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 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.

The Fellowes Laminator Venus 2 125 is a versatile and user-friendly laminating machine that caters to both home and office environments. One of its standout features is the AutoSense system, which automatically detects pouch thickness and adjusts the settings for optimal lamination, taking the guesswork out of the process.

The warm-up time is impressively fast, ranging from 30 to 60 seconds, thanks to InstaHeat technology, meaning you won't have to wait long to start your projects. It also boasts a quick laminating speed of up to 31 inches per minute, enabling you to get through tasks efficiently. The 6-roller system ensures high-quality laminations without bubbles or wrinkles, and it accommodates hot pouches up to 10 mil thick, as well as cold pouches, offering flexibility for different project requirements. Additionally, the auto shut-off feature helps save energy and prevents overheating when the laminator is not in use.

On the downside, the laminator is somewhat bulky and heavy, weighing 15 pounds and measuring 21.3 inches in length. This might make it less ideal for those looking for a highly portable option. However, its robust build and feature-rich design make it a great fit for users who prioritize performance and quality in their laminating tasks.