Best Cross-Cut Shredders | 2022 Buyer’s Guide
Shredders are available in three main types, which provide different levels of security based on the size and shape of the paper shreds. Depending on how confidential your documents are, you may choose one or another type of paper shredder. The shredder security levels range from the P-1 to P-7, with the latter being the most secure option.
Strip-cut shredders have P-1 to P-3 security levels and are the most affordable type of paper shredders. Equipped with rotating blades, these machines cut the material into long strips and work very fast. They are ideal for shredding high volumes of documents but are not suitable for sensitive information because the paper shreds can be put together. Many models handle not only paper but also credit cards and CDs.
Cross-cut shredders, also called confetti shredders, use a completely different approach. They are made with blades that cut the paper twice. Not only do the blades slice through the material in various shapes but they also create smaller particles with a width of less than 6 mm. As a result, the paper shreds are very hard, if not impossible, to reassemble. Cross-cut machines are classified as P-4 shredders. A good example is the Fellowes Powershred M-8C 8 Sheet Cross Cut Personal Shredder that can shred 8 sheets per pass into 4 x 37-mm crosscuts. Ideal for home use, it features a safety lock that prevents the unit’s accidental activation. Designed to operate continuously for 5 minutes, the machine shreds paper, credit cards, and staples.
Micro-cut shredders, such as the WOLVERINE 10-Sheet Super Micro-Cut Shredder, are the most secure yet expensive option. They produce tiny particles that are less than 2 mm wide. A popular choice for government agencies, they chop up documents into small bits so that the information cannot be read at all. These machines offer P-5, P-6, and P-7 levels of security. The latter is the only type that meets the U.S. National Security Agency’s requirements for the disposal of classified information. The P-7 paper shredders reduce documents to tiny particles that are impossible to reconstruct and read.
Manual & Auto-Feed Cross-Cut Shredders
Cross-cut shredders vary depending on how documents are fed — manually or automatically. Electric manual feed shredders like the Rexel Style Cross Cut Shredder require that you insert a sheet of paper in the shredder’s slot. With a weight of just 3,6 kg, this compact cross-cut shredder is a great space-saving solution. The machine cuts an A4 sheet of paper into as many as 400 pieces and includes a 7.5-liter bin. It takes 5 sheets in one go, destroying them very quickly. After two minutes of continuous operation, the paper shredder needs some time to cool down.
Auto-feed automatic shredders allow for the simultaneous placing of multiple documents into the machine. Once the shredder is turned on, it will automatically shred the documents. Often preferred by businesses, this option is more time-saving, easier to use, and safer for employees.
For instance, the Fellowes is a high-capacity cross-cut shredder with a 26-liter removable bin. The machine comes with an auto-feed feature for up to 130 sheets and an auto-reverse function to eliminate jams. It shreds documents into 200 cross-cut cut pieces, 4x40mm each. This industrial-level device handles large stacks of paper in one pass and works with thick and solid materials like credit cards and paper clips.
How to Choose a Cross-Cut Shredder
A paper shredder should not only match your budget but, more importantly, should meet your needs. Your choice depends on whether you are going to destroy documents only, the amount of paper you deal with, and other factors. Now, let’s see what essential things you should consider when buying your best cross-cut shredder.
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Material Type. Those who need to shred standard A4 sheets of paper may go with a less sophisticated machine. If there is a pile of documents with staples and paperclips, you will get tired of removing them pretty quickly. In this case, you should opt for a machine that works with different types of materials, including credit cards and staples. Some machines are made with CD slots, such as the Duronic Paper Shredder PS991 that has a separate opening for CDs, DVDs, and credit cards.
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Capacity. Cross-cut shredders vary in capacity, with the basic models being able to accommodate 1 to 5 pages at a time. More advanced shredders can shred up to twenty pages in one go. If you have to deal with high volumes, a higher-capacity paper shredder will be the best choice for you. We recommend the 100-percent jam-proof Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Cross Cut Shredder. The machine has a P-4 security level rating and cuts 16 sheets of A4 paper per pass, creating more than 400 four-millimetre paper shreds.
