Paper shredders are machines that can cut your documents into minute unrecognizable pieces. These machines are useful in destroying confidential and private documents. They usually have a cutting jaw with sharp blades that get activated through sensors and pull the paper inside. Paper shredders do not all work the same. Some shredders are ideal for shredding highly sensitive papers, while others are good for receipts, ID cards, and credit cards.
Buying a paper shredder isn’t easy and can be challenging for new buyers. Read our blog on the most reliable paper shredder brands to make an informed purchase.
Paper Shredder Cut Options
Strip-Cut Shredders
Strip-cut shredders cut the paper into long and thin strips. These shredders cannot be used for highly confidential documents because they cut vertical long pieces that can be reconstructed for information.
Cross Cut Shredders
CrossCut Shredders are good for confidential documents and are better than strip-cut shredders in terms of security. They add a cross wide-cut onto the paper and slice it into thin and short pieces. A cross-cut shredder can slice one piece of paper into 400 shreds.
Micro-Cut Shredders
These shredders are great for highly confidential documents. They cut the paper from all directions and slice it into small, square-shaped particles making it impossible to reconstruct.
Types of Paper Shredders
Depending upon your personal requirements, you can go with a shredder that’s suitable for you. You can go with models to shred a few documents occasionally at home or to tear a pile every day.
- Personal or Home-use paper shredders are portable and generally meant for 1 or 2 users and can shred 1-10 sheets simultaneously.
- Commercial heavy-duty shredders can shred 20 sheets at once and can be used by 5+ users.
- Industrial paper shredder machines are popular in warehouses and industries. They are powerful machines and can shred huge volumes of data in bulk.
- Manual paper shredders are an unconventional category in the market. They do not require any electricity supply and are available in a compact design.
Factors to Look for Before Buying a Paper Shredder
Security
Consider security while buying a paper shredder. You should always go for micro-cut shredders if you want to process highly confidential documents. The strip-cutting models can be a good choice for destroying non-confidential documents.
Price
Shredders can cost as low as USD 50 to as high as USD 50000. An affordable shredder can be easily invested for home purposes. The high-end models may cost you more but will offer you better shredding capacity.
Bin Capacity
The bin capacity is an important point to consider. Do not miss this point during your purchase. A bin with a larger capacity will take less time to get emptied. The large bin will also require less frequent removals of shredded papers.
Safety Features
Some shredders come with safety locks and sensors. These sensors can detect a finger or a hand when it touches the opening. The lock feature can lock the shredder even when the machine is in ‘On’ mode.
There are chances that you might face some problems while using the paper shredder. You should read our blog on tips and hacks for troubleshooting a paper shredder to get all your issues solved.
Buy Best Shredders
Amazon Basics Shredder
The Amazon Basics Shredder is a compact yet powerful machine for individuals or businesses that have to dispose of large amounts of confidential documents. This machine can easily shred up to 8 sheets of paper at once or credit cards, CDs, and DVDs. It features a wide paper entry that allows you to stack sheets of paper for quick and easy shredding.
BONSEN 15-Sheet Heavy Duty Paper Shredder
BONSEN 15-Sheet Heavy Duty Paper Shredder shreds 15 sheets per pass into 5/32" x 1-3/8" tiny particles. It destroys junk mail/credit cards/staples as well. This model offers continuous operation for 30 minutes without stopping. The 5.3 gallons pull-out wastebasket of this device can hold about 420 sheets of paper.
Fellowes Powershred
Fellowes Powershred shreds 18 sheets of paper per pass into 397 (5/32” x 1-1/2” Security Level P-4) cross-cut particles. It can shred staples, credit cards, paper clips, CDs/DVDs, and junk mail. This model runs for up to 30 minutes before a cool-down period is needed allowing you to complete shredding jobs in one sitting.
Bonsaii 18-Sheet Crosscut Paper Shredder
The customer reviews of Bonsaii 18-Sheet Crosscut Paper Shredder claim that it comes with a 62 dB low noise level offers a quiet and smooth shredding experience. It is equipped with a pull-out wastebasket that helps in easy waste disposal. The built-in advanced cooling system of this device offers 60 minutes of continuous running without over-heating.
Aurora High Security JamFree
Aurora High Security JamFree's reviews show that its built-in caster wheels make the machine easy to maneuver. This shredder helps in cutting important documents into micro size pieces. The built-in LED indicator of this device shows the power status of the device for convenience.
Conclusion
A Paper shredder can help you with a problem like a data breach. A data breach could result in a bad reputation for you and your business. The market has various types of paper shredders available. Make sure you choose the right model, considering its safety features, benefits, and price.
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