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Throwing away your personal files and documents in the bin or recycling isn't enough to prevent the wrong types of people from using them to try and steal your identity. The best way to dispose of documents securely in Australia is with a paper shredder.
Shredders come in a variety of shapes and sizes (and prices). They can often be used for disposing of more than just paper as well - many of the best models will also break down your credit cards and CDs to ensure they are safe from having information stolen.
And like a laptop, they are essential in a modern office, even if that office is at home.
But how do you choose the right model?
It can be hard to decide which paper shredder is right for your needs. To help, we've done extensive research of some of the most recommended paper shredders in Australia.
We filtered through the vast array of products, and came up with this list of the three best paper shredders in Australia.
If none of these products is quite right for you, we've pulled together a guide on what to look for when choosing a paper shredder at the bottom of the page.
These are the best paper shredder models in Australia right now
Fellowes Powershred 99Ci
Fellowes makes a bold claim with its Powershred 99Ci shredder – it offer 100% jam proof technology.
Capable of shredding 18 sheets of paper at a time with a cross cut action, the 99Ci is designed to be quiet and powerful for office shredding.
The basket can collect 34 litres of shredded documents, while the slimline design helps you keep it out of sight in your office when it's not in use.
It also boasts Fellowes' SafeSense technology that automatically stops shredding when hands touch the paper entry, so you don't need to worry about shredding anything other than documents.
Lenoxx Electric Home Office 21L Cross Cut Shredder
With a 10-sheet capacity and a 21L bin for destroyed documents, the 21L Cross cut shredder from Lenoxx is a great option for clearing out old files or destroying your credit card.
This model boasts a "reverse" function as well, which can't un-shred your documents, but can help reverse the motor to save them if you realise you shouldn't be shredding them after you start.
The bin features a clear window so you can see how full it is, and works through 10 sheets at a time. It's a solid option for home offices, and is nice and affordable.
Kogan Cross Cut 10 Sheet Paper Shredder
Kogan's 10-sheet cross cut paper shredder is a great, affordable option that allows you to easily destroy up to 10 sheets of paper at a time.
It also offers a credit card and a CD disposal slot for destroying old bank cards and any disc media you may have data stored on.
A reverse function lets you easily backtrack in the event of a jam, while the 21-litre bin is large enough to let you destroy lots of papers before emptying.
With a shredding speed of 2.6 metres/minute, it is an efficient and affordable option for destroying old documents.
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci
This premium cross cit shredder from Fellowes is geared more towards the office user rather than private use, promising to be completely jam-proof.
It can also easily destroy paper clips and staples, so you don't need to remove those items from stacks of documents.
It can churn through 16 sheets of paper at a time, with a 23 litre bin capacity for easy emptying.
Like the 99Ci at the top of the list, it also has an automatic safety function that will stop the shredder automatically if it detects hands near the paper entry location.
Fellowes Powershred 12C Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
While the two Fellowes shredders higher in this list are designed for professional office environments, the 12C is a more affordable option that is more suited to small business or home environments.
Capable of shredding 12 sheets of paper at a time, as well as credit cards and staples, the 12C uses a cross cut action to reduce your documents to 4x40mm cross cut particles.
The 19 Litre bin can be easily pulled out for disposal, and can hold about 250 sheets of shredded paper.
You can use the 12C for up to 20 minutes at a time, followed by a 30 minute cool down period, with a safety lock to keep fingers safe.
How we chose the best paper shredders in Australia
Review sites - including this one - are subjective by nature. Everybody has a different opinion of what is best.
To determine this list, we followed the same journey most consumers would follow: we went to Google, and listed out the recommended products from eight top ranking sites.
We then calculated the frequency in which each product was mentioned across those eight guides. The more frequently a product is mentioned, the more agreement there is between experts reviewing these products that it is, indeed one of the best products available.
Before we created this page we took some time to remove products that are either unavailable, or difficult to find in Australia.
We also leveraged our own experience with products to ensure that we wouldn't be recommending any product that doesn't deliver.
Best paper shredder in Australia buying guide
Thoughtfully and securely disposing of documents is an important task in a world where identity theft and scams run rampant. A paper shredder makes doing that quick and easy, as well as offering ways to reuse and recycle used paper.
Whether you want to buy one of the products featured above or something different, these are the things to look for when choosing a paper shredder.
Shredding type
Paper shredders will cut through paper in one of two main ways.
A strip cut shredder cuts paper into ribbons is a straight cut along the sheet of paper, generally a little more than half a centimetre wide. It's better if you need to shred documents quickly, but is less secure than a cross cut shredder
A cross cut shredder will break down the paper even further, cutting it both lengthways and across. The end result is a confetti-like substance which is even more secure.
Cutting other materials
While you're likely buying a shredder to help you securely dispose of paper documents, some models can also break down other materials as well.
Perhaps the most significant of these is the ability to securely dispose of credit cards, though you may also want to break down physical discs like CDs or DVDs if they have important data stored on them that you need destroyed.
You may also want a shredded that can handle staples or paper clips, so you don't have to remove them from stacks of paper before shredding.
How much paper can it shred
Another important factor when deciding which shredder to buy is how much paper it can shred in one go. Having to manually feed individual sheets of paper into a shredder isn't really efficient, so look for a model that can dispose of more than six sheets at a time.
Paper feeding
Look for a model that detects when you add paper into its feeder to automatically start the shredding process. You'll also want a model that can reverse feed - basically pull the paper back up when the paper gets jammed.
Some models also boast an automatic feeder, so you can just drop a stack of paper into the feed and it will work through it automatically.
Bin capacity
The size of the bin dictates how frequently you'll need to empty the shredder. But if you only need to use the shredder every now and then, a bigger bin will take up a lot of space. Try and find the right balance for your needs
Price
Paper shredders start at about $50, but can cost hundreds for a more premium model. It's best to understand how advanced a shredder you need so you can buy the best model for your budget.
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