Today there are literally dozens of different brands of paper shredders and hundreds of different models. While there are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a paper shredder, one option I recommend paying special attention to is the security level. The paper shredder’s security level will ultimately determine how safe and secure your shredded documents are.

Shredder security levels are based on a scale ranging from 1 to 6. This scale, excluding Level 6, is determined by DIN 32757. This is the European standard used for paper shredder security.  Security Level 6 requirements, established by the United States NSA, came out after DIN 32757 was created. Each of these security levels serve a purpose.

Security levels start off with 1, being the least secure, and end with 6, being the most secure. I will explain the pros and cons to each of these security Levels.

Paper Shredder Security Levels

Security Level 1 - This level is the least secure and is rarely used for shredding sensitive information. It is typically used purely for shredding non-sensitive records or for creating padding or packaging material. This security level can be both strip cut or cross cut. These are the specific dimensions of DIN Security Level 1:

• Strip Cut: 10.5-11.8mm
• Cross Cut: 10.5mm x 40-80mm Cross Cut

Security Level 2 - This is the most common security level you will find in a strip cut paper shredder. This includes 1/8″ and ¼” strip cut shredders. It also includes some cross cut shredders that have larger cross cut particles. This can be used to shred a variety of material, and is hard to re-assemble, but is probably not enough security for most businesses. These are the dimensions of DIN Security Level 2:

• Strip Cut: 3.9-5.8mm
• Cross Cut: 7.5mm x 40-80mm

Security Level 3 – This security level is the most common used today by cross cut paper shredders in business. It is HIPAA and FACTA compliant and is good enough to shred client records, patient information, invoices, bills and other material. Material cut at a Level 3 is difficult to reassemble. This is the security level I recommend for most people. These are the dimensions of DIN Security Level 3:

• Strip Cut: 1.9mm
• Cross Cut: 3.9mm x 30-50mm

Security Level 4 – This is probably one of the least common security levels. It is more secure than Level 3, but not yet high enough to be considered high security. This is used by businesses and offices that want a little more security than the typical cross cut shredder, while still having a higher shred capacity than a high security shredder. These are the specifications of the DIN Security Level 4:

• Cross Cut: 1.9mm x 15mm

Security Level 5 – Up until a few years ago this was the highest security level available and was used to shred all top-secret documents. While the Level 5 is still used to shred highly sensitive material, most government and military entities now use a Security Level 6. This security level is still commonly found and is still widely used. Particles cut at this level are near impossible to re-assemble. These are the dimensions of DIN Security Level 5:

• Cross Cut: 0.78mm x 11mm

Security Level 6 – This is the highest security level available for a shredder. Paper cut by a Security Level 6 shredder almost looks like dust. A single sheet of letter-size paper is typically cut into 15,000+ particles. This security level is very popular for use with government and military. It is used by the U.S. Department of Defense, the NSA and many more agencies. These are the dimensions of the Security Level 6:

• Cross Cut: 1mm x 4-5mm

Which Is Best?

The level you use will depend entirely upon what you are shredding. I can safely tell you that the Security Level 3 is considered by many experts to be the most well-rounded level for most individuals and businesses. A Security Level 3 has a good sheet capacity, can still cut paper into tiny particles and are affordable.

You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions about paper shredders.

Optical media discs are used to store and hold volumes of data. This data, as is the case with printed material, is susceptible to identity theft. For this reason, it is recommended to properly destroy optical media rather than throw it away in the garbage. CDs where the first widely used optical discs to store data. Later can DVDs and now Blu-ray discs are commonly used for data storage.

There are a lot of optical discs in use today in businesses around the world. Common formats include:

• CD (CD-R, CD-RW)
• DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RW)
• Blu-ray (BD-R, BD-RE)

To put into perspective just how much data can be stored on these media discs, take this into consideration. A megabyte of data storage can hold a book of approximately 500 pages with 2,000 characters on a page. This means:

• A standard CD (CD-R) can hold about 350,000 pages of data.
• A standard DVD (DVD-R) can hold about 2,350,000 pages of data.
• A standard Blu-ray (BD-R) can hold about 12,500,000 pages of data.

