Head-to-head · Best Paper Shredders

Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder vs Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

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

Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about users needing versatile shredding with credit card and CD capabilities — 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 #2 in Best Paper Shredders

Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

4.5

$159.99as of Jul 7

The Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153) delivers P-4 security shredding with 4.3mm x 12mm particle size suitable for personal and office use. Reviewers noted its ability to handle paper, credit cards, CDs/DVDs, staples, and paper clips. The unit operates quietly at 65 decibels and includes safety features such as auto reverse and overload protection. However, it requires a 40-minute cool-down period after 20 minutes of continuous operation and comes with only a 1-year limited warranty. This shredder is ideal for individuals or small offices seeking reliable medium-use shredding capabilities.

Strengths

— Provides P-4 security level shredding with pieces sized at 4.3mm x 12mm
— Shreds paper, credit cards, CDs/DVDs, staples, and small paper clips
— Features quiet operation at 65-decibel noise level

Watch-outs

— Limited 1-year warranty
— Requires 40-minute cool-down period after 20 minutes of continuous use

$159.99 · 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.

Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

The Staples ST62153 offers a 4.3mm x 12mm particle size for P-4 security, which is finer than the Fellowes LX85's cross-cut but not as secure as the Wolverine SD9520's P-5. It uniquely handles CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, which the Bonsaii C206-H and Fellowes 40C cannot do. However, it requires a 40-minute cool-down period after 20 minutes of use, unlike the Aurora AU120MA, which has no such limitation and offers much higher capacity.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Aurora AU120MA 120-Sheet Auto Feed Micro-Cut Paper Shredder	Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)
Security Level	P-4	P-4
Bin Capacity	5 gallon	5-gallon
Shred Speed	5.90 feet per minute	6 feet per minute
Cut Type	microcut	4.3 x 12
Sheet Capacity	120	12
Run Time	30 minutes	20 minutes
Noise Level	65 dB	65-decibel

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