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Tackle those papers piling up in your office or bedroom and keep your personal data safe.

Instead of simply tossing your sensitive documents into the trash, you might want to invest in a dedicated paper shredder. These machines are designed to quickly and effectively transform full sheets of paper into tiny scraps, making them useless for would-be identity thieves.

Most models are even powerful enough to chew through staples and paper clips, making it even more convenient to dispose of large quantities of paper. They’re also convenient for anyone who finds that bulky stacks of paper take up too much room in the recycling bin, and prefer them condensed into a small pile of shreds.

When choosing a paper shredder, first think about how much paper you need to be shredding. If you just want to shred a few sheets per day, like credit card statements and junk mail, you can get away with a relatively cheap and compact shredder. If you want more of a commercial-style shredder for a busy office, you’ll want to spring for a more expensive, rugged machine that’s designed for frequent, heavy use. The paper capacity number will give you the best indication of how much paper the shredder can handle at once.

Security is another factor to consider. If your main priority is destroying sensitive information, you’ll want to choose a shredder that transforms your paper into small bits of paper—as opposed to “strip cuts” that can be re-assembled with a little time and patience. “Cross-cut” shredders will produce small pieces a few inches long, while “micro-cut” models will chop your documents into confetti-sized pieces. According to recycling.com, “On average a micro-cut shredder shreds a page over 10 times smaller than a cross-cut shredder.” Keep in mind that micro-cut shredders take longer to work, and are typically the most expensive option.

We’ve been using paper shredders for years–in home and office settings–for both security and basic paper disposal purposes. We kept this experience in mind when selecting the models for this list, and also performed extensive online research to ensure we included the most popular and well-reviewed options. Since customers will have a wide range of jobs and projects in mind when choosing a shredder, we made sure to include a variety of sizes, as well as a range of prices. Whether you need a compact model for occasional bill shredding, or a heavy-duty machine for maximum efficiency, you should find an option that fits your needs.

Thanks to an impressive 15-sheet capacity and security-friendly cross-cuts, this Amazon Basics shredder was an easy choice for our top overall pick. It’s also tough enough to power through staples and small paper clips and has a dedicated slot for credit cards and CDs. The automatic reverse mechanism prevents frustrating paper jams, and the LED indicators let you know the exact cause of any operational issues.

You’ll need to let it cool down for 20 minutes after 20 straight minutes of use, but that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker unless you have an especially huge amount of paper to shred.

The micro-cut shredding capabilities of this shredder, combined with the power to shred CDs and credit cards, make it a great option for those who prioritize maximum security and destruction of their sensitive material. It’s designed for durability as well, with overload and overheat protection that will protect itself from unnecessary damage.

This shredder also automatically powers off after five minutes, saving energy and reducing the chances of accidents. We’re also big fans of the 5-year warranty on the cutting cylinders, and the 1-year plan for the rest of the components.

This manual crank-powered shredder won’t be practical for processing a lot of paper, but if you just have the occasional bill or credit card statement to shred, it could be a great choice. Its compact size also won’t take up much room on your desk or tabletop, and it's convenient to transport from room to room. Plus, unlike other shredders, this one is available in four different colors.

Keep in mind that it cannot shred credit cards, and will only be able to get through two sheets of paper at a time.

Combining efficient cross-cutting capabilities and a low price, this Amazon Basics shredder would be perfect for those who want a machine that can shred the occasional batch of papers without breaking the bank.

It doesn’t have any wheels, but the light, 8.3-pound weight should still make it comfortable to transport. Despite the low price, this shredder doesn’t lack in the security department, and will cross-cut your documents into small, difficult to match pieces. It’s also strong enough to chew through credit cards, and up to eight pieces of 20-pound paper at a time.

This low-budget shredder might cost less than most other options, but it packs nearly as many features as the higher-end models. It’s powerful enough to handle six sheets at once, can process 36 sheets per minute, and has the strength to chew through staples and credit cards. Plus, the overheat warning lets you know when it's time to give it a rest.

The large window on the bin allows you to see when it's ready to be emptied, and the top-mounted handle makes it convenient to do so.

If money’s no object, and you’re looking for a high-end shredder that’s built to last, this Fellowes model could be the perfect choice. It can handle up to 20 sheets of paper at once, micro-shreds them into tiny particles with ease, and can operate continuously for up to 30 minutes.

Plus, its eight-gallon bin will hold up to 750 shredded sheets of paper before it needs to be emptied. Its safety feature is impressive as well. Sensors can detect when fingers, or even animal paws come in contact with the paper entry, and will pause shredding until they’re removed.

This Amazon Basics shredder can handle up to 24 sheets of paper at once, the highest capacity of any other option on our list. Five LED indicators on the top of the machine alert you of any issues—like when it's time to empty the bin, or if the motor is overheating—and a large slide control allows you to easily select the power mode you prefer. The 8.7-inch entry width is also large enough for the majority of junk mail envelopes. It might be pricey, but if you have a busy home office or just a lot of paper to get through, the time saved could be worth the investment.

If identity protection isn't your top priority but you still want a shredder that processes paper quickly, consider this strip-cut model. This shredder creates quarter-inch strips, so it won’t provide the security of a cross or micro-cut shredder, but its 9.84-feet-per-minute speed could be worth the trade-off. Plus, it’s still robust enough to power through credit cards and CDs. It can overheat relatively quickly though, and must be turned off for 15 minutes after every two consecutive minutes of use.