Paper shredders help you prevent the havoc of identity theft. These machines can shred unnecessary but sensitive papers in many small pieces. It is crucial to destroy such papers and documents because these papers can land in the hands of someone who may use them for illegal activities. If you are looking for one such paper shredder, you have reached the right place. We understand that choosing from many options of paper shredders in the market can be very tough. It is so hard that some people get tired and ultimately drop the idea of buying the machine. However, we advise you not to do it.
We say that because we have prepared a list of our top ten picks of paper shredders available under $50 cheap budget in the USA market. Additionally, we also understand that these machines have a cost that often lies in the high-end and can’t be afforded by a majority of people. Due to these reasons, we included only those paper shredders that have a price that lies below $50. All these paper shredders are incredibly amazing and not disappoint you. To enhance our list even more for you, we have also included the pros and cons of each product individually. We have tried to discuss all the features and specifications of the product in the description.
Table of Contents
Best Buy Paper Shredders Under $50
Let us now start talking about these products one by one –
1. AmazonBasics Paper Shredder
On number one of our list, we have this best selling paper shredder by AmazonBasics. It can shred up to 6 sheets of paper at a time. Additionally, it is a cross-cut shredder with a price that lies below $50. You can use this highly recommend shredder for many purposes, which include shredding ATM receipts, mortgage statements, credit card bills, and other confidential documents. Moreover, you can also shred debit and credit cards with this great value shredder. We advise you to destroy any debit or credit cards you have one by one and not all together. It will help you protect your identity and personal information at all costs. The best thing about this product is that buyers are provided with a warranty period of one year.
This shredder is very easy to use and performs very well too. It also has a bin attached to it that has a capacity of 3.8 gallons. You can use the product at locations where light shredding is required. This can include – your office and homes. It shreds paper in pieces of 0.25-inch width. It is also a bit faster than other micro-cut shredders available in the market. You can run it continuously for 2 minutes. However, after that, you are required to shut it down for 30 minutes to cool the machine down. Additionally, the product only weighs 8 pounds and has the dimensions of – 12 X 7.7 X 15 inches. Buy this shredder now for a fantastic shredding experience.
Pros:
- The product is light in weight, which is why it can be moved from one place to another very quickly.
- It functions better than micro-cut shredders.
- You can use it at your home or office.
- The user manual you get with the product is straightforward to understand.
Cons:
- The machine can run continuously only for two minutes.
- You are not advised to put envelopes directly into the shredder.
2. Aurora Paper Shredder
This shredder is available in two versions for home and office use with low noise level. Both of these can shred eight and twelve papers at a time. Also, both of them have a price that lies below $50. The models come in black color and are very useful for regular work. The throat width of the shredder is 8.7 inches, which means that you can feed large documents in this shredder without folding them. It is also capable of shredding staples as well as paper clips. The bin that is attached to the machine can hold the trash of almost 125 paper sheets. The shredder is so effective that it can also shred through credit cards. In the case of paper jams, the machine has a manual reverse mode, which effectively unjams the shredder that is highly recommendable.
Paper sheets are shredded in perfect scraps of 1.5-inch width. If you accidentally fed folded papers in this shredder, you don’t need to worry, as it will destroy them smoothly. The wastebasket is very durable, and you do not need to empty it, again and again, that too in a short period. The power cord of the shredder is very long (59 inches). This lets you place the machine far away from the power outlet. You can also leave this shredder in auto mode. This will start it automatically and activate cutting blades. You can run it for 5 minutes continuously, and it won’t disappoint you. However, you are required to cool it down well before feeding another paper sheets batch.
Pros:
- The power cord of the machine is very long.
- Its design is very modern and minimalist.
- It only weighs 7 pounds and has the dimensions of – 12 X 7 X 16 inches.
- You don’t need to empty the waste bin often.
Cons:
- The blades of the product may get rusted after a few years of usage.
- Some buyers didn’t like the large size of the wastebasket.