This immense storage capability is why many sensitive documents and data are stored on optical discs. Imagine trying to store millions of pages of data physically in a room when you can put that all on a disc that is about 4.75″ (120mm) in diameter. While convenient, this also means data breaches of optical discs can be far more catastrophic than the loss of physical paper documents. For this reason, optical disc shredders are critical.

While many shredders are capable of shredding optical discs, not all can do this. Be sure to check and see if the shredder is rated for shredding discs or you may end up with a jammed shredder.

While many CD and DVD shredders cut discs into little strips, or crimp them using a waffle pattern, a cross cut pattern is going to be the most secure destruction method. Some devices are used to literally grind the data off of CDs into powder.

A question I frequently get is can a CD or DVD shredder be used to shred Blu-ray discs? While the material that makes up a Blu-ray is a little stronger than your typical CD or DVD, I have found that most CD and DVD shredders can easily handle Blu-ray discs.

Hopefully this information has been useful. You can find our entire selection of optical disc, CD, DVD and Blu-ray shredders here. If you have a question about shredding optical discs, or simply need a few questions answered about a specific machine, please feel free to contact one of our experts at 1-800-658-8788.

High security paper shredders, while not common in offices, are abundant in different makes and models. Most military and government agencies that use Level 6 shredders typically have to sacrifice the ability to shred CDs, DVDs or Blu-rays when using a high security shredder. A new shredder from Formax, the FD 8730HS (found here), has both high security shredding capabilities as well as the ability to destroy optical media.

At ABC Office we currently offer nearly 3-dozen different makes and models of high security paper shredders. While most of the shredders we sell are top-notch products, I am personally fond of Destroyit, Dahle and Formax shredders. Simply put, they are all solid machines. Formax, in particular, is such a great deal right now. Formax paper shredders have one of the best reputations with our customers.

The new Formax FD 8730HS is a unique beast. To begin with, ths NSA evaluated shredder can cross cut shred paper in a Level 6 pattern. This ends up being 1/32″ x 3/16″ (0.8mm x 4.8mm). This is as good as it gets when it comes to shredding top-secret information. A Level 6 cut document cannot be put back together, hence the title high security shredding. This shredder meets NSA/CSS specification 02-01 for Level 6 shredding.

The FD 8730HS has a very nice sheet capacity, capable of shredding 14-15 sheets of paper at a time. Considering the tiny cut pattern and the amount of cutting involved, that is a great sheet capacity. To compliment this capacity, the FD 8730HS is equipped with a generous 31-gallon bin. It takes a lot of shredding to fill a 31-gallon bin with paper. The feed opening measures in at 9 3/8″, which is wide enough to handle most paper.

Most military and government entities that destroy paper also need to destroy sensitive records stored on optical media. An independent slot, which measures in at 4 7/8″ inches, can be used to shred and destroy CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, credit cards and even CR-80 ID badges (30 mils thick). Having this independent slot eliminates the need to have two different shredders. The FD 8730HS even includes an independent 18.5-gallon bin to catch and separate the optical media particles from the paper particles. This is ideal for sorting and for recycling purposes.

The FD 8730HS keeps the operator in the know during the entire shredding process. The control panel lets the operator know exactly how much stress the motor is under by means of load indicator lights. The control panel also has a series of LED lights that let you know when the door is open, bag is full, when a jam occurs and much more.

The feature that I really like, which is uncommon in most paper shredders, is the automatic oiler. An oiler lubricates the intricate cutting blades as needed, which is a very nice feature to have on hand. It is well known and documented that oiled paper shredders last significantly longer than non-oiled shredders.

This shredder is fast, reliable and is a great value. As is the case with all Formax shredders, the FD 8730HS features durable metal construction, pristine cutting blades and the best electronics available for paper shredders.

