If you are worried about old and unwanted documents, consider their destruction with the help of a shredding machine. This device has become very popular due to the growing problem of identity fraud.
If you plan to get rid of sensitive papers without breaking a budget, this post is for you. It has taken more than 25 hours to be compiled and helps choose the best paper shredder under $100. You’ll find the selection of the top inexpensive appliances available on the market and detailed reviews of each model.
What type do you prefer – turning your documents into long spaghetti or small confetti?
Best Paper Shredders Under 100 Dollars
| Rank | Review | Name | Type | Materials | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Aurora AU1415XA View Details | Cross-cut | Disks, credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (14 sheets) | 10.0 |
| 2 | | Bonsaii C209-D View Details | Cross-cut | Disks, credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (10 sheets) | 9.9 |
| 3 | | Fellowes Powershred 60Cs View Details | Cross-cut | Disks, credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (10 sheets) | 9.7 |
| 4 | | AmazonBasics PBH-55473 View Details | Strip-cut | Disks, credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (8 sheets) | 9.6 |
| 5 | | Aurora AU1220XA View Details | Cross-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (12 sheets) | 9.5 |
| 6 | | Bonsaii DocShred C156-D View Details | Cross-cut | Disks, credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (12 sheets) | 9.4 |
| 7 | | Aurora AU870MA View Details | Micro-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (8 sheets) | 9.2 |
| 8 | | Fellowes Powershred W11C View Details | Cross-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (11 sheets) | 9.1 |
| 9 | | AmazonBasics AS662C View Details | Cross-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (6 sheets) | 9.0 |
| 10 | | Aurora AU1230XA View Details | Cross-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (12 sheets) | 8.8 |
| 11 | | AmazonBasics AU860XA View Details | Cross-cut | Credit cards, clipped/stapled paper (8 sheets) | 8.7 |
Aurora AU1415XA 14-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
This inexpensive shredding machine designed by Aurora is an ideal variant for home and business use. It crosscuts unnecessary documents and ensures a P4 security level. The machine offers non-stop operation for 10 minutes and requires a 45-minute break before you can resume shredding.
With an 8.7’’ throat, it is able to cut 14 pages at a time. Its 5-gallon basket features a transparent window to control the waste volume.
The company warrants the cutting blades for 5 years and provides a year guarantee on other machine parts.
- Automatic start and stop functions
- Quiet operation
- Has casters for mobility
- Equipped with overload and overheat protection
- Comes with “bin full” and “door open” status indicators
- The basket has helpful hooks that hold a plastic bag in place
- The ON/OFF switch is hard to move
Bonsaii C209-D Shredder with Large Wastebasket
As a cross-cut shredder, this machine from Bonsaii offers a P3 security level and can process 10 paper pages at one pass. It is able to destroy documents within 3-4 minutes of continuous operation and should be switched off for a 30-minute rest.
The device is easy to operate thanks to various LED indicators that warn users when the machine is overloaded or overheated. The spacious wastebasket of 5.5 gallons makes the emptying procedures less frequent.
- Features a visible window
- Integrates a handle to empty the bin
- A compact design
- Automatically starts and shuts off
- Has a jam-remover switch
- The sensors are located in strange places, and thus they may not detect the paper to shred
- The warranty period is only 1 year
Fellowes Powershred 60Cs Shredder with SafeSense Technology
This Fellowes machine is a good option for household use as it is designed for 1-2 users and can handle 10 pages per pass. It cuts documents into pieces small enough to prevent any identity theft.
The device has a very convenient construction with a lift-off head, which is easily removed when a 6-gallon bin is full. It is equipped with the SafeSense technology that eliminates accidents: special sensors detect hands close to the feeding slot and stop the machine.
Able to run for 6 minutes non-stop, the shredder requires a 30-minute break. The appliance comes with a 5-year warranty on the cutters and a 2-year guarantee on other parts.
- The container window is large
- Safe for children and pets
- A P4 level of security
- Fast operation
- An average noise level – 70 dB
- Can shred vertical and horizontal sheets
- Suitable for light use
- No casters
AmazonBasics PBH-55473 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Shredder
Dreaming of a shredder? This inexpensive model from AmazonBasics is a good option to test this kind of machine and destroy sensitive materials that are no longer in use.
