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 39 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 39.3 inches, you can adjust the laminating thickness up to 1 inch.

Best-Selling Laminators | Comparison Table