Best 6 Credit Card Paper Shredders: Dispose Old Credit Cards The Right Way

Do you want to buy a reliable credit card shredder?

They will protect your personal information from an identity thief. Here we will introduce you to the functionality of credit card cutters and its other destroying options. After you learn about most important features, check out those models and pick one from the list.

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What Do Shredders Entail?

Thosre are usually models of paper shredders designed to be powerful enough to cut through credit cards simply by putting a one card inside the shredding slot. The blades then suck it in and shred it into pieces before discarding it into the bin underneath.

Can A Paper Cutter Destory Credit Cards?

Most models are suitable for shredding credit cards, as well as other plastic cards you might have to get rid of. Check with the manufacturer and the manual of the model you have to make sure, though.

Do All Shredders Have A Separate Feeder For Cards?

No, not all of them do. But models that do, they ensure that credit cards are processed differently for maximum safety. That special slot is usually positioned next to the slot for shredding paper so you can easily notice it.

Why Should You Destroy Credit Cards?

By cutting cards into tiny pieces, you will discard your personal information securely. This is important as credit cards are among the most commmon documents that help thieves get a hold of your identity. And with the rise of security data breaches, you will definitely want to prevent this from happening.

Which Card And Paper Shredder Is Best To Buy?

The market is full of different models so the volume of available offer may overwhelm you. How can you choose the best one for your needs? Simply by looking for a model that is suitable for you in size, run time, security level, noise level, and more.

What Else Can It Shred?

Besides shredding plastic credit cards, they can usually shred through sheets of paper, other plastic cards, and sometimes even CDs, DVDs, staples, paper clips, and more.

Credit Card Capacity

While electric models can shred more than one sheet of paper per pass, this is not applicable to credit cards. Almost all models can’t take more than one credit card at once. So, don’t put more than one card in the slot because you’ll damage the machine and the warranty doesn’t cover that.

Small & Large Models

The size of the device depends on how many sheets of paper it can shred per pass and what the capacity of the bin is. Some models can shred through 1-5 sheets of paper at once, 5-10, 10-15, or even more. Bins also come in different sizes. For occasional use, you won’t need a model that can shred more than 10 sheets of paper at once with a bin larger than 5 gallons. If you are planning to shred high volumes regularly, get a bigger model with a higher sheet and bin capacity.

Run Time

If you want to buy a machine for credit cards only, you don’t have to buy the one with a long-running time. You can buy the one able to run continuously for up to 10 minutes. Also, you need to be aware that the cool-down period lasts twice longer than the run time.

Which Cutting Technology Is Better?

A shredder for destroying documents and credit cards usually cuts in one of the three following cutting styles. Firstly, a strip-cut destroys documents by cutting them into long strips with the help of a single cutting mechanism. Secondly, a cross-cut shreds documents into smaller rectangular shapes. Finally, a micro-cut destroys documents into very tiny shreds, sometimes only a couple of millimeters long and wide.

Security Level

According to the international DIN 66399 standard, there are seven security levels use for cutting. A P-1 level is the lowest (strip-cut type), while P-7 is the highest level of security (very small micro-cut type). For destroying credit cards, it is recommended to have at least cross-cut to shred into tiny pieces so that the credit card is harder to reassemble.

Cutting Through Cards Requires More Power

This type of product features a more powerful motor and stronger blades than others onlly meant for paper shredding. That is necessary because credit cards are made of a thicker material – plastic.

How Loud Are Shredders When Shredding Bank Cards?

While there is no such thing as 100% quiet shredder, some models on the market produce less noise than others. However, when shredding bank cards, they can produce a noise of a level of around 70 decibels (similar to a washing machine or a dishwasher). On the other hand, when shredding paper, they can be even quieter at around 60 decibels (normal conversation).

Best 6 Credit Card Shredders

Aurora AU870MA Shredder

Paper Clips, Staples, Credit Cards,…
Aurora AU870MA is a high-security shredder with a P-4 level. It quickly shreds credit cards, the limit is one at the time. Also, Aurora cuts small paper clips, staples and paper into particles 5/32 x 15/32 inches.

3.9-gallon Wastebasket
This micro-cut features a lift-off head. When you want to empty the bin, just lift the head and throw the garbage. The bin can hold up to 230 sheets, which is a capacity of 3.9 gallons. At once, you can put 8 sheets of paper.

Personal Use
Aurora has a continuous run time of 5 minutes. Then leave it for half an hour to cool down. Because of this short run time, it is a better option for personal use at home or small office. The user-friendly design offers three modes – auto, off and reverse.

Overheat Indicator
On the top panel, there is an LED indicator that will light on if you leave the device run too long. This feature will prevent overheating and prolong motor life. The maintenance is low, you don’t have to oil or lubricate it, just empty the bin when it’s time.

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Bonsaii C209-D Shredder

Convenient Handle
Bonsaii DocShred C209-D is a perfect device for home use. Its dimensions are 18.5 inches of height, 7.9 inches of depth and 12.6 inches of width. It is designed with a convenient handle for easy emptying. Also, there is a large transparent window, so you can see if the bin is full.

Multi-purpose Shredder
It provides medium security level, so you can put confidential documents into the slot. The entry is 8.66 inches wide. Bonsaii is able to shred paper, credit cards, small paper clips and staples. It can take 10 sheets of paper per pass and one credit card per pass.

Large Wastebasket
If you lift the head of the diamond-cut machine, it will stop shredding. The wastebasket has a large capacity, it is 5.5 gallons of shredded paper. That is approximately 320 sheets of paper. That means you don’t have to empty the bin frequently, it is large enough for any home use.

