Last Updated: January 4, 2025

A Paper shredder is a must-have for disposing of sensitive information in the trash. Printed sheets that contain data should not be trashed without shredding them. The old paper shredders were loud and caused pain to the ears.

 I know you might be wondering whether you need a paper shredder at home because there is not much use at home but I would recommend you to have one because if you organize the bill then it will be easy to find them when you need them.

Trashing the bill without shredding them is not safe because it will contain sensitive information so having a paper shredder at home is the most. Scan and save the bills in the drive shred the rest and clean up the mess.

In the corporate world, a paper shredder is required mainly because printed sheets can’t be directly trashed. Shredding the printed data is important, so it’s the reason a paper shredder is required.

If you find the quiet paper shredder, then stick with me. In this article, I will walk you through some of the best quiet paper shredders for home and office use and explain some of the features you need to look at and why you need a paper shredder.

Key Takeaways

• Discover the best quiet paper shredders and experience noise-free paper shredding

• Understand why you need the paper shredder and what are some of the features you need to know before getting one.

• Get from the list of quiet paper shredders based on your preferences.

• Understand why paper shredders are so loud and how we can make it quieter.

• If you have a noisy paper shredder learn how to make it quieter.

Why You Need Paper Shredder

Now there are many questions in your head as to why you even need a paper shredder well I’m here to answer all of your questions with the best answers.

All are aware of the theft that took place in the corporate world over the last few decades and paper shredders could make it more difficult for companies to identify thieves to gain access to personal information.

We can’t say that the system is without flaws if you don’t dispose of the shredder waste properly then someone will piece back all the shredded particles. So you will be getting a paper shredder that will cut into tiny pieces.

Many commercial paper shredders take one sheet at a time but now even small machines can take more than one sheet of paper. Manufacturers realized that we need a machine that can cut more than one sheet. After this many businesses outsourced their paper shredding work.

Therefore protecting your privacy and your client’s privacy is important that’s the reason you should have a paper shredder. If you have a small business then it will save you a lot of time to dispose of documents by yourself.

Now whether you need a paper shredder or not depends on the paper waste your company will be producing depends whether or not you should have a paper shredder.

I would recommend you have one for better disposal before recycling because it will contain personal information.

Features To Look In a Quiet Paper Shredder

Before getting into the best quiet paper shredders you need to look at the features before purchasing I will dig deep into some of the things that are mostly required.

Noise Level

Anything machine that has a motor inside it will produce noise so the paper shredder does most of the paper shredders I have to recommend here are not completely noiseless but they will not produce much noise like the normal paper shredders.

They have anti-vibration mats around the motor and are built with some internal insulation material. Old or industrial paper shredders are made with metal as you know metal will produce noise. it’s not good at handling the vibration that will end in producing more noise.

But some of the quiet paper shredders I will list are quieter and you will notice the absence of vibrations and loud noise. some shredders promise not  80 decibels of noise but some of them are less than that.

They also have frictionless blades some models may require occasional oiling. If you get a shredder that has to be oiled from time to time keep oiled because shredders make noise because they are not oiled in a while.

Size

The size of the shredder matters as I have said earlier if you’re using a shredder for home or office use. One of the advantages of having a shredder is that when you’re tossing your paper in the hand or putting it in the shredder will take up less space.

A bucket full of papers takes more space and flowing paper from the bucket will not look good that’s the reason having a shredder will not take much space.

Therefore the size of the shredder matters the most because the tall shredder will have more storage space which will help not make you empty the shredder too frequently. So having a taller shredder will give more space.

Capacity Of Sheet

Until recently home shredders used to shred one sheet of paper but most of the quiet paper shredders can handle more than one paper sheet. The average number of paper sheets a shredder can cut is 15 sheets at one go.

But the most exciting part about this shredder is that it will shred all 15 sheets of paper in 10 seconds which might vary according to the quality of the shredder.

Cutting Style

The level of noise of a paper shredder depends on the cutting paper many types of blades cut the sheets in different types.

The straight-cut shredder will cut your document in a straight form in a ribbon shape because the blades are straightforward and this is the quietest shredder and ribbons are easiest to put back together.

On the other hand, cross-cut shredders will cut the paper in a confetti form and they make noise while cutting the paper but still, the confetti is not easy to put back together.

