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Shredder Experts' 3 Step Buyer's Guide to Shredders
STEP 1 - PURPOSE
The first decision is, why do you need a shredder and, what environment will it be used in? E.g. 'I need a shredder for my home office, to shred general household bills.' Shredders come in many shapes and sizes, designed to meet different needs, including:
Entry Level & Home Shredders - For Individual or Family use, covering low volumes of between 25 and 50 sheets per day. These models are typically rated Din Security Levels 1 and 2 and, are often Strip Cut Machines, or less robust cross cut shredders.
Home Office / Deskside Shredders - For higher volumes of between 50 and 250 sheets per day. Lower priced machines require the user to take the top of the shredder off to dispose of the shredded material, whereas high spec'd Deskside Shredders, often have a front-loading compartment, for easy removal. Security ratings for Home Office Shredders are typically at Level 2 (mid-range Strip Cut - Low-end Cross Cut); whereas Deskside Shredders are most frequenty Security Level 3 (High-End Strip Cut, or Mid-Range Cross Cut)
Small & Medium Office Shredders - Small Office Shredders can are typically for shared use between 1 and 5 users, comfortably shredding 500 sheets of paper, or more, each day. Medium Sized Office Shredders are inevitably more expensive, however, can handle twice the users and daily sheet capacity and between 15 and 40 sheets per pass. Small and Medium Sized Office Shredders are available in a variety of security levels, from Security Level 2 Strip Cut Shredders, through to high secuity, level 4 Cross Cut Shredders.
Departmental Shredders - Departmental Shredders are larger shredders, for use by 25+ users, as the main shredder in a larger company, or department. Departmental Shredders are robust machines, capable of shredding a large daily volume, with longer warranties to stand the tests of time. Some of the more expensive departmental shredders, are also capable of shredding files and folders. Security Levels range from Level 2 Strip Cut Shredders, to level 5 Crypto Cut Shredders.
High Security 'Crypto' Shredders - These specialist 'particle shredder' machines anihilate paper documents to the very smallest of particles. Crypto Cut Shredders are used in high security environments, where security requirements are of greatest importance. Crypto Cut Shredders are the highest security of all shredders and, are ranked as security levels 5 and 6.
Specialist & Industrial Shredders - These shredders are designed for the descruction of non-paper media and, have been designed for a wide variety of applications:
STEP 2 - PRICE
Price is an important factor when selecting a shredding machine, as price is nearly always proportional to the quality and specification of your new machine, however, the Swordfish brand in particular, focuses on high spec entry-mid market machines, which are great value for money. Below is a guideline of price, by purpose and security level:
Entry Level & Home Shredders
£15 - £70 - Recommendation - although our cheapest shredders are fit for purpose, they are subject to very controlled use, within the shredder's guidelines. We always recommend that customers spend a minimum of £25 on their new shredder, as it is more likely to stand up to days when you have more than a few sheets to shred.
Home Office / Deskside Shredders
£50 - £200 - Recommendation - it's worth spending £50+ on your home office / deskside shredder, as it will last longer. Shredder owner's use often grows over time, so it's always best to buy a machine at the outset, that will cope with the capacity you require in 6 months time.
Small & Medium Office Shredders
£100 - £600, depending on capacity and security level required
Departmental Shredders
£300 - £1,000, depending on capacity and security level required
High Security 'Crypto' Shredders
£650 - £4,000
Industrial Material Shredders
£1,000 - £100,000
Shredder / Baling Machines
£10,000 - £30,000
STEP 3 - PRACTICALITIES
To select the most appropriate shredder for your needs, you'll need to take into account a variety of additional factors, including:
The Security Level Required:
Shredder Security Level 1
Entry Level Shreders for Lower Security Documents (up to 11.8mm width strip cut shred)
Shredder Security Level 2
Increased Security for Personal Documents (up to 7.5mm x 80mm cross cut shred)
Shredder Security Level 3
Confidential Documents and Personal Data (up to 4mm x 50mm cross cut shred)
Shredder Security Level 4
Top-end Cross Cut Shredders (up to 1.9mm x 15mm cross cut shred)
Shredder Security Level 5
High Security 'Crypto Cut' Shredders (up to 0.78mm x 11mm shred)
Shredder Security Level 6
Highest Security Level 'Crypto Cut' Shredders ( up to 1mm x 4-5mm shred)
The number of people using the shredder:
The number of sheets the shredder needs to shred daily
The number of sheets you'd like to shred on one pass
The type of media you need to shred
- e.g. do you need to be able to shred CDs and Credit Cards? Typically, non specialist / industrial shredders, are capable of shredding:The throat width of the shredder
- e.g. what size of media / paper do you need to shred? All paper shredders shred A4 paper, however, if you require a shredder for the A3 paper size, you'll need to check the throat width before making your purchase.Whatever you're shredding needs, whether for home, office, or industrial purposes; whether for public, or private sector, Shredder Experts are here to help. As well as the most competitive prices, we can offer advice to ensure your new shredder meets the most exacting of requirements.
Call us between 9am - noon and 2pm - 6pm, on 0845 474 1874
