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  3. 10 Best Laminators in 2022 (Scotch, Amazon Basics, and More)
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10 Best Laminators in 2022 (Scotch, Amazon Basics, and More)

When it comes to protecting and preserving documents, photos, luggage tags, and more from being ripped to shreds, laminators can be one useful tool. Once your precious items are sealed in a plastic sheet, they’re much closer to being considered indestructible.

We've saved you time and trouble by curating a list of the top 10 best laminators on the market this year. Our top pick is Blusmart's Multiple Function A3 Laminator. This laminator can work with even the largest documents and has dozens of features including a cooling function, a paper cutter, and an anti-jamming button. Read on for our other choices, a buying guide full of helpful tips, and more!
Last updated 09/26/2023
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Table of Contents

How to Choose Laminators

Laminators come in a variety of types, and each is suited for a different kind of laminating job. We’ve broken down what you should look for and consolidated it into a handy buying guide.
1

Consider Which Type of Laminator Suits Your Needs

The two most common types of laminators are roll laminators and pouch laminators. Here are the characteristics for each and what kind of jobs they can do.

Roll Laminators Are Best for Laminating Multiple Items Quickly

Roll Laminators Are Best for Laminating Multiple Items Quickly

Roll laminators use two separate rolls of film to laminate instead of the film sleeve used by pouch laminators. This means they can laminate at a greater speed than pouch laminators, and it also often allows for larger sizes of paper. 


However, the film sheets for roll laminators don’t come pre-cut or pre-rounded, so the final product will require a bit of cutting and measuring before it's ready to be used in your office, classroom, or home. Roll laminators can also often be bulkier and more expensive than pouch laminators, so they might not be best for personal use. 


Still, one major benefit of roll laminators is that you don’t have to worry about the length or width of what you want to laminate as long as the laminating sheets are wide enough for your project. 


This makes them ideal for bigger projects like posters or banner artwork. Due to this advantage in size as well as their output speed, roll laminators are often favored by offices, schools, and other sorts of corporations or groups.

Pouch Laminators Are Best for Personal Use and Smaller Projects

Pouch Laminators Are Best for Personal Use and Smaller Projects

Pouch laminators are often smaller and lighter than roll laminators. They use specially-made film folders to laminate documents of specific sizes. These folders, or "pouches", can be between three and ten mils in thickness, with one mil being about a thousandth of an inch. The thicker the pouch, the harder it will be to bend. 


Most pouch laminators are made for jobs that are letter-size documents and under, so the scope of what you can laminate is a bit restricted. However, it isn't impossible to find pouch laminators that can laminate up to A3 size documents. 


Pouch laminators are a bit slower and less efficient than roll laminators, but their more compact nature makes them a great choice if you want a laminator in your home or personal office space. An additional benefit is that the pouches are always pre-cut and usually have rounded corners, so you will inevitably have less cutting work to do after the lamination is complete. 

2

Decide Between Thermal or Cold Lamination

Lamination occurs when the adhesives inside the laminating film are activated and bind together around the paper being laminated. This can be achieved with thermal lamination or cold lamination. Both laminating methods work, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks to consider. 

Thermal Lamination is the Cheaper and More Available Standard

Thermal Lamination is the Cheaper and More Available Standard

Thermal laminators use heat to activate the adhesives in laminating sheets and pouches. They are the most common type of laminators and are therefore available in a large number of sizes and varieties


The same can be said of the pouches or laminating film that's used for thermal lamination; if you have a diverse assortment of document sizes that you want to laminate, a thermal laminator might be your best choice. 


However, the heat created by thermal laminators can be damaging to documents or photos that use more delicate inks such as water-based ink. They do take some time to warm up as well, so if yours is a busier lifestyle, this lamination method may not be for you. There's also the factor of your own safety to consider, as it is possible to burn yourself while using a thermal laminator. 

Cold Laminators Are Fast and Safe

Cold Laminators Are Fast and Safe
The biggest benefit that cold laminators have is that there’s no warm-up time required. This is great if you are constantly needing to get your laminating done in a hurry. Cold laminators also pose little risk to delicate inks, so they may be the better choice if you plan on laminating more photos than office documents. 


The problem with this lamination method is that cold laminators aren't as widely available. The sizes of cold laminating films or pouches are also less diverse, so you may have to do more cutting work if you want to laminate smaller documents. It's important to note, however, that more and more laminators are being designed to have both hot and cold laminating functions. 

3

Look for Useful Extra Features

Look for Useful Extra Features

Some laminators offer useful extra features that can make a world of difference for your laminating experience. Popular extra features include corner rounders, paper trimmers, and sensors to tell you when the document is jammed. 


