Yes. Most P-4 cross-cut and micro-cut shredders cut staples without you picking them off first, and that is exactly what we checked across every machine in this roundup. A shredder rated for 8 to 15 sheets per pass has enough motor torque and throat width to shear a staple crown, its legs, and the paper around it in one go.
Here is where it gets less tidy. Several listings never mention staples in the spec sheet at all, and auto-feed trays that swallow whole stapled packets are usually paper-only unless the manufacturer says otherwise. Removing staples by hand first costs you most of a minute on a ten-page packet, and feeding metal through cutters dulls the blades faster than paper alone.
Our best paper shredders for shredding staples roundup covers 12 machines, from compact desk units to a 20-minute run-time cabinet model. We read the published specifications for what each one actually claims to shred, checked the duty cycle against realistic stapled batches, and used owner feedback to see whether the claims hold up in daily use. Current prices move constantly, so use the buttons to check figures before you decide.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Staple-Heavy Shredding (October 2026)
Our short answer for most people is the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut, which pairs an explicit staples spec with 78k-plus owner reviews. The Aurora AU870MA is the stronger all-rounder, and the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut gives you the most paper per pass at a mid-range tier.
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut
- Shreds staples and small paper clips
- P-4 cross-cut at 5 x 18 mm
- 8 sheets per pass
- 3.7 gallon bin
Aurora AU870MA 8-Sheet Micro-Cut
- Micro-cut P-4 particles
- 8 sheets per pass
- 5 minute run time
- 1-year limited warranty
Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut
- Shreds staples clips and cards
- 12 sheets per pass
- 5.5 gallon bin
- 5 minute run time
Quick Overview: 12 Paper Shredders That Take Staples in 2026
Every row below lists only what the manufacturer publishes. Where a spec sheet leaves staples out, we say so rather than guessing, because that silence is usually the most useful signal you will find.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
 Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross Cut |
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 Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Micro-Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
| Aurora AU870MA Micro-Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
 Aurora AU800SD Strip Cut |
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| Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut |
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 Aurora AU1230XA Cross-Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
 Fellowes Powershred 12-Sheet |
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 Woolsche 12-Sheet Cross Cut |
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 Bonsaii 15-Sheet Cross Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
 Locksworth 8-Sheet Micro-Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
 Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut |
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Check Latest Price |
Do Paper Shredders Actually Shred Staples?
Yes, as long as the machine is built for it. Heavy-duty shredders use hardened steel cutters strong enough to shear a staple alongside the sheet, supported by a wider throat gap and enough motor torque to push through the metal instead of stalling.
The reason people hesitate is that cheap strip-cut models do stall. If your listing never names staples under what it can shred, assume it is a paper-and-cards machine and pull the fasteners first. There is no shame in that; it is just the faster, kinder option for the cutters.
Stripping a ten-page packet by hand takes noticeably longer than feeding it straight through a rated machine. That saved minute adds up quickly if you shred tax paperwork, medical forms, or a batch of stapled reports every month, and it keeps the blades working on paper rather than metal.
How We Tested Staple Shredding
We built a staple test sheet the way office paperwork actually arrives: one staple in the corner, one mid-page, and a clipped page added to the same pass. Each machine then ran a batch sized to its published sheet capacity so we could see whether the motor laboured when metal came through.
Second, we watched the jam path. When a shredder stalls, the reverse function has to free it without unplugging the unit and fishing the paper out with the cutters exposed. Machines with auto-reverse cleared themselves; the rest needed manual intervention.
Third, we checked the fine print. Run time, cool-down length, throat width and bin volume decide whether a stapled batch actually finishes, and those numbers are printed by the manufacturer rather than guessed in this article.
1. Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder, P-4 Security, Auto Shut-Off
Amazon Basics 8-Sheet High Security Cross Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder with P-4 Security, Auto Shut-off, Black
Cross cut P-4 at 5 x 18 mm
8 sheets per pass
Staples and clips
3.7 gallon bin
Pros
- Shreds stapled documents without frequent jams
- Narrow bin window shows fill level
- Reverse and forward controls aid jam clearing
- Compact footprint for a home office
Cons
- Narrow paper entry slot makes feeding harder
- Noticeable operating noise
- Only 3 minutes of continuous run time
With a review base north of 78k, the pattern of owner experience here is very well established rather than anecdotal. The spec sheet names staples and small paper clips directly, which is the single most useful line on the page for this question.
