more modest specs should be paid heed. Nevertheless, this is an effective little shredder that works well within its own parameters.
Comet M10
A power not usually attributed to paper shredders is the ability to be quiet, but that’s just what the Comet M10 lays claim to.
Comet CM-M10CD 10-Sheet Jamstop Micro Cut
According to its manufacturers, the M10 is so silent while going about its duty that it could be used in a library. Its quiet mode motor can operate at 55 decibels, while its durable steel crosscut blades can shred 7 feet per minute.
It also comes with a range of safety features, including JamStop, a function which will halt the machine upon a jam, in order to limit further damage, plus overheat and safe touch light indicators. Sturdy and discreet would neatly sum up this particular model.