As mentioned earlier, there are also laminators that come with both thermal and cold lamination settings. This may mean a higher price tag, but it’s perfect if your scope of laminating jobs is varied. We recommend considering which features are best for you when purchasing a new laminator.


As paper jams can be inevitable when it comes to machines like laminators and printers, you may also want to stick with laminating machines that have an Anti-Blocking System, or an ABS. This can come in the form of a lever or even a button, which you can use when your laminator jams up. 

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10 Best Laminators Ranking

Here are the best Laminators, ranked according to 10 Best Laminators (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Blusmart

Multiple Function A3 Laminator

Blusmart  Multiple Function A3 Laminator 1

$57.99

High Mid

Packed With Features and Perfect for Crafters or Businesses

2

Scotch

Thermal Laminator

Scotch Thermal Laminator 1

$21.99

Low Mid

A Simple Yet Powerful Laminating Tool

3

Abox

Pixseal II Laminating Machine Black

Abox Pixseal II Laminating Machine  1

$49.99

Mid

Promises Speedy Lamination and Two Cutters

4

Fellowes

Saturn 3i 125 Laminator12.5 inch, Silver & Black

Fellowes  Saturn 3i 125 Laminator 1

$94.78

High Mid

InstaHeat Technology Spares You Time and Stress

5

Hopvision

4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine

Hopvision 4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine 1

$25.99

Low Mid

Lightweight Laminator With an Efficient Heating System

6

Amazon Basics

Thermal Laminator Machine9-inch

Amazon Basics Thermal Laminator Machine 1

$39.75

Mid

Amazon's Thermal Laminator is Handy for Home Users

7

Vevor

Cold Laminator Machine25-inch

Vevor Cold Laminator Machine 1

$113.99

High

The Best Cold Roll Laminator

8

Crenova

A4 Laminator4-in-1 Laminator Set

Crenova A4 Laminator 1

$29.99

Low Mid

A Lightweight and Portable Tool for Your Desk

9

Toyuugo

SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator

Toyuugo SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator 1

$21.99

Low Mid

This Multi-Function Laminator is Good for Small Projects

10

Eficentline

YE381 5-in-1 Laminator

Eficentline YE381 5-in-1 Laminator 1

$57.99

High Mid

A 3-Millimeter Laminator That's Beginner-Friendly

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Blusmart Multiple Function A3 Laminator

Multiple Function A3 Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$57.99
High Mid
Reference price
$57.99
High Mid

Packed With Features and Perfect for Crafters or Businesses

Bluesmart's Multiple Function A3 Laminator promises ease of use and a laminating speed of 250 millimeters a minute. As if that wasn't enough, this office gadget also has tons of useful extras like a paper cutter, a corner rounder, a hole puncher, and more. There's even a button you can push in case of a jamming situation.

Some reviewers have noted that while the paper cutter on this machine is a good idea, it doesn't always work smoothly. Others warn that the laminator doesn't get hot enough for thicker documents that are 5 mil or above. If you plan on laminating items that are thick, there's a chance that this product isn't for you. 

For the most part, users are thrilled with how portable and easy-to-use Bluesmart's laminator is. Many say that the extra features make projects like scrapbooking easier and more enjoyable. The common consensus is that Blusmart's Multiple Function Laminator heats up quickly, can be cooled just as easily, and is overall an incredibly useful tool.

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No.2

ScotchThermal Laminator

Thermal Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$21.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$21.99
Low Mid

A Simple Yet Powerful Laminating Tool

Scotch's Thermal Laminator makes up for its lack of bells and whistles with an uncomplicated user interface and an incredibly effective two-roller laminating system. This reduces the risk of wrinkles, bubbles, or other aesthetic issues during the lamination process and produces a professional-looking result. 


However, some reviewers report that Scotch's laminator emits an unpleasant smell and can be quite noisy, especially as it gets older. A few have also complained that the specific pouches the guide recommends users to buy are more expensive than regular laminator pouches.


Most users are thrilled with how efficient, user-friendly, and economic this thermal laminator is. Satisfied reviewers vary from individuals to teachers laminating projects for a class. Considering how cost-effective and sturdy Scotch's laminator is, we think it's a great choice for beginners or for buyers not looking for extra functions. 

No.3

AboxPixseal II Laminating Machine Black

Pixseal II Laminating Machine  1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$49.99
Mid
Reference price
$49.99
Mid

Promises Speedy Lamination and Two Cutters

With their Pixseal II laminator, Abox boasts a speedy 350 millimeter per minute output and an efficient heating-cooling system. This laminator includes quite a few useful features such as a buzzer that reminds users to remove the finished lamination, a corner and paper cutter, and a readable display bar for the heating process. 


