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AmazonBasics 24-Sheet Cross-Cut Review

A great and fast model, but if you're looking for speed there are better options in the same price range
Editors' Choice Award
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Price:   $165 List | $186 at Amazon
Pros:  Fast, powerful, relatively quiet
Cons:  Very large
Manufacturer:   Amazon
By Max Mutter and Steven Tata  ⋅  Jun 9, 2018
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OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#2 of 10
  • Shredding Quality - 40% 8
  • Speed - 35% 9
  • Ease of Use - 15% 6
  • Noise - 10% 9

Our Verdict

The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is an exceptional shredder that offers great all-around performance. The combination of impressive power that can eat through thick envelopes, credit cards and CDs, high-capacity, fast speed, and easy to empty bin make it a perfect companion for any home or small office. In fact, the only real bad thing you can say about this model is that it's a bit overkill for most homes.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award    
Price $165 List$270 List
$262.49 at Amazon		$240 List
$208.98 at Amazon		$200 List
$198.25 at Amazon		$200 List
$150.95 at Amazon
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Pros Fast, powerful, relatively quietFast, powerful, relatively quietIncredibly fast, high capacityFast, user friendlyLarge bin, above average performance
Cons Very largeExpensive, largeExpensiveExpensiveMore expensive than some higher performing models
Bottom Line A good model for those that shred 100+ pages a day, but there are faster models at the same price pointExpensive, but well worth the time savings for those that shred a lotIf your shredding jobs reach triple digit page numbers, this machine will make your life a lot easierGood all-around performer, but not worth the high priceShreds well but is fairly slow for a high capacity model
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Rating Categories Basics 24-Sheet... Fellowes... Fellowes... Fellowes... Royal HD1400MX
Shredding Quality (40%)
10
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8
10
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8
10
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6
10
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6
10
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7
Speed (35%)
10
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9
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Ease Of Use (15%)
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Noise (10%)
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Specs Basics 24-Sheet... Fellowes... Fellowes... Fellowes... Royal HD1400MX
Bin Capacity 7 gallons 9 gallons 6 gallons 6.1 gallons 6.2 gallons
Advertised Sheet Capacity 24 18 16 12 14
Measured Sheet Capacity 26 18 14 12 14
Type Cross-Cut Cross-Cut Cross-Cut Cross-Cut Cross-Cut
Dimensions 11.9" x 16.3" x 26.2" 17.3 x 11.4 x 25.2 21.3" x 15.4" x 10.4" 19.4" x 15.5" x 10.37 13.5"x 17.2" x 20.9"
Weight 36.5 lb 36.38 28.22 19 lb 25
Shred Size 7/32" x 1 27/32" 5/32" x 1-1/2" 5/32" x 1-1/2" 5/32" x 1-1/2" 5/32" x 1 1/2"
Warranty 1 Year Limited 2 Year Machine / Lifetime Cutter 2 Year Machine / Lifetime Cutter 2 Year Machine / Lifetime Cutter 1 Year
Maximum Sheets per Minute 114 185 140 109 60

Our Analysis and Test Results

The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is a great all-around shredder, providing near-perfect functionality for those that shred hundreds of pages per month.

Performance Comparison



Shredding Quality


The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is one of the most powerful models we tested. In fact, it even bested its own capacity claim in our tests, easily dispensing with a 26-sheet thick stack of paper without complaint. It also ate through the even the thickest of junk mail envelopes with ease, and readily shredded both credit cards and CDs. This almost over the top power adds some peace of mind, as you never have to worry that something made it through the blades without being completely shredded (unless you try to really push the limits and shove 30 sheets into it at once).

The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is quite powerful.
The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is quite powerful.

Speed


The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet was also one of the fastest models we tested, hitting a maximum rate of 114 sheets per minute. This is an impressive figure, and is likely fast enough for something like a legal office that has to dispose of a lot of documents. However, even though the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci has a slightly smaller capacity, it actually shreds faster. The Fellowes topped out at an impressive 185 sheets per minute. So, if you're most concerned with being able to shred the most sheets at once, the AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is a better choice. If you're more concerned with overall speed, the Fellowes Powershred 99Ci is the better choice.


Ease of Use


The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet's design leads to an overall friendly user experience. The controls are intuitive, there are warning lights indicating if there is a jam, the bin is open, or the machine is overheating. There is a lip guard that prevents any fingers from getting into the blades and any CD shards from flying out. The large 7-gallon bin is easy to remove and empty. the main drawback is that this shredder is quite large. It's too big to be hidden under a desk, it's going to need its own space. Luckily the wheels make it fairly easy to move around.

We like the simple controls and indicator lights.
We like the simple controls and indicator lights.

Noise


This is one area where the AmazonBasics 24-Sheet shines. While no shredder sounds good, this one is one of the least offensive. It emits a low pitched moan that isn't too grating and can even blend into the background on occasion. The Fellowes 99Ci is similarly unobtrusive sounding, so unfortunately the AmazonBasics 24-Sheet doesn't gain any points over its main competitor here.

Value


The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet lists for a hefty, but not astronomical price. Considering the amount of power and performance you get, we think this shredder is a great value for people that shred a lot of paper, and by a lot we mean hundreds of pages a week. If you rarely or ever shred more than 20 pages at a time, this machine is definitely overkill, and thus likely not the best use of your funds.


Conclusion


The AmazonBasics 24-Sheet is a great shredder for those that regularly shred 100+ pages at a go. No model that we've come across can match its combination fof speed and power, making it perfect for people that both shred a lot, and tend to shred thick documents or stuffed envelopes.


— Max Mutter and Steven Tata