With April just around the corner, it’s time to think about getting ready to file your taxes, and that means getting all your paperwork done. For every document you need to keep, you will probably have about half a dozen documents to throw away, some of which contain sensitive financial information. Fortunately, destroyers have come a long way since the days depicted in movies meter. (Main plot point: government destroyer failure to destroy sensitive photos.)
With most paper shredders today, you can be reasonably sure that your document will be sliced finely enough not to be in danger of being put back together by any group…perhaps, except, the national intelligence service.
Safe, Secure and Destroyed: Demolition Basics
One way of classifying paper shredders is by the way they cut the paper. A strip-cut shredder cuts a sheet of paper into long strips. They are fast, but do not provide much security, as the strips are usually large enough that a patient and determined person can reassemble them. A cross-section shredder, a bit safer, cuts the paper into short, thin strips. And micro paper shredders cut paper into tiny diamonds or confetti strips, and are perfect for shredding secret papers—and in some cases secrets.
The safety of the crusher, measured by the size of the bit being shredded, is determined by: internationally accepted standard DIN 66399. The security range runs from P-1 (unsafe) to P-7 (suitable for shredding classified documents). The P-4 security level is good for most offices, while those who need to dispose of highly sensitive documents may want to upgrade to P-5.
Modern shredders can handle more than just sheets of paper. Many current models can cut CDs, credit and ID cards, paper clips, and staples. Some can make quick work of even thick envelopes full of junk mail.
Speed, based on the number of sheets you can feed through the shredder, one at a time, is important. As well as the capacity of the feeder (how many sheets you can tear at once) and the size of the basket in which the torn paper is located. Operating time—the length of time you can continue to feed paper through the paper shredder before it needs to cool down—and the length of the cooling period are other factors.
Key Crush Features: What To Look For
The best crusher for you depends on your particular needs: Consider its speed, capacity, uptime, and safety (or crusher size). For example, a smaller office may want a fast shredder to run small amounts of paper quickly, while a larger office with more paper to throw away may want a higher capacity or longer time. Offices that handle highly sensitive documents will want a micro paper shredder to cut paper into fine confetti. Also note that the smaller the tear, the more paper will go into the trash before you need to empty it. Strip-cut shredders tend to produce large bundles of shredded material; the finer crusher output is easier to compact.
The compact shredder can fit in a small space, and it may be best for home-office use, or as a personal crusher in the home or office. Some offer safety features such as auto shut-off if someone’s hand touches the feeder slot. Others offer jam protection. Shredders, as a group, are not known for their exterior elegance, but some compact shredders are stylish enough to blend well with any office décor.
The Best Cut Of All
Don’t put a price on security—paper shredders can be a great investment. And while you may find it most useful in the spring, once you’ve prepared and submitted your taxes, it can help you protect your finances and identity throughout the year, all with just a few minutes of work. The crushers featured here run the gamut from personal and home-office models to those suitable for heavy-duty crushing in large offices.
One final note: Before you start shredding, you might want to check out our review of the top scanners we’ve tested for digitizing your documents before they’re shredded.
