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    5 Best Paper Shredders of 2026

    These top-rated paper shredders offer the most security and convenience, according to CR tests

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    grid of 3 images with close up of shredded paper, Tru Red 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Personal Paper Shredder TR-NMC122A, and Amazon Basics 8 Sheet High Security Micro-Cut Shredder on light purple backgrounds
    The best paper shredders, like these models from Tru Red (top right) and Amazon Basics, can handle multiple sheets of paper simultaneously, quickly and quietly.
    Photos: Getty Images, Manufacturers

    If you use long, complex passwords and multifactor authentication to protect your personal data, you can certainly appreciate the utility of a paper shredder that helps you properly dispose of physical documents.

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    The records you accumulate can contain sensitive data like your Social Security number, credit card and bank account details, and private medical information. A high-quality paper shredder will speedily cut through those stacks of paper, turning them into illegible strips.

    It’s also nice if your shredder doesn’t take up too much space and works quietly enough to avoid waking everyone in the house.

    We put 14 popular paper shredders to the test in Consumer Reports’ independent labs, feeding paper into models by brands like Fellowes and Wolverine to determine which have the power and features needed to shred the most paper in the most secure way.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Lisa Fogarty

    Lisa Fogarty is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports. She studied journalism at Columbia University and has written numerous health, parenting, fitness, and wellness articles for The New York Times, Psychology Today, Vogue, and NPR. Lisa is passionate about mental health and is a co-creator of The Hunger Trap Podcast, which focuses on eating disorders. In her spare time she surfs, plays the guitar, and kickboxes. Follow her on X: @lisacfogarty