Best 7 Cardboard Shredders In 2022: Reuse Old Boxes As Packing Materials

On the search for cardboard shredder models for commercial or home use?

If you are, then keep reading this post about the best models currently available in the market. After reading reviews, learn how to pick the best item for your needs. You’ll learn more about shredding speed, design, mobility, security features and more.

What Shredder Will Shred Cardboard?

Is this shredder type a necessity in your office like ones that shred paper? If your business or warehouse accumulates a lot of cardboard, then it might be a good investment. Moreover, most paper cutters are not powerful enough to slice through cardboard. You will either have to invest in an industrial machine that is also suitable for cardboard or look for a specialized machine.

Shredders Suitable For Cardboard

They are types of heavy-duty machines with powerful motors. They are usually suitable for cutting through cardboard only. Moreover, not all of them work as shredders to create strips of cardboard. Instead, some of them convert it into grids aka perforated cardboard. It is defined as pierced piece with rows of small holes so that it is easy to tear it off.

Are Industrial Paper Shredders Suitable?

Besides shredding paper, some industrial-grade machines are also suitable for cutting through cardboard. This is a better option if you primarily want to shred paper but also want to shred some cardboard from time to time.

Paper Vs. Cardboard

A standard paper shredder usually has a smaller footprint than ones made for cardboard. It can usually cut paper into strips, confetti or diamond-like pieces (cross-cut), or into really tiny particles (micro-cut). On the other hand, the other device can either convert it into grid-like cardboard or slice it into long strips.

How Much Does It Cost?

They are not cheap machines, they can usually be found for not less than $1,500 and can even cost as much as $10,000.

Why should You Cut Cardboard?

In which cases is it a good idea to invest in a spealized machine like this one? Here is when you will put it to good use:

• You have a retail business – shredding will help you get rid of scrapped boxes and be able to reuse them for something else
• For packaging material – boxes shredded into long strips or perforated cardboard can be a great material for retail businesses that pack their products
• Shipping your products protected – by wrapping your products into perforated cardboard or putting it in a package or parcel with shredded strips, you will protect your product from damage during shipping and transport
• Freeing up space – shredding scrapped boxes is a great way to free up space
• For compost and worm farms – some people shred boxes to help with farming worms or to create compost
• Saves you money – by cutting old boxes for packaging, you save money you would have to spend on buying packaging material
• Eco-friendly – this is a friendlier option for the environment than styrofoam, bubble wrap, or plastic

Drawbacks Of This Type Of Machine

It is a bulky device that won’t fit into small spaces. What is more, they are usually also heavy so they are not easy to move around. This type of machine does not look as attractive as others can and it is usually too utilitarian-looking to fit any office. Likewise, they are expensive and do not fit everyone’s budget.

Guide To Find The Best Option

Here you can learn about the features and specifications of both machines suitable for those are dedicated to shredding and converting cardboard.

Powerful Blades

They are equipped with strong, steel, and durable blades or cutters. They are able to cut cardboard, optical media, and paper quite easily.

Sheet & Layer Capacity

If you want to shred cardboard in a paper shredder, pick one that has a sheet capacity of at least 18- or 24-sheet capacity. Those are usually heavy-duty shredders. For dedicated shredders, you can choose between those that cut through one layer or those that can cut through two to three layers at once. For higher volume cardboard shredding, the latter will be more suitable.

Run Time

Heavy-duty machines usually don’t require a cool-down period. That means they are able to run continuously, even for hours. With unlimited run time, they are ideal for commercial use and big companies. For paper cutters suitable for cardboard, choose those that have a run time of at least 30 minutes.

Jam Proof To Prevent It From Getting Stuck

Make sure the shredder features jam-proof functions so that you don’t have to worry about cardboard getting stuck between the blades. For example, the auto-reverse function will help to unblock whatever gets stuck.

Grid Or Strip Cuts

These machines can either cut this material into long strips or into perforated (grid) cardboard. Choose long strips if you want to use it for compost or other similar uses. On the other hand, choose a grid-cut if you want to reuse it for packaging materials, etc.

Safety Features

To shred safely, choose a machine that has an automatic shut-off to prevent overheating. Also, go for the one that has an emergency stop, protection for hands and fingers, etc.

Do Not Overload It

Do not put more pieces than recommended into it at once. By overloading it, you will slow down the motor or even overheat it. Likewise, this will make the cutting blades dull.

Type Of Cut

Besides dedicated shredders for shredding cardboard that can destroy it into long strips or convert it into grids, you will have to choose between different types of cut. Strip-cut will cut paper and cardboard into long strips, cross-cut into confetti, and micro-cut into short and small particles.

Best 7 Cardboard Shredders

HSM Powerline FA4000c Shredder

Heavy Item
HSM Powerline is a large machine, it measures 61.7 x 45.5 x 65 inches in size. It is extremely heavy, weighing in at 937 pounds. Because of its weight, it has four robust casters that make it easy to transport if necessary. This is a cross-cut industrial shredder with a medium level of security.

Automatic Reverse Function
In a single pass, this machine can shred up to 120 sheets. HSM shredding speed is 43.31 feet per minute. The trash bin is enormous with a capacity of 104 gallons/390 liters. It shreds optical discs, credit cards, paper and USB flash drives. If there are any paper jams, the machine will automatically reverse the paper.

