Anyone who gets paper bills in the mail knows that over time they can start to pile up on your desk. However, it’s not always safe to just throw these papers away for recycling, as they contain personal information that could be used for identity theft. The best solution to this is a paper shredder.
The most effective paper shredders can take your old bills and shred them into small pieces to prevent them from being found by criminals. Some are even powerful enough to shred thicker items, like old credit cards.
Best Paper Shredder UK
With so many paper shredders on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your home or office. Ideally, your paper shredder should be powerful enough to tear through many different kinds of paper without jamming.
It’s also helpful to choose a model that can hold a large amount of shredded paper, so you won’t need to empty it too frequently. Here are some of the best paper shredders available right now.
Fellowes Powershred 8Mc Paper Shredder
This paper shredder is one of the most powerful available for home use, and it keeps your documents completely secure as well. It is strong enough to shed eight sheets of A4 paper at a time, and is powerful enough to cut through old credit cards and other relatively thick items, so you won’t have to worry about jamming.
It cuts each sheet of paper into over 2000 pieces to provide additional security and save space in the bin. The Fellowes brand also makes smaller models that offer cross cut shredding for those who are looking to save space.
This shredder can run continously for about five minutes before needing a 30 minute cool down period, so you can get through plenty of old paper in one go. The bin holds a full 14 litres, which means you won’t need to empty it too frequently. The top of the device lifts off easily for quick paper disposal. There is also a lock on the top of the shredder for additional security.
This device comes with a two year warranty for the machine and a three year warranty for the cutter. Overall, this is one of the most powerful and reliable shredders for home use, and makes a great addition to your office.
Bonsaii C222-A 20 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
If you’re looking for a large and powerful paper shredder for your office, it’s difficult to go wrong with this option from Bonsaii. Although it is on the more expensive end for a paper shredder, it can tear through virtually any paper product you might put inside – it can even shred your old CDs and DVDs.
This machine can shred up to 20 sheets of paper at a time and uses a cross-cut method. It has an auto start and auto reverse mechanism to prevent the cutter from jamming. LED lights will indicate if the shredder is going to overheat.
This shredder has a massive 25 litre bin, so you can go longer between empties. The bin pulls out and there are wheels on the bottom that make the shredder easier to move and empty. If you need to keep the shredder in one place, the wheels are removable.
It can also run for up to 20 minutes at a time, which makes it very convenient for offices that need to shred large loads of paper at once. Many large shredders are very loud, but this one operates at a lower noise level of only 60 dB, so you won’t disturb the people around you while shredding.
AmazonBasics 7-8 Cross Cut Paper Shredder
This is a good shredder if you are looking for something small and reasonably sized for your home office. It has all of the standard features that you would expect from a reliable shredder in a compact, easy-to-use design. This model can shred eight sheets of paper at a time and can also shred credit cards.
However, AmazonBasics makes a smaller shredder that can handle 5 sheets of paper at a time, or a larger model that can handle up to 15 sheets. This model uses a cross-cut mechanism, but they also make options that use a strip cut or a micro cut.
The shredder has an angled entry point to prevent paper james. Auto start as well as a reverse mode can be used to clear them. It runs for 3 minutes at a time and requires a 30 minute cool down, so it may not be the best option for those who need to shred large volumes of paper at one time. The bin holds 15.5 liters of shredded paper, so it does provide an excellent amount of storage space.
Aibecy Portable Handheld Paper Shredder
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If you want a small, portable shredder to keep in your home office, this is a reliable option with a very unique design. You can control it with the click of a button and is powered either by batteries or by USB cord. It can shred one sheet of A6 paper or a folded sheet of A4 paper.
It shreds each piece of paper into strips that are 5mm wide. It’s very light and easy to carry around the house with you. The downside is that it does not come with its own bin, so you will have to use it with one nearby for easy disposal.
Paper Shredder Buying Guide
There are a number of different things to consider when searching for a paper shredder for your home. One of the most important things to look at is the efficacy of the shredding itself – how many pieces of paper can the shredder handle at one time, and how small are the cuts? The smaller the shred pattern, the more difficult it would be for a criminal to piece the paper back together.
You should also consider how much storage space the shredder has, as well as how easy it is to empty. Ideally, you will want to use the shredder several times before having to empty it. Another key consideration is how long the shredder can run before needing a break to cool down.
Which is better, cross-cut or micro-cut shredder?
A cross-cut shredder is typically fine for most people, as it cuts through the paper both vertically and horizontally. However, a micro-cut shredder cuts paper into even smaller pieces than a cross-cut shredder. So, for those looking for the best security and those that have the need to cut secure documents into small pieces, a micro-cut shredder might be necessary.
How long should a shredder last?
If you take good care of your shredder, then there’s no reason why your shredder shouldn’t last anywhere up to 10 years. They are generally very well built and designed to last, so there’s no reason why it wouldn’t last this long. If you use your shredder on a daily basis, then it may not last this long.
How do I choose a paper shredder?
The most important thing that you need to decide on is the cut that your shredder gives, whether this bee cross-cut or something else. You’ll also want to consider the capacity that the shredder can take, as well as considering if it has the right input facilities for your needs.
Which is the best shredder to buy?
There are many good shredders out there for you to choose from. If you don’t want to spend a lot of cash, then it might make sense for you to opt for the Amazon Basics range, as this is likely going to be the best value for money.
Should I buy a paper shredder?
If you have the need to cut up documents, then getting a paper shredder is a must. They’re a necessary precaution for many businesses that don’t want to leave details in the trash for other people to find. So, if you’re in the finance industry, then you need an office shredder.
Conclusion
A robust paper shredder is an important addition to any office space. It’s crucial to make sure the shredder you buy can effectively protect your privacy. Of course, there isn’t a drastic difference between shredders as they’re all designed with the same intent – to safely shred any documents beyond reading capability.
