SHREDDERS BUYING GUIDE

For security reasons or for just clearing out the clutter, paper shredders have become a necessity for the home and office. Financial information, business data, legal documents and customer information are just some of the sensitive documents that a shredder can protect.

From industrial models to small office and personal models, shredders are available in many sizes. In addition to different sizes, shredders vary by price and features. It is important to identify your needs to select the shredder model that best fits your budget.

Product Choices:

Strip-Cut
Strip-cut machines provide economical security by shredding paper into unreadable strips. For an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, a strip-cut will shred the paper into approximately 34 thin strips.

Cross-Cut
Cross-cut machines shred paper into smaller higher-security, unreadable pieces. They also reduce waste bulk. For an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet, a cross-cut will shred the paper into approximately 300 pieces.

Micro-Cut
Micro-Cut machines shred paper into unreadable chips, for ultimate security. Micro-cut shredders shed an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet into over 1600 chips.

Continuous Use
Commercial office shredders are for a range of office uses for users who shred between 2,000 Ð 36,000 sheets per day. Paper clip and staple safe.

Heavy-Duty
Small office or home office paper shredders are for use by people who shred 50-100 sheets per day. Paper clip and staple safe.

Medium-Duty
Premium paper shredders are for medium-duty users who shred 25-50 sheets per day.

Light-Duty
Light-duty shredders are for light-duty personal users who shred 10-20 sheets per day. Ideal for occasional home, home office or deskside use.

Features to Consider:

Sheet Capacity
Maximum number of sheets that can be fed through the mouth of the shredder at one time (based on a 20lb. Paper). This factor can be used to determine how quickly you can complete your shredding job.

Throughput
Sheet capacity times the speed. This measure shows the number of sheets that can be shredded in one minute.

Wastebin Capacity
Capacity of the wastebin affects productivity. The larger the wastebin, the more shredding that can be done between bag changes.

Throat Width
Personal use shredders have a mouth of 8 3/4Ó to accommodate items up to standard letter size. Larger 15Ó and 16Ó allow for oversized and disorganized stacks of sheets.

Specialty Shredding
Items such as paper clips, staples, credit cards, and Cds/DVDs can be destroyed shredders that specify those specialty items.

Buying Tips

1. Think about how much you shred in a day, then double it! Most users shred twice as much as they think they will.
2. Determine the level of security that fits the needs of your home, office or home office.
3. Consider the total cost of the shredder plus the shredder waste bags and oils or lubricants.
4. Take into consideration the overall size of the shredder and how it will fit into your work space or home.
5. Review and compare the manufacturers warranty.