A few users have pointed out that despite being designed specifically for the Pixseal II laminator, the accompanying laminating pouches don't produce good results. It may be a good idea to purchase more trusted pouches separately. 


Most reviewers rave that the Pixseal II works efficiently and consistently for personal or office situations. Many are thrilled with how well the paper and corner cutters work. While a few have reported some issues, they added that the included warranty made the return and replacement an easy and successful process. 

No.4

Fellowes Saturn 3i 125 Laminator12.5 inch, Silver & Black

Saturn 3i 125 Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$94.78
High Mid
Reference price
$94.78
High Mid

InstaHeat Technology Spares You Time and Stress

Fellowes' Laminator Saturn 3i 125 warms up within one minute and churns out laminations at 12 inches a minute. It also features both thermal and cold lamination settings, an auto-shutoff function to save energy, and a release lever in case you need to re-center your pouch.

A few users have discovered issues with longevity, warning that in their experience the Laminator Saturn 3i 125 started making grinding noises or ruining the laminations within a year. However, as this laminator does come with a two-year warranty, we think it's still a good option. 


Small business owners, in particular, are happy with the Laminator Saturn 3i 125. Plenty have been using it daily without issues and note that it's user-friendly and safe due to the auto-shutoff function.

No.5

Hopvision4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine

4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$25.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$25.99
Low Mid

Lightweight Laminator With an Efficient Heating System

Hopvision's 4 in 1 Portable Laminating Machine packs an efficient 11-inch-per-minute laminating speed, hot and cold lamination settings, and a swift warming time into one home-sized package. This laminator comes with a paper cutter and corner rounder; it can handle pouch thickness of up to five mils.


Some people who used this laminator have reported that it runs hot, as evidenced by the occasionally wrinkled and jammed pieces they tried to make. We don't recommend you use Hopvision's laminator for thinner laminating pouches or for delicate projects like photos unless you intend to do so using the cold lamination option.


Most users, however, were happy with how effectively Hopvision's machine laminated their projects despite its compact and lightweight make. Many reported that the paper cutter and corner trimmer both worked very well and made the machine incredibly useful to have around the home. So long as you plan on using it for thicker papers and sturdy projects, we think this is a fine laminator to invest in. 

No.6

Amazon BasicsThermal Laminator Machine9-inch

Thermal Laminator Machine 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$39.75
Mid
Reference price
$39.75
Mid

Amazon's Thermal Laminator is Handy for Home Users

Amazon Basics offers a user-friendly thermal laminator with two heat settings designed to accommodate different thicknesses of laminating film. This laminator has a handy anti-jam lever to help you out when you're stuck, and if you find yourself in need of a larger model the brand also offers a 12-inch version of the same device. 


Some customers express disappointment at how small the feed tray is, noting that this makes it easy to create jams or other quality issues with the final product. It also appears that this isn't a very forgiving laminator, as any deviation from the instructions causes problems to arise in the laminating process. 


For the most part, users are happy with how smoothly and efficiently this laminator works when the directions are properly followed. Some have experienced jams but report that these were easily taken care of with the jam lever. Many note that due to its compact size and simple setup, it's a great tool for personal use around the home

No.7

VevorCold Laminator Machine25-inch

Cold Laminator Machine 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$113.99
High
Reference price
$113.99
High

The Best Cold Roll Laminator

Vevor's cold roll laminator is great for large jobs you need doing in a short amount of time. To laminate, simply insert your document between two sheets of film and turn the laminating wheel. This is an entirely manual procedure and is, therefore, safer and more energy-efficient. The machine features an adjustable roller position and a manual thickness setting. The trays can be folded for more compact, easy storage. 

 Some users complain that the manual operation of Vervor's laminator is complicated and difficult and that the instructions aren't always helpful. Others warn that it is easily damaged during the shipping process. 


Most reviewers note that due to its manual operation this laminator produces consistently perfect results when used properly. They report it's a great option for photography or important documents that you don't want to risk damaging with thermal laminators. So long as you don't mind manual operation, this is a great choice!
No.8

CrenovaA4 Laminator4-in-1 Laminator Set

A4 Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$29.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$29.99
Low Mid

A Lightweight and Portable Tool for Your Desk

Crenova's thermal A4 laminator boasts a compact, lightweight build that fits on your desk and a laminating speed of 250 millimeters per minute. The ABS anti-jammer tool, paper cutter, and corner rounder add to this little machine's usefulness, and the rubber feet on the base prevent this laminator from moving during operation.

