A paper shredder offers a practical alternative that is much more effective than manually ripping pages when you need to dispose of confidential banking or identification documents swiftly and securely. You don’t need to remove staples or paper clips because these machines easily shred all paper documents and credit cards. Even CDs and DVDs can be shredded by some robust models.
What to consider before buying a paper shredder
A paper shredder delivers the extra level of protection and peace of mind you need, whether for private pages at home or highly confidential business documents at the office. However, you’ll want to make sure you get the proper kind of shredder to meet your demands and budget. You should keep a few things in mind when purchasing a paper shredder. Paper size, load size, cut type, shredding spread, noise level, safety around young children and curious dogs, any advanced functions (some shredders can shred credit cards and paper clips), and energy efficiency are all taken into consideration.
Here are the top 3 things to analyze:
Capacity
You’ll need a shredder with a bigger capacity if you frequently shred large stacks of paper; this can range from 24 to 150 sheets at once. If you simply plan to shred a few documents at once, a shredder that can process five to 24 pages at one should work just fine.
P-rating
A “P” grading scale from one to seven, with seven being the highest level and acceptable for top-secret papers, is used to determine the security degree of shredding. Paper shredders with crosscut blades, which shred paper into hundreds of pieces, frequently have a lower P-rating. The P-rating of micro-cut shredders, which shred paper into thousands of bits, will be higher. In general, crosscut shredders with medium P ratings work well as at-home shredders, but if you want additional security or intend to shred extremely confidential papers, a micro-cut would be a better option.
Run time
Anywhere between two and thirty minutes is the maximum time that all shredders can consistently operate before shutting off to prevent overheating. Again, you’ll value a longer run time if you want to regularly shred a lot of paper. If you’ll just rip
5 Paper Shredders You Need for Your Workspace
Searching for the ideal paper shredder to meet your requirements? These top 5 paper shredders can guarantee that your records are thoroughly destroyed.
1. AmazonBasics Paper and Credit Card Shredder
This home or office paper shredder collects everything in a generous, but not excessively enormous 4.1-gallon container before cross-cutting up to eight pages at a time for added security at level P-3 requirements.
2. Fellowes Powershred 75Cs Cross-Cut Shredder
The 75Cs variant offers the longest run duration, highest page capacity, and highest P-rating of the three for a crosscut paper shredder with a longer run time and larger paper capacity. It can slice 12 documents into 4-by-38-mm strips while shredding staples, plastic credit cards, CDs, and DVDs. It also has the longest run time — 12 minutes — of any shredder on this list.
3. Dahle PaperSAFE PS 100 Deskside Shredder
With a mid-range P-rating of 4, this paper shredder destroys paper into pieces that are 4.8 by 17.5 mm, which is reasonably tiny and secure for the typical home user. Credit cards, staples, and paper clips are all supported by its built-in jam protection, and both its thermally protected motor and auto start/stop feature guard against overheating. Additionally, this paper shredder is oil-free, unlike many others that require frequent lubrication to function properly.
4. Aurora AS420C Desktop-Style Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
This small desktop shredder can store up to 40 sheets of shreds in its basket and can shred four sheets of paper or one credit card at a time. This desktop shredder is the best option if you simply need rapid access.
5. GBC Paper Shredder
This cross-cut shredder complies with P-4 level security regulations and can shred up to 12 sheets of paper. Additionally, it incorporates LED lights that illuminate when the feed capacity is reached, preventing paper clogs before they start.
