Evaluating Paper Shredders for Home Use

The best home paper shredder will provide just the amount of features that you need and no more.  Shredding equipment is available to handle anywhere from one page to one truckload of paper per day.  The more capacity you require, the more you will pay. You should determine the amount of shredding you think you will do, and double it.  An undersized unit will do you no good, yet.  Also, determine how many pages at a time that the unit will handle.  You will pay a premium to shred files fast, but how much is your time worth?  No one wants to stand over a shredder all day long. 

The size of the confetti like pieces that your crosscut paper shredder creates is also very important.  The smaller they are, the more secure you are.  If you do choose a unit that creates large pieces, it is best to let the shredding bin fill until it is full.  It is harder to reassemble your documents, when the bin is full.  And if you are considering a strip type shredder, our advice is don't; they are not near as secure as crosscut shredders.

Other great options include a shredding bin that is able to be easily accessed, so that it can be used as a trash can, which will free up your floor space.  And casters on the unit will allow you to roll the unit near you when you need it, and roll it away when you do not.  Also the more expensive units have steel gears, rather than plastic, which will not only last longer, they normally have better warranties.

You must also consider what you will be shredding.  Paper shredders for home use are often called to shred far more than paper products. The best units can shred cd/dvd disks, staples, paper clips, file folders, and credit cards.  A heavy duty paper shredder that can do it all is a great way to clean your clutter, and more importantly to keep your private information private.