Paper are not the only media that can clog your shelves and/or drawers. Do not fret, there exists media shredders that destroy paper, CDs and credit cards. To find out more continue reading.
Why Use a Shredder?
A paper shredder is a device that is used to cut paper into smaller pieces in order to protect the information written on it. But paper is not the only media that you can store your data on. CDs and DVDs are in high use lately. If you just throw them away when you don’t need them anymore, the information might end up in the wrong hands and can be held against you.
More About CD Shredders
If you need to shred other materials than just paper, such as staples, paper clips, credit cards and CD/DVDs you need paper shredder with stronger blades that won’t get damaged so easily. CD shredders are the shredders that have a function of cutting CDs and DVDs into small particles. Some of them have separate feed opening to cut digital media, which is great since they will slow down the deterioration of main blades for shredding the paper, and by that, it will prolong the lifespan of your shredder. Those models are usually pricier than the ones that allow you to shred CDs in the main feed entry.
Can You Shred CdsIn A Paper Shredder?
Most paper shredders can cut CDs and credit cards, but if the shredder is not designed to do so its blades will deteriorate fast with a high risk of a jam or the motor overheating. That is why it is advisable to never shred media other than paper inside shredders that are designed for only paper.
This article will present you with CD shredders that are most popular on the market right now. They differ in specifications and performance, so we hope this article will help you to choose the one that fits your needs the best.
Top 5 Best CD Shredder Reviews
High Security CD Micro-Cut Shredder
AmazonBasics Paper, CD and Credit Card Shredder
This shredder is able to cut 12 sheets of paper at the same time with the speed of 6 feet of paper per minute. The stainless steel blades can destroy any kind of documents you have into tiny micro-cut pieces, the size of 5/32” x 15/32”, providing a high level of security.
Additionally, it will shred paper clips and staples attached to the documents, as well as CD/DVDs that contain sensitive info and expired or unwanted credit cards, but you have to insert one item at the time. This device consists of the parts, the shredding unit which sits on top of a 6.7 gallons pull-out trash bin. The trash bin has integrated the small window so you can see when it’s full. Trash bin also has an integrated plastic handle that you just have to pull to pull-out the bin, so there’s no need to lift the shredding unit. Also, this shredder has small plastic wheels which allow you to move the shredder around.
Operating this shredder is really effortless; you just connect it to the power circuit and set to Auto mode. Auto mode will automatically start the blades as soon as it detects the paper cd shredder presence of the paper in the entry throat, and it will also stop the blades once the paper has passed through, making it energy efficient. It can shred continuously for 8 minutes then it needs 45 minutes cool down time.
In case it runs overtime and starts to overheat, thermal protection will turn off the shredder to prevent any damage to the motor. For many various reasons the paper jamming might occur, in that case, you need to manually switch to reverse to remove jammed paper. This AmazonBasics paper and CD shredder machine isgood for medium use in offices or for personal use at home, thanks to strong blades and good performance, high level of security, shredding capacity and speed.
Commercial Cross-Cut CD Shredder
Bonsaii Docshred C156-D Paper, CD & Credit Card Shredder
This paper shredder can shred 12 papers at once. Stainless steel blades are able to cross-cut paper material down to unreadable fragments that are not bigger than 1/5” x 1-25/32” that will keep your information secure. The entry throat can fit regular size paper documents and you can leave the staples and paperclips attached to the documents. Also, this model is a CD shredder since it can cut plastic credit cards and CDs.
On top of the shredding unit there is special input for CDs and credit cards, but don’t overload it with more than one item at once. Having a separate entry for CDs and credit cards is great since it will prolong the life of your shredder since the main blades won’t get dull so soon.
This shredder comes with a user’s manual, but it is really simple to operate it. It requires a power source, so you have to plug the cord in the wall and set the shredder in Auto mode. The sensor in the input slot will detect that the paper has been inserted and the blades will begin to shred the paper. This shredder is able to work 3-5 minutes without stopping, if you use it longer than that, it can overheat and in-built safety mechanism will turn off the device for about 40 minutes so the motor can cool down before being able to shred again.
The shredding head is above the waste bin and it serves as a lid that will prevent paper pieces to fly around. Waste bin can take 5.5 gallons of paper waste and the view window enables you to see when it’s ready for emptying. To lift the shredding head, there is handle integrated on top that enables you to lift it easily, and its big waste bin capacity won’t make you worry about emptying too often. Due to the excess of paper, it can get stuck in the blades and cause a paper jam, when that happens you just have to manually switch to Reverse to unclog the blades.
