Best 5 CD And DVD Paper Shredders: Safely Destroy Physical & Digital Documents Safely

Do you want to find the best shredder for your CDs and DVDs?

If you do, keep reading this review. Not every model is able to shred compact discs. After reading our review, you’ll know how this type of machine works and which features are the most important. Choose one of the models from our list.

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Are CD/DVD Devices The Same Paper Cutting Machines?

Yes, some models are suitable destroying paper, CDs and DVDs, but some are not. Thus, the market has both options, ones meant for CD and DVD only, as well ones that cut paper and digital media together.

How Do They Work?

You have to put CDs or DVDs into a throat designed for the destruction of DVDs and CDs located on top of the device. The blades will then cut up material and dispose it into the bin underneath.

Shred CDs In A Standard Paper Cutter

You can do that if the manual and the manufacturer recommend it. Otherwise, be careful. Pieces of shredded CDs could fly out and hit you if you stand above the cutting office machine. Due to that, choose only models specialized for shredding optical documents if you want a less hazardous and less messy way of destroying them.

NSA-Approved Devices

NSA (National Security Agency) can approve these devices, but they need to fulfill some requirements. They have to sanitize optical materials with the help of grinding, milling, cutting, disintegrating, or knurling. Also, CDs need to have an edge size equal to 5 millimeters or less, while DVDs and BDs need to have an edge size of 2 millimeters or less. This way, it will be impossible to put it back together. To see which manufacturers and models are approved by the NSA, check here.

Pros & Cons Of These Cutters

Just like with any business device, there are both benefits and disadvantages to owning a machine that destroys for CDs and DVDs. Let’s take a deeper look into both.

Advantages

With them, you can safely destroy sensitive and confidential data so that no one can steal your identity or business data and use them against you. Likewise, they will help you free up space in your home or office by destroying media which is taking up space.

Disadvantages

CD/DVD cutting devices are usually more expensive than standard models. Likewise, they also produce a more noise as shredding digital media cannot be as quiet as cutting papers. When shredding discs, move the device further away to prevent distraction in the workplace. Also, the maintenance is more complicated than in standard machines.

What To Pay Attention To When Choosing One?

Some features of these devices are important to keep in mind to get the best model for your needs and expectations.

Separate Bins For Optical Media & Paper

Before buying, check how the device collects remained shreds. Some models have a separate container for CDs/DVDs. That is useful if you want to recycle the shredded material. But mostly, shredding machines have only one wastebasket (if they come with wastebasket) for all shredded material.

Separate Slot For CD/DVD Feeding

Most models come with a separate slot opening/throat for CDs/DVDs. This slot is located next to the slot for paper and it is smaller.

How Small Are Destroyed Pieces?

Some remained pieces are small pieces, while most are only cut into 2 or 3 parts. However, NSA-approved shredders cut optical media into such small pieces that they are impossible to be put back together.

Make Sure It Shreds Different Materials

Don’t buy the device made only for paper and CDs/DVDs because there are many models with the possibility to shred paper clips, staples, and credit cards. That is very useful, especially if you work in an office or in administration. You can easily shred everything you need with this device.

Shredding Capacity Per Pass

If you want to destroy a high amount of digital media discs, you can’t put two or three discs per single pass. Almost all devices can take one disc per pass. On the other hand, they can sometimes take even over 20 sheets of paper per pass.

Best 5 CD And DVD Paper Shredders

Bonsaii DocShred C156-C Machine

Affordable Price
The Bonsaii DocShred C156-C is a large machine, it has 17.4 inches of height and 13.8 inches of width. But it isn’t heavy, there are 10 pounds. It is a great choice for your home or office use with an affordable price.

Reliable Machine
It is a micro-cut type so if you work with sensitive documents, rely on this machine. The security level is high, P-4. It cut the paper into the particles of 5/32 x 25/64 inches. That small particle is unreadable. Put maximally 8 sheets in the feed slot at the time.

Separate Slot
Besides the paper, Bonsaii is able to shred credit cards, paper clips, staples, CDs and DVDs. Next to the paper slot, you can find a separate CD shredding slot. It doesn’t shred the CDs and DVDs into microparticles, but it cuts them into three large pieces.

5.5.-gallon Bin
Bonsaii has a large wastebasket of 5.5 gallon so you don’t need to empty it so frequently. Through a transparent window, it’s easy to see if the bin is full. It is a lift-up bin, there is a convenient handle for easy emptying. Bonsaii runs for up to 4 minutes and features auto-start and manual reverse function.

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GBC EX12-05 Paper Shredder

Sleek Design
The GBC small model EX12-05, is a compact electric machine. Item dimensions are 16 inches of height, 19 inches of width and 17 inches of depth. It weighs 16 pounds. It easily fits under your work desk or in your home. The warranty for this product lasts 2 years.

Personal Use
This DVD shredder is designed for one user. It is a super cross-cut that provides a high P-4 security level so, it meets everyday security needs. The max sheet per single pass is 12 sheets of paper. GBC runs 20 minutes continuously, then it is 15 minutes off.