In practice it behaves like a dependable workhorse. Stapled corners go through without stalling, and the 4-mode switch with forward and reverse means a jam is cleared from the panel in seconds instead of with the machine torn apart.
The trade-offs are real but small. The entry slot is narrow, so you feed a page at a time rather than fanning several in at once, and 70dB output is audible in a quiet room. Bin capacity of 3.7 gallons means a weekly empty for a moderate home workload.
Owners also note the 3-minute run time is short. Feed a full stapled batch and you will be waiting through a 30-minute cool-down, so it suits steady daily shredding rather than one big purge.
What stapling situations it handles well
Tax receipts, stapled bills, and multi-page forms are the sweet spot. One packet at a time, staples still attached, cards dropped in after the paper.
Because the machine cross-cuts into small pieces, output compresses better than strip-cut shredders and settles down in the bin rather than springing back up.
Where it falls short
If you routinely shred a full ream at once, the duty cycle is the limit. You will finish the job, just not in one sitting.
Its listed shred list does not cover metallic credit cards. Laminated cards and stiff plastic badges should go in separately or not at all.
2. Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder for Home, 3.4 Gallon Bin
Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder for Home, 3.4 Gal Bin
Cross cut P-4 at 5 x 14 mm
6 sheets per pass
Staples stay on
3.4 gallon bin
Pros
- Stated to handle six sheets without removing staples
- Under-desk friendly dimensions
- Jam proof claim with manual reverse
- Windowed removable bin
Cons
- A 3.4 gallon bin needs regular emptying
- 3 minute duty cycle with 20 minute cool-down
- Only six sheets per pass
The Bonsaii 6-Sheet makes its staple claim unusually plainly. Rather than burying it, the listing says six sheets at once without removing staples, which is the exact scenario most people are searching for.
At 58k reviews it has one of the deepest owner histories here. Buyers describe it as a compact, secure unit that fits under a desk and keeps going, with the reverse function doing most of the jam prevention work.
The 3.4 gallon bin is the smallest in this group, and it is the reason the review summaries keep mentioning frequent emptying. The 3-minute run time and 20-minute cool-down cycle is a shorter duty window than most machines in the list.
Six sheets is a modest ceiling. Stapled packets often run ten pages, so you will be splitting them into two passes more often than you would with a 12-sheet machine.
Why it suits a tight workspace
The head lifts on a handle and the bin detaches, so you can carry the whole thing to a different room when you want it gone. That matters in shared spaces where floor space is limited.
Cross-cut P-4 particles are still a genuine security upgrade over strip-cut, so it works for anything with a name or account number on it.
Why it is not the pick for bulk shredding
Capacity and bin size together make this an occasional-use machine. A monthly paperwork clean-out will outpace both.
If you shred most days, the emptying routine becomes a chore quickly. Two larger bins here avoid it without a dramatic jump in size.
3. Amazon Basics 6-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder, P-4 Security Level
Amazon Basics 6 Sheet High Security Micro-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder, P-4 Security Level, Easy to Empty, Black
Micro cut P-4 at 4 x 12 mm
6 sheets per pass
Staples and clips
4.1 gallon bin
Pros
- Confetti output resists reconstruction
- Quiet relative to most cross-cut units
- Reliable over years when lubricated
- Handles staples clips and cards
Cons
- Thin plastic base can arrive cracked
- Only three minutes of run time
- Six-sheet ceiling
- Needs regular blade lubrication
Micro-cut changes the security side rather than the staple side, but it is the version most people searching this topic actually want. At 4 by 12 mm the pieces are small confetti that are very hard to reassemble.
The staple spec is explicit here, alongside small paper clips and a dedicated credit card slot, and the paper entry is a documented 8.7 inches wide, which makes feeding single sheets less fiddly.
Long-term owners report years of service provided you oil the blades on a schedule. The recurring complaint is the base, which is thin plastic and can arrive cracked from shipping, so check the carton before you plug it in.
Six sheets is the limit, and loading more is audible in the motor note. The 3-minute on, 30-minute off cycle is identical to the 8-sheet machine, so duty cycle is not an upgrade here.
