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Paper shredders offer significant benefits in safeguarding sensible information — malefactor can exploit throw out personal information to perpetrate put-on and personal identity thieving . A paper shredder will aid insure that confidential papers , such as fiscal records , medical reports , and personal correspondence , are irreversibly destroy .
Before testing several of today ’s top models , I had no hint what some of these machines were capable of . My last experience with a paper shredder ( more than a decade ago ) was fraught with newspaper kettle of fish , and I threw the gadget away . Thebest paper shreddersare far more advanced nowadays than my previous experience led me to believe .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
When I tested theAurora AU1210MA newspaper shredderwith micro - cut , it changed my thinker about shredder . Of all the framework I tried , the Aurora came out on top for several reasons — functionality , durability , power , and cost .
TheAurora companymanufactures a range of shredders designed for personal , professional , commercial , and mellow - security use . by rights disposing of sensitive data is of the essence in today ’s information - driven world , and the Aurora shredder does n’t disappoint . obtain out how it perform in my hands - on testing and whether it ’s the good paper shredder for your security indigence . Spoiler : It rip up more than just paper !
Aurora AU1210MA 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Paper Shredder: At a Glance
Rating:9.25/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Aurora 12 - sheetmicro - cut paper shredderat :
What is the Aurora paper shredder?
TheAurora AU1210MAis a professional - grade paper shredder plan for in high spirits - protection micro - cutting of sensitive papers . It easy handles up to 12 tabloid of paper at a time and can shred credit identity card , Cd , DVDs , staples , and small paper clips .
The shredder manoeuvre without being overly noisy and includes safety features such as machine - start and stop , overload protection , and overheat protection . Its micro - knifelike capability go down it aside from stock shredders , providing a higher floor of security system against individuality theft and data breaches . The shredder ’s summary design and versatility make it worthy for various billet or home preferences , and its spacious circular file reduces the need for frequent emptying .
I bear several tests on the Aurora AU1210MA , assessing its ability to shred document , CDs , and credit rating cards . to boot , I used a dB quizzer to measure the shredder ’s operating noise level during the process .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
How secure is the micro-cut feature of the Aurora paper shredder?
The Aurora paper shredder ’s micro - reduce characteristic provide a high storey of surety . It comes with a P-4 security military rating , which means the shredder cut an A4 document ( a European measurement ; an 8.5 - inch by 11 - inch piece of newspaper is similar in size ) into 400 flyspeck pieces . The shreds resembled petite confetti - like particles , and I felt they would be closely impossible to restore .
This advanced shredding method acting protects more fully against identity operator thieving and sensitive data exposure than stock strip - cut or grumpy - cut shredders . With its micro - trimmed capability , the Aurora newspaper shredder offers added peace of brain when disposing of confidential information , making it an ideal choice for those seeking enhanced security measures .
Is the Aurora paper shredder user-friendly?
I found theAurora paper shredderintuitive and very easy to use . I set it to machine mode — a standby mode — and it would seat there restfully until I run in a sheet of paper or a CD . Then , it fleetly shredded it upon contact with the leaf blade . The manufacturer suggests only keeping the automobile in auto mode if you ’re rip up soon . Otherwise , sprain the machine to the “ off ” position for safety ’s sake , specially if piffling ones are around who might resolve to feast a fork into the expansion slot .
I liked the power to pull out the waste bin from the front . That made it very ready to hand , specially look at the grinding head building block weighs approximately 22 pounds . Some of the other shredders I tested involve lifting the head off to empty the basket .
Paper jams are also wanton to clear . When I inserted more paper than the 12 - mainsheet recommended upper limit , the Aurora jammed , then at once stopped , reversed , and reset the jam on its own . I did n’t have to pick any newspaper publisher shreds from the edit out wheels manually , which I appreciated .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
How much noise does the Aurora paper shredder make when it’s running?
The Aurora paper shredder produce a randomness level of more or less 76.9 decibels when measured 2 pes away from the shredder during functioning , which is like to that of a laundry car . This dissonance level was quieter than I ’d expected but not entirely mute . Interestingly , while it is unbelievable to disorder other workers in a large and meddlesome power , it may be somewhat trouble in a muted environment without backdrop noise . As expected , moving farther away from the shredder upshot in a decrease in the noise level .
How durable is the Aurora paper shredder?
The Aurora model stood out exceptionally well with attentiveness to build caliber and lastingness compare to other paper shredders I tested . Its motor and blades operated swimmingly , even more or less exceed the recommend 12 - sheet capacity . At 15 shroud , it still shredded . However , when I increased the sheet to 20 , it jammed , but then it automatically override and cleared the jam on its own .
During the testing phase — about 1.5 hour of close - continuous exercise — I press theAurora paper shredderto its limits . It never overheat , demonstrate its true carrying out even under demand term .
However , in the owner ’s manual , the maker advocate using lubricating oil sporadically on the blade to keep them manoeuvre smoothly — but no oil is included with the purchase . Any high-pitched - quality lubricating oil , such assewing machine oil , should work fine for this purpose .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Is the Aurora paper shredder worth the cost?
In my tests , the Aurora paper shredder performed well enough to free its price of just about $ 125 . price - Isaac Mayer Wise , this is a midrange model , but it offer the micro - cut shredding potentiality of some higher - price models . Its P-4 surety rating make it ideal for papers shredding , and its power to put down credit bill of fare , cadmium , and DVDs is a nice fringe benefit .
It ’s not whisper unruffled , but neither is it annoyingly loud . All in all , it ’s a professional - grade shredder at a consumer price . It ’s well worth the investment for those looking for a near shredder .
Should you buy the Aurora paper shredder?
newspaper shredders are high on the inclination ofessential spot devices , and the Aurora shredder ’s P-4 rating and micro - cutting capacity make it a solid choice . While the AU1210MA is n’t a heavy - duty newspaper publisher shredder , it ’s well suited for small or plate office staff . It ’s long-lived and well ramp up .
It is an excellent fit for destroying confidential paperwork such as cant statements , business sector documents , and other raw materials .
However , if you do n’t postulate a micro - cut shredderor only have occasional shredding motivation , a crushed - cost strip - cut or thwartwise - shortened shredder might be more appropriate . to boot , tumid corporations with high - mass shredding requirements might find consecrated industrial - grade shredders better suited to their needs . Ultimately , the decision to grease one’s palms the Aurora newspaper shredder should be based on the specific exercise scenario and budget .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Aurora Paper Shredder
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a mathematical product tester and author specializing in the construction , remodeling , and existent estate industry . She and her married man own a general contracting companionship , and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial construction applications . She tests a wide-eyed range of power putz as well as other home melioration , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
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Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
