10 Best Laminators 2026 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 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.