The 5 Most Quiet Paper Shredders – [Reviews & Rankings]

Quiet paper shredders, also known as confetti cutters, are office appliances used to efficiently destroy sensitive paperwork. The best paper shredder will be jam-proof, safe to use, and will be able to shred paper at a rate of up to 11 feet per minute.

Just by snooping through your trash, a would-be identity thief could have access to everything they need to open credit cards in your name, apply for loans, or even access your banking information. In some cases, criminals have used their victim’s identity when getting arrested, and that can get you in real trouble!

Sensitive documents such as bank records, utility bills, credit card statements, and receipts should be properly destroyed. Getting a quiet paper shredder will provide you with peace of mind, while also reducing the size of your garbage (Source).

Paper shredders are simple and easy to use. All you have to do is put in your documents, and the machine does the rest of the work. Quiet paper shredders work by using an electric motor to feed paper through a drum that is equipped with cutting blades (Source).

There are different types of quiet paper shredders that provide varying levels of document security and picking the wrong one can leave you vulnerable. Before buying a quiet paper shredder, consider its reliability, shredding pattern, warranty, and price.

In this article, we will go over all of the top-rated quite paper shredders. All of the paper shredders on this list will quietly and securely shred sensitive documents, whether you are working in an office, or taking care of paperwork at home.

What Is The Quitest Paper Shredder?

If you are interested in a top-notch noiseless shredding machine, then Fellowes 79Ci Powershred is your best option. This powerful shredder comprises of a sturdy blade system for shredding at really fast speeds of 11 feet every minute.

Furthermore, the machine has been designed to blend in your office environment without causing any disturbance while gnawing at the unwanted paper. The tool ensures that it does not go higher than 54 decibels while shredding.

Additionally, Fellowes has ensured safety for the users, who accidentally get their hands too close to the shredder blades. High-tech sensors near the paper slot trigger to stop the blades whenever you bring your hands close to the machine.

Furthermore, you are promised a robust and anti-jam system that will give you a long-term and reliable shredding experience. Such features make it worth an investment.

Comparing The Top 5 Quiet Paper Shredders

1. Fellowes Powershred 79 Ci – Best For Noise Level

The Fellowes Powershred 79Ci offers both speed and silence. The Powershred is exactly that, shredding 11 feet of paper per minute it’ll get through most jobs in no time. Whilst shredding at such high speed, the Powershred only outputs 54 decibels of sound during operation easily makes it our most silent shredder too.

Utilising 3 steps of jam-protection, this unit is able to offer 100% jam-protection allowing for hassle-free use as you no longer need to disassemble the shredder to dislodge wedged paper, CD remains, or staples.

If you’re worried about any home or workplace accidents then this shredder is great for you. Using Fellowes SafeSense technology the motor automatically disengages when hands come into contact with the paper opening.

With a simple, sleek design, the Powershred looks great in all environments. It also features a central viewing port allowing users to gauge the level of waste in the collection bin meaning no surprise trips to eh garbage room.

2. Bonsaii EverShred Pro 4S30 – Best For Heavy Use

The Bonsaii EverShred Pro 4S30 has been designed for users looking for consistent and reliable shredding requirements. Through the use of Bonsaii patented cutting technology, this unit is able to cool the blades down at a staggering rate and allows for 240 minutes of consecutive running time whilst only needing a 10-minute cooldown period.

The EverShred also provides a high-level of security. Using micro-cutting blades it can shrink down waste paper segment size to 6x as small as crosscutting shredders and does so at a speed of 7.2 feet per minute.

With an advanced jam-detection system, the EverShred automatically reverses paper flow to prevent jamming before it can occur. Bonsaii is so confident in the EverShreds ability they offer a 3-year warranty for the entire machine and a separate 7-year warranty for their unique cutter blades.

3. Aurora AU2280XA – Best For Capacity

Built with high-capacity workloads in mind, the Aurora offers both a large waste bin and max paper load allowing users to save time both loading and unloading the shredder. There is also an anti-jam auto-reverse feature included to increase workload efficiency and reduce the level of maintenance required.

Providing a 30-minute runtime, large workloads are easily dealt with due to its increased capacity. After 5 minutes of inactivity, the Aurora will also switch itself off to save power and increase safety.

This is a great shredder for a small to medium office that doesn’t require constant shredding but instead has the occasional bulk of documents that need to be destroyed in a timely manner.

Whilst it may be one of the larger shredders, the Aurora does utilise a narrower design allowing it to fit under-or-next-to desks without obstructing users or staff.

