We used to have a cheap one that we bought from Staples that was on sale, and it never worked properly and was horrible.
So about 3 years ago, we threw that one away, went to Office Depot. They were having a sale on a more expensive one, which brought it down to about $85 or so, IIRC. And that has worked wonderfully for us for the last few years.
Six years later, this shredder is still working great. Well worth spending a little more on a quality shredder.
Agree, you want something beefy if it needs to last. I have an old Fellowes Powershred 60CC I got in the late '90s and seems like it will run until the next century.
Example specs to compare:
- shred size (5/32" x 4/5", “security level 4”)
- sheet capacity (7)
- shredding speed (20 ft/min)
- power (115V/3.0A, 1/8 HP)
- weight (20 lb) !
Close to this current model (light/moderate home use, I wouldn’t go lighter/cheaper than this)