If you’ve ever looked at professional laminate materials, they are pretty impressive. But the secret is that you can create your own laminated materials with a simple tool. While there are many on the market, the best laminating machine is available that can be used at home or in the office. With just a few parts, you can quickly laminate all your important documents and turn them into professional quality resources.

We found five of the best laminating machines and reviewed them here. The pros and cons are all listed, along with their best features. Our editor’s choice for the best laminating machine is the Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125. This is a high-quality machine with an impressive speed of 30 inches per minute. It is also compact, so it doesn’t take up any space on your desk.

In addition to our product reviews, we have also created a buying guide for your reference. All the features you can find in a laminating machine are listed, including maximum width, speed, dimensions and pocket width. As you research laminating machines, you will inevitably have more questions. That’s why we’ve also included a section to answer the most frequently asked questions. Find the best laminating machine with the ability to produce quality resources that will last a lifetime.

Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125

Our choice for the Editor’s Choice was fairly easy to find. The Fellowes Jupiter 2 125 Laminator is exactly what you’d expect from a top-quality laminator. It has everything you need to complete a wide variety of projects.

You can use pouches up to 10mm thick, giving you a flexible yet more durable lamination option. And you don’t need to do anything to adjust the thickness. This device automatically detects the thickness and adjusts automatically.

There is also a cold lamination mode for other options.

As far as exterior features go, the Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125 has a nice clean design. It’s a bit larger than other models, but its modern design allows it to sit on a desk and fit in perfectly.

The only downside is that there is no paper feed to keep your documents organized. For big jobs, this can get a little annoying.

TLC 7000T

There are many types of laminating machines. Some are great for small projects, while others are ideal for high-end jobs. Our top pick for the best lamination machine is the TLC 7000T. This is no ordinary laminating machine. It has a fairly large footprint and is better suited for an office than a home.

You can run papers up to 13 inches wide through it, making it one of the best laminating machines for graphics and cards. You can choose from four thicknesses of sleeves, up to 10mm, which means plenty of variety.

The speed is 33 inches/minute, which is very impressive. Not only does the TLC 7000T provide quality laminations, but it can easily produce bulk jobs.

Another impressive feature is that you can use either hot or cold wilting. This means that if you have different needs for your project, you can really tailor the end result. The choice is almost always a good thing.

If it all sounds too good to be true, the price is reflected in this abundance of features. It’s fine to fall short in a home office. However, in a more formal office setting, the TLC 7000Twill pay dividends.

If something goes wrong, the five-year warranty will cover you. The TLC 7000T has excellent customer service, so keep an eye out for any defects or problems. This company stands behind its products and will do everything possible to help you.

AmazonBasics Thermal Laminating Machine

Ten years ago, Amazon Basics was announced, and since then more and more items have been added to its directory. The AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator is a machine that meets most of your laminating needs.

This elegant, white laminating machine adapts to almost any environment. It has a rectangular shape, which means it can be easily stowed away to make room for more space if needed.

Although the maximum width is only nine inches, it is still sufficient for standard-size paper and other essentials such as business cards and photos. The pouch thickness is also only 3-5mm which, while a little restrictive, is fine for most projects.

The AmazonBasics thermal laminator is not an advanced machine, and that’s fine. After all, if you don’t need advanced features, why pay for them? If all you need is a laminator for small projects every now and then, then this is definitely a product to consider.

One of the general shortcomings of the AmazonBasics thermal laminator is that papers can get stuck inside. While there is a jam release lever that makes clearing papers easy, it would be nice if you didn’t have to worry about jams in the first place. However, considering its price and construction, this laminating machine is still worth considering. If you need something compact for your home or classroom, the AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator should be on your list.

Apache AL18P

Apache AL18P may not be very elegant, but it works very well and is affordable. These two features don’t always work together, so you should enjoy them while you can. In fact, the Apache AL18P has so many great features and yet fits most people’s budget, it is one of the best laminating machines for teachers and office workers.

The Apache AL18P is heavy-duty steel construction. It is not lightweight, so it is best to find a dedicated shelf or table for this machine. The motor and heating elements work very well and can handle most jobs.

You can choose between hot or cold lamination, depending on your needs. There is also a lamination width of 17.5 inches, which is perfect for graphics and new designs.

As for the thickness of the pocket, you can choose up to 10mm. And as a bonus, with your purchase, you’ll receive twenty 3mm and 5mm laminating pouches.

During the operation, you can rest easy if something goes wrong. There is a forward and reverse switch if something gets stuck. There is also a precise temperature control function, so you don’t have to worry about anything going wrong.

The Apache AL18P is a great find but beware of its size and volume. It is not a quiet machine. It’s best to keep it in a designated area, ideally away from people trying to concentrate.

Scotch TL906

With more and more people working from home, it’s important to have all the tools you need for a successful career. One of them could be a laminating machine. This small device won’t take up much space, which is a key factor in any home office.

The Scotch TL906 works well, and while it doesn’t have all the features of the other professional-grade machines on our list, it’s still perfect for home use.

