Staples Mailmate M7

The Staples Mailmate M7 is a compact desktop paper shredder with a 1.62-gallon pull-out bin. Reviews say it's quite capable of of handling data discs, paper clips and unopened junk mail. At 65 decibels, this model is much quieter than the earlier 70-decibel Mailmate M5 (*Est. $70), and adds an energy-saving feature when the unit is left turned on. The cool-down period is also shorter.

Some users complain about the small bin size on the Mailmate M7 shredder, but this is inevitable on any desktop model. Another drawback is that unlike the earlier Mailmate M5, the M7 has the flat, low-contrast control buttons that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends against since they can make it more likely that the wrong button is hit by mistake. (The M5 has raised buttons with high-contrast labels.) If you have space for a 5-gallon paper shredder, consider the well-reviewed Fellowes Powershred DS-3 (*Est. $75), which does build in safety features. 

Desktop paper shredders aren't tested at ConsumerReports.org, but a comparison review there does cover four larger Staples paper shredders, making it possible to estimate how this brand compares with others. We found over 130 mostly enthusiastic owner-written reviews and ratings of the specific Staples MailMate M7 paper shredder at Staples.com. At the New York Times, a technology expert recommends the preceding model, the Staples MailMate M5 as a good budget pick. This is a relatively new model, so reports on long-term durability are not yet available.