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 are familiar with paper shredders, you have probably heard of Intimus. These German-made paper shredders not only have a great reputation, but are also known as being some of the quietest paper shredders on the market. We have added a total of 14 new Intimus paper shredders to our site. These shredders are best used in offices and departments, however, some smaller models may also be used for home use.

I have personally used Intimus paper shredders for the past 10 years. They are great machines. When I first started using Intimus paper shredders, they were owned and managed by Shleicher. Martin Yale, who has been manufacturing office equipment for decades, now owns the Intimus line.

Over the past year, Intimus has discontinued many of their older models and have replaced them with the 14 new machines we just added to our site. I mentioned earlier that Intimus shredders are known for being very quiet. I would say about 90% of the new shredders we just added use Silentec technology. This essentially consists of special spring shock absorbers that the shredder motor sits on. These springs absorb vibrations and sound, keeping the shredder to a dull hum.

These are the 14 new shredders we added. The CC3 line offers a security level 3 and the CC4 line offer a security level 4.

1. Intimus Pro 20CC3 Cross Cut Shredder (8 Sheet Capacity)
2. Intimus Pro 26CC3 Cross Cut Shredder (8 Sheet Capacity)
3. Intimus Pro 32CC3 Cross Cut Shredder (12 Sheet Capacity)
4. Intimus Pro 45CC3 Level 3 Paper Shredder (18 Sheet Capacity)
5. Intimus Pro 45CC4 Level 4 Paper Shredder (8 Sheet Capacity)
6. Intimus Pro 60CC3 Office Paper Shredder (18 Sheet Capacity)
7. Intimus Pro 60CC4 Level 4 Office Shredder (9 Sheet Capacity)
8. Intimus Pro 90CC3 Departmental Shredder (18 Sheet Capacity)
9. Intimus Pro 90CC4 Level 4 Office Shredder (9 Sheet Capacity)
10. Intimus Pro 120CC3 Heavy-Duty Paper Shredder (23 Sheet Capacity)
11. Intimus Pro 120CC4 Level 4 Cross Cut Shredder (15 Sheet Capacity)
12. Intimus 315 Cross Cut Shredder (25 Sheet Capacity)
13. Intimus Pro 175CC3 Heavy Duty Cross Cut Shredder (50 Sheet Capacity)
14. Intimus Pro 175CC4 Departmental Level 4 Shredder (25 Sheet Capacity)

I am confident, as long as you select the appropriate security level and sheet capacity, that you will enjoy these shredders. The cutting cylinders are made from hardened steel and most feature a lifetime warranty. Most of these shredders can also handle shredding CDs, DVDs, credit cards and some can even handle floppy disks.

You can find our entire selection of Intimus paper shredders here and our entire selection of paper shredders here.

Do you have questions about Intimus paper shredders? Call one of our specialists at 1-800-658-8788. They are more than happy to help answer your questions. Do you need Intimus paper shredder repairs, parts or servicing? Call our Service Department at 1-800-658-8788 x129.

When businesses ask me which shredder security level they should go with, I usually recommend a security level 3. The level 3 particle size offers a nice blend of security and capacity. If you’re a business and are looking for a level 3 shredder that can be used by 6-8 people throughout the day, you may want to consider the Intimus Pro 175CC3 cross cut shredder. This is my review.

The Intimus brand has been around for some time. Several years ago the line was run and managed by Schleicher, but is now run by Martin Yale. Intimus shredders are considered to be some of the best shredders around. They first gained worldwide recognition in the 1970s, due in part to Oliver North using an Intimus 007-S to shred sensitive information during the Iran-Contra scandal.

Intimus shredders are known today as being easy-to-use, reliable and extremely durable. Most Intimus shredders are still made in Germany, designed using precision engineering and made from high-quality materials.

The Intimus Pro 175CC3 carries on the Intimus name and reputation. This departmental shredder offers an excellent blend of security and capacity. This shredder cuts paper down into 5/32″ x 1 13/16″ particles, which qualifies as a level 3 shredder according to DIN 32757 standards. It also offers an excellent capacity, capable of shredding up to 50 sheets of 20lb paper at a time. This is enough speed and security to keep up with most business operations.

Not only does the Intimus Pro 175CC3 shred paper, but it can also handle CDs, DVDs, floppy disks and plastic cards. A wide 16″ cutting width handles most sizes of paper. This includes envelopes, receipts, letter size paper, legal size paper and even larger computer forms paper.  The hardened steel cutting shafts can also handle staples and paper clips without suffering nicks and damage. The cutting shafts are also covered by a lifetime warranty.

