If you think the need for shredding important documents is a 20th century phenomenon, you’re pretty close (though the invention itself dates back to the late 1800s). The need to shred documents has grown in recent decades with the rise in identity theft and the passage of federal privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which you likely recognize better as “HIPAA.”
Among the factors to consider when choosing a paper shredder are:
Type of shredder: “Strip-cut” shredders turn paper into scores of strips resembling a plate of pasta, while “cross-cut” shredders turn paper into smaller, random shapes.
Level of security: This usually refers to the size of the remnants and range from Level 1 to Level 6. The lower levels are great for junk mail while higher level shredders are preferred for more sensitive information.
Capacity: How many pages can a shredder tackle at once? Lower capacity is fine for household use while offices prefer high-capacity models.
Safety features: The importance of these features can’t be understated. Look for shredders with locking features (to keep unauthorized and younger users away) and safety sensors that shut down a shredder when objects other than paper are detected.
Now that you know the basics, here are a few paper shredders we recommend.
User-friendly design
This shredder features a four-mode control switch with auto, off, reverse and “forward settings. It also includes anti-jam auto reverse technology and LED status indicators that show if any documents are misaligned, or if the machine is overloaded or overheating. It will shred up to 12 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time, has an 8.7-inch wide paper entry, and an easy-to-empty 4.8 gallon bin. If the shredder runs continuously beyond the maximum run time (7 minutes on/30 minutes off), it will automatically shut off to safeguard against overheating.
Hard worker
The angled feed entry prevents accidents, and the integrated single-hand lifting handle makes for easy emptying into any recycling bin or wastebasket. And with a large 5.2 gallon receptacle, it means fewer trips for emptying the contents. This will work non-stop for three minutes continuous run time, shredding up to 12 sheets of paper per pass.
Compact design
This crosscut paper shredder has a capacity of 8 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time and reaches P-4 security level. Auto start/stop and manual reverse makes shredding and clearing paper jams easy. This compact unit is equipped with an overheating protection system. If it keeps shredding over its maximum running time of four continuous minutes and becomes overheated, it will shut off automatically to protect the motor. A convenient handle design with 3.5 gallons transparent window wastebasket, this shredder holds scraps easily and makes for quick cleaning.
Responsive technology
Whereas most home units shred a maximum of 8-12 sheets of paper at a time, this one can take 20 sheets per pass, making it a most efficient tool for small to medium-sized businesses. Monitor real time performance with indicators that measure runtime and bin fullness, and an efficiency meter optimizes how many sheets the unit can take at one time. Integrated SafeSense Technology keeps shredding safe and accident-free.
Easy to use
Make confetti out of this micro-cut paper shredder which also meets high security P-4 standards. It shreds a maximum of 6 sheets of 20-pound bond paper at a time, but also cuts six times smaller than standard cross-cut units. This unit also has a dedicated slot for credit cards, which can be fed one at a time. As for run-time and thermal protection, if the shredder runs continuously beyond the maximum run time (3 minutes on/30 minutes off), it will automatically shut off to protect the motor from overheating.
Zac Jones is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. Zac is a former broadcast journalist, TV actor, voiceover artist, and executive producer. As a baseball aficionado, he enjoys rooting for Florida’s Tampa Bay Rays.