3. Bonsaii Paper Shredder
The Bonsaii paper shredder has secured the third position of our list. It comes with a warranty of one year and can operate on a voltage of 120 volts. It can be used in small offices and homes as it comes with a wastebasket that has a capacity of 3.2 gallons. You can run this continuously for 4 minutes. In this duration, you will be able to destroy almost 200 paper sheets. Like many other shredders, this paper shredder can also shred credit and debit cards. It is also capable of shredding staples and clips on paper. The steel blades in the shredder are very professional and do not develop any rust on them. The machine has light-operation that can be understood by anyone.
However, we would also like to inform you that you need to shut the machine down for 40 minutes after continuous usage. This will prevent burning and damage to the parts of the shredder. You can do this by referring to the LED indicators. These indicators will let you know when you have overloaded or overheated the machine very quickly. Additionally, the shredder also has a REV switch in case of any jams. This feature lets the clear shredder jams very effectively. It is a cross-cut shredder that is available in black color. It also does not create much sound during its operation.
Pros:
- The shredder is light in weight and only weighs 10.1 pounds.
- It is very compact, with dimensions of – 14.1 X 12.4 X 7.6 inches.
- It also comes with a handle to help you carry it one place to another.
- There is a glass window on the bin that will help you know when it is full.
Cons:
- The machine requires 40 minutes of the cooling period.
- It has four security levels to keep user information safe at all times.
4. Fellowes Paper Shredder
Next up, we have the fantastic paper shredder by Fellowes. You can choose the product in two styles. Both these styles can shred 10 and 6 sheets of paper at a time. However, the shredder that shreds ten sheets of paper are a little costly, and its price lies above $50. It is a cross-cut shredder that does its job pretty well. Additionally, it can be used by one user, so it is ideal for your home and personal use. The best feature of the product is that its bin has a capacity of 4 gallons. This bin is extremely easy to access and can hold a waste of up to 400 sheets of paper. You can operate the machine non-stop for 3 minutes. However, it will require cooling after that. Moreover, you can also shred plastic credit cards and staples with this shredder.
The shredder offers you long-term and reliable prevention from identity theft. It has P-4 security levels. The performance and functionality of the shredder are also marvelous. It will help you maximize productivity by shredding the paper well and fast. Buyers are also provided with a warranty of one year on the product. We would also like to inform you that if you purchase this product, you will get a warranty of three years on the cutter blades. Additionally, it also has safety locks that disable the shredder and enhances the safety of the user and their family. The product has dimensions of 7.4 X 13 X 14.5 inches and has excellent maneuverability.
Pros:
- You will receive a warranty of three years on the cutter blades if you buy this product.
- The product comes with a large and easy to access the bin.
- The design of the shredder is exceptionally sleek and stylish.
Cons:
- The weight of the item is 10.25 pounds.
- The power cord is only 5 feet in length.
5. GBC Paper Shredder
The GBC Paper Shredder is available for purchase in two colors. These colors are – blue and black. Both of these colors are extremely adorable and make the shredder blend with the interiors of your home or offices. Since the product is shipped in the original packaging, it can be a little damaged. The best feature of the product is that you can shred your private documents along with the envelope easily in it. It can run non-stop for up to 4 minutes, which will allow you to destroy a lot of paper sheets. It also has a cool-down indicator through which you will easily know when the shredder is ready to be used again. Additionally, the wastebin attached to the paper shredder has a capacity of 5 gallons and can be accessed by lifting the head of the shredder.
You won’t need to empty the bin often as it can fill the trash of hundreds of sheets. Like other shredders, this shredder can also be used to shred credit cards, DVDs, and CDs. However, these CDs and DVDs are cut using separate cutters. This ensures a longer lifespan of the primary cutters. You can shred almost 12 sheets of paper at a time with this machine. Additionally, it has P-4 levels of security to provide you with extra safety. There are LED lights on this shredder of red and green colors. These indicators are excellent to show you when you have overloaded the machine with paper sheets. If you purchase this product, you will get a warranty for one year as well. Moreover, the shredder weighs 12.15 pounds.