The device is able to chew through 8 sheets at a time, providing strip-cut paper stripes. After 2 minutes of continuous operation, the shredder requires a 15-minute cooling cycle.
It is suitable for light use and includes a small basket of 3.2 gallons. There is no window, but users can monitor the fullness of the bin due to an opening on the top panel.
The manufacturer protects customers’ interests within a year’s warranty.
- An affordable price tag
- Can handle clips and staples
- Auto start
- Protection against overheating
- Compact
- A low security level
- Accepts fewer pages than stated
- Not heavy-duty and may fail to cut some plastic cards
Aurora AU1220XA 12-Sheet Paper Shredder
The AU1220XA is one of the safest Aurora models since it is designed with an angled feeding slot that prevents accidents.
The machine easily accepts 12 sheets and crosscuts them into small pieces that correspond to a P3 security level. It offers users 3 minutes of continuous run time before a 45-minute cool-down.
The machine features a large waste receptacle that holds 5.2 gallons. It comes with an integrated handle on the top for easy bin emptying.
The cutting cylinders are warranted for a period of 5 years, while the other parts of the machine – for 1 year.
- Stops automatically when overloading is detected
- Relatively quiet
- Works great for a budget
- The wastebasket has a large window
- Intuitive operation
- The plastic handle is flimsy and may break
- Cannot shred CDs
- A long period of cooling
Bonsaii DocShred C156-D 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
The C156-D provides crosscutting and is able to shred 12 pages at one feed. It comes with a decent security level (P3) that is quite enough to be used at home and in the office. The device can process plastic cards and staples, which is a bonus.
It is equipped with a 5.5-gallon basket and has a convenient handle for simple waste disposal. The time of its continuous operation is 3 minutes with 40 minutes of a cooling period to protect the motor.
The warranty on this unit is 12 months from the purchase date.
- Features a see-through window
- Lightweight (5 kg)
- An auto start mode
- The mechanism of thermal protection against overheating
- Hassle-free operation
- Louder than average machines (72 dB)
- Incapable of handling 12 sheets
Aurora AU870MA 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
This is an awesome model from Aurora suitable for small offices and personal use. The machine is very compact and can process 8 sheets simultaneously. Due to micro-shredding, it provides the fourth security level.
The canister can hold 3.9 gallons of waste and features a viewing window to gauge how full the basket is. The device works within 5 minutes and requires half an hour to cool down.
The shredder is backed by an Aurora 5-year warranty on the cutters and a year warranty on other machine parts.
- Automatic start and shut-off
- Comes with a convenient lift handle
- Small but does a great job
- Has a light indicator against overheating
- Ultimate information protection
- Not able to destroy disks
- Doesn’t shred plastic cards with chips
- The slot is not thick and requires “aimed” paper feeding
Fellowes Powershred W11C Paper Shredder
The W11C is a stylish 2-tone cross-cutter performed in black and silver. With a feeding capacity of 11 sheets and a P4 security level, the machine can be used for medium-duty shredding needs.
The volume of its waste box is 4.75 gallons. It comes with a handle that allows users to lift the machine head and clean the bin.
The shredder is able to run for 5 minutes before a 20-minute break. It is engineered with the patented Safety Lock system that disables the machine for safety protection.
Its level of noise is 72 dB that means it is a little noisy.
The shredder is protected by a year’s warranty and has a 3-year guarantee on the cutters.
- Safe for kids and animals
- Quality shredding without jamming
- A reliable and long-lasting construction
- The basket is easy to empty without dust
- Doesn’t work with disks
- Not equipped with a window
- Loud
AmazonBasics AS662C 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
This budget shredder from AmazonBasics allows cutting 6 sheets at a time and performs crosscutting. The device is designed for light use and can work within 2 minutes non-stop. After the operation time, it requires a 30-minute pause to cool down. The 3.8-gallon catch box has slots for easy emptying.
The manufacturer provides a year guarantee on this product.
