When comparing Fellowes Powershred 79Ci vs AmazonBasics Micro-Cut Paper Shredder, the Slant community recommends AmazonBasics Micro-Cut Paper Shredder for most people. In the question“What are the best paper shredders for home use?” AmazonBasics Micro-Cut Paper Shredder is ranked 1st while Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose AmazonBasics Micro-Cut Paper Shredder is:
Although there are shredders better suited for heavy-duty use, if you're looking for something to use at home, this is one of the best options out there. For a budget price, it offers a rather powerful shredding mechanism and a very high degree of privacy (making shredded documents virtually impossible to reassemble).
Specs
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Pros
Pro Runs longer without cooldown than alternatives
This shredder can run for as long as 20 minutes before it requires to cool down. It also needs shorter breaks to work properly - 30 minutes compared to 40-45 minutes that other shredders require.
Pro Paper never jams
One of the main selling points of this Fellowes shredder is that it's absolutely jam-safe. Thanks to the patented Jam Proof System, the company claims to have completely eliminated the problem of paper getting stuck between the blades. It can even power through paper clips and staples that get caught in the shredder along with paperwork.
Pro Fast and efficient shredding
This machine can handle up to 16 sheets of paper at once, twice the capacity of an average shredder.
Pro Completely safe to use
To keep your fingers safe, this shredder uses SafeSense Technology that stops the blades immediately when your hand touches the paper opening.
Pro Can be used to dispose of highly sensitive documents
The paper that comes through this shredder is virtually impossible to reassemble. It cuts documents in pieces with a total area less than 160 mm². This makes it compliant with the P-4 security level, sufficient to dispose of highly sensitive and/or personal data.
Pro It shreds miscelanous items as well as paper
With this shredder you can also dispose of credit cards, CDs/DVDs. It shreds paper clips and staples.
Pro It has a full-bin indicator
A handly little feature - LED light that indicates when the waste bin is filled to maximum capacity.
Pro Highly portable
Despite this 32-pound shredder being on the heavier side, it's easy to move around thanks to the detachable wheels that come along with it.
Pro It's an excellent budget option for home use
Although there are shredders better suited for heavy-duty use, if you're looking for something to use at home, this is one of the best options out there. For a budget price, it offers a rather powerful shredding mechanism and a very high degree of privacy (making shredded documents virtually impossible to reassemble).
Pro It can be used to dispose of highly sensitive documents
This shredder cuts paper into pieces 6 times smaller than the average cross-cut shredder, which are considered highly secure in their own right. Documents that go through this machine are virtually impossible to re-assemble.
Pro It runs quietly
AmazonBasics Shredder runs twice as quiet as the average shredder. While working, it produces around 80 dB of noise, a little quieter than your kitchen blender.
Pro Built-in protection from over-heating
To prevent the motor from over-heating, this shredder has thermal sensors that shut it down before any damage can be done.
Pro It's highly portable
This shredder is easy to move around thanks to the detachable wheels that come along with it.
Pro It's extremely convenient to use
In auto-mode, shredding starts once sensors detect paper being put into the device, and you don't even have to press a single button.
Pro Large waste bin
The capacity of this shredder's bin is bigger than average - 6.7 lbs of paper. Since the paper shreds it produces are very small, they easily get compressed inside the bin, further ensuring that you don't have to take it out to trash very often.
Pro Shreds miscelanous items as well as paper
With this paper shredder you can also dispose of IDs, credit cards, CDs, DVDs, and small paper clips.
Pro It can handle large batches of paper sheets
This shredder can handle 12 sheets of paper at once, compared to the 6-8 for most alternatives.
Cons
Con May feel like an overkill for home use
This shredder is extremely efficient and powerful, but that comes at a high price. You need to consider carefuly whether you truly need all of these advanced features, or if a cheaper machine will be sufficient.
Con You have to install the wheels yourself
The wheels included with the shredder come detached. You will have rely on the user's manual to install them succesfully.
Con You have to deal with jams manually
There is no automatic solution or prevention mechanism for jammed paper. To resolve the issue, you have to put the shredder into reverse mode and retry disposing of your documents. This can get annoying, especially if you’re in a hurry.
Con Not the safest option if you have kids
This shredder doesn’t have a safety lock that would prevent it from being activated by accident. If you have children at home, it would be wise to unplug it every time you leave the house.
Con It can't shred large paper clips and staples
To prevent jams, you should remove large paper clips and staples that hold paper together before shredding.
Con You have to install the wheels yourself
The wheels included with the shredder come separately. You will have rely on the user's manual to install them succesfully.