Product Overview
The Amazon Basics S120-E US is an 8-sheet strip-cut shredder designed for home and office use. It efficiently destroys paper, CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, providing a security level of P-2. Its compact design and extendable arm allow it to fit over most wastebaskets, offering convenient and portable document destruction.
Image: Top-down view of the Amazon Basics S120-E US 8-Sheet Strip Cut Shredder, showcasing its sleek black design and control panel.
Safety Information
- Risk of Fire: Do not spray or keep any aerosol products in or around the shredder.
- Material Restrictions: Do not shred items like metallic credit cards. Avoid shredding adhesive labels, continuous forms, newsprint, or any materials other than paper, CDs/DVDs, and plastic credit cards.
- Children and Pets: Keep children and pets away from the shredder, especially during operation.
- Loose Clothing/Hair: Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and long hair away from the paper entry slot.
- Power Source: Ensure the shredder is connected to a power outlet with the correct voltage.
- Overheating: The shredder has thermal/overheat protection. If it runs continuously beyond its maximum run time, it will automatically shut off to protect the motor. Allow it to cool down before resuming use.
Setup
- Unpacking: Carefully remove the shredder from its packaging. Note that some paper shreds may be present from factory testing.
- Placement: Position the shredder head over a suitable wastebasket. The extendable arm can be adjusted to fit most wastebaskets, with a maximum length of 16.7 inches (42.4 cm).
- Power Connection: Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.
Image: The Amazon Basics S120-E US Shredder with its extendable arm fully extended, demonstrating how it can fit over various waste bins. Dimensions are indicated on the image.
Operating Instructions
Control Switch Functions:
Image: A detailed view of the shredder's control switch, showing the FWD, AUTO OFF, and REV positions, along with the blue Power LED and red Overload LED.
- AUTO (Auto-Off): This is the normal operating mode. The shredder will automatically start when paper is inserted and stop when shredding is complete.
- OFF: Turns the shredder off. Always switch to OFF when emptying the wastebasket or when the shredder is not in use.
- FWD (Forward): Manually starts the shredder. Useful for clearing minor jams.
- REV (Reverse): Reverses the shredding mechanism. Use this to clear paper jams.
Shredding Paper:
- Set the control switch to AUTO.
- Insert up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper into the paper entry slot. The shredder will automatically start and shred the paper into 0.24-inch wide strips. Staples and small paper clips do not need to be removed.
Image: The Amazon Basics S120-E US Shredder in action, demonstrating paper being fed into the slot and shredded into strips, illustrating its P-2 security level.
Shredding CDs, DVDs, and Credit Cards:
- Set the control switch to AUTO.
- Lift the flap for the dedicated CD/Credit Card slot.
- Insert one CD, DVD, or plastic credit card at a time into the dedicated slot. The shredder will destroy the item into 3 pieces.
- Do not attempt to shred metallic credit cards.
Image: A close-up of the Amazon Basics S120-E US Shredder's dedicated slots for CDs/DVDs and credit cards, highlighting the separate entry points for different media types.
Maintenance
- Cleaning: Always unplug the shredder before cleaning. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the exterior. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Oiling: Regularly oil the shredder blades to maintain optimal performance and extend the life of the unit. Use shredder oil specifically designed for paper shredders.
- Emptying Wastebasket: Empty the wastebasket regularly to prevent paper jams and ensure continuous operation.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Shredder does not start. | Not plugged in; switch in OFF position; overheated. | Ensure power cord is securely plugged in. Set switch to AUTO or FWD. If overheated, allow 15 minutes for cooling. |
| Paper jam. | Too much paper inserted; paper inserted incorrectly. | Switch to REV to clear the jam. Reduce the number of sheets. Ensure paper is inserted straight. |
| Shredder stops during operation. | Overheated due to continuous use. | Allow the shredder to cool down for at least 15 minutes. The thermal protection will reset automatically. |
Specifications
- Model: S120-E US
- Brand: Amazon Basics
- Cut Type: Strip Cut
- Security Level: P-2
- Shred Size: 0.24 inches (6 mm) wide strips
- Sheet Capacity: Up to 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper
- CD/DVD/Credit Card Capacity: 1 at a time
- Run Time: 2.5 minutes on / 15 minutes off
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 13.54 x 6.3 x 13.98 inches (34.39 x 16.00 x 35.51 cm)
- Weight: 4.07 pounds (1.85 kg)
- Color: Black
- Special Features: Compact, Portable, Extendable Arm, Auto Start/Stop, Thermal/Overheat Protection.
Image: The Amazon Basics S120-E US Shredder with its key dimensions (length, width, height) clearly marked for reference.
Warranty & Support
For warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official Amazon Basics website or contact Amazon customer service directly. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.
Online Resources:
- Visit the Amazon Basics Store for product information and support.





