Though probably not necessary, you can repeat the data wipe method up to 10 times for a more thorough clean. Despite its paper-shredding prowess, the LX200 isn’t too noisy: we measured a maximum of 62.1dB during operation. And while it’s more power-hungry than some shredders – using up to 148W – it’s much more frugal while in standby than others – just 0.7W – and it even shuts down if it’s left idle for 5 minutes. With clear indicators on the top and a convenient pull-out 22l bin, this paper shredder is equipped for anything. It’s almost a pleasure watching it go to work. Finally, features that help prevent or clear jams will save time and frustration. A basic reverse function can often clear a clog but you can also find auto-reverse, where the shredder will spit the paper out straight away if it senses an impending jam. Anti-jam technologies are even cleverer and are usually found on pricier models – this means they’ll have a powerful motor that pulls the paper jam through. How much should I spend? In the middle of shredder designs is the cross cut shredder. This type of model chops the paper into small strips, into about 200 pieces for a standard piece of paper for a P3 model. This is a more secure method of paper destruction, and far harder to reconstruct.

We tested whether the shredder could destroy staples, credit cards, and CDs (if the shredder maker advertised that it could). We didn’t test with paper clips in this round because in previous tests we found that they tended to break the machines.

We tested various shredders to arrive at our choices for the best ones. We looked at multiple aspects of their design and functionality, starting with how swiftly they work through documents, how many sheets they can cut simultaneously, and how long their running and cooling down times are. Micro-cut is sometimes referred to as “confetti-cut” and is perfect for sensitive information, turning a sheet of paper into as many as 3,000 pieces. Bear in mind that micro-cut shredders work harder, so will usually handle fewer sheets at a time and need more breaks to cool down. It is easiest to divide shredders into the types of cuts that they make. This then determines the level of destruction of the document, and also how expensive the device will be. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ If you're looking for more than just the best shredders for your home or office, we've also featured a range of other office equipment to run alongside any shredders you may need:

To choose the best shredder for yourself, you’ll first want to consider what your regular shredding requirements are. This model features a jam protection system with autostart and autoreverse, which saves you from dealing with the frustration of paper jams, and its 17-liter pull-out bin, while not class-leading, is plenty sufficient. There's an overheat and overload protection technology to protect the shredder's blades and motor and extend its life. Not to mention, the low-noise design presents a quiet and peaceful shredding experience. Glary Utilities can also write over the free space of an entire hard drive, which is useful for ensuring files you already deleted are truly irrecoverable. Yes, there even is a P6 standard which creates even smaller pieces for the complete destruction of the most sensitive documents. The pieces created are as small as 3/64” wide by 15/64” long which are really quite tiny. How to choose the best shredder for you?Run time: The higher the shredder’s run time, the more you can continuously shred before the unit needs to take a break and cool down. Less-expensive shredders have run times of under five minutes, while the best home and small-office models have run times rated at 10 minutes or more. In our testing, most of the shredders’ bins got full within 10 to 15 minutes of nonstop shredding, rendering claims of ultra-high run times moot.

Another contributor, Keltari, notes that the only safe (and DoD approved) way to dispose of data is total destruction: If you’re planning on frequent shredding, invest in a model with a large bin. For example, a 10l bin can accommodate around 60 sheets of paper. A bin that’s easy to empty will be a bonus – many have bottom bins with lift-off heads that can make a mess when you remove them, but there are others that have removable or pull-out bins. A transparent window will help you to see when it’s almost full, so you can prevent overflow and potential paper jams. The answer by Journeyman Geek is good enough for almost everything. But oddly, that common phrase "Good enough for government work" does not apply - depending on which part of the government. Paper shredders are devices for cutting paper into thin strips or tiny particles. These machines are generally used to destroy sensitive documents, with some of the best shredders able to shred credit cards, optical discs, and minor metals like staples or paperclips. What are the types of shredders? With up to a 30-minute running time, the Bonsaii Evershred can shred 3500 sheets of A4 paper on a single charge, making it a great option to chew through all the documents you have been waiting to dispose of. Like the Fellowes shredder at the top of our list, it has a maximum of 14 sheets shredding capacity and cuts paper into tiny 5mm x 50mm particles – and it will even shred credit cards, CDs, and staples.There are three types of shredder: strip or ribbon-cut, where the sheet is cut into thin strips; cross-cut or diamond-cut, which shreds a sheet in two directions, turning an A4 piece of paper into around 410 particles; and micro-cut, which is a type of cross-cut. You won't like this program if you want something simple that's free from clutter, because there are lots of other included tools. Still, the file shredder function is easy to find and works well if you don't care to have other wipe methods.