Micro or particle cut shredders are the most secure option to go with as they produce more jumbled results and the document sheets are not easy to put back together.

Safety

Safety is the priority of any shredder manufacturer because in most shredders, the insertion slots are too narrow, and when you put your hands close to them it will be dangerous.

To avoid this many quiet shredders have sensors that will detect if the hand is too close to the insertion slot they also have jam-proof blades that will reverse the direction if anything gets stuck.

How We Reviewed The Quiet Paper Shredders

We have checked how well the paper shredders can shred the paper and not only all paper but all the other things like documents and cards. We have also focused on the time taken to shred the paper sheets combined. Keeping in mind other features like portability, gallon size, overloading, and heating. Noise levels when it is overloaded on different devices also the blades for efficient cutting are carefully taken into consideration. You can choose from the different devices we have listed for your home and office.

Are You In Hurry? Checkout Our Quick Recommendation

Bonsaii paper shredder is one of the quiet and it’s heavy-duty shredders that will work continuously for the office. If you’re looking for a quiet shredder for use in the office or home then this is an ideal choice for you.

It can shred a maximum of 14 sheets of paper. Bonsaii cross-cut shredder will cut the paper into tiny particles. It will shred papers, credit cards, mail, and staples to protect your personal information.

This shredder comes with a 4.8-gallon wastebasket and also a transparent window which helps you to see when the basket is full of paper scraps.

It comes with auto start and manual reverse function also helps you to clean up the paper jam easily and you can get free from the frustration of jamming.

This quiet shredder comes with overheating and overloading thermal protection also it is equipped with LED indicators that will indicate if your shredder is overloaded or overheated.

Therefore it is the quietest paper shredder that will cut the sheets in a cross-cut shape which will be difficult to put back together. If you want more shredders then you need to read the complete guide below.

Best Quiet Paper Shredders At Glance

Best Overall: Bonsaii paper shredder

Best For Office: Bonsen Heavy Duty Quiet Paper Shredder

Best For Home: Fellowes Power Shred 79Ci

Best Additional Features: Fellowes Auto Max Quiet Paper Shredder

Best For Smaller Space: Swingline EM09-06 Micro-Cut Shredder 

5 Best Quiet Paper Shredders

Now let’s dive into some of the best quiet paper shredders used in offices and homes.

Best For Office

1. Bonsen Heavy Duty Quiet Paper Shredder

Photo: Amazon

This crosscut paper shredder cuts 15 sheets per pass into tiny particles. It destroys junk, mail, credit cards, and staples. It has high security that will effectively prevent sensitive information from being leaked.

It has adopted a patented cooling system that will operate for 30 min without stopping and will probably shred 2700 sheets of paper. It’s a professional shredder for office and home use.

The easy-start shredder is equipped with auto-start and auto-reverse functions to eliminate the paper jam. It has an easy operation with a light indication for overheating and overloading protection to help you prolong the shredder’s lifetime.

This paper shredder has a 5.3-gallon pull-out wastebasket and it can hold about 420 sheets of paper without emptying. it has a transparent window which makes it easy to see when the bin is full and also prevents the paper scraps from getting jammed in the blades.

This quiet shredder will give you a 62db low noise level that will give you a smooth and quiet shredding experience also it has 4 universal casters to move the document conveniently and quickly.

Pros

• It has adopted a patented cooling system

• It will operate for 30 minutes without stopping

• 5.3 gallons pull out wastebasket

• Overloading and overheating protection

Cons

• Some complain that you have to clear the cutting out of blades

Best Ultra Quiet

2. Wolverine Ultra Quiet Paper Shredder

Photo: Amazon

This quiet shredder cuts max 18 sheets. It will cut paper, staples, clips in particles also shred CDs and credit cards. It has blades that cut each disc into three pieces.

It has a patented cooling system that will support 60 minutes of continuous operation without stopping. It has a 58db ultra-quiet performance. 6-gallon pull-out wastebasket with a large transparent window that is easy to view.

Moreover, it has a jam reverse system that can automatically detect and clear paper jams in the blades. If you’re looking for a quiet shredder for home and office use then this is the right pick.

Pros

• It shreds CDs, DVDs, and credit cards

• It cuts 18 sheets in one pass

• It has a patented cooling system

• It runs for 60 min without stopping

Cons

• Some complain that it will jam

Best For Anti Jam

3. Aurora Anti-jam Cross Cut Quiet Paper Shredder

Photo: Amazon

This crosscut paper shredder has a capacity of 18 sheets and shreds paper sheets, CDs, DVDs, credit cards, and small paper clips. If you’re looking for a heavy-duty paper shredder then this is the best choice.

It shreds CDs, DVDs, and paper into small particles which is difficult to put back once they are shredded. Also, it comes with security level P-4 that will protect your personal information.

Moreover, it will operate for 30 min continuously without stopping. It will be convenient and easy to use for office and home use. It is anti-jam and auto-reverse that will clear the paper jammed in the blades.

This paper shredder has ultra-quiet operations. Shred papers without noise. it comes with 6 6-gallon wastebasket along with a transparent window to see when the bin is full of paper scrap.

It has an LED indicator light on standby when the bin is overloaded and overheated. Also, you will have a door open status when the door is closed properly.

Pros

• It will operate for 30 min non-stop

• 6 gallons wastebasket with transparent window

• It has LED indicator lights on standby for overloading and overheating

• Door open status when the door is not closed properly

Cons

• The wastebasket fills up quickly

Best For Speed Shredding

4. VidaTeco Cross Cut Quiet Paper Shredder

Photo: Amazon

This shredder with US patented can prevent 100% damage to the shredder from paper jams and it prolongs its life span because most of the small paper articles jam in the blades.

This cross-cut shredder can cut 14 sheets at a time you don’t need to remove clips and staples. It also shreds CDs, DVDs, and credit cards one at a time.

It has 3 modes Auto, off, start and auto start and stop manual reverse functions simplify the shredding and paper jamming process easily and release you from the frustration of paper jamming.

This paper shredder has an extra fast shredding speed with 5-minute and 30-minute cooling cycles. For safety concerns, if the shredder is used more than its runtime, then the overheated cooling cycle will cool down. It can be restarted also it has an LED indicator for overheating.

Pros

• The US patented which prevents 100% damage to the shredder

• It has 3 modes Auto, off, and starts

• It has a manual reverse function

• LED indicator for overheating

Cons

• It is a bit difficult to feed the paper into the slot

Best Additional Features

5. Fellowes Auto Max Quiet Paper Shredder

Photo: Amazon

Flex shred capability shreds 100 sheets automatically and 10 sheets manually. This is a micro-cut shredder that cuts 6x smaller than the crosscut shredder.

It also shreds credit cards, paper clips, and staples its auto-reverse stops and reverses the paper if it is jammed. This silent shredder offers ultra-quiet performance also for shared workspaces.

This quiet papers shredder has a sleep mode that will shut down the shredder after 2 minutes of inactivity to save energy. It has a 6-gallon pull-out wastebasket and a transparent window to see if the bin is full of papers scrap.

Moreover, it will operate for 15 min continuously without stopping. If you’re looking for a quiet paper shredder for home and office use, this would be the right pick.

Pros

• Flex shred capability shreds 100 sheets automatically

• It is a micro-cut shredder that cuts 6x smaller

• It has ultra-quiet performance

• Shut down mode for energy-saving

Cons

• Sometimes the papers jam

Best For Home And Personal Use

6. Fellowes Power Shred 79Ci

Photo: Amazon

The Fellowes Power Shred 79Ci is a cross-cut shredder designed for home and small office use. It can shred up to 16 sheets of paper at a time, providing high security for sensitive documents.

It can shred staples, credit cards, paper clips, CDs, and DVDs making it versatile for various shredding needs.

These paper shredder is equipped with patented safe sense technology which stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening adding an extra layer of safety. It also incorporates silent shred technology to minimize noise disruption in the workplace or home making it a quieter shredders available.

With a spacious 6-gallon pull-out bin the paper shredder can hold a significant amount of shredded material before emptying. It also has a convenient bin full indicator that alerts users when it’s time to empty the bin.

These paper shredders run for up to 20 minutes before needing to cool down you’re able to do multiple shredding in one sitting. It is compact and portable with ultra-quiet operation and automatically detects power through tough jobs to prevent jams.

Moreover, if you have kids or pets at home this paper shredder is equipped with proprietor technology which will protect hands and pets. It operates around 60-63 decibels of noise level.

