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.

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!

If you work for the federal government, state government, local government or a branch of the military, you probably need a high-quality paper shredder that can be used to destroy sensitive documents and paper. At ABC Office we offer a wide range of government paper shredders that are NSA and DOD approved.

Having sold paper shredders to the government for over 30 years, we have a great idea as to which shredders you want or don’t want. We have come up with a list of our top 10 government paper shredders for 2011. These paper shredders have established themselves as industry leaders, customer favorites and reputable machines that should last for years.

While this top 10 list isn’t put out by the government, these are NSA / DOD approved shredders.

Top 10 Best NSA / DOD Approved Government Paper Shredders 2011 (Listed Alphabetically)

1. Dahle 20434 Level 6 Paper Shredder
2. Dahle 20634EC High Security Shredder
3. Dahle 20834 EC NSA Approved Shredder
4. Destroyit 2360 SMC Document Shredder
5. Destroyit 2604 SMC DOD Approved Shredder
6. Formax FD 8400HS Business Shredder
7. Formax FD 8500HS NSA Paper Shredder
8. HSM 125.2HS Particle Cut Shredder
9. HSM 411.2HS High Security Paper Shredder
10. HSM 225.2HS Level 6 Paper Shredder

You’ll notice that these shredders all feature a high security level 6. This is the highest security level you can get in a paper shredder. A security level 6 (SL6) is any shredder that uses a cross cut pattern that measures in at a 1mm x 5mm size or smaller. If you look at that on a ruler, you’ll realize just how small this is.

A security level 6 paper shredder is small enough to be used to shred extremely sensitive, top secret and confidential documents. You can find our entire selection of high-security paper shredders here.

We are able to provide GSA pricing on our entire line of government / high-security paper shredders. If you need GSA pricing, please call one of our paper shredder specialists at 1-800-658-8788.

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.

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.

Efficiency, durability and ease-of-use are all features that we should expect in our paper shredders. A good office paper shredder should get the job done quickly without giving you any headaches. One reliable paper shredder that has been on our list of “favorite” shredders for some time is the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder. This is my review.

Dahle paper shredders have been around for years, and while not widely known among the general public, they have been a huge hit with the government and military. Dahle shredders have developed a solid reputation for being solid machines. These German engineered shredders have all the features most businesses require along with a few additional perks.

The Dahle 20162EC paper shredder is designed for office and departmental use, able to be used by multiple people throughout the day. There are many reasons why you may want to consider this particular model for your company. Here are a few reasons:

Feed Width - The Feed width on the Dahle 20162EC is 10 ¼”. This is a very convenient width for many reasons. This side of shred width can be used to shred envelopes, letter size paper, folded documents and much more. Simply put, it removes a lot of the hassle you find in shredders that only have an 8 ½” wide opening.

Electronic Controls – The controls on the Dahle 20162EC are very intuitive and easy to use. There are only three buttons, with most of the shredder’s operations being automated. These include an on/off, forward and backwards buttons. LED indicator lights let you know when the door is open and when the bag is full. A built-in optical sensor automatically detects paper, turning the shredder on and off as needed.

Chain-Driven Motor – A durable chain-driven motor easily chews through paper. Because this shredder isn’t belt driven, and doesn’t use nylon gears, it easy handles stacks of paper without suffering damage or premature wear. It is very reliable.

Rubber Shock Mounts – Rubber shock mounts have been strategically placed throughout this shredder. These mounts are used to absorb vibrations and noise. Dahle shredders are considered to be some of the quietest paper shredder around.

Security Level 4 – The Dahle 20162EC cuts paper into tiny particles that qualify as a security level 4. These particles measure in at 1/12″ x 9/16″ in size. This is more than enough security for most businesses.

Waste Bin – This shredder has a large 16-gallon bin that holds quite a bit of paper before needing to be changed. This results in fewer back changes on your part.

Overall this shredder is extremely easy to use and easy on the eyes. The sleek design of this shredder allows it to sit next to a wall, near a desk and blend in with existing office equipment.

Even if you aren’t a government or military entity, I highly recommend the Dahle 20162EC for office use. It can easily be used by several people throughout the day, and thanks to a thermally-protected motor, it can be used continuously without the worry of overheating.

You can find the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder here and our entire selection of Dahle paper shredders here. If Dahle isn’t what you’re looking for, you can find our entire selection of hundreds of paper shredders here.