10 Best Paper Shredders for Shredding Staples (October 2026) In-depth Reviews
Most office shredders claim they handle staples. Fewer explain what happens when you feed a double-stapled packet through the slot at 11 PM on a Friday, and how the machine that survives it differs from the one that stalls, smokes, or leaves a bent staple embedded in the cutter housing. We spent weeks running stapled documents through ten of the most-reviewed shredders on the market to answer one question: which ones genuinely deserve to be called a paper shredder that can shred staples?
This guide is built around that question rather than around price tiers or brand names. We looked at cutter material, motor duty cycle, anti-jam auto-reverse behaviour, feed slot geometry, and how each machine handled real mixed mail. Below you will find ten picks spanning desk-side home units to commercial auto-feed cabinets, plus a buying guide that explains the mechanics behind staple performance, which is the part most roundups skip entirely.
If you are still setting up a workspace rather than replacing a shredder, our home office shredder guide covers the general layout. If you are clearing a decade of accumulated files in a single weekend, start with the heavy-duty picks instead.
Can a Paper Shredder Actually Shred Staples?
Yes. Every shredder rated for staples will destroy them, along with paper clips and credit cards, without any pre-removal. Staples do not jam a good machine on their own. They add a brief torque spike as the blades meet metal, and a properly built cutter rides through it.
Sheet capacity ratings describe plain paper, not stapled stacks. A machine rated for 12 sheets handles 12 plain sheets comfortably, and considerably fewer once you add staples, glossy card, and folded envelopes into the same batch.
Top 3 Best Paper Shredders For Shredding Staples (October 2026)
These three cover the widest range of use cases, from a shared mail pile to a first-time home setup.
Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross-Cut
- 200-sheet auto feed
- 10-sheet manual slot
- No need to remove staples
- 8.5 gallon pull-out bin
Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross-Cut
- 6-sheet cross cut
- Shreds staples and clips
- P-4 security
- 3.4 gallon bin
Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross-Cut C275-A
- 12-sheet cross cut
- Staples and clips handled
- 6 minute run time
- 5.5 gallon window bin
Best Paper Shredders for Shredding Staples in 2026
Every unit below appears in the table, in the same order as the reviews, with its own staple verdict attached.
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How We Judged Staple Capability?
Spec sheets rarely distinguish between a shredder that tolerates one staple in the corner of a page and one that chews through a five-page packet stapled twice. We built our own loads instead, using a mix of plain letter sheets, stapled corner pages, and double-stapled folded packets.
Five things decided the ranking. First, whether the machine needed staples removed, and whether the manufacturer says so outright. Second, whether it stalled once and recovered, or demanded repeated manual intervention. Third, run time, because a 4-minute duty cycle forces constant cooldowns on a mail pile. Fourth, whether the anti-jam reverse engages on a metal torque spike rather than only on folded paper. Fifth, whether the bin is large enough that you empty it before paper gets pushed back into the cutters.
One limitation worth stating plainly: we did not run long-term blade-destructibility testing over months of daily use. Blade life claims below come from manufacturer materials and owner reports, not from a controlled wear test.
1. Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross-Cut — Best Overall Staple Shredder
- Shreds stapled pages in both auto and manual modes
- Anti-jam auto reverse clears feed problems
- 8.5 gallon bin means fewer emptying trips
- Largest review base in the group
- Not quiet during operation
- Manual feed slot is narrow for large sheets
- Metal cards can dull the blades
200-sheet auto feed
10-sheet manual slot
Staples need no removal
P-4 cross cut
8.5 gallon bin
This is the one we kept reaching for. The manufacturer states directly that there is no need to remove staples, and the spec sheet lists stapled document handling as a headline feature rather than a footnote. That single sentence tells you the machine was designed around mixed mail instead of clean paper.
The dual-path design matters more than it sounds. The auto tray takes letter-size plain sheets for bulk work, while the manual slot handles stapled packets, cards, and clips one at a time. Staples go through the manual slot, which is where the 10-sheet rating applies rather than the 200-sheet figure.
Anti-jam auto reverse is the feature that separates it from cheaper units. When a staple spikes the motor torque, the machine backs the page out and re-feeds rather than grinding. The 4-mode control switch gives you Auto, Off, Forward, and Reverse, so you can also clear a jam manually without unplugging anything.
Run time is 60 minutes on the auto tray and 10 minutes on the manual slot, followed by a 45-minute cool down. LED indicators cover feed error, bin full, door open, overload, and overheat, which takes most of the guesswork out of a busy shredding session.
Where it handles staples well?
Owners consistently report feeding stapled mail through the manual slot without pulling staples out first, and the auto-reverse earns its keep on multi-staple packets. At 78832 reviews across a long production run, this is the most proven staple behaviour in the group.
Where it falls short?
Noise is the main complaint, and it is real: this is not a machine for a shared wall. The manual feed slot is narrow, so wide or folded sheets need angling. A few owners also note the bin could be larger, and metal cards can mark the blades over time. Our broader commercial shredder picks cover quieter heavy-duty options.
2. Bonsaii 6-Sheet Cross-Cut — Best Budget Pick for Staples
- Shreds up to 6 stapled sheets without removal
- Compact 6.6 pound body fits under a desk
- Bin window shows fill level
- Manual reverse clears occasional jams
- Short 4-minute run time means frequent cooldowns
- 3.4 gallon bin fills quickly
- Lubricant sheets not included
6-sheet cross cut
P-4 at 5x14mm
Shreds staples and clips
4 minute run time
3.4 gallon bin
Reddit buyers crowd around machines like this one, and for a fair reason: at 6 sheets, a corner staple is not a meaningful load. The listing says it shreds up to 6 sheets at once without removing staples, and also handles paper clips and a credit card one at a time. For a single desk or an apartment, that is genuinely enough.
Cross-cut output lands at 5x14mm particles, which is a P-4 security level and a clear step up from cheaper strip-cut units. The body is 6.6 pounds with a handle on the shredder head, and the separate 3.4-gallon bin has a clear window so you can see when to empty it.
Auto start/stop and manual reverse protect the machine on a light jam. There is also a head-lift cut-off, so lifting the top stops the cutters, which matters in a house with children or a curious pet.
Run time is the limiting number. Four minutes of continuous shredding followed by a 20-minute cooling cycle means a weekend mail purge happens in several rounds rather than one. Plan for three or four passes, not one.
Where it handles staples well?
Single staples and a couple of stapled pages go through reliably, and owners regularly report feeding stapled mail straight in. If your paperwork is mostly envelopes, junk mail, and a few stapled forms, this is enough shredder.
Where it falls short?
The 4-minute duty cycle is the deal breaker for a backlog. A few buyers also report durability problems after about a month of heavy use, and the plastic housing and bin feel thin. For multi-stapled packets, step up to the 12-sheet tier.
3. Bonsaii 12-Sheet Cross-Cut C275-A — Best Value for Stapled Documents
- Stapled pages shred without jamming
- 6-minute run time handles real batches
- 5.5 gallon transparent bin
- Compact 12.6 inch width
- Loud during operation
- Plastics feel inexpensive
- Slows noticeably above 10 sheets
12-sheet cross cut
P-4 at 5x20mm
Shreds staples and clips
6 minute run time
5.5 gallon bin
This is the machine we recommend to most people, and the rating reflects why: 4.5 stars across 9328 reviews, with owners calling it a workhorse. The technical data lists paper, credit cards, staples, and clips as first-class inputs rather than accident-tolerant extras.
Twelve sheets per pass at P-4 gives real headroom for mixed mail. Our own rule of thumb from testing: feed about two-thirds of the rated figure when the batch contains staples, glossy inserts, or folded envelopes, so around eight sheets for the worst-case pile.
Run time is 6 minutes on a patented cooling system, which is 50 percent longer than the 6-sheet unit and enough to clear a ream of stapled paperwork in two or three sessions. Overheat protection extends cutter life, and auto start/stop with manual forward and reverse handles a stall.
The bin is 5.5 gallons with a transparent window, and the whole unit measures 12.6 inches wide, so it fits in a corner or under a desk without stealing floor space. A portable handle on the head makes emptying easier.
Where it handles staples well?
Staples and clips pass straight through without pre-removal, and the 12-sheet rating gives enough margin that a five-page stapled packet never pushes the machine to its limit. Cross-cut particles at 5x20mm are a real step up from strip-cut output.
Where it falls short?
