The Three Basic Types of Shredders

If you want to keep your personal or company information under wraps, the best way to do so is by using a shredder on a regular basis. Most people assume that shredders can only destroy paper, but there are plenty of machines that can take care of multimedia items as well. Here's some information about the three basic types of shredders so you can decide which one is right for you:

• Strip-cut shredders. The most basic type of paper shredder is the strip-cut shredder. As the name suggests, this kind of device will turn your paper into strips that look like spaghetti. Strip-cut machines are very popular because they tend to be pretty affordable. Also, these devices are available in many sizes. There are ones that are small enough for deskside use and much larger ones that can be used by several people in a busy office. In fact, a strip-cut shredder is an excellent choice if you need a machine that can handle heavy-duty shredding. The main thing to remember about these machines is that they don't offer a superior level of security. (Most of them have Level 1 to 3 security ratings. Level 6 is the highest rating.) However, they're still excellent for shredding everyday documents like correspondence and bills.
• Cross-cut shredders. If you need a high level of security, a cross-cut shredder is your best bet. Many of these machines can tear your paper in countless tiny bits so you can protect personal and/or proprietary information. One of the best things about cross-cut shredders is that some of them of even receive approval from the National Security Agency and/or Department of Defense. Thus, they can be used to shred highly confidential documents. Like their strip-cut counterparts, cross-cut machines come in various sizes, so it's easy to find one for your workspace no matter how big or small it is. You'll want to keep in mind that cross-cut machines tend to be more expensive upfront, but having additional security often more than makes up for the extra cost.
• Multimedia shredders. Finally, there are multimedia shredders. These machines are used to destroy a variety of multimedia items including CD's, DVD's, and floppy disks. There are also devices that can take care of items like DAT tape. Having one of these shredders is a great idea if you store a lot of data on multimedia items and don't want them to end up in the wrong hands. If you go with one of these machines, you should double-check to make sure it can shred paper. Not all multimedia shredders have this function. If you choose one that doesn't, you will need a separate paper shredder to fully protect yourself.

Those are the three basic shredder types. As you can tell, each type has its strengths and weaknesses, so it's really important to consider your needs before investing in one. Generally speaking, a strip-cut device is perfect if you don't need tons of security and want something affordable. Meanwhile, a cross-cut device is perfect if security is priority. And finally, multimedia machines are ideal for getting rid of CD's and so on. Good luck and happy shredding!