MBM Destroyit 2503 Shredder Review

Choosing a shredder for centralized office use is no easy task. There are several models and manufacturers out there to choose from, all with similar but different capacities. In the following review we will take an in-depth look at the Destroyit 2503 and give you what we consider to be its strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

1. We like the safety features of the 2503. They call it the SPS, or Safety Protection System, but we call it common sense. First, there's a transparent safety shield that keeps hands and clothing out of the paper feed, a very important feature for a shredder that is going to be used by a lot of people. When you are using a shredder, it is also important to be aware of the operational status, and the 2503 features a clear and backlit button display that takes any mystery of the equation. There is also an auto reverse function for any paper jams that might occur, and the power will shut off automatically when the cabinet door is opened, or when the shred bag is filled to capacity.
2. Thanks to its handy photocell operation, the 2503 starts working automatically when you feed paper into the opening, and stops when it is finished with the job. The optical eye is far nicer than the mechanical paper sensor that is included on many other brands of shredders.
3. The feed opening is wider than most, (10-1/4 inches) and will be able to fit most documents without you having to fold or cut them first. That is a great time-saver.
4. We are suckers for a nice design, and the 2503 is without a doubt one of the sleeker and more "hip" looking shredders out there (if you can say such a thing about an office machine). We really liked the fact that the cabinet was made out of wood instead of the cheap plastic we are so used to seeing. It's matte off-white color, red handle, and rounded corners just make it a cut above the rest of the pack aesthetically as far as we're concerned.
5. In our testing, we found that the cross cut version of the 2503 easily handled staples, paper clips, and credit cards. The strip cut model claims to be able to handle compact discs as well.
6. We thought the 2503 ran pretty quietly (a big bonus in a busy office), and we liked the fact that it comes with casters, so you can move it easily around your office.
7. The 2503 is available in three different cutting styles: strip cut, cross cut level three, and cross cut level four.

Weaknesses:

1. Though the strip cut version of the 2503 can shred compact discs, the cross cut version can not. This is a little bit disappointing. Most users prefer the security offered by a cross-cut shredder. It would have been really nice if they made the cross-cut models with a CD / DVD shredding slot.
2. With its wood construction, this shredder is actually quite heavy - ninety two pounds to be exact. The casters make the shredder fairly easy to move once it was ready to use. However, we needed some help to lug the box around when we received it.