HSM Shredstar X5 Level 3 Cross Cut Paper Shredder

With identity theft on the rise, it's even more important to shred your personal documents instead of just tossing them in the recycling bin. The HSM Shredstar X5 is a great system to help you safely dispose of bank statements and other information you don't want in the wrong hands. Designed for a home or small office, the X5 offers a compact package with automatic features for simple operation. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of this machine.

Pros:

• Petite dimensions and lightweight design allow this shredder to store conveniently under your desk for easy access. And since it only weighs about eight pounds, it will be simple to move if needed.

• After flipping a toggle on/off switch, use is mostly automatic. "On" will leave your machine in a stand-by mode without consuming energy. The blades start and stop automatically, intuitively sensing when items are in the feed. A constant operation button leaves the blades running until you turn them off. If a paper jam occurs, a reverse switch allows you to feed the items back out of the blades. And once the waste bin is full, the motor stops until it's been emptied.

• The 8.5 inch opening is just wide enough for letter and legal size documents and takes in up to seven sheets at once. The blades dice them up as fast as 16 feet per minute. The pieces left fall into a 3.5 gallon waste bin.

• Cross cutting blades turn full size paperwork into small chads only 5/32" by 1-1/2" in size. These small particles earn a level three security rating. This keeps safe all your confidential personal and business documents.

• HSM provides a 20 year warranty on the cutting cylinders while the rest of the device carries a 2 year warranty for parts and labor.

Cons:

• This device is made for personal use and as such offers lower capacities. For occasional office documents and generic junk mail, this is just fine. But for use between more than a few people or for high demand use by one person, it won't be enough. Offices needing a larger, shared shredder should check out the X18.

• Staples and paperclips need to be removed before use. And you can forget shredding credit cards or CDs. With so many unsolicited credit card offers coming in the mail as well as stapled invoices, you may prefer a machine that can handle these items, such as the HSM X18.

• As with many other smaller shredders, this one doesn't offer continuous operation. This means that for every three minutes of constant use, the motor will need to cool down for 30 minutes. Those only needing light, occasional use might not even notice this occurring. But offices needing heavier shredding will want a device with a more powerful motor.

As you can see, the HSM Shredstar X5 is perfect for a home or small office deskside shredder. Compact design puts security right at your fingertips; confidential documents don't even have to leave your desk. With its automatic functions for simple operation and capacities designed for personal use, this device is both effective and convenient. We think the X5 is an excellent choice for your next personal shredder.