# Best Paper Shredders: the stierproducts tier list

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/categories/paper-shredders
- Last researched: 2026-08-19T07:53:55.313Z
- Products ranked: 11
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

Paper/document shredders.

## Summary

On the stierproducts paper shredders board, Fellowes Powershred 99Ci ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153) (#2, S tier) and Aurora AU120MA (#3, A tier). The board ranks 11 paper shredders from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 19 Aug 2026, drawing on 39 outlet citations across the board. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Fellowes Powershred 79Ci, Aurora AU1800XA 18-Sheet Anti-Jam Cross-Cut Shredder, Bonsaii C234-A 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder, and 2 others.

## Ranking

| Rank | Product | Brand | Tier | LP | Outlets | Verdict | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Fellowes Powershred 99Ci | Fellowes | S | 969 | 12 | The only shredder that combines top-tier security, high capacity, and proven durability; it rarely jams and its metal gears last a decade or more. | https://stierproducts.com/products/fellowes-powershred-99ci |
| 2 | Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153) | Staples | S | 888 | 3 | Micro-cut shredding with the smallest particle size, backed by a solid warranty and a track record of long life in home offices. | https://stierproducts.com/products/staples-12-sheet-micro-cut-shredder-st62153 |
| 3 | Aurora AU120MA | Aurora | A | 649 | 1 | Offers micro-cut speed and quietness while keeping jam rates low; its metal construction gives it a competitive lifespan for its price point. | https://stierproducts.com/products/aurora-au120ma-120-sheet-auto-feed-micro-cut-shredder |
| 4 | Fellowes Powershred LX22M | Fellowes | B | 501 | 4 | Good balance of speed, quietness and longevity in the micro-cut class. | https://stierproducts.com/products/fellowes-powershred-lx22m |
| 5 | Aurora AU1060MA | Aurora | C | 448 | 2 | High-volume model with frequent jams and quicker gear wear; not cost-effective over time. | https://stierproducts.com/products/aurora-au1060ma-10-sheet-micro-cut-shredder |
| 6 | Aurora AU1230XA | Aurora | C | 447 | 2 | Anti-jam cross-cut design gives reliable performance over many years. | https://stierproducts.com/products/aurora-au1230xa-anti-jam-12-sheet-cross-cut-shredder |
| 7 | Fellowes Powershred 79Ci | Fellowes | D | 317 | 9 | Older model with missing safety features and higher failure rate; not recommended for reliable use. | https://stierproducts.com/products/fellowes-powershred-79ci |
| 8 | Aurora AU1800XA 18-Sheet Anti-Jam Cross-Cut Shredder | Aurora | D | 286 | 2 | Large capacity but only cross-cut; price comparable to flagships makes it overpriced for typical use. | https://stierproducts.com/products/aurora-au1800xa-18-sheet-anti-jam-cross-cut-shredder |
| 9 | Bonsaii C234-A 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder | Bonsaii | D | 227 | 2 | Budget micro-cut with low noise, best for minimal use. | https://stierproducts.com/products/bonsaii-c234-a-6-sheet-micro-cut-shredder |
| 10 | Bonsaii C261-C 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder | Bonsaii | F | 18 | 1 | Short duty cycle, thermal interruptions, plastic-gear lifespan; cheap to buy, annoying to own, dead young. | https://stierproducts.com/products/bonsaii-c261-c-6-sheet-cross-cut-shredder |
| 11 | Aurora AS420C | Aurora | F | 0 | 1 | Quiet desktop shredder with a long service life thanks to metal gears. | https://stierproducts.com/products/aurora-as420c-desktop-shredder |

## Flagged as ones to avoid

These entered one or more research runs as a product buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick.

- Aurora AU120MA (#3, A tier): flagged by 1 of 9 runs.
- Aurora AU1060MA (#5, C tier): flagged by 1 of 7 runs.
- Aurora AU1230XA (#6, C tier): flagged by 1 of 7 runs.
- Fellowes Powershred 79Ci (#7, D tier): flagged by 4 of 8 runs.
- Aurora AU1800XA 18-Sheet Anti-Jam Cross-Cut Shredder (#8, D tier): flagged by 2 of 8 runs.
- Bonsaii C261-C 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder (#10, F tier): flagged by 3 of 5 runs.
- Aurora AS420C (#11, F tier): flagged by 3 of 7 runs.

## Tier meanings

- S: Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category.
- A: Excellent. Strongly recommended, beaten only by the very best.
- B: Good. A solid choice with real caveats worth knowing.
- C: Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price.
- D: Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money.
- F: Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is the product's points on this category's ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Outlets is how many distinct outlets are cited for that placement. The per-product page lists each citation, and shows which of their links were fetched and confirmed before publishing.
- Nothing is hidden: every product the research placed is on this board.