Easy Operation
If the paper is jammed, use the manual reverse feature and clear out the device. If Bonsaii shreds over its max running time (4 minutes) and becomes overheated, it will shut down automatically. This feature protects the motor and improves optimal performance.

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Sentinel FM102P Credit Card Shredder

Four Caster For Mobility
Sentinel FM102P is a medium-sized device with 12.8 x 8.5 x 16.9 inches dimensions. It weighs 16 pounds and features four casters for easy mobility. You can move it from one office to another, wherever you need to shred some material. Sentinel is made of quality plastics and metal.

Attractive Colors
Usually, this kind of small office cutting machine is available in black or grey colors, but Sentinal offers more attractive colors. You can choose between red, grey, blue and black colors. Choose one of these colors and make your workspace more comfortable. This is a good and cheap option.

Reliable Device
Sentinel is a micro-cut so it offers a P-4 security level. Shred your confidential documents without worry. It shreds up to 10 sheets of paper per single pass and one credit card at the time. The shredded particle has 4 x 10mm and it is impossible to assemble it and read.

Quick & Quiet Shredder
The shredding speed is 6 feet per minute. That means Sentinel is able to shred 60 sheets of paper per minute. That is a good speed for office use. The continuous run time lasts 2 minutes with bin capacity of 3.5 gallons. Sentinel features an auto start/stop functions with manual reverse.

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Swingline GBC 1757394 Paper Shredder

Good Quality
The GBC products are produced by Swingline (the GBC is a new brand) but the products have the same quality. This is the Personal Duo model intended for a single user. It is compact with dimensions 19 x 10.8 x 18.6 inches. The price is affordable and the warranty lasts 1 year.

Unopened Junk Mail
It shreds paper into two directions, whict provides a high-security level because it meets the P-4 standard. GBC shredder shreds paper, credit cards, CDs, DVDs and unopened junk mails. You don’t have to take out junk mail out of the envelope.

12-sheet Capacity
The GBC shreds up to 12 sheets of paper at the time. It provides a run time of 4 minutes with the cool down-period of 40 minutes. The shredded paper drops into a pull-out waste bin which can hold up to 5 gallons. A small transparent window makes emptying easier.

Jam-proof Shredding
On top of the device, you can find light indicators. The indicator is red if the feed capacity is full, the green light means there is more space for shredding. This feature will prevent overloading the wastebasket and paper jams before it occurs.

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Fellowes AutoMax 150C Shredder

Heavy-duty Machine
Fellowes AutoMAx 150C is big in size and designed for heavy-duty shredding. It is an ideal choice for people who need to shred a massive amount of paper. Its dimensions are 20 x 13.63 x 21.31 inches and it weighs 28 pounds. The price is high and the warranty for the machine lasts 2 years. For cutters, it lasts 5 years.

Hands-free Shredding
This impressive device offers automatic shredding whcih makes it hands-free and hassle-free. If you use an automatic shredding feature, put the paper into the tray and press play. You can put 150 sheets of paper into the tray then go back to work.

Manual Shredding
If you want to shred a few sheets of paper, the max is 8 papers per single pass. This device also shreds credit cards and paper with staples and clips. Fellowes AutoMax runs continuously for 12 minutes and the cool-down period lasts 25 minutes.

SilentShred Technology
It shreds paper into 5/32 x 1-1/2” particles that end up in the pull-out 8.5-gallon bin. The auto-reverse mode will turn on if the paper starts to jam and fix the problem without your intervention. Also, keep in mind that this machine uses SilentShred technology and produces 60 decibels.

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AmazonBasics Cross-cut Shredder

Good Item
This is a more affordable option than other models on this list but is really good. AmazonBasics offers a wide choice of sheet capacity. This short review will focus on the type with a capacity of 6 sheets of paper per single pass.

Medium Security Level
This is a compact paper shredder, it measures 12.10 x 7.7 x 15 inches and weighs 8 pounds. It will fit in your home, office, under the desk, everywhere. It shreds paper into pieces of 3/16 by 1-27/32 inches, which is a medium security level, P-3.

3-minutes Of Run Time
It is able to shred paper, paper clips, staples and credit cards. The AmazonBasics runs 3 minutes continuously, then you have to leave it for up to 30 minutes to use it again. You can put 6 sheets of paper per single pass, but put only one credit card at the time.

Auto Start Feature
It provides better safety than strip-cut shredders and it shreds faster than micro-cut. The pull out wastebasket has a capacity of 4.1 gallons. It features a reverse function for paper jams. Also, there is an auto start, which saves energy.

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How Often Should You Maintain It?

When shredding debit cards and other plastic bank cards, blades need to work harder than when shredding paper. Use oil or a lubricant sheet to clean the blades and oil them for smoother shredding after every 15 to 30 minutes of use, as well as every time you empty the bin. Here is how to do it:

How Do You Destroy Cards Without A Machine?

To destroy and dispose bank cards, you can use shredding scissors or other strong scissors. When cutting up the plastic card, make sure to cut through the EMV chip and then cut along the short side a few times. To make sure it is safely disposed of, throw the cutting sections into more than one trash bag.

What About Metal Credit Cards?

It is not recommended to shred metal credit cards in shredders. This is also warned about on bank statements when receiving a metal credit card. That is because they are made for destroying plastic cards, if you try to cut metal card with it, you will break it. Instead, mail the metal card back to the sender, drop it off at the bank, or use tin snips to cut through the metal card.