How Do I Choose the Best CD Shredder for My Needs?
The best shredder depends on the type of data you’re destroying. Is it:
- Classified data (very high-security level data, typical of government agencies)?
- General business-level confidential data?
- Low-security general waste?
Where you fall in this criteria will determine the type of cutting blades your CD shredder should have. There are three kinds of cutting blades, in descending order of importance:
- Micro-Cut / Particle-Cut
- Cross-Cut
- Strip-Cut / Straight-Cut
CD shredders are also given a security range to denote their security level. This varies from Level 1/P-1 to Level 6/P-7, with Level 6/P-7 being the highest level. The security level you call for will depend on the sensitivity of the information you're trying to destroy. For instance, Level 6/P-7 would be necessary for governmental, highly classified, and confidential information, while Level 1/P-1 would be for everyday documents that do not include private or external client information.
Here’s a table to help you visualize this:
| Type | Cut Style | Typical Particle Size | Security Level (DIN / NSA) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Cut / Particle-Cut | Reduces discs to tiny dust-like fragments | < 2 mm² or ≤ 1 mm x 5 mm | Very High (Level 5/P-6, Level 6/P-7, NSA/CSS 04-02) | Top-secret or classified data |
| Cross-Cut | Cuts discs into confetti-like chips or cross-hatched pieces | Approx. 1/8” x 1” (3 mm x 25 mm) | Medium–High (Level 3/P-3, Level 4/P-5) | Confidential or sensitive data |
| Strip-Cut / Straight-Cut | Cuts discs into long strips | 1/8”–1/4” wide (3–6 mm) | Low (Level 1/P-1, Level 2/P-2) | General, non-confidential waste |
How Do I Choose the Correct CD Shredder Size for My Office?
In addition to security levels, the next big consideration is making sure the CD shredder you choose matches the size and capacity of your organization. In addition, take into account the daily volume of CDs and other media you’ll be looking to destroy.
For Home Offices or Small Departments:
Smaller units, like the Datastroyer 303-DVD, are NSA-listed and can demolish CDs, DVDs, and cards in seconds. It is small enough to sit underneath or on top of a desk. Even though the shredder is small, it is powerful enough to turn CDs/DVDs, credit cards, and SIM cards into dust. The shredder takes only 3 seconds to decimate a disc.
For Mid-Sized Offices:
The Formax FD 8704CC Multimedia Shredder Level 3/P-4 is developed for typical office spaces where lots of media will be shredded every day. It is a multi-media shredder, meaning it can dispose of both CDs, DVDs, floppy discs, paper, and more. It can shred entire files of CDs and up to 45 sheets of paper at once.
For Large or High-Security Environments:
The Datastroyer DCS 36/6 High Security Combo Paper & CD Shredder Level 6/P-7, for example, provides NSA-level destruction and a separate feed for optical media. It is ideal for government agencies, defense contractors, or any organization managing classified information.
|
No matter your office size, consider how frequently you shred, what materials you handle, and how sensitive your data is. Whitaker Brothers’ experts can help you balance space, volume, and security levels to ensure your investment meets both your operational and compliance needs. |
|
For a personal consultation & free no-obligation advice, you can request a quote here. |
Our Top Shredder Recommendations on How to Destroy CDs with Sensitive Data:
These are all products that we offer here at Whitaker Brothers. Skip below this list if you’re looking for more general, unbiased information on how to shop online for a way to obliterate CDs with sensitive data:
| CD/DVD Shredder | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Datastroyer DCS 36/6 High Security Combo Paper & CD Shredder Level 6/P-7 |
Best for handling large volumes of CDs/DVDs. Industrial-grade combo shredder capable of up to 2,000 discs per hour with Level P-7/O-6 security, making it fit ideal for government, defense, or data destruction companies requiring NSA-approved destruction standards. |
| Datastroyer 303-DVD Bundle with Vacuum and Bags |
Great for small or mobile offices needing a compact solution. Lightweight (approx. 15 lbs), portable, and still meets optical media destruction standards. Perfect where space is limited but compliance is essential. |
| Formax FD 8704CC Multimedia Shredder Level 3/P-4 |
Best for its multimedia versatility as it destroys paper, CDs/DVDs, USBs, and more. Suitable for offices handling mixed data types and wanting a single, reliable, mid-sized shredder. |
| Formax FD 8732 High Security Combo Paper / CD & DVD Shredder Level 6/P-7 |
Ideal for organizations requiring maximum security. Creates ultra-fine (≤ 2 × 2 mm) particles compliant with 2018 NSA optical media standards — used in intelligence, finance, and government sectors. |
| Fellowes 225Mi Micro-Cut Shredder Level 4/P-5 |
Popular Best everyday office option for general use. Offers high security (Level 4/P-5) at an affordable price, with jam-proof technology and energy-saving mode. It is optimal for Best suited to corporate offices or SMEs with moderate shredding needs. |
Whether or not you’re sold on the products we sell, the most important things you should consider are this: If you need to destroy CDs or DVDs that contain sensitive information, it is critical to use a shredder that is specifically designed for this purpose.
