Do you plan to hire a professional paper shredding service to get rid of the pile of documents resting in your storeroom? Why spend such a lot of money when you can have the Best Paper Shredder Under $50! Be smart and grab this smart choice for destroying all the unwanted documents in just a few minutes.
Whether you are at home or office, we have to deal with some personal or sensitive documents that are confidential. And, the best way to ensure confidentiality is to use a shredder when the papers are no longer in use. Though it’s an affordable tool easily available almost anywhere, the necessity of it needs no explanation.
Certainly, you want the paper shredder to last for a long time and expect it to have diverse features. So, if you want a paper shredding machine that not only can shred papers but also have the capacity to destroy elements like CDs and DVDs, you need in-depth research. Because, finding the best shredders, you need to focus on each component.
Thus, you need to go through individual paper shredder reviews, which is time and energy-consuming. And, to save your valuable time and guide you towards the best cheap paper shredder, I am going to present all the necessary information about the shredders and review the top-rated paper shredder that is available in the market.
So, stay tuned and find the best price paper shredder you would require.
Contents
Top 3 Paper Shredder Under $50 in 2022
In a hurry? These 3 are the Best Paper Shredder Under $50 in 2022:
What Is a Paper Shredder and Why Do You Need It?
It’s easy to understand what a paper shredder is just from the name. It’s a machine that is used to shred papers, credit cards, CDs, and DVDs into small pieces. There was a time when companies and business organizations had to hire a third party to get shredding services.
With the invention of the modern paper shredder machine, shredding important documents and credit cards or CDs, DVDs that contain personal information has become very easy. Now this machine is commonly used for personal and official purposes.
To answer whether you need a shredder, of course, you do. If you are working in an office, bank, or running a business, there are sensitive documents that contain confidential information. Besides, there are piles of documents resting in the storeroom. After a certain time, these documents become a burden.
If you think of throwing them away, there is a risk of information leakage about your company or your valuable clients. Also, if you think of destroying them by hand, it’s just not possible. And, it’s a time-consuming job too. Hence, paper shredders give an excellent solution to destroy old piles of documents, magazines, sensitive papers, credit cards, and so on.
This machine would help to maintain personal security, which is the prior reason for using a paper shredder. The shredder will cut the documents into tiny small pieces that, even if someone lays a hand on the shredded paper, cannot rearrange them into the original form.
Moreover, in the present world, privacy is one of the most crucial and sensitive aspects every individual aspires to maintain. Hence, to respect and secure individual privacy, it’s not ethical for anyone to callously handle documents containing personal information.
Therefore, the shredder will also assist in minimizing the risk of stealing personal information like address, bank information, social security number, phone number, etc. So, when you have a heavy-duty paper shredder at your office, you don’t need to hire anyone to deal with your sensitive documents.
