10 Best Paper Shredder Under $100

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Some people are of the view that paper shredders cost an arm and a leg. Well, that may be as a result of what they have seen in the past. However, you don’t need money in three or four-figure range to get a good paper shredder. Our reviews consist of the best paper shredder under $100 which is comparable to their expensive counterparts in durability and functionality

Having so much paper works littering around your home or office? A good way of removing paper littering around is by arranging them and keeping it in the right place. However, there are some papers that we don’t want littering around.  Those kinds of papers should be disposed of properly in a waste bin. But just dumping it without shredding it would make our bins filled up in less time. That is where paper shredders come in. With a good paper shredding machine, you can get rid of papers littering the house in a smart way.

How we wrote this review

There are lots of paper shredders on the market with different prices and functionalities. The options are so much that you may get confused when you want to make a choice. In writing our review, we bought several paper shredders (we also got some as a gift though). After buying them, we spent a period of 10 days to test and write our findings on it. Thereafter we ranked the products based on our findings.

When ranking the products, we considered different factors. Some of these factors include price, functionality, aesthetics, and power consumption. To remove biases when ranking for aesthetics, we decided to allow our co-reviewers to rate the product on a scale of 1 – 10. Where 1 stands for ugly and 10 stands for beautiful. The products with the highest ranking got the number one spot on our review. The one with the lowest ranking got the last spot.

Things to consider before buying a paper shredder

Your needs for a paper shredder:

Before you go to the marketplace to get a paper shredder, you need to know what you need it for. Sound absurd right? You may be thinking what else is a paper shredder used for that would make me think of a reason to buy it? Well, there are different things that can be shredded using a paper shredder. You can shred junk documents such as paper packaging and wrappers. You can also shred sensitive documents containing private information such as bank statements, credit cards, etc. These are what you should be thinking of if you want to buy a paper shredder.

Storage Capacity:

Every paper shredder comes with different storage capacity. So if you’ll be shredding small documents, then get a smaller paper shredder. However, if you would shredding a large number of documents, then get one with a higher storage capacity.

Cutting Type:

Each paper shredder has its own style of shredding papers, and you have to make a choice that suits you. Our review for the best paper shredder under $100 took into account the cutting style of the paper shredder. Thus if you mind the cutting style of the paper shredder, our review will help you make the right choice.

Power consumption and Speed:

As it is with all electrical appliances, you have to mind the power consumption of your paper shredder before buying it. Power consumption varies among paper shredders, and it also impacts the number of pages that can be shredded. Shredders with low power consumption can shred between 4 and 10 pages at a time. Shredders with high power consumption are made can shred much more than that.

Reviews of the Best Paper Shredder Under $100

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AmazonBasics 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder

The AmazonBasics 6-sheet cross-cut paper shredder is a simple yet efficient paper shredder. It can cut hard objects like credit card and old CD plates with ease. Also, it comes at under $50 which makes it our best paper shredder under $100.

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Product features :

  • It runs for a continuous period of two minutes and takes a break for a period of 30 minutes. You can shred papers at almost any time you want to.
  • The waste bin can contain waste up to 3.8 gallons.  With such a waste bin this size, you don’t have to empty it frequently.
  • It can shred hard objects like credit cards, CD plates, etc. Therefore you can always keep your private information safe.
  • It shed papers using the cross-cut shredding style. The cross-cut shredding style cuts your paper horizontally and vertically which perfectly destroys the details on it.​​​​
  • It auto starts after cooling and it has a manual reverse system. The auto start feature enables you to continue shredding papers while the manual reverse system clears paper jams.

Pros

  • Sheds paper easily
  • Cross-cut destroys information on paper
  • Long working time and short cooling time
  • It has a manual reverse to clear paper jams
  • 3.8-gallon bin

Cons

  • Can only shred one credit card at a time
  • Cross-cut is good, super cross-cut is better
  • The design is good but not so superb

Verdict

This paper shredder from Amazon is one that is meant for the average home. It can handle your regular paper shredding needs without a problem.

