A bank statement, an old phone contract or a hospital report in the recycling bin gives away your name, address, OIB tax number and account number. That is enough for fraud with your data. Paper shredders solve the problem for 30 to 260 euros. This guide is for households, home offices, sole traders and small offices that want to throw away papers they no longer need to keep, safely. The best paper shredders in 2026 are the Leitz IQ Office S as the best overall, the Fellowes Powershred FS-6C as the cheapest and the HSM shredstar X6pro for sensitive documents. We compared seven models from Amazon.de by security level, sheets per pass, bin size and continuous run time. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 7 October 2026 and range from 29.74 to 258.29 euros.
Quick overview: the best paper shredders 2026
All models are available on Amazon.de with delivery to Croatia. Click a name for the current price.
| Model | Security | Sheets | Bin | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leitz IQ Office S | P-4, 4 x 28 mm | 12-14 | 23 L | €99.99 | Best overall |
| Fellowes Powershred FS-6C | P-4, 4 x 40 mm | 6 | 15 L | €29.74 | Cheapest |
| HSM shredstar X6pro | P-5, 2 x 15 mm | 6 | 20 L | €114.99 | Sensitive documents |
| Fellowes Powershred 8Cd | P-4, 4 x 35 mm | 8 | 14 L | €79.72 | CDs and cards |
| Rexel Secure X10-SL | P-4, 4 x 40 mm | 10-11 | 18 L | €114.99 | Quietest, slim |
| Fellowes Powershred 10M | P-5, 2 x 12 mm | 10 | 19 L | €160.56 | P-5 for more paper |
| Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 100X | P-4, 4 x 28 mm | 100 auto | 34 L | €258.29 | Auto-feed |
Sheet capacity refers to 70 to 80 g/m² paper. Where two figures are given, the higher one applies to thinner paper.
1. Leitz IQ Office S
Photo: Leitz, Amazon
The Leitz IQ Office S is our pick for best overall because for about 100 euros it has what the cheap models lack. It takes 12 to 14 sheets at once, runs for 8 minutes without a break and has a 23-litre bin that holds about 225 shredded sheets. According to Leitz it runs at 55 dB(A), quieter than most home models on this list. It cuts into 4 x 28 mm particles, which is security level P-4, and it also handles staples. When paper jams, it reverses automatically.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-4, cross-cut 4 x 28 mm |
| Capacity | 14 sheets 70 g / 12 sheets 80 g |
| Bin | 23 L |
| Continuous run | 8 min, then 60 min cool-down |
| Noise | 55 dB(A) |
| Shreds | paper, staples, paper clips |
Pros: up to 14 sheets at once, quiet, large bin, automatic jam reverse.
Cons: 60-minute cool-down, the maker doesn't list credit cards or CDs, needs occasional oiling with lubricant sheets.
Our opinion: You'll buy this one once. Cheaper models run for three minutes and then you wait half an hour, but the Leitz gets through a whole stack of old statements in one go. If you don't need to shred cards, there is no better value for a home office.
2. Fellowes Powershred FS-6C
Photo: Fellowes, Amazon
The Fellowes Powershred FS-6C is the cheapest shredder on the list with a serious security level. For 29.74 euros it cuts into P-4 particles of 4 x 40 mm, takes 6 sheets at once and has a 15-litre bin with a window. It handles paper clips, staples and up to five credit cards a day, and it carries the TÜV GS safety mark. The maker recommends it for up to 30 sheets a day, and it needs to stop after 3 minutes of use. For a household that shreds bills and statements once a month, that is plenty.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-4, cross-cut 4 x 40 mm |
| Capacity | 6 sheets |
| Bin | 15 L |
| Continuous run | 3 min |
| Shreds | paper, staples, paper clips, credit cards |
| Warranty | 2 years machine, 3 years cutters |
Pros: lowest price, P-4 like models twice the price, shreds cards, small enough to fit under a desk.
