Best Laminator in 2022 | Hot & Cold Laminating Machines Compared & Buyer’s Guide
Today, lamination is gaining popularity as a simple and inexpensive method to protect printed documents and images from humidity, dirt, and stains. Lamination is often used to increase the durability of family photos, business cards, stickers, posters, educational materials, crafts, etc.
What is the best laminator? There are three main types of laminators available on the market: pouch laminators, heated roll laminators, and cold roll laminators. These devices vary by the type of lamination, output rate, and document size they can handle.
To begin with, lamination can be hot or cold. Hot laminators use heat ranging from 220°F to 300°F to activate the adhesive layer on the film. Hot lamination provides better results and is more durable. The only downside to this method is that it cannot be applied to inks or materials that have the ability to melt under high temperatures. If you use such materials, go with the cold lamination option that relies on pressure rather than heat. Cold laminators use pouches with an adhesive that adheres to the item under pressure. These machines are ideal for documents sensitive to heat, such as photos, and are easier to use. However, they are less reliable and eco-friendly than thermal laminators.
If it is hard to pick just one thing, we have good news for you. Machines like the Fellowes Laminator Saturn3i can operate in both cold and hot settings.
Designed with InstaHeat Technology, it warms up within one minute and works at a speed of 12 inches per minute. In the hot mode, the machine handles thermal pouches that are 3-mil or 5-mil thick. If you choose a cold setting, you will need to buy self-adhesive pouches that stick without heat.
Best Laminators Compared
There are three main types of laminators: pouch laminators, heated roll laminators, and cold roll laminators. They vary by the type of lamination, output rate, and document size they can handle.
Pouch Laminators
Designed for medium-volume projects, pouch laminators are the most widespread type. Compact and lightweight, they are used both in offices and homes. As the name suggests, these machines use lamination pouches that are available in various sizes. You need to place a document in-between a pouch which is sealed only on one side. Inside the pouch, there is a heat-activated film that sticks to the document as it passes through the laminator. Once the pouch is heated, the document is securely sealed in plastic. Depending on the model, pouch laminators are available in 2-, 4-, and 6-roller configurations.
Pouches have different thicknesses measured in microns, also known as micrometers. Their thickness typically ranges from 76 to 254 microns. Thicker pouches are more expensive and compatible with laminators of higher quality. Another unit of measurement applied to pouches is the mil equalling 0.001 inches. Most pouches come in 3, 5, 7, or 10-mil thicknesses.
The best affordable laminator is the Scotch Thermal Laminator equipped with a two-roller system. For a small price, you get a good-quality machine with 2 temperature settings, for both 3-mil and 5-mil pouches. The product is suitable for photos and documents up to 9 inches wide. It works great for foiling, gold foil prints, photos, crafts, and many other projects.
A more advanced option like the 13 inches Laminator, Blusmart Multiple Function A3 Laminator will cost you three times more. Loaded with features, it is more versatile and laminates faster and more smoothly. It takes no more than 5 minutes for the device to warm up and then it laminates at a speed of approximately 10 inches per minute. More importantly, the machine features hot and cold settings for different types of materials and tasks. And finally, it has a wide 13-inch entry feed for sheets up to A3 sizes.
Hot Roll Laminators
Roll laminators are more suitable for professionals as they can handle large volumes more efficiently. Bigger in size, they can laminate sheets of non-standard sizes and are perfect for versatile tasks. Unlike pouch laminators, this type uses two rolls and glue to attach the film to the item. One of the rolls is positioned on the top and the other one is on the bottom. The heated rolls melt glue in the lamination film and apply the latter to the document.
A good example is the NOPTEG 13" V350 Laminator with 4 rollers and a temperature control feature. With a sealing width of 13.8 inches, this powerful 700-watt laminator machine can operate in single- and double-sided heating modes. Also, it has both cold and hot lamination settings. A built-in digital display allows you to adjust the heating temperature between 32°F and 356°F. On top of that, the product offers excellent safety protection that will automatically cut off power in case of overheating.
Cold Roll Laminators
In case you don’t have easy access to electricity at your workplace or simply want to save on power consumption, choose a cold laminator. The device doesn’t require electricity and doesn’t produce heat. This type of lamination is more labor-consuming but best-suited for heat-sensitive products. Instead of heat, the machine uses pressure to apply an adhesive to the product. Also, it works only with a specific type of film which has two layers: adhesive and a glossy backing. When you remove the glossy layer, adhesive sticks to the item being laminated.