Want more details on this paper shredder? Visit Amazon.

Swingline Paper Shredder, 14 Sheet, Super Cross-Cut

The Swingline paper shredder is one that caught our attention for its looks. The glass display at the front gives an idea of the amount of waste in its bin. It can shred 14 sheets at a time making it our editors’ choice of the best paper shredder under $100.

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Product features :

  • It can shred up to 14 sheets of A4 paper at a time. You can actually get your papers shredded in time if you are in a hurry.
  • It can shred hard objects like credit cards, CDs, and DVDs using a separate cutter. This prevents easy wear and tear on the main cutter
  • Suitable for passage doors, back doors, front doors, decks etc. Thus, you won’t make a mistake in buying this doormat if you intend to use it anywhere other than your front door.
  • The front has a glass window on the waste bin. The glass window gives an idea of how much waste it can contain on next shredding.
  • The waste bin can contain 5 gallons of waste. With a waste bin this large, the frequency of emptying the waste bin will be reduced.

Pros

  • Shred up to 14 sheets of paper at a time
  • Can shred hard objects like credit cards, DVDs, and CDs
  • Excellent design
  • Super crosscut
  • 5-gallon waste bin capacity

Cons

  • Price is very close to the $100 mark
  • Glass window may break if not take care of properly
  • Crosscut is good. But it could be better

Verdict

The cross-cut feature of this paper shredder perfectly destroys any information on the material. Being below the $100 price tag makes it be on our list.

Check out the details of this paper shredder at Amazon.

Bonsaii DocShred C560-D 6-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut

The Bonsaii Docshred C560 looks very much like a small cupboard when looked at from the sides. However, looking at it from the top makes you think it is a desktop CPU. Nevertheless, it is a solid budget paper shredder that can shred paper into the smallest bits.

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Product features :

  • It can shred papers at the speed of 6.2 feet per minute. At such a speed this high you can shred almost half pack of A4 papers in less than 10 minutes.
  • The waste basket has a capacity of 4 gallons. Unless you’re shredding much more paper, you don’t have to empty the basket frequently
  • It has a thermal protection which turns off the motors to prevent overheating. With this safety feature, your paper shredder should last long.
  • It has a manual reverse system. This system helps in clearing paper jams and removing clutters easily from the machine.

Pros

  • Fast paper shredding
  • Thermal protection features
  • Good waste bin capacity
  • Cuts 6 sheets of paper at a time
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Design looks regular
  • 8.7” entry slot may be too small for big envelopes
  • Thermal protection system delays work

Verdict

If you are looking for something that can literally grind papers, then this is the best option. However, its design will make people think it is something else at first sight.

Explore more options on Amazon.

AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card

The AmazonBasics is a powerful paper shredder that can take up to eight sheets of paper and shred them to pieces. It cross-cuts almost anything that is placed on it. Also, its design is something to behold.

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Product features :


  • It can destroy up to 8 sheets of paper at a time. Thus by placing papers in a set of 8, you can shred an entire A4 pack of paper after 40 times.
  • It shreds paper into strips 3/16” x 1-27/32”. With pieces as small as this size it will take a lifetime for a spy to assemble the pieces correctly.
  • It has a manual reverse built inside. When paper gets clogged within the shredder, one can make use of the reverse gear to clear it up.
  • It has a 4.1-gallon waste bin which can accommodate a large chunk of waste. You won’t be emptying the waste bin frequently.

Pros

  • Finer shredding of papers
  • Can also shred credit cards and CDs
  • Manual reverse
  • 4.1 gallon of waste bin capacity
  • Can destroy 8 sheets of paper at a time

Cons

  • Can only destroy one ATM card at a time
  • Cross-cut is fine, but it could have a better cross-cutting mechanism
  • The design is ok but not as good as the previously reviewed one

Verdict

Getting your top-secret documents shredded is one reason to get a paper shredder. This paper shredder delivers when it comes to such tasks.

Check out the different price options on Amazon.