If you’re looking for an ultra-quiet paper shredder for your home and office this would be the right pick for you it can be used in the home or small office use.

Pros

• High-security cross-cut shredding mechanism 

• Silent shred technology for quiet operation

• Safesense technology enhances user safety 

• Large bin capacity with LED indicator 

Cons

• Bulkier size and weight may not be suitable for smaller spaces

Best Extra Lubricant Sheets

7. AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder 

Photo: Amazon

The Amazon basics 8-sheet cross-cut paper shredder is a reliable and affordable shredding solution suitable for home offices, small businesses, and personal use.

With its cross-cutting mechanism, it efficiently shreds up to 8 sheets of paper at a time into small particles providing a moderate level of security for sensitive documents 

One of the key advantages of the Amazon Basics shredder is its compact and space-saving design making it suitable for environments with limited space. It features a user-friendly interface with simple controls for effortless operation making it ideal for users of all skill levels.

The shredder’s 4.1-gallon bin offers sufficient capacity for shredded materials reducing the time for emptying. It can shred staples, and credit cards adding to its versatility.

It will help prevent jams for efficient operation and reduce static dust for optimized efficiency. The transparent bin window will help in easily determining when the bin is full. With comes with an integrated lifting handle for easy emptying of the bin.

The design is sleek and portable which will fit in smaller spaces and easy to move with the compact size. Along with the paper shredder, you will be getting 12 packs of lubricant sheets for sharpening and lubricating the blades.

This paper shredder operates around 70-75 decibels which is comparable to any home appliances. While Amazon paper shredders may not be as quiet as some high-end models equipped with noise-reduction technology they still maintain reasonable noise levels for home and office environments.

It’s important to note that noise reduction may vary on different factors such as the thickness of paper and the type of material that can affect the noise level. Overall Amazon Basics paper shredder strikes the balance between performance, affordability, and noise level.

Pros

• Affordable price when compared to other shredders in its class.

• Compact and space-saving design small offices and congested spaces.

• Efficient cross-cutting mechanism that provides moderate security for shredded documents.

• Easy operation and user-friendly interface.

Cons

• May not be suitable for heavy-duty shredding tasks or large volumes of paper.

Best For Smaller Space

8. Swingline EM09-06 Micro-Cut Shredder 

Photo: Amazon

The Swingline EM09-06 micro-cut shredder offers micro-cut shredding capabilities which provide a higher level of security compared to traditional strip-cut or cross-cut shredders.

It can shred up to 9 sheets of paper at a time making it suitable for small-scale shredding tasks.

This shredder is designed for use by 1-2 users making it ideal for small offices or individuals who require secure document disposal. The micro-cut shredding mechanism cuts documents into tiny particles ensuring that sensitive information is effectively destroyed and reducing the risk of identity theft or data breaches. 

The EM09-06 features a compact design that saves space in office environments or home offices. It also includes a 3-gallon waste bin to collect shredded materials minimizing the need for frequent emptying.

It has a transparent bin window that will easily determine when the bin is full and an overheating indicator if your shredder is heated while running. 10 minutes of run time and LED status symbol. It has an auto-reverse function for efficient shredding.

It comes with a compact and portable design that will fit any small office you can office, home, and personal use. If you’re looking for a quiet paper shredder for a small space then this is the right choice for you.

The noise level of the paper shredder depends on various factors such as the type and thickness of the material being shredded.

Pros

• Micro-cut shredding provides high-level security for sensitive documents.

• Suitable for small spaces or personal use. 

• Compact design saves space.

• The affordable price point for basic shredding needs.

Cons

• Smaller waste bin may require frequent emptying.

Why Paper Shredder Is So Loud?

Several factors are contributing to the loud noise of paper shredder. The primary reason for loud paper shredder is the blades produce noise as they are rapidly and consistently cutting the paper they produce noise.

If the paper shredder is set at high speed it will produce noise as it will be cutting the papers at a high volume it will produce noise and vibrate. As it will power the blades of the shredder which will produce noise.

If you have the old model that is not quiet then they are not sound dampening they will produce much noise as they don’t have a quiet motor which will result in loud noise while the shredder is functioning.

The shredder might need lubrication or maintenance. If your shredder runs out of maintenance or lubrication it will produce a loud noise. Lubricate the paper shredder frequently if you feel like it’s making a louder noise than ever.

