The Best Office Shredders to Keep Your Small Business Safe and Secure

In 2014, about 7% of Americans over the age of 16 were victims of identity theft.1 Protect the secure information of your small business, employees, and clients with the right office shredder.
Best Overall
amazonbasics 8-sheet cross-cut paper
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut
Starting from
$35
  • pro
    8-sheet feed capacity
  • pro
    Affordable price
Top Heavy-Duty Pick
bonsai-evershred
Bonsaii EverShred C149-C
Starting from
$145
  • pro
    18-sheet feed capacity
  • pro
    Hour-long maximum run time
Best No Maintenance
fellowes powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci
Starting from
$270
  • pro
    Jam-proof system
  • pro
    Large 9-gallon bin
Most Portable
aurora as420c
Aurora AS420C
Starting from
$26
  • pro
    Compact size with carrying handle
  • pro
    Affordable price
Most Secure
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Shredder
Starting from
$43
  • pro
    6× smaller shreds than cross-cut
  • pro
    Great value

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While more and more work documents are going digital, paper still floods nearly every business—and some of those sheets could contain valuable information. A shredder provides peace of mind for your small business and protects your company from legal repercussions.

Most likely, the best office shredder for your small business will fit your company’s needs without breaking the budget. These five highly rated shredders each satisfy distinct demands in the workplace. For more detailed information on each of our picks, keep reading!

2018’s best office shredders

2018 best shredders for your office

Shredder
Price
Type of cut
Sheet capacity
Security level
More info

$35

Cross-cut

8

P3

$152

Cross-cut

18

P3

$210

Cross-cut

18

P4

$26

Cross-cut

4

P3

$43

Micro-cut

6

P4

AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut: Best overall shredder

amazonbasics 8-sheet cross-cut paper
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut

Starting from $35.00

The eight-sheet capacity means you can shred credit cards or load several papers at once without a hitch. Although the machine comes with only a few bonus features, its simple design is practical for typical storage situations and easy emptying. You can buy the AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut for $35 and feel comfortable that it will work great for most office situations.

Strengths
pro 8-sheet capacity for light shredding needs
pro Low cost for a cross-cut printer
pro Compact size for under-the-desk storage
pro Simple lifting lid for emptying the bin
Weaknesses
con Short 3-minute continuous run time
con Long 30-minute cooldown
con Louder operation than some of the other shredders on our list

Why is it our choice for best overall shredder?

For our best overall shredder, we had to consider key specifications, customer reviews, helpful features, and prices. This AmazonBasics shredder covers all the needed features for the typical small business at a price point that won’t shut businesses out. It’s a cross-cut shredder, which provides a big step up in security when compared to a traditional strip-cut shredder.

Money
This AmazonBasics shredder covers all the needed features for the typical small business at a price point that won’t shut businesses out.

Is it right for me?

Do you need a shredder that offers your business more than a standard home shredder but don’t want to waste any money on features you won’t need? Most small businesses will find this device has everything they’re searching for. Additionally, any entrepreneur hoping to tuck a shredder underneath their home office desk will appreciate this shredder’s compact, simple, and sleek design.

But because of the short run time and long cooldown period, businesses that shred large piles of documents might want to dish out a little extra cash for a heavier-duty shredder.

For a popular and well-rounded shredder that fits any office space (and any office budget), we suggest the AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut.

Bonsaii EverShred C149-C: Best heavy-duty shredder

bonsai-evershred
Bonsaii EverShred C149-C

Starting from $145.00

Each document is cut into pieces small enough for the P3 security threshold. (You can learn more about shredder security levels in the FAQ section below.) And with an hour-long continuous run time, you can use the machine for long stretches without worrying about overheating. If you do reach the maximum run time, the 10-minute cooldown goes by fast.

Strengths
pro 18-sheet feed capacity that can handle credit cards, CDs, and DVDs
pro Hour-long maximum run time
pro 10-minute cooldown period
pro Low noise level for a heavy-duty machine
Weaknesses
con Smaller bin that requires frequent emptying
con Smaller paper feed entry requiring precise paper placement

Why is it our choice for best heavy-duty shredder?

