This paper shredder is servicable but I would not choose it again. It is a little loud when it is shredding but it shreds fine. It does not shred into small confetti pieces, but small strips. I like the locking function as it works well and I have a toddler running around my home office. The refurb unit I received works fine except for the fact that the top of the shredder doesn't seem to fit just right on the bucket. The fit must be just right for the shredder to operate. I was able to fix it by putting something between the back of the top and the bucket to wedge the top on correctly but even that doesn't work perfectly. Sometimes I have to push the top down with my hand to get it to engage. I don't use the shredder often enough for that to really bother me. I'm not sure if this is because it is a refurb product or just a bad design. I also don't like the fact that there is a hole in the unit (I'm assuming to allow you to see how full it is) as it makes it easy for the paper to spill out. It does what I want it to do, though, and was inexpensive so I'm not too bothered.