What type of shredder do I need?
There are many different types of shredders. Consider these factors when deciding what kind of shredder best fits your needs:
- What will you be shredding? Paper, Computer Disks, Plastic Cards?
Paper comes in many different forms. Some paper is thicker or thinner, glossy or coarse. Some shredders can handle plastics and other can’t. Be sure your shredder can handle whatever you will be shredding. - How sensitive is the material that will be shred? How confidential is this information?
Some shredders cut paper into long strips that could be pieced back together. Other shredders turn the paper into unrecognizable confetti. The more important the document the more it needs to be shred into very small pieces. - How frequently will you be using the shredder? Hourly, Daily, Monthly, etc?
Some paper shredders are designed for low volume use, where other heavy-duty shredders can be used continuously. Purchasing a shredder that cannot handle the volume of shredding can be very frustrating. - Do you need one large shredder, or many shredders?
Some offices can use one large shredder for all their shredding needs, where other offices may need several smaller shredders to be placed strategically throughout the office. - How many sheets will you shred at a time? Is your shredding load light or heavy?
Smaller shredders can only handle a few sheets of paper, where larger shredders can grate many sheets of paper at a time. Strip cut shredders can always shred more paper at a time than a cross cut shredder. - Do you need a stationary or a portable shredder?
Shredders can be very large and heavy. If you need a mobile shredder to take from one office to another consider a lighter shredder or one with mobile casters. If space is an issue, consider a thinner shredder that can fit into a tight space. - What size of paper do you need to shred?
Some shredders are designed to shred small letters, where other shredders can shred newspapers and phone books. Take into consideration what you will need to shred now and in the future.
