Buying guide for best aurora paper shredders
If there’s one thing we have a lot of, it’s paper. It’s especially noticeable as more of our data moves online and many people opt to purge stacks, filing cabinets, and folders full of paper. However, when you go through your papers, you may notice that a lot of them include personal or sensitive information, which is why you need an Aurora paper shredder.
These paper shredders are equipped with a variety of features to make sure your documents are shredded effortlessly and securely. They chop up papers to make your information virtually unreadable and unidentifiable to protect against identity theft. Whether you shred large volumes of paper in the office or infrequently shred personal documents at home, Aurora has models of all sizes and shred capacities to suit your needs. These devices fit in almost any space, too. Some are compact enough to sit on a desk, and others have wheels for easy transport.
We reviewed Aurora’s paper shredders to see what they have in store for you. Take a look at our comprehensive buying guide and our recommendations to select one with all the features you need.
Key considerations
Operation
Aurora paper shredders have simple commands and buttons. You’ll see power switches as well as buttons for forward, reverse, and auto shred (the machine stays on and will shred immediately when you place a document into the feed slot). Some have an auto-reverse function to prevent paper jams, too.
Cut style
Aurora shredders have two cut styles: cross-cut and micro-cut.
Cross-cut: These machines shred paper in 2-inch (50 mm) strips of confetti. While the pieces are thin and it would be time-consuming to reassemble the shredded paper, some personal information could still be viewable.
Micro-cut: For maximum security, you’ll want to look at more expensive micro-cut Aurora machines. At less than half an inch (12 mm) the shredded paper pieces look like diced onions.
Capacity
When it comes to the number of sheets a machine can shred at once, it’s important to take your shredding needs and expectations into consideration.
Low capacity: If you only shred papers occasionally at home, you can get away with a low-capacity shredder that handles no more than 6 to 8 sheets at a time.
Medium capacity: For more frequent or daily shredding, such as for a small business, opt for an Aurora model that handles over 10 sheets at a time.
High capacity: High-volume shredding, such as that done in a large office, requires a shredder that has a minimum capacity of 15 sheets. Some models can handle as many as 20 sheets at a time.
Bin
Bin capacity simply refers to the amount of shredded paper the machine can hold. It isn’t proportional to sheet capacity, so you’ll have to look at this aspect differently. Aurora expresses the capacity of its shredders in both sheets and gallons and sometimes refers to the bin as a “basket.”
Small: The smallest desktop shredders have a bin with a capacity of 40 sheets or 1.32 gallons.
Large: Larger models have bins that hold up to 8 gallons of paper. Because Aurora shredders of this size typically shred other items besides paper (such as credit cards or CDs), the sheet count isn’t approximated.
Aurora paper shredder features
Continuous run time
Shredders that are equipped to handle a large volume of paper have a feature called continuous run time. In these models, you can shred for between 30 and 60 minutes before the machine automatically shuts off or is at risk of overheating. Some shredders are equipped with timers and alerts to let you know when you reach that limit, while in others you’ll have to keep track of the time yourself.
Bin
Mid-range and high-end Aurora shredders have a pull-out bin, which is easier to empty than the bins with the shredder fitted on top. Pull-out bins are safer and less cumbersome than the other models because you don’t need to do any heavy lifting or maneuver your hands around the machine to avoid injury.
CDs and credit cards
Heavy-duty Aurora shredders can shred more than just paper. These tough models are capable of slicing and dicing CDs and credit cards, and they even have dedicated feed slots for these items. Some models can handle paper clips and staples as well.
"Shredded paper can generally be disposed of with regular trash unless your public works stipulate that paper and cardboard must be separated from other refuse. Always refer to the most recent information available through your municipality."
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Accessories
Shredder sheets: Ansoon Paper Shredder Lubricant Sheets
Shredder lubricant sheets are a safe and easy way to clean the inside of your shredder. They prevent paper jams, reduce static, and apply a small amount of lubricant to keep all mechanisms in good working order. The Ansoon sheets are made with recycled paper and vegetable oil and come in a pack of 24.
Extension cord: AmazonBasics Extension Cord
Some offices are short on space, so an extension cord makes sure your shredder can be set up anywhere without worrying about reaching an outlet. This pack of two 6-foot indoor extension cords can provide just the extra length you need to reach awkward outlets at a bargain-basement price.
Power strip: GE Surge Protector
There are plenty of electronics plugged in at the office, so it’s a good idea to invest in a few power strips to provide additional outlets. The GE surge protector has a 10-foot cord and half a dozen outlets, and it protects your electronics against power overloads.
Aurora paper shredder prices
Aurora paper shredders range in price from $30 to $230.
Inexpensive: You’ll spend between $30 and $75 for a budget-friendly, small-scale shredder. These shred no more than 8 standard sheets at a time and can only handle isolated shredding periods.
Mid-range: These shredders, priced between $75 and $150, can handle well over a dozen pages at a time and are usually equipped with a pull-out bin and advanced security shredding capabilities. They can handle up to 30 minutes of continuous shredding.
Expensive: If you’re buying an Aurora shredder for an office, aim for the high-end models priced between $150 and $230. These offer an hour of continuous shredding and can handle a whopping 20 sheets at a time. They also have advanced status alerts and many have wheels for easy mobility.
Tips
- Unfold paper before shredding. Make sure paper corners aren’t folded over. Folded paper could cause you to exceed the sheet capacity and jam the machine.
- Purge documents annually. Go through your papers each year and get rid of any outdated bills, receipts you don’t need anymore, tax documents, and records of vehicles or appliances you no longer own.
- Empty the bin before it’s full. To avoid paper spills, empty the shredder bin when it reaches three-quarters capacity.
- Purchase a shredder for your home office. If you work from home and handle sensitive client information, use a shredder to protect yourself and your clients from identity theft.
FAQ
Q. The shredder is jammed. What do I do?
A. Before doing anything, turn off and unplug the shredder to avoid any injury from the blades. You can usually dislodge the paper by pulling it out by the shredded end. If it’s more complicated than that, put the shredder back together, plug it in, and attempt to use the reverse and forward options to loosen the jam. You may also want to tear off any pages that exceed the capacity, because it could prompt the shredder to continue the cycle and push out the jam automatically.
Q. Will shredding highlighted paper affect the shredding mechanism?
A. It’s unlikely, because the ink at that point has been absorbed by the paper and won’t transfer to the blades or inside the shredder. If it’s freshly highlighted paper, make sure it’s completely dry before feeding it into the shredder. The ink’s moisture could cause the paper to get stuck.
Q. I’m aware of my shredder’s page capacity, but does that apply to all kinds of paper?
A. The paper referred to in the capacity is the standard computer paper used to print everyday items. Some paper is much thicker, like that used for bills or bank statements. Two or three sheets of this could equal twice the amount of standard paper, so make sure you’re not going over the shredder’s capacity with paper that’s too thick.
