10 Best Laminators 2025 in the United States

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 Fellowes Amaris 125 laminator is a versatile machine suitable for both school and office use. It handles laminating projects up to 12.5 inches wide, which is ample for most standard office documents. Its rapid laminating speed of 31 inches per minute is impressive, allowing you to complete projects quickly. The InstaHeat Technology ensures a swift warm-up time of just 60 seconds, so you won't have to wait long to get started.

This laminator can handle hot and cold pouches up to 7 mil thick, giving you flexibility based on your needs. A standout feature is the integrated pouch tracking system that detects mis-feeds, minimizing the risk of jams. If a mistake does occur, the reverse mode makes it easy to re-center or remove the pouch, saving you time and frustration. The Clean Alert feature is a thoughtful addition, letting you know when it's time to clean the rollers to maintain the machine's longevity and performance.

The Fellowes Amaris 125 is also relatively lightweight at 4.2 pounds and has compact dimensions (18.69 x 6 x 4 inches), making it a portable option if you need to move it between rooms or locations. However, some users might find the pouch thickness limit of 7 mil restrictive for more heavy-duty laminating tasks. Additionally, the initial 10 jam-free laminating sheets included are helpful, but you may need to purchase more depending on the volume of your projects. The Fellowes Amaris 125 laminator is an efficient and user-friendly choice for everyday laminating needs, particularly suitable for educational and professional settings.

The Amazon Basics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator is a solid choice for home or small office use, especially for those who occasionally need to laminate documents or photos. With a compact design and a lightweight build of just 2.47 pounds, it's easy to store and transport, making it suitable for various users, including students and hobbyists. The laminator accommodates documents up to 9 inches wide, which covers standard letter and legal sizes, appealing to a wide range of projects.

One of its strengths is the quick warm-up time of just 3-5 minutes, allowing you to start laminating without a long wait. The two heat settings for 3 mil and 5 mil pouches provide versatility for different types of materials, catering to both everyday documents and thicker cardstock. The jam release feature is particularly useful, as it helps clear any unexpected paper jams without much hassle.

There are some limitations to be aware of. The laminator is only compatible with 3 mil and 5 mil pouches, so if you need thicker options, this machine won't meet that requirement. Additionally, it cannot laminate certain materials such as hardware, cloth, or foam sheets, which could restrict its use for some users. The warm-up process requires patience, as it should not be used before the indicator light shows readiness.