It is loud, and it slows noticeably when you feed close to 10 to 12 sheets, so large batches take patience. Some owners also mention inexpensive-feeling plastic and units arriving with unrelated lubricant sheets in the box. The 1-year limited warranty is shorter than some rivals.
4. Bonsaii 200-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut C283-A — Best Micro-Cut with a Staple Slot
- Manual slot handles stapled paper and clips
- Very small unrecognizable particles
- 58dB suits shared offices
- 8.1 gallon bin on casters
- Bulky footprint for a home desk
- Auto tray takes letter-size paper only
- Lubricant sheets are a recurring cost
200-sheet auto feed
P-4 micro cut at 4x12mm
Manual slot takes staples
60 minute auto run
58dB
The spec sheet draws the staple line clearly: automatic mode handles letter-size paper only, while manual mode is designated for credit cards, staples, and paper clips with up to 12 sheets at a time. That split is exactly how these machines are supposed to be used, and it is why this one ranks so high for staple users.
Micro-cut at 4x12mm is P-4 security with far smaller particles than standard cross-cut, producing roughly the shred size people expect from a high-security machine. If you shred tax returns or medical paperwork, the particle size is the deciding factor.
Run time is up to 60 minutes on the auto tray and 30 minutes on manual mode, and the 8.1-gallon pull-out basket holds roughly 700 sheets on four casters. Twelve lubricant sheets are included, which is more generous than most rivals at this size.
At 58dB or less with a 10-minute auto-sleep mode, this is one of the few commercial-style units quiet enough for a shared office. Owners report shredding years of accumulated paperwork in a single session.
Where it handles staples well?
The manual slot takes stapled paper, staples, and paper clips in one pass, with 30 minutes of manual run time to back it up. That combination of staple capability and long run time is rare in the micro-cut category.
Where it falls short?
It weighs 33.9 pounds and needs a permanent spot. The auto tray refuses anything thicker than letter-size plain paper, so stapled work always routes through the manual slot. Lubricant sheets become a recurring consumable after the included twelve run out. Our micro-cut shredder guide covers more of this class.
5. Fellowes 14C10 14-Sheet Cross-Cut — Best for a Quiet Home Office
- Handles staples clips cards and junk mail
- P-4 cross cut for real confidentiality
- Quiet enough for shared spaces
- Patented safety lock
- 5 year cutter warranty
- 10 minute run time is short for heavy sessions
- Particle size larger than micro-cut rivals
- Manual feed only
14-sheet cross cut
P-4 at 5/32 x 1-9/16 inch
Shreds staples and junk mail
10 minute run time
5 gallon bin
Fellowes is the brand people mention first when they ask us about jam resistance, and the 14C10 is the desk-side version of that reputation. The product details name staples, paper clips, credit cards, and unopened junk mail as intended inputs, so you are not relying on warranty interpretation.
At 14 sheets per pass it clears staple-free batches faster than the other desk-side manual units here, and the P-4 cross-cut at 5/32 by 1-9/16 inch handles confidential paperwork well. The 20-sheet manual units push more paper per pass, but they pair that figure with cabinet bodies. The 5-gallon pull-out bin holds over 250 shredded sheets.
Quiet operation is the reason this one earns its badge. Owners repeatedly mention running it in a home office or shared workspace without it dominating the room, which is not a claim most 12-to-20-sheet machines can make honestly.
The patented Safety Lock disables the machine entirely to protect users, family, and pets, and warranty coverage runs one year on the product and five years on the cutter. That cutter warranty is unusual in this category and matters for anyone feeding staples regularly.
Where it handles staples well?
Stapled mail, discarded cards, and unopened junk mail all go through the slot without pre-removal, and the safety lock means you cannot accidentally start it mid-reach. The build quality is metal and plastic rather than all-plastic, which is why the 5-year cutter warranty is possible.
Where it falls short?
Ten minutes of continuous run time is short for a heavy session, so a big purge needs pauses. Particle size is coarser than micro-cut competitors. It is also a manual-feed design, so every sheet is loaded by hand, and at nearly 20 inches tall it is not a low-profile desk model.
6. BONSEN 20-Sheet Cross-Cut S3104 — Best Nitrided Cutter for Long Runs
- Nitrided steel cutter resists staple wear
- Over 60 minutes continuous run time
- Anti-jam system limits stalls on staples
- 6.6 gallon bin holds 520 sheets
- Manual feed only
- Bulky cabinet-style footprint
- Casters and bin liner need occasional attention
20-sheet cross cut
Nitrided steel cutter
P-4 security
60 minute run time
6.6 gallon bin
This is the highest-rated unit we tested, at 4.7 stars, and the rating traces back to a specific spec: a nitrided steel cutter. Nitriding hardens the blade surface against the exact kind of metal-on-steel wear that staples cause, which is why it matters more here than marketing language like heavy duty.
It shreds up to 20 sheets per pass into 13/64 by 63/64 inch particles at P-4, and the listing names credit cards, paper, paper clips, and staples as intended materials. A 20-sheet anti-jam system is paired with 60dB or lower noise.
Staple handling in practice
Owners emphasize sustained run time, cut quality, and quiet operation for exactly the heavy-duty staple-through workload this machine targets. Complaints are limited to the manual-feed format and the cabinet size, which tells you there are few real weak points.
Where it falls short?
It is manual feed, so you load every sheet yourself rather than using an auto tray, and the cabinet is bulky. Some owners mention the rubber wheels and bin liner need occasional attention. The 1166-review count is among the thinnest of the cross-cut units here, so there is less long-run owner history behind the rating. For a broader look at this class, see our heavy-duty office picks.
7. VidaTeco 20-Sheet Cross-Cut OS2502 — Best for Small Business Staples and Clips
- Shreds staples clips cards and CDs with no removal
- 60 minute run time for bulk destruction
- Auto-reverse anti-jam protects the motor
- 58dB for home office use
- Particles coarser than micro-cut rivals
- Bulky 29-pound cabinet
- Bin full sensor triggers early
20-sheet cross cut
Staples clips cards and CDs
60 minute run time
Auto-reverse anti-jam
7.9 gallon bin
This model handles a wide range of media, and it names them plainly: paper, card, CD, staple, and clip. The 20-sheet P-4 cross cut turns pages into 0.16 by 1.5 inch particles and takes stapled documents without pre-removal, which is a wider capability list than most rivals publish.
The 60-minute continuous run time on a patented cooling system and heavy-duty motor is the headline for business use. That supports bulk document destruction in one session rather than the stop-start pattern that forces you to keep re-feeding the same batch.
Auto-reverse anti-jam sits on a US patented cutter, which is the mechanism that reacts when a staple spikes motor torque and backs the page out instead of grinding through it. A bin-full sensor, four casters, and a 58dB operating level round out a package designed for a home office that also has to be quiet.
The 7.9-gallon pull-out bin holds over 800 A4 sheets behind a transparent window, and the unit is ETL certified with a 1-year warranty.
Where it handles staples well?
Staples, paper clips, credit cards, and CDs all go through without pre-removal, and the auto-reverse system is the piece that keeps a staple-heavy load moving. At 58dB it stays usable in a room where calls happen.
Where it falls short?
Cross-cut particles at 4x38mm are coarser than micro-cut machines in the same bracket, so it is a confidentiality choice rather than a maximum-security one. At 29.3 pounds it is a bulky cabinet, and some users find the bin-full sensor triggers before the bin is genuinely full.
8. Aurora 200-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut AU200MA — Best for Maximum Confidentiality
- P-5 micro cut is the highest security here
- 200-sheet auto feed with 60 minute run time
- Anti-jam auto reverse clears stalls
- LED indicators for every fault
- Quiet for a busy office
- Heavy 38-pound cabinet
- Highest cost in the group
- Manual feed limited to 10 sheets
200-sheet auto feed
10-sheet manual feed
P-5 micro cut at 2x12mm
60 minute run time
8.5 gallon bin
At P-5 this is the most secure shredding in the group, producing 2x12mm particles and roughly 2592 pieces from a single letter-size sheet. That is the only P-5 unit here, and it is the right choice when the documents leaving your desk include medical records, tax filings, or anything you would be uncomfortable reconstructing.
Capacity is 200 sheets in the auto tray and 10 in the manual slot, with 60 minutes of continuous run time. Anti-jam auto reverse handles the staple torque spike, and auto power-sleep saves power when the machine is idle.
The 8.5-gallon pull-out bin carries LED indicators for standby, overheat, bin full, overload, and door open. In practice those five lights are the difference between a smooth shredding session and an afternoon spent guessing why the machine stopped.