Best Paper Shredder Under $50 Comparison
| Image | Name | Summary | Our Rating | Get It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Capacity, Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder | Easy to operate. Extremely sharp. User-friendly design. Heavy-duty construction. Assures safety with thermal protection. | Check Price | |
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Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Credit Card Shredder | Prolonged run time. Easy to use and clean up. Features auto start and auto shut off. Manual reverse option for cleaning jam. | Check Price | |
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GBC Paper Shredder, Junk Mail, 12 Sheet Capacity | Heavy-Duty construction. It comes with a full bin indicator. Features indicator for jam-free shredding. Suitable for papers, staples, paper clips, CDs and DVDs. | Check Price | |
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AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder | Affordable price range. Minimal CRT and cool downtime. Features automated shut off system. Shreds paper, staples, clips, CDs, DVDs and credit cards. | Check Price | |
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Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder | Safe and easy to use. Made of durable material. It is lightweight and portable. Features three-mode power switch and power indicator. | Check Price | |
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Fellowes Powershred P-30C 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Deskside Paper Shredder | Designed with security level P-4. Cuts one sheet into 400 particles. Ensures additional safety with safety lock. Reliable and satisfactory shredding performance. | Check Price | |
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Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder | Budget-friendly price. Easy to use and portable. Suitable for papers and credit cards. Features automatic shut off and manual reverse system. | Check Price | |
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Sentinel Shredders 12-Sheet High Security Cross-Cut Paper | Contemporary design. Can shred 4.6 feet per minute. It comes with a lubricant sheet and waste liner. Suitable for 12 sheets of paper per pass and credit cards. | Check Price | |
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Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper/Credit Card Shredder | Convenient size. Designed with stainless steel blades. Contains 125 sheet capacity wastebasket. Features auto start and manual reverse mode. | Check Price | |
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Aurora AS810SD 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper, CD and Credit Card Shredder | Compact size. Classic design. It comes with a 3.20-gallon waste basket. Suitable for shredding paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. | Check Price |
10 Best Paper Shredders Under $50 Review
I had studied intensely about paper shredders as I wanted one for myself. Thus, my study ranged from personal paper shredders to home office shredders and analyzed every single product I came across. Though it’s a simple product, it was not an easy job to find the one I actually needed.
After a complete 48 hours of research, I came down to the 10 top-rated paper shredders. There are already many shredders reviews out there. However, to help you guide to the right shredder, I have chosen top paper shredders for personal, home, or office use.
1. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Capacity, Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
To begin with the best paper shredders, I have chosen this basic shredder from Amazon Basics. It’s an ideal slicer for destroying confidential documents. Along with papers, it also can damage hard materials like credit cards.
One of the significant features of this shredder is it can shred in cross-cut ways. The shredded papers will be cut into 5 by 47 mm, which is crucial for ensuring security. The size meets the standard DIN P 3 level to ensure that the cut-down pieces cannot be rearranged.
Though the tool can shred 8 sheets at a time, it can finely shred staples, paper clips, credit cards, and so on. There are different slots for shredding papers and cards. Another important feature of this shredder is, it can continuously run up to 3 minutes. However, the cool-down time is about half an hour. And, the machine will automatically shut off when it runs for the maximum time.
There are other important features like a four-mode power switch for automated function, power off, reverse, and forward. There is also a LED status indicator used for power on and overheating. Overall, it’s a basic small paper shredder for home use.
- Easy to operate
- Extremely sharp
- User-friendly design
- Heavy-duty construction
- Assures safety with thermal protection
- Produces dust
- Suitable for occasional use
2. Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Credit Card Shredder
Are you looking for the best home office shredder? Here it is. This chic-looking black shredder is from Aurora. It’s a high-security shredder that can micro-cut papers and credit cards.
Including 8 sheets of paper at a time, this amazing shredder can perfectly shred staples, credit cards, and paper clips. It can cut 5 times smaller than any regular shredder, which is the prior reason for choosing this shredder for regular use. Not only that, unlike most shredders, this shredder can run for 5 minutes continuously.
There is also a 3.9-gallon wastebasket that will collect all the shredded papers. The basket has a high loading capacity of 230 sheets so that you don’t need to empty the bin frequently. Moreover, to ensure the confidentiality of the tool, the shredder is designed with a P-4 security level.
There is also thermal protection to prevent the shredder from overheating. The LED indicator and automatic shut-off system make this device even more convenient and increase longevity for the user.
- Prolonged run time
- Easy to use and clean up
- Features auto start and auto shut off
- Manual reverse option for cleaning jam
- Quite noisy
3. GBC Paper Shredder, Junk Mail, 12 Sheet Capacity
Do you want to check out the best small paper shredder? It’s a convenient size paper shredder you can choose for personal or office use. This easily used and portable shredder is from GBC.
To talk about the cutting quality, this shred master shreds papers into cross-cut style with 4 minutes continuous run time. And, it will take about 40 minutes to cool down. Though this CRT might seem less than most professional shredders, the capacity is suitable for regular office or home use.