Pros:
- You can destroy DVDs and CDs in this shredder.
- It is very useful and cuts papers in fine pieces.
- It is available for purchase in two color variants. The waste bin’s capacity is very high.
Cons:
- The product has a considerable amount of negative reviews on many e-commercial sites.
- Lifting the top to empty the shredder can be a little tricky.
6. AmazonBasics Paper Shredder (8-sheets)
We have included one more AmazonBasics product on our list. This is because both of the products are very amazing and highly durable. They have a long life, yet they come at a very affordable price. You can buy the shredder individually or along with the lubricants. This shredder is the cross-cut type shredder than can help you shred eight sheets of paper at a time. You can shred any confidential papers such as – insurance packets, pay stubs, mortgage statements, and other information. It will surely save you from the havoc of identity theft. It will perform very well, and it works very fast. You will receive a warranty for one year with this product.
The capacity of the bin attached to the shredder is 4.1 gallons. It has a small galas window through which you can see when the waste bin is full. The machine also does not get jammed and works fine even after a long duration of usage. You can operate the paper shredder for 3 minutes and then cool it down for 30 minutes. If you use it above the maximum time, the machine will shut off automatically. This will protect the motor at all costs. It also operates silently and produces a noise of only 70 dB. If you have any issues with the product, you will be able to troubleshoot them easily with the help of many instructional videos. You can also refer to the user manual that you receive with the product.
Pros:
- The paper shredder only weighs 8.3 pounds, which makes it easy to port.
- The functionality and strength of the cutter are fantastic.
- You also receive a warranty with this product.
- It is highly rated and reviewed by many buyers.
Cons:
- The product is only available in one color.
- It is suitable to be used by only one user.
7. Sentinel Paper Shredder
The design of the product is extremely stylish and sleek. Its corners are squared, which makes it even more elegant. The material is very durable and has a matte finish. Additionally, the machine is very easy to use, and you will learn how to operate it as soon as you receive it. This shredder can shred up to 12 sheets of paper in fine pieces in a single go. It weighs 11.46 pounds and has the dimensions of – 11.8 X 6.3 X 15.6 inches. It comes with level-three security and helps you protect and keep your identity private at all costs. The material used to make the product includes both metal and plastic. This adds extra years of life to the shredder. The waste bin of the product has a capacity of 3.2 gallons.
Moreover, this shredder also has indicators that light up when the machine gets overheated. We advise you to use the shredder for light shredding and never let it overheat. Overheating may damage the motor and other parts of the product. Since the paper shredder is very compact, you can easily place it in any small space of the room. You can also shred credit cards with the help of the cutters in the shredder. These cutters work extremely well and cut the papers in unreadable pieces. Additionally, the shredder can be shipped to all across the United States of America. You will come through many positive reviews of the product on various e-commercial platforms. Buy this affordable and cost-effective paper shredder now.
Pros:
- You will be able to shred 12 paper sheets at once with this paper shredder.
- It has a matte finish and suits well in any room.
- It has many positive reviews on the internet.
Cons:
- Buyers have reported that the shredder starts getting slower after a few years of usage.
- It also creates noise during its operation.
8. NCL Paper Shredder
The NCL micro-cut paper shredder has secured the eight position of our list. The thing with this shredder is that it can cut only a single sheet of regular paper at a time. However, it can shred two paper sheets of they are of A5 size. The cut pieces of paper are just 2 x 10 mm in dimension. This dimension is very small and will surely secure your information at all times. You can run the shredder non-stop for 3 minutes. After that, you will be able to see an indicator that is there to inform you that the machine needs to be cooled down for some time. Additional features of the shredder include – reverse and stop functions. These help to prevent paper jams of all sorts. However, it does not have sensors, and you have to start the shredder manually.
