Best paper shredders in Australia 2024

The best paper shredders in Australia

• Best cross-cut paper shredder: Centurion 7 Sheet Cross Cut Shredder
• Best cheap paper shredder: Kmart Cross Cut Shredder
• Best strip-cut paper shredder: Fellowes Powershred P-25S
• Best micro-cut paper shredder: J.Burrows Micro Cut Shredder S333
• Best manual paper shredder: MUJI Handy Shredder
• Best paper shredder for offices: Fellowes Powershred 99Ci
• Best overall paper shredder: Kogan Cross Cut 10 Sheet Paper Shredder

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected the products on this list based on actual customer reviews on sites like eBay, Amazon, Harvey Norman, Kogan.com and more. For each category, we carefully selected parameters based on our research and identified the paper shredders with the highest review score within those parameters.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

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You're spoiled for choice when shopping for a cross-cut paper shredder but, for our money, this Centurion cross-cut shredder is the best choice for most people.

Why? It's affordable, boasts a large waste bin and can get through 7 sheets of paper at a time. It's no stranger to positive reviews either, with:

• An average score of 4.6/5 from over 85 eBay customer reviews.
• An average score of 4.7/5 from 12 Kogan.com customer reviews.
• An average score of 4.6/5 from 9 Harvey Norman customer reviews.

The Centurion is designed to shred up to 7 sheets of paper at a time, while it also has a separate slot for disposing of credit cards and CDs. Shredded material is then fed into an 18L bin, which is plenty large enough to ensure that it doesn't need emptying all that often.

Auto and reverse functions are available for added convenience, with paper shred into pieces measuring 4mm x 40mm. Several reviewers praise the Centurion for being an efficient performer and basically doing what it says on the tin – shredding sensitive documents with a minimum of fuss.

They also report that it's relatively quiet when in use, and that it's an excellent choice for home office use. Of course, those with bulk shredding needs might want to consider something a little more heavy-duty.

Finally, this Centurion cross-cut shredder has a price tag of less than $100, so home office security doesn't have to cost a fortune.

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If you're looking for a paper shredder on a tight budget, we recommend checking out the Kmart Cross Cut Shredder. Not only is this model a very affordable option, but it's also suitable for all those essential home shredding tasks (like disposing of bank accounts, credit cards and the like). And with an average score of 4.7/5 from over 145 Kmart customer reviews, the Kmart Cross Cut Shredder is our pick as the best cheap paper shredder.

However, if you're shopping for a shredder that won't break the bank, it's also worth mentioning that Amazon sells several highly-rated paper shredders as part of its AmazonBasics line. However, these models were sold out at the time of writing, so we couldn't consider them for the top prize here.

The Kmart model is designed with home use in mind. It offers a medium security level rating of P-3, shredding your documents into 5mm x 35mm pieces — find out more about how security ratings work in our paper shredder buying guide. You can shred up to 5 sheets of paper at a time, with all cuttings collected in a 13-litre bin. When it comes time to empty your bin, there's a convenient carry handle to help make the process as easy as possible.

Best of all, the Kmart Cross Cut Shredder retails for less than $50, so you can pick one up without breaking the bank. And while frequent users or those keen for maximum security might like something a little more heavy-duty, this model has everything many home users are likely to ever need.

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With its budget-friendly price tag, ease of use and decent number of happy customer reviews, the Fellowes Powershred P-25S takes the win here as the best strip-cut paper shredder.

With an average rating of 4.4/5 from over 40 Harvey Norman customer reviews, the P-25S has proven to be a reliable purchase for plenty of Aussie consumers. Capable of tackling 5 sheets of paper at a time, this model shreds them into 7mm strips, giving it a security rating of P-2. With this in mind, it's not the best choice for anyone who wants a high level of security, but more for someone with light shredding needs who wants a little extra peace of mind.

If you experience any problems with paper jams, a reverse function means they can be cleared easily. This machine can run continuously for 3 minutes and then needs to rest for 25 minutes, with shredded paper fed into an 11L bin. When the bin is full and needs to be emptied, lifting the head off is a simple and painless process.

Several buyers praise the Fellowes Powershred P-25S purely for doing what it says on the box. It shreds documents quickly and with a minimum of fuss, which they say makes it perfect for home office use.

So if you're in the market for a reliable strip-cut shredder, there are plenty of good reasons why you should check out the Fellowes Powershred P-25S. Best of all, it's regularly available for around $50, so you can pick it up for your home office without having to spend big.

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If you want the higher level of security that a micro-cut shredder provides, there are lots of good reasons why you should check out the J.Burrows Micro Cut Shredder S333.