While the specifications on this shredder are impressive, it’s the “Extra” features that really sell this shredder. Let me go over a few of the most impressive features.

i-Control – The i-Control management system is very robust. It informs and notifies the operator regarding the shredder’s status. This includes a child safety lockout, an oil indicator, a paper jam notification, bin full status and a bin open alert.

EcoLogic – Being green not only makes sense for the planet, but also for energy savings. The 175CC3 uses an EcoLogic system that puts the shredder into sleep mode when it has been sitting idle. While in seep mode, this shredder uses zero power.

DLS – A special sensor, built into the shredder head, can sense the amount of paper being run through. This data is then converted into changing colors via a light strip (like traffic lights) that show up in the shredder’s feed area. This lets the operator know whether the shredder is being overburdened or not. This really helps the operator gauge how much paper is being fed without having to manually count the sheets prior to shredding.

The Intimus 175CC3 also includes several features that are now the “norm” with shredders. This includes an auto on/off and reverse switch. It also includes a light that notifies you when the shredder needs to be oiled, which is a hug plus for shredder longevity. Casters make this shredder extremely easy to move around the office.

This is a very robust shredder, weighing in at 198 pounds, and should easily be able to keep up with most business shredding needs. This shredder definitely makes an impression on me and I believe you will appreciate it too.

You can find the Intimus Pro 175CC3 cross cut shredder here, our entire line of Intimus shredders here and our broad selection of office paper shredders here.

A good deskside paper shredder should be capable of keeping up with daily paper shredding operations. It should be reliable, functional and easy to use. With several options available for deskside shredding, it can be tough to find a shredder that fits the bill (figuratively and literally). One paper shredder you may want to consider for your daily operations is the Formax FD 8202CC cross cut paper shredder. This is my review.

Formax is one of the big three manufacturers of office paper shredders. The currently make shredders designed for home office use all the way up to industrial use. Their shredders are known for being tough. The Formax FD 8202CC is their entry-level machine.

What is a deskside paper shredder? A deskside paper shredder is generally smaller than your average office shredder, typically designed to fit next to a desk (sometimes under a desk). They are typically designed for use by one person, although some higher-end machines (like this one) can be used by 2-3 people. The FD 8202CC is about as compact as a wastebasket, which is nice for portability and space.

The FD 8202CC isn’t designed for high-volume use, but it isn’t a cheap piece of plastic either. It is perfect for shredding bills, receipts, old documents and more. It is capable of taking your sensitive material and shredding it into tiny pieces of paper.

The Formax FD 8202CC shredder utilizes a Level 3 security level cut. The higher the security level, the tinier the particles. Shredders are rated on a scale of 1 to 6, with a Level 6 being capable of shredding top-secret documents. This shredder is compact enough to shred paper into 5/32″ x 1 1/8″. You should be aware that a Level 3 security level is more than enough to handle sensitive material and is the most common security level used by businesses.

While the FD 8202CC can be used to shred paper, it is versatile enough to shred other material as well. This includes CDs, DVDs and credit cards. A special flap folds down over the opening of this shredder, allowing for easy insertion of optical disks.

Many cross cut shredders require that staples and paper clips be removed prior to shredding, the Formax FD 8202CC can easily handle staples and paper clips without suffering any damage.

The Formax FD 8202 is packed with sensors, making shredding jobs easier. This includes an auto start sensor that detects paper as it is inserted, automatically starting the shredder. It also has an auto sensor that detects when the bin is full, automatically stopping the shredder (preventing potential damage).

In conclusion, this is a great compact paper shredder for deskside or home use. It is portable (only 7 pounds) and can shred up to 20 sheets of paper at a time!

You can find the Formax FD 8202CC cross cut paper shredder here and our entire selection of Formax paper shredders here. You can find our huge selection of office paper shredders here.

When shopping for a paper shredder, chances are that you want something that’s affordable, a great value and reliable. It is possible to find the right shredder that hits all the points your business needs. One great option for a small business or organization is the Destroyit 3104 cross cut paper shredder from MBM. This review will cover its various qualities, specifications and if any, weaknesses.

If you’re new to the paper shredder industry, or are simply not familiar with MBM, let me get you up to speed. While there are a lot of “OK” brands out there, Destroyit is considered to be the “crème de la crème” of shredders. In other words, businesses and government entities that do a lot of shredding often go with the Destroyit shredders.

