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.

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.

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.

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.

A professional and customer-oriented business will use a paper shredder when handling sensitive documents. A good reliable office shredder should meet a few solid requirements. This includes reliability, high sheet capacity, a good security level and the ability to shred paper on a continuous basis. One shredder that hits every one of these marks is the MBM Destroyit 2404 paper shredder. This is my review.

If you’ve read any of my paper shredder reviews, you probably know that I am a huge fan of Destroyit paper shredders. I have personally used dozens of different paper shredders and the German engineered Destroyit paper shredders continue to do exactly what I need. Destroyit, by MBM, makes shredders in sizes that range from deskside to industrial designs.

The MBM Destroyit 2404 is available in two different designs. This includes a strip cut and a cross cut model. While the cross cut version is by far the most popular, the strip cut is still a great shredder. The biggest differences between the two are the sheet capacity and the security level.

MBM Destroyit 2404 Sheet Capacities:

• 2404 Strip Cut: 19 to 22 sheets of paper at a security level 2 (3/16″ wide strips).
• 2404 Cross Cut: 9-11 sheets of paper at a security level 3 (3/32″ x 5/8″ particles).

The Destroyit 2404 features a 9 ½” wide opening for paper. This is wide enough to handle envelopes, letter-size and legal-size documents, receipts and much more. It can even be used to shred wider computer forms paper if they are first folded in half. The powerful ¾ horsepower motor doesn’t stutter, handling fed paper with gusto.

This shredder is extremely easy to operate. The “Easy Switch” rocks back and forth to turn the shredder on, put it in reverse and turn it off. A series of color codes and backlit symbols let you know exactly what’s going on.

The Destroyit 2404 is almost completely automated. A built-in photo cell detects paper, turning the shredder on and off by itself. Sensors also let you know when the bag is full and the door is open. For a deskside shredder, these features are all welcome.

This is a video of the MBM Destroyit 2404 in use:

One of my favorite features of the Destroyit 2404 is the large 13-gallon shred bin. This is a fairly large and significant capacity for a deskside shredder. This means fewer bag changes for you.

The shredder itself is made from high quality components. This includes hardened steel cutting shafts that are covered by a lifetime warranty. The shredder head sits in a noise absorbing wooden cabinet that sits on casters and the gars are all enclosed in a dust-proof housing, which significantly extends the life of the shredder. The motor is thermally protected for continuous use (no need to worry about overheating).

In conclusion, I have to say that the Destroyit 2404 (Cross Cut or Strip Cut) is a great choice for use in the office. While it is a deskside shredder, multiple people can easily use it throughout the day. I highly recommend this shredder.

You can find the MBM Destroyit 2404 paper shredder here and our entire selection of Destroyit paper shredders here. We also offer a great selection of other paper shredders here.

Do you need a paper shredder that is fast, secure, capable of shredding large volumes of paper and can handle CDs, DVDs, credit cards, you may want to consider a machine like the Dahle 20453 high capacity cross cut shredder. There are many reasons why your business or organization may need a high capacity shredder. This is my review.

Dahle manufactures some of the best German paper shredders available today. This includes home office, departmental, high security and high capacity shredders. Dahle shredders are known for being quiet, solid and very reliable.

The Dahle 20453 can be categorized as a high capacity or industrial shredder. While there are larger shredders that can shred hundreds of sheets of paper at a time, this particular shredder can shred 65 sheets of 20# paper at a time. This is very impressive. Not only does this shredder have a high-capacity shredding capability, it is also fast.

Let me focus on the motor. As mentioned earlier, it is fast. It runs at a speed of 42 feet per minute. I am personally impressed with shredders that run at 20 feet per minute and the Dahle 20453 is double that speed. The 20453 uses a 3 phase, 208 VAC motor that puts out 4 hp. That’s tough.

The motor is thermally protected. That means it will not overheat with continued use. This is especially ideal for departmental and business use where shredders are run and operated on a continuous basis.

The solid steel cutting cylinders cut paper at a level 3 security level. This ends up being about 1/8″ x 3 1/8″. This security level is more than adequate for most office shredding needs. A large 50-gallon bin holds shredded particles. In case you aren’t familiar with shredders, a 50-gallon bin is huge. This means fewer bag changes for you.

The Dahle 20453 uses a hopper-style feed tray. This means you can take a garbage can of paper and dump it into the hopper for convenient shredding. It also means you can take a stack of paper and toss it into the hopper as well. Many businesses prefer a hopper on the shredder simply because it is convenient and faster than trying to organize paper to fit through a slot.

This particular shredder is an ideal replacement to an expensive shredding service. I personally consider using a shredder like the Dahle 20453 to be far more secure, and in the long run less expensive, than using a shredding service.

As is the case with all Dahle shredders, the 20453 is extremely secure. It utilizes safety controls and is built from the ground up to be safe and secure.

The build quality on the Dahle 20453 is excellent. Metal construction makes this shredder extremely durable and a series of fold out tables / shelves make it easy to shred stacks of paper. I recommend this for any business, office, department or mailroom where high-volumes of paper are shredded on a daily basis.

You can find the Dahle 20453 high capacity cross cut shredder here and our entire selection of Dahle paper shredders here. You can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.

Do you still have questions? Please feel free to contact one of our paper shredder specialists by calling 1-800-658-8788.

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.

A Level 3 cross cut paper shredder is considered my many experts to be the best security level for office use. Now that we have that established, which Level 3 cross cut paper shredder should you consider using in your office department? There are several models to choose from, and the Dahle 20814 paper shredder is still considered to be one of the best. This is my review.

Dahle, a brand that is highly revered for their office products, manufactures well over a dozen different models of paper shredders. This includes strip cut, cross cut and high security paper shredders. These shredders are particularly popular with the U.S. government and military.

The Dahle 20814 is the very definition of a departmental paper shredder. It is designed from the ground up to be centrally used in an office for use by multiple people. It is powerful, features a continuous duty motor for daily use and can hold up to 35 gallons of shredded paper.

As mentioned earlier, a security level 3 is considered to be the best particle size for most offices. The 20814 takes paper and shreds it into 1/8 x 1 9/16″ cross cut particles. These particles are extremely small and very difficult to re-assemble.

The continuous-duty motor used in the 20814 can be used non-stop without the need to cool down. It is rated, by Dahle, to be able to shred anywhere from 2,000 to 12,000 sheets of paper. Can your local “department store” paper shredder do that? Probably not. The Dahle 20814 means business.

Design is an important part of any piece of office equipment. The Dahl 20814 was designed to blend in with existing office equipment without drawing in too much attention.

This shredder has been ergonomically designed to be easy to use. The control panel is conveniently positioned to be easy to access. A total of just 3 buttons control every aspect of this shredder. A green button turns the shredder on and off while the other two buttons put the shredder into forward or reverse mode.

The opening on the 20814 measures in at 16″ wide, which is ideal for shredding wide computer paper, legal-size paper and letter-size paper. It can also accommodate a lot of smaller documents as well. The blades and motor can handle 16-18 sheets of paper at a time. The gears in this shredder are driven by a steel chain, which in turn provides continuous slip-free power.

In conclusion I have to say that this particular shredder is perfect for most mid to large-size businesses, departments and offices. It is tough and should easily hold up for years. The security is excellent and it should easily handle most office shredding jobs. I would personally have no problem recommending this shredder to a friend for office shredding.

You can find the Dahle 20814 paper shredder here and our entire selection of Dahle paper shredders here. If Dahle isn’t what you want, you can find our entire selection of paper shredders here.