Unfortunately, some people who bought this A4 laminator have complained that while it certainly heats up quickly, the heat produced isn't always enough to completely seal the adhesives in the lamination film. You may have to run your project through several times for a thorough lamination, and that can cause wrinkles in more delicate projects. 


Other users report that the compact nature of this laminator makes it a great choice for personal projects and home office use. A few have added that because it's so lightweight, they can carry it between their home and work desks with ease. If you're looking for a portable laminator, this is a solid option.  
No.9

ToyuugoSL200 Hot & Cold Laminator

SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$21.99
Low Mid
Reference price
$21.99
Low Mid

This Multi-Function Laminator is Good for Small Projects

Toyuugo's SL200 Hot & Cold Laminator promises a well-paced warm-up of three minutes and an output speed of 280 millimeters per minute. Equipped with an ABS button to deal with possible jams and two different temperature settings, it's got the boxes checked for an efficient and multi-purpose lamination experience. 


Some users do warn that the SL200 begins to lose its output quality if used for a long amount of time. The company itself warns to give the laminator a break every 30 minutes, so we don't recommend this product for long, heavy use, or large projects.

Other complaints include consistent jamming and bad heating during the lamination process. 


When the SL200 does work, however, it seems to work well. Many reviewers are delighted with the airtight, smooth quality of both thermal and cold laminations. Several decided to use this laminator for old photos and keepsakes, and they report that the cold setting did an excellent job of preserving their projects. While not the most durable machine, it's fair for personal use.

No.10

EficentlineYE381 5-in-1 Laminator

YE381 5-in-1 Laminator 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$57.99
High Mid
Reference price
$57.99
High Mid

A 3-Millimeter Laminator That's Beginner-Friendly

With their YE381 5-in-1 Laminator, Eficentline guarantees a smart temperature control system, thermal and cold lamination, and a 250 millimeter-per-minute output speed. The included paper cutter has three separate blades as well as a corner rounder, and there's an ABS button to release any jams.


Despite the added bells and whistles of the paper cutter, some users report that it doesn't cut or move between settings well. Others are displeased with the fact that this laminator only works with paper thicknesses of up to three millimeters. If you want to laminate thicker documents or photos, this isn't the product for you.  


Other users say that this is an extremely easy laminator to use, and therefore makes a great gift choice or product pick for home users. Most report that the included 50 laminating pouches, the corner rounder, and an included hole punch add to the handiness and efficiency of this laminator when it comes to personal projects and crafts. 

How to Use a Laminator Safely and Efficiently

Laminating can be a tricky and even dangerous process. Here are some tips and tricks for staying safe and getting the best quality from your new laminator. 

Be Mindful of the Heat With Thermal Laminators

Be Mindful of the Heat With Thermal Laminators
Besides thinking about what kind of laminator you want to buy, you should also consider where you’re going to place it. The heat from hot laminators can cause minor to serious burns while they are hot and while they're cooling down after use. It's a good idea to keep your laminator away from where children or passers-by could easily touch it. 

On the topic of cooling down, be sure to allow your laminator to fully cool before turning it off. Powering a thermal laminator off before it's fully cooled may cause damage to the rollers, which in turn can lead to jams. Some thermal laminators have a cooling function, which will save you time and trouble with future laminating projects in this regard. 

Take Care With Laminating Film and Pouches

Take Care With Laminating Film and Pouches

When using a thermal laminator especially, it's easy for laminating film or pouches to develop air bubbles, wrinkles, or other similar issues. These usually mean that the heat setting is too high and has warped the plastic. 


Some film pouches come with cardboard carriers, or temporary cases, which are meant to provide some extra protection from the heat of the laminator. If you find carriers attached to your laminating pouches, we recommend against removing them, unless your laminator's manual says otherwise.


Finally, it's important to allow your laminated document to fully cool before performing any cutting or hole punching. Failure to do so will often result in wrinkling or other damage to the still-hot plastic. As long as you keep these tips in mind and read the instructions unique to your laminator, you should be able to effectively laminate any sort of document or project!

More Handy Products for Your Office Space

Whether you've learned that you'll be working remote long-term or you just want to spruce up your desk space, we've got some great recommendations for office and at-home supplies. 

Top 5 Laminators

No. 1: Blusmart Multiple Function A3 Laminator

No. 2: ScotchThermal Laminator

No. 3: AboxPixseal II Laminating Machine Black

No. 4: Fellowes Saturn 3i 125 Laminator12.5 inch, Silver & Black

No. 5: Hopvision4 in 1 Portable Laminator Machine

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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