Sentinel Micro & Cross Cut Paper Shredder & Parts Reviews
Do you want to buy a Sentinel paper shredder?
And you want to know more about the brand and models that it offers?
Then this article is right for you!
You can read about the advantages that Sentinel shredder models have in comparison to other brands which can help you with the decision while buying. Read about the models available on the market and learn about their technical specifications. I will describe the replacement parts and accessories that you can buy and explain why is important to read the content of the user manual.
This review can help you to decide on buying this brand’s model and to find the best for yourself. I will give my opinion about the best model among others I’ve reviewed.
The Advantages Of The Sentinel Paper Shredder Models
High-Security Level
Most of Sentinel micro-cut shredder models have the highest security level, which means this brand is ideal if you have a lot of personal, sensitive and confident documents in your office or home that need to be shredded.
Fast Shredding
Some models can shred more than 100 pages per minute, which is very fast. It’s a very user-friendly feature that allows you to be productive and destroy many documents in one day if you have a big amount of paper to get rid of.
Cuts Credit Cards, DVDs And CDs
Besides the paper, the models of this brand are suitable for cutting even thicker materials such as cards, DVDs and CDs. Look for the models that have separated CD slot which ensures the longevity of the blades.
Clears Paper Jams
Every shredder has print jams that slow down the work and can make you frustrated. This brand’s models have a switch for manual reverse that reverses the blades when the paper is stuck. In that way, a paper jam is cleared, and the shredding continues.
Mobility And Compact Design
According to other Sentinel shredder reviews, the brand is a great choice if you looking for the compact models that are easy to move from one side to another in the office and home, or you need a model that’s easy to transport.
The Sentinel Paper Shredder Reviews
Sentinel FM101P Black 10-Sheet Model
When shredding automatically, this model can cut up to 10 sheets at once. Therefore, this model isn’t suitable for large office and many users, but rather for desk side or home use and for 1 to 2 users.
According to other Sentinel fm101p reviews, this device has a high-security P-4 level that enables you to shred all kinds of confidential data without worry, because the small particles are unreadable.
This micro-cut model creates shreds that are 13/64” wide and 25/64” long. The shredding speed is 7.2 feet per minute, which is approximately 72 pages per minute. Because of the automatic function, shredding starts immediately after the entry slot detects the paper.
To avoid any paper jams that can frustrate while working, this model has a manual reverse function that helps you clear the paper jams easily. Besides that, it will automatically stop working if the feeding chamber is overloaded.
Because of the energy-efficiency, the system has a continuous run time for 2 minutes after which there is a cooling down period. The device can shred paper, paper clips and staples, junk mail and credit cards.
Credit cards have special entry and you must put them manually one by one to avoid any damages. The shreds are accumulated in the 3.5-gallon bin and it has the capacity for 350 shredded sheets.
Since micro-shreds are taking less volume than cross-cut shred you don’t need to empty the bin often. The level of waste can be seen through the transparent window. The device has a compact design.
It weighs only 13.2 pounds and you can easily move it because it has wheels.It’s 12.8” long, 8.5” wide and 16.9” high. This model is available in an additional three different colored versions: red, blue and gunmetal.
The other colored versions also differ by the speed of shredding. The speed is 6 feet per minute which is 60 pages per minute. All versions have their parts covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
auto start/stop function
energy-efficient system
wheels for mobility
an additional slot for credit cards
high-security level and fast shredding
Cons:
not suitable for a large office or many employees
doesn’t have an auto-reverse function, only manual
can’t shred CDs and DVDs
no full bin LED indicator
Sentinel Pro FX1800P 18-Sheet Model
Unlike the previous model, this one is the Sentinel cross-cut shredder that doesn’t make so tiny particles. However, the security level is still P-4 and high enough to destroy all important and sensitive confidential data.
One sheet of paper is shredded to particles that are 5/32” wide and 1-11/16” long. This longer shreds are bigger so they take more volume in the bin which gets full more quickly in comparison to the previous model.
However, the bin is 7 gallons big so you don’t have to empty it very often. There is no LED indicator for the full bin, so you can empty it when you see through the transparent window that’s full.
It can cut paper, paper clips, staples, junk mail, credit cards, CDs/DVDs. Great thing is that you can shred up to 18 sheets of paper at once during the automatic function, and you don’t have to remove the staples.
This is enough for 2 to 3 users, so this device is great for home use, or smaller and larger offices. It has separated slot for CDs/DVDs and credit cards. Unlike many other models on the market, this one allows you to put two credit cards a time when shredding.