There are a lot of reasons why Destroyit shredders are so highly regarded, and the Destroyit 3104 cross cut shredder hits all these points. To begin with, the Destroyit 3104 is a German engineered and built shredder. This means it has been put together with the highest-quality parts available, unlike many comparable shredders that are built with “budget” parts.

While I personally think any business would be happy with the Destroyit 3104 cross cut, it is best suited for use in small to medium-size businesses or as a departmental shredder. I would say this shredder could easily be used constantly throughout the day by 5-10 people without a problem. By constant, I am referring to heavy use.

The MBM Destroyit 3104 utilizes a thermally protected motor that is designed to be used continuously without suffering from overheating. Many shredders require a cool down period. Not so with the 3104. The 3104 uses a 1 horsepower (0.64 KW) single phase motor that runs on 110-120 volts of electricity. The motor is powerful, fast (18 feet per minute) and reliable.

I remember years ago when we used to tell customers to remove paper clips and staples (if possible) prior to shredding paper. The Destroyit 3104 uses a strong hardened steel cutting shaft that can easily handle staples and paper clips without suffering any damage. It can also be used to not only shred paper, but credit cards, DVDs and CDs as well. MBM is so confident in the cutting shafts that they are covered by a lifetime warranty.

The control panel on the Destroyit line of shredders, including the Destroyit 3104, is one of the easiest-to-use available today. IF you look at the picture, you will see a large round button. MBM calls this the “Easy Switch.” You can run pretty much every operation on this shredder from that button. It tilts to turn the shredder on or put it in reverse and built-in backlit symbols let you know the status of the shredder. This includes when the cabinet door is open and the bag is full.

This is a video demo of the Destroyit 3104 in use:

The throat on this shredder measures in at 12″, which is more than enough for most paper, forms and documents. The sheet capacity on this shredder is 22-25 sheets at a time, which is impressive for a level 3 cross cut shredder. Once shredded, paper is turned into tiny 3/16″ x 1 1/2″ (4 x 40 mm) particles. A large 32-gallon bin holds the shredded paper, which is pretty large. This means fewer bag changes for you!

Overall I have to give this shredder a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I am confident you will enjoy this shredder. It should provide you with years of reliable use.

You can find the Destroyit 3104 cross cut paper shredder here and our entire line of Destroyit paper shredders here. We also offer a great selection of other brands. You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.

Do you need repairs on your Destroyit paper shredder? Give our Service Department a call at 1-800-658-8788 x129. We are an authorized Destroyit service center and can provide you with repairs, parts, training and more.

What is it that you want in your office paper shredder? Most people would respond that they need speed, security, capacity and reliability. If these four points sound like something you need in a machine, consider looking at the MBM Destroyit 3804 cross cut paper shredder. This is my review.

MBM Destroyit (known as IDEAL in Europe) have been making shredders for decades. One thing remains constant, their shredders are considered to be some of the best in the industry. Shredder designs and styles range from home office up to industrial shredding. The Destroyit 3804 is one of the latest additions to this tradition.

The MBM Destroyit 3804 cross cut shredder encompasses pretty much everything I would want in a paper shredder. Let me start with capacity. This shredder hits high capacities on just about every level.

To begin with, the Destroyit 3804 has a massive 44-gallon shred bin. Consider the fact that most cars have a 15-25 gallon gas tank. This shredder can hold about double that amount in shredded paper. This means much fewer bag changes for you and makes it possible for multiple people to use this shredder without the “Bag Full” indicator always being on.

Another “capacity” feature of this shredder is the wide capacity shredder throat. This machine can shred paper up to 16″ wide. That means you can shred a lot of small stuff or larger computer forms. Not only can you feed paper into this beast, but it can also handle shredding credit cards and CDs and will accept staples and paper clips without a hitch.

The next feature that impresses me is the speed. While the Destroyit 3804 cross cut already has an impressive 20-22 sheet shredding capacity, it can shred that paper at a speed of 20 feet per minute. That means you can shred over a football field’s length of 20-20 sheets in an hour. That’s just plain fast.

Also consider the fact that this shredder cuts paper down to a Level 3 security level, which is the most sought-after security level for office paper shredding. That means the Destroyit 3804 CC cuts paper into 3/16″ x 1 1/2″ (4 x 40 mm). Break out a ruler and measure that out. Small….right? You aren’t putting that back together.

