Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder

Bottom line

The Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder is a budget paper shredder that's small enough to fit on a desktop, thanks in part to its 1-gallon bin and 5-pound weight. It's designed for very light use; it shreds one credit card or one folded sheet of paper at a time. Owners say shredded paper is often still legible. There are no safety features. Still, its budget price makes it worth considering for those with light-volume, personal shredding needs.

Performance

Folding paper to feed is inconvenient. The Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder has a paper insertion slot that's 4.5 inches wide, so you'll have to fold each sheet of paper into thirds before feeding it into the shredder. It's rated for shredding two folded sheets of paper at a time, but as with all paper shredders, it's more realistic to cut the rating in half. Its shredded bits are larger than with most crosscut shredders; owners report that some bits retain legible data. If you don't mind this inconvenience, owners who post at Amazon.com say this paper shredder is adequate for light-duty needs. Its 1-gallon bin is small, but it's see-through, so you can see when it needs emptying.

Features and safety

Lacks significant safety features. The Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder doesn't have an auto-shutdown feature -- a safety function found on many paper shredders that powers down the machine when a hand gets too close to the insertion slot. If you remove the shredder from its bin, however, the paper shredder will not power on. This paper shredder can shred credit cards and paper clips (one at a time), but it can't handle unopened envelopes of junk mail. Amazon.com users say it works great for shredding checks and receipts.

Value

Not the best budget shredder, but among the smallest. The Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder isn't the most convenient paper shredder out there. Its lack of features and the need to fold each sheet of paper before feeding it into the shredder will be a deal-breaker for many. But the Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Shredder is one of the smallest and lightest shredders available. It's a decent choice for those who need a compact paper shredder on a budget -- especially for parking on a desktop. If size is less of a concern, the Walmart 6-Sheet Crosscut Shredder with Easy Lift Handle (Est. $25) is a good budget option that offers basic safety features and more convenience.