Cons: only 6 sheets and 3 minutes of run time, doesn't shred CDs, louder than the Leitz and Rexel.
Our opinion: At 30 euros it is hard to justify throwing statements in the bin. The FS-6C isn't for a big wardrobe clear-out, but for a monthly pile of bills and junk mail with your name on it, it does the job.
3. HSM shredstar X6pro
Photo: HSM, Amazon
The HSM shredstar X6pro is a machine for sensitive documents: medical reports, copies of ID documents and contracts. It micro-cuts into 2 x 15 mm particles, which is level P-5 under DIN 66399, HSM states. One A4 sheet ends up as about 2,000 tiny pieces. It also has a separate cutter for CDs and cards with its own bin, so you don't mix plastic with paper. The paper bin holds 20 litres and noise is around 58 dB(A).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-5, micro-cut 2 x 15 mm |
| Capacity | 6 sheets 80 g |
| Bin | 20 L, separate CD bin |
| Continuous run | about 7 min, then about 45 min cool-down (per retailers) |
| Noise | about 58 dB(A) |
| Shreds | paper, staples, paper clips, CDs, cards |
Pros: P-5 for the most sensitive papers, separate cutter for CDs and cards, German manufacturer, relatively quiet.
Cons: only 6 sheets at once, long cool-down, the white housing shows dirt faster.
Our opinion: For most households P-4 is enough, but if you handle other people's data on paper at home, say as a doctor, lawyer or bookkeeper, P-5 gives more peace of mind. The HSM is one of the cheapest P-5 machines from a known brand.
4. Fellowes Powershred 8Cd
Photo: Fellowes, Amazon
The Fellowes Powershred 8Cd is for households that have an old stack of CDs with photos or backups alongside their paperwork. It shreds 8 sheets at once into P-4 particles of 4 x 35 mm and also handles CDs, credit cards, paper clips and staples. It has a patented safety lock that stops it running when locked, which is useful if you have small children at home. The bin holds 14 litres. After 3 minutes of use it stops on its own for a 30-minute cool-down.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-4, cross-cut 4 x 35 mm |
| Capacity | 8 sheets 70 g |
| Bin | 14 L |
| Continuous run | 3 min, then 30 min cool-down |
| Shreds | paper, staples, paper clips, CDs, credit cards |
| Warranty | 2 years machine, 3 years cutters |
Pros: shreds CDs and cards, child safety lock, proven model sold for years.
Cons: 3 minutes of run time, small bin, loud.
Our opinion: If you have kids and a drawer full of old CDs, this is a practical choice. The Leitz is better for large amounts of paper, but the 8Cd is, along with the HSM, the only one on the list that also shreds CDs.
5. Rexel Secure X10-SL
Photo: Rexel, Amazon
The Rexel Secure X10-SL is a slim machine with quiet Whisper-Shred operation, made for a home office in a living room or bedroom. It is 22 cm wide, so it fits between a desk and a wall. According to Rexel it runs at 55 dB(A) and takes 10 to 11 sheets at once. It cuts into P-4 particles of 4 x 40 mm, runs for 6 minutes without a break and has an 18-litre bin. It uses touch buttons, and LEDs warn of overheating and paper jams.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-4, cross-cut 4 x 40 mm |
| Capacity | 11 sheets 70 g / 10 sheets 80 g |
| Bin | 18 L |
| Continuous run | 6 min |
| Noise | 55 dB(A) |
| Dimensions | 22 x 38.3 x 33.8 cm |
Pros: among the quietest on the list, slim shape, 10 sheets at once, touch controls.
Cons: the maker doesn't list cards or CDs, more expensive than the Leitz with less capacity.
Our opinion: If the shredder sits in a room where someone sleeps or watches TV, noise starts to matter. The Rexel X10-SL is for that case, and for a narrow corner by the desk it is the best on the list.