This model has a high security rating, plenty of user-friendly features and a reasonable price tag. It's also found plenty of happy customers, with an average rating of 4.7/5 from 25 Officeworks customers along with impressive review scores on eBay and productreview.com.au. And that's why it's our pick as the best micro-cut paper shredder.

First, let's talk security. This model shreds your documents into pieces measuring 2mm x 12mm, giving it a high P-5 security level rating. So if you're extra keen to prevent your personal or financial information falling into the wrong hands, this J.Burrows shredder is well worth a closer look.

It can shred up to 8 sheets of paper at a time, with a continuous runtime of 10 minutes. After that it will need to rest for 30 minutes before being fired up again.

Shredded paper is distributed into a 17-litre bin, which pulls out to ensure that emptying the shredder is quick and easy. And because the shredder sits on wheels, you can move it around your home or office without any hassle.

This micro-cut shredder has a noise operating level of 55dB, and several reviewers praise its quiet operation. Throw in an 8-year warranty along with a sub-$200 price tag and it's easy to see why the J.Burrows Micro Cut Shredder S333 is such a popular choice.

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Only need to shred the occasional document here and there? Don't want to bother with a noisy or bulky electric shredder taking up space in your home? Make sure you check out the MUJI Handy Shredder.

This pint-sized shredder could make a very practical addition to your home office desk drawer. This hand-powered shredder is compact, dead easy to use and isn't going to break the bank. And with an average score of 4.2/5 from over 200 global customer ratings on Amazon, it's our top pick as the best manual paper shredder.

The MUJI Handy Shredder measures 18.2cm (W) × 5cm (L) × 3cm (H), so it's hardly going to take up much space in your office drawer. It's completely operated by hand, so there's no power point required, and it can shred up to 2 sheets of paper at a time. With this in mind, it's only suited to occasional use and the big shredding jobs should be left to a powered machine.

This shredder cuts paper into strips, so it's also not suited for someone who wants maximum security when disposing of sensitive documents. That said, it's a very handy item to have in your desk drawer, could be useful for craft projects, and is also capable of shredding postcards if required.

So if you're searching for a practical and affordable manual paper shredder, be sure to take a closer look at the MUJI Handy Shredder to find out if it's right for your needs.

Today's J.Burrows Micro Cut Shredder S333 deals

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Was: $28.60Now: $25.74

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Searching for the best paper shredder for office use? Need to tackle bulk shredding jobs on a regular basis? We recommend checking out the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci.

This cross-cut shredder is designed to tackle tough jobs, shred large amounts of paper in one go, and keep going for a continuous runtime of 30 minutes. It has also picked up a stack of positive customer reviews, including:

• An average score of 4.8/5 from 75 eBay customer reviews.
• An average score of 4.7/5 from over 3,200 global Amazon customer reviews.

Capable of shredding up to 18 sheets of paper at a time, the Powershred 99Ci can also handle credit cards, CDs, staples and more. Your documents are cut into small pieces measuring 4mm x 38mm, which gives this paper shredder a security rating of P-4.

An auto-stop function is included for added safety, and this machine can run continuously for up to 30 minutes. After that, it will need to rest for 40 minutes before being fired up again.

The shredded material is then deposited into a large, 34-litre bin. This means you won't need to worry about emptying the bin every other minute, but it conveniently pulls out when the time comes to take out the trash.

Designed for 3-5 users, and with a 2-year machine warranty and 5-year cutter warranty, the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is a great choice for any home office.

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With a wealth of positive reviews behind it, not to mention an affordable price tag and a host of user-friendly features, the Kogan Cross Cut 10 Sheet Paper Shredder is the best paper shredder for most home users.

The first thing about this shredder that caught our eye was the glowing feedback it's received from customers, with an average rating of 4.5/5 from over 600 reviews on Kogan.com. The second thing we noticed was the sub-$100 price tag, which makes it a very competitive offering compared to other similar-capacity models on the market.

This Kogan shredder can take up to 10 sheets of paper at once, making short work of your sensitive documents at a rate of up to 2.6 metres per minute. There's a reverse function in case any annoying jams occur, while this model is also capable of cutting through CDs, credit cards and more.

The shredded material is then distributed into an extra-large bin with a 21-litre capacity, which means you won't need to deal with the hassle of emptying it all that often. The fact that this model is a cross-cut shredder also means that it provides a decent level of security for anyone looking to safeguard their personal or financial information for peace of mind.

Of course, perhaps the most attractive feature for many buyers will be the price tag. With the Kogan Cross Cut 10 Sheet Paper Shredder available for $80, it'll make an affordable addition to any home office.