Sentinel FM101P 10-Sheet High-Security Micro

Want to shred up to ten sheets of paper at a time? Then the Sentinel FM101P is one great shredder that can handle the job. It is a big paper monster that shreds up to 72 sheets of paper in a minute.

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Product features :

  • It can shred 10 sheets of A4 paper at a single pass. Therefore, you can literally clear up useless papers littering around your home/office.
  • It shreds pieces of paper into very tiny bits of paper. This gives you extra security over confidential information on your piece of paper.
  • It starts and stops automatically to control power usage and excessive heating. This safety feature preserves your shredder for years to come.
  • It is super fast in shredding papers. You can actually shred 72 pages in a minute and 500 pages in less than five minutes.

Pros

  • Super-fast shredding
  • Can shred plastics like credit cards, CDs
  • Automatic start and stop
  • Shreds up to 10 sheets of paper at a go
  • Manual reverse function

Cons

  • 3.5 gallons of waste bin is small
  • Can only shred one credit card at a time
  • Delay takes up to 2 minutes

Verdict

Being a super-fast paper shredder is one of the wow factors of this paper shredder. Also, the low cost and ability to shred up to 10 papers make it one of our best paper shredders under $100.

Check out the available colors on Amazon.

Fellowes Powershred 60Cs 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper

Looking for a paper shredder that can work for you for up to 6 minutes? You won’t be wrong if you choose the Fellowes Powershred 60Cs. Furthermore, this paper shredder destroys any information on paper in very tiny bits.

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Product features :

  • It built with SafeSense technology. This technology detects the human fingers and stops shredding when it is placed on it.
  • The waste bin can contain up to six gallons of shredded materials. There is no need of emptying the waste bin daily with such a capacity.
  • It can run for a period of six minutes non-stop before cooling down commences. Thus, you have all the time to shred lots of paper.
  • It can shred up to 10 sheets of paper at a time. This and its extra runtime ability gives you the chance of shredding lots of paper in less time.

Pros

  • SafeSense technology
  • 6-gallon waste bin
  • Shreds up to 10 sheets of paper at a time
  • 6 minutes non-stop runtime
  • Can shred plastics like credit card and CDs

Cons

  • Long rest time
  • Crosscut is good, but the micro cut is better
  • One Credit Card at a time

Verdict

Having lots of paper to shred and less time to shred it? This is just the perfect fit for you. The SafeSense technology is ideal for protecting your hands from injuries.

Explore more options for this product on Amazon.

Swingline Paper Shredder, Junk Mail, 12 Sheet Capacity

The Swingline is one shredder with a  higher shredding capacity. It can shred up to 12 sheets of paper into very small bits. It will take an entire lifetime to correctly join the shredded bits and pieces together.

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Product features :

  • It can shred up to twelve sheets of paper at a single stretch (that includes the ones with pins and staples).  You can actually clean up paper littering your home in a single stretch.
  • Cross-cutting of this shredder is really good. In fact, you won’t be able to read a meaningful text on the shredded papers after cutting.
  • It can shred plastics like DVDs and CDs using another cutter. This slows down the wear and tear of the main shredders.
  • It has a compact and stylish design. It is perfect for individuals who want their shredders beautify their environment.

Pros

  • Compact design
  • Super crosscut
  • Shreds plastics like DVDs and credit cards
  • Separate shredder for plastics
  • Shreds up to 12 sheets of paper

Cons

  • Long cooling time
  • Short running time
  • Suitable for only one user

Verdict

The Swingline Personal Duo paper shredder is ideal for people having lots of junk papers to shred. However, the short running time (about 4 mins.) is something that you should be aware of.

Check out the different prices and color options on Amazon.

Sentinel FM104B On Guard 10 Sheet MICRO-CUT Shredder

In our search for the best Micro-cut shredder, we tested several paper shredders. However, this shredder is the only one that meets our requirements. It shreds papers into the tiniest bits.