Both cards and CDs must be inserted manually, and CDs and DVDs one by one. The shredding is fast and it’s approximately 6.5 feet per minute which is 127 pages per minute. When the system is overheated, the device has the LED indicator that lights.
It starts automatically and it will automatically stop if the feed chamber is overloaded. Also, it has a manual reverse function that helps you to clear all print jams that can happen during the shredding.
Device is 17.6” long, 13.6” wide and 26.2” high. It’s a bigger model, but it’s easy to move it because of the casters. It’s also slightly heavier than the previous model. It weighs 28.2 pounds, but the design is still lightweight. Parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
it can shred CDs and DVDs
casters for mobility
large sheet and bin capacity
indicator for overheat
the very low noise level
Cons:
manual, not automatic reverse function
no indicator for full bin
lower security level than micro-cut
Sentinel Pro FMC 160P 16-Sheet Version
This version is a micro cutter with the capacity of 16 sheets and larger 7.7 gallon big. Shreds are 5/32” wide and 25/64” long so they have higher security level. Device is 14.17” long, 11.22” wide and 21.46” high. It weighs 21.6 pounds.
Pros:
larger bin
micro cut higher security level
Cons:
without LED indicators for overheat
less sheet capacity
Sentinel Pro FS3150P 30-Sheet Version
This Sentinel pro shredder is a strip-cut version with the P-2 security level and it’s suitable for shredding nonconfident documents. Shreds are 0.24” long. The bin capacity is 8 gallons. It’s 15.3” long, 11.8” wide and 26.8” high. It weighs 37 pounds.
Pros:
highest sheet capacity
larger bin capacity
Cons:
the smallest security level
Sentinel MX 120D Shredder Model
This Sentinel on guard shredder can cut up to 12 sheets when the automatic function is turned on. It can cut papers, clips, staples, CDs, DVDs and credit cards. The great feature that ensures the longevity of the blades is separated CD slot.
It enables shredding of CDs without dulling the blades. The cards, CDs and DVDs must be put manually in the slot, one by one. If not, the jam can happen that could damage the blades. If paper jams happen, this model has a manual reverse function.
This micro-cutter makes small shreds that are 5/32” wide and 25/64” long. Therefore this Sentinel fm120p model has high P-4 security level so you can cut any confidential data that you have.
The device will start automatically when the paper is inserted, but it will also automatically stop if the feed chamber is overloaded. The shreds are accumulated in the large 5-gallon bin that just slides out for easier emptying.
There is no LED indicator for the full bin, so you have to track the level through the transparent window. It can take approximately 450 shredded sheets. The shredding is fast, so this model can cut 72 sheets per minute.
Performance is very quiet. The device is 13.75” long, 10.5” wide and 19” high. The compact design makes it ideal for desk side usage. It has casters for easier mobility. All parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
separated CD slot
high-security level
large bin
casters for the mobility
quiet performance
Cons:
manual reverse function
Sentinel 6 Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder FX61B Model
This is a cross-cut model that has a lower security P-3 level because the shreds are 5/32” wide and 1-7/64” long. But this level is still safe for you to shred more important data with personal or other sensitive information.
It’s slightly slower than previous ones, with a speed of 5.9 feet per minute which is 38 pages per minute. It can shred up to 6 sheets at once while automatically shredding. The credit cards and CDs have separated slot.
You must put them manually and shred one by one. The shreds are accumulated int he 2.4-gallon wastebasket. It doesn’t have an LED indicator to show you when to empty it, but you can track the waste level through the transparent window.
The LED indicator shows when the system is overheated. This device is ideal for any office or home because it has a very low noise level. The blades will cut paper, paper clips and staples which you don’t have to remove, junk mail, cards, and CDs/DVDs. Shredding can start and stop automatically.
If there is any paper jam, there is a switch for the manual reversing which should clear the paper jams. It’s 11.7” long, 5.8” wide and 13.1” high. It’s ideal for small business or home usage. It weighs only 6.57 pounds and it’s very lightweight. It doesn’t have casters, but it’s easy to move anyway.
Pros:
cuts credit cards and CDs
compact design for office
low noise level
lightweight
Cons:
lower P-3 security level
slower shredding speed
small bin and sheet capacity
no casters
Sentinel 8 Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder FX81B Version
It can shred up to 8 sheets of paper at once. The cross cut shreds are 13/64” wide and 1-3/16” long, but the security level is the same. It’s faster and shreds 48 pages in a minute. It’s 11.7” long, 5.8” wide and 13.1” high. It weighs 7.28 pounds.
Pros:
larger sheet capacity
quiet operation
faster shredding.
Cons:
small bin capacity
larger cross-cut shreds
Sentinel 10 Sheet Micro Cut Shredder FM104B Model
Unlike the previous model, this one is a micro cutter. It shreds pages to particles that are 5/32” wide and 25/64” long. This ensures high P-4 security level in shredding so you can destroy all your confident data worry free.
When the automatic function is on, it can shred up to 10 sheets at once. When cutting CDs, DVDs and credit cards you must put them manually in the slot, at a single pass. The shredding speed is 6 feet per minute which are fast and approximately 72 sheets per minute.
If the paper jams happen during the cutting, you can use the manual reverse function. There is an indicator for overheat also, which ensures the longevity of the model. The materials are UL tested.
It can shred paper clips and staples, normal documents, junk mail, cards, CDs and others. The compact size makes it ideal for desk side using, and it’s optimal for 1 to 2 users. The shredding produces no noise and therefore it’s ideal for both office and home.
The Sentinel 10 sheet micro cut shredder is 13.6” long, 8.1” wide and 16.1” high. It weighs 14.2 pounds, and it doesn’t have casters, but it’s easy to carry. Parts are covered with a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros:
handle for carrying
lightweight
no noise
Cons:
no separated CD slot
no auto reverse
Sentinel 8 Sheet Micro Cut Shredder FM84B Model
This Sentinel 8 sheet micro cut paper shredder weighs 13.4 pounds. It can shred up to 8 sheets at once when automatic shredding is turned on. All other features are the same.
Pros:
portable and lightweight
easy to throw away the waste
high-security level
handle
Cons:
small sheet capacity
no wheels
Sentinel FX124BC 12 Sheet Cross Cut Model
This model has an innovative plunger compaction feature which is very unique in comparison to other models. It doubles the bin capacity so you don’t have to empty it often. Another great user-friendly feature is the carry handle.
The previous model also has the handle, but this one can be locked, therefore this model is great for transportation. According to other credit card Sentinel reviews, this model also shreds the credit cards.
There is a special entry for the credit cards, CDs and DVDs that can be cut only manually, one by one. It can cut paper staples without removing them from the paper, junk mail, paper clips, etc. The device will run continuously for 5 minutes, and then the system cools down.
When shredding automatically it can take up to 12 sheets at once. It’s a cross-cut type, so the shreds are 0.20” wide and 1.69” long. They are unreadable, therefore this model is suitable for shredding important confident documents.
Automatic start ensures that the shredding begins immediately after the slot detects the paper that you’re inserting. If there is an overload, the system will stop which prevents the paper jams of happening.
There is a manual reverse function that helps you to clear the jams. The bin is 4.4 gallons big, but because the innovative feature the shreds are very compact in it, so you don’t have to empty it often.
There is an overheat indicator and the LED indicator for the full bin which previous models didn’t have. The noise level is around 72dB which isn’t one of the lowest levels, but it isn’t too loud either.
It’s 13.2” long, 7.9” wide and 17.3” high. The compact design it’s great for deskside use, and suitable for 1 to 2 users. It weighs 12.7 pounds so it’s lightweight and easy to carry. It doesn’t have wheels.
Pros:
innovative plunger compaction
local carrying handle
LED indicator for full bin
Cons:
louder than previous models
smaller bin
no wheels
Sentinel Paper Shredder Replacement Parts And Accessories
When buying replacement parts, always search for specifically made ones if you need to replace the blades, motor or another electric part of the system. If you need new caster, bin, frame and other, you can go with the universal ones. Beside the Sentinel paper shredder parts, many accessories are available to you such as bags and oils. The bags come in many sizes, and can be made from recycled paper or plastic. The oil is an important part of the maintenance of the blade. If you want to know more, read my article about universal paper shredder replacement parts and accessories.
Sentinel Shredder User Manual
Every model comes with the user manual which describes all important features. You can read about the parts installed in the shredder, and instruction for assembly, although most models are delivered almost completely installed. If you want to read more now, visit the online Sentinel shredder manual.
Conclusion: What’s The Best Sentinel Shredder Model?
Although theMX 120D model is a micro-cutter with the casters for better mobility, I chose the FX124BC 12-sheet model. I think that this model is a best Sentinel paper shredder because it offers a lot of additional features that other models don’t have. Energy efficiency, preventing jams and auto start/stop functions makes it ideal paper shredder for home and office. But, small paper shredders are also a good option for home. What else there is? You can check out in my post about best paper shredders!
