Cardboard shredders are excellent for handling cardboard waste for both businesses and individuals. The best shredders are durable and offer good shredding capacity. Investing in a high-quality shredder can make recycling more efficient and reduce waste.
Key Factors to consider:
- Sheet Capacity: consider its sheet capacity, which indicates how many sheets it can shred at once and the thickness of cardboard it can handle. Most models can shred 12-18 sheets, but superior options can handle up to 20 sheets.
- Run Time: This indicates how long the shredder can work continuously without needing a cooldown break. Opt for a shredder with a longer run time if you need it for all-day use.
- Jam Proof: It ensures the shredder is jam-proof to avoid issues caused by overloading or thick cardboard. It offers convenient and smooth operation.
You can go through the “Buying Guide” which we have mentioned below in this article. We have mentioned all the important aspects of cardboard shredders so you can pick the best one for yourself.
Best Cardboard Shredders Table
| Best Cardboard Shredders | Sheet Capacity | Run Time | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics Cardboard Shredder | 12 Sheets | 7 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| Bonsaii Cardboard Shredder | 18 Sheets | 60 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| Aurora Cardboard Shredder | 12 Sheets | 60 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| AmazonBasics CD Cardboard Shredder | 8 Sheets | 2 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| VidaTeco Shredder | 14 Sheets | 30 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| Fellowes Cardboard Shredder | 20 Sheets | 30 minutes | Check On Amazon |
| Wolverine Cardboard Shredder | 18 Sheets | 60 minutes | Check On Amazon |
Also check –
Best Cardboard Shredders Reviews
1. AmazonBasics Cardboard Shredder
AmazonBasics is one of the most renowned brands known for selling high-quality products at cheap rates. That said, this cross-cut paper shredder from AmazonBasics is highly recommended for you if you are on a budget.
It has got all the features like Auto-Off, Reverse for Jam Protection, LED indicator lights, etc. The overall build quality is pretty decent, and it’s also compact, so you won’t find any issues using it either at home or office.
Its shredding capacity is quite good as it can shred up to 12 sheets at once and can even handle tougher things like credit cards and CD/DVDs. Apart from that, the blades are actually good as staples, and paper clips are easily shredded without any fuss. However, the 7-minutes run time of this shredder seems a bit less, but it’s totally fine for those who use the shredder occasionally or to shred a few sheets at a time. Although it’s a compact shredder, it has a 4.8-gallon bin which also has a see-through window.
Best Features
- Jam Proof
- 12 Sheets Capacity
- 7 Minutes Run Time
- Auto Start and Auto-Off feature
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Build quality is satisfactory
- Can easily shred staples or small paper clips
Cons
- Takes 30 minutes for a cooldown
2. Bonsaii Cardboard Shredder
Next on the list, we would like to introduce another premium cardboard shredder from Bonsaii. We have placed this shredder in the 3rd position in this list because of its long run time and high-security shredding. That said, we really appreciate its 60-minutes run time, which is possible because of the advanced cooling system that keeps its motor working for long without needing any cooldown breaks. The overall design and build quality is premium since it’s designed for heavy-duty home and office use.
This cross-cut paper shredder from Bonsaii comes with a decent capacity of 18 sheets and a bin size of about 6 gallons which is great. It features professional steel blades that can cut paper, staples, credit cards into tiny particles measuring 13/64 x 1-37/64 inches. Coming to its other features, it has auto On/Off features, and reverse jam protection features as well.
Moreover, overloading and overheating protection is also given to this shredder to make it a perfect choice for anyone. Another good feature of this shredder is that it comes with 4 casters for easy mobility and operates quietly at 62dB low noise levels.
Best Features
- 18 Sheet Capacity
- 60 Minutes long run time
- 4 Casters for easy mobility
- 6 Gallon Bin
Pros
- Easy to move
- Low Noise operation
- Large bin size
Cons
- The reverse function is manual
3. Aurora Cardboard Shredder
The Aurora AU1210MA Professional Grade Paper shredder is yet another high-quality option available that comes with a reasonable price tag. It’s actually a good option to consider if you want to use the shredder occasionally, either at home or office.
Since it comes with micro-cut blades also known as micro cut shredders, this shredder can easily be used to destroy paper, CDs, Credit Cards, etc., into smaller security level P-4 pieces of size 5/32 by 15/32 inches.
The best part about this paper shredder is its non-stop run time of 60 minutes, which indicates that it boasts a really good cooling system as well. The bin size of this shredder also has a 5-gallon capacity good enough to hold a small clipping of about 300 sheets. Apart from that, it also supports reversing features that will save it from jamming. In addition, it features LED indicator lights for standby, overheat, bin-full, overload, and door open status.
