The best paper shredders help you destroy private information by slicing the sheets into tiny pieces.
Paper shredders shred papers in different ways, including strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut, so they differ in security levels.
You’ll also need to consider the speed, paper capacity, run time, size, and other innovative features.
Here are the best paper shredders available today.
Q: How Do I Repair a Paper Shredder That’s Not Working?
Like other office appliances, paper shredders have problems that present themselves in various ways. One of the most annoying and common problems is when a paper shredder jams or gets clogged. Such issues aren’t too complicated to solve, only requiring you to pluck the remaining shreds out of the blades if the shredder doesn’t have a reverse function. You can also gently run a vacuum cleaner slightly above the blade’s edges to suck particles.
You don’t have to deal with jamming annoyances as the shredder detects and stops any obstructions before you even notice them. The tiny colored meter enables you to monitor real-time performance. It counts the documents for you, alerting you when to increase the sheet capacity for maximum productivity.
There’s a run time indicator that lets you know when the shredder needs to cool down, preventing the motor from overheating. This happens after continuously running the shredder for 30 minutes. Measuring 16.5 x 11.75 x 23.25 inches, the Fellowes LX22M Paper Shredder fits easily on most office desks, so if you’re concerned about space, this is a great choice. The shredder pauses shredding anytime you place your hands on the paper entry to avoid posing any injuries.
The 3.8-gallon bin is fine for occasional use, but if you shred documents regularly, you won’t have any difficulty dis-attaching it from the header. There’s a safety switch that prevents the shredder from working outside the bin, protecting your fingers from getting hurt.
You’ll love the hard-wearing steel cutters, which are versatile enough to slice credit cards, staples, and clips on the documents. The shredder includes a 1.32-gallon translucent gray basket which holds about 40 sheets. Removing the shredder head when emptying the bin is a straightforward process, thanks to the collapsible handle.
You don’t have to clean the shredder manually after jamming as it has a reverse function that frees up the cutter from any residue. Unwanted papers shred automatically after placing them near the feed opening since the shredder has an auto-start function. This shredder performs incredibly for its size, provided you load less than four folded sheets, saving you time and effort.
Separating the 3.4-gallon waste bin from the shredding part is quick and easy using the user-friendly handle. The moving cutters stop working immediately after separating the two parts, ensuring you’re safe even when the shredder is on. You’ll know whether the bin is full via the transparent window.
This cross-cut shredder comes with a P-3 security level, which destroys credits cards, receipts, and other documents to tiny scraps. It takes four minutes to shred 150 sheets, which is pretty fast for the shredder’s price. As such, it’s suitable for occasional home office use since there are minimal chances of overheating or jamming.
Being a cross-cut paper shredder, the Bonsen Paper Shredder ensures top-notch security in your corporate documents. The design chops papers into thin and short stripes so you’ll have peace of mind knowing that sensitive information won’t get into the wrong hands. The hard-wearing nitrided steel cutter shred clips, staples, and credit cards into tiny pieces without suffering from wear and tear.
Better yet, it stops working immediately after removing the six gallons wastebasket for maximum protection. Onboard is an overload indicator, which ejects the papers when you exceed the 12-sheet shredding capacity. The shredder fits easily in cramped home offices since it measures only 13.7 x 9.25 x 19.21 inches.
The P-5 high-security level shreds sheets into small particles, making this shredder ideal for sensitive documents. Performance-wise, the Wolverine 8 Paper Shredder allows you to shred 500 sheets in 10 minutes for maximum productivity. The shredder strips junk mails, sensitive documents, clips, credit cards, and staples swiftly, thanks to the hard-wearing alloy steel cutter.
The pull-out bin holds 4.5 gallons of shredded waste and comes with a transparent window to let you know when it’s full. It has a compact design, measuring 13.9 x 9.5 x 19.7 inches, so it fits under and above most compact office desks. At the bottom are four casters that enable you to move the shredder quickly.
The robust and wear-resistant blades shred stapled and clipped papers easily, so you don’t need to pull them manually. It also shreds CDs, credit cards, and junk mails in your office, making it reliable for satisfying most users’ needs. Conversing with office colleagues or family members is seamless since the Kensington Shredder isn’t that loud.
The anti-jam technology detects and gets rid of frustrating paper jams, allowing for efficient workflow. The shredder runs for six minutes continuously and turns on the temperature warning indicator when it gets too hot. You’ll need to turn it off and wait for around 30 minutes for it to cool down before you continue shredding.
Most paper shredders have a maximum run time, so putting them under intense pressure causes overheating. Always leave it to cool down for some minutes to prevent it from jamming amidst a task. Remember to empty the bin since some shredders don’t operate when full. Other technical problems may require professional help.
Q: How Can I Prevent Paper Jamming?
Mostly, paper jamming occurs when you overfeed or overtax the shredder. To prevent this, avoid shredding sheets that are beyond your shredder’s maximum capacity. You can also eliminate this by buying a paper shredder with a jamming prevention system, which senses when you feed excess papers.
Fast feeds may cause jamming, and this happens when you insert a stack of paper before the previous one finishes shredding. Fortunately, some paper shredders have a technology that alerts you to remove excess papers. Shredders handle different materials, so refrain from inserting plastic sheets or any other non-supported material.
Ensure the papers aren’t folded, wrinkled, or creased since they cause paper jam.
Q: Does My Paper Shredder Require Any Maintenance?
Yes, it does, and this helps to maintain optimal performance. A paper shredder has multiple cutting blades that require oiling, and how often you should oil it determines with your usage. For instance, office users should oil the shredder at least once per week and after two months for occasional users.
Paper shredders come with motors that generate heat, so turn it off once it reaches its maximum run time to avoid damage. Regular cleaning is also essential, and you can do this by removing dust in critical areas like the gear house.
