Question 1

What's the difference between cross-cut and micro-cut shredders?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cut shredders cut paper both horizontally and vertically, producing rectangular particles roughly 2×15mm — adequate for general office use and personal documents. Micro-cut shredders go further, producing much smaller fragments (typically 2×12mm or less), which are far harder to reconstruct and meet higher DIN 66399 security classifications (P-4 to P-5). For GDPR-sensitive documents — HR files, financial records, client data — micro-cut is the appropriate choice. For shredding junk mail and general correspondence, cross-cut is perfectly sufficient and usually cheaper.

Question 2

Is auto-feed actually worth the extra cost?

Accepted Answer

Auto-feed is worth it if you regularly shred batches of 50 or more sheets at a time — it genuinely eliminates the tedium of hand-feeding documents one by one. If you shred a handful of documents a week, it's an unnecessary expense. The Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ range is the benchmark here: you load a stack into the tray, close the lid, and the machine processes the entire batch unattended. The caveat is that auto-feed mechanisms can be more sensitive to mixed paper types and the occasional staple, so check jam-detection specs carefully before buying.

Question 3

What DIN security level do I need for GDPR compliance?

Accepted Answer

For most GDPR purposes, DIN 66399 level P-4 (cross-cut, particles no larger than 160mm²) is the minimum recommended standard, with P-5 (micro-cut, particles no larger than 30mm²) preferred for highly sensitive personal data. Strip-cut shredders (P-1/P-2) are not considered adequate for GDPR-covered document destruction. If you're unsure, micro-cut is the safer default — the price difference at the mid-range is modest, and the security benefit is significant.

Question 4

How loud are paper shredders, and does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Most shredders in this category operate between 55 and 65 dB during use — roughly equivalent to a normal conversation at the quieter end, or a busy restaurant at the louder end. For open-plan offices or shared home working spaces, this genuinely matters. Rexel's Optimum AutoFeed+ series is rated at 55 dB, which is noticeably less intrusive than the ProMax QS range at 60 dB. If noise is a concern, check the dB rating in the spec sheet rather than relying on marketing language like "quiet operation".

Question 5

What are the most common mistakes when buying a paper shredder?

Accepted Answer

The most common mistake is buying on sheet capacity alone without checking continuous run time — a shredder rated at 20 sheets per pass but with only a 10-minute run time will overheat and shut down mid-batch in any real office environment. A close second is ignoring bin capacity: a 10-litre bin on a shared office machine means someone is emptying it multiple times a day. Finally, many buyers overlook whether the model uses proprietary waste bags — these add ongoing cost that isn't reflected in the purchase price. Always check the full spec, not just the headline figures.

Question 6

Can paper shredders handle staples and credit cards?

Accepted Answer

Most mid-range and above shredders handle staples and small paperclips without issue — this is now standard on anything above entry level. Credit card shredding is available on many models but often via a separate, narrower slot that operates more slowly. CD and DVD shredding is a genuine niche: useful for businesses disposing of old data media, but not worth paying extra for if you'll never use it. Always confirm staple compatibility before buying — feeding a stapled document into an incompatible shredder is a reliable way to cause a jam and potentially void the warranty.

Question 7

How often should I oil my paper shredder?

Accepted Answer

Most manufacturers recommend oiling the cutting blades every time you empty the waste bin, or roughly every 30 minutes of use — whichever comes first. Using dedicated shredder oil or lubrication sheets (available in our Paper Shredder Accessories section) prevents blade wear, reduces the risk of jams, and significantly extends the machine's lifespan. Skipping this step is the single most common reason shredders underperform or fail prematurely. It takes about 30 seconds and makes a genuine difference.

Paper Shredders Price Comparison

Leitz IQ Office Pro paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 23 cm White

Fellowes Powershred 10M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 65 dB Black

Fellowes Powershred 92Cs paper shredder Cross shredding 23 cm Black

Fellowes Powershred P-25S Strip-Cut Shredder paper shredder Strip shredding 22 cm Black, Grey

Rexel ProMax QS RSS1838 paper shredder Strip shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS RSX1538 paper shredder Cross shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS RSS1535 paper shredder Strip shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS RSX1035 paper shredder Cross shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS RES1123 paper shredder Strip shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS REX823 paper shredder Cross shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel ProMax QS RPS812 paper shredder Strip shredding 60 dB 22 cm Black

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 750M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 600X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 600M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 300X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 300M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 225X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 225M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 23 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 150X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 22 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 150M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 22 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 100M paper shredder Micro-cut shredding 55 dB 22 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed+ 50X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 22 cm Black, Silver

Rexel Optimum AutoFeed 45X paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB 22 cm Black, Silver

Rexel XP418+ paper shredder Cross shredding 55 dB Black

Paper Shredders Price Comparison