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Amazon prices last updated on 18 December, 2024 at 03:01 pmeBay prices last updated on 18 December, 2024 at 05:15 pm

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Types of paper shredders

The first decision you'll need to make when choosing a paper shredder is whether you need a home, office or commercial model. The right size for you depends on how often you need to use the shredder and how many people will be using it.

Standard specs for different shredder sizes

Type	Number of users	Runtime (minutes)	How many sheets of paper can be shredded at once	Bin volume (litres)
Personal/home	1-2	1-5	1-10	3-34
Small office	1-5	5-10	10-30	38-110
Commercial/large office	5+	30+	20+	114
Industrial machines	High volume	Continuous	Unlimited	More than 114

Cut type

Next, consider which cut type you'll need. Paper shredders have 3 different available cutting types: strip-cut, cross-cut and micro-cut. The best cut type for you depends on how securely your information needs to be disposed of.

Strip-cut: Long, vertical strips

• Best for: basic, non-sensitive data

Cross-cut: Small diagonally cut confetti that is barely readable

• Best for: sensitive, personal information

Micro-cut: Tiny, micro-confetti

• Best for most secure and confidential information

Security rating

Within the 3 different cutting types, there are 7 different security levels from P1 to P7, with P1 being the least secure. Each paper shredder should clearly state on the packaging which security level it is rated for.

A P3 to P5 level shredder is generally sufficient for safely disposing of most confidential documents. Most people won't need a paper shredder with more than P5 security.

Security level	Use	Document examples
Low (P1-P2)	Everyday use at home or work Non-sensitive information	Invoices, photocopies, everyday files
Medium (P3)	Frequently used for health-related information Sensitive/confidential documents	Bank statements, tax returns, credit card account data
High (P4-P5)	Sensitive and confidential personal, corporate and government information	Secret documents, highly classified military information
Very high (P6-P7)	Top secret information	Government documents that need the highest level of security possible

How to compare paper shredders

A paper shredder could cost you from $20 to $399, depending on the brand, model and bin capacity.

When choosing a paper shredder, consider the following key features:

• Processing time. The processing time includes both the time the shredder can run and a necessary cooling down period of about 15 minutes each cycle. If the shredder can only run for a short window before needing to cool down, it could take you a long time to shred many documents at once. If you're after a long running time, you'll need to pay more for a higher-end model.
• Bin capacity. You will require a greater capacity if you use the shredder frequently and don't want to empty the bin or basket constantly.

Additional factors to think about:

• Manual/auto feed

  A shredder that can run automatically by sending paper in the feed tray can save you valuable time, but will cost more.

• Ability to shred paper clips, staples, credit cards and discs

  Not needing to remove staples before shredding will save you a lot of time. Easily disposing of personal information on expired credit cards, CDs and DVDs with your shredder could be a real bonus too.

• Paper jam reversal

  Paper jams are a huge pain, so look out for models that include a special reverse mode to help undo frustrating paper jams.

• Noise level

  Shredders are usually quite noisy. Cheaper home models in particular often produce an unpleasant, high-frequency sound. If you want to shred paper quietly at home, you'll have to pay more for a high-end model.

Warranty

Most shredders come with at least a one-year warranty.

Safety

Ensure the shredder's blades are not accessible. If your model has an auto-feed function, there should also be a visible stop switch. Models that sense when fingers are in contact with the feed slot or during a jam are recommended for households with kids.

Durability

Check if the shredder feels sturdy, as some models can be top-heavy and easily overturned.

Shredder accessories

Minimise wear and tear by applying shredder oil and using shredder bags to dispose of paper easily. Some models include these accessories, while others require you to purchase them separately.

Paper shredding services

If you need to shred a large number of confidential documents and don't want to invest in an industrial model, a professional paper shredding service (eg Officeworks) could be cheaper and faster for one-time use.

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Frequently asked questions

• How do you clean a paper shredder?

  Run your paper shredder in reverse to keep the blades from wadding in between papers. Clean the blades at least once a month by removing paper build-up and using compressed air to take off dust. Then, lubricate the blades before use.

• Can I put stapled papers in a shredder?

  Most models allow you to shred documents without removing the staples. You can also get a unit that lets you shred papers with paper clips, envelopes, metal spring binders and plastic folders. However, these are pricier.

• What documents cannot be shredded?

  Wet papers, wood and wood products and documents with large binders can't be shredded. It's also good practice not to shred sensitive or confidential documents to minimise data and privacy risks.

• Does a paper shredder consume lots of electricity?

  A paper shredder doesn't consume tons of electricity compared to other office devices. Based on our research, a unit that cuts up to 5 sheets at a time consumes an estimated 0.146kWh.