10 Best Shredders 2025 in the United States

The Amazon Basics 24 Sheet Cross Cut Shredder is a solid choice for home or small office use, especially for those looking to securely dispose of sensitive documents. Its cross-cut design turns paper into tiny pieces, providing a commendable security level (P-4), which is crucial for personal and financial information. With a robust sheet capacity of up to 24 sheets at a time, it suits moderate shredding needs efficiently. This makes it great for users who frequently handle documents that require shredding, alongside the ability to shred CDs, DVDs, and credit cards—albeit one at a time.

A notable strength is its decent run time of 40 minutes, allowing for extended use without frequent breaks. However, it does require a 50-minute cool down period after this, which could be a limitation for users with larger shredding tasks. The shredder includes helpful features like an auto-start function, anti-jam reverse, and LED indicators for alerts, enhancing usability.

On the downside, it weighs about 31.6 pounds, which may make it less portable than lighter models, and its size could take up significant desk space. Users should also be cautious not to attempt shredding metallic items as this can damage the machine. Additionally, while the pull-out bin holds 7 gallons, frequent emptying may be needed if used for large projects.

The Fellowes Powershred 485Ci is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade shredder well suited for offices with high shredding demands. It handles up to 30 sheets at once, cutting paper into cross-cut pieces that meet security level P-4, which is good for protecting sensitive information. Its large 35-gallon bin means less frequent emptying, which is convenient for busy environments.

The shredder can handle staples, paper clips, credit cards, and even CDs or DVDs, making it versatile. A standout feature is its 100% Jam Proof System, designed to prevent paper jams and keep shredding smooth. Safety is enhanced by SafeSense Technology, which stops shredding immediately if hands touch the feed opening. The unit runs continuously thanks to a robust motor, which is helpful for long shredding sessions without breaks.

This shredder is quite large and heavy, so it may not be ideal if you need something compact or portable. It is a powerful, reliable machine that fits offices requiring frequent, high-volume shredding with strong security and safety features.

The Fellowes Powershred 425Ci is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade shredder designed for high-volume shredding needs. It can shred up to 30 sheets of paper at once into cross-cut pieces that meet a solid security level (P-4), making it a good choice for sensitive documents. Its wide 12-inch throat can handle various media like staples, credit cards, paper clips, CDs, and DVDs, adding to its versatility. The shredder comes with a large 30-gallon bin that can hold a lot of shredded material before needing emptying, which is great for busy offices.

It features a continuous-duty motor, meaning it can run without frequent breaks, so you won’t have to wait long between shredding sessions. The 100% Jam Proof system is a standout feature, helping to avoid frustrating paper jams, and the SafeSense technology adds an important safety layer by stopping the shredder if hands touch the opening. The shredder is quite large and heavy at 148 pounds, which might make it harder to move or fit in smaller spaces.

Though it has been discontinued by the manufacturer, it remains a solid choice for those needing a reliable, high-capacity shredder for busy office or commercial use that handles various materials safely and efficiently. This model is better suited for demanding environments and may be more than necessary for casual or home use.