Staples SPL-TXC122A

Shredding paper at 14 feet per minute, the Staples SPL-TXC122A paper shredder is twice as fast as most models, earning a CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award for this innovation. Both professionals and owners give this paper shredder high marks for overall capacity and convenience. Though it doesn't shred paper clips, owners like the way it swallows unopened junk mail without jamming. It can run continuously for six minutes (longer than most paper shredders), is rated for up to 100 passes -- insertions of one or more sheets of paper at a time -- per day. At 65 decibels it's also relatively quiet.

A red lock-out key provides safety. A light comes on to indicate that the bin is full, but some owners say it comes on prematurely. The main drawback is that like all wastebasket-style paper shredders, it's heavy to empty when full. If you value convenience more than capacity and don't mind opening junk mail before shredding it, consider the Fellowes Intellishred PS-79Ci (*Est. $180), which has a pull-out bin, better safety features and can handle paper clips.

ConsumerReports.org compares the Staples SPL-TXC122A paper shredder with 18 other models, based on thorough tests of speed and capacity. We also found over 500 owner-written reviews of this model at Staples.com.