Compact Paper Shredders

Desktop shredders are handy for small spaces

If you don't need a wastebasket-sized shredder, a desktop-sized compact shredder may suffice. The bin won't hold too much shredded paper, and because of the small mouth, office paper must be folded in half before shredding. But desktop shredders work well for shredding receipts, envelopes and unopened junk mail.

The compact Aurora AS420C Desktop Crosscut Shredder (*Est. $30) is small enough to fit on a desk, making it ideal for shredding junk mail as it arrives. In addition to paper, the Aurora shredder destroys paper clips, staples and credit cards (though not CDs). More than 100 users post opinions on Amazon.com, with most finding this small desktop shredder to be a good solution for light shredding. Some reviewers say they expected the shreds to be smaller, though.

A more versatile, heavier-duty desktop paper shredder is the Staples Mailmate M5 Shredder (*Est. $80). The Mailmate M5 can shred credit cards, CD/DVDs, staples and paper clips. Users report few problems with jamming, saying the shredder's auto reverse feature works well. On the downside, some users say shreds fall out when emptying the bin. We also read reports of the shredder breaking down after about a year of use. Most reviewers, however, say the Mailmate M5 is a good choice for at-home shredding of junk mail, which can be inserted unopened.

There are few detailed professional reviews on the Staples Mailmate M5. Reviewer Sam Grobart recommends three shredders at various price points in his short piece for The New York Times. The Staples Mailmate M5 is Grobart's pick as a budget-priced shredder because it produces Level 3 confetti and "is perfect for the light-duty shredding of the reasonably paranoid." However, it doesn't appear that Grobart actually tested this paper shredder.