Welcome to our KOBRA Paper Shredder Buying Guide.  The following tabular guide is designed to narrow down your selection to 1 to 4 of the 36 models of KOBRA shredders that we carry.  This guide is designed to offer you the most economical option depending on your security needs, capacity requirements and space available.  We have also provided two other ways to help you find the right shredder for the job:  Paper Shredders by Price lists our paper shredders from lowest to highest price;  Paper Shredders by Speed lists our paper shredders from the fastest to the slowest machines (speed was calculated based on the slot width, feed rate and number of sheets allowed).

The chart below is organized by Security Level from top to bottom.  Strip-cut shredders are rated as 1 and 2 on the DIN32757 standards.  Strip-cut shredders cut continuous strips along the length of paper inserted.  Given enough incentive these strips can be put back together.  Especially if color coded forms are used.  Cross-cut shredders cut these strips into segments.  These segments can be as small as 1/32" x 7/16" and as large as 1/8" x 1 1/2" depending on the model selected.  The smaller the pieces the higher the security level.  DIN32757 level 5 meets D.O.D.  and N.S.A. requirements for destruction of  Classified and Top Secret documents. 

There are some reasons to select a Strip-cut shredder over a Cross-cut.  If your application is to convert general correspondence, computer print-outs  or news print into packing material, a strip cut shredder is a good choice.  The strips created are bulky and take up more room than the original paper.   This is NOT a good application for confidential correspondence.  Conversely, if your application requires a large volume of shredding in a small space, you should select a Cross-cut shredder.  The output of a Cross-cut shredder is much more compact and takes up less space than paper strips.  Strip-cut shredders are faster than Cross-cut shredders in the same price range because less cutting is involved.

The Second Column breaks down the available options by the type of shredding and the media that can be shredded.  All of our shredders can shred paper, paper clips and staples.  Shredding of Credit Cards, CD's and Floppy Disks is a more demanding application and therefore requires a stronger and more expensive machine.

Level 5 machines are not able to shred credit cards, CD's and Floppy Disks.  If you have level 5 security requirements, we recommend that you dedicate a smaller level 2 or 3 shredder to shred CD's and Floppy Disks.  Likewise, for recycling reasons, you may not want to mix shredded plastic and metal with shredded paper.

The Third Column combines Capacity, Throat Width and Height.  Each description is a link to the most economical choices of each group.  

There's no point to buying a machine that won't fit into the space available.  Ergonomically, a 21" or 22" high machine is great from a desk chair in a personal office or cubicle.  A taller machine with more capacity is more practical near the copier.  The largest machines should be located in a shared area isolated from the conference room and quiet working areas.

Likewise, if your primary application is destruction of continuous computer forms, make sure that the throat width is wide enough for your print-outs and that you select a desk mounted shredder or a shredder with a forms shelf.

Good luck in your paper shredder search.  If we can be of any help in selecting the right shredder for your application, please send us an email or give us a call.  

Here are two other ways to help you find the right shredder for the job:  

Paper Shredders by Price lists our paper shredders from lowest to highest price; 

Paper Shredders  Enter  "."  in the Find  Box to lists all of our paper shredders.