Shredding speed, capacity and security all make this shredder perfect for departmental and centralized office shredding. Now let’s cover the “dependability” part of this review.

While I love stuff made in the USA, I have complete respect for German products. German shredders are THE benchmark when it comes to office paper shredders. From the hardened steel blades to the twin drive single-phase motor, this shredder is designed for heavy-use.

Even the motor has been thermally protected for continuous use. You will never have to wait 30 minutes for the motor to cool down with a Destroyit paper shredder.

In summary, you can do much better than a Destroyit paper shredder, and the Destroyit 3804 cross cut is one of the best options you have for office paper shredding. The build quality is excellent, it is reliable, secure and very fast. I use Destroyit shredders here at ABC Office and love them.

You can find the MBM Destroyit 3804 cross cut paper shredder here, our entire selection of Destroyit paper shredders here and our huge selection of all our paper shredders here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 to speak with one of our paper shredding specialists.

Many people ask me which paper shredder brand is the best. I usually start off with my three favorite brands, which include Destroyit, Dahle and Formax. As far as Formax paper shredders go, the Formax FD 8600CC is one of the best we offer. It is solid, reliable and great for office use. I had a chance to use this shredder and we ended up shooting a video demo.

Formax makes the FD 8600 in a cross cut and a strip cut version. They are the FD 8600CC and Formax FD 8600SC respectively. These shredders feature continuous-duty motors, high shredding capacities, all-metal gears and large 16″ wide openings. The basically feature everything you would want in a department paper shredder.

Because these shredders feature casters, than can be wheeled off to centralized locations in the office. I don’t see any reason why 6-8 people couldn’t use one of these shredders throughout the day. Simply put, they are designed to hold up for years.

This video will probably do a better job at explaining the FD 8600CC’s benefits:

So there you have it! The Formax FD 8600CC paper shredder. Again, this is a solid shredder. It is perfect for office use and the build quality should allow this machine to hold up for years of continuous-duty shredding.

You can find the Formax FD 8600CC paper shredder here and our entire selection of paper shredders here.

So you need a home paper shredder and are looking for something under $100? You are entering the danger zone. That is, the sub $100 paper shredder range can be one of the scariest price ranges for shredders. There are a lot of garbage paper shredders out there and many of them float under the $100 price level. Here are a few tips that should help you stay in the clear.

Capacity, durability and reliability are all features you need in your shredder. Don’t settle for less. Be aware, however, that sub $100 shredders aren’t designed for office use. This range of paper shredders is specifically for home use….and occasional use at that. If you need something for the office, that can be used throughout the day, you’re going to need a shredder that costs more than $100. That said, here are a few sub $100 shredders that you should be happy with for home use.

Best Paper Shredders Under $100

1. Intelli-Shred IS100 Paper Shredder – This is probably the best $100 shredder around. It is an excellent value for the dollar. I know, it is technically $109, but I had to fit it in this list. It is just too good a deal not to mention.
2. Martin Yale 1000 Paper Shredder – These guys make Intimus, which is a highly reputable brand of shredders. Considering this shredder is a cross cut, it is a great value for the dollar.
3. Fellowes P-35C Cross Cut Shredder – This is one of the least expensive home paper shredders available today. It isn’t designed for continuous use, but is excellent for shredding mail, receipts, invoices and other material.
4. Fellowes W-11C Paper Shredder – This is a great shredder to have at home and can even be used next to a home office desk. It is safe to use and provides you with a secure cross cut pattern.
5. Fellowes DS-2 Paper Shredder – This shredder was designed from the ground up for home use. It has a nice Security Level 3 cross cut pattern and includes a nice bin opening for the discarding of other material.

This 5 paper shredders are all a great value and a great option for home paper shredding. If you need something a little more robust, or perhaps for the office, you can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.

If you still have questions, feel free to speak with one of our paper shredder specialists by calling 1-800-658-8788.

Have you ever used a paper shredder that sounded like a lawnmower? I certainly have. Lawnmowers belong outdoors, not in the office. So how do manufacturers try and keep their paper shredders quiet? There are a few techniques used. Here are some of the most common “silencing” methods.

To begin, strip cut paper shredders tend to be quieter than cross cut shredders. This is because there is less cutting going on and fewer moving parts. The only downside is that strip cut shredders don’t provide as much security as cross cut shredders. Luckily many of our paper shredder manufacturers have made significant improvements in paper shredder noise.

