Head-to-head · Best Paper Shredders

Fellowes Powershred 40C vs Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Fellowes Powershred 40C comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.7 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about heavy-duty office users needing fast shredding — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Paper Shredders

Fellowes Powershred 40C

4.7

4 sources1 derived$59.99as of Aug 1

Speed is the Fellowes Powershred 40C's headline: up to 180 pages per minute, and it stays quiet doing it. PCMag and TechGearLab reviewers found it durable enough to chew through thick documents, staples, and paper clips. Its cross-cut security level doesn't match what micro-cut models offer, and the high cost is hard to justify if you shred occasionally. Offices with heavy shredding volume are where it belongs.

Strengths

— Fast shredding speed of over 180 pages per minute
— Quiet operation during shredding tasks
— Durable construction handling staples and paper clips without issues

Watch-outs

— Expensive price point
— Only cross-cut security level (not micro-cut)

$59.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Paper Shredders

Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

4.0

1 sourceall derived$149.99as of Jul 31

The Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153) cuts to P-4 security with a 4.3mm x 12mm particle size, which covers personal and office paperwork. Reviewers noted it takes paper, credit cards, CDs/DVDs, staples, and paper clips. It runs quietly at 65 decibels and includes safety features like auto reverse and overload protection. After 20 minutes of continuous operation it needs a 40-minute cool-down, and the warranty is only 1 year limited. Individuals and small offices with medium shredding needs are the right buyers.

Strengths

— Provides P-4 security level shredding with pieces sized at 4.3mm x 12mm
— Shreds paper, credit cards, CDs/DVDs, staples, and small paper clips
— Features quiet operation at 65-decibel noise level

Watch-outs

— Limited 1-year warranty
— Requires 40-minute cool-down period after 20 minutes of continuous use

$149.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Fellowes Powershred 40C

The Fellowes 40C is unmatched in speed, shredding over 180 pages per minute, which is far faster than the Wolverine SD9520, Staples ST62153, and Aurora AU120MA. It also features a large 9-gallon bin, reducing the frequency of emptying compared to the Bonsaii C206-H and Fellowes LX85. However, it lacks micro-cut shredding and is more expensive than other models, making it less appealing for users who prioritize security over speed or budget.

Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)

The Staples ST62153 offers a 4.3mm x 12mm particle size for P-4 security, which is finer than the Fellowes LX85's cross-cut but not as secure as the Wolverine SD9520's P-5. It uniquely handles CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, which the Bonsaii C206-H and Fellowes 40C cannot do. However, it requires a 40-minute cool-down period after 20 minutes of use, unlike the Aurora AU120MA, which has no such limitation and offers much higher capacity.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Fellowes Powershred 40C	Staples 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder (ST62153)
Security Level	Cross-cut	P-4
Bin Capacity	9 gallons	5-gallon
Shred Speed	180 pages per minute	6 feet per minute
Cut Type	Cross Cut	4.3 x 12
Sheet Capacity	18 sheets	12
Run Time	45 minutes	20 minutes
Noise Level	—	65-decibel

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