Silent Jam-Proof Cross-Cut CD Shredder
Fellowes PowerShred 79CI Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
Fellowes 79Ci is paper and CD shredder and it is a great solution for you if you want a decent paper shredder for your office space or for personal use. It will cut up to 16 sheets of paper at the same time too small cross-cut pieces, and you don’t have to remove paper clips and staples. Also, it has the ability to shred credit cards and old CD/DVDs without any problem, but only one at the time.
Shredded pieces are smaller than 5/32” x 1-1/2” so it gives a good level of security. A bonus feature to this cross-cut paper and cd shredder is that it’s jam proof, and it has a safety feature that immediately stops the blades when it detects fingers in insert slot. That means that you will have to push paper deeper in the entry slot for it to be recognized, but if you have small kids or pets this will you ease your mind about them being injured.
The shredder dimensions are 21.31” x 15.38” x 10.44” and it has 6 gallons pull out waste bin that has a transparent plastic window and integrated handle. The bin has to sit in its place perfectly in order for the shredder to work to prevent an unnecessary mess. Also, you can put plastic casters that will make moving it around easier. Reduced noise level is another wonderful feature.
The manufactures patented a technique to make this shredder as quiet as possible, reaching the noise level of only 56 dB. It will work continuously for 20 minutes before then it will need 30 minutes cool down break. Thermal protection will turn off the shredder when it starts to overheat to protect the motor.
Heavy-Duty High-Capacity CD Shredder
Fellowes PowerShred 99CI Cross-Cut Paper Shredder
This paper shredder made by Fellowes has two sets of blades that will cross-cut total of 18 sheets of paper in a single pass to the pieces smaller than 5/32” x 1-1/2” to meet the P-4 standard of security. It is also able to take down unopened junk mail as well as staples and paper clips. Because of its strong steel blades, this is also a CD shredder that allows you to destroy plastic materials, so you can also shred old CDs and credit cards.
The proportions of this shredder are 17.31” x 11.44” x 25.19” and the mass of this shredder is 30.11 pounds. To prevent injuries to your back the manufacturers provided you with plastic wheels so you can just roll it around the office. Underneath the shredding unit, there is a trash bin with 9 gallons capacity with clear plastic window and a LED light indicator on the user interface to show you when the bin needs to be emptied, and emptying is easy, just pull out the bin and dispose of the trash.
This shredding machine works in cycles – 30 minutes of shredding, 40 minutes of cooling down. You have to connect it to the power source and it will do everything for you besides inserting the paper, which will be your only duty. When you set it to Autostart, it will detect the occupancy of the entry slot and the blades will start immediately.
This shredder model has patented a three-level Jam Proof System that prevents paper and dust from building-up and jamming the blades, and it will remove the obstacles if such thing happens. In addition, the Safety feature will stop the blades the same second as the hands come too near to the feed entry. Even though it is a really powerful and efficient machine, you will barely hear it since it produces 54 dB of noise.
Compact Desktop Cross-Cut Paper And CD Shredder
Aurora AU1200XD 12-Shreet Paper Shredder
This Aurora AU1200D paper and CD shredder will prevent that your sensitive information gets into the wrong hands by cutting it to 5/32” x 1-7/32” unreadable pieces. It can take up to a total of 12 sheets of the paper through the 8.7” wide entry slot, and it will save you some time because you don’t have to remove staples or paper clips.
Stainless steel blades are strong enough to destroy CDs, but insert one CD at the time to prevent blade damage. The capacity of the wastebasket is 1.8 gallons and you can empty it by effortlessly pulling-out the waste basket to dispose of all the shredded waste once it gets full.
Thanks to its dimensions (13.2” x 9.9” x 11.8”) this shredder is perfect for any office space because you can easily place it on your desk or on the shelves of the file cabinet to have it in a hands reach. Being an electric shredder, you will have to connect it to the power outlet if you want it to work. 5 minutes of continuous shredding will require 30 minutes break to cool down.
When it works longer than recommended, overheating may happen and then it will be automatically shut off by the safety feature that will prevent any motor damages. Also, the user interface will allow you to see its power status thanks to the LED light indicator which will show you if it’s overheating or overloaded with paper and whether the doors are open. Anti-jam technology will deal with the paper jams by reversing the blades automatically when they occur, in order to unclog it.
Conclusion: Best CD Shredder On The Market Right Now
The Fellowes Powershred 79Ci takes the crown as the best CD shredder on the market right now. For its price it is absolutely packed with features like SilentShred, SafeSense, auto reverse, 100% jam proof, energy savings system. It is truly a high end affordable shredder. If you are looking for even more shredding power check out my 10 best heavy duty paper shredders or 5 best cardboard & box shredders. If high workloads are more your style then check out the best high capacity paper shredder reviews.