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Bonsaii EverShred C169-B Review

Reasonable performance, but there were other small capacity models we liked better
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Price:   $151 List
Pros:  Reasonable speed
Cons:  Small bin, exaggerated capacity
Manufacturer:   Bonsaii
By Max Mutter and Steven Tata  ⋅  Oct 25, 2016
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59
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#7 of 11
  • Shredding Quality - 40% 5
  • Speed - 35% 7
  • Ease of Use - 15% 6
  • Noise - 10% 5

Our Verdict

The Bonsaii EverShred C169-B is a decent performing cross-cut model that offers relatively fast shredding speeds. However, it has some clear drawbacks. We found its advertised maximum capacity to be exaggerated, which creates the potential of unknowingly producing readable, unshredded bits. Also, its bin is fairly small in relation to its speed, meaning any large shredding job will force you to head out to the dumpster more often. Like most of the other models in this test, the EverShred C169-B just could not match the incredible performance and relatively low cost of our Editors' Choice Award winner.

Having trouble finding the C169-B? It seems Bonsaii is having trouble keeping up with demand as this shredder is constantly going in and out of stock at most retailers. If you're looking for something in a similar price range, we would suggest the AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Micro-Cut.


Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award   
Price $151 List$270 List
$209.99 at Amazon		$108 List
$99.99 at Amazon		$165 List
$158.25 at Amazon		$240 List
$189.98 at Amazon
Star Rating
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Pros Reasonable speedFast, powerful, relatively quietHigh security, powerful, reasonably fastFast, powerful, relatively quietIncredibly fast, high capacity
Cons Small bin, exaggerated capacityExpensive, largeSmall bin windowVery largeExpensive
Bottom Line Reasonable performance, but there were other small capacity models we liked betterThe best option for those that shred hundreds of pages per dayCan handle any shredding job, and does so with top notch security and decent speedA great and fast model, but if you're looking for speed there are better options in the same price rangeIf you shred 50 or more pages at a go, this model will save you oodles of time
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Rating Categories Bonsaii EverShred... Fellowes... Basics 12-Sheet... Basics 24-Sheet... Fellowes...
Shredding Quality (40%)
10
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5
10
0
8
10
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9
10
0
7
10
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6
Speed (35%)
10
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7
10
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7
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9
10
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9
Ease Of Use (15%)
10
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6
10
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6
10
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7
10
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6
10
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8
Noise (10%)
10
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5
10
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9
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
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7
Specs Bonsaii EverShred... Fellowes... Basics 12-Sheet... Basics 24-Sheet... Fellowes...
Bin Capacity 4.5 gallons 9 gallons 6.7 gallons 7 gallons 6 gallons
Advertised Sheet Capacity 14 18 12 24 16
Measured Sheet Capacity 10 18 12 24 14
Type Cross-Cut Cross-Cut Micro-Cut Cross-Cut Cross-Cut
Dimensions 15.2" x 11.8" x 11.8" 17.3 x 11.4 x 25.2 24.2" x 17" x 13.4" 11.9" x 16.3" x 26.2" 21.3" x 15.4" x 10.4"
Weight 20 36.38 25.8 36.5 lb 28.22
Shred Size 1/4" x 1 14/25" 5/32" x 1-1/2" 5/32" x 15/32" 7/32" x 1 27/32" 5/32" x 1-1/2"
Warranty 1 Year 2 Year Machine / Lifetime Cutter 1 Year Limited 1 Year Limited 2 Year Machine / Lifetime Cutter
Maximum Sheets per Minute 70 185 72 114 140

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Bonsaii EverShred C169-B is an average cross-cut shredder and it came out in the middle of the pack after our testing. For lower volume shredding it performed well but we think that the Editors' Choice award-winning AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Micro-Cut is better in almost every way and has a cheaper list price.

Performance Comparison



Shredding Quality


The EverShred C169-B was a mediocre performer in our shredding quality testing. It scored a 5, just one above the bottom score of 4 and well off the top score of 9. This was due to a few drawbacks. First, it is a cross-cut model, making it somewhat less secure than micro-cut models. Second, It was unable to meet its advertised maximum capacity of 14 sheets. It moaned and jammed every time we tried to feed a stack that thick through it. The largest stack we were able to get it to shred was 10 sheets. While this is still a respectable capacity, it was the farthest away from the advertised capacity of any model we tested. Our testers found that misrepresenting the maximum capacity can lead to incomplete shredding and a loss of security, so this is not a small point. On the plus side it did eat up junk envelopes fairly easily, and credit cards and CDs were not an issue. While the EverShred C169-B will handle normal shred jobs just fine as long as you don't try to load it up with more than 10 sheets at a time, better performance can be found elsewhere.

The EverShred C169-B provides reasonable security with cross-cut blades.
The EverShred C169-B provides reasonable security with cross-cut blades.

Speed


The EverShred C169-B scored a 7 in our speed testing. This was a very respectable performance in a metric that saw scores between 9 and 3. During our maximum capacity speed test it was able to chew through 70 sheets per minute, which was the third fastest rate of the models we tested. With these kinds of speeds the EverShred C169-B is set to handle all but the largest of shredding jobs.

Ease of Use



The EverShred features warning lights for overloading and overheating.
The EverShred features warning lights for overloading and overheating.

The EverShred C169-B picked up a score of 6 in our ease of use testing. This was the median score in a metric that had scores falling between 4 and 8. Its interface is simple with three lights that indicate when it's on, if it's overheating, and if the motor is being overworked, and a single switch that toggles from off to auto to reverse. Our testers thought this switch felt a little sticky, but it wasn't a huge issue. There Is a large window on the front of the bin that makes it easy to gauge how full it is, and the drawer style bin easily pulls out for emptying. The major area where it lost ease of use points was in the bin size. It is only 4.5 gallons, whereas most other shredders of this caliber are 6 or more. This does give it a smaller, more easily hidden away profile. However, it feels like you can't take full advantage of the EverShred C169-B's speed because you have to empty the bin much more frequently. It is also the only drawer style model we tested that does not have wheels. This may be a minor point for some, but if you're hoping to hide your shredder away and only pull it out when you need it this feature will be sorely missed.

The EverShred's bin is easy to remove but we wish it was a tad bigger.
The EverShred's bin is easy to remove, but we wish it was a tad bigger.

Noise


The EverShred C169-B was also a fairly average performer in our noise testing, picking up a score of 5. This is right in the middle of a metric whose scores were between 3 and 7. The motor produces a relatively low pitched hum that isn't too grating, but that low hum can ramp up to a high squeal after it moves through some paper. Overall it's not terrible and unlikely to annoy most people, even in extended shredding sessions. If you're particularly sensitive to noise, however, you'll want to look into one of the models that scored more highly in this metric, namely the Fellowes Powershred 79Ci.

Value


At a list price of $107, the EverShred C169-B is one of the more inexpensive higher capacity shredders that we tested. However, for $7 less you can get the AmazonBasics 12-Sheet Micro-Cut, which outperformed or matched the EverShred C169-B in every metric and offers a higher level of security. While in absolute terms the EverShred C169-B seems like a decent value, in relative terms it is bested by the competition.

Conclusion


Like many of the shredders we tested the EverShred C169-B offers good performance at a reasonable price, but it just can't match the rock bottom prices and high value that the Amazon machine can produce with its house brand.



— Max Mutter and Steven Tata