Fellowes, established in 1917, is a globally recognized manufacturer that began with file storage solutions and expanded into a broad range of office products. The company entered the shredder market in 1982 with its first commercial models and introduced personal shredders in 1990, marking a pivotal shift toward information security. Today, Fellowes is known for innovation in document protection, offering durable, high-performance shredders that meet stringent international standards for confidentiality and compliance.
Fellowes shredders feature advanced technologies such as SafeSense®, IntelliBAR™, and 100% Jam Proof™, reinforcing the brand's focus on secure, reliable, and user-friendly performance. These innovations are integrated across a structured product range organized by usage environment including Autofeed, Personal, Office, Commercial, and High Security. Each category addresses specific operational needs and security requirements, making Fellowes shredders suitable for personal, business, educational, and governmental applications. This article outlines the Fellowes brand legacy, details product categories, discusses practical use cases, explains shredder cut types, and highlights notable technologies and features.
Understanding Fellowes Cut Types and DIN Security Levels
Fellowes shredders are classified according to the DIN 66399 international standard, which defines security levels based on particle size. Each level corresponds to how thoroughly a document is destroyed and the sensitivity of the data it contains. There are three main cut types including strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut, offering options for general use as well as classified material disposal.
| Cut Type | DIN Security Level | Security & Cut Description | Usage | Approx. Particle Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strip-Cut | P-2 | Basic security. Shreds documents into long strips | For documents with low confidentiality needs | Approx. 39 strips per sheet |
| Cross-Cut | P-3 / P-4 | High security. Shreds documents into confetti-like particles | Enhanced security for confidential documents | Approx. 302 particles (P-3), 397 particles (P-4) |
| Micro-Cut | P-5 | Advanced to superior security. Shreds documents into tiny particles | Superior protection for highly confidential documents | Approx. 1,257 particles (P-4), 3,770 particles (P-5) |
| High Security | P-7 | Maximum / Government-approved security. Produces over 15,000 particles per page for maximum protection | Ultimate security for top-secret and classified documents | Approx. 15,081 particles per sheet |
Shredders with P-4 or P-5 ratings are recommended for most office environments. P-7 models are used where the highest level of data protection is required, such as in government and military settings.
Fellowes Shredder Product Categories
Personal Shredders
Fellowes personal shredders are designed for light to moderate use in home environments, providing a dependable solution for safely disposing of items such as bank statements, utility bills, and private documents. These compact models use cross-cut or micro-cut mechanisms rated at DIN P-3 or P-4, helping protect against identity theft in everyday settings.
Office Shredders
Engineered for daily use in small or home office environments, Fellowes office shredders combine consistent performance with features that support shared use by up to five users. Offering cross-cut or micro-cut shredding at DIN P-4 or P-5 levels, these models deliver quiet operation, jam prevention, and enhanced safety for routine business workflows.
Commercial Shredders
Built for continuous, high-volume use, Fellowes commercial shredders meet the demands of larger offices and departments. These models offer increased sheet capacity, wider paper entries, and larger bin sizes, with cut types ranging from strip-cut to micro-cut and DIN P-2 to P-5 security levels. They are ideal for document-intensive environments requiring durable and uninterrupted performance.
Autofeed Shredders
Fellowes autofeed shredders streamline high-volume document disposal by automatically processing stacks of paper without manual feeding. Suitable for small to medium-sized offices, these models provide cross-cut or micro-cut shredding at DIN P-4 or P-5 levels, combining convenience and efficiency in shared workspaces.
High Security Shredders
Fellowes high security shredders are purpose-built for environments that handle classified or highly sensitive information. These micro-cut models meet DIN P-5 to P-7 security standards, including high-security (P-7) NSA/CSS compliance for top-secret document destruction. By reducing each sheet into thousands of particles, they ensure maximum confidentiality for military, government, or regulated industry use.
Notable Fellowes Features and Technologies
Fellowes shredders stand out for their integration of user-driven technologies, many of which are patented, designed to enhance safety, reduce disruptions, and support long-term performance. These features address common frustrations such as paper jams, noise, and maintenance while offering intelligent feedback for improved efficiency. These technologies are built into models across all categories, supporting consistent performance and user confidence in both everyday and demanding use cases.
100% Jam Proof™ Technology
Eliminates paper jams by detecting overfeeding and adjusting automatically, ensuring continuous and frustration-free operation.
SafeSense® Technology
Automatically halts shredding when hands touch the paper entry, providing enhanced safety for households and offices.
IntelliBAR™
An interactive visual interface that delivers real-time status updates on bin capacity, sheet load, and runtime, helping users operate more efficiently.
AccuFeed System™
Fast and precise automatic shredding for maximum productivity, found in AutoMax™ models for stack-fed, hands-free performance.
SmartLock™
Engages with the shred cycle to lock the paper tray, protecting confidential information during unattended shredding.
FlexShred™
Gravity-feed mechanism that allows automatic shredding of up to 100 sheets or manual shredding of up to 10 sheets, offering flexibility for different workloads.
SilentShred™ Technology
Reduces noise during operation, making it suitable for shared or noise-sensitive environments like schools and offices.
Energy Savings System
Reduces energy usage during operation and automatically powers down during idle periods to save on electricity costs.
Auto-Oil System
Automatically lubricates the cutting blades in select models, helping maintain optimal performance and extend machine life with minimal user effort.
Safety Lock
Manually disables the shredder for added safety protection, particularly in shared or home environments.
Auto Shut Off™
Automatically powers down the shredder after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve energy and reduce operating costs.
Choosing the Right Fellowes Shredder
Fellowes offers a wide range of shredders tailored to specific environments and document security needs. Choosing the right model depends on the type of documents being destroyed, how often shredding is required, and the level of confidentiality involved. Each category balances sheet capacity, runtime, and DIN security level to ensure the best fit for home, office, or high-security use.
| Category | Best For | Sheet Capacity | Run Time | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autofeed | Offices with bulk documents | Up to 550 (auto) | Continuous | P-4 to P-5 |
| Personal | Home and occasional use | 6–12 | Up to 10 minutes | P-4 |
| Office | Daily workgroup use | 16–20 | Up to 30 minutes | P-2 to P-5 |
| Commercial | Enterprise or departmental use | 20–38 (manual) | Continuous | P-2 to P-5 |
| High Security | Classified and government data | 4–10 | Continuous | P-7 |
Select the shredder category that aligns with your document volume, usage frequency, and required security level to ensure efficient, compliant, and secure information disposal.
Fellowes shredders a reliable choice for document security
Fellowes shredders are widely trusted for protecting sensitive information across personal, business, and government settings. With a legacy of over 100 years, the brand is known for durable engineering, consistent performance, and strict compliance with international security standards.
Selecting the right Fellowes shredder depends on more than just sheet capacity or price. The key is understanding how security levels, usage frequency, and workspace type aligns with the requirements. Autofeed models save time in shared offices, while high-security options ensure compliance in regulated environments. Personal users may prioritize quiet operation and safety features, whereas businesses often need durability for continuous workloads.
Fellowes simplifies this decision by offering clearly defined categories and consistent performance across all models. This combination of purpose-built design, security assurance, and long-term reliability makes Fellowes a leading choice for effective and dependable document protection.
Not sure which shredder is right for you? Let us guide you! Reach out via our contact form, send us an email, or give us a call at (800) 992-5279 for expert advice. Make the smart choice today and protect your data with a Fellowes shredder tailored to your needs.
