A paper shredder is a need for every home office and is essential for safely shredding confidential information. However, whether you’re a secret spy or the main character in a legal thriller, you might not require the most expensive alternative. You want the best paper shredder to efficiently shred several sheets without overheating.
Additionally, some shredders and non-paper things like CDs and credit cards as well as those that can shred in numerous directions for increased protection. What pieces you will shred and how often you will shred will determine what shredder is best for you. We consulted tech experts, the most excellent reviews, and previous Strategist favourites to help you choose the ideal one for your particular needs. If you want to shred your documents professionally, keep reading because we discussed the best paper shredder company in the next part.
Best Paper Shredder Company
Scan N More Shredding Services protect your information’s privacy by destroying paper records and documents, plastics and media in a cost-effective, safe, and compliant manner. We will also help to ensure effectiveness and compliance with our online tools and on-demand reports that cover important shredder parameters ranging from use to sustainability.
- Protect your company’s reputation by safely destroying private and secret paper documents.
- Reduce costs by discarding obsolete or unnecessary documents.
- Ensure you comply by shredding your papers in line with federal, state, and industry standards to prevent fines, penalties, or legal action.
Scan N More offers shredding services to assist you in saving the time, hassle, and pain of handling document shredding independently, regardless of your requirements or budget restrictions.
What to Think About Before Purchasing a Paper Shredder
Capacity: You’ll need a shredder with a bigger capacity if you often 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.
Run time: Anywhere between two and thirty minutes is the maximum time that all shredders can consistently operate after shutting off to prevent overheating. Again, you’ll value a longer run time if you want to shred a lot of paper regularly. Even if you occasionally have a few pages, you can probably get away with a shorter run time.
P-rating: A “P” rating scale is used to categorise the security degree of shredding, with seven being the highest level and appropriate for top-secret papers. Paper shredders with crosscut blades, which shred paper into hundreds of pieces, sometimes have a lower P-rating. The P-rating of micro-cut shredders, which shred paper into thousands of bits, will be higher. Crosscut shredders with medium P ratings work well as at-home shredders. Still, a micro-cut would be a better option if you want additional security or want to shred extremely private papers.
How to Choose the Best Office Shredder Machine
A selection of an office device, such as a paper shredder, shouldn’t be life or death. However, most new customers have a little familiarity, which can cause issues.
Finding a machine that fits your budget, buying it, and getting ready to shred seems easy. However, it’s not quite that simple. Depending on your particular demands, there are things to think about and machines that will function better for your workplace.
You must be aware of your alternatives. Which characteristics are suited for the materials you’ll be shredding and how to determine which ones will work best for you in advance.
Here are nine excellent suggestions for choosing the best paper shredder for your office:
1) Paper Size
Paper size is the first consideration when choosing a shredder machine.
You must have a general notion of the size of paper you will be shredding most frequently. Most workplaces utilise a shredder that accepts letter-sized pages to eliminate sensitive data. But occasionally, you’ll require more. Some paystubs and tax forms are printed on extra-wide square sheets. Folding one or two of these in half might not be a problem before shredding them. But the ungainly size will become a problem when the heaps of them reach the tens.
Analyse the paper sizes that you’ll be shredding. A smaller shredder could allow you to save money, but the added labour involved in shredding excessively huge paper might not be worthwhile.
2) Load Size
The issue of load size is related to the subject of paper size.
A simple, little shredder input will work fine if you only shred a few short reams. You don’t need much paper. If you’re shredding twenty letter-sized sheets, need much?
However, being upfront about how much you plan to trash is crucial. Any time you need to shred more than a few sheets of paper, you’ll need a machine that can handle a medium-sized load. Make sure to conduct a thorough study beforehand and get a shredder capable of handling the job.
A good rule of thumb goes:
- Single-user personal shredders
- Up to five persons can utilise a small shredder.
- Next up are standard workplace shredders that can handle ten persons.
- Consider a commercial shredder if there are more than ten users.
3) Cut Type
The cut is considered when counting while deciding between different paper shredders. You would be gravely mistaken if you believed these devices just cut your pages into straight vertical lines. Long, straight cuts are produced using strip-cut machines. Crosscuts, which divide strips into tiny pieces, increase the level of secrecy in your shredding.
Micro cuts improve cross cuts, slicing paper into significantly smaller pieces. The most extreme use of this concept is high-security shredding, which breaks up the material into tiny fragments rather than chunks.
4) Shredder Speed
Paper shredders are helpful tools. They’re designed to help you save time and effort at home or work. And speed plays a significant role in this convenience.
Most contemporary shredders have a set runtime, allowing them to run continuously for up to a specified period. After then, they must cool off to keep the apparatus in a working state.
The length of these cycles might range from two minutes to more than an hour, based on the size and model of the shredder machine. Be cautious and complete your research in advance to prevent unpleasant surprises.
5) Noise Levels
Shredders for paper are, by nature, loud. It is no secret that they are moving part-filled boxes whose only purpose is to cut and separate tiny paper bundles. Any brand you choose will produce a certain level of noise.
You have a fair possibility of getting a noise-controlled machine if you’re ready to spend a little extra money. Some high-end shredders claim to operate silently, and you may come very, very close to that.
There are videos for various shredders that demonstrate their loudness for something more entry-level. You can get the most pleasing noise for your money by using these to help you decide before you buy. You may also walk into a store and test several models there.
6) Security Levels
The safety features of a paper shredder might be a crucial consideration. It is important to take security measures if you have small children who might be in danger around an unattended shredder.
Most shredders come with safety guards as standard equipment, which helps keep fingers away from potential danger areas. The blades of more expensive shredders may be stopped before they cause any harm using laser sensors that can identify fingers.
7) Advanced Features
Of course, you don’t have to purchase the best paper shredder if you’re simply buying a paper shredder. Many of these machines are equipped with cutting-edge technologies to enhance and better your shredding experience. A few of these are:
- For plastics, paper clips, and heavier cards, credit card shredding
- Using anti-jam technology, the feed tray is kept free.
- Pull-out containers are somewhat prevalent.
8) Power Saving
Office equipment, mainly used in large quantities, consumes much energy. How much electricity they will use is a significant consideration for many individuals when choosing the best paper shredder.
A paper shredder uses 80% of its energy when it is in operation. Look into a shredder that emphasises energy savings when it is in use and when it is not for improved energy usage.
9) Manufacturers.
It’s reasonable to assume that there are numerous brand names to pick from, given the abundance of paper shredders on the market. You need to know which manufacturers to seek if you want high-quality equipment with an excellent guarantee. The following brand names are ones to keep an eye out for (in alphabetical order): Martin Yale, MBM, Standard, Dahle, DestroyIt, Fellowes, Formax, GBC, Intimus, and Standard.
The additional elements discussed in this blog can help you avoid making mistakes. Whatever you do, avoid purchasing a product from a small business. It’s more likely to be replaced. When choosing your best paper shredder, there are many factors to consider, mainly because it is such a significant investment. You can preserve your identity, remain in compliance with federal privacy regulations, and uphold your professional reputation with the help of a suitable shredder. Choose the ideal shredder for you right now to protect your confidential information from prying eyes.