6. Fellowes Powershred 10M
Photo: Fellowes, Amazon
The Fellowes Powershred 10M is a P-5 machine for people with more sensitive paperwork than the HSM can comfortably handle. Its 2 x 12 mm micro-cut turns an A4 sheet into more than 2,000 pieces, and it takes 10 sheets at once. It runs for 10 minutes without a break and then cools down for 20 minutes, the best ratio among the manual-feed machines on the list. The 19-litre bin pulls out, and the machine has casters and a safety lock. Fellowes gives a 5-year warranty on the cutters.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-5, micro-cut 2 x 12 mm |
| Capacity | 10 sheets |
| Bin | 19 L |
| Continuous run | 10 min, then 20 min cool-down |
| Shreds | paper, staples, credit cards |
| Warranty | 2 years machine, 5 years cutters |
Pros: P-5 with 10 sheets at once, long continuous run, 5-year cutter warranty, casters.
Cons: expensive, louder than the Leitz and Rexel, doesn't shred CDs.
Our opinion: For a law office, medical practice or home-based bookkeeping service, the 10M is a sensible step up from the HSM. For ordinary household paperwork you are paying for security you don't need.
7. Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 100X
Photo: Rexel, Amazon
The Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 100X feeds up to 100 sheets by itself: put in a stack, close the lid and walk away. You don't have to stand next to it feeding sheet after sheet, and you don't need to remove paper clips. According to Rexel it runs for 20 minutes without a break thanks to a built-in fan, at 55 dB(A). The bin holds 34 litres and has a sensor that tells you when it is full. The machine is large and weighs 14.2 kg, so it needs its own spot.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Security | P-4, cross-cut 4 x 28 mm |
| Capacity | 100 sheets auto, 8 manual |
| Bin | 34 L |
| Continuous run | 20 min, with fan |
| Noise | 55 dB(A) |
| Weight | 14.2 kg |
Pros: 100-sheet auto-feed, 20 minutes of run time, large bin, quiet for its size.
Cons: most expensive on the list, heavy and bulky.
Our opinion: When you clear out a business archive once a year, a manual shredder means an hour standing next to the machine. The Rexel 100X turns that into a few refills and a coffee. Too expensive for a household, worth it for a sole trader with lots of paper.
How to choose a paper shredder
First decide how small the pieces need to be. The DIN 66399 standard, internationally ISO/IEC 21964, divides paper shredding into seven levels, from P-1 to P-7, by maximum particle area, archivieren.org explains. At P-4 a particle may be at most 160 mm², and at P-5 at most 30 mm². Strip-cut machines, usually P-1 or P-2, are no longer enough even for household bills, because strips can be pieced back together.
For a household, bills, statements and old contracts, P-4 is enough. P-5 makes sense for medical reports, copies of ID cards and client documents. After the security level, look at how many sheets the machine takes at once and how long it runs without a break. Cheap machines run for 3 minutes and then cool down for half an hour. If you shred more than 30 sheets at a time, get a machine that runs for at least 8 minutes or has auto-feed.
How long to keep documents in Croatia
Paper shredders only solve half the problem. Before shredding, check whether you are allowed to throw the paper away. For sole traders and companies, the Croatian Accounting Act (NN 85/2024) requires bookkeeping documents to be kept for at least 11 years and payslips for at least 6 years. Annual financial statements are kept permanently. For individuals, the tax limitation period matters, which is 6 years under the General Tax Act. So keep tax-related documents, such as those for tax refunds, at least that long. If you run a lump-sum business, read more in our guide to lump-sum business obligations.
Paper shredders and GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Article 5 requires that personal data is not kept longer than necessary. For a business holding customer data on paper, that means destroying it securely once the retention period ends. Paper shredders at level P-4 or higher are the simplest way to do it yourself. An outside archive destruction company only pays off when you are dealing with boxes of paper.
Maintenance
Cross-cut and micro-cut machines need oiling. Every few bin emptyings, run a lubricant sheet through or drip a little shredder oil over a sheet of paper. Empty the bin before it is full to the top, because a full bin pushes paper back into the cutters and causes jams.
