This article was taken from the February 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted**online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
How we tested We took five shredders to Westminster to destroy some sensitive documents (OK -- it was Westminster City Council -- but that's still government). As well as shred speed and volume, we tested capacity by feeding each machine its recommended maximum load, then tested how much more they could take -- just in case you have a lot to hide and the net is closing. We also fed in credit cards and CDs to see if they could also destroy digital data.
Bonsaii 4S16 Featuring the smallest shred-size on test, the 4S16 comfortably took its recommended maximum six sheets -- and then managed double that amount. The white body looks good and feels solid (though it may scuff easily), and features touch-sensitive buttons to commence or reverse shredding. The Bonsaii starts up and enters automatic standby mode (after five minutes) with a merry R2D2-esque bleep. CDs are sliced into four 30mm chunks via its designated slot.
Wired: Stylish
Tired: Low capacity
Score: 8/10
Price: £249
Swordfish Microcut 800XXC The Swordfish is solidly built and simply adorned with power and overheat warning lights. A large transparent plastic porthole means you can see how full the bin is with ease. It's the quietest machine on test and shows no strain shredding its eight-sheet capacity. Reverse is engaged quickly if you've accidentally fed important documents, and it dices credit cards through its main insert opening. A neat, simple, no-nonsense machine.
Wired: Efficient
Tired: Not for CDs
8/10
£150
Fellowes 79Ci The 79Ci's "Jam Proof System" measures the paper inserted before it begins -- so if a job appears too great, it won't shred.
It also shuts down if it senses hands too near the insertion opening. It slices through its 14-sheet maximum with ease and features overheat, bin open, bin full and remove paper warning-lights. However, it's slow to engage reverse and CDs are shredded loudly through the main opening.
Wired: Jam-free
Tired: Pricey
Score: 9/10
Price: £214.80
Aurora AS1023CD The Aurora has a hinged guard to keep fingers away from its blades, but the open-door sensor can be too sensitive, cutting power mid-shred. It's blisteringly fast and reverses quickly, but the shred size is the largest on test. The Aurora is also the loudest -- CDs and cards are cut noisily into 34mm slices through a second slot.
Wired: Fast and safe
Tired: Rather loud
Score: 6/10
Price: £59.99
HSM Securio C18 With its big, 25-litre bin, the Securio is made for the larger office. It feels sturdy and the buttons are reassuringly chunky. It's quick into reverse and crosscuts paper to a very small size. The recommended shred-limit is a bit low, though, and despite claims it could shred CDs, our unit only managed to mangle 15mm of each disc before it jammed.
Wired: Build quality
Tired: CD fail
Score: 7/10
Price: £234
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
