10 Best Laminators 2025 in the United States

The GBC Ultima 65 Thermal Roll Laminator is designed with a wide 27-inch laminating width, making it ideal for schools that need to laminate various sizes of documents and teaching aids. It features a 10-minute warm-up time, which is fairly standard and acceptable for larger laminators. The AutoSpeed feature ensures optimal lamination by automatically adjusting the speed, contributing to consistently high-quality results. This is particularly useful in a busy educational environment where ease of use and efficiency are paramount.

The laminator supports up to 3 mil thick films and includes EZ Load compatibility with color-coded caps for simplified film loading, which helps in avoiding errors and reducing downtime. The pivoting table and AutoGrip shafts further ease the process of loading and unloading films. The built-in trimmer and alignment guides help maintain precise lamination and document cutting. Additionally, the laminator includes safety features like a protective shield and auto shut-off, which activate after periods of inactivity, providing peace of mind.

However, at 116 pounds, the laminator is quite heavy and not very portable, which could be a downside if you need to move it frequently. It is more suited for a stationary setup in a school’s copy room or an office. The device’s jam prevention features, including slow forward and reverse functions, are beneficial, though some users might find the machine somewhat bulky given its size.

The Scotch TL901X Thermal Laminator is a solid choice for anyone looking to preserve and enhance their documents, photos, or crafts. With a laminating width of 9 inches, it easily handles standard document sizes, making it suitable for home, school, and office tasks. The device features two heated rollers that help achieve a professional finish without bubbles or wrinkles, thanks to its adjustable temperature settings. This is particularly beneficial for users who need a high-quality appearance for important items such as school projects or personal photos.

One of the standout features is its speed, laminating one letter-size page per minute, which is quite efficient for everyday use. Additionally, the built-in release lever allows for quick pouch release, minimizing potential frustration when working on multiple items. Portability is another plus, as the laminator is lightweight at just 1 pound and compact enough to fit into small spaces, making it ideal for dorm rooms or shared workspaces.

However, there are some limitations to consider. The laminator can only accommodate pouch thicknesses of 3 mil and 5 mil, which might not meet the needs of users looking to work with thicker materials. Additionally, while the warm-up time is not specified, thermal laminators typically require a few minutes to heat up, which can slow down your workflow if you’re in a hurry. Another aspect worth noting is that while the machine is designed for home and light office use, it may not be robust enough for heavy-duty tasks or frequent laminating needs. Users should also purchase specific Scotch thermal laminating pouches for optimal results, which could add to costs.

The Scotch TL901X is user-friendly and well-suited for casual laminating tasks, making it a great addition for students, teachers, and home users looking to protect important documents with a professional finish.

The GBC Professional Laminator is designed for heavy-duty use, making it a solid choice if you need a reliable machine for frequent laminating projects. It supports a wide laminating width of up to 13 inches, which is great for larger items like banners or certificates. The warm-up time of 4-8 minutes is fairly quick, so you won’t have to wait long before starting your work. It laminates at a speed of up to 25 inches per minute, which helps get jobs done efficiently. This laminator handles pouch thicknesses from 1.5 to 10 mil, covering most common laminating needs, and even supports mounting boards up to 2mm thick.

Temperature and speed can be easily adjusted via a simple touch button interface with an LCD screen, giving you control for different materials. It also includes a reverse function to help clear any paper jams, which is a handy feature to prevent frustrating interruptions. In addition, there's a cold lamination setting for pressure-sensitive pouches, adding versatility for more delicate or heat-sensitive items.

While it is built with sturdy metal housing, the unit is fairly large and not very lightweight, which means it’s better suited for a permanent workspace rather than being highly portable. If you need a robust laminator for a variety of projects and don’t plan to move it around much, this model offers professional results with user-friendly controls.