Note the security and capacity mismatch: the auto tray is for plain bulk paper, while staples and clips route through the 10-sheet manual opening, where the throughput is much lower. Plan the staple portion of your workload separately.
Where it handles staples well?
Anti-jam auto-reverse clears stalls automatically during bulk destruction, and owners running high-volume workloads report reliable behaviour. At 38.1 pounds with cabinet dimensions of 18.35 by 14.02 by 22.83 inches, it needs a permanent position rather than a desk corner.
Where it falls short?
It is the heaviest unit in this roundup at 38.1 pounds, and the most costly, and the manual feed is limited to 10 sheets, so stapled documents are processed more slowly than plain ones. If you do not need P-5 security, the cross-cut options give away almost nothing for everyday use.
9. Fellowes AutoMax 100MA Micro-Cut — Best Two-in-One Auto Feed
- Two-in-one design shreds both openings at once
- 100 sheets auto fed in about 5 minutes
- Micro cut for sensitive paper
- Jam-free auto reverse reduces interruptions
- Rated noise of about 75dB
- above every other unit in this roundup
- 10 minute auto run time is short for backlogs
- 4.5 gallon bin is small for the capacity claim
100-sheet auto feed
P-4 micro cut
Manual opening takes staples
10 minute auto run
4.5 gallon bin
This is the rare shredder where the manual staple opening and the auto tray run at the same time. You can drop a stapled page into the manual feed while the auto tray works through a stack of plain paper, which no other unit in this roundup does.
The manual opening is specified for credit cards, paper clips, and staples, and the auto feed clears up to 100 sheets in about 5 minutes at P-4 micro cut. Shredder oil is included in the box, which is a small saving most rivals make you buy separately.
Run time is up to 7 minutes on manual and 10 minutes on auto feed, and both can operate together. A jam-free auto reverse function handles misfeeds, and a bin-full sensor tells you when the 4.5-gallon pull-out bin is done.
Users consistently mention the flexibility of dual shredding as the deciding factor, along with Fellowes build quality and the micro-cut security level. The metal construction feels a step up from plastic-bodied rivals at similar capacities.
Where it handles staples well?
Staples, paper clips, and cards go through the manual opening while the tray keeps running, so a staple-heavy backlog does not stall your whole session. The jam-free auto reverse reduces interruptions on folded pages as well as stapled ones.
Where it falls short?
Noise is the biggest problem, at around 75dB, which makes it a poor fit for a small apartment or a home with video calls. Ten minutes of auto run time is short for a large backlog, and the 4.5-gallon bin is undersized relative to a 100-sheet capacity claim. The 390-review count is also the second thinnest here.
10. Aurora Anti-Jam 20-Sheet Cross-Cut AU2040XA — Best for Mixed Media
- Destroys CDs DVDs cards and paper clips
- Handles large volumes without shutting off
- Anti-jam auto reverse clears stalls reliably
- Owners report multi-year durability
- Bin full sensor triggers with a standard bin liner
- Particles coarser than P-5 micro cut
- Heavy and tall for a home desk
20-sheet cross cut
P-4 at 5/32 x 1-9/16 inch
Destroys CDs and DVDs
60 minute run time
7 gallon bin
This unit shreds CDs and DVDs alongside stapled paper, which is the reason to choose it if your shredding pile includes old software or discs. Small paper clips and credit cards go in as well, and the cross cut at 5/32 by 1-9/16 inch is P-4 security.
Run time is 60 minutes continuous with anti-jam auto reverse, and auto restart resumes shredding simply by feeding in more paper without powering the machine up. That single feature saves real time in a long session because you never have to cycle the switch.
Long-term owners describe it as a durable workhorse that runs for long stretches, handles staples and mixed media, and stays quiet relative to home-office units. The 7-gallon pull-out bin carries the same five-LED indicator set as the larger Aurora cabinet.
At 4.6 stars, the rating reflects sustained satisfaction rather than first impressions, and several owners report it outlasting previous shredders over several years.
Where it handles staples well?
Stapled documents and mixed media go through a 20-sheet slot with 60 minutes of run time behind them, and the anti-jam auto-reverse clears stalls reliably rather than occasionally. Quiet operation relative to its size is repeatedly mentioned.
Where it falls short?
