Shedding has enabled multiple companies to safely destroy confidential information and prevent identity thefts. 

While there are undoubtedly a lot of shredders to choose from, most of them use two main cutting methods to shred documents: 

• Strip-cut shredding, which uses a single blade to cut paper into long vertical stripes that are as long as the paper itself, and about 1/4″ wide
• Cross-cut shredding, which cuts paper multi-directionally, resulting in very tiny particles of paper that are unreadable

Each shredding type has its own advantages, but it’s your shredding needs that determine the shredder you’ll choose.

For instance, if you work in a busy office and process sensitive and confidential information, a cross-cut shredder is ideal for you. It cuts paper into tiny pieces that cannot be reassembled, and its waste bin takes longer to fill up, saving you time and space.

To help with your selection, let’s discuss three key advantages a cross-cut shredder has over a strip-cut shredder.

1 - A Cross-Cut Shredder Provides a Higher Level of Security

In cross-cut shredding, the machine’s blade cuts paper crosswise and lengthwise, creating paper particles instead of shreds. This results in super tiny bits of countless confetti-like paper pieces that cannot be re-assembled. 

A cross-cut shredder will serve you well if you mainly deal with documents containing personal or sensitive information, such as: 

• Home addresses 
• Medical records
• Social security numbers
• Banking information

Strip-cut shredding, on the other hand, uses a rotating blade that cuts paper in a single direction (lengthwise), producing bigger ribbon-like stripes of paper of up to 1/2" wide. 

In regards to data security, strip-cut shredding provides inadequate protection. A strip-cut shredder mostly cuts a sheet of paper into approximately 40 pieces, which can be re-assembled by a determined third party. 

Besides, software and technological advances in scanning have made it possible to re-assemble documents shredded using the strip-cutting method, rendering it unsafe for sensitive documents.

2 - A Cross-Cut Shredder Saves Space and Time

Cross-cut shredders produce very tiny pieces of paper that take a while to fill the shredder's waste basket. 

Even if both shredders use the same quantity of paper, the strip-cut shredder’s bin will fill up faster because of the size of the shredded paper pieces. This means frequent emptying of the bin, especially if you’re working in a busy office that requires constant shredding.

Not with a cross-cut shredder though. Most cross-cut shredders, such as the Formax FD 8730HS Office Shredder, have a higher bin capacity of up to 31 gallons, which fill up with waste at a much slower rate. This saves you ample time as you won’t have to empty your waste bin several times a day.

3 - A Cross-Cut Shredder Is Highly Durable

Cross-cut shredders are some of the most durable machines on the market. They have sturdy construction and sustainable features that keep them powerful even after years of service.

Their motors, for instance, are more complex and built strongly to enable the cutting of paper into tiny pieces without mechanical breakdowns. 

Some cross-cut shredders, like the Formax FD 8300HS Deskside Shredder, have a continuous duty motor that runs on end without taking time to cool between paper loads. This enables quick and efficient shredding of materials; particularly ideal if you work in a busy office that handles massive paperwork daily.

The Best Cross-Cut Shredders on the Market

There are endless options of cross-cut shredders on the market, which makes it overwhelming to get the perfect machine for all your shredding needs.

But with these three shredders, you can be certain that your confidential documents won’t be in danger of being reassembled by any third party.

1 - Formax FD 8906CC Cross-Cut Industrial Shredder

The Formax FD 8906CC industrial shredder is a high-capacity machine designed for high-volume shredding of materials like cardboard, full-size files, stacks of computer forms, and magnetic disks.

The rugged-design machine can shred up to 650 sheets of paper at a time at a speed of up to 35 feet per minute. As a result, this heavy-duty shredder can serve the data protection needs of an entire company.

Important Features of the FD 8906CC Cross-Cut Industrial Shredder

• Automatic oiling system, EvenFlow, which constantly lubricates the steel cutting blades for optimal functioning 
• Optical sensors, which detect paper and begin operation immediately
• Safety circuit breaker that cuts off power in case of emergencies
• Auto-sensor that instantly stops the motor once the waste bin gets filled up
• Safety key lock that allows access by only authorized personnel

2 - Formax FD 8302CC Deskside Cross-Cut Shredder

The Formax FD 8302CC deskside shredder is a sturdy compact machine that takes little space and can be easily adjusted to fit anywhere in your office. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals with limited workspace.