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Extra features. Many additional functions are no less important as they make the entire process safer and more efficient. For instance, an auto-start function enables the device to automatically detect when a document is being fed. An auto-stop feature shuts down the shredder once it is jammed. Another beneficial feature is auto-reverse which makes the motor turn backward to clear jams.
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Design. It is very convenient to work with a paper shredder that has a window or a transparent bin. You will be able to check it any time and see when the bin is close to full. Another important thing is the size and weight of the unit. For personal use, it would be wise to buy a compact cross-cut shredder like the Rexel 2101942UK Style 5 that can easily fit under your desk.
Best-Selling Paper Shredders | Comparison Table
Customers' Choice
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Capacity, Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder, 4.1 Gallon
- Cross-cut shred size: turns paper into small confetti-like pieces measuring 3/16 by 1-27/32 inches (5 by 47 mm); meets security level P-3 standards
- Sheet capacity: shreds up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time (no need to remove staples or small paper clips); also destroys credit cards (one at a time)
- Run time and thermal protection: 3 minutes on / 30 minutes off; if shredder runs continuously beyond the max run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating
- User-friendly design: 3-mode control switch (auto, off, reverse); overheat LED indicator; 8.7-inch paper-entry width; easy-to-empty 4.1-gallon bin with see-through window
- Support and warranty: please refer to user manual, troubleshooting guide, and instructional video before use; the user guide on this detail page covers issues related to the shredder turning on
- Quality tested: as part of Amazon Basics quality inspections, we test every shredder before shipping it, which means you may see some paper shreds from the testing
Best Value
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper, CD and Credit Card Home Office Shredder
- Strip-cut shred size: turns paper into 1/4-inch-wide strips at a rate of 9.84 feet per minute; meets security level P-2 standards
- Sheet capacity: shreds up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time (no need to remove staples or small paper clips); also destroys CDs, DVDs, and credit cards (one at a time, through dedicated slot; blades cut each disc into 4 pieces)
- Run time and thermal protection: 2 minutes on / 15 minutes off; if shredder runs continuously beyond the max run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating
- User-friendly design: 3-mode control switch (auto, off, reverse); easy-to-empty 3.2-gallon bin
- Support and warranty: please refer to the user manual, troubleshooting guide, and instructional video before use
- Quality tested: as part of Amazon Basics quality inspections, we test every shredder before shipping it, which means you may see some paper shreds from the testing
Most Popular
Shredder for Home, Bonsaii 6 Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder for Small Home Office Use, Portable Handle Design...
- Cross-cut Shredder: Home office shredder with 6-sheet capacity without removing staples, shreds paper into tiny pieces measuring 13/64 x 1-37/64 inches (5x40mm) in a short time.
- Overload And Overheat Protection:The Bonsaii Paper shredder will run continuously for 4 minutes before needing a 40-minute cool-down.
- High-Security P-3 Level: Shredder for home office which can destroy clips, staples, and credit card (one at a time), receipts, bills and important document. Maximize the security of your personal information.
- Convenient Design: Portable handle with 3.4 gallons transparent window bin makes it easy to see when it is full.Auto Start And Manual Reverse makes easy work of clearing any paper jams easily.
- Moderate size (14.1 x 11.8 x 7 inches) make it practical as using in small home office or business office. Bonsaii paper shredder comes with a 1 year limited warranty and provides 7x24 hour online service.
Best Budget
8-Sheet Strip Cut Home Paper Shredder,Bonsaii CD and Credit Card Office Shredder Machine with Overheat and...
- Multifunctions: Strip-cut home paper shredder which can shreds 8 sheets A4 size paper and clips, CD, credit cards, DVDs,clips, staples, ATM receipts, bills, pay stubs, junk mail, and other inportant documents conveniently which could fulfills your various daily needs.Shreds paper into strips measuring 6mm, meeting security level P2 standards
- Overheat and Overload Protection: Small office paper shredder design with 3 minute continuous run time with 30 minute cool down cycle with overheat/overload LED indicator. If shreds beyond that the light indicator will warn you and then thermal protection with auto shut-off to protect your machine well.
- Jam Protection:Bonsaii quiet paper shredder,62 dB low noise, angled feed entry for safety with auto start mode and manual reverse to clear paper jams,when it happen you could switch the REV botton manually to clear out the jams easily. perfect for light use in a small business or home office, the shredder conveniently fits under a desk or other workstation for easy access throughout the day.