You can find the Formax FD 8730HS high security shredder here and our entire selection of high security paper shredders here. Please feel free to contact one of our experts at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

The new year is upon us, which means it’s time for another “best of” paper shredders list for 2012. The year 2011 brought us many new makes and models including the launch of the Dahle CleanTEC line of paper shredders. Last year I created a top 10 best paper shredders list. While I still want to recommend high-quality paper shredders, this list will be broken down by where the shredder will be used.

There are 4 main categories people typically consider looking at when buying a paper shredder. This includes, small business, departmental and high security paper shredders. I will include the top 5 best paper shredders for each category.

I am not going to include cheap “temporary” paper shredders that are designed to last 6-12 months. These paper shredders are hardy, designed to be used on a daily basis and should last for years. While there are other shredders out there that are equally as reliable, these are the shredders that not only offer quality, but also have a great reputation with our customers.

Top 5 Best Home Office Paper Shredders 2012

• Intelli-Zone IS100
• Intimus 20CC3
• Destroyit 2270
• HSM 104.3
• HSM 102.2

You can find our entire selection of home office paper shredders here.

Top 5 Best Office Paper Shredders 2012

• Destroyit 2404
• Dahle 20414
• Intimus 45CC3
• Formax FD 8300
• Destroyit 2604

You can find our entire selection of office paper shredders here.

Top 5 Best Departmental Paper Shredders 2012

• Destroyit 3804
• Destroyit 3105
• Formax FD 8702CC
• Intimus 175CC3 Pro
• Dahle 20614EC

You can find our entire selection of departmental paper shredders here.

Top 5 Best High Security Shredders 2012 (Level 6)

• Dahle CleanTEC 41334
• Destroyit 2360 SMC (Super Micro Cut)
• Formax FD 8400HS
• Dahle CleanTEC 41434
• Destroyit 2604 SMC (Super Micro Cut)

You can find our entire selection of high security shredders here.

Sometimes I wish I could make this list longer since there are so many great models out there. While I can only list 5 per category, you can find our entire selection of paper shredders by visiting our site here. We also offer a great selection of paper shredder oil and paper shredder bags.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions. Our experts are more than happy to help.

High security paper shredders, while not for everyone, serve a very valuable purpose when it comes to National Security and the destruction of extremely sensitive documents. One model, which qualifies as a Security Level 6, is the Dahle CleanTEC 41334 high security shredder (found here). This is my review.

A Security Level 6 is the highest security level that a paper shredder can be given. This means it can be used to shred top secret information and some of the most sensitive documents. In the case of the Dahle CleanTEC 41334, it can shred a sheet of paper into 1mm by 4.7mm particles. This means that it will turn a single sheet of 8 ½” x 11″ paper into 15,500 particles. Try reassembling that. It is impossible. That is why these shredders are so popular with the DOD (Department of Defense), NSA (National Security Agency), federal government, military and more.

This shredder features a large 23 gallon shred bin, which easily pulls out (via a cabinet door) for easy emptying. The wide 10 ¼” throat width is wide enough to handle most paper you will find in an office. The Dahle CleanTEC 41334 has an 8 sheet maximum shredding capacity. While 8 sheets may not seem like much, keep in mind how small the paper is being cut. Higher security level shredders always have smaller sheet capacities.

The Model 41334 carries the name CleanTEC because of its special filtration technology. All paper shredders generate dust. The higher the security level, and the more cuts made, the more paper dust that is created. This dust can easily become airborn and can cause surface dust on furniture and can agitate people’s respiratory system. The CleanTEC filter, located in the back of the shredder, filters and traps 98% of that dust. This provides a much cleaner and healthier work environment.

While the  CleanTEC technology is very impressive, this German-made paper shredder features a lot more perks that are rarely found in comparable machines. The CleanTEC 41334 implements a full safety package. One of its most impressive features is its voice recognition capabilities. While you can turn this shredder off by pressing an emergency shutoff switch (found on the back of the shredder) or by tapping the cover of the machine, it will also turn off by simply saying “stop.” The mouth of the paper shredder also contains sensors that can detect the presence of fingers, which will also turn the shredder off.

