But it can handle multiple media types, including credit cards, CDs and DVDs. It has the lowest P-rating of any on this list - P-1, and it shreds documents into quarter-inch strips - so it’s really best for light, at-home shredding.

When not extended, it’s only 12 inches wide, 6.5 inches long, and three inches high. Instead, it has an extendable arm designed to fit over most wastebaskets, so you set it on top of your open trash can and shred papers directly into it. If you’re short on space and want something you can keep on your desk or easily store, this shredder omits the built-in bin to collect the shredded paper, saving it several inches in size. Crosscut shredders with medium P-ratings are generally suitable for at-home shredders, but if you want more peace of mind or plan to shred highly confidential documents, you may be better off with a micro-cut. Micro-cut shredders, which cut paper into several thousand pieces, will have a higher P-rating. Crosscut shredders, which cut paper into several hundred pieces, often have a lower P-rating. P-rating: The security level of shredding is based on a “P” rating system from one to seven, with seven being the highest level, suitable for top-secret documents. If you’ll only shred a few papers here and there, you’ll probably be okay with a shorter run time. Again, if you plan to shred a lot of paper on a regular basis, you’ll appreciate a longer run time. Run time: All shredders have a set number of minutes they can reliably run for before they shut off to prevent overheating - anywhere from two minutes to 30 minutes. If you’ll only shred a few papers at a time, a shredder that can handle between five and 24 sheets at once should be fine. Below, the very best shredders of all types and sizes to help you keep your home office organized and your confidential information secure.īest overall | Best less-expensive | Best compact | Best micro-cut | Best high-capacity crosscut | Best high-capacity micro-cutĬapacity: If you’ll be shredding big stacks of paper on a regular basis, you’ll want a shredder with a higher capacity - anywhere from 24 to 150 sheets at once. To help you find the best one for your specific needs, we turned to tech experts, top-rated reviews, and past Strategist favorites. The right one for you depends primarily on what you’ll be shredding and how often. There are also shredders that shred in multiple directions for higher levels of security and ones that let you shred non-paper objects like CDs and credit cards. Realistically, you need a paper shredder that can shred multiple pages at once and run for a long time without overheating. You might not need the most expensive option, though, unless you’re a secret agent or the main character in a legal thriller. A paper shredder is a home-office basic that is a crucial tool for securely destroying sensitive documents.

Best shredders