- Measures 0.24 inches; Backed by an Bonsaii 1-year Limited Warranty TIPS: Refer User Manual, Troubleshooting Guide and Instructional Video before use that.If an quwstion,please not hesitate to contact us any time for assistant.
- Large capacity safe protection:Paper Shredder With light-operated function, the shredding works automatically once the sensor detects something to be shredded and shredded paper then drops into the large 3.5-gallon bin below. With safety feature, this heavy duty shredder will stop working once you lift the shredding part, ideal security for the home and office.
Most Discussed & Reviewed
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Shredder with Pullout Basket
- Micro-cut shred size: turns paper into tiny confetti-like pieces measuring 5/32 by 15/32 inches (4 by 12 mm); meets high security level P-4 standards; shreds 6X smaller than standard cross-cut shredders (2,235 pieces vs. 360 pieces)
- Sheet capacity: shreds up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time (no need to remove staples or small paper clips); also destroys CDs, DVDs, and credit cards (one at a time, through dedicated slot)
- Run time and thermal protection: 5 minutes on / 30 minutes off; if shredder runs continuously beyond the max run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating
- User-friendly design: 4-mode power switch (auto, off, reverse, forward); LED status indicators (bin full, door open, overload, overheat, power on); 8.7-inch paper-entry width; easy-to-empty 4-gallon pull-out bin; casters included
- Support and warranty: please refer to the user manual, troubleshooting guide, and instructional video before use; backed by an Amazon Basics 1-year limited warranty
- Quality tested: as part of Amazon Basics quality inspections, we test every shredder before shipping it, which means you may see some paper shreds from the testing
Best Trusted
Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Credit Card Shredder Black
- High-security micro-cut with 8 sheet capacity; destroys credit cards
- Shreds paper and credit cards into tiny pieces (5/32 by 15/32 inches), security level P-4. Basket Capacity- 230 sheets
- 5 minute continuous run time; auto start and manual Reverse to clear paper jams
- 3.9 gallon wastebasket; thermal protection with auto shut-off and overheat LED indicator
- Backed by an Aurora 1-year limited warranty
Best Cheap
Aurora AU1210MA Professional Grade High Security 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper/CD and Credit Card/ 60 Minutes...
- High security micro-cut with 12 sheet capacities; destroys CDs, DVDs, credit cards and small paper clips
- Shreds paper, CDs, DVDs, credit cards into small pieces (5/32 by 15/32 inches), security level P-4
- Nonstop 60-minute continuous run time. Basket Capacity - 300
- Anti-jam auto-reverse to clear paper jams; ultra-quiet operation
- 5.0-Gallon pullout bin with LED indicator lights standby/ overheat/ bin-full/ overload/ door open status
Other Popular paper shredder
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 18-Sheet Capacity, 100% Jam Proof Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
- Shreds 18 sheets of paper per pass into 397 (5/32” x 1-1/2” Security Level P-4) cross-cut particles; shreds staples, credit cards, paper clips, CDs/DVDs, junk mail
- Maximum run time: 30 min on / 40 min off. For 1-3 users. Amps: 5; Basket Type Pull-out Bin
- 100% Jam Proof System eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs
- SafeSense Technology stops shredder when hands touch the paper opening
- 9-gallon pull-out bin with LED bin-full indicator.9 inch wide paper entry.This item’s packaging will indicate what is inside and cannot be hidden.Throat width:230
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci 100% Jam Proof Medium, Duty Cross, Cut Shredder, 16 Sheet Capacity, Black/Dark Silver
- 100% jam proof system eliminates paper jams and powers through tough jobs.
- SilentShred offers ultra-quiet shredder performance for shared workspaces.
- Energy savings system provides optimal energy efficiency 100% of the time-in use and out of use.
- SafeSense technology stops shredder when hands touch the paper opening. Average Shred Speed (mpm) : 4.3. Auto Reverse : Reverse Function
- Shreds 16 sheets per pass into 5/32" x 1-1/2" cross-cut particles (security level P-4).Item dimension H x W x D (inches):21.31 x 15.38 x 10.44