Congratulations on your decision to purchase a paper shredder.
Our Top Paper Shredder for Remote Work
The Bonsen 8-sheet Paper Shredder is our recommendation. Based upon the features discussed below, it is the best combination and price.
Why is a Shredder Important?
Statistics show that 1 in 15 people fall victim to identity theft. Shredding documents is one of the simplest ways to eliminate personal information from being obtain via your trash. Yes, some people do rummage thru trash looking for valuable information. It is called Dumpster Diving.
Paper Shredder Features
Now that you know why a paper shredder is important, here are the important features when determining which paper shredder to purchase.
Page Capacity
It is important to know how many sheets of paper the shredder can handle at one time. An 8-sheet shredder is probably adequate for most remote workers. It is possible to get a 4-sheet or 6-sheet capacity, but sometimes the lesser power is not worth the cost savings. There are also options for 10, 12, 14 or even greater sheet capacity. However, unless you work with large stacks of printed sensitive data, it is unlikely you will need to shred 14 sheets of paper simultaneously.
Credit Cards and Staples
Any good shredder should also be able to handle both credit cards and staples. Many shredders will identify a specific location to place the credit card. The staples are crushed and chopped just like the paper. Although both credit cards and staples are an uncommon situation, it is still a good idea to get a shredder to handle them.
Runtime
All paper shredders will eventually overheat with enough continuous use. Shredders are rated for a continuous runtime. For most remote workers, a runtime of 3 or 4 minutes is plenty. As long as you use the shredder every week, the stack of papers to shred will not get very large. I maybe shred a couple dozen sheets of paper per week.
If you happen to work in an office with multiple people, you will want to consider a shredder with a 30 minute or longer runtime.
Cross-Cut
There are basically 3 ways to cut the paper
- Strips – A piece of paper is cut into thin strips for the entire length of the paper. It would be challenging, but definitely not impossible to reconstruct the original document.
- Cross-cut – Think of confetti. Each scrap of paper is roughly 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch or smaller. It would be very difficult to reconstruct the original document. This cut is recommended for the average remote worker.
- Micro-cut – A piece of paper is shredded into many very fine scraps of paper. It would be virtually impossible to reconstruct the original document. This is only necessary for the most secure of documents.
For most remote workers, a cross-cut shredder is adequate.
Common Paper Shredder Questions
What is the best kind of paper shredder?
In short, a paper shredder you will use. If you are looking for specific details. We at Live Shopping Community recommend at least 8 sheets capacity, with a built-in waste basket, and cross-cut functionality. The Bonsen 8-sheet Paper Shredder is our recommendation.
What shredder is best for home use?
The Bonsen 8-sheet Paper Shredder is our recommendation.
Is a paper shredder worth it?
Absolutely! It is a simple method to avoid identity theft via your garbage.
How do you destroy paper without a shredder?
You can soak documents in a mixture of bleach and water for 24 hours or you can create a bonfire. However, the efficiency of a quality paper shredder cannot be matched.
Which type of shredder do I need?
A shredder which can handle the amount of paper you need shredded and with the appropriate cut size. An 8-sheet cross-cut shredder is sufficient for most people. The Bonsen 8-sheet Paper Shredder is our recommendation.
Can shredders handle more than just paper?
Yes, many shredders can handle credit cards, staples, paper clips, paper bags and thin cardboard.
What are the best Cross Shredders for Office & Personal Use?
The Bonsen 8-sheet Paper Shredder is our recommendation for home and personal use. The Bonsaii 18-Sheet, 60 Minute Shredder is probably a better option for an office.
What are the least expensive Cross Shredders for Office & Personal Use?
The Amazon Basics 8-sheet strip-cut shredder is one of the least expensive options, but it has some limitations such as no cross-cut.
What types of documents should be shredded?
Any documents with personal, financial, or medical information that you no longer need. If you are throwing these documents away, then they should be shredded. Some examples are: Bank Statements, Hospital Bills, paystubs, checks you deposited via mobile app, utility bills, credit card bills, student loan information, and many more.
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