Conclusion
The best paper shredders in 2026 depend on how much paper you have and how sensitive it is. For most households and home offices the best choice is the Leitz IQ Office S, because it takes up to 14 sheets, runs quietly and has a large bin. On a small budget the Fellowes FS-6C is enough, and for sensitive documents the HSM shredstar X6pro with P-5 micro-cut.
| Category | Recommendation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Leitz IQ Office S | €99.99 |
| Cheapest | Fellowes Powershred FS-6C | €29.74 |
| Sensitive documents (P-5) | HSM shredstar X6pro | €114.99 |
| CDs and cards | Fellowes Powershred 8Cd | €79.72 |
| Quietest, slim | Rexel Secure X10-SL | €114.99 |
| P-5 for more paper | Fellowes Powershred 10M | €160.56 |
| Auto-feed | Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 100X | €258.29 |
Paper shredders with auto-feed, like the Rexel 100X, pay off for a business that clears its archive once a year. A manual machine is enough for a household, and the price difference is about 150 euros.
Before buying, estimate how many sheets you shred a month. If it is one envelope of statements, a cheap model will do. If it is a cabinet of archives, look at run time and bin size, not just price.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best paper shredders for home?
The best paper shredders for home are the Leitz IQ Office S, which takes up to 14 sheets and runs quietly, and the Fellowes Powershred FS-6C, which costs under 30 euros. Both cut at security level P-4, which is enough for bills, bank statements and old contracts.
What security level do I need at home?
For home use, level P-4 under DIN 66399 is enough, with particles of at most 160 mm². With that cut, a sheet cannot realistically be pieced back together. P-5, with particles up to 30 mm², is recommended for medical reports, copies of ID documents and client files.
What is the difference between P-4 and P-5?
P-4 cuts paper into particles of up to 160 mm², usually around 4 x 28 to 4 x 40 mm. P-5 cuts into particles of up to 30 mm², for example 2 x 12 or 2 x 15 mm, so one sheet becomes about 2,000 pieces or more. P-5 machines take fewer sheets at once and usually cost more.
How long should I keep receipts and documents?
In Croatia, sole traders and companies keep bookkeeping documents for at least 11 years and payslips for at least 6 years under the Accounting Act. For individuals, the tax limitation period of 6 years matters, so keep tax-related documents at least that long. Keep warranty cards for as long as the warranty lasts.
Can a shredder cut staples and credit cards?
Most models on the list handle staples and small paper clips, so you don't have to remove them. Credit cards are shredded by the Fellowes FS-6C, 8Cd and 10M, the HSM X6pro and the Rexel 100X. Only the Fellowes 8Cd and HSM X6pro shred CDs, and the HSM has a separate slot for them.
How do I maintain a paper shredder?
Oil cross-cut and micro-cut machines every few bin emptyings, with a lubricant sheet or a little shredder oil. Don't feed more sheets than the maker states, and empty the bin before it is full to the top. That avoids most jams.
How we chose
We chose paper shredders by security level under DIN 66399, sheets per pass, bin size, continuous run time, noise and what they shred besides paper. We checked the data on the official websites of Leitz, Rexel and HSM and on live Amazon.de listings. We checked retention periods in the Croatian Official Gazette. We did not physically test the machines, but compared manufacturer data and independent sources. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 7 October 2026 and subject to change. Header photo: Ajay Suresh, Wikimedia Commons, licence CC BY 2.0.
Sources and references
- Croatian Official Gazette - Accounting Act (NN 85/2024): narodne-novine.nn.hr
- Croatian Official Gazette - General Tax Act (NN 115/16): narodne-novine.nn.hr
- EUR-Lex - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): eur-lex.europa.eu
- archivieren.org - DIN 66399 security levels: archivieren.org
- HSM - shredstar X6pro specifications: hsm.eu
- Leitz - IQ Office S P4: leitz.com
- Rexel - Optimum AutoFeed+ 100X: rexeleurope.com