Can Paper Shredders Handle Staples?

On this page (9 sections)

1. What does "rated for staples" actually mean?
2. How do you check whether your shredder accepts staples?
3. Why do some shredders jam on staples?
4. How should you feed stapled pages?
5. When is it safer to remove staples first?
6. Which shredders list staples as an accepted material?
7. What should you do if a staple jams the shredder?
8. How do staples affect shredder upkeep?
9. The short answer on staples and shredders

Yes, many paper shredders handle staples, but only models the maker rates for them. Check your shredder's stated materials before feeding stapled pages, and keep each pass well under its sheet limit so the staple doesn't add extra strain to the cutters.

That single check settles most of the question. A machine rated for staples cuts them as part of the paper load.

An unrated machine may jam, stop, or wear its cutters faster. The rest of this guide covers how to tell which type you own, how to feed staples safely, and when pulling them out first is the smarter habit.

What does "rated for staples" actually mean?

A shredder rated for staples lists them as an accepted material in its stated capabilities. That rating is the maker's word that the cutters and motor can take occasional small metal pieces along with paper.

The rating appears in the product's feature list or specs, not on a sticker on the machine. A model sold as a paper-only shredder makes no such promise.

Many home shredders do list staples, along with paper clips and credit cards.

Treat the rating as a limit, not a license. It covers ordinary office staples still fastened to a few sheets.

It doesn't mean the machine can take a box of loose staples poured into the slot, which would overload the cutters and the bin.

Look at how the three models here word it. The Bonsaii 12-Sheet lists staples first in its materials line, before credit cards and CDs.

The Fellowes 99Ci groups staples with paper clips, credit cards, and CDs. Both phrasings describe the same thing: the maker expects staples attached to paper, not metal fed on its own.

How do you check whether your shredder accepts staples?

Look up your model's stated materials first, then confirm the answer against the machine's own manual. The rating is specific to each model, so a brand name alone tells you nothing.

Start with the maker's product page or the manual that came in the box. Search for the materials line, which usually reads something like "shreds paper, staples, paper clips, and credit cards."

If staples are missing from that line, assume the machine is paper only.

If you no longer have the manual, the maker's support site usually hosts a PDF by model number. The model number sits on a label on the back or base of the shredder.

Five minutes of checking beats a jam you have to clear by hand.

Why do some shredders jam on staples?

Staples jam shredders for two reasons. A staple is harder than paper, so it adds resistance at the point where the cutters meet.

And a thick staple or a heavy stack can exceed what the motor and cutters were built to push through.

On an unrated machine, the cutters are shaped for paper fibers. A staple can catch between the teeth and stop the rotation.

The motor then stalls or trips its overload protection, and the machine reverses or shuts off.

Even a rated shredder can jam when the pass is too thick. A 12-sheet machine fed 12 stapled sheets is doing more work than its rating describes.

The staple doesn't spread the load; it concentrates force in one small spot. The Bonsaii 120-Sheet model has a paging wheel that reverses for two to three seconds while shredding, which helps reduce jam frequency.

That feature is a safety net, not a reason to overload the slot.

How should you feed stapled pages?

Feed stapled pages flat through the manual slot, in smaller batches than the sheet limit. Keep the staple attached to the paper rather than prying at it, and let the cutters do the work.

A few habits keep the pass safe:

1. Leave the staple in place if the maker rates the machine for staples.
2. Feed fewer sheets than the stated capacity when staples are involved.
3. Send stapled pages one bundle at a time, not mixed into a full stack.
4. Keep loose staples out of the slot entirely.

Feed the paper so the staple passes through the cutters rather than riding along the edge. A staple sitting proud of the stack can catch on the slot lip before it reaches the blades.

On a manual-only model like the Bonsaii 12-Sheet, the slot is the only feed path, so this is your whole routine. On a model with both modes, the manual slot is the place for anything stapled.

When is it safer to remove staples first?

Pull staples first when your shredder isn't rated for them, or when you're unsure. A staple remover takes seconds, and it removes all doubt about whether the machine can take the metal.

Removing staples also helps when you shred in bulk. A stack of hundreds of stapled pages is a lot of metal passing through the cutters, even in a rated machine.

Loose sheets feed faster and jam less.

Staples are the easy case. Binder clips, brass fasteners, and thick binding staples are another matter.

Pull those out every time, since they're bigger and harder than the staples a shredder is rated for. The Bonsaii 120-Sheet's own note goes further and warns against shredding metallic credit cards, which is the same principle: the maker's materials list is the boundary, not the starting point.

Which shredders list staples as an accepted material?