The problem with cold roll laminators is that they are compatible only with special films sensitive to pressure, whereas hot roll models can work with all types of film. Pressure-sensitive lamination film is pricier and isn’t cost-efficient when it comes to large projects.
You may pick the VEVOR 51 Inch Cold Laminator Machine that is controlled manually. Built with thick iron metal for better stability, it features soft rubber rollers, non-slip feet, and a folding table for easy storage. With a maximum width of 51 inch, you can adjust the laminating thickness up to 1 inch.
Best-Selling Laminators in Canada | Comparison Table
Most Popular
Amazon Basics PL9-US Thermal Laminator
- Laminate documents up to 9 inches wide; compatible with letter-size, legal size, business card size, and photo size papers
- Two heat settings: for best results, use '3mil' heat setting for normal documents, photos, and card stock; use '5mil' setting for thinner papers (note: mil refers to thickness of lamination film)
- Works with any 3 mil or 5 mil laminating pouch; includes two 3 mil thick, 8.9 by 11.4 inch laminating pouches
Scotch Thermal Laminator Machine, 5 Minute
- Note: It is important that consumers follow the usage instructions and they must ensure they load the laminating sheets correctly if pages get stuck
- Protects important frequently handled documents. Improved sleek modern design is easy to use and store.
- Document finish for sensitive materials, inks and photographs.
Other Popular
Scotch Thermal Laminator Combo Pack, Includes 20 Letter-Size Laminating Pouches, Holds Sheets up to 8.5" x...
- This is a thermal laminator combo pack
- Two roller system with two temperature settings for both 3 mil and 5 mil thickness
- The package contains one laminator that will laminate items up to 9 Inches wide, plus 20 ea high quality letter-size thermal laminating pouches
- 20 ea pouches can hold documents up to 8.5 x 11 Inches
- Laminator will laminate pouches up to 5 mil thick
AmazonBasics PBH-55651 12-Inch Thermal Laminator
- An Amazon Brand
- Laminate pouches up to 11 x 17 inches wide; Compatible with letter-size, legal-size, business-card-size, and photo-size papers
- Two heat settings: for best results, use '3mil' Heat setting for normal documents, photos, and card stock; Use '5mil' Setting for thinner papers (note: mil refers to thickness of lamination film)
- Works with any 3 mil or 5 mil laminating pouch; includes two 3-mil-thick, 8.9-By-11.4-Inch laminating pouches
- Compact design - ideal for any home office or classroom
- Quick 4-minute warm up with ready indicator light; jam release lever for easy clearing
- Ships in certified frustration-free packaging
Swingline Laminator, Thermal, Inspire Plus Lamination Machine, 9" Max Width, Quick Warm-Up, Includes Laminating...
- PERSONAL USE – Both compact and stylish, this white and gray laminator is perfect for any home, school or small office. It’s great for photos, handouts or any creative laminating needs.
- SIMPLE START UP – Get started on projects right away. The laminator warms up in as little as 4 minutes for quick and easy use, and has a convenient ready indicator light. Laminate at 9" per minute.
- QUALITY RESULTS – The 9" document width allows for a variety of projects, while smooth rollers help items stay wrinkle-free. Compatible with any 3 and 5 mil laminating pouches.
- USER FRIENDLY – Lamination is simple with the single power setting, which lets you switch pouch thickness quickly and easily. Plus, the jam release lever quickly clears any jammed pouches.
- WARRANTY & POUCHES INCLUDED – Laminator comes with a 90 day warranty and 5 letter size, standard thickness thermal lamination pouches, which provide a clear, glossy finish.
- COLD VERSATILITY – A cold lamination setting provides more laminating options. Cold lamination works with pressure-sensitive adhesive pouches including GBC SelfSeal pouches, sold separately.
Scotch PRO Thermal Laminator, 2 Roller System (TL906)
- 5 minute warm-up time. Light signals when machine is ready
- Assembled product dimensions (l x w x h) 4.00 X 15.80 X 4.00 inches.Never Jam technology automatically prevents misfed items
- 2 roller machine. Laminates at speed of 15 in/min. Use with 3-5 mil thick thermal pouches, up to 9" wide
- Auto shutoff after 1 hour of inactivity helps conserve energy
- Laminating machine throat width: 6 inch-10 inch