The Formax FD 8302CC is made with heat-treated steel cutting blades, all metal cabinets, and an AC gear motor; which, collectively, makes it powerful enough to handle fast and efficient destruction of sensitive documents and materials beyond paper, like staples and paper clips.

Important Features of the Formax FD 8302CC Deskside Shredder

• Shreds up to 8 sheets of paper at a time into micro-cut shred size pieces of 1/16" x 5/8"
• Door safety sensor that automatically stops the motor if the door cabinet is opened
• Powerful AC gear motor with sturdy steel gears for maximum performance and minimal noise
• Can be switched to manual mode to shred small pieces of paper that aren’t usually detected by the auto mode
• Feed opening has an auto start/stop optical sensor that begins operation immediately after it detects paper

3 - Formax FD 8500HS High-Security Office Shredder

Just like other high-security shredders sold by Armadillo Industrial Supplies, the Formax FD 8500HS shredder meets the latest NSA/CSS specifications required for it to destroy high-security paperwork.

Built to the highest standards possible, this high-security shredder provides level 6 security, ensuring your destroyed sensitive information is safe and secure. It’s an excellent choice if you mostly deal with Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).

Important Features of the Formax FD 8500HS High-Security Shredder

• ECO energy-saving mode that automatically switches the shredder to standby mode after five minutes of inactivity
• Powerful continuous-duty motor for constant shredding of paper without stopping between paper loads
• Door safety sensor that instantly stops the motor if the cabinet door is opened
• Heavy-duty waste bin that holds up to 26 gallons of shredded waste
• Oil indicator that flashes after every 4 hours of use, suggesting that the cutting blades need to be oiled for optimal shredding

Cross-Cut vs. Strip-Cut Shredder: Other Factors to Consider

For both cross-cut and strip-cut shredders, there are distinct advantages that one has over the other. 

The table below shows a comparison of the two depending on factors affecting your buying decision, such as cost and maintenance. 

Factor	Cross Cut Shredder	Strip Cut Shredder
Speed	Makes bi-directional cuts on paper which slow down the shredding process	Shreds paper fast as it makes only one continuous cut on the paper and allows multiple shredding of sheets at a time
Security	Provides a higher level of security since it cuts paper into super tiny pieces that cannot be reassembled	Cuts paper into long strips that can be reassembled with the right technology
Maintenance	Has more motor parts which require oiling after about 30 minutes of continuous use	Have less moving parts, hence can be oiled after an hour of continuous use
Capacity	Cuts paper into tiny pieces that take less space in the waste bin, reducing the clearing time	Requires frequent clearing of the bin as it cuts paper into larger pieces that build up fast

Get the Best Shredder for All Your Shredding Needs

When choosing between cross-cut and strip cut shredders, it’s less about which one is the best, and more about which one is best for you.

A cross-cut shredder is ideal if you want to destroy sensitive and confidential information like medical records and banking details. It also saves you a lot of time since its waste bin takes longer to fill up.

But if you work in a busy office that handles a lot of non-confidential paperwork, like junk mail and reports, the strip-cut shredder is an excellent choice. It has a higher shredding speed because it cuts paper into long stripes once, making it perfect for frequent, high-volume shredding. 

Armadillo Industrial Supplies offers both strip-cut and cross-cut shredders. All the shredders are up-to-date, current with industry standards, and of the highest quality on the market.

Our customers are like family, as we believe that this is the foundation for any successful working relationship. That’s why we strive to give you the best and most reliable customer service.

... We live in a world where customer service is an afterthought...But Armadillo have exceeded my expectations. Ryan

With our vast collection of shredders, you’ll indeed find a machine for all your shredding needs. Whether it’s a small shredder for your home office or a giant heavy-duty machine for an entire organization, you’re sure to find it.

For any questions, reach out to us and our team will get back to you in a moment.

Related Articles:

5 Factors to Consider Before Buying an Industrial Shredder

How Office Shredders Work and 4 Reliable Options

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