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Best Laminators In 2021

Jordan Carter
This product guide was written by Jordan Carter
Published June 20, 2019
Support us! GearHungry may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more

Whether you work at a school or office, or want to preserve your kids’ artwork forever and display it proudly on the refrigerator, the best laminator is a fantastic way to increase the lifespan of important documents or precious memories. It’s never as easy as picking the first one you come across, though, and depending on your needs you need to do more research than you’ve likely ever done in your life, especially when researching laminators.

For offices, you need something that’s suitable for documents of varying size, for the classroom, you want something capable of laminating hundreds of pieces of work a week, and for the home, it’s something that works so easily, even your kids could manage it, only with your supervision, though.

Just like printers, paper shredders, and scanners, laminators are crucial for a variety of situations, so let’s look at what we’ve got.

The Best Laminator

1
Fellowes Saturn3i 125 Laminator

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Featuring a stylish, sleek design, the Saturn 3i joins a family of high quality, trusted office equipment by Fellowes, a household name for technology and innovation. The Saturn 3i features a thermal and cold seal functionality, adding to its versatility. Using InstaHeat Technology, it warms up quickly, saving you time and effort. With a quick, 1-minute lamination cycle, the Saturn 3i is ideal for all business needs, as it produces clean work at every use. It is able to accommodate all documents measuring 12.5 inches maximum width.

Its high-performance build allows it to handle multiple laminations and stay on for long without overheating, with an inbuilt Auto Shut feature designed to preserve energy as well as prevent overheating. Unlike other laminators, the Saturn 3i gives the user absolute control, with an ergonomic release lever that helps to adjust the document being laminated to fit properly according to its required dimensions. It comes with 10 laminator pouches for easy use and to get you off to a great start. For more cool products like this, check out our guide to the best stapling pliers.

Key Features:

Quick warm-up system for enhanced and quality work using InstaHeat technology (Heats in 1 minute)

Can accommodate various document sizes with its 12.5 inches entry

Has settings for hot (3 mils) and cold (5 mils) laminations

Auto Power shutting feature helps to save energy when not in use

Specification:
  • BrandFellowes
  • Model5736601
  • Weight5.1 pounds
Pros

Heats up instantly

Multiple safety features

Won’t jam 

Laminates quickly 

Cons

Some issues with durability 

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2
Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator

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The Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator is currently a total steal, so get it while it’s hot. Along with a great price, it’s also superb for professional looking results with Never Jam technology to ensure hassle-free operation every time.

It can laminate 15 inches per minute, and the dual roller design feeds everything through smoothly. Unlike other machines, it can cope with unlimited length, making it ideal for banners and signs, while the automatic shutoff feature keeps your kids safe from burning their fingers. For more great products for your office, check out our top picks of the best ergonomic office chairs.

Key Features:

High-performance laminator that supports documents up to 9 inches

Quick 5 minute heating system for efficiency

Features LED touch system for easy controls

Shuts down automatically after 1 hour of inactivity

Specification:
  • BrandScotch Brands
  • ModelTL906
  • Weight3.2 pounds
Pros

Professional looking lamination

Attractive design

Laminates unlimited lengths

Cons

Basic set of functions

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3
ABOX 13’’ OL381 Thermal Laminator

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A device that laminates, cuts paper, and rounds corners is one you definitely need for your home or office. It features a paper cutter that can but up to 50 millimeters of documents at a go with a lock seal to prevent injuries to kids. It also features dual lamination system (hot and cold), operating at an incredible 250 millimeters per minute speed. A great feature you would love about this machine is its quiet operation. Unlike other peers, the Abox Laminator is relatively noiseless and can work without distracting others.

And that’s not all. If you after a fast operation, this laminator offers a quick, 3-minute superior heating system to get your work started without delay. It comes with free 16 pouches in four sizes, supporting documents with width up to 13 millimeters. Its auto shut down system ensures it remains off after 30-minutes of inactivity and is backed by its in-built heating mechanism for enhanced performance and better results. If you use paper shredders, you will surely be interested in some of the best paper shredder bags from our list; check them out.

Key Features:

Versatile laminator – comes with a cutter and Corner Rounder

Innovative heating system that warms up in 3 minutes and shuts down after 30 minutes of inactivity

Comes with 16 free pouches for lamination and in 4 different sizes

Quiet operation ensures you can work in a peaceful environment.

Specification:
  • BrandABOX
  • Model8541731196
  • Weight6.4 pounds
Pros

4-in-1 functionality 

No noise 

Even heating

Comes with 16 laminating pouches

Cons

Kind of slow 

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

4
Apache AL9 9 Inch Thermal Laminator

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The Apache AL9 9” Thermal Laminator is a lightweight and compact option that comes at a fantastic price, making it an indisputable pick for our best value selection. It boasts a quality motor and heating element, while the 2 silicone rollers apply feed the document through with ease.

To ensure top quality, there’s an ABS release button should something go wrong, and it’s compatible with both 3 and 5 mil pouches. It might not be as consistent as more expensive options, but for straightforward home use, you can’t go wrong. So be sure to keep it always on your home office desk.

Key Features:

2 silicone rollers

Quality grade motor and heating element

Power and Ready LED

ABS release button

20 pack of laminator pouches

Lightweight

Specification:
  • BrandApache
  • Model5582672051
  • Weight2.94 pounds
Pros

Sleek, compact design

Compatible with 3 and 5 mil pouches

6 month manufacturer warranty

Cons

Lamination is not as consistent as more expensive models

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

5
Swingline GBC Fusion 7000L Thermal Laminator

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Even better than the 3000L is the Swingline GBC Fusion 7000L Thermal Laminator, which is our choice for the best laminator ever created (trust us). Our premium choice can laminate 55” per minute and like the 3000L it boasts a fast warm up time and can also accommodate cold laminating for vinyl and other materials.

It’s compatible with a variety of pouch sizes ranging from 3 mils to 10, and the automatic shut off saves energy. As for usability, it will automatically detect the pouch size to make it essentially a hands-free option, and with 50 pouches included, it’s decent value, too. If you work with paper bills, make sure to check out our top picks of the best money counting machines.

Key Features:

Laminates 55” per minute

Fast warmup time

Compatible with 3, 5, 7, and 10 mil pouches

50 pouches included

Automatic shut off

Cold lamination capabilities

Specification:
  • BrandSwingline
  • Model1703098
  • Weight22 pounds
Pros

Ideal for offices and schools

Auto pouch thickness detection

3 year warranty

Cons

Sometimes causes folded corners

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

6
BluSmart 5 in 1 Laminator Set

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A great value option, the BluSmart 5 in 1 Laminator Set comes with an impressive 20 laminating pouches among a variety of other accessories for your home or classroom needs. It takes up to 5 minutes to warm up, and laminates 250 mm (9 inches) per minute. This isn’t super fast, but not super slow, either.

There are hot and cold modes for safe use at school or with your children, and the anti blockage system ensures every document comes out looking perfect. However, you may sometimes need to deal with crooked results, although this isn’t too often to be a problem. Don’t forget to check out our guide to the best laser printers.

Key Features:

20 laminating pouches included

3 to 5 minute warm up

Hot and cold modes

ABS button

12 month warranty

250 mm per minute laminating speed

Specification:
  • BrandBlusmart
  • Model7545877636
  • Weight1.98 pounds
Pros

LED indicator light

Dual roller heating system

Picture frames and paper trimmer included

Cons

Sometimes laminates crookedly

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

7
Swingline GBC Fusion 3000L Thermal Laminator

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Shifting in the upper echelons of laminator quality, the Swingline GBC Fusion 3000L Thermal Laminator is a still-affordable option for more demanding laminating needs. It’s great for the office or more official documents and delivers high productivity with a fast warm up time and accelerated laminating process.

You can use it to protect an incredible 17 documents in a single minute, and despite the price, it comes with 30 letter-sized pouches, which is ideal for ID cards or name tags for the next big event. There’s also a 3 year warranty, which should come in useful should the pages get stuck. Be sure to also check out our reviews of the best filing cabinets that are amazing for storing your documents.

Key Features:

High productivity

1 minute warm up

17 documents in 1 minute

30 letter-size pouches

Cold versatility

Compatible with 3 and 5 mil pouches

Specification:
  • BrandSwingline
  • Model1703079
  • Weight5.3 pounds
Pros

3 year warranty

Auto jam detection

Auto shut off

Cons

Difficult to fix if pages get stuck

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

8
Fellowes Jupiter 2 125 Laminator

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With a sleek, futuristic design and versatile operation, the Fellowes Jupiter 2 125 Laminator is a spectacular choice to show off to important clients at the office or reluctant, bemused neighbors at your house. It heats up in just a minute, while the AutoSense detection feature adjusts to the thickness for hassle-free use.

The 6 roller system ensures a creaseless result, and it can laminate up to 47 inches of film and document per minute. If you’re a busy man, which we’re sure you are, it’s trustworthy enough to set and forget, allowing you to make your lunch, take important calls from your office phone, or just take a break with no problems.

