Types of Paper Shredders

From simple to high-tech hammermills, there are various types of paper shredders that many organizations use for their shredding tasks.  

While small businesses use simpler shredders, large enterprises rely on more advanced ones. The reason behind using these sophisticated machines is to protect confidential and private information. This makes these devices significantly important for the contemporary world.

Types of Paper Shredders

Let’s explore the types of paper shredders available in the market:

1. Micro-Cut

Micro-cut shredders are devices that provide advanced security to destroy confidential data. They are usually classified into P-5, P-6, or P-7 under the Deutsche Industrial Norm (DIN) 66399. Out of the three, the P-7 shredder offers the most advanced level of security and is used for shredding highly confidential documents.

Micro-cut paper shredders cut papers into much smaller particles that it’s difficult to read even a single letter on it. A P-5 micro-cut shredder can cut a single A4 document into more than two thousand tiny particles.  

These shredders require regular oiling and maintenance to stay in working order.

2. Auto-Feed

Auto-freed paper shredders are known for destroying high volumes of documents. These machines shred papers automatically, saving a lot of time for the user. You need to put the document in the tray, and the machine will do the rest.

Many offices use these shredders regularly to save their employees’ time, keeping them focused on other tasks. Auto-feed shredders can shred around a hundred sheets, while expensive variants can destroy more than five hundred sheets.

Though an Auto-feed shredder is quick and saves a lot of time, leaving confidential documents in the tray can leak private information.

3. Strip-Cut

A strip-cut, also called a ribbon-cut shredder, comes with a single blade that cuts paper vertically. Strip-cut shredders can either be DIN P-1 or P-2 as per the official Deutsche Industrial Norm (DIN) 66399 standard. This means a strip-cut shredder has the least amount of security.

Strip-cut shredders cut documents into vertical stripes, with a standard document being shredded into thirty-nine strips.

These strips still have readable texts, graphics, photos, or signatures. That said, strip-cut shredders are ideal for non-confidential documents. Apart from that, these machines are relatively fast and require the least maintenance.

4. Cross-Cut

Cross-cut shredders are used to cut documents diagonally in two directions, producing tiny particles. These shredders offer more advanced security than strip-cut shredders.

Cross-cut shredders can typically shred a standard document into four hundred small particles. Due to their advanced security levels, these machines are used in both homes and offices for shredding confidential documents.

According to the official standard of Deutsche Industrial Norm (DIN) 66399, a cross-cut shredder falls into the category of P-3 and P-4 security levels.

These shredders require regular oiling and maintenance to perform shredding tasks smoothly and effectively.

Final Thoughts

Paper shredders have become an essential part of offices and homes to shred confidential documents. With various types of shredders available in the market, we’ve discussed the major ones in this blog. If you’re looking for a shredder that helps you cut non-confidential documents, go for a strip-cut shredder. However, if you’re looking for a shredder with more advanced security features, the auto-feed shredder is perfect.