Also, to ensure security for sensitive documents, the machine comes with P-4 level security. Moreover, there are also red and green indicators for indicating maximum feeding. Thus, you can be sure when to stop loading too many papers, which can lead to jamming the shredder.
Overall, it’s a hard-working shredder that can shred 12 sheets per pass. And, it comes with a 5-gallon waste bin. So, undoubtedly you can consider this versatile tool as one of the best home office paper shredders.
- Convenient size
- Heavy-Duty construction
- It comes with a full bin indicator
- Features indicator for jam-free shredding
- Suitable for papers, staples, paper clips, CDs and DVDs
- It doesn’t shred CDs into tiny pieces
4. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder
Here is another AmazonBasics best shredder paper, which can shred CDs and credit cards. This versatile shredder cuts items into strip cuts. The shredding size is 1/4-inch-wide, which is suitable for regular documents.
Additionally, it can shred 8 sheets at a time which is a significant feature of this shredder. There is also a distinct slot for papers and card type materials. Though the machine can continuously run for two minutes, it requires less time to cool down compared to most shredders.
After two minutes, you only need to shut off the tool for 15 minutes to reuse. There is also a three-mode controller for automatic, shut off and reverse. There is also a waste bin of 3.2 gallons, so you can easily place it in any small space.
Overall, the shredder comes with all the required features at an affordable price. As the device meets security level P 2, you can choose this shredder for home or personal use.
- Convenient size
- Affordable price range
- Minimal CRT and cool downtime
- Features automated shut off system
- Shreds paper, staples, clips, CDs, DVDs and credit cards
- It doesn’t shred enveloped documents
5. Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
The fifth best shredding machine is again from Aurora. It’s a desktop-style paper shredder you can use for personal and office use. This convenient size shredder comes at an extremely budget-friendly price.
The 9 x 7 x 10 inches’ shredder is eligible enough to destroy your sensitive and personal documents. The steel cutters attached to the device are sharp and made of durable material. Thus, it can efficiently cut four folded papers or credit cards in one pass.
Also, the pieces are cut into tiny pieces that ensure security. There is also a basket with 40 sheet capacity. Hence, it’s an ideal choice for home and office use on an occasional basis. So, if you are searching for the best cross-cut paper shredder in a limited price range, then Aurora AS420C can be your ideal choice.
- Safe and easy to use
- Made of durable material
- Compact size and design
- It is lightweight and portable
- Features three-mode power switch and power indicator
- Not recommended for frequent use
6. Fellowes Powershred P-30C 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Deskside Paper Shredder
Have you been reading home shredder reviews and still haven’t got the desired one? Let me introduce you to the exclusive shredder for personal use. And, it’s from the renowned brand Fellowes.
It’s another cross-cut shredder you can consider purchasing. This shredder can cut 6 sheets in one pass, which is enough for personal use. Even though the shredder is designed for safe use, there is an additional safety lock for intensive protection.
In addition to papers, the device can shred paper clips and credit cards smoothly. There is also a high capacity 4-gallon bin to collect the shredder items. The shredder can run continuously for 3 minutes and requires around 40 minutes to cool down.
Overall, the shredder has all the essential features that you would look for personal use occasionally.
- Designed with security level P-4
- Cuts one sheet into 400 particles
- Ensures additional safety with safety lock
- Reliable and satisfactory shredding performance
- Designed for occasional use
7. Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder
Are you reading the home paper shredder reviews to find affordable yet good quality paper shredders for home use? Though the paper shredder price might range from $40 to more than $100, you can still find a pretty good deal. How?
Well, the brand Aurora has launched this professional quality strip-cut shredder that is best suited for home use. This shredder can cut 8 sheets of paper per pass. Not only that, to your surprise, it can run at 9.8 ft. per minute.
