Buying the right document Shredder can be a stressful task, particularly when you want a reliable machine that can turn your most sensitive data into small pieces of nothingness. One of the biggest challenges with searching for a high quality shredder is picking a trustworthy brand. We’ll be honest, there are many shredders in the market that look pretty from the outside, but carry low-quality features on the inside; you won’t want to invest your hard earned money on these.

To help guide those who are browsing the web for Paper shredders, we’ve compiled a list of shredder brands that we consider to be the cream of the shredding crop. Let’s dive into see who are the best makers of document shredders.

1. Fellowes

If the paper shredder world ever had a king, the crown would have certainly gone to Fellowes. The company has long been synonyms with paper shredding, and has came a long way since its humble beginnings in 1917 (Henry Fellowes started it in 1917). Today, the company makes document shredders for commercial, office, as well as personal use. Most of their models are equipped with “SafeSense” technology that prevents the shredder from destroying paper if a foreign element comes close to the device’s opening.

Best picks

• Fellowes 62-MC
  

This shredder cut destroy 10 pieces of paper in a single go, rendering them into micro cut particles of 7/64” x 25/64”. The powerful confetti function of this machine can also destroy credit cards and staples, converting everything into pieces that are 6x smaller than the output of other shredders. Safety Lock delivers additional protection, and Quiet Operation helps to keep noise at bay (perfect for keeping in shared workspaces).

• Fellowes Powershred 73Ci

This shredder comes with 100 percent jam proof technology that powers through different documents and prevents paper jams. It’s also equipped with an Energy savings system to provide efficiency of energy all the time whether it’s active or not. Powershred 73Ci can cut 12 sheets in a single go and turns paper into 5/32” x 1 ½” cross-cut particles. Moreover, the SafeSense technology automatically deactivates the shredder if users’ hands come in contact with its opening.

2. AmazonBasics

AmazonBasics is an inhouse brand of the ecommerce giant Amazon. It specializes in producing fast moving household items and consumer goods like document shredders. AmazonBasics paper shredders are available in several varieties including the popular cross-cut. They can provide you with loads of security whether you’re shredding financial information of your organization or personally identifiable information. Overall, AmazonBasics’ shredders are some of the most esteemed devices in the market.

• AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut

This cross-cut shredder can cut through 8 sheets of paper in a single go, turning them into strips that meet the P3 standard (3/16” * 1-27/32”). It can function for 3 minutes continuously and requires a 30-minute cool down break. Included is an LED indicator that indicates overheating issues, so you can be sure it would inform you in case it needs to step. Additionally, the shredder has a bin with an integrated lifting handle and see-through window for convenient emptying.

• AmazonBasics 15-Sheet Cross-Cut

This shredder almost doubles the capacity that you’d get in the previous mode. Also, it can cut through credit cards, CDs, and more, making it ideal for personal or office use. Users can put in 15 sheets of paper at a single time to be cut into tiny strips measuring 4 * 31 mm. AmazonBasics 15-sheet cross-cut has a 20 minutes’ runtime, and comes with multiple features that prevent overheating and malfunction. Moreover, it comes with an exclusive slot that features a helpful guider for inserting those unwanted papers, credit cards, and DVDs smoothly.

3. HSM

HSM is another popular brand for paper shredders. Though it’s not as popular as Fellowes or AmazonBasics, its shredders are manufactured from the ground up to be durable and safe. Additionally, the component quality of HSM’s shredders is better compared to the other document shredder brands available in the market. When it comes to its product line, the shredders from HSM range from deskside ones to industrial-grade shedders.

Best Picks

• HSM shredstar X8

Like Fellowes, this shredder has an anti-jam technology that keeps jams at bay when the device is overloaded. The shredstar X8 also has a 4.7-gallon bin, and can tear through 54 sheets in a single minute, producing cross-cut particles above 400. It also has a “Quiet Operation” that gives off an almost nonexistence noise while the shredder is it work as well as an Energy Management Control feature for streamlined energy consumption. Moreover, its cutting cylinder comes with a lifetime warranty. The shredder can cut through DVDs/CDs, credit card slips, and more in addition to destroying simple paper.

• HSM shredstar 17 Cross-Cut

HSMM shredstar 17 Cross-Cut is perfect for offices where a workspace has 1-5 primary users. It can cut through paper, CDs, credit cards, and more. It’s one of the shredders that come with an individual CD cutting unit, as well as a separate waste bin for organized disposal. Besides that, the model operates at a minimal noise of 57 db courtesy of its Quiet operation. The LED indicator on this shredder indicates the operating system of the device, whether it’s overheating, powered on, door open, etc. The best part about this brand is that HSM donates $2 for all paper shredders bought to a charity called Kids Kicking Cancer.

Which brand has the best document shredder?

There’s no one answer to this question. All three brands featured in this list make shredders of the highest quality. Therefore, the buying decision ultimately depends on the potential customer’s needs. For instance, if you need a paper shredder for using it home on an occasional basis, then the 6-sheet one from AmazonBasics should be your best bet. At the other end of the spectrum, one of HSM’s paper shredders should suit you more if you’re looking to invest more in a shredder and want components of the highest quality.