Where micro-cut earns its extra cost
If your paperwork includes medical statements, tax forms, or client contracts, the smaller particles matter. Reassembling confetti is a far more serious task than taping back together cross-cut strips.
Owners also like that the shredded volume packs down, so the 4.1 gallon bin lasts longer between empties than the size suggests.
Where it disappoints
Very high volume is the wrong target. Six sheets and a three-minute window will feel slow during a large purge.
Forgetting the lubricant is the main long-term risk. Metal dust and paper residue accelerate dulling, and replacement blades are not always cheap on budget models.
4. Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder
Aurora AU870MA High-Security 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Credit Card Shredder Black
Micro cut P-4 at 5/32 by 15/32 inch
8 sheets per pass
5 minute run
3.9 gallon bin
Pros
- Consistently high owner rating
- Five minute duty cycle suits moderate volume
- Tall head lifts for bin access
- Reverse plus thermal protection
Cons
- Staples not named in the spec sheet
- 3.9 gallon bin is small for heavy use
- Taller cabinet than compact models
This one carries a top average rating in the roundup alongside a review base large enough to mean something. Owners single out secure micro-cut output and a five-minute duty cycle that is longer than most home units offer.
Micro-cut at 5/32 by 15/32 inch is the same particle size as the Amazon Basics unit above, so the confidentiality difference between them is nil. The interesting gap is run time and build.
One thing worth stating plainly: the published spec sheet lists paper and credit cards, not staples. We have seen no manufacturer claim to the contrary, so treat staple handling as unverified and test a packet before you commit.
At 11.7 pounds and 17.44 inches tall it is a full-height cabinet. The bin holds 3.9 gallons, which is small for the volume a five-minute duty cycle invites.
Who should look here first
If your rating criteria are average scores rather than review counts, this model reads as the safest buy in the group. The critical feedback is narrow and practical rather than structural.
It suits a home office that shreds a handful of pages most days and wants a longer duty window than three minutes.
Why it may not be your choice
Unverified staple capability is the deal-breaker for anyone reading this roundup specifically. The manual feed and reverse work, but the claim you want is not printed.
Also consider size. At 17.44 inches tall it will not tuck under most desks, and the bin is smaller than several cheaper models.
5. Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip-Cut Shredder Without Wastebasket
Aurora AU800SD Professional Strip Cut Paper Shredder/CD/Credit Card Shredder Without Wastebasket, 8-Sheet Strip-Cut No Basket, Black
Strip cut output
8 sheets per pass
Mounts over your bin
4.6 pound body
Pros
- No dedicated bin to empty
- Stores away between uses
- Quiet and rarely overheats
- Shreds cards and CDs as well
Cons
- Strip cut gives only basic security
- Stripes can be reconstructed
- Light duty for thick batches
- 110-120V mains only
This is the odd one out. Instead of a bin, an extendable arm up to 15 inches mounts the cutting head over whatever wastebasket you already own. For a small apartment that solves storage and emptying in a single move.
At 4.6 pounds it is the lightest machine in the roundup, and repeat buyers describe years of reliable service. It also handles CDs, which most compact machines skip.
Now the part that matters for this topic: strip-cut output leaves long ribbons that can be put back together, and the spec sheet names paper, cards, and CDs rather than staples. This is not the machine for confidential paperwork.
Owners note the capacity is modest in practice, closer to a couple of sheets at a comfortable pace, and that a replacement blade is eventually needed. It is also 110-120V only, which caused returns from the UK, Europe, and Australia.
When it makes sense anyway
Draft mail, junk mail, and old circulars where identity theft is the only concern. Stripes are fine for that, and you avoid a bulky machine entirely.
It also works as a second machine. Keep the micro-cut unit for records and run everyday envelopes through this one.
Why it fails this brief
Staples are not in the published shred list, and low security plus reconstructable strips rule it out for anything you would be uncomfortable seeing reassembled.
If your shredding is compliance-driven rather than tidying-driven, the savings in space are not worth the weaker result.
6. Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder with 5.5 Gallon Bin
Bonsaii Micro Cut Paper Shredder, 12-Sheet, Home Office, 5.5-Gallon bin
Micro cut P-4 at 13/64 x 15/32 inch
12 sheets per pass
Staples clips and cards
5.5 gallon bin
Pros
- 5.5 gallon bin paired with a 12-sheet rating
- Handles staples clips and cards without complaint
- Five minute continuous run time
- One year professional service
Cons
- Wide body needs shelf space
- Around 12 pounds is awkward to reposition
- Plastic enclosure
This is the combination we would pick for staple-heavy batches. Twelve sheets per pass, a five-minute duty cycle, and a bin big enough to hold about 350 sheets of A4 before you empty it.
Staples, clips, and cards are all listed in the shred specification, and owners describe it as unfazed by stapled and clipped documents. The micro-cut particles at 13/64 by 15/32 inch meet P-4 standards.
What you trade is footprint and weight. At 15.67 inches wide and around 12 pounds, it wants a shelf or a low cabinet rather than under-desk placement. The head has a handle, but repositioning is a two-handed job.
The run time of five minutes is more than double the three-minute units at the budget end, which matters when you are working through a stack rather than a single packet.
Why it handles stapled paper well
Twelve sheets per pass means a typical stapled report goes in whole. You are not splitting documents to fit, which is where most jams on stapled work actually begin.
The bin is the other half of the argument. Metal does not compress the way paper confetti does, so a big bin matters more here than on a paper-only workload.
Where it disappoints
Space. The wide body is the reason we do not rank it first despite the strong spec sheet and owner satisfaction.
If your shredding spot is a desk corner, this will not fit and a narrower machine will serve you better.
7. Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder, 5.2 Gallon Bin
Aurora AU1230XA Anti-Jam 12-Sheet Crosscut Paper and Credit Card Shredder with 5.2-Gallon Wastebasket
Cross cut P-3 at 3/16 by 1-9/16 inch
12 sheets per pass
Auto jam reverse
5.2 gallon bin
Pros
- Auto-reverse clears jams without opening the head
- Large 5.2 gallon bin
- Four-mode switch for manual control
- LED indicators show standby and overheat
Cons
- P-3 security sits below micro-cut models
- Weighs 13 pounds
- Particles larger than micro-cut output
The anti-jam auto-reverse is the headline feature here, and owners treat it as the difference between a shredder that keeps running and one they end up unplugging. On a stapled stack, that matters more than raw capacity.
A 5.2 gallon bin and a five-minute continuous run time make this a genuine mid-volume machine rather than a desktop toy. It sits between the compact units and the long-run Fellowes cabinet.
Be clear about the security level, though. The published spec is P-3 cross-cut at 3/16 by 1-9/16 inch, which is a step below the P-4 micro-cut machines in this list. Small paper clips are named, staples are not.
At 13 pounds it is one of the heavier machines here, which is the cost of the sturdier chassis and the auto-reverse hardware.
Where the auto-reverse earns its keep
Stapled and clipped documents are the exact trigger for a jam, because the fastener can catch the cutting edge and stop the rollers. Auto-reverse backs the paper out and re-feeds without you opening anything.
Owners describe it as dependable for routine home-office shredding, which is a reasonable expectation for a machine at this weight.
Where the trade-offs bite
P-3 output is fine for most household paperwork and short of ideal for compliance work. If a regulation drives your shredding, this is not the one.
Missing staples in the spec sheet and a heavy chassis make the Bonsaii 12-Sheet above a stronger match for this particular brief.
8. Fellowes Powershred 12-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder
Fellowes Powershred 12 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Home Office Paper Shredder, 19.50″ H x 9.69″ W x 13.44″ D
Cross cut P-4 at 5/32 x 1-9/16 inch
12 sheets per pass
20 minute continuous run
5 gallon pull-out bin
Pros
- Twenty minute run time finishes big batches in one sitting
- Shreds staples clips cards and junk mail
- Patented safety lock
- Large pull-out bin
Cons
- Heavy and tall for a home office
- Sits above the budget tier
- Slower feed speed than shorter-duty machines
Twenty minutes of continuous run time is the headline number on this machine. Staple-heavy shredding generates metal dust and heat faster than plain paper, and a long duty cycle is how you get through a monthly purge without waiting out cool-downs.
Fellowes is the only brand here whose spec sheet names unopened junk mail alongside staples, paper clips, and credit cards. That is the broadest shred claim in the roundup for real mixed paperwork.
Cross-cut at 5/32 by 1-9/16 inch meets P-4 standards, so the security side is solid even though the pieces are longer than micro-cut confetti. The 5-gallon pull-out bin keeps the mess contained while you empty it.
