10 Best Laminators 2025 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.

This laminator offers a good balance of features suited for home, office, school, or personal DIY projects. It supports documents up to 13 inches wide, which covers common sizes like A3 and A4, allowing you to laminate a variety of paper sizes with ease. The warm-up time is fairly quick, indicated by a ready light, so you won’t have to wait long before starting. It handles 3 to 5 mil thick pouches, which is standard for most laminating jobs, and it supports both hot and cold lamination, making it versatile for heat-sensitive items.

Temperature control is improved with an intelligent system and mica heating sheets, which provide steady heat and reduce bubbling problems. The dual roller design helps ensure smooth, quiet lamination at a decent speed of about 250 mm per minute. There’s also a one-touch jam prevention feature that ejects stuck paper, reducing the risk of damage or frustration. Additional thoughtful tools include a built-in paper cutter with multiple cutting options and a corner rounder for safer, professional-looking edges.

The laminator is somewhat heavy at around 6.65 pounds and not ultra-compact, but it remains manageable for moving between locations if needed. The product comes with a 2-year warranty, adding some peace of mind. If you need a reliable, versatile laminator that handles various pouch types and sizes, this model represents a solid choice, especially if you appreciate built-in extras like cutting tools and jam prevention. For those prioritizing portability and ultra-lightweight design, lighter models may be available.