Cross-cut vs Micro-cut shredder – Which is better?

A cross-cut shredder is a less secure paper shredder compared to a micro-cut shredder. Cross-cut paper shredders rate from security level P-3 and P-4. Where micro-cut shredders rate from P-5, P-6, and P-7. The latter is also known as nano-cut.

Read more about paper shredders in our shredder guide.

What is the most secure?

So, which is better? A micro-cut shredder is the most secure type of paper shredder. The downside is that micro-cut shredders process paper slower than cross-cut shredders, and the high security shredding machines are more expensive.

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Why you can trust our recommendations? We have years of expertise and experience in certified paper and data destruction for businesses.

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What is the main difference?

Both cross-cut and micro-cut shredders offer far more security than a strip-cut shredder. Cross-cut shredders are classified as ‘secure’ or ‘medium-security’ shredder.

In comparison, a micro-cut shredder is classified as a ‘very secure’ or ‘high-security’ shredder. The main difference is that a micro-cut shredder offers more security because the shredded paper particles are smaller than standard cross-cut shreds.

Both paper shredders cut a page diagonally from both corners. Because both shredders cut sideways means that a micro-cut shredder works the same as a cross-cut shredder. The only difference is that a micro-cut shredder produces smaller and more particles per shredded document.

The DIN 66399 P-security level is part of the official German DIN 66399 standard (since 2012), the international standard for secure shredding of data media developed by the Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), which translates to the German Institute for Standardization.

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How many shreds per page?

• P-3 (cross-cut) – 200 shreds per page
• P-4 (cross-cut) – 400 shreds per page
• P-5 (micro-cut) – 2,000 shreds per page
• P-6 (micro-cut) – 6,000 shreds per page
• P-7 (nano-cut) – 12,000 shreds per page

On average a micro-cut shredder shreds a page over 10 times smaller than a cross-cut shredder.

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What is a cross-cut shredder?

Cross-cut shredders offer a medium level of data security and the minimum requirement for shredding confidential documents, such as bank statements, documents with personal data, or business papers.

We recommended opting for the more secure P-4 cross-cut shredder rather than the P-3 cross-cut shredder. On average, a cross-cut shredder shreds a document into 400 particles.

A cross-cut shredder is also known as a confetti-cut, particle-cut or diamond-cut shredder.

Pros:

• Shreds documents in small particles
• Wide choice of cross-cut shredders
• Particles are more condensed than strips
• Documents are hard to reconstruct
• Shreds faster than micro-cut shredders

Cons:

• Needs maintenance and oiling
• Not recommended for highly confidential documents
• Generally slower than strip-cut shredders

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What is a micro-cut shredder?

Micro-cut shredders offer a high data security level. We advise using micro-cut shredders for shredding highly confidential documents, such as contracts, government documents, or medical documents.

One piece of paper ends up in more than 2,000 tiny particles shredded with a P-5 paper shredder.

A micro-cut shredder is also known as a security-cut shredder.

Pros:

• Very small paper particles.
• High level of security.
• Wide choice of micro-cut shredders
• Keep your sensitive information safe.

Cons:

• Shredding process is slower than a similar cross-cut shredder.
• The machine needs to cool down quicker.
• Needs maintenance and oiling
• Micro-cut shredders are relatively more expensive.

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Is cross-cut secure enough?

A cross-cut shredder is secure enough for shredding most of your confidential documents. But when you need more security and peace of mind, it is recommended to use a micro-cut shredder with DIN security level P-5 or higher.

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Sources:

1. https://www.gbc.com/
2. https://www.fellowes.com/
3. https://www.kensington.com/