Laminators are an often overlooked piece of office equipment, but having one to hand can be useful. There's much to think about when choosing a lamination machine, and it can be difficult to know what to look for, but don't worry! This buying guide is here to help you through the process.
We've included all the must-know information from input size, such as A3 and A4, to laminating speed to quick jam release technology. We've also rounded up a list of the 10 best laminators available on Amazon and Argos, including those that come with either pouches or sheets.
Quick List - Top Laminators
Fellowes
All the Best Functions Including Anti-Jam Technology at a Surprisingly Low Price
Fellowes
An A4 Laminator and Trimmer Set With Encapsulated Safety Blade
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For most laminating tasks, you'll only need a machine that caters to A4 size, but an A3 option can be useful from time to time. Ideally, your chosen laminator will be compatible with multiple paper sizes so that you can get the most possible use out of it.
Although they're more versatile, A3 laminators tend to be more expensive, and the pouches and sheets used in them are also more costly. If you want to keep costs down, opting for a smaller machine might be preferable.
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The speed of your laminator is crucial, especially in a fast-paced office environment. Laminator speed is comprised of preheating and lamination. Because most laminators use heat to bond the plastic, they need to be allowed a few minutes to preheat before they can be effectively used. The industry standard for preheating is around 5 minutes, but look out for a machine that's faster if you're often in a rush.
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Most small-scale laminators operate using pouches which you can buy at most office supply shops. In contrast, larger laminators tend to use laminating sheets, which are rolls of clear plastic film loaded into the machine in bulk.
While large laminators can come with a higher initial cost, the sheets are much cheaper than pouches. If you tend to do a lot of laminating and want to keep costs down over a long period, sheets are your best choice. However, for general day-to-day use, pouches are more readily available.
One of the most common complaints with laminators is that the pouches frequently jam. As well as being irritating, this can also be a fire hazard if left unattended, so it's essential to choose a machine that is both safe and convenient.
Luckily, many modern laminators come with a quick-release function in the event of jams. You'll just have to pull the release lever, and the two rollers will separate, allowing you to remove the pouch easily. If you want to save yourself from the annoying task of ripping out jammed paper, look out for a machine with this function.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MAXDONE Laminator | ![]() | An All-In-One Purchase for a Variety of Paper Sizes | |
2 | Bonsaii A3 Laminator | ![]() | A Compact, A3 Laminating Machine Covered by a One-Year Warranty | |
3 | Fellowes Arc A4 Laminator | ![]() | All the Best Functions Including Anti-Jam Technology at a Surprisingly Low Price | |
4 | Fellowes Lunar+ Laminator and Craft Pack | ![]() | An A4 Laminator and Trimmer Set With Encapsulated Safety Blade | |
5 | VEVOR Manual Cold Roll Laminator | ![]() | Hand-Powered Cold Press Laminator That’s Perfect for Photography and Posters | |
6 | Crenova A3 Laminator with Built-in Paper Trimmer | ![]() | A Combination Laminator and Paper Cutter Compatible With Sheets From A3 to A6 | |
7 | Cathedral A4 Laminator Machine | ![]() | Affordable Laminator That’ll Liven up Your Home Office With a Splash of Bold Colour | |
8 | Rexel Style A4 home and office laminator | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly A4 Laminating Machine With Countless Positive Reviews | |
9 | Raycial A3 Laminator | ![]() | A Versatile Laminator With an Array of Office Supplies Included | |
10 | Fellowes Ion A3 Laminator | ![]() | An A3 Laminator That Can Also Be Used With Card or Photo Paper |
It will preheat in under 3 minutes, and the 30 cm per minute laminating speed will keep things running quickly. With all that at such a bargain price, it's the perfect purchase for any home office.
The machine also features a quick-release lever that will save you in the event of a jam, however, if you notice any more serious issues, the one-year warranty should have you covered.
This is the perfect machine if you're shopping for all the best features on a budget. With anti-jam technology and industry-standard preheat and laminating speeds, it's even better than some of the more expensive machines on the market.
It comes with 10 pouches, so you can start using it right away, but the A4 size is easy to come by once you need to restock. Plus, the machine automatically powers down after 30 minutes of inactivity, significantly reducing the chance of accidents.
Release and realign jammed documents with the inbuilt quick-release lever on this A4 laminator. It even comes with a paper trimmer so you can get your documents down to size with precise accuracy.
The trimmer is compact at A5 size, but the extendable arm means it can accommodate documents up to A4. The blade is also encapsulated by a protective layer of plastic, so it's completely safe for use in any home or office environment.
Since it's used cold, you won't need to waste time waiting for it to preheat. Plus, the laminator sheets are much cheaper to buy in bulk than pouches, so you could significantly cut down on long-term running costs.
It is the most expensive pouch laminator on our list, so it won't be ideal if you're looking for a bargain. However, if you want something that truly does it all, the extra investment would be well worth it.
This is one of the cheapest laminators on our list, and it preheats in just 2 minutes, making it one of the most efficient too. The A4 slot makes it suitable for most home lamination jobs, plus it features a quick-release function for jams.
The bright colour may be a little too bold for some people, and it certainly won't fit into every office space. If you're looking for something unique, though, this one is definitely one that catches the eye.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to use it for anything above A4 size, however, if you're just looking for a low-budget option to use from time to time, this machine should be more than suitable.
The lamination speed has not been specified, so if you're often in a rush to get tasks done, you may not want to take the risk with this one. For a purchase that has all other bases covered, though, it's a great choice.
With a speed of 30 cm per minute, this A3 machine will have multiple pages laminated in no time at all. It comes with 10 pouches included, and it's suitable for paper, card and photo lamination.
Unfortunately, this laminator has no quick-release lever, so it may be harder to deal with when it comes to a jam. However, with all the positive reviews from customers, it seems unlikely that this happens too often.
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
No. 1: MAXDONE|Laminator
No. 2: Bonsaii|A3 Laminator
No. 3: Fellowes|Arc A4 Laminator
No. 4: Fellowes|Lunar+ Laminator and Craft Pack
No. 5: VEVOR|Manual Cold Roll Laminator
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