While every shredder has a maximum shredding capacity, nobody ever actually counts out the sheets to make sure they aren’t going over capacity. The 41334 has ESP (Electronic Sensing Protection) that will gauge how much stress the motor is under and will visually let you know if you are reaching the maximum capacity. If for any reason the capacity is breached, the shredder will turn off to prevent damage, allowing the operator to adjust the amount. Green means the shredder is fine, yellow means it is getting close to maximum capacity and red means you have reached the maximum capacity.

Cross cut paper shredders have very complicated cutting blades and high security shredders, like the Dahle 41334 has an extremely intricate design. Because so many cuts are being created, and so much friction is involved, a lot of heat is generated. The 41334 has an automatic oiler, called the Dahle Evenflow, which will keep all necessary parts lubricated. This dramatically extends the life of the shredder and ensures proper shredder maintenance. I especially like this feature because few shredders offer auto oilers, requiring the shredder to be oiled manually.

The final feature that really sets the Dahle CleanTEC 41334 apart from the competition is the SmarPower energy management system. Paper shredders use electricity, and paper shredders that are inactive typically still draw electricity, often referred to as a vampire draw. The CleanTEC 41334 will put the shredder in standby mode after 10 minutes and will completely shut the shredder down after 20 minutes of inactivity. This saves energy and cuts down on electricity costs.

Overall this is a solid paper shredding machine. It is packed with features, touts precision German engineering and Dahle has a great reputation with our customers. You can find the Dahle CleanTEC 41334 high security shredder here and our entire selection of high security paper shredders here.

Please feel free to contact one of our experts at 1-800-658-8788 with any high security shredding questions.

If you’re looking for a great deskside paper shredder for under $100, you may want to consider a great deal like the Intelli-Shred IS100 cross cut paper shredder by Intelli-Zone. This shredder is robust, compact, portable and is perfect for home or office use. I have used this paper shredder and this is my review.

When shopping around for a home or office deskside shredder, there are a few requirements that you should keep in mind. To begin with, it is a good idea to buy a cross cut shredder as the security is better than a strip cut shredder. I also recommend getting something that can handle the occasional staple or paper clip. It also isn’t a bad idea to get a shredder that can handle DVDs, CDs and credit cards.

The Intelli-Shred IS100 has all those bases covered. To begin with, it is a cross cut paper shredder, cutting paper into tiny 5/32″ x 2 1/8″ particles. This is far more secure than a 1/8″ or ¼” strip, which is normal for a strip cut shredder. The cross cut pattern makes shredded material difficult to reassemble. Most thieves won’t even bother sifting through cross cut documents.

Thanks to a 5-gallon bin, the IS100 is able to hold a lot of shredded particles of paper, decreasing the frequency of bag changes. Emptying the bag is easy. Simply remove the sliding bin drawer on the front of the machine. Emptying the bin is extremely easy and a clear window on the front of the bin makes it easy to see how full the shredder is.

With a 10 sheet shredding capacity, and an operational speed of 10 feet per minute, the IS100 can easily keep up with most individual paper shredding needs. While it is ideal for individual use, it is definitely not robust enough to be used as a centralized departmental paper shredder.

When using a shredder at home or in the office, it should be relatively quiet, right? The IS100 puts out 56 decibels of noise. While not silent by any means, it is quiet by paper shredder terms. This means it can be used in the office without causing too much of a distraction.

The Intelli-Shred IS100 is build with high quality materials, high-end electronics and is backed by an impressive one-year warranty. As of the writing of this review, it is priced at just $99. This is the perfect shredder either buy for your own home / office or as a gift for another person.

You can find the Intelli-Shred IS100 cross cut paper shredder here and our entire selection of paper shredders here. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

We are all much more energy conscious, whether it is for financial or environmental reasons. One of the best ways to cut down on energy costs is to use more efficient equipment. One item your office may not have thought about is energy efficient “green” paper shredders. We now offer several eco friendly paper shredders from some very reputable manufacturers.

While any paper shredder (short of a hand-crank shredder) uses electricity, many modern paper shredders have built-in features that are designed to save electricity. Here are a few of the technology systems used by modern paper shredder manufacturers.