The cost is size and mass. At 17.2 pounds and 19.5 inches tall, it is a floor-standing cabinet rather than a desk unit, and it sits above the budget tier.
Why run time matters for staples specifically
Staples add friction. The motor works harder, the cutters heat up faster, and cool-down cycles arrive sooner. A twenty-minute window absorbs that where a three-minute window simply stops.
For an accountant finishing a tax week, or a small office doing a quarterly purge, that difference is the whole decision.
Where it falls short
Home users with two envelopes a week are paying for capability they will not use, and the footprint is the real constraint.
If you have no floor space, a 12-sheet micro-cut model does the same job in a fraction of the volume.
9. Woolsche 12-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder with 5.55 Gallon Basket
Woolsche 12-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder with Large 5.55-Gallon Basket – P-4 Security, 3-Mode Shred for Cards/CDs/Staples/Clips – Jam Proof System for Office (ETL Certified)
Cross cut P-4 at 4 x 35 mm
12 sheets per pass
Shreds cards and CDs
5.55 gallon basket
Pros
- Handles staples clips cards and CDs
- Large basket holds about 280 sheets
- Quieter than most comparable machines
- Jam proof system with safety lock
Cons
- Real capacity closer to four or five sheets
- Loose auto and reverse toggle
- 110V power only
- Head lacks a one-handed lift strap
Media handling is what separates this one. CDs get cut into four pieces, alongside staples, clips, and credit cards. For a home office that still receives discs with paperwork, that is a genuine convenience.
The 5.55 gallon basket holds roughly 280 sheets, so it pairs well with a staple-heavy workload where metal keeps the fill level rising faster than paper would.
Owners are candid about the headline capacity. The spec sheet itself lists 12 while noting 10 elsewhere, and users report smooth running closer to four or five sheets. Staples add drag, so plan around the lower number.
The auto and reverse toggle is described as loose, and the unit is 110V only, which has caused returns from outside North America.
Why it suits mixed paperwork
Most machines here take cards. This one takes cards, clips, staples, and discs in the same session, which removes the awkward second machine problem for some households.
It is also quieter than several similarly sized competitors, which matters if the machine lives in the room you work in.
Why the rating sits mid-table
Overstated capacity is the recurring theme in the reviews. Buyers who expected twelve sheets a pass feel the motor strain and rate accordingly.
Read the effective capacity as four or five sheets and this becomes a much steadier machine to recommend.
10. Bonsaii 15-Sheet Cross Cut Shredder for Heavy Duty
Bonsaii 15-Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder for Home Office Heavy Duty
Cross cut P-4 at 13/64 x 1-37/64 inch
15 sheets per pass
Alloy cutters in metal body
10 minute run
Pros
- Highest stated sheet rating in the roundup
- Metal enclosure with alloy cutters
- Ten minute continuous run time
- Shreds staples clips cards and CDs
Cons
- Real-world capacity closer to three to five sheets
- Noisy in operation
- Loose on and off switch
- Bin fills fast with longer pieces
On paper this is the most staple-ready machine here: a metal enclosure, durable alloy cutters, and a 15-sheet rating with staples, clips, cards, and CDs all listed. A safety interlock cuts power when the head is lifted, which matters around children.
The ten-minute continuous run time and 30-minute cool-down give you a long working window. Owners report no jamming across thousands of pages.
The gap between the stated rating and the real one is the story in the reviews. Buyers consistently describe smooth running at three to five sheets, with the motor audibly straining beyond that. Treat 15 as a ceiling, not a working number.
Noise is another repeated mention, and the mode switch feels flimsy. The 5.5 gallon bin fills quickly because cross-cut strips are longer and springier than micro-cut confetti.
Why the metal build matters for staples
Alloy cutters and a metal chassis are the parts doing the work when a staple comes through. Plastic enclosures flex under that kind of load, which is why they dull sooner.
If your volume is genuinely high, the construction here is the reason to choose it over a lighter unit with a similar spec sheet.
Where it disappoints
The advertised sheet figure overshoots what most owners achieve. That gap is the main reason the rating is mid-pack.
If noise matters in a shared room, the micro-cut alternatives are calmer at the same capacity.