Best Features
- 12 Sheets Capacity
- 60 Minutes Run Time
- 5 Gallon Bin Size
- LED indicator for each function
Pros
- Affordable Pricing
- Decent build quality
- Offers security level P-4 cutting
Cons
- Noisy operation
4. AmazonBasics CD Cardboard Shredder
Last but not the least, we have yet another good shredder option to introduce from the same brand, AmazonBasics. Unlike the previous one, this one is mostly recommended for home use. Since it meets the security level P-2 standards, it cuts the paper into 1/4-inch-wide strips at a rate of 9.84 feet/min.
The capacity of this shredder is about 8 sheets and has a continuous run time of 2 minutes. The special fact about this shredder is that you don’t need to worry about the staples or paper clips, and it has a separate slot for cards and discs.
Although the run time might seem less to some people, it’s good enough for home use. It also comes with overheat protection which shuts off the machine when it exceeds the run-time limit to protect the motor. In addition, it also has a reverse feature that allows you to retrieve the unshredded part and clean the blades to avoid jamming. Moreover, the bin size of the shredder is about 3 gallons which is quite decent considering its small size. Since it’s an AmazonBasics product, it is also covered under a 1-year warranty.
Best Features
- 8 Sheet Capacity
- 3 working modes (auto, off, reverse)
- Supports security level P-2 standards
- 2 Gallon Bin
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Compact and lightweight
- Shreds CDs, DVDs, and credit cards also
Cons
- Run Time is only 2 minutes
5. VidaTeco Shredder
The VidaTeco Shredder is made to handle up to 14 sheets of paper at once, turning them into secure cross-cut pieces. Its unique cutter, only available in the US, prevents 99% of paper jams, making it last longer and cost less. It can also shred credit cards, CDs, and unwanted mail, showing its versatility.
With a 6.6-gallon bin and automatic start-stop, this shredder is easy to use and performs well. The see-through window lets you check the bin’s level, and the built-in handle makes it easy to empty. Safety features include an overheat LED light and one year of ETL certification protection.
In short, the VidaTeco Cross-Cut Shredder is durable, secure, and convenient, perfect for home or office use.
Best Features
- 14 Sheet
- 6.6-gallon capacity
- Cross-cut shredding
- Automatic start-stop feature
- Overheat LED indicator
- 5-minute continuous shredding with 30-minute cooldown cycle
Pros
- Excellent jam-proof system.
- Portable handle
- Large capacity and easy emptying.
Cons
- Overheating during prolonged use.
6. Fellowes Cardboard Shredder
The Fellowes LX22M Powershred paper shredder holds the 1st position in this list because of its brilliant capacity of 20 sheets. Although this might be a costly shredder, it’s a perfect machine for office use. Thanks to its heavy-duty motor, it’s designed to work for 30 minutes continuously.
This paper shredder from Fellowes also gives you indications whenever its 8-gallon bin is about to full, or the machine is about to reach its run time limit. There’s nothing to worry about security if you are using this paper shredder as it turns all the documents into 5/32” x 1-3/8” micro-cut particles.
Moreover, it’s a super safe and convenient shredder option for home use as well since it comes with SafeSense technology. With the help of that, it can sense whether a paw or hand is touching the entry slot, and stops immediately to prevent any accident. The best part about this paper shredder is that it’s completely jam-proof, and can also shred staples, paper clips, credit cards, and junk mail without any stress. As far as you are concerned about the warranty, Fellowes offers a 1-year long warranty for all its products.
Best Features
- 20 Sheets Capacity
- SafeSense Feature
- Indication meter
- 30 Minutes Run Time
Pros
- Superior Build quality
- Security level P-4 cuttings
- Large bin capacity
Cons
- A bit expensive
7. Wolverine Cardboard Shredder
The Wolverine P-4 Heavy Duty Paper Shredder SD9113 is placed in 2nd position on this list because of its heavy-duty motor, which has a max run time of up to 60 minutes. Such a paper shredding machine is highly suitable for large offices as you can simply shred a huge stack of files in one go.
Thanks to the cross-cut shredding, it turns paper into 5/32″ x 1-3/8″ (4mm x 35mm) small cuttings. Apart from that, it also shreds paper clips, staples, CDs, Credit Cards quite easily. With its amazing capacity of 18 sheets, it becomes easier to shred the thicker report files quite conveniently.
Moreover, if you push the limit, there’s no need to worry about jamming, as it comes with an anti-jam reversing feature that prevents the machine blades from jamming. Speaking about the Bin size, it has a massive 6-gallon bin with a see-through window. Since it has a brilliant run time of 60 minutes, it is backed up by an effective cooling system to keep the motor working for a longer time.
Despite that, it has 58dB ultra-quiet performance, which is ideal for an office environment. Although the price of this shredder is a bit on the expensive side, Wolverine also offers a 1-year long warranty for customer satisfaction.