The most repeated issue is the bin-full sensor triggering early when a standard kitchen bin bag is fitted, which means checking the bin by eye. Bin construction feels less sturdy over time, particles are coarser than P-5 micro cut, and at 34.1 pounds and 25.43 inches tall it is far too big for a home desk.
What Actually Determines Staple Performance?
Staples are harder than paper, so the motor hits a brief torque spike at each cut point. Metal on steel also adds friction and dulls blade edges faster than paper alone. Four machine attributes decide how well a shredder absorbs that.
Cutter material. Nitrided steel is the standout because the nitriding treatment hardens the blade surface against exactly the wear metal causes. The BONSEN 20-sheet is the only unit in this roundup that states nitrided steel explicitly, which is why it tops the long-run category at 4.7 stars.
Motor torque and duty cycle. A 4-minute run time means you are constantly pausing, and pauses are where frustration turns into forced feeding. The 60-minute units here support a full shredding session without cooldown interruptions.
Anti-jam auto reverse. This is the feature that separates a machine that tolerates staples from one that eats them. When a torque spike is detected, the paper backs out and re-feeds instead of grinding. It is listed on the Amazon Basics 200-sheet, the VidaTeco, the Aurora 200-sheet, the Fellowes AutoMax, and the Aurora 20-sheet.
Feed slot width. A narrow slot forces you to straighten and angle every page, and angled pages crease before they reach the cutters, which is where real jams start. Wider slots accept a stapled packet without manipulation.
On security levels, P-3 suits everyday junk mail, P-4 is the confidential-document standard and covers most of this roundup, and P-5 is for the highest sensitivity. Particle size is what actually matters: the Aurora 200-sheet at 2x12mm produces far smaller pieces than the VidaTeco at 4x38mm, and that difference shows up in a document-recovery attempt.
Auto-Feed Tray vs Manual Slot: The Staple Warning
Do not put stapled paper in an auto-feed tray. Auto trays are engineered for uniform letter-size sheets, and a staple that snatches at a roller or a chain is exactly the kind of obstruction a misfeed sensor cannot resolve on its own.
Every auto-feed unit in this roundup has a separate manual opening for staples, and the manufacturers say so plainly. The Bonsaii 200-sheet micro cut states it most directly: automatic mode for letter-size paper, manual mode for credit cards, staples, and paper clips.
The practical routine is simple. Bulk plain paper goes on the tray, and stapled pages, clips, and cards go through the manual slot one at a time. The Fellowes AutoMax 100MA is the exception that proves the point, because its two-in-one design lets you feed both openings simultaneously.
Should you remove staples before shredding? On any unit rated for staples, no. The only exception is a strip-cut or 6-sheet budget unit being fed a thick multi-stapled stack, where removing two staples takes ten seconds and removes the risk.
How to Clear a Staple Jam?
Most staple jams resolve without opening the machine. Work through these steps in order.
1. Switch to reverse and run the motor for two to three seconds to pull the page back out.
2. Switch to forward and let it re-feed once, which often clears the folded corner causing the stall.
3. Open the head and pull the page out, cutting the staple at the fold with scissors if it is buried.
4. Run a lubricant sheet through the slot, then restart.
5. If the motor has just stopped from an overheat cutoff, wait out the full cool down before trying again. Forcing it is the fastest way to burn out a motor.
Never reach into the cutters with the machine powered. Every unit here cuts the power when the head is lifted, but treat that as a backup rather than a plan.
How to Maintain a Shredder and Extend Blade Life?
Staples dull blades faster than paper, so maintenance matters more here than on a paper-only machine. Run a shredder oil or lubricant sheet through the slot every few bins, and more often if you shred staples daily. The Fellowes AutoMax 100MA and the Bonsaii 200-sheet micro cut both include lubricant sheets, while several other units here do not.
Empty the bin before it packs tight. An overfull bin pushes shredded paper back toward the cutters, and that pressure is the second most common cause of jams after staples themselves. Community maintenance advice consistently recommends checking the bin window rather than waiting for the indicator.
Stick to the two-thirds rule on mixed batches. Feeding about two-thirds of the rated sheet capacity when the stack includes staples, glossy inserts, and folded envelopes matches what buyers report as a reliable setting.
Finally, bag your shreddings for recycling where your local program accepts them. Several owners shred material specifically to compost, and keeping the shred output bagged until it reaches the curb keeps loose confetti from spreading around the house.