This machine quite simply has some of the best specs at a reasonable price of just over $150. You can load a sizeable number of documents at a time thanks to its 18-sheet max capacity. (Although, according to some reports, you might want to aim for a bit under the max).

Is it right for me?

Often slowed down by frequent shredding? This shredder’s one-hour run time will help. When you have boxes or cabinets full of shred-worthy documents, a longer shredder run time will keep you shredding with few breaks. And the Bonsaii EverShred C149-C’s higher sheet capacity will make it simple to do sizable loads all at once. Smaller businesses that shred only one paper every half hour might want to consider a cheaper or more compact option.

If documents slated for shredding are always piling up, a heavy-duty shredder like the Bonsaii EverShred C149-C will gobble them up quickly and tirelessly.

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci: Best maintenance-free shredder

fellowes powershred 99Ci 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci

Starting from $270.00

If you want to make sure your shredder won’t frustrate employees with frequent jams, you can buy this low-maintenance shredder for $210.

Strengths
pro Jam-proof system
pro 30-minute run time for longer jobs
pro Large 9-gallon bin with a convenient indicator light
pro Cuts just above the P4 security level
Weaknesses
con Highest price point on our list
con Consumer complaints about shredded paper falling out of the bin during disposal

Why is it our choice for best maintenance-free shredder?

This shredder’s key selling point is its 100% jam-proof system, which consists of three tiers of jam protection. First, there’s an easy-to-see indicator light that tells the user right away if the width of the inserted documents will cause a jam. Second, if paper is inserted at an angle, the machine will automatically reverse the feed and straighten out the paper. And third, the motor pauses immediately when too many documents are inserted at once, starting right back up once part of the load is removed.

Is it right for me?

This shredder is a great all-around option for any business that can spend a bit more for expanded capability. Any small business with multiple employees shredding documents could benefit from the user-friendly features that protect both the user and the machine from harm.

And if your office can’t rely on one “machine whisperer” to keep all the equipment running smoothly, this shredder’s jam protection will save time and frustration. But if your company sporadically uses the shredder for only a single sheet of paper here and there, this shredder may be more than you need.

We suggest the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci for businesses that shred multiple documents at once and want to spend less time fixing jams and emptying bins.

Info
Fun fact
The inspiration for Shredder, the archenemy of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, came from the concept of a warrior wearing rectangular cheese graters on their arms.

Aurora AS420C: Best portable shredder

aurora as420c
Aurora AS420C

Starting from $26.00

We appreciate the number of important features this machine has despite its small size, and the built-in handle makes this much more comfortable to carry than almost any shredder out there. Plus, its low $26 price can fit almost any business budget.

Strengths
pro Compact size
pro Convenient carrying handle
pro Lowest price on our list at just above $25
pro Shredding capability for credit cards, staples, and paper clips
Weaknesses
con Small sheet capacity
con Short run time
con Small basket size

Why is it our choice for best portable shredder?

If your business takes you everywhere, you probably want a shredder that’s not only compact but also built for portability.

Is it right for me?

Not every travel-heavy job requires a shredder, but ones that do will benefit from a lightweight, affordable option like the Aurora AS420C.

Instead of holding onto all secure documentation until you can get to the office shredder, you can dispose of sensitive papers anytime you have an outlet nearby. Its compact size also makes it great for a home office with less shredding needs and even less desk space.

On the other hand, the small bin size, sheet capacity, and paper feed entry aren’t ideal for jobs larger than one or two papers. We recommend finding other options unless portability and desk space are your main concerns.

Consider the Aurora AS420C if you know you need something compact for your home office or a shredder you can take with you on your road trip.

AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Shredder: Best high-security shredder

AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Shredder

Starting from $43.00

This machine cuts paper into tiny, tiny pieces—at least five times smaller than any other shredder on our list. So we decided this shredder makes a lot of sense for small businesses with high-security needs. It also includes handy options, such as an auto feed mode and a manual reverse, in addition to a reasonable bin size. You can grab the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Shredder for just under $43.

Strengths
pro Micro-cut technology
pro Cheaper price compared to most micro-cut shredders
pro Auto mode for quick shredding
pro Manual reverse option for jams
Weaknesses
con Short 3-minute run time
con Smaller sheet capacity

Why is it our choice for best high-security shredder?

Is it right for me?

Some companies handle more sensitive information than most, and certain types of businesses, like any business dealing with private health or consumer report information, might be required by law to reach a certain level of document security.

However, because of this shredder’s smaller sheet capacity and run time, it might not be the best fit for more paper-heavy businesses—unless the need for security outweighs the need for speed.

If you want to clear P4 security requirements to either meet regulations or ease clients’ fears, the AmazonBasics 6-Sheet High-Security Shredder will do that without breaking the bank.

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The takeaway

By focusing on your individual business needs, you can find the perfect shredder for you. And once you have your shredder, you can rest easy knowing your company can safely dispose of confidential documents.

What shredder features have mattered most in your office? Let us know in the comments below!

Related content

Office shredder FAQs

What are shredder security levels?

Believe it or not, shredders are assigned security levels. Those mysterious “P3” and “P4” labels refer to how secure each shredder is, but what does each level actually mean? To help you understand how the levels differ, we break down each security level for you:

Security level
Maximum shred size

P1

1/2" wide strips

P2

1/4" wide strips

P3

320 mm² (or 1/6" wide strips)

P4

160 mm²

P5

30 mm²

P6

10 mm²

P7

5 mm²

What is the best shredder for a small business?

This will largely depend on your company’s needs, but there are some general traits to consider. Narrow down your choices with a few basic questions:

  • Does the shredder’s key features cover your basic needs? All the greatest bonus features in the world won’t matter if a shredder doesn’t have the qualities you truly need.
  • How much space do you have? If you run your small business out of a home office, you likely won’t have room for a larger shredding machine.
  • What kind of warranty will you get? A solid warranty will help you plan your office budget more confidently.

What is a cross-cut paper shredder?

The simplest form of file shredder—apart from a pair of scissors—is a strip-cut shredder, which slices papers into long, thin strips. This process works great for non-secure papers like junk mail.

All the greatest bonus features in the world won’t matter if a shredder doesn’t have the qualities you truly need.

The cross-cut shredder takes the slicing a bit further. Instead of long, vertical strips, this type of shredder produces smaller squares using both horizontal and vertical cuts. A cross-cut shredder improves the security of your shredded documents by making them immensely difficult to reassemble.

Which is better: Cross-cut or micro-cut shredders?

The answer basically boils down to another question: Do you need to shred more documents or shred documents more finely? Micro-cut paper shredders provide an additional step up in security, but they also expend more energy and time shredding each document.

For many businesses, the safety offered from a cross-cut shredder will be enough. But the more sensitive information a document holds, the more important a micro-cut shredder could be.

What is continuous run time for a shredder?

Shredding is hard work. Most shredders come with a maximum continuous run time that tells you how long to leave your shredder running before the system overheats. Some shredders are built to run constantly throughout the work day. However, heavy-duty shredders with this feature are pricier.

The majority of small businesses will get by just fine on a shredder with an occasional cool off period, but if your business shreds documents consistently throughout the day, a machine with a longer run time might be worth the added cost.

Disclaimer

At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. We don't guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Victims of Identity Theft, 2014
Sarah Ryther Francom
Written by
Sarah Ryther Francom
Sarah is Business.org’s senior content editor. She has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing business-focused content. As the former editor-in-chief of Utah Business magazine, Sarah oversaw the state’s premier business publication, developed several custom publications, and managed all business-to-business content. She also co-authored a business book with FJ Management CEO Crystal Maggelet. Sarah is passionate about helping small-business owners reach sustained success.
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