4. AmazonBasics 12-Sheet – Most Affordable Option

The AmazonBasics 12-sheet paper shredder combines security with affordability. Knowing that one of the sole purposes of a paper shredder is to protect our documents, AmazonBasics 12-sheet shredder uses micro-cutter technology producing waste paper 6x smaller than its crosscutting counterparts.

Offering one of the highest bin capacities out of our top 5 resulting in fewer trips to empty the waste paper. The shredder is also easily movable due to its 4 caster wheels and shortened design, standing at only 23 inches tall.

For those looking for an easy-to-use shredder, the AmazonBasics is for you. Designed with only 1 button that toggles between auto-shred and reverse, it couldn’t be simpler

5. GoECOlife GMW120P – Best For Weight

For the environmentally conscious that also need to protect their legal and financial documents, the GoECOlife is a fantastic choice. Offering the highest level of security with its micro-cutting blades whilst also being produced carbon neutrally. It even enters an energy saving mode when not in use.

The lightest of the shredders that made it to the list, weighing only 19.5lbs, the GoECOlife is extremely mobile, moving around with ease. It also has a contemporary design making it a great shredder for home users that don’t want a clunky looking shredder sitting in the corner.

Sporting a large viewing window on the front of the shredder, it’s easy to see when the next refill is due.

What All Should You Never Put In A Paper Shredder?

No doubt, paper shredders are quite helpful at keeping individuals in compliance with the justice system, to prevent clutter, identity thefts, and protect forests too. However, certain items are not meant for shredders. Here are a few you should never put in a shredder:

• Metal-based cards – Some quiet shredders are capable of shredding even plastic cards. However, cards with microchips or magnetic strips can be problematic. Unless your chosen shredder has an anti-jam system, you might damage it. Besides, even if you are shredding a plastic credit card, make sure to insert it in the credit card slot of the machine.

• Significant Documents – Certain documents have to be kept under check while you are planning to shred paper. Keep a check, or you might end up destroying your original marriage or birth certificates, passports, warranties, present insurance and tax documents, etc.

• Clothes – Cloth fabrics are much thicker than paper. Plus, they are not as seamless as paper, which is why they can get tangled in the shredder, causing the machine to malfunction. Therefore, never put them in the device to create fiberfill.

How Does A Paper Shredder Work? 

Shredding machines generally can cut the paper into confetti squares or long rectangular strips. Shredders come equipped with a bin where all the shredded paper ends up after the cutting process.

Shredders also have a long slit at the top in which the paper is fed. Inside the slit, some blades or knives rotate to cut the paper in either strip-cuts or crosscuts. The former type of cuts have knives that rotate to cut the paper.

On the other hand, the crosscut shredding machines have a pair of teeth sets that gnaw on the sheets of paper in opposite directions for cutting tiny square shapes. When the paper comes in contact with the cutting blades, a sensor triggers.

This sensor turns on the knives or teeth to start rotating. Furthermore, they grab on the paper and pull it towards themselves. As the paper travels between the teeth or blades, it gets shredded into pieces, which is then dumped into the bin present at the bottom.

Other Features that Make Paper Shredders Work Well

Note that the second pair of sensors are present under the top lid that triggers once the shredded paper falls in the bin, and there is no paper left to be shredded. That trigger causes the blades to turn off and stop rotating.

This fail-safe trigger is needed to ensure that the machine does not keep running after inserting paper in it. Some shredders even have hoppers instead of long slits in which documents are dumped for shredding purposes. Such shredders are used at industrial levels for quick results.

Things To Consider When Buying A Quiet Paper Shredder

Feed Rate

The speed of the shredder is defined by the number of sheets that can be shredded per minute. It’s important to find a shredder that matches your needs. Faster operating shredders are great for those who require to shred documents in batches and not a continuous stream.

The higher the speed of a shredder the lower the continuous runtime and inherently a longer cooldown time. If you are looking to continuously shred items it may be worth investing in a slower shredder but one that can run for greater periods of time.

Security

Shredder security is indicated by the cutting style. There are 3 different types of cutting styles available; Strip, Cross, and Micro. Strip and crosscutting can typically be found on shredders with a faster feed rate whereas micro will slow down machines to ensure maximum security.

Micro-cutting reduces paper waste to approximately 6 times smaller than that of cross-cutting. For those that know they’ll be shredding sensitive information, micro-cutting would be a good bet, better to be safe than sorry.

