A selection of home shredders is reviewed.

Rexel Home Shredder HS 85, €49.95

Highs: The side of the box carries an alarming message about identity fraud being the "most rapidly increasing type of crime in the UK". If that is the case then this shredder certainly has a lot going for it. It shreds very finely and not even a world champion jigsaw maker with a decade to spare could reassemble your shredded bank statements. It's slim and streamlined and doesn't draw attention to itself with its gentle but satisfying hum as it goes about its business.

Lows: It can take five pages at a time but, in the interest of research, we fed it twice that amount and it whined like a cranky child. It is quite pricey and, with a bin capacity of just 13 litres, it's smaller than most of the competition. It also has an infuriatingly short flex.

Verdict: Perfectly functional.

Star rating: ***

Highs: This shredder we bought in Argos is cheap and shreds paper without much fuss, which on one level is all that you can expect from it. It is also lightweight and extremely fast at shredding. It can rip through a single page in under two seconds, giving it the gold medal in our shredder Olympics.

Lows: Of course the main reason it goes so fast is that it cuts the paper into fairly thick strips (about 14 strips to a page) so reassembling a single document after it's been shredded by this would not be impossible. This might or might not be a cause for concern depending on how famous, paranoid or involved in white-collar crime you are. It has a nondescript, boxy look.

Verdict: A little careless, maybe?

Star rating: **

Challenge Cross Cut Paper Shredder €32.49

Highs: Despite its comparatively low price, this looks like the most high-end of the shredders with its brushed-chrome effect top and black wastepaper basket bottom. A handy plastic window in the base allows you to gauge how full the basket is getting without having to disassemble the unit. Cross-cut shredding means you can expect very fine shredding - pass them through this and your bank statements could have a second life as confetti. It can take seven sheets at a time so if your embassy is being stormed and you simply must shred the classified documents before you're taken hostage then this might be for you.

Lows: While the brushed-chrome finish is to be commended, it does draw attention to it on your desktop.

Verdict: Cheap (ish) and classy

Star rating: ****

Fellowes Paper Shredder €54.99

Highs: The metal mesh basket is good and sturdy and could double as a wastepaper bin long after the shredder has given up the ghost. The mesh also makes it easy to see how long you have before the bin will need emptying. And it will be a while before you fill it to its 17-litre capacity. As to its shredding capabilities, it does shred paper very finely and very fast.

Lows: It is the most expensive of the shredders and is no better or worse than some of the other models tried. The amply proportioned bin takes up more space on or near your desktop. The noise it makes is pretty horrendous. The mesh effect creates a mess effect on your desktop as the shredded paper is on view for all the world to see.

Verdict: Dear and loud.

Star rating: ***

Electric Paper Shredder €14.99

Highs: Neither PriceWatch nor the staff in Easons were able to find a manufacturer's name anywhere on the box or in the manual, which created a pleasing sense of mystery. It was bought because of its commendably low cost and because the box promised it was "magnificent and noble in shape".

Lows: After being billed thus, the reality was somewhat disappointing - it wasn't remotely noble, or magnificent, and, with a wastepaper bin that needed to be assembled, it seemed to be more of a peasant than a lord. Maybe it felt under pressure after the rave review it was given on the packaging, but it jammed on the first go, which didn't create a good impression. However, It recovered its composure second time out.

Verdict: No logo but not noble.

Star rating: ***