If your paper shredder is overworked it will make a loud noise. Ensure to put the paper shredder at rest when it’s running for a long time and start again after some time it will not be as loud as it was prior.

How To Make Paper Shredder Quieter

Making a paper shredder quieter will bring a lot of peace and help you focus on the work without distraction. Here are some of the ways that will bring out peace and shred the paper efficiently without much noise.

Place The Mat

Place the paper shredder on a mat so that it will absorb the vibrations and sound. Placing it on a padded surface will make the paper shredder quieter. If you don’t have a soundproof mat or rubber mat at your place then a piece of foam will absorb the noise and vibrations.

For better absorption of sound, you can add multiple layers of mat or foam which will be denser and work against blocking noise and vibrations. The paper shredder will make a loud noise when there is more frequency of paper.

Placing a rubber mat or soundproof mat will do the work for you as it works against absorbing vibrations and noise when the paper shredder is functioning and makes the shredder firm on the surface.

Lubricate The Paper Shredder

The major reason for a loud paper shredder is the lack of lubrication as it contributes to the noise and vibrations of a paper shredder. Oiling the blades of the paper shredder will make the shredder quieter and contribute to smooth and efficient running.

Due to debris and particles of paper, the blades will produce noise applying oil to the blades will make the shredder smooth and noise will be eradicated. Blades will produce more noise and the paper shredder vibrates.

Lubrication is one of the effective solutions to make the paper shredder quieter and more efficient. Stuck blades will take over the attention and distract which will be smooth after the lubrication is done.

Change The Settings

Change the settings of the shredder to low speed from high speed so that it will make less noise when shredding. When you set the shredder on the high-speed mode it will make a noise and vibrate. Changing the settings to low speed will make the operations smooth.

This will not make functioning faster but it will reduce noise which is much and causes a distraction while working. I know how annoying it gets when the paper shredders produce noise while working and take over productive hours.

Changing the settings will make the work smoother and a lot of noise will be reduced as the paper shredder will shred at a low speed which will not cause pain to the ears.

Insulate The Paper Shredder

Insulate the paper shredder to reduce noise and vibrations. Insulation is one of the best ways to make things quieter and soundproof. this will not affect the efficiency of the shredder. It will make the paper shredder quieter.

Using soundproofing material like acoustic foam on all the sides of the paper shredder will absorb the noise. Acoustic foam is one of the best soundproof materials to block out noise.

You can also insulate with mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) on all sides of the paper shredder this will do the job for you. It consists of soundproof properties that will be effective enough to block the noise and vibrations that the shredder produces.

Clean The Paper Shredder

Clean the paper shredder frequently this will help in smooth operations. The paper shredder will work efficiently when you clean it. There will be debris and particles of things you shredded which will burden the blades.

When the blades rotate it will affect the functioning blades which causes noise. Cleaning the paper shredder and oiling the blades will contribute to smooth and efficient functioning.

Replace With Quieter Model

If you have a loud paper shredder and despite implementing all the ways mentioned above it doesn’t stop the loud noise then it’s time to replace the current paper shredder with a quieter model.

There are a lot of quiet paper shredders in the market and manufacturers are claiming that their product is the quietest one but before choosing the quiet paper shredder you need to look at the features that will help you to get the best quiet paper shredder.

In this guide, I have shared some of the best quiet paper shredders that are effective enough, and most of all they are quiet which will make your work easier without annoying noise.

How To Make Paper Shredder Quieter (Infographics)

Final Thoughts On Quiet Paper Shredder

Quiet paper shredders do a lot of work without making you exhausted by causing pain to the ears with the loud noise of cutting the paper. When I switched to a quiet shredder I felt a lot of change.

The noise is exhausting and irritating sometimes when you’re focused on work you will be distracted by the noise of a paper shredder. Also on the other hand having a paper shredder that will dispose of personal information.

I hope this guide will help you in picking up the right quiet paper shredders for home or office use. Some shredders I have listed here are cross-cut and others are micro-cut.

These quiet shredders have a large wastebasket and LED light indicator for overloading and overheating. Also, it has a transparent window to see if the bin is filled.

If you liked it then let us know we would love to hear from you also check out our guide on the best soundproof curtains.

FAQ