Intimus EcoLogic – This system, designed by Intimus, uses up to 92% less power than your typical paper shredder. Part of what makes this system work so well is the time-responsive electronics. This puts the shredder to sleep after it becomes idle. While in sleep mode, power usage is dropped to zero. This is far superior to sleep modes on other machines as they still draw electricity. Simply touch the i-control to instantly restore the shredder to operational status. You can find our Intimus paper shredders here.

Kobra ENERGY SMART Management System – This system, designed by Kobra (out of Italy), is found on most of Kobra’s shredders. These shredders use dedicated software to help manage energy consumption. A series of LEDs, versus incandescent bulbs, also help to cut down on energy consumption. These shredders go into zero-use mode when in standby mode, which uses no electricity. This system is designed to cut down on 65 kgs of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions per year. You can find our Kobra shredders here.

Dahle SmartPower Energy Management – Many Dahle paper shredders utlize CleanTEC. This SmartPower system helps to reduce power / energy consumption after just 10 minutes of sitting idle. After 20 minutes, these shredders have a 0% energy draw. These are some of the most energy efficient paper shredders on the market and are designed to cut down on electrical costs and conserve energy. You can find our Dahle paper shredders here.

MBM Destroyit ESM (Energey Saving Mode) system - Most Destroyit paper shredders (by MBM) utilize an ESM (Energey Saving Mode) energy management system. This system puts Destroyit paper shredders into ESM mode after 1 hour of inactivity. You can find our Destroyit paper shredders here.

These lines are currently the most energy efficient that we offer. We hope, and expect, other manufacturers to fall in line with energy saving, efficiency and eco-friendly paper shredders later down the road. Intimus, Dahle and Kobra have put the most effort into making their shredders more eco friendly and energy efficient.

You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here. Please feel free to call one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

Paper shredders are effective at what they do. They cut, chew and tear up paper into undecipherable pieces of paper. As is the case with any piece of equipment, paper shredders will eventually die. So how do you know when it is time to purchase a new shredder? If you do need to purchase a new shredder, how do you know which one to get? Here are a few tips that should help you out.

Here are some telltale signs that your shredder may be in trouble:

• Diminished Sheet Capacity – If your shredder is only shredding a 1/4 to ½ the sheets it should, it is possible that the motor may be failing or the shredder blades may be dull. This can also be indicative of a much simpler (and often fixable) problem of simply oiling the shredder.
• Squealing or Noise – If your shredder is making strange sounds, popping or squealing, it may be on its last leg. While this issue is usually a symptom of a more serious issue, oiling can also help if the shredder blades are simply running dry.
• Shredder Overheats – If your shredder overheats after just minutes of use, the motor may be going bad. Most non-thermally protected shredders can go for at least 30 minutes before needing to cool down. As mentioned earlier, shredder oil can sometimes fix this problem.
• Slow Shredding Speed – If your shredder is running extremely slow, the motor may be failing. This symptom is often associated with a diminished shredding capacity as well. Most offices need speed, and if the speed isn’t there, the shredder probably needs to be replaced. Oiling the shredder blades can sometimes fix this issue.
• More Frequent Jams - If the shredder continually jams, your shredder may be suffering from a broken gear tooth, misalignment or even chips in the shredder blades. In higher-end shredders, these parts can sometimes be replaced. In cheaper shredders, the shredder usually needs to be replaced.

Things to look for in a new paper shredder

• Continuous Motor – If you’re a business, don’t even bother with a shredder that can overheat. You need a continuous-duty shredder that has a thermally protected motor.
• Cross Cut Pattern – While strip cut is OK for some home use, most businesses need a cross cut shred pattern if they seriously want to destroy sensitive information.
• Bin Capacity – If your shopping for an office paper shredder, get one that has a large bin capacity. In the US, shredder bins are measured in gallons. I recommend at least a 10-gallon bin for an office shredder.
• Speed – If you don’t like sitting around the shredder all day, you probably need something that is fast. Speed, in my opinion, is equally important as capacity. Try to get something that runs at 10 feet per minute or faster.
• Noise – I personally like to have a quiet shredder in the office. While most high-end office paper shredders are designed to be quiet, try to find something that is at least 65 decibels or quieter.
• Brand – Brand is key to a good shredder. I know many people say brand isn’t everything, but I can tell you from experience that brand is everything when it comes to shredders. You will have a good paper shredder experience if you stick with the following brands:

1. Dahle
2. Destroyit
3. Formax
4. HSM
5. Intinmus

I hope this information helps you in your pursuit of a new paper shredder. If you feel your paper shredder can be repaired, or if you want to know if it can be repaired, please feel free to speak with our Service Department at 1-800-658-8788 x129. They are more than happy to answer your questions and are able to provide service and parts for all major paper shredder brands.

You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here. Please feel free to post your questions or comments on this article.

If you were to ask me what my favorite mid-volume office paper shredder is, I would have to answer with the Destroyit 2604 from MBM. This paper shredder is one of the most solid machines I have used and I personally use it to shred my own documents. Having used this shredder for over a year now, I can attest to its excellent build quality, reliability and value. We were able to shoot a video demo of it about a week ago.

There are many reasons why Destroyit shredders are considered to be the best office paper shredders. As mentioned earlier, the build quality is unprecedented. The 2604 is German engineered and German built. The quality really shines through. I have used paper shredders from China, Korea the USA and many other places and German shredders continue to be my favorite.

The build quality on this shredder is amazing. The cabinet is made from solid wood construction and the shredder head features sound insulation, thermal protection and hardened steel blades. The cabinet is easy to access, the bin is easy to empty and the entire shredder sits on casters, making it easy to wheel around the office. I can see 6-8 people being able to use this thing through the day without any problems.

You can buy the 2604 in a cross cut or a strip cut design. The Level 3 cross cut is my personal favorite as it brings added security (tinier particles), yet still has a nice 20-22 sheet cutting capacity. I would like to mention that this shredder is fast.

This is a video demo of the MBM Destroyit 2604 cross cut in action:

The bin on this shredder is 26 gallons, which means it will hold a lot of paper. I especially like the automatic oiler. While oiling a shredder is important, it is extremely easy to forget to do it. The auto oiler on this shredder keeps things lubed at all times. A few of the features include:

• “SPS” (Safety Protection System) package
• Automatic reverse and power cut-off (avoids paper jams)
• Automatic power cut-off when shred bin is full or when cabinet door is opened
• “ESM” (Energy Saving Mode) after 1 hour of inactivity
• Automatic start and stop controlled by photo cell
• “ECC” (Electronic Capacity Control): Indicates sheet capacity levels
• Shreds staples, paper clips, credit cards, and CDs (strip- and cross-cut models)
• Sturdy “twin drive system” with dust-proof gear box housing
• 26 gallon shred volume (approximate)
• An automatic oiler is included for optimal performance.

So there you have it! One of my favorite paper shredders. You can find the MBM Destroyit 2604 paper shredder here and our entire selection of Destroyit paper shredders here.

If you’re in the market for a solid and reliable paper shredder, there has never been a better time than now. Formax, one of the top 5 best office paper shredder brands around, is offering free shipping on their ENTIRE line of paper shredders for the month of September. This will save you money for multiple reasons.

To begin with, the free shipping is a huge savings alone. Many of these high-end paper shredders have to ship via freight truck. With gas prices as high as they are, freight shipping isn’t exactly cheap. This should easily save you hundreds of dollars on each of our Formax paper shredders.

Another reason why this will save you money is because you are probably now more likely to buy a Formax paper shredder. Because Formax paper shredders are some of the best available, this means they will last you for years to come. As a result, you won’t be buying a new paper shredder every few months or every year, saving you even more money.

Having used Formax paper shredders for years myself, not to mention we use them here at ABC Office for our own paper shredding needs, I can attest to the fact that Formax paper shredders are solid. They feature excellent metal construction, hardened steel blades and solid electronics. You won’t be disappointed.

You can view our entire selection of Formax paper shredders here. Good luck and happy shopping!