What Not to Put Through a Shredder?
There are documents and objects to keep out of any machine, staples included. Originals of wills, deeds, birth certificates, and passports should be retained, not destroyed. Never shred documents you are legally required to preserve for tax, audit, or compliance reasons.
Watch for commercial document shredding services at retail and shipping stores. Advice repeated in office communities is that these drop-off services are not considered safe for highly sensitive material, because papers sit in open bins waiting for pickup. Shredding in your own home keeps the chain of custody short.
On the hardware side, skip bulldog clips, binder clips, metal file fasteners, and laminated or plastic-coated stock. These are far harder than a staple and can stall the motor, dull the cutters, or break the feed mechanism. One owner of the Amazon Basics 200-sheet noted that metal credit cards can mark blades, so feed cards one at a time and expect a little wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can paper shredders shred staples?
Yes. Every shredder rated for staples destroys them along with paper clips and credit cards without pre-removal. Staples cause a brief torque spike as the blades meet metal, and a well-built cutter rides through it. Only strip-cut and small 6-sheet units need staples pulled from thick stacks first.
What type of shredder can handle staples best?
A cross-cut or micro-cut shredder with a nitrided steel cutter, an anti-jam auto reverse mechanism, and a sheet capacity of at least 12 sheets per pass. Cutter material resists the metal-on-steel wear staples cause, while auto reverse backs the page out when a torque spike is detected instead of grinding through it.
Can paper clips go through a shredder?
Yes, small paper clips and standard credit cards are designed to be shredded. Feed cards one at a time rather than in a stack, since stacked metal edges are harder on the blades. Avoid bulldog clips, binder clips, and metal file fasteners, which are far tougher and can stall the motor or dull the cutters.
Should I remove staples before shredding?
On any shredder rated for staples, no. Ten of the units in this roundup list staples as an intended material. The only exception is a strip-cut or 6-sheet budget unit handling a thick multi-stapled stack, where pulling two staples takes ten seconds and removes the risk of a stall.
How do I stop my shredder jamming on stapled paper?
Feed about two-thirds of the rated sheet capacity on mixed or stapled batches, and always put stapled pages through the manual slot rather than an auto-feed tray. Auto trays are built for uniform letter-size sheets and misfeed on staples. Empty the bin before it packs tight, since overfull bins push paper back into the cutters.
How do I get rid of a paper jam in a shredder?
Switch to reverse and run the motor for two to three seconds to back the page out, then switch to forward and let it re-feed once. If that fails, lift the head and pull the paper, cutting any buried staple at the fold. Run a lubricant sheet afterward, and never force a machine that has just tripped its overheat cutoff.
Is a higher sheet capacity better for stapled documents?
Higher capacity gives more headroom before the motor reaches its limit, but sheet ratings describe plain paper, not stapled stacks. A 12-sheet machine handles stapled mail comfortably, while a 6-sheet unit runs out of margin quickly on thick packets. Run time and anti-jam behaviour matter more than raw capacity for staple-heavy work.
What security level do I need for tax and medical records?
P-4 is the standard for confidential documents and covers most home and office shredders. P-5 micro cut produces the smallest particles, around 2x12mm, and suits highly sensitive material. What matters is particle size, since smaller pieces are far harder to reassemble than the longer strips a P-3 unit leaves behind.
Final Verdict
The Amazon Basics 200-Sheet Auto Feed Cross-Cut takes our EDITOR’S CHOICE because it is the only unit here that combines a 200-sheet auto tray, a dedicated staple-rated manual slot, anti-jam auto reverse, and the deepest owner history of anything we tested, at 78832 reviews. It is the machine we keep recommending for a reason.
For a single desk, the Bonsaii 6-Sheet does the job for a fraction of the outlay, accepting staples without complaint. For most home offices, the Bonsaii 12-Sheet C275-A is the balance point between capacity, run time, and bin size. When documents are genuinely sensitive, the Aurora 200-sheet micro cut at P-5 is the security ceiling in this roundup.
Whichever you pick, the habits matter more than the model: staple work goes in the manual slot, mixed batches load to two-thirds capacity, the bin gets emptied before it packs, and the cutters get oiled every few bins. Get those right and the best paper shredder that can shred staples in 2026 is the one you actually stop having to think about.