The maximum input width is only nine inches, so keep that in mind before you buy. However, the standard paper sizes are only 8.5 inches, so it will work for most items.

The speed is 15 inches/minute, which is great, especially if you only need a few pieces laminated at a time. It takes five minutes to warm up, but that’s not really a hindrance in the grand scheme of things, once a nice feature is the automatic shut-off that gives you peace of mind if you suddenly need to move on to another task.

The “Never jam” technology is a very nice feature. You can run pieces of paper through the machine and rest easy knowing that there will never be a jam.

As for how it works, the steps are pretty simple. All you have to do is set your preferences on the easy-to-use controls. Place your paper in a 3mm or 5mm bag, then feed it through the machine. Overall, this is a great laminating machine for home use or even for teachers in the classroom.

Features to consider when choosing a laminating machine

There are many features to consider with a laminating machine. Some smaller machines are best suited for the home, while larger ones are for the office. To get the most out of your laminating machine, first, think about how you will use it. Then you can find the group of features that will help you choose the right laminator for you.

Maximum input width

The maximum input width is the width of the paper when it is inserted into a laminating machine. Standard paper sizes are 8 ½ inches wide, and most laminating machines have a maximum input width of 9 inches to accommodate standard paper.

If you are a little nervous about limiting yourself to this width, don’t despair as there are larger laminating machines to choose from. The TLC 7000T has a maximum width of 12 inches, the Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125 has a maximum width of 12 ½ inches, and the Apache AL18P has a grand maximum width of 17 ½ inches.

The thickness of the pouch is compatible with

Pouch thickness refers to the thickness of the plastic laminating pouch. Thinner pouches are more fragile and can break more easily. Thicker pouches are stronger and more rigid.

The two most common pouch thicknesses are 3mm and 5mm. They are perfectly suited for home use or daily use in the office.

If you know you need stiffer lamination choices, it’s best to find a machine that offers that up front. The TLC 7000T, Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125 and Apache AL18P are more robust machines and can accommodate 10mm thick pouches.

Laminating speed

If you only have one or two pages to laminate, speed is not a factor. But when you have a stack of documents to do, speed is essential.

Laminating speeds are actually measured in inches per minute. To figure out what that means in pages, you have to do a little math. For example, the Scotch TL906 has a speed of 15 inches/ minute. Standard sheets of paper are 11 inches long. This means that the Scotch TL906 can laminate just over one sheet of paper per minute.

If you anticipate having to laminate large groups of papers, be sure to find a higher speed for a more productive day.

Warm-up Time

With today’s technological advances, it is certainly frustrating to wait for a machine to warm up. Laminating machines require heat to melt the plastic, which can increase the amount of time you have to wait for your machine to be ready for use.

Heating times vary greatly from machine to machine. For example, the Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125 only needs one minute to heat up, while the Scotch TL906 needs five minutes.

Dimensions

Laminating machines are great, but they also require storage. Whether it’s on your desk or in a closet, make sure you have enough space for your new machine. Smaller laminating machines, like the Scotch TL906, can be stored in the corner of the office. Larger laminators, like the Apache AL18P, will likely need their own shelf. The Apache AL18P has dimensions of 21.3 x 8.2 x 5 inches while the Scotch TL906 is almost half that size.

Warranty

A laminating machine has many technical components, so a warranty is very helpful. Standard warranties are one year, although they vary widely. The TLC 7000T has an incredibly impressive five years, while the Scotch TL906 only has a 30-day limited warranty.

Other Features

In addition to the standard features, you may find other features more interesting. Some machines include lamination pockets in your purchase, which means a lot less hassle and a little more value. Others will have a cold lamination mode, which uses an adhesive rather than heat. Remember, the more features you find in a product, the more money you end up spending.

Safety Tips

Laminating machines use very hot heat to melt the plastic to cover the paper. Even if you are in a hurry, leave the freshly laminated paper in the machine for at least a few seconds. The hardened plastic will cool quickly, but avoid tiring your fingertips and be a little patient.

Also be careful and try not to overheat the machine. Some small laminating machines take a few minutes to produce a paper. If you are in a hurry, this may seem like agony, but don’t try to force the laminating machine to work harder than it can. If you think speed will be an issue, buy a faster laminating machine, for starters, to avoid overheating and breaking your new product.

Our verdict

The best laminating machine really depends on your needs. Our overall editorial pick is the Fellowes Laminator Jupiter 2 125 because it is versatile and has a plethora of features to choose from. However, despite its great construction, it is still available at a fairly affordable price.

If you want to make sure you have everything you need for your laminating projects, go with our Premium Pick, the TLC 7000T. Although it’s priced high, the maximum thickness and width limits of the pouch are impressive. It’s also fast, which is ideal for large projects.

Finally, if you want a simple but effective machine, check out our selection of the best basic laminating machine – the AmazonBasics Thermal Laminating Machine. Its features are perfect for home use and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Whatever your lamination needs, it’s possible to find the best lamination machine.