You can also shred CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. So, even if you are at home, using this shredder, you can ensure your personal information is secured from theft. And, it can continuously run for 2 minutes, which is a good deal for the price.
- Budget-friendly price
- Easy to use and portable
- Suitable for papers and credit cards
- Features automatic shut off and manual reverse system
- It doesn’t contain a wastebasket
8. Sentinel Shredders 12-Sheet High-Security Cross-Cut Paper
Are you waiting for paper shredders on sale or looking for an economic paper shredder? Wait no more! Here I am going to introduce you to a high-security shredder to fit in your budget.
The first thing to tell you is this shredder is from Sentinel. And it can shred 12 papers in one go. Sounds amazing, isn’t it? Not only that, it comes with a high-security cross-cut blade that can destroy the most sensitive documents into confetti. So, no one would be able to read the shredded parts for sure.
This shredder is designed with security level P-3, which is ideal for personal use. You can also shred credit cards in this shredder, but you have to insert one at a time. Then, to collect the debris, there is a 3.3-gallon wastebasket added to the shredder.
Though the shredded can run for 2 minutes nonstop, it needs to cool down for about an hour. Hence, if you are on a tight budget and searching for the best home shredder for occasional use, you can consider purchasing this cross-cut shredder from Sentinel.
- Contemporary design
- Can shred 4.6 feet per minute
- It comes with a lubricant sheet and waste liner
- Suitable for 12 sheets of paper per pass and credit cards
- Suitable for occasional use
- Moderate quality construction
9. Aurora AS890C 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper/Credit Card Shredder
Here is another shredder from Aurora for you to compare. And, it’s a cross-cut paper shredder. This shredder can cut 8 pages into confetti in a minute.
So, you don’t have to worry about information theft. Moreover, the shredder comes with a stainless steel blade which ensures the durability and efficiency of the shredder. You can comfortably shred folded papers, paper clips, and credit cards smoothly.
Considering the price, it’s an affordable shredder for occasional use. So, if you are looking for a budget fit shredder for home or small office use, you can check out this shredder.
- Affordable price
- Convenient size
- Designed with stainless steel blades
- Contains 125 sheet capacity wastebasket
- Features auto start and manual reverse mode
- Not recommended for regular use
10. Aurora AS810SD 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper, CD, and Credit Card Shredder
Finally, for the 10th best shredder for home use, I couldn’t help but pick this strip-cut shredder from Aurora again. This shredder is highly recommended by the users not only because of the low price but also for the performance.
Just like any other shredder, this shredder can cut paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. Since it’s from Aurora, it can efficiently cut 8 sheets per pass and cut them into confetti. Moreover, to ensure the user’s safety, there is a three-mode safety switch included in the machine.
So, you can be worry-free from cutting your fingers. You just need to feed the papers, and the shredder will start automatically. It also features manual forward and reverses mode to keep the device from jamming. More importantly, you can turn on the saving energy mode while not using the device.
- Compact size
- Classic design
- Budget-friendly price
- It comes with a 3.20-gallon waste basket
- Suitable for shredding paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards
- Not recommended for regular or industrial use
How to Use a Home Paper Shredder?
Have you got the best home paper shredder? Here is how to use it.
Step 1: Unplug the shredder
First of all, you need to unplug the shredder to check the blade condition. If the blades are chipped, you might need a replacement.
Step 2: Know the sheet capacity
Before putting the papers into the shredder, know the sheet capacity of the machine first. Also, the type of items it can shred. Because if your shredder is not made for hard items, then it can get jammed.
Step 3: Insert the documents or cards
As you know your shredder well enough, you can now insert the documents or cards according to its ability. Insert the documents and cards into the designated shredding section.
Step 4: Turn on the shredder
After inserting the items into the right section, turn on the shredder. Then, press and hold the shredding button, and the elements will start shredding. If you notice the device gets jammed, press the reverse button.