Best Features
- 60 Minutes Run Time
- 18 Sheets Capacity
- 58dB ultra-quiet noise level
- Jam Reverse System
Pros
- Handles heavy-duty work with ease
- Uses SECURITY LEVEL P-4 Cross-Cut Blades
- Also shreds paper clips, staples, CDs, Credit Cards, etc.
Cons
- No safety sensors for hand-detection
Buying Guide for the Best Cardboard Shredder
A cardboard shredder is one of the most required machines often used in corporate offices. All those confidential reports and files that are not of your use anymore should be properly destroyed for security reasons. But, tearing a huge stack of papers with hands is quite a time-consuming task, that’s why shredder machines are praised so much.
That said, if you are looking to buy a new cardboard shredder for your office or home use, you must know about all their features first to pick the best one from the market. In this buying guide, we will be talking about all the aspects and features that you should always check before buying a shredder so that you spend your money on the right product.
1. Sheet Capacity
To know how effective a cardboard shredder is, you can look at the shredder’s sheet capacity. The majority of the cardboard shredders that are available in the market come with a sheet capacity of 12-18 sheets.
However, some advanced models might allow you to shred 20 sheets at once, but such a shredder would be costly as well. Such high-efficiency shredders are meant for large offices where you need to deal with multiple reports or documents at one time. Several cardboard shredder machines come with separate slots for CD/DVDs, Credit Cards to destroy them.
2. Run Time
Cardboard shredders generally have a motor attached to blade knives that rotate and cut the cardboard or paper. The efficiency of the machine can be judged by the continuous run time of the shredder before it’s motor heats up and requires a cool down. In general, the shredders which are meant for home use have basic motors with up to 15-30 minutes run time.
On the other hand, if you want a better cardboard shredder for heavy-duty office needs, there are several good shredder options available that can continuously work for 30-60 minutes without requiring any cooldown period.
3. Jam Proof Feature
Generally, when you pass thick cardboard through the machine for shredding which is not comfortable for it to handle. There are chances that the blade knives might not be able to cut through, and the piece of cardboard will jam the machines. That was one of the most common issues people usually faced using such machines. However, when it comes to modern cardboard shredders, almost all of them come with an anti-jam feature. The Jam Proof cardboard shredders are capable of reversing the inserted cardboard or paper to protect the machine from jams.
4. Bin Size
Although people don’t talk about this much, the bin size is still a significant factor to consider while buying a new cardboard shredder for your home or office use. In general, the shredding machine is quite a small unit, while the rest of the shredder body is just the bin.
Depending on how many papers you shred using the machine, you can pick a cardboard shredder of any size that seems suitable for your use. We would recommend a shredder with a bin size of at least 5-6 gallons for office use. However, for home use, you can pick any shredder, even the ones with smaller bins, whichever you like. The smaller ones are actually handier and don’t take much space for storage as well.
5. Safety Features
If you are looking for a new cardboard shredder, especially for home use, it’s important to check for the safety features. Some cardboard shredders come with dedicated sensors that can detect any hands or paws touching the paper entry slot. Such a cardboard shredder is safe to use at home if you have kids or any pets at home.
6. Overload and Overheating Safety
Looking for overlord and overheating safety features is also important. These days, such features have become more and more common and you can find them in almost all machines. The overload detection is basically a safety feature for the machine to detect if you are passing thicker cardboard through the entry, which is good for avoiding jams. On the other hand, the overheating detection system makes the cardboard shredder automatically shut off once the run time is complete. This saves the motor from overheating and increases the overall lifetime of the machine.
Cardboard Shredders – FAQs
Ans: Cardboard shredders typically use rotating blades or rollers to cut and shred cardboard into strips or particles.
Ans: Yes, there are portable and compact cardboard shredders suitable for smaller businesses or home use.
Ans: Yes, regular maintenance such as oiling the blades and cleaning the machine is necessary to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Ans: Typically, a 12-sheet shredder works well for shredding light cardboard. But for more frequent or heavy shredding of cardboard, it’s better to use a shredder with a capacity of 18 to 24 sheets or a heavy-duty shredder.
Conclusion
Cardboard shredders are efficient and eco-friendly tools for handling cardboard waste. These machines can shred cardboard into small particles, used for packaging or composting. By reducing waste volume, boosting recycling, and promoting sustainability. In this article, we outline their features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Here are our top recommendations:
- If you need a robust shredder for office use, consider the Fellowes Cardboard Shredder. It’s jam-proof, can shred 20 sheets at once, and runs for 30 minutes, ideal for office tasks.
- Alternatively, the Wolverine Cardboard Shredder offers a longer 60-minute run time, a 6-gallon bin, and a Jam Reverse system, making it suitable for office.
- For a budget-friendly, the Bonsaii Cardboard Shredder is a good choice. It can shred 18 sheets, runs for 60 minutes, works quietly at 62 dB, and is suitable for both home and office use.
