Top 5 Best Paper Shredders Canada

Most Important Features of a Paper Shredder

Usage Type – Paper shredders are categorized according to their usage. For personal paperwork or a home office, light use is usually adequate; while for a small business, you would be wise to invest in a medium-usage model. A heavy-duty shredder will serve a bigger office or environment where large volumes of paperwork are handled daily.

Maximum Pages/Sheets Per Load – Most machines can shred 6 sheets of paper at the same time. Some shredders can cope with up to 14. If you are shredding large quantities of paper, a larger load will save you time.

Cut Type – Strip-cut shredders produce long lengths of paper, while cross-cut and micro-cut machines shred both lengthwise and also across.

Shred Size – Strip-cut shredders produce ¼” wide lengths of paper, cross-cut machines shred paper to sections measuring 3/16” x 1–27/32”, and micro-cut models reduce paper to a tiny 5/32” x 15/32”.

Other Shreds – Modern shredders are capable of dealing with much more than paper. The best paper shredders will easily deal with staples or paperclips and many feature designated slots for credit cards, CDs and DVDs.

Continuous Run Time – The shredder motor gets very hot. As a result, these machines can only be run for a limited time. For shredding a little and often, a 2-minute run time is fine; however, if you want to shred everything at the end of the day, you would be best to choose a run time of at least 8 minutes.

Cool Down Time – Due to the motor getting hot, a shredder will require a set time to cool down after a session. Cool down times can range from 20–45 minutes.

Basket Type – There are 2 types of basket available to collect the shredded paper: regular wastebaskets and pull-out bins. Wastebaskets empty from the top, requiring the shredder unit to be removed. The pull-out bin offers greater convenience, easily sliding out from the shredder body.

Basket Capacity – How often do you want to empty your shredder? Basket size ranges from less than 3 gallons to nearly 7 gallons. This is an important consideration, if you’re going to be doing a lot of shredding.

Jam Prevention – If you get a little too enthusiastic with your shredding, you may end up in a jam. Most machines have a manual reverse, allowing you to clear any jams. However, some models also feature a jam-proof system; by measuring the thickness of the paper as it enters the machine, the shredder will stop before a frustrating jam has the chance to occur.

Noise Level – Paper shredders are probably the noisiest piece of office equipment. For lone workers it’s not so much of an issue, but you can soon become unpopular in a busy office. Fortunately, most models are now enclosed units which result in a quieter shred (usually 65–70dB), with some boasting ultra-quiet performance.

Safety Technology – If you operate your shredder for too long or have not allowed enough cool down time, most models will shut off automatically to protect the motor. As for protecting you, some machines feature sensors which disable the shredder if your hands are too close – particularly beneficial in a home office with children around.

Security Level – The best paper shredders for highly confidential material are the micro-cut models, cutting a letter-sized piece of paper into over 2000 pieces. Cross-cut shredders offers a good level of security, while strip-cut machines afford basic protection. Take a look at the various security level ratings on paper shredders.

Casters – When buying a paper shredder, remember to look at the size and weight. Casters are a great idea if you’re going to be moving a larger model around the office.

Warranty – Offering peace of mind, warranties are usually 1-2-years. However, some models come with a 5-year cutter warranty.