Regular paper shredders may not be able to handle the thicker plastic and metal layers found in CDs, and may become damaged or jammed as a result.
There are two main types of shredders that are appropriate for shredding CDs, which I have already touched upon above, but I will go into more detail about the whys here:
- Cross-Cut Shredders: These shredders use two sets of blades that cut the CD into small pieces in a crosshatch pattern. This type of shredder is the most common for everyday sensitive data at most corporations and can also be used to shred paper documents.
- Micro-Cut / Particle-Cut Shredders: Also known as micro-cut shredders, these shredders use tiny blades to shred the CD into very small particles. This type of destruction offers the highest security type of CD destruction, much more than the cross-cut shredder, as it produces smaller pieces that are more difficult to reassemble.
Additionally, consider the size and capacity of the shredder. If you have a large number of CDs to shred, you may need a larger shredder with a higher capacity. Finally, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use and maintenance of your shredder so it lasts as long as possible.
Finally, if you’re wondering how to eradicate CDs and floppy disks, the good news is that modern multimedia shredders can handle both with ease. Check if your model specifically lists compatibility for optical and magnetic media.
Our Recommendations for Shredders That Can Destroy More Than Just CDs/DVDs:
If your office handles everything from confidential paperwork to old discs and credit cards, using multiple machines can be time-consuming, messy, and inefficient. Combination shredders solve this problem by securely destroying different types of materials in one place.
Here are my recommendations for these omni-use shredders that can safely wipe out CDs/DVDs along with other things:
| CD/DVD Shredder | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Fellowes 225Mi Micro-Cut Shredder Level 4/P-5 |
This is an excellent budget-friendly, all-in-one shredder for everyday office use. It can handle paper, staples, clips, credit cards, and discs simultaneously, with a continuous run system constructedideal for consistent daily operation. |
| Formax FD 8732 High Security Combo Paper / CD & DVD Shredder Level 6/P-7 |
You may have noticed I’ve mentioned this shredder a few times. It’s an exceptionalgreat omini-use shredder if you require the highest levels of security. And features two individual slots and bins for paper and discs, andmaking it ideal is excellent for quick and easy waste disposal. |
| Our Our Very ery Own wn Collection of Whitaker Brotherollection of Whitaker Brothers’ Combination ombination Shreddershredders |
OK so not an individual product, but here you’ll find our entire selectionrange of products that are producedideal for shared offices or multi-user environments that need to destroy various materials (paper, cards, staples, and discs) in one place. Their omni-use function makes them fantasticgreat for saving space and improving workflow by combining multiple shredding tasks into one machine. |
Can I shred CDs in a paper shredder?
A common question I get is, can you shred CDs in a paper shredder? The answer depends on the shredder’s rating. Most standard paper shredders aren’t built for the thicker layers of CDs or DVDs and can jam easily.
All of our paper and CDs/DVDs shredders can easily deal with the destruction of disks. If you’re wondering about your own paper shredder in your office, then a good rule of thumb is to only use a shredder that lists an “O-rating” in its specs for CD/DVD destruction.
Now you know how to destroy CDs with sensitive data the right way.
Whether you’re learning how to dispose of CDs with data for compliance reasons or just clearing old archives, using a proper CD/DVD shredder ensures both security and sustainability.
You can rely on them to easily dispose of any sensitive data, keeping your organization in line with corporate regulations, laws, and goals. At the same time — and many people don’t realize this — these shredding devices have the added bonus that they are actually environmentally sustainable. They will assist you in reducing the carbon footprint of your organization.
If you have any questions about our shredders or are looking for a data destruction solution or quote, please contact us today.