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Learn More About Shredders

What type of shredder do you need?

Personal straight-cut shredder

Ideal for: Home or small offices that occasionally need to destroy low volumes of confidential paper documents. Generally the least expensive type of shredder available. Provides economical, yet adequate security.

Key features:

Cuts sheets of paper lengthwise into long strips between 1/8" to 1/32" wide. The narrower the paper strip, the better the security.
Paper capacity is between 5 and 20 sheets per pass. A greater paper capacity speeds up the shredding process, requiring the user to operate the shredder for less time.
Shredding speed varies by machine between 10–25 ft./min. Accepts documents that are letter–sized and smaller, such as bills, receipts, etc.
Reverse function feature helps the user clear paper jams easily.
Most have auto start/stop capability, which allows for convenient one–handed operation – machine turns on when paper is inserted, saving the user time and simplifying use.
Some models are made to be placed on top of a wastebasket (sold separately). Others have integrated paper receptacles with bin capacities of between 3.5 and 13 gallons. Liner bags for the bins are available.
Most models can handle staples.
Many shredders have limited warranties.

Tip: Purchase a shredder that will accept 25% more paper volume than you think you’ll need. That way, you won’t risk jamming the shredder by putting through more than its recommended capacity.

Personal cross-cut shredder

Ideal for: Small or home offices that occasionally need to destroy low volumes of paper documents in the most confidential and convenient way possible. A cross–cut shredder offers more security than a straight–cut shredder.

Key features:

Offers highest level of security, since the shredded output is cut lengthwise and widthwise, creating between 500 and 800 confetti–like paper particles per sheet.
Produces compact output, meaning the user doesn’t have to empty the paper bin as often as with a straight–cut shredder.
Paper capacity is between 3 and 15 sheets per pass. A greater paper capacity speeds up the shredding process, requiring the user to operate the shredder for less time.
Shredding speed varies by machine between 10–30 ft./min. Accepts documents that are letter–sized and smaller, such as bills, receipts, etc.
Reverse function feature helps the user clear paper jams easily.
Auto start/stop capability allows for convenient one–handed operation – machine turns on when paper is inserted, saving the user time and simplifying use.
Integrated paper baskets with bin capacities of between 1 and 9 gallons. Bins can hold 4 to 5 times more cross–cut shredded material than strip–cut waste.Liner bags for the bins are available.
Most models can handle staples.
Many shredders have limited warranties.

Tip: For convenience, look for a shredder with a wastebasket–full indicator or a transparent paper bin. For ease of movement, choose a shredder on casters.

Office shredder

Ideal for: Offices that have high volumes of confidential material that need to be destroyed. Can shred more paper, and operate continuously for a longer period of time, than a personal shredder.

Key features:

Heavy–duty machines that use either straight–cut or cross–cut shredding methods. A cross–cut shredder provides higher security than a straight–cut shredder.
Many have continuous–duty motors that never need a cool–down period. This is ideal for offices that shred documents all day long.
Throat sizes of 12" to 20" to shred oversize paper. Accepts letter, legal, ledger, and computer paper.
Paper capacity is between 8 and 30 sheets per pass. A greater paper capacity speeds up the shredding process, requiring the user to operate the shredder for less time.
Shredding speed varies by machine between 22–40 ft./min.
Reverse function feature helps the user clear paper jams easily.
Auto start/stop capability allows for convenient one–handed operation – machine turns on when paper is inserted, saving the user time and simplifying use.
Have attached paper baskets with bin capacities of between 13 and 43 gallons and bin–full indicators. Liner bags for the bins are available.
Most models can handle staples.
Many shredders have limited warranties.

Tip: Frequent oiling of office shredder cutter blades is recommended in order to maintain sheet capacity. Shredder oil comes in a squeeze bottle and can either be applied directly to the blades (through the throat), or applied to a sheet of paper that is then run through the shredder. Oiling should be done each time the user empties the shredder basket.

The information contained in this article is only an overview of the subject matter made for general guidance to the reader, and is subject in all cases to limitations and disclaimers set forth in Staples' Legal Terms and Conditions.

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