When you’re considering buying a paper shredder, one of the key decisions that you’ll have to make is whether to buy a strip-cut paper shredder or a cross-cut one. So, read on to learn about the different types of paper shredders, how they work and which option is the right one for you.
There are numerous paper shredders available for you to choose from, including:
• Micro-cut paper shredders
• Cross-cut paper shredders
• Strip-cut paper shredders
• Auto-feed paper shredders
• Paper shredders for credit cards and DVDs
• Industrial and commercial paper shredders
• Paper shredders that also have a waste bucket
So, what’s the difference between a strip-cut and cross-cut shredder?
While a strip-cut shredder works by cutting paper into strips, a cross-cut shredder works by cutting the paper lengthwise and crosswise. A simpler way of describing the difference is that strip-cut paper resembles ribbons while cross-cut paper resembles confetti.
There are a number of key differences between cross-cut and strip-cut shredders, including:
The volume of sheets: because shredding paper into strips/ribbons is more straightforward, a strip cutter can get through greater volumes of paper much faster than a cross-cutter.Price: Strip cutters are often cheaper than cross cutters as their design is much less complicated and they don't offer the same security levels.Maintenance: Cross cutters tend to require regular maintenance as their mechanics are more intricate than a strip cutter and they usually need oiling.Data interception: Documents that contain sensitive data are best shredded using a cross cutter as the paper is sliced into such small pieces that it makes the information unreadable. Unfortunately, strip cutters don't offer the same guarantees.Security: Because a cross cutter produces smaller pieces of paper than a strip cutter, it's also more difficult to piece them back together.
If you’re on a tight budget, are solely using the shredder for personal reasons and are not working with sensitive data, a strip cutter is a sensible option. However, if you're looking to buy a shredder for your business and are dealing with sensitive and confidential data, then a cross-cut shredder is definitely the way to go. Not only is it much safer as the shredded paper is near impossible to reconstruct, but it also makes it more challenging for a thief to get their hands on your information.
If you want to know more about how a cross-cut shredder works, don't hesitate to get in touch with Hungry Shredder for all your paper shredding needs today.
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