In a world where identity theft is a very real issue, document privacy is a serious concern. Even documents like junk mail can reveal key information about your personal life to criminals. Investing in a quality paper shredder can help.
The best paper shredders allow you to thoroughly destroy sensitive information, confidential documents, and even credit cards, staples, and CDs.
Ideally, your shredder will be easy to use, cut through any paper items quickly, and shred your sensitive documents thoroughly.
If you’re ready to start protecting your personal information now, consider our list of the top five best paper shredders in Australia.
We’ve gone over the main features of each paper shredder and included a buying guide at the end of the article so that you can easily choose a model that will work well for your needs.
1. Lenoxx 21L Cross Cut Paper Shredder (Top Pick)
The Lenoxx 21L Cross Cut Shredder has a large capacity bin that allows you to easily shred credit cards, CDs, and up to 10 sheets of paper at a time.
Other useful features include a “bin full” indicator light, overheating protection, motor guards, sheet shred reversal, and a handguard for added user safety. It has a shred speed of 2 metres a minute.
Keep in mind that while this shredder doesn’t jam easily, it definitely isn’t jam-proof. If you overload the bin or put too much paper in the shred tray at once, it can jam up. These jams can be hard to clean, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Other than that, this is an excellent paper shredder for your home or for a small office.
What We Like:
- Works for paper + credit cards CDs
- Large capacity bin
- Effective and efficient
- Overheat protection + bin light warning
What We Don’t Like:
- Difficult to clean when it jams
2. Fellowes Powershred Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
This high security shredder lets you shred up to 12 confidential documents at once and makes 4x40mm cross-cut (Security Level P-4) paper shreds.
It features an extended run time of 10-minutes and then enters a 30-minute cool down cycle for maximum energy efficiency and a longer overall machine and motor life.
The Fellowes Powershred Cross-Cut Shredder also has a 19 litre pull-out bin with a clear front that lets you cut, shred, and slice up to 250 sheets of paper easily. With a clear front, you can see when the bin is full.
Other useful features include auto feed operation and powerful motor elements for shredding staples, paper clips, and credit cards.
On the downside, this particular model has a somewhat flimsy shredder tray, so you’ll want to handle it with care.
Still, if you want a device with good security and long life, this is a good option. It’s easy to use, portable, efficient, and space-saving.
What We Like:
- Secure shredder + confidential
- Handles staples and paper clips
- Great for home and office use
- Powerfully shreds 12 sheets at once
What We Don’t Like:
- Flimsy load tray
3. Kogan Cross Cut Paper Shredder
The Kogan Cross Cut Paper Shredder easily cuts your documents and personal information into irretrievable cross-cut shreds. It has a simple and effective design that features a convenient little window which shows you when the bin is full.
This heavy-duty performance machine shreds up to 10 documents at once and works very well for home office applications. It also has a reverse function that works toward preventing agitating jams.
Though this shredder is comparatively expensive, if you want to shred CDs, credit cards, large loads of paper, and other important documents, it’s well worth considering.
The Kogan shredder cuts documents at a rate of 2.6 metres per minute and has a 21L bin holding capacity. Its minimalistic design makes it a great addition to any home office or small office.
What We Like:
- Perfect for home office use
- Fast shredding
- Jam prevention
What We Don’t Like:
- Somewhat expensive
4. Rexel Mercury Res1523 Paper Shredder
The Rexel Mercury Res1523 Paper Shredder is among the largest and most powerful shredding machines available for both domestic and office use.
With an extended paper sheet capacity, it can easily shred up to 16 sheets at a time. This is a jam proof and hassle-free option that shreds super-fast and gives you 6mm strip cut, security level P-2 ribbons in seconds.
The Rexel Mercury Res1523 also has a large 23-litre bin that pulls out for easy emptying and it has an auto start feed that intuitively senses and reduces paper jams. This powerful shredder can be used to cut paper, CDs and DVDs, credit cards, staples, and even powers through paper clips.
If you need a great home shredder that can easily destroy document information or decimate a credit card, it’s a good option to look into.
Keep in mind that strip-cutting machines are slightly less secure than other types of shredders.
What We Like:
- Powerful and fast
- Works for credit cards, CDs, DVDs, and more
- Easy to empty bin
- Jam prevention technology
What We Don’t Like:
- Large and bulky
- Can only shred paper in one direction
5. Centurion Office Combo 18L Paper Shredder
This is a great “all-in-one” option. If you want a cross cut paper shredder that can handle CDs and credit cards and also comes at a good price, the Centurion Office Combo 18L Shredder may be worth checking out.
It’s one of those shredding machines that fits well under your desk, is super easy to operate, and can be used at home or at work.
With 3-in-1 combo shredder action, this shredder can cut 7 sheets at once. While it isn’t the largest capacity shredder out there, it does its job well and has a reliable and long-lasting design.
So, if you want an all-in-one shredder that’s a good value, the Centurion Office Combo may be right for you.
What We Like:
- Reliable all-in-one design
- Good value
- Shreds 7 pages at once
- Reverse function
What We Don’t Like:
- Low capacity shredding
- Small bin size
paper Shredder Buyer’s Guide
Paper shredding machines come in all shapes and sizes. Understanding how they differ can help to ensure that you get the best product for your needs. Here is a buying guide and FAQ section to help you out!
What kinds of paper shredders are there?
There are a few different types of paper shredders out there. You can choose from large and powerful industrial paper shredding machines or smaller safer home and office options.
Paper Shredders can cut documents and sensitive information into different shreds and cut sizes.
The smaller the cut size, the more difficult it will be for a snoop or criminal to put the tiny pieces back together, meaning your information will be safer.
Cross Cut Shredders
These high security paper shredders cut paper in two different directions. This makes documents incredibly difficult to piece back together.
They are fast, efficient, and are a good overall value. These machines work well in the home or office.
Micro Cut Shredders
These shredders cut documents into tiny pieces, although they tend to work more slowly than other shredding machines.
These are ideal for home use or for shredding the occasional sensitive document to prevent identity theft.
While most micro cut shredding machines aren’t ideal for tackling huge jobs, they are extremely effective for sensitive items where you need to destroy confidential information.
Strip Cut Paper Shredders
The fastest and most powerful shredding machines in most cases, strip cut shredders efficiently cut documents into fine paper ribbons.
While these machines are technically the least secure machines, they’re definitely the most efficient and can handle tough jobs.
Strip cutting shredders are great for CDs, DVDs, plastic cards (e.g. credit card), and multiple-page documents.
These shredding machines are often seen in large offices where documents need to be destroyed often.
Features to look for
Other key features to look for include:
- Overload and jam protection
- Manual reverse function
- Automatic document feeding
- A bin that’s easy to empty
- Ability to handle staples
- Long run time (particulalry for office use)
Paper Shredder FAQs
Now, let’s go over a few of the most frequently asked questions about these machines.
Yes, most paper shredding machines are extremely safe to use. Although they have sharp blades and powerful motors, most if not all modern paper shredders come with an extensive range of built-in safety features. These include handguards, motion sensors, overheat protection, and automatic shut-off switches.
Paper jams can be a real hassle. The best way to avoid frustrating paper jams is to follow the instructions of your machine and never overload your bin or paper tray. Be sure to frequently clean, oil, and empty the bin of your shredder as well.
Yes, the size that a document is cut to will matter in most cases. Some kinds of shredders are designed to create long strips of ribbon-like paper so that loads can be shred quickly in bulk. While this cut size is secure enough for cards, CDs, and most business document information, for highly confidential and sensitive text, you’ll want something that slices paper into even finer shreds like a cross-cut or micro-cut shredder.
