Shredding machines come in as many types as there are industrial designers. Strip or cross-cut? Low volume or industrial capacity? Bag or no bag? Self-maintaining or oil? Sorting out all these choices can be like… well, reassembling shredded documents.

On the low end of the price and function scale are personal strip-cutters. You feed in sheets through the opening (called ‘the throat’) and out come long, narrow strips of paper. But even here there are several options.

You’ll want a system that has a throat wide enough to accommodate all the sizes of paper you need to shred. Consider not limiting your purchase to a machine that only slices 8 1/2 x 11. At times you need to shred large quantities of larger sizes. Don’t spend more time tearing or folding it to fit than is worth it.

Consider, too, whether you’ll be shredding a few sheets per day or dozens. Most low-volume, personal shredders are rated for 100-150 sheets per day. But like personal printers, the ratings are usually stated for a brand new or perfectly maintained device.

Shredders, like printers, are mechanical. Parts wear and get dull or loosened. When they do, their tolerances and function decrease. Before long, they’ll slice only 75% to 50% of their new-rated capacity. Unless the price is low enough to make it worthwhile to replace the machine often, buy a little more shredding capacity than you think you’ll need.

Shredding capacity comes in another form: number of simultaneous sheets. Your time is too valuable to spend feeding one or two sheets into the shredder on those larger jobs. You’ll want a machine that can shred several sheets at the same time without jamming or dulling the blades.

Here again capacity is often overstated. A machine rated for 6-8 sheets will realistically do 4-5 after a few months of use.

This number is especially subject to marketing manipulation since it depends so much on the thickness of the paper shredded. 24 bond paper is thicker than 20 bond. Take into account what you’ll be shredding most and buy enough capacity for your needs.

Beyond the basic needs for durable parts, heavy-duty blades and adequate capacity there are other factors to consider.

The U.S. Government defines several levels of security that have been adopted and adapted for use by businesses. Levels are determined by a combination of size and sensitivity. Wider strips are easier to re-assemble, but that doesn’t matter much if the information isn’t too valuable. These are the numerous standards for the security levels of paper shredders as set by the US General Services Administration (GSA).

- DIN 32757
Level 1 = 12 mm strips
Level 2 = 6 mm strips
Level 3 = 2 mm strips (Confidential)
Level 4 = 2 x 15 mm particles (Commercially Sensitive)
Level 5 = 0.8 x 12 mm particles (Top Secret or Classified)
Level 6 = 0.8 x 4 mm particles (Top Secret or Classified)

- United States Department of Defense (DoD)
Top Secret = 0.8 x 11.1 mm (1/32″ × 7/16″)

- United States NSA/CSS 02-01 = 1 × 4 mm

To deal with the different levels required, shredder models are available in a variety of cutting patterns.

Strip-cut shredders are the standard, low-volume, personal type available online or at ordinary office supply stores. Strip widths vary from 1/2 to 1/8 inch or less and, naturally, the narrower the strip the more secure - provided strips are cut perpendicular to the line of type. Strips cut parallel to sentences are very easy to re-assemble.

Most people don’t want to have to pay too much attention to the way they feed paper. And even vertical strips can still be fairly easily put back together. To deal with this, and to provide the extra security needed, cross-cut shredders can be purchased.

Cross-cut shredders cut paper horizontally and vertically in one pass. Feed the paper normally and dual sets of blades slice the paper into small rectangles.

Cross-cut shredders cost a little more and require a little more maintenance. The blades require simple-to-do oiling from time to time, and since there are two sets with more mechanical controls the price is higher.

But cross-cuts offer considerably enhanced security, since the pieces are damnably difficult to put back together. Also, since they’re small pieces rather than long strips, the results compress better. That means less time spent emptying the basket. For a busy small or home office with sensitive information that’s money well spent.

The same factors that apply to strip-cutters should be considered with cross-cutters, only more so. Buy enough volume capacity to minimize the time needed to shred documents. And make sure you get one that can confetti-ize several sheets at once without jamming.

Beyond the basic types, you’ll want to look for models that have extra, convenient features.

Some models have auto-paper sensors. Feed the paper into the throat and a pressure or light sensor detects paper and automatically begins the shredding cycle. No need to press a button. Just feed and forget.

Self or low maintenance shredders are handy. Some use a kind of carbon dust common in lubricating locks, rather than oil. Some have an oil reservoir that you fill once and can forget for months on end. Some will have a light indicating when more oil is needed. Be sure to use only shredder oil, specially formulated to not leave residue on the blades or attract paper dust that can clog cutters.

Some models have a light to indicate a jam and provide for automatic shut-off when one occurs. A reverse feed option is helpful for clearing paper when jams do happen.

A semi-transparent basket is convenient for showing when it’s time to empty the container. Some models have a rack or molded basket to insert plastic bags to hold shredded paper.

Shredder manufacturers will sometimes produce special bags that are ‘best for our brand’. Most times these are unnecessary, but there’s one type where those can be useful. Certain models have not only a shredder, but a compactor/container below. Those heavier-duty bags are helpful on those types.

Size and shapes are as varied as individual tastes and needs. Slender models are available to fit under the desk or beside it in narrow spaces. Expandable-side models allow you to use different size baskets to accommodate light or heavy quantities.

Some models provide only the shredding unit and are designed to fit over a standard office wastebasket. Some have adapters that can fit over round or different sized rectangular containers.

Which one you choose will, naturally, depend on your volume and security needs as well as your budget. But don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish. In this age of identity and credit card theft, spending a little more up-front could save you hundreds of dollars and major hassles if you’re victimized.

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