Having a paper shredder at home or in the office is becoming a necessity to ensure the safety and confidentiality of important documents, whether they be personal or business-related. But with the noise level that most shredders produce, it can be challenging to find the right one that won’t disturb the peace. That’s why we’ve curated a list of the top 5 best quiet paper shredders under $100 to help you keep your sensitive information secure without compromising your tranquillity.
What is Paper Shredder?
A paper shredder is a device that cuts up documents into tiny pieces, to prevent them from being read. It helps protect confidential information by making it virtually impossible for anyone, including criminals, to gain access to the original content.
Paper shredders are available in different sizes and styles depending on your needs, ranging from personal shredders for home use to industrial-grade ones for commercial environments. They can be electric or manual, and some even have additional features like a pull-out bin or reverse mode.
Why Get a Quiet Paper Shredder?
Having a quiet paper shredder has multiple benefits.
- less distracting, allowing you to work and shred simultaneously without feeling annoyed.
- more considerate of your family or roommates who might be disturbed by loud machines.
- quiet shredders are often designed to reduce noise by using better materials, which means they’ll last longer than their noisier counterparts.
What to Consider Before Buying a Quiet Paper Shredder?
Before we jump into our top picks, let’s first identify the factors you should consider when choosing a quiet paper shredder. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Noise Level: The noise level of a paper shredder can vary greatly depending on its size and power. Look for one that is rated as “ultra-quiet” or “silent” so it won’t disrupt your workspace or home office environment.
- Shredding Speed: The shredding speed of a paper shredder is measured in feet-per-minute (FPM). If you need to quickly get through large piles of documents, look for a model with a higher FPM rating.
- Size: Paper shredders come in different sizes, so you’ll want to make sure the one you choose will fit on your desk or in a cabinet without taking up too much space.
- Sheet Capacity: The sheet capacity indicates how many sheets of paper can be shredded at once without overloading the machine. Most models have a capacity of between 8 and 12 sheets, but larger models may be able to handle more sheets at once.
- Security Level: Different security levels indicate how small the shredded pieces will be. Higher security levels provide greater protection against identity theft and other forms of fraud. Look for one with at least a P-4 security level if possible.
- Price: As with any purchase, price should also be taken into consideration when shopping for a quiet paper shredder under $100. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options available in this price range that offer excellent value for money.
Our Top 5 Picks for Quiet Paper Shredders under $100
Now that you know what to consider, here are our top 5 recommendations for quiet paper shredders:
#1. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Strip-Cut Paper Shredder
The AmazonBasics 8-sheet strip-cut paper shredder is a great choice for individuals who have a tight budget. Its sleek and compact design makes it perfect for personal use and small offices. Here are some of its features:
- Shreds up to 8 sheets at a time and can even shred staples and credit cards.
- Has a 2-minute continuous run time before it needs to cool down for 10 minutes.
- 0.2-inch-wide strip cut that can shred documents into 1/4-inch strips.
- 4.1-gallon waste bin.
However, as a strip-cut shredder, it offers low security and is not suitable for shredding sensitive documents that require high privacy. Also, it can be a bit noisy when shredding multiple papers at once.
#2. Bonsaii 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder
If you have small businesses or need to shred confidential documents regularly, the Bonsaii 6-sheet micro-cut paper shredder offers a high level of security. Its micro-cut technology ensures that documents are shredded into tiny pieces that cannot be reassembled. Here are some of its features:
- It shreds 6 sheets of paper at a time and can shred staples, clips, and credit cards.
- A 4-minute continuous run time with an automatic cool-down period of 40 minutes.
- Has a 3.5-gallon waste bin capacity.
- Energy-saving device due to auto start and stop feature.
It is a quiet shredder, thanks to its low noise level of less than 72 decibels. However, it may not cut large sheets of paper, and you need to fold them before shredding them. Also, the bin could be small for heavy users.
#3. Fellowes Powershred 60Cs Paper Shredder
The Fellowes Powershred 60Cs paper shredder is perfect for those who want a medium-duty shredder that can handle sensitive information. It is ideal for small offices or home use, and its SafeSense Technology ensures that it stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening. Here are some of its features:
- Can shred up to 10 sheets at once and can shred credit cards and staples.