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Product features :

  • It can shred up to 10 sheets of paper at a single stretch. That means you can deal with a whole pack of A4 papers in less than 50 passes.
  • It can shred CDs, DVDs, and Credit Cards too. Thus you can actually destroy more items that contain your personal information.
  • It slices a sheet of paper into micro pieces of 4mm by 10 mm. There is no way anyone can get an idea of what was written on your documents after shredding it.
  • It has an overheat light indicator and a very quiet operation. This makes it easy to be cautious of the heat levels and easy to operate the shredder at any location.

Pros

  • Shreds 10 sheets of paper at a pass
  • Can shred CDs, DVDs, and Credit Cards
  • Micro-cut is very excellent
  • Overheat light indicator
  • Auto stop and start

Cons

  • Can only shred one CD or credit card at a time
  • No rollers at the bottom
  • Cooling time is quite long

Verdict

This paper shredder is ideal for a heavy workload. If you are always having lots of junk documents littering your environment, this will take care of them.

Check out the available colors on Amazon.

Fellowes Powershred 8MC5 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder

Fellows Powershred 8MC5 is a great paper shredder which made our top ten list. We love it for its design and it safety lock features which makes it one of our best paper shredders under $100.

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Product features :

  • It has a safety lock feature which automatically disables the server. With this feature, there can hardly be bruises on your body or any other forms of accidents.
  • It can shred 8 sheets of paper at a pass. This makes it suitable for heavy duty tasks.
  • The shred time lasts for a period of 5 minutes before cooling. More work can be done within this time interval before automatic cooling sets in.
  • It shreds papers into tiny bits of 0.109’’ by 0.390625’’. This will take a spy an entire lifetime to get any valuable information from the papers shredded by this machine.

Pros

  • Safety Lock
  • Shred 8 sheets of paper at a time
  • Can shred staples and plastic items like credit cards and CDs
  • Can shred for a period of 5 minutes
  • The glass window on the bin gives information on the amount of waste

Cons

  • 3.8 gallon for a waste bin is small
  • 30 minutes cool time
  • No rollers at the bottom

Verdict

This is one great shredder in the sense that it shreds papers as if they were ground. However, the high cooling time and lack of rollers is something to be aware of.

Visit Amazon to have a feel of this Paper Shredder.

Aurora JamFree AU1045XA 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper

On our search for the best paper shredders under $100, we came across the Aurora JamFree AU1045XA. This shredder caught our attention for its design, but it doesn’t have some great features we wanted. Nevertheless, its JamFree technology and Auto power off are the things that gave it a spot on our list.

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Product features :

  • It can crosscut up to ten sheets of paper at a single pass. This gives you the ability to shred multiple papers at one blow.
  • It comes with an anti-jam mechanism termed as JamFree. JamFree works really good on our testing and it really prevented paper jams.
  • It has a built-in LED lightbulb which indicates the start and stops, overload and overheats. This makes you keep your shredder safe by operating it under safe conditions.
  • It can shred papers for a continuous period of 5 minutes. That’s a lot of time to shred up to 500 sheets of A4 papers.

Pros

  • 5 minutes continuous shredding
  • Can cross-cut 10 sheets of paper
  • Shred Safe automatically turns off power to prevent accidents
  • LED indicator bulb shows warning signs
  • JamFree Technology

Cons

  • 3.7-gallon waste bin
  • 30 minutes cooling time
  • No rollers at the bottom

Verdict

5 minutes of continuous cross-cut shredding and its safety features is what we love this machine for. Nevertheless, the 30 minute cooling time is something we are too impatient to hold on for.

Check out the different models available on Amazon.

Final Verdict

Looking for a good paper shredder is not that easy. You have to consider several factors to get the right paper shredder for your home or office. Some of these factors include shred time, cooling time, bin capacity, cutting type, etc. However, a good review will be of great help to you since it’ll cover the vital details of a paper shredder. Our review ranked each paper shredder according to their functionality and usefulness. The ones having great functionality came on the top while the ones with regular functionalities were ranked at the bottom. Despite the fact that some came last in our ranking they are still better off with their distinct features. All shredders reviewed here are the best shredders below $100. Although some are very close to the $100 mark, you’ll still find some that are under the $30 mark.

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