Step 5: Empty the bin
After the shredding is complete, if you notice the waste bin is full, you need to empty the bin. You can also recycle shredded papers.
Advantages of the Paper Shredders
Before you decide on a home shredder, personal shredder, or office shredder, you need to know what advantages you are going to receive. Though the performance of a shredder depends on its quality and features, there are some additional benefits you will enjoy other than just cutting papers. Here are some common privileges you will get purchasing any shredder you like.
Destroying confidential papers
One of the most significant purposes of using a paper shredder is to get rid of confidential papers. The shredder cuts off the papers into small pieces that it’s not possible to rearrange.
Reduce the risk of data theft
The biggest risk of having confidential paper is leakage of data. Especially in the banks, the papers contain sensitive information about clients. If you take a professional paper shredding service, the risk still exists. But, with a shredder, the papers are destroyed finely at your premises, and you can ensure the security matter.
Shred more than just papers
The more advanced paper shredder can destroy credit cards, DVDs, CDs, and so on. Such items contain digital data, which also need protection.
High capacity paper shredding
A shredder can cut down papers around six to twelve papers at a time. The more paper a shredder can cut, the more expensive it will be.
Time-saving
The purpose of using a shredder is to shred many papers at a time. As the machine will perform quickly and efficiently, it will save you valuable time. So, you can use it for home paper shredding or commercial purposes.
Reduce the amount of waste
By using a shredder, you will actually have less waste to deal with compared to the pile of papers. The shredded papers will take much less space compared to full-size paper.
Recycle the shredded waste
You can also use shredded paper for many purposes. They are often used as pet bedding or crafting.
Disadvantages of the Paper Shredder
Though there are some significant advantages, you can enjoy using a good shredder; before you buy a shredder, you deserve to know the potential disadvantages you might face. The cons are certainly not promising compared to the pros that would restrain you from buying a paper shredder. However, have a look at them.
Shredders are less productive
A paper shredder is useful to use as a document shredder and some other elements like CDs, DVDs, and credit cards. Having said that, the device is time-consuming. It might be tiring when you need to shred paper daily.
Hence, you must invest in a high end paper shredder to save time, but it will be a bit pricey though. Such a paper shredder can cut high-volume papers in less time. And, to find a heavy duty shredder with advanced features, you must read through the reliable reviews on paper shredders.
Costs additional expense
To many users, purchasing a paper shredder is an additional cost. Thus, they look for mini shredders, portable paper shredders, and even the cheapest paper shredder. You might look for the best paper shredders under $100, but are they going to serve the purpose of having a paper shredder?
Therefore, whether you have a budget for buying a shredder under $50 or $100, you need to focus on the features and quality. The best paper shredder for home use or office purposes must be strong, fast, high capacity shredding ability, and durable. Such shredders can be expensive, and you need to ensure proper maintenance of this tool.
The dilemma in choosing the right shredder
From home paper shredders to heavy duty office shredders, there are many paper shredders available with versatile features. Many users look for shredders on Amazon, Walmart or target and often rely on shredders on sale to find the budget-friendly one. However, the confusion still remains which one would be the best buy paper shredder.
If you are thinking about purchasing a strip-cut shredder while looking for the best cheap shredder, then you should be aware that this shredder cannot cut papers into unreadable sizes. Instead, you should invest in the best micro shredder as it can shred papers in the micro-cut. So, to find the ideal one, you can go through micro-cut shredder reviews.
Safety concern
A paper shredder contains sharp cutting blades. There is always a risk of injury while operating this device. Hence, you must utilize the device with proper protection. And, you should also purchase a shredder that has safety features as well.
What Are the Must-have Features to Find the Best Paper Shredder under $50?
Finding budget-friendly paper shredders for home use or office purpose is not that difficult. There is a wide range of paper shredders available within various price ranges. From cheap shredders to top-rated paper shredders, you can find the desired one.