- 6-minute continuous run time and requires a 30-minute cool-down period.
- Cross-cut technology creates 5/32 x 2-inch shred particles.
- 6-gallon pull-out bin for easy waste disposal.
One downside of this shredder is that it can be a bit loud while shredding. Also, it can be difficult to remove jammed papers.
#4. Aurora AU1210MA Professional Grade High Security Paper Shredder
The Aurora AU1210MA professional-grade high-security paper shredder is perfect if you need a shredder that can shred sensitive information without compromising its security. It can shred paper into tiny particles but also has a high-security level that can shred DVDs and CDs. Here are some of its features:
- Can shred up to 12 sheets at once and can shred staples, credit cards, CDs, and DVDs.
- 60-minute continuous run time with a cooling period.
- Micro-cut technology shreds paper into 5/32 by 15/32 inches.
- Large 5-gallon pull-out wastebasket.
The Aurora AU1210MA is quiet during the shredding process but is a bit heavy and bulky. Also, it may not shred continuously for 60 minutes at maximum capacity.
#5. Sentinel FM101P-BLK 10-Sheet Microcut Shredder
The Sentinel FM101P-BLK 10-sheet micro cut shredder is perfect for moderate use in small offices or homes. It offers a high level of security and eliminates the need to frequently empty waste bins. Here are some of its features:
- Can shred up to 10 sheets of paper at once while also shredding staples, credit cards, and CDs.
- Auto start/stop and reverse functions for maximum safety.
- Micro-cut technology shreds paper into tiny 5/32 x 1/2 inch particles.
- Large 4.5-gallon waste bin.
However, the shredder’s noise level is a bit high for an office environment. Also, it may take some time to shred CDs and DVDs.
Benefits of Using a Quiet Paper Shredder
Aside from keeping your place silent, there are other benefits to using a quiet paper shredder,
- Protects Your Privacy: By using a quality paper shredder, you can ensure that your confidential documents are destroyed properly so they don’t fall into the wrong hands or get into the wrong hands accidentally through careless disposal methods such as throwing them away in public bins or leaving them lying around unprotected where anyone could access them easily.
- Saves Time & Money: By investing in a quality paper shredder, you can save yourself time by not having to manually tear up documents before disposing of them safely; plus money by avoiding costly fines due to improper document disposal methods such as throwing away unshredded papers in public bins where they could potentially end up being stolen by criminals looking to commit identity theft or other forms of fraud.
- Convenient & Easy To Use: Quality paper shredders are designed to be user friendly so they’re simple enough even beginners can use them effectively; plus they come with helpful features such as auto start/stop functions which make using them even more convenient.
- Environmentally Friendly: By investing in a quality paper shredder, you can help reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of energy needed to dispose of documents safely; plus they produce less waste than manual methods since they don’t require additional materials such as tape or staples.
Tips for Maintaining a Quiet Paper Shredder
To prolong the lifespan of your quiet paper shredder, it’s essential to maintain and care for it properly. Here are some tips,
- Empty Waste Bin Regularly: Make sure you regularly empty out the waste bin on your quiet paper shredder after each use; otherwise it could become clogged up over time leading to potential jams.
- Clean Blades Regularly: Make sure you clean off any debris from the blades on your quiet paper shredder after each use; otherwise it could lead to potential jams down the line.
- Oil the Shredder Blades Regularly: Make sure you oil up the blades on your quiet paper shredder after each use; otherwise it could lead to potential jams down the line.
- Don’t Overload: Make sure not to overload your quiet paper shredder beyond its recommended sheet capacity; otherwise, it could lead to potential jams down the line.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, finding a quiet paper shredder under $100 is possible, and we’ve provided you with the necessary factors to consider before purchasing one. With noise levels ranging from 58 decibels to 65 decibels, sheet capacities of up to 14 sheets, and producing particles with security levels of up to P-4, you won’t have to compromise your tranquillity for security. By following our maintenance tips and leveraging the cost-effective, space-saving, and eco-friendly benefits of using a shredder, you’re not only protecting your sensitive information but also making a wise investment.