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Intimus PacMaster Shredder

Use-friendly Panel
This sturdy device has a width of 27.2 inches, a depth of 18.5 inches and a height of 37.4 inches. It is a pretty heavy one, weighing 308 pounds, so there are four swivel casters that provide easy transport. Intimus is equipped with a user-friendly interface.

Emergency Stop Switch
There is a lockable power switch that also serves as an emergency stop. A size guide on the interface allows you to measure an accurate cutting format. Intimus shreds old and obsolete cardboard. The feed slot width is 16.7 inches and its shredding speed is 34 feet per minute.

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HSM Multi-layer Shredder

Meets Safety Regulations
The dimensions of this strong and powerful unit for packaging are 38 inches in height, 28 inches in width and 19 inches in depth. It weighs 390 pounds, therefore it’s equipped with wheels making it easier to move around. HSM shredder is a green solution that meets national and international safety standards.

Continuous-duty Operation
Because the HSM is a multi-layer machine, feed it with three layers per single pass. Its motor is designed for continuous duty operation, it doesn’t need a cool-down period. A thermal fuse protects it against overheating. For more similar materials, check the article on the best high-capacity paper shredders.

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HSM ProfiPack C400 Shredder

High-quality Build
HSM ProfiPack C400 is a popular shred box for offices that is built in Germany from high-quality materials. It is a single-layer item. Moreover, it’s compact and easy to use in any office. Equipped with powerful cutting rollers that cut that layer into padding material, that can be used as packing material.

Continuous Run-time
Its feed slot is 16.3 inches wide. You can fit almost every box into this opening, and it’ll shred it at a rate of 26 feet per minute. The motor doesn’t require a cool-down period and it’s able to run continuously. The integrated thermal fuse prevents overheating.

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Intimus 16.50 Shredder

Cross-cut Machine
Intimus 16.50 is a heavy-duty machine with the following dimensions: 50 x 47 x 79 inches. It weighs 1600 pounds. It is suited for high-end organizations that use heavy-duty equipment. Cardboard is shredded into 0.24 x 1.97-inch using this cross-cut mechanism.

Fast Shredding Process
The conveyor belt at the feed unit speeds up the shredding process, resulting in a shredding speed of 47.2 feet per minute. It features a large sheet capacity, capable of holding up to 330 sheets of paper at once. Intimus also features overloading and overheating protection.

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Sem Cross-cut Paper Shredder

Medium Security Level
Sem 5146P is a powerful heavy-duty model equipped with a big hooper. This cross-cut unit provides a medium security level and it’s able to shred paper, optical media, plastic cards, thin cardboard, staples and paper clips. It accepts 70 sheets of paper at once.

Mobile Shredder Machine
This cross-cut box shredder has 29 x 30.5 x 67 inches in size and it weighs 564 pounds. Four sturdy casters make transport easier. It features auto-start and auto-stop, meaning, Sem start shreds automatically and stop when there is no paper. For more similar models, check the cross-cut shredder post.

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Boxis AutoShred Shredder

High Capacity Machine
Boxis AutoShred machine features a large capacity, it’s able to shred 700 sheets of paper at once. Put large paper stacks in the feed and this micro-cut model will cut them automatically. Boxis offers the highest level of security, making it ideal for confidential documents.

Lock The Lid
Its shredding speed is 19.7 feet per minute. Don’t forget to lock the lid with a security code after inserting a stack of paper into the feed opening. Boxis will shred the paper automatically and the reverse function will keep the cutters clean.

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What Cutting Type Do You Need?

For your retail business or shop, you will be able to choose between the following types to choose the one that best fits your needs.

Small Volume For Small Shops

If you have a small shop, a small shredder that can even fit on the desktop is a great choice. However, you will be able to cut through only one sheet of cardboard at a time and it will have a short run time.

Medium Volume For Cutting Down On Waste

If your business has a lot of cardboard to get rid of, a medium-volume shredder will be a great way to cut down on the waste. However, it will also be bigger in size so it won’t fit very small spaces. it is more suitable for warehouses.

Large Volume For Distribution Centers

Big shredders that destroy cardboard in distribution centers will be able to cut through different sizes easily and fast. They are huge and usually come on wheels to help with moving them around.

Grinders For Convenience

If your boxes have staples or other materials in them, grinders will work to shred all of them without having to separate it from other materials as it can be a tedious task.

Take Care Of Your Shredder

This type of machine is susceptible to wear as it has to cut through hard material. To maintain it for optimal performance, you will have to keep it clean and oil at all times. While some models will have automatic oilers, others will require you to oil them regularly to keep shredding at an optimal level. Oil them every time you empty the bin and after around every 30 minutes of use. You can use oil or even sheets for lubrication.

Use It For Compost & Worm Bins

Use it to create compost or even to farm worms. Before shredding, remove all stickers, other plastic, or staples from the box. After you shred the cardboard, you can create compost by laying it down and wetting it. For worm bins, shredded paper is the best option to keep the bedding fluffy and for optimal airflow for worms where they will also be able to move freely without preventing drainage.

Can You Put It Through A Garden Shredder?

Yes, a garden shredder can cut through hard materials such as cardboard. It is of great help if you want to get rid of a lot of cardboard at once without a lot of effort included.

Can You Burn Cardboard?

It may seem like a good idea to light it on fire to get rid of it fast. However, afterward, you will have to deal with ashes. Moreover, you will also release toxins within the boxes into the air, which can be harmful. Because of this, it is dangerous to burn cardboard.