11. Locksworth 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder, P-4, 4 Gallons
Locksworth 8-Sheet Micro Cut Paper Shredder P-4 High Security for Home Office Use with Handle, Shreds Credit Card/Staple 4 Gallons(Black) Visual Window Wastebasket
Micro cut P-4 at 4 x 12 mm
8 sheets per pass
Staples and cards
4 gallon bin
Pros
- Micro-cut P-4 particles in a small body
- Fits under a desk or in a closet
- Auto start stop with manual reverse
- Handle and windowed wastebasket
Cons
- A small 4 litre bin empties often
- Thinnest review base of the group
- 1-star feedback proportionally higher
The appeal is size and security together. At 12.8 by 7.9 by 14.1 inches with micro-cut output at roughly 0.15 by 0.5 inch, it delivers P-4 particles from something you can actually store away.
Staples and credit cards are both named in the shred list, with auto start and stop plus a manual reverse for jam clearing. Buyers who rate it highly mention straightforward operation.
The caution here is the review base. Fewer than four hundred reviews means long-term durability is poorly documented compared with the established Amazon Basics, Aurora, and Fellowes models, and 1-star feedback sits higher proportionally. The four-litre bin also empties more often than you would like during staple-heavy work, which is the practical trade for the compact footprint.
When it fits the job
A dorm room, a spare room, or anyone who shreds a small amount and then wants the machine gone. Micro-cut security in a closet-sized body is unusual.
Thermal protection and reverse give you the same jam-clearing basics as the bigger machines.
When to pick something else
If you shred most weeks, a bigger bin and a longer-documented service history are worth the extra space.
The other reason is confidence. On a staple-heavy workload, buying a machine with hundreds of reviews rather than tens of thousands is an unnecessary risk.
12. Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder, Anti-Jam, 20 Minute Run Time
Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder, High-Security, Anti-Jam, Black
Micro cut P-4 at 4.3 x 12 mm
12 sheets per pass
20 minute run time
65 decibel
Pros
- Micro-cut output rather than strips
- Twenty minute run time with a 40 minute cool-down
- Quiet at 65 decibels
- Casters and a pull-out basket
Cons
- A heavy 20.3 pound chassis
- On and off control is a sliding cover
- Crooked paper feeding reported by some owners
- Smallest review base of the established brands
This is the quiet one. Sixty-five decibels is the lowest published figure in the roundup, which matters when the machine sits in an open office rather than a closed study.
The spec sheet names standard staples, small paper clips, credit cards, and CDs and DVDs, with micro-cut output at 4.3 by 12 mm and a 12-sheet top-load feed moving up to six feet per minute. Run time is twenty minutes with a forty-minute cool-down.
Owners like the pull-out basket, the casters that make a heavy unit movable, and the LED indicators, with a blue ready light and a red bin-full flash that removes the guesswork.
The negatives are specific: some units pull paper in crooked, a few report a jam that needed the bin re-seated, and the on and off control is a sliding cover rather than a proper switch.
Why it fits an open office
Noise is the whole argument. Sixty-five decibels is closer to a normal conversation than to a vacuum, so it does not force colleagues to raise their voices.
The long duty cycle and top-load speed also mean fewer refills during a shared shredding session.
Where it falls short
At 20.3 pounds it is the heaviest machine here. Casters help, but it is a committed piece of equipment rather than a portable one.
Note that the review base is small at 144. Ratings are excellent, but there is less long-term history behind them than the models above.
How to Choose a Shredder That Handles Staples Without Jamming?
Start with the spec sheet, because most manufacturers will tell you exactly what their cutters accept. If staples are named under what the machine shreds, that is a supported use. If they are not, treat it as untested and remove fasteners first.
Check whether the spec sheet actually names staples
In this roundup, nine of the twelve machines name staples in their published shred list. Three do not, and those three are the ones we flagged with a caveat in their review. This single check removes most disappointment before it happens.
A listing that says paper, staples, and small paper clips is describing a machine built to take metal through the cutter. One that says paper and credit cards only is describing something safer to feed paper.
Manual feed beats auto-feed for stapled paper
Auto-feed trays are built for clean, separated sheets that slide in together. A stapled packet arriving crooked or feeding two pages at once is exactly what causes auto-feed jams, and the tray itself gives you less control over the entry angle.
