Whether in a professional context or a personal one, everyone has sensitive information to protect. From social security numbers to private correspondences, we all have things we don't want to become public. That is where paper shredders come into play. Paper shredders are neat little devices that allow you to automatically rip up and shred any sensitive documents you need to get rid of. They're also great for creating paper confetti and packing material. If you're in the market for a shredder, you've come to the right place. Our team put together this list of the best paper shredders for your home or office. See if you don't find one that tickles your fancy. AmazonBasics Cross-Cut Paper Shredder No FrillsA simple paper shredder that is easy to adjust to your needs.Best OverallFind on Amazon It is important to ensure that every bit of delicate information is safe and protected. In many cases, simple straight shredding just isn’t enough. Cross-cutting turns your documents into confetti, which makes it impossible for anyone to reassemble and read them. If you want to have that ability from the comfort of your own home, you need the AmazonBasics Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. This high-quality paper shredder is super easy to use and makes a great addition to any home office. It handles anywhere from 6-24 sheets at a time, depending on which model you choose. It can even be used for shredding up old debit and credit cards. The best part is that the shredder itself sits on top of a bin that catches all of the confetti and holds it neatly until you empty it. Overall, we love the simplicity and ease of use you get when you choose this paper shredder. Pros: This shredder turns paper into illegible confetti instead of long strips It is equipped with thermal protection for your family’s safety The simple 3-mode control makes it easy enough for anyone to use It is affordable There is never a mess left behind Cons: You will need to occasionally oil this shredder to maintain it Bonsaii Cross-Cut Paper Shredder Lean, Mean, Shredding MachineKeep your information secure with this micro-cutting shredder.Best Micro-CutFind on Amazon The smaller you can make each shredded bit of paper the better, right? The goal is to make each piece so tiny that it is completely unrecognizable. That is the thinking behind the Bonsaii Cross-Cut Paper Shredder, which is why we think it is one of the best ones you can get for your home office. This paper shredder does a fantastic job of ensuring each and every piece of paper you shred is torn up and shredded into such tiny pieces that it looks like kitty litter. No matter how hard someone may try, they will never be able to get any information from your paper shreds. Meanwhile, the handle and the large attached bin make it easier than ever to keep the mess off the floor and where it belongs. All you need to do is pick it up by the handle and dump it out into your trash or into the fire pit when it gets full. Pros: This shredder can get rid of paper, envelopes, staples, paperclips, and credit cards The handle makes moving it around easier than ever A transparent window lets you see that everything is shredded correctly and indicates when it is time to empty the bin Thermal protection ensures you and your family stay safe It has a long continuous run time Cons: We wish it would shred a bit faster Aurora Anti-Jam Cross-Cut Paper Shredder This Shredder Means BusinessShred to your heart's content with this high-capacity shredder.Best High-CapacityFind on Amazon Convenience is key when it comes to high-quality office products. You don’t want to deal with paper jams, overflowing baskets, or short run-times on a daily basis. What you do want is to have a well-made paper shredder that takes minimal effort to use, which is exactly what you get when you choose the Aurora Anti-Jam Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. This shredder does an excellent job of ensuring all of your documents are destroyed and inaccessible to anyone who would try getting to them. Not only does it handle your paperwork, but it also shreds debit and credit cards and paperclips, so you don’t have to waste valuable time removing them all. Our favorite part is that the large attached wastebasket holds more than nearly any other model, which helps minimize the effort needed to maintain it. Pros: The 4-mode power switch is easy to control and figure out A cross-cut design ensures all of your information is inaccessible Thermal protection is built right in for your safety An extra-large wastebasket has a handy LED indicator light It is affordable Cons: It overheats easily Fellowes Powershred Cross-Cut Paper Shredder Safety FirstA locking shredder that adds an extra layer of protection.Best for FamiliesFind on Amazon Safety is essential to any product. Yes, you always want to ensure your information is protected, but you also need to make sure your home and family remain safe. Now you can do both with the Fellowes Powershred Cross-Cut Paper Shredder. This paper shredder has a ton of features that work together to keep you and your identity safe. First, as with many of the competitors, it shreds all of your documents into tiny little cross-cut pieces with a full 5-minute run-time. Then, when you’re done, the patented SafetyLock disables the shredder to protect your children and pets from any accidents. When all is said and done, you end up with finely shredded documents and a safer home. Pros: The large wastebasket does an excellent job of keeping the mess away A long run-time gives you plenty of time to shred everything within a reasonable timeframe It is affordable Specialized safety features protect kids and pets from accidental harm Use this shredder for paper, debit cards, paperclips, and staples Cons: It will occasionally jam on you HOME-X Hand Crank Document Shredder Super AffordableKeep your information safe on any budget.Best on a BudgetFind on Amazon When you’re on a set budget, it can really be tough to justify spending a good chunk of money on something as simple as a paper shredder. That is especially true when you don’t often have much to get rid of. So, what can you do? Easy: get the affordable and simply designed HOME-X Hand Crank Document Shredder. This small paper shredder may not look like much, but don’t be fooled. This one is capable of shredding even the thickest craft paper. Use it for everything from document security to making confetti for your child’s birthday. It will take care of it all, and it will do so at an amazing price. Simply put your paper into the slot and turn the crank – that’s all it takes to get the perfectly shredded paper every time. Once you are done, simply put the crank inside of the bin and store it away. It’s that easy. Pros: This shredder is a great choice for kids to use on their own Use it for both crafting and security It can be stored away easily within a drawer or closet The price is extremely affordable You will love how easy it is to use this shredder Cons: It only shreds one piece of paper at a time Frequently Asked Questions Why is it important to shred personal documents? Many of your personal documents contain sensitive information. For example, your electric bill contains your account number, while your bank statements may have important information regarding your income and how to access your money. In addition, many medical letters will have sensitive info regarding the health of you or your children. Shredding these documents will keep it all private and out of the hands of any would-be thieves or anyone else with bad intentions. What should I do with my shredded documents? Once your documents are shredded, simply put the pieces into a separate bag and then into your trashcan. Conversely, you can burn them or put them into an incinerator. What really matters is that you get rid of everything permanently. Overall, shredding and disposing of your personal information keeps everyone safer. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Lint Rollers Read more The Best Dog Trimmers Read more The Best Pooper Scoopers Read more