A paper shredder is an electronic machine engineered to shred papers into strips of tiny particles. It allows businesses, government organizations, and individuals to dispose of documents containing private, confidential, or sensitive data.
Currently, a wide array of paper cutting machines are available in the market depending on your requirements - personal, commercial, industrial, and residential. This ultimate guide will help you to choose the best paper shredder that suits your purposes.
What are Different Types of Paper Shredders?
Different paper shredders produce different sizes of cuts. Here are the three types of shredding machines according to their cut size:
Strip-Cut or Ribbon-Cut Paper Shredder
A strip-cut shredder is used for cutting non-sensitive papers. It shreds documents in long strips that can be read easily. This type of shredder:
- Offers low-level security
- Cuts only vertically
- Shreds a document into 39 strips approximately
Cross-Cut or Confetti-Cut Paper Shredder
A cross-cut shredder is used for cutting confidential or sensitive documents. It shreds the document diagonally from both corners, creating fine particles that are barely readable. This type of shredder:
- Offers medium level security
- Produces short and narrow shreds
- Cuts an A4 sized paper into 400 particles approximately
Micro-Cut or Particle-Cut Paper Shredder
A micro-cut shredder is a high-level cutting machine that is used for destroying highly confidential documents. It cuts the paper diagonally from both corners, creating extremely minute particles that can’t be read visually. This type of shredder:
- Offers high-level security
- Produces square-shaped shreds
- Shreds an A4 sized paper into 3,700 particles approximately
What are the Key Features of a Paper Shredding Machine?
Run Time
The run time of a paper shredder is also known as the duty cycle. It shows how many minutes a device can operate without taking a break to cool down its motor. The shorter the duty cycle or run time, the longer it’ll take for a cutting machine to shred a given stack of papers.
Sheet Capacity
The sheet capacity of a paper shredder refers to the number of sheets shredded per pass of a document. The more the sheet capacity, the more documents can be cut.
Speed
The speed of the document shredder significantly impacts its overall productivity. It can be measured using three metrics - sheet capacity, feet per minute (FPM), and runtime. Since we have already explained runtime and sheet capacity, here we will shed light on FPM. FPM basically refers to how rapidly th paper shredder can cut a document.
Here is the formula to calculate the overall shredder score:
Shredder Score = Runtime x Sheet Capacity x Feet Per Minute
Number of Users
For personal use, you can get your hands on a small shredder that may meet the needs of one user. If you are running small businesses, a midsize shredder will be perfect because it can accommodate up to five users. However, a large paper shredder is equipped to handle over five users.
Auto Feed Shredding
Shredders having an auto feed shredding option allows you to destroy bundles of papers in one go. All you have to do is load a bundle and walk away. This process is also called hands-free shredding because you don’t have to feed paper individually. It saves around 98% time compared to manual feed models and generates real productivity saving over time.
Wastebasket Capacity
Most paper cutting machines come with a removable wastebasket or bin, where the shredded material is stored. The capacity of these bins varies from one variant to another. Let’s say you need a shredder for home or personal use, then a bin of 1-10 gallons would be sufficient. However, if you run a small business, then you need a shredder having a bin of 10-30 gallons. Big enterprises may require a 30-gallon bin to accommodate shredder material.
Sensors and Indicators
Some paper shredding devices have sensors and indicators integrated into the control board that communicates jams, errors, full bins, and other glitches. This feature allows you to troubleshoot, maintain, and make the most of your device.
Noise Level
Most paper shredders generate about 65 decibels of noise, which can be annoying in crowded environments. To overcome this issue, some paper cutting devices are specially designed to produce as little noise as possible and minimize disturbance. If you think noise can be a concern for you, then invest in a shredder that promises a quieter job.
Energy Saving
If you shred multiple times a day, your shredder may consume a lot of energy. To save yourself from energy costs, look for a document shredder having an energy-saving or sleep mode. This feature will significantly cut down the energy consumption of your paper cutting machine.
Final Words
Whether you need a paper shredding machine for your home or business, choosing one can be overwhelming. Hopefully, this guide provides you with enough insights to buy the best paper shredder that suffice your requirements.
FAQs
Q: What is a suitable shredder for home use?
A: For home use, a small paper shredder will do the job. You can look for a compact device that easily fits into your home office or workspace.
Q: What items can I shred using a paper shredder?
A: While most people think that a paper shredder only cuts paper, there are a host of variants in the market that can also shred stapled or paperclipped documents, CDs, DVDs, and cards.
Q: Is it easy to maintain a paper shredder?
A: Like every other machine with a motor, paper shredders also need care and maintenance. The best way to best way to prolong the life of your device is to shred a pre-oiled or lubricant sheet. It preserves the motor as well as the cutter blades of the shredder.
Q: Can I save energy if my shredder doesn’t have an energy-saving mode?
A: If your shredder doesn’t have an energy-saving mode, then you should always turn off your device when it is not in use. Besides reducing energy costs, it will also ensure your safety.