Document shredders aren't noted for their style, and generally are built to look as unobtrusive as possible. Not so the Ativa 10M Shredder ($179.99), which has a tasteful design replete with sweeping curves. Should its color scheme—glossy black with matte-silver trim—not fit in with your office décor, for a little extra you can get replacement panels in other colors. The 10M is a decent light-duty shredder, which can chomp paper to micro-cut size for added security.

The 10M is best for personal or home-office use, or for light-duty scanning of sensitive documents. Ativa is an Office Depot brand, and Ativa shredders are primarily sold by that chain. The shredder is reasonably compact at 22 by 15.5 by 13.5 inches (HWD), and has a handle in back so it can easily be rolled on its four casters. On top, just below the 9-inch-wide paper-feed slot, are On, Forward, and Reverse buttons, plus warning lights that go on in case of a paper jam or if the 6.4-gallon basket is full or open.

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The 10M's front and side panels are black, but if you prefer a different color scheme you can buy optional silver or white panels ($29). Office Depot plans to add panels in additional colors.

As a micro-cut shredder, the 10M cuts paper into very small shreds, about 0.5 by 0.16 inches, which is high enough security for all but the most sensitive documents. In addition to paper, it can cut small paper clips, staples, and credit cards. It is not designed for shredding CDs, larger paper clips, or window or insulated envelopes. It's reasonably quiet for a shredder.

Office Depot gives the 10M's paper capacity at 10 sheets; in my testing it held up to 13 sheets without jamming. The 10M's shred speed is rated at 6.7 feet per minute (fpm); I timed it at 7.5 fpm. This model can shred continuously for up to 20 minutes before needing a 40-minute cooling-off period.

The Ativa 10M is more elegant-looking than the Editors' Choice Ativa Professional Plus HDPro 2000 and can shred paper into smaller pieces. The HDPro 2000 can fit more sheets (up to 22 at a time), and can shred for two hours straight without needing a cooling-down period, plus it can shred CDs and larger paper clips. The Staples 16-Sheet High-Speed Cross-Cut Shredder has nearly twice the speed and paper capacity as the 10M, and can shred large paper clips, CDs, and thick envelopes. Its downside is that it can shred continuously for a mere 8 minutes straight before it needs a 40-minute cool-down.

The Ativa 10M Shredder is being sold in some Office Depot outlets already, and will be widely available at Office Depot on May 4, when it's officially rolled out. It's a good choice as a lighter-duty shredder if you need high security for destroying sensitive documents, or if you want to add a touch of style to your office. The 10M is one shredder you won't feel inclined to stash underneath a table whenever important guests come by.