Best Cross-Cut Shredders in Canada | 2022 Buyer’s Guide

Shredders are available in three main types, which provide different levels of security based on the size and shape of the paper shreds.

Types of shredders

Depending on how confidential your documents are, you may choose one or another type of paper shredder. The shredder security levels range from the P-1 to P-7, with the latter being the most secure option.

• Strip-cut shredders have P-1 to P-3 security levels and are the most affordable type of paper shredders. Equipped with rotating blades, these machines cut the material into long strips and work very fast. They are ideal for shredding high volumes of documents but are not suitable for sensitive information because the paper shreds can be put together. Many models handle not only paper but also credit cards and CDs.

• Cross-cut shredders, also called confetti shredders, use a completely different approach. They are made with blades that cut the paper twice. Not only do the blades slice through the material in various shapes but they also create smaller particles with a width of less than 6 mm. As a result, the paper shreds are very hard, if not impossible, to reassemble. Cross-cut machines are classified as P-4 shredders. A good example is this 8-sheet cross-cut personal shredder that can shred 8 sheets per pass into 4 x 37-mm crosscuts. Ideal for home use, it features a safety lock that prevents the unit’s accidental activation. Designed to operate continuously for 5 minutes, the machine shreds paper, credit cards, and staples.

• Micro-cut shredders, such as the Micro-Cut Shredder, are the most secure yet expensive option. They produce tiny particles that are less than 2 mm wide. A popular choice for government agencies, they chop up documents into small bits so that the information cannot be read at all. These machines offer P-5, P-6, and P-7 levels of security. The latter is the only type that meets the U.S. National Security Agency’s requirements for the disposal of classified information. The P-7 paper shredders reduce documents to tiny particles that are impossible to reconstruct and read.

Manual & Auto-Feed Cross-Cut Shredders

Cross-cut shredders vary depending on how documents are fed — manually or automatically.

• Manual feed shredders like this one require that you insert a sheet of paper in the shredder’s slot. With a weight of just 3,6 kg, this compact cross-cut shredder is a great space-saving solution. The machine cuts an A4 sheet of paper into as many as 400 pieces and includes a 7.5-liter bin. It takes 5 sheets in one go, destroying them very quickly. After two minutes of continuous operation, the paper shredder needs some time to cool down.

• Auto-feed automatic shredders allow for the simultaneous placing of multiple documents into the machine. Once the shredder is turned on, it will automatically shred the documents. Often preferred by businesses, this option is more time-saving, easier to use, and safer for employees.

For instance, a high-capacity cross-cut shredder has a 26-liter removable bin. The machine comes with an auto-feed feature for up to 130 sheets and an auto-reverse function to eliminate jams. It shreds documents into 200 cross-cut cut pieces, 4x40mm each. This industrial-level device handles large stacks of paper in one pass and works with thick and solid materials like credit cards and paper clips.

How to Choose a Cross-Cut Shredder

A paper shredder should not only match your budget but, more importantly, should meet your needs. Your choice depends on whether you are going to destroy documents only, the amount of paper you deal with, and other factors. Now, let’s see what essential things you should consider when buying your best cross-cut shredder.

• Material Type. Those who need to shred standard A4 sheets of paper may go with a less sophisticated machine. If there is a pile of documents with staples and paperclips, you will get tired of removing them pretty quickly. In this case, you should opt for a machine that works with different types of materials, including credit cards and staples. Some machines are made with CD slots, such as the Duronic Paper Shredder which has a separate opening for CDs, DVDs, and credit cards.

• Capacity. Cross-cut shredders vary in capacity, with the basic models being able to accommodate 1 to 5 pages at a time. More advanced shredders can shred up to twenty pages in one go. If you have to deal with high volumes, a higher-capacity paper shredder will be the best choice for you. We recommend the 100-percent jam-proof like this one. The machine has a P-4 security level rating and cuts 16 sheets of A4 paper per pass, creating more than 400 four-millimeter paper shreds.

• Extra features. Many additional functions are no less important as they make the entire process safer and more efficient. For instance, an auto-start function enables the device to automatically detect when a document is being fed. An auto-stop feature shuts down the shredder once it is jammed. Another beneficial feature is auto-reverse which makes the motor turn backward to clear jams.

• Design. It is very convenient to work with a paper shredder that has a window or a transparent bin. You will be able to check it any time and see when the bin is close to full. Another important thing is the size and weight of the unit. For personal use, it would be wise to buy a compact cross-cut shredder.

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