Capacity

The capacity of the waste bin is more down to convenience. If you’re shredding a large workload and you don’t want to empty the shredder every 5 minutes then look for one with a high capacity. With a home-use shredder, this is likely a feature you can compromise on.

Runtime & Cooldown Time

Runtime and cooldown time are properties commonly linked. Users that shred on a very regular basis will want to look for a shredder with a longer runtime and shorter cool-down period to increase efficiency.

Offices or home-users that need to shred items less often can probably afford to have a shredder with a reasonable runtime but longer cooldown period, or alternatively; a shorter runtime with a faster cool downtime. The key here is to find the balance between your real needs and the shredder’s capabilities.

Noise Level

The noise level of a quiet shredder is obviously an important feature. A loud shredder can cause unwanted disruption in any workplace whether at home or at the office. Most noise levels are measured in decibels so to give you an idea; 70 decibels would be equivalent to the average vacuum cleaner whereas 50 decibels are more similar to a refrigerator humming.

So whilst 70 decibels would be manageable for short periods of time, it wouldn’t be suitable for sustained use over longer periods of time.

Safety

Safety features are important to consider when purchasing a machine that’s sole purpose is to shred items into tiny pieces, especially when looking for a home purchase. The most safety-conscious manufacturers offer some form of safe-stop technology that will automatically shut the unit off when hands come into contact with the paper feed.

Paper shredders are useful for destroying private and confidential documents. If you are using a paper shredder machine consider buying a reliable locking mailbox. With the increasing cases of identity theft, it has become essential to have a locking mailbox whether at your home or office. The best locking mailbox is designed to keep your mail safe from both intruders and weather conditions.

Energy Saving

Energy-saving units offer an automatic shutdown feature when it has been inactive for a specified period of time allowing the user to simply walk away after each job and not having to worry about the electricity bill.

Warranties

Warranties are definitely something to consider, especially for heavy use shredders. Most manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty as standard but some companies offer extended warranties and separate warranties for their cutting systems. This is typically a good sign as it shows the brand is very confident in the ability of their products.

Anti-Jamming

Anti-Jam Technology will save you a world of hassle. If you’re looking for a low maintenance shredder for ease of use, there are some brands that offer 100% jam-free use. The majority of high-end shredders will offer some form of anti-jam technology even if it’s a simple auto-reverse feature on the motors.

Multimedia Shredding

Multimedia shredding is also worth some consideration for those who want to safely dispose of credit cards or CDs.

Maintenance

Maintenance is an important feature, especially for heavy use shredders. To keep your shredder at its optimal performance you’ll have to oil the cutters on a regular basis. A deskside shredder isn’t overly concerning as oil sheets can be loaded in with ease but larger shredders would be need oiling on a more regular basis so keep an eye out for self-oiling shredders to save yourself some legwork.

Pull-Out Waste Bin

A pull-out waste bin can save you time, rather than having to invert the entire unit, a pull-out waste bin can be detached from the shredder and easily emptied into general waste. This is more important for heavier shredders.

Affordability

Affordability of quality paper shredders is a defining factor when deciding on the right unit for you. It’s important for the unit to meet your requirements without offering unnecessary features that will cause an increase in price. With many units available we’re certain there’s a shredder that has the right combination for you.

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Feed Size

Feed size is an often overlooked feature, but a wider input slot will save time and make for easier use when trying to feed a continuous stream of documents into the shredder.

Location

The intended location of the shredder will dictate what type of unit you can purchase. Depending on the size and shape of the space available you’ll have to choose between a top or side-feed shredder and this may limit your overall choice.

Ready To Buy The Most Quiet Paper Shredder?

When buying a quiet paper shredder there are a lot of aspects that need to be taken into consideration, such as matching efficiency with speed or functionality with the cost. It really comes down to matching the right shredder to your personal requirements.

With so many variations of shredder available, each offering a unique set of features, it’s important to get one that fits the intended role. Those looking for home use realistically won’t be as concerned about speed or runtime but would place a greater priority on security and noise level.

Offices may need the heightened security of micro-cutting alongside fast runtimes and short cooldowns. These shredders combine great quality, functionality, efficiency, and noise level to provide some of the top paper shredders.

Each uses a combination of desirable features, provided in our ‘things to consider’ list, to target a specific consumer base.

And, if you’re working hard in the office, consider investing in a desk fan to keep you cool and refreshed. Or, get the best embossing machine to create cool items for display in your office.