But, finding the best rated paper shredder that is worth the money requires your attention on some specific features. Here I will discuss the features that will guide you to find a top-quality paper shredder.
Type of cut
One of the significant features you must look for in the best shredder paper is the type of cut the machine offers. There are three types of cut home office shredders can possibly have such as strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut. Strip cuts are suitable for normal document shredding.
Whereas the cross-cut can be cut in horizontal and vertical ways and cuts around 500 pieces together. But, for security purposes and confidential papers, micro-cut is most suited as it can ensure the finest cut and is often used for commercial purposes.
Shredding ability
Usually, people purchase shredders for shredding papers. If you are looking for shredding documents only for personal use, then you can look for the best shredders for home. There are companies that use a shredder for documents, CDs, DVDs, Credit cards, staples, paper clips and so on.
Not all shredding can destroy versatile materials. In that case, you might look for the best shredding machine with advanced features that can handle hard materials.
Sheet capacity
The number of sheets a shredder can shred at a time is another important aspect to look for. Hence, you should look for the sheet capacity of the shredder. Usually, a basic small paper shredder for home use can cut down 5 to 10 A4 paper. The higher the number is, the lesser time it will take.
Bin Capacity
Most of the best paper shredder brands offer shredding machines with 3 to 4 gallons of trash. However, most shredders under $50 have a capacity from 2 to 5 gallons. If the bin capacity is small, you need to empty the bin frequently. So, focus on the bin capacity along with the sheet capacity as well.
Continuous run time
The run time of a shredding machine is expressed as CRT (Continuous Run Time). By CRT, you can understand the efficiency of the machine. By considering the sheet capacity, shredding capacity per minute and CRT, you can have an overall idea of how long you can operate the device continuously for getting the job done.
Cool down time
A shredder needs to be cooled down to minimize the risk of overheating. Usually, it will stop automatically for thirty minutes or so. The less the cool down time is, the more productive it will be.
Security level
The security level of a shredder is expressed with the DIN P level. For instance, your targeted shredder states DIN P3. If the number is higher, the smaller size of the shredded papers you will get.
FAQ
Q) What is the best paper shredder?
Answer: Well, it’s not possible to name one product as the best paper shredder as it depends mostly on purpose. Some users need a shredder for industrial use, while others use it for regular or occasional use at home or in small offices. Having said that, according to my research and recommendation, the most popular paper shredder for home use is Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Capacity, Cross-Cut Paper, and Credit Card Shredder.
Q) How much is a shredder?
Answer: A paper shredder comes in diverse features and quality; thus, the price varies. You will find shredders from $50 to $500. However, I would say it would be better if you prioritize the quality over budget. Then, you can get a good quality shredder that is worth the money and will serve your purpose well.
Q) Where to buy a paper shredder?
Answer: You can buy paper shredders at Amazon, Walmart, and many other online platforms or nearby shops. The best option for finding the ideal product is online, as you can understand the quality and performance of the product from the reviews.
Q) What is the best paper shredder for home use?
Answer: There is a wide range of paper shredders for home use. You can find home shredders for reliable brands like Aurora, Amazon basics, GBC, Fellowes, and so on. These brands have some exclusive home shredders with versatile features, and one of the best selling home shredders among them is Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Credit Card Shredder.
Final Verdict
I have come to the end of the Best Paper Shredder Under $50 review. Throughout this article, my utmost effort was to share the most valuable information about the paper shredder and guide you towards the ideal shredder you need. Thus, this review contains from the best micro-cut shredder to the strip-cut and cross-cut shredder.
Not only that, I have chosen products from trustworthy brands so that the shredder can serve you for years. Now, it’s time for you to purchase. So, which one have you decided to grab for your home or office use? Though it’s completely your discretion the shredder you will purchase, I would request you to pay attention to the key features to ensure you make a good pair of budget and quality simultaneously.
Don’t forget to share your thoughts about shredding and enlighten us with your valuable experience!
