Head-to-head · Best Paper Shredders

Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder vs Fellowes Powershred 40C

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Fellowes Powershred 40C comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about heavy-duty office users needing fast shredding — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Paper Shredders

Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder

4.4

$168as of Jul 7

The Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder stands out as a top-tier office shredder with exceptional capacity and security. TechGearLab praised its ability to shred up to 120 pages automatically while maintaining high security through micro-cut shredding. Bob Vila's review highlighted its powerful performance and quiet operation, though both reviewers noted it cannot shred CDs or credit cards in automatic mode. This shredder is ideal for busy offices requiring high-volume document destruction but may not suit users needing CD-shredding capabilities.

Strengths

— Ultra high capacity with 120-sheet automatic shredding capability
— High security micro-cut shredding provides P-4 security level
— Quiet operation measuring 65 dB at a foot and a half away

Watch-outs

— Cannot shred CDs
— Does not shred credit cards in automatic mode

$168 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Paper Shredders

Fellowes Powershred 40C

4.7

$59.99as of Jul 7

The Fellowes Powershred 40C is praised for its exceptional speed, shredding up to 180 pages per minute, and quiet performance. PCMag and TechGearLab reviewers noted its durability in handling thick documents, staples, and paper clips. However, the shredder's cross-cut security level is considered less secure than micro-cut models, and its high cost may not justify the purchase for occasional users. It's best suited for offices with heavy shredding needs.

Strengths

— Fast shredding speed of over 180 pages per minute
— Quiet operation during shredding tasks
— Durable construction handling staples and paper clips without issues

Watch-outs

— Expensive price point
— Only cross-cut security level (not micro-cut)

$59.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder

The Aurora AU120MA boasts the highest capacity with 120 sheets auto-feed, far exceeding the 15-sheet capacity of the Wolverine SD9520 and 12-sheet capacity of the Fellowes LX85 and Bonsaii C206-H. It also provides micro-cut P-4 security, which is more secure than the Fellowes 40C's cross-cut. However, it cannot shred CDs or credit cards, unlike the Staples ST62153, and lacks the speed of the Fellowes 40C, making it ideal for high-volume office use but not for users needing versatile media shredding.

Fellowes Powershred 40C

The Fellowes 40C is unmatched in speed, shredding over 180 pages per minute, which is far faster than the Wolverine SD9520, Staples ST62153, and Aurora AU120MA. It also features a large 9-gallon bin, reducing the frequency of emptying compared to the Bonsaii C206-H and Fellowes LX85. However, it lacks micro-cut shredding and is more expensive than other models, making it less appealing for users who prioritize security over speed or budget.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder	Fellowes Powershred 40C
Security Level	P-4	Cross-cut
Bin Capacity	5 gallon	9 gallons
Shred Speed	5.90 feet per minute	180 pages per minute
Cut Type	microcut	Cross Cut
Sheet Capacity	120	18 sheets
Run Time	30 minutes	45 minutes
Noise Level	65 dB	—

← See the full ranking of best paper shredders