Bonsaii EverShred C169-B Review

Credit: Katherine Elliott

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.

Credit: Steven Tata

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.

Credit: Katherine Elliott

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.

Credit: Katherine Elliott

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 the EverShred C169-B's price you can often find other models with higher capacity and that deliver more power, making it a relatively poor value overall.

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.

Credit: Katherine Elliott