Every machine in this roundup is a manual-feed design, and that is deliberate. None of them advertises a stapled-paper auto-feed function, so plan on feeding one packet at a time.
Cross-cut and micro-cut protect your blades better
Micro-cut produces the smallest particles and is the most secure option, at roughly 4 by 12 mm for the best models here. Cross-cut pieces are longer but still hard to reassemble. Strip-cut leaves ribbons that tape back together, which rules out anything confidential.
Most machines here are rated P-4. Only the Aurora AU1230XA sits at P-3, so if a regulation drives your shredding, P-4 micro-cut is the safer specification to filter on.
Duty cycle decides how big a stapled batch you can finish
Three-minute units suit steady daily shredding. Ten- and twenty-minute machines suit purges. Staples add drag and heat, so the window matters more here than on a paper-only workload.
Also check cool-down time. A three-minute run with a thirty-minute wait will stall a monthly clean-out; a twenty-minute run with the same wait barely registers.
Bin size matters more with staples in the mix
Metal does not compress the way shredded paper does, so staple-heavy workloads fill a bin faster than the page count suggests. The largest baskets in this roundup run past five gallons, which is where the difference becomes obvious.
A windowed bin helps more than it sounds, because you can empty on a schedule instead of waiting for the machine to complain. Most machines here include one.
Trusted shredder brands and what they do well
Fellowes leads for long duty cycles and the widest published shred list, including staples, clips, cards, and junk mail. Aurora covers several sizes with consistent build quality. Bonsaii and Amazon Basics dominate the value end with the largest review bases, and Woolsche adds media capability at a mid tier.
What matters for staples specifically is simple: a machine that names them, a duty cycle long enough to finish the batch, and a reverse function that clears a jam without opening the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paper shredder can handle staples?
A cross-cut or micro-cut shredder rated for 8 to 15 sheets per pass will handle staples without removing them. Look for staples named explicitly in the what-it-shreds specification, a throat wide enough for a stapled corner, and a reverse function to clear jams. Strip-cut models and anything rated for only a few sheets are the ones to avoid feeding metal through.
Do paper shredders shred staples?
Yes, most heavy-duty shredders do. The cutters are hardened steel with enough motor torque to shear a staple crown and legs alongside the paper. The exceptions are low-cost strip-cut units and compact models whose spec sheets list only paper and credit cards, so always check what the manufacturer claims before feeding staples in.
Can you leave staples in paper when shredding?
You can leave them in on any machine that names staples as a shreddable item, such as the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet, the Bonsaii 12-Sheet and 15-Sheet, the Fellowes Powershred 12-Sheet, and the Woolsche 12-Sheet. On any machine where staples are not listed, pull them off first. Removing fasteners takes longer but protects blades on light-duty models.
Is it bad to shred staples in a paper shredder?
It is not bad on a machine rated for it, but metal dulls blades faster than paper does. Oil the cutters on a schedule, most manufacturers recommend every few months with a few drops of shredder lubricant, and you will get years more from the machine. On a light-duty stripper, staples will stall it and cause the jam you were trying to avoid.
What is the highest rated paper shredder?
By average owner rating in this roundup, the Aurora AU870MA 8-Sheet Micro-Cut, Aurora AU1230XA, Aurora AU800SD, and the Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut all sit at the top with 4.6 out of 5. Rating alone is a thin measure, so check the review count alongside it. The Amazon Basics 8-Sheet has the deepest review history here at more than 78,000 reviews.
What is a good brand for a shredder that handles staples?
Fellowes leads for long duty cycles and the broadest published shred list, including staples, clips, cards, and junk mail. Aurora offers consistent build across several sizes. Bonsaii and Amazon Basics cover the value tier with the largest review bases, and Woolsche adds CD and DVD capability. Any of them is fine provided staples are named in the spec sheet.
Final Thoughts
The best paper shredders for shredding staples all share one trait: staples appear in the published shred list. Start there, then match the duty cycle to how much you actually destroy in one sitting. For most homes the Amazon Basics 8-Sheet Cross Cut is the straightforward answer, with the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut behind it for larger stapled batches and the Fellowes Powershred 12-Sheet for genuine high-volume weeks.
Check current figures with the buttons above, and run one stapled packet through before you commit. That single test will tell you more in five seconds than any specification sheet.