The bin of the shredder is available in a capacity of 2.1 Liters. Moreover, there won’t be extra noise during the shredding as it is only able to produce a noise of 64dB. The noise is extremely less when compared to other shredders in the market. You can easily place it on desks and workstations of your office. It is very compact as it has the dimensions of – 9.3 X 5.3 X 6.8 inches. You can also use this paper shredder at your home to shred papers that have sensitive personal information. The best feature of the shredder is that it only weighs 4.4 pounds. This allows you to place it wherever you want as per your liking and requirement. Additionally, the shredder will work smoothly even after many years of usage at your homes or offices.
Pros:
- The shredder does not make extra and unwanted noise.
- The shredded paper pieces have dimensions of 2 X 10 mm.
- It is a desktop type shredder than runs on electricity but consumes very little power.
Cons:
- You can only shred one piece of regular-sized paper at a time with this shredder.
- It only comes in one design and is not suitable for places that require heavy and fast shredding.
9. Memorex Paper Shredder
On number nine of our list, we have a very famous shredder by Memorex. It has a support arm that can be easily adjusted. One of the best and unique features of this shredder is that it comes with an in-built pencil sharpener. You can sharpen pencils easily and in a faster way with the help of this. The outer shell of the product is made using durable plastic. It does not get heated often and is designed using two colors. These colors are – blue and silver. It can strip cut five paper sheets at a time very easily. The power cord of the product is also long and allows you to place it wherever you want.
The dimensions of the product are – 11 X 6 X 6 inches, and it only weighs 2 pounds. The mouth of the shredder is 9 inches wide. This allows you to feed even large legal sized documents for shredding. Additional features of the product include – auto, reverse, and forward functions. With the help of these features, the machine never gets jammed by papers. If you want the product to work for years, you may use a paper shredder lubricant. This will increase the life of the cutters as well as the shredder as a whole. The product can also be shipped to many countries apart from the United States of America.
Pros:
- This is the most compact shredder on our list.
- It has an in-built sharpener that reduces the time that one takes to sharpen a pencil.
- It works extremely smoothly and cuts paper in many small pieces.
Cons:
- Buyers have reported that the sharpener starts creating problems after some time.
- You will not find many reviews of the products on the internet.
10. Memorex Paper Shredder (Black)
Lastly, we have the Memorex paper shredder that is available for purchase in black color. We have included a second Memorex product on our list because the manufacturers have always created authentic products. And this shredder is no exception. It is a strip-cut shredder that is capable of shredding paper sheets into strips of 0.25 inches. Additionally, the product weighs 8.7 weighs and has the dimensions of – 15.2 X 13.2 X 9.1 inches.
The wastebasket comes included with the product and is extremely strong and sturdy. Like the other Memorex paper shredder, this shredder can also shred up to 5 sheets of paper in a single go. Moreover, this shredder also has automatic shredders and comes with features that include – reverse and clear functions. The shell of the product is hard and sturdy. You will not get disappointed with this cheap paper shredder. We advise you to use it at your home or small offices. Also, keep it away from your children and pets.
Pros:
- The bin of the product is large and can keep the trash of many shredded papers.
- The quality of the cutters is very fantastic.
Cons:
- You cannot shred credit cards, CDs, and DVDs in this shredder.
- It is available only in one color.
- You will be able to shred only five paper sheets at a time with this product.
- It also gets jammed by papers very easily.
Conclusion:
We have seen many buyers struggling with finding an affordable yet durable paper shredder that they can use in their homes and small offices. Due to this reason, we were inspired to prepare this list. As you would have already noticed, we have discussed each product individually. Hence, before buying a paper shredder read its description carefully. If you are still not satisfied and the product is making you feel skeptical, we advise you to read the reviews. Reviews of these products written by many customers across the United States will surely help you choose the best paper shredder. We hope that we were able to help you in ending your search for this product.