- Auto start and shut-off as protection against overheating
- The best compromise between cost and performance
- A slim design
- The controls are simple
- No need to remove staples from the processed documents
- The catch bin lacks a window
- Cannot handle CDs
- Can turn on randomly
Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
This Aurora shredder is not quite compact, but it is powerful and durable. Its feeding slot allows users to insert 12 pages at a time and can process papers non-stop for 5 minutes. Thanks to the cross-cutters that shred documents with a P3 security level, no one can decipher them.
The paper basket is also rather spacious – 5.2 gallons. Its lifting handle is very helpful in case you want to open the box for cleaning.
The manufacturer provides a warranty period of 5 years on cutters and 1 year on other machine parts.
- The waste box window is very large
- Has a safe angled feeding entry
- Equipped with an anti-jam auto reverse function
- Reasonably priced
- Unable to shred CDs
- A long period of cooling (45 minutes)
AmazonBasics AU860XA 8-Sheet Paper Shredder
Backed by a year warranty, this shredder is both multifunctional and budget. This model is very popular and highly rated by customers, resulting in numerous positive reviews.
This machine will destroy your documents by crosscutting them into tiny pieces and ensure a P3 security level. It can accept up to 8 sheets and process plastic cards.
The appliance is very safe since it features an angled feeder and has an auto start mode. Its motor can work for 3 minutes and requires a cooling cycle for 30 minutes.
It comes with a 4.1-gallon waste receptacle and has a helpful window that allows users to determine when it is full. Its level of noise is 70 dB.
- Equipped with a light indicator against overheating
- The catch bin window is large
- Inexpensive
- Doesn’t take much room
- Accepts pages even if they are fed horizontally
- Doesn’t process CDs/DVDs
- Suitable for light use
- The manufacturer exaggerates the shredding capacity (feed fewer than 8 sheets)
| Review | Name | Type | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonsaii C560-D | Micro-cut | Clipped/stapled paper (6 sheets) |
Bonsaii C560-D High-Security Paper Shredder
The last model to review is a Bonsaii shredder with a high security level (P4) since it micro-cuts paper into confetti-sized pieces. The machine is intended for moderate use and able to chew through only 6 sheets. It is equipped with auto start and thermal protection functions. Its maximum running time is 2 minutes.
Its waste container is not quite large – 4 gallons, but it comes with a convenient handle design and allows easy waste disposal.
The manufacturer’s year warranty will protect your interests in case of the machine breakdown.
- The chewed paper is hard to reassemble
- The handle is well-centered
- The window gives a view on paper volume
- Functional and safe
- Looks bulky
- Cannot handle credit card and disks
- Pretty loud
FAQ
If you are concerned about how to choose and buy a quality and affordable shredder, the information below will be helpful for you. It is grouped in a form of questions and answers for your convenience.
Are Shredders Up to $100 Reliable to Use?
The machines under 100 dollars are reliable to use. The manufacturers can reduce the price for the product by diminishing the capacity of a shredder and its running time ⏳, extending the cooling period, or eliminating some functions.
If you can put up with the absence of an auto feeder, with lower working speed, a louder motor, or a smaller waste box, opt for an inexpensive machine.
What Are the Popular Brands of Such Shredders?
The manufacturers of durable and affordable shredders are Bonsaii, AmazonBasics, GBC, Aurora, Dahle, Royal, Fellowes, and others. Buying their machines, you can be sure that you pay 💵 for long-lasting and quality goods.
Where to Buy 🛒 Paper Shredder Under 100 Dollars?
All shredders can be purchased from the manufacturers’ websites. Online stores that sell stationery goods and equipment like Staples also have these models for sale. Large supermarkets like Target, Walmart, and Costco may have models in stock that are out of production and not offered by the brand. Amazon and eBay can offer you both new and old items with an opportunity to read multiple reviews from other customers.
Conclusion
A shredding machine is a necessary household appliance. Even if you simply need to clean out your file cabinet, you will find a stack of sensitive papers to throw away. To minimize chances of falling a victim to the identity theft, destroy these documents in a professional way other than cutting them with scissors. With a quality and affordable shredder, prevent your private information from going public.
References
- Aurora Corp. of America – https://www.auroracorp.com/
- Bonsaii Manufacturer – https://bonsaiishop.com/
- Fellowes® Business Machines & Workplace Management Products – https://www.fellowes.com/
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