Several models sold for home offices list staples in their materials. The three below take stapled paper in manual feeding, and each one suits a different kind of shredding load.

Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut Shredder

This Bonsaii lists staples among the materials it shreds, alongside credit cards, paper clips, and CDs. It takes up to 12 sheets per pass and runs for up to 20 minutes before it needs to cool.

Its P-4 micro-cut turns paper into 13/64 by 15/32 inch particles. The 4.2-gallon bin has a window so you can see when it's full.

Four casters let you move it around the office.

Fellowes Powershred 99Ci 18-Sheet Jam-Proof Shredder

The Fellowes 99Ci lists staples, paper clips, credit cards, and CDs among the items it shreds. It handles up to 18 sheets per pass and runs for up to 30 minutes before a cooldown.

Its P-4 cross-cut produces 5/32 by 1-1/2 inch particles. SafeSense stops the shredding when hands touch the paper opening.

The 9-gallon bin has an LED full indicator. Its 2-year product warranty and lifetime cutter warranty back a machine that takes staples as part of its normal workload.

Bonsaii 120-Sheet Auto-Feed Micro-Cut Shredder

This Bonsaii's manual feed accepts staples along with mail and cards, while the auto-feed tray takes paper only. The auto mode handles up to 120 sheets, and the manual slot takes up to 12.

Its P-4 micro-cut makes 5/32 by 15/32 inch pieces. The 5.9-gallon pullout bin cuts down on emptying, and 360-degree casters make the unit easy to move.

Keep stapled pages out of the auto tray and feed them by hand. Note the run times split by mode as well: auto runs 30 minutes on and 60 off, while manual runs 10 minutes on and 60 off.

What should you do if a staple jams the shredder?

Switch off and unplug the machine first, then follow the maker's clearing steps before you touch the cutters. Most staple jams clear with the reverse function alone.

Run the shredder in reverse for a few seconds to back the staple out. If that doesn't free it, unplug the unit and use the maker's recommended tool to clear the slot.

Never reach into the cutter opening with your fingers.

Once the jam clears, shred a few plain sheets to confirm the cutters turn smoothly. If the motor keeps stalling, stop and contact the maker's support rather than forcing more paper through.

Bonsaii offers 24-hour support response on its models, and Fellowes backs the 99Ci with its product and cutter warranty, so a repeat jam is worth a call rather than a workaround.

How do staples affect shredder upkeep?

Staples add normal wear to the cutters, so a little maintenance goes a long way. Rated machines are built for that wear, but the cutters still benefit from regular care.

Empty the bin before it overfills, since packed shreds put back pressure on the cutters. On the Bonsaii 120-Sheet, the machine stops automatically when the bin is about 80 percent full, so watch for that light before a full load.

Our guide to how to clean a paper shredder covers the routine. If the machine starts cutting more slowly, how to sharpen a paper shredder explains when it's worth the effort.

When the unit reaches the end of its life, how to dispose of a paper shredder walks through the options.

Good feeding habits matter more than any accessory. Learn the basics in how to use a paper shredder so each pass stays within the machine's limits.

The short answer on staples and shredders

Can paper shredders handle staples? Yes, if the maker rates the model for them, and no, if it doesn't.

Check the stated materials first, feed stapled pages flat in smaller batches, and clear any jam with the power off.

Pick the Bonsaii 12-Sheet Micro-Cut for a compact home office that handles staples and cards. Choose the Fellowes 99Ci for a larger shared workspace with its 9-gallon bin and 18-sheet capacity.

Go with the Bonsaii 120-Sheet Auto-Feed if you process big stacks of loose paper and only occasional stapled pages. Whichever you own, keep staples within the rating and the machine will keep up.

Frequently asked questions

Can paper shredders handle staples?

Some can. A shredder rated for staples will cut them when they are still attached to paper, while a model rated for paper only may jam or suffer cutter damage.

Check the maker's stated materials before feeding anything metal.

Should I remove staples before shredding?

Only if your shredder's rating leaves staples out. If the maker lists staples as an accepted material, leaving them on is fine.

Removing them first is always the safer habit for an unrated machine.

Do staples dull shredder blades faster?

Metal staples add wear over time, even in machines rated for them. The effect is small when you feed few staples and stay under the sheet capacity.

A shredder rated for staples is built to accept that normal wear.

Can auto-feed shredders shred stapled paper?

Usually not in automatic mode. The Bonsaii 120-Sheet model takes paper only when auto-feeding, while its manual slot accepts staples.

Load stapled pages through the manual feed and keep the auto tray for loose sheets.