This overall score is made up of performance and ease of use, weighted equally.

• Shredding a single A4 sheet (scored on time taken and quality and size of cut).
• Shredding 100 A4 sheets (in batches of the maximum number allowed at one time, scored on time taken).

• Ease of feeding paper into the shredder (including the tendency to jam) and ease of clearing jams.
• Ease of using controls.
• Ease of emptying bin.
• Stability.

Measured while shredding a single sheet.

Recommended retail, as of October 2013.

Strip cut or cross cut.

This is commented on but not scored, since not all models can handle these items. Cross-cut is the more secure method.

Most manufacturers base their claims on 70GSM or 80GSM paper. We tested to the claim for number of sheets.

This is the manufacturer's claim about how long the machine can operate for, and how long it needs to rest before operating again.

This is commented on but not scored, since not all models can handle these items.

This is commented on but not scored, since not all models can handle these items.

This is commented on but not scored, since not all models can handle these items.