Key Features:

AutoSense detection

1 minute warm up

Laminates 47” inches per minute

Automatically reverses pouch

6 roller system

Hot and cold lamination

Specification:
  • BrandFellowes
  • Model5734101
  • Weight15 pounds
Pros

Compatible with pouches up to 10 mil thick

Smooth laminating

Set and forget usability

Cons

We’d expect it to laminate a little faster considering the price

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

9
Purple Cows Hot and Cold 9 Inch Laminator

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Anyone drawn to a funny name will love the Purple Cows Hot and Cold 9” Laminator which accepts a variety of pouch thicknesses and heats up in a maximum of 5 minutes for easy use. It can laminate using both hot and cold processes, and the ABS feature ensures quality.

What we love most, though is how energy efficient it is, using 50% less energy than other options. All this combined with a simple functionality and a reasonable price makes it a decent option to pick if you’re still not sure. For more great options for your workplace, check out our guide to the best 3D printers.

Key Features:

Versatile pouch acceptance

Heats up in 3 to 5 minutes

Environmental operation

Hot and cold laminating compatibility

ABS system

50 pouches included

Specification:
  • BrandPurple Cows
  • Model3016c
  • Weight1 pounds
Pros

Uses 3 and 5 mil pouches

Reasonable price

Easy to use

Cons

Difficult to open

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

10
AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator Machine

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Our first pick for the best laminator is the AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator Machine. It boasts 2 heat settings for versatility and safety if you’re working with kids, while the 3 or 5 mil laminating compatibility is useful for different demands.

At just less than £22, it’s the perfect option to have in the home or for personal use, and it’s easy to set up and easy to use, with user-friendly features including a jam release button and Ready light for simple operation. It takes around 4 minutes to heat up, which is standard for this price range, but takes a little too long to laminate the documents. If you’re not in a hurry, though, this won’t be a problem. For more great products for your office, check out our guide to the best label makers.

Key Features:

Can laminate various document types (width up to 9 inches)

Features 2 heat settings for thick or thin document types and has a lever for releasing the jam

Rapid warm-up system (4 minutes), has a laminator ready indicator light for easy operation

Compact and lightweight, easy to carry along for office or home use

Specification:
  • BrandAmazonBasics
  • ModelPL9-US
  • Weight2.64 pounds
Pros

Easy set up

Compact design

Holds plastic together well

Cons

Not the fastest operation around

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Laminator Buying Guide & FAQ

So you are looking to buy a laminator for home or personal use – what should you look out for in order to make an informed choice? Here are a few aspects below;

Laminating Thickness - One of the key things you may want to consider is the laminating thickness of the device. Depending on the intended use, you want to select a product based on the mils it can handle. For domestic use, you may want to select one that can handle documents with lower thickness, usually about 5 mils. For business use, its ideal to select one with the capability of 10 mils and above.

Warm-Up Time - Another key factor you should not ignore when making a laminator purchase is its warm up time. Whilst some devices take up to 5 minutes to warm up, other high-performance ones take less, some even 60 seconds. The time it takes to warm up determines the speed with which your work is done. It is therefore important to check the warm-up time for your laminator choice to be sure you are okay with its operation.

best laminators

Laminators FAQ

Q: How Do I Clean a Laminator?

A: Cleaning a laminator is quite easy. Ideally, you will need cleaning pads, microfiber cloth, and some Laminator cleaning solution. To clean, be sure to keep the laminator off during the process. Next, carefully remove the film rolls from their respective chambers. You can do this by opening the laminator and sliding the films gently off their respective spindles. Be sure the laminator is has cooled down during this process, especially if it had been used earlier.

Next, use the cleaning pads to clean the rolls. Be sure the pad is squeezed so as not to produce extra liquid. Clean the rolls gently, turning the rolls as you scrub to ensure all sides are evenly cleaned. Next, look out for and take out residue using the laminator cleaner, using the cleaning pads on the surfaces of the rolls whilst you clean. Once that is done, use the microfiber cloth to clean and dry the rolls evenly. Now you can fix the films back on their respective spindles and you are good to go.

Q: Which is better hot or cold laminator?

A: Depending on the intended use, both hot and cold laminators can deliver great results. However, hot laminations are widely preferred to cold ones. Hot laminations use heated adhesive to firmly laminate documents. It can, however, cause damage to certain sensitive documents that are not heat resistant, like photographs.

Cold lamination on the hand uses pressured adhesive to get the job done, without heating. Both methods deliver results, so depending on your needs, you may want to get one that can fit your home or office well.

best laminators

Sources:

  1. Ten Things To Consider When Buying a Laminator - ABC Office
  2. What Should I Look For In A Laminator - My Binding
  3. How to Clean My Roll Laminator? - My Binding
Jordan Carter
Jordan Carter
Jordan Carter is Gear Hungry's resident Editor-in-Chief with a genuine love and passion for all things tech. Jordan works diligently to ensure only the best products ever make it onto the platform and are showcased in Gear Hungry's carefully curated, tested and expertly researched, informative buying guides.
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