Rubber Bushings – One significant improvement that many manufacturers are making is by using special rubber bushings in the design of their shredders. These bushings are placed around joins and mounting points where reverberations and vibrations are the worst. These rubber bushings act like motor mounts, dramatically cutting down on noise-making vibration.

Wooden Cabinets – You’ll often find on many of the cheaper paper shredders that a lot of plastic is used in the construction. This is because plastic is cheap to use in manufacturing. The downside is that plastic can break and crack easily and has very few noise absorption properties. Many plastic cabinets used with lower-end shredders can even amplify sound. Most modern paper shredder manufactures try to use wood with their cabinets. Wood has natural noise absorption properties.

Auto Oilers - Many office and departmental paper shredders feature auto oilers. These auto oilers help keep moving parts and shredder blades properly lubricated, cutting down on metal-on-metal noise.

Tight Construction – Tight construction, utilizing high quality bolts, screws and materials, can help cut down on sound by eliminating vibration caused by loosely fitted pieces. This feature is more difficult to tell with the naked eye and is generally a product of high-quality manufacturers.

Insulated Shredding Head – Some paper shredder manufacturers actually try and insulate the motor with noise absorption material, often called insulation. A well-insulated motor typically runs cooler and emits less noise.

What if you already own a shredder and it is loud? If you already own a shredder and are growing sick and tired of the noise, I highly recommend oiling it. You would be surprised how much noise can be reduced by eliminating friction in the shredder blades. Not only does this quiet a shredder, but it also prolongs its life.

Hopefully some of these tips help you in your quest to find a quiet shredder. Believe it or not, quiet shredders do exist, however, all shredders will make a little noise. You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-655-8788 for advice and recommendations on quiet paper shredders.

Reliable personal paper shredders are hard to come by. This isn’t because there aren’t a lot of shredders available. Heck, you can find literally dozens to hundreds of cheap plastic “toy” shredders in just about any department store. The only problem is that when you decide to do some real shredding, they often break, overheat or continuously jam. If you are tired of wasting your time with cheap paper shredders, you should consider using the Dahle 30114 cross cut personal paper shredder. This is my review.

Dahle has a long and rich history in the paper shredding industry. They make shredders ranging from small personal shredders up to high-end commercial paper shredders. Regardless of size, one common theme with Dahle is quality. Their paper shredders work and are reliable. You can’t ask for a lot more.

The Dahle 30114 paper shredder is a Level 3 cross cut shredder, which is the most common cut size used by offices in the United States. This is shredder is categorized as a personal shredder. This is because it is small enough to be used at home or next to a desk in the office. It can be used for daily shredding, but is not designed for departmental use.

This shredder was designed with the intention of handling up to about 100 sheets of paper per day. For personal use, this is pretty impressive. As mentioned earlier, this is a cross cut shredder. Once a sheet of paper is fed through the opening, it comes out the other side in 1/8″ x 1 9/16″ particles. Just try and reassemble that! You won’t, and that’s a good thing.

The opening on the Dahle 30114 is 8 ¾” wide, which easily accepts most letter size, legal size and smaller documents. The opening of the shredder is recessed back into the shredder head for safety purposes. This is designed to help prevent personal injury. The shred bin holds about 8 gallons of paper before needing to be emptied.

The Dahle 30114 is packed with several high-end features. This includes an auto on/off sensor that automatically shreds paper as it is placed through the shred opening. It also features a bag full sensor that turns the shredder off once the bin is full.

One of the most annoying features of shredders is the noise they can produce. The Dahle 30114 is set in a wooden cabinet, which helps to absorb vibrations and dampen noise. While there is no silent shredder, this shredder is relatively quiet, especially compared to plastic bin shredders that reverberate and amplify noise.

The build quality is amazing. As mentioned earlier, many shredders this size are absolute garbage, made from cheap plastic components. The Dahle 30114 is German engineered and made to perfection. The material construction and workmanship makes this shredder extremely reliable.

Remember this is a small shredder designed for individual personal use. It shreds 6-7 sheets of paper at a time, up to 100 per day (recommended). If you feel this isn’t up to par with what you need, you may want to consider using a more robust shredder. While it is a personal shredder, it is immensely better than most comparable shredders.

I highly recommend this paper shredder for home, under the desk or next to the desk in a small office environment. I would recommend this paper shredder to my own friends or family.  What more can I say?

You can find the Dahle 30114 cross cut personal paper shredder here and our entire selection of paper shredders here.