Separate Cutters
This home office machine is intended for paper, but this it also shreds credit cards, CDs and DVDs. Also, you don’t have to remove small paper clips or staples from the paper. GBC shredder features separate cutters for CDs and DVDs. That prevents wear and tear of paper cutters.

Easy-to-maintain
The pull-out wastebasket has a capacity of 5 gallons. On the control panel is an indicator that shows you if the bin is full and you need to empty it. Also, there are forward, auto and reverse buttons. It is simple to maintain this DVD shredder. Use lubricant or lubricated sheets.

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Aurora AU1200XD Shredder

Desktop-style Shredder
Aurora AU1200XD is a perfect choice if you looking for a compact but powerful product. It measures 11.8 inches of height, 13.2 inches of width and 9.9 inches of depth. It is ideal for small and home offices. The price is affordable and the warranty lasts 1 year.

Security Shredding
This home shredding machine is able to destroy CDs, DVDs, credit cards, junk mail, paper clips and staples. Aurora turns these materials into small particles of 5/32 x 1-7/32 inches. These pieces are too small for an identity thief. The security level is high, it’s P-4.

Nonstop 5 Minutes
You can put 12 sheets of paper maximally. But put only one credit card and CD/DVD at the time. Otherwise, you’ll damage the machine. It runs 5 minutes continuously, then the motor requires a cool-down time. The shredded material drops into a transparent pull-out bin with a 1.8-gallon capacity.

ShredSafe Feature
The auto-reverse function prevents overload and paper jams. The motor will reverse the blades and shred the paper again. If you try to put the paper or CDs with force, this machine will automatically stop shredding. The LED lights indicate standby, overheat, overload and door open status.

Cross-cut System
It is a cross-cut with a P-4 security rating which offers a high level of security. The maximum sheet capacity for a single pass is 12 papers. Aurora runs quietly and it works for 5 minutes continuously. After that, a 45-minute cooling down period is needed.

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Fellowes Powershred 79Ci Shredder

Small But Powerful
Fellowes Powershred 79Ci is a small but powerful machine. It is available in black and silver color. The hight is 21.4 inches and the width is 15.4 inches. It cuts paper into cross-cut pieces of 5/32 x 1-1/2 inches. Use this machine for confidential documents.

Safe For Use
This machine is a good choice for small office. Powershred shreds documents, CDs, DVDs, credit cards, staples and clipped paper. If you use this confetti shredder at home, you should know that it’s child and pet safe, the SafeSense technology shut down the device if sensors detect hands.

100% Jam Proof
The Powershred 79Ci shreds up to 16 sheets of paper per single pass. It runs for up to 20 minutes, then it is 30 minutes off. The pull-out bin is easy to empty. It has a capacity of 6 gallons or 22 liters. Fellowes uses an advanced jam-proof system that delivers three levels.

Library-quiet Device
Because of SilentShred technology, this CD shredder doesn’t produce a loud noise. Its sound level is 54 decibels, equivalent to people’s conversation. The energy-saving system ensures optimal energy efficiency when the device is in use or in standby mode.

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AmazonBasics Cross-cut Shredder

Micro-cut Style
AmazonBasics is a compact office shredder which meets the P-4 security level. That is a high-security level, so you can throw your sensitive documents into this machine. The AmazonBascis turns the paper into particles of 5/32 x 15/32 inches.

8 Sheets Per Pass
You can put maximally 8 sheets of paper at the time. AmazonBasics accepts paper with staples and small clips, so you don’t have to remove them. It also destroys junk mail, credit cards, CDs and DVDs. There are two separate slots, one is intended for paper and another for CDs and DVDs.

Automatic Stop
You can put one CD or DVD at the time. This DVD shredder runs 5 minutes continuously, before the needed cool-down period of 30 minutes. If you forget to it shut off after its max time, it will automatically stop shredding. That protects the motor from overheating.

User-friendly Design
There are some buttons on the top of the device. You can find 4 switches intended for auto, forward, reverse and off. The paper entry is 8.7 inches wide. There are LED indicators for power, bin-full status, overheat, overload and door open. The pull out bin has a capacity of 4 gallons.

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How To Take Care Of The Device?

By constantly shredding hard materials such as discs (CDs and DVDs), the lifespan of the blades and the motor will eventually become shorter. To help prolong its lifespan, you will have to oil the blades regularly.

Dos & Don’ts Of Destroying Digital Media

While it is recommended to destroy optical discs and the information on them with a specialized and a standard shredder, alongside some alternative methods, here is what not to do.

Does Microwaving A CD Destroy It?

Do not destroy CDs in a microwave. On one hand, the disc’s reflective metallic layer will be destroyed. On the other hand, by doing this, you may also cause arcing inside your microwave oven and toxic gasses may be released which is bad as you will be preparing food in it.

Can You Cut A CD With Scissors?

If you do not want to invest in a shredding device, you can still destroy both DVDs and CDs by cutting with scissors. You will need gloves to protect your hands against heat, heat up the CD, and then cut it with scissors.

What Should You Do With Old CDs & DVDs?

There are many different ways to get rid of old CDs and DVDs. You can use scissors, break them with a hammer, sand the discs, or even wipe them with acetone. Check out the following video to see different ways you can destroy CDs and DVDs: