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4 Best Swingline Laminators 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Swingline Thermal Laminator Machine, Inspire Plus, 12 Inch, Quick Warm-Up, 3 or 5 Mil, with 5 Laminating Pouches for Home, Office and Classroom, White/Gray (1701867)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,278
Laminating Speed

Most important from
399 reviews

Laminating Speed
Easy to use for home projects, with a good laminating speed that allows you to prep the next paper while the current one is being processed.

The Swingline Thermal Laminator, Inspire Plus, is a compact and stylish option suitable for home, school, and small office use. It allows for a maximum document size of 12.5 inches, making it versatile for various project sizes. The laminator warms up relatively quickly in 4 minutes and operates at a laminating speed of 10 inches per minute, which should suffice for most personal and small office needs. It supports both 3 mil and 5 mil pouch thicknesses, accommodating different laminating requirements.

The product includes a jam release lever to help clear any jams, which enhances its user-friendliness. One standout feature is the cold lamination setting, offering more versatility as it works with pressure-sensitive adhesive pouches. This makes it great for heat-sensitive materials. The single power setting simplifies operation, but it might limit advanced users who prefer more control over the laminating process.

The package includes 5 laminating pouches and provides a 90-day warranty, ensuring you can start right away. Weighing 3.2 pounds, the device is lightweight and easy to move around. However, some users might find the laminating speed on the slower side for bulk tasks, and the 4-minute warm-up time could be improved for faster-paced environments. This laminator is a reliable choice for personal or small-scale lamination needs, offering good value for light to moderate use.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,278
Laminating Speed

Most important from
399 reviews

Laminating Speed
Easy to use for home projects, with a good laminating speed that allows you to prep the next paper while the current one is being processed.
#2

GBC Thermal Laminator Machine, Inspire, 9 Inch, 7 Min Warm-up, 3 Mil to Legal Size, 5 Mil up to 4" x 6" (1701855)

Rating
10.0
Warm-Up Time
Thickness Capacity

Most important from
978 reviews

Warm-Up Time
Despite the longer warm-up time, the machine impresses with its ability to laminate various thicknesses of paper, card stock, and thin cardboard effectively.
Thickness Capacity
Despite the longer warm-up time, the machine impresses with its ability to laminate various thicknesses of paper, card stock, and thin cardboard effectively.

The GBC Thermal Laminator Machine, Inspire, is designed for home use, offering a user-friendly, one-step lamination process. It supports documents up to 9 inches wide, making it suitable for letter and legal-sized sheets. The laminator can handle 3 mil thermal pouches for larger items and 3 or 5 mil pouches for smaller items up to 4 x 6 inches.

One notable drawback is the relatively long warm-up time of 7 minutes, which may be inconvenient for users looking for quicker operation. The laminating speed of 10 inches per minute is decent for standard home or casual office use but may not be fast enough for high-volume tasks. With no adjustable temperature settings, the device might limit the types of materials it can laminate effectively.

However, it does come with a 90-day limited warranty, providing some assurance regarding its reliability. This laminator could be an excellent fit for users who need occasional lamination for home projects or small-scale office needs, but it might not meet the demands of those requiring faster speeds or more advanced features.

Rating
10.0
Warm-Up Time
Thickness Capacity

Most important from
978 reviews

Warm-Up Time
Despite the longer warm-up time, the machine impresses with its ability to laminate various thicknesses of paper, card stock, and thin cardboard effectively.
Thickness Capacity
Despite the longer warm-up time, the machine impresses with its ability to laminate various thicknesses of paper, card stock, and thin cardboard effectively.
#3

Swingline Laminator, Thermal, Inspire Plus Lamination Machine, 9 Inches Max Width, Quick Warm-Up, Includes Laminating Pouches, White/Gray (1701857ECR)

Rating
7.9
Warm-Up Time
Thickness Capacity
Jam Prevention Features

Most important from
41 reviews

Warm-Up Time
The quick warm-up time is a game-changer, allowing for swift, on-the-go lamination tasks.
Thickness Capacity
Its capacity to handle a decent range of thicknesses offers flexibility for various documents.
Jam Prevention Features
Built-in jam prevention features ensure a smooth lamination process without frustrating interruptions.

The Swingline Inspire Plus Lamination Machine is a compact and user-friendly thermal laminator that is designed for basic home or office use. It has a maximum document width of 9 inches, making it suitable for laminating standard letter-sized documents, photos, and smaller items. One of its standout features is the quick warm-up time, which means you won’t have to wait long before you can start laminating. This is particularly useful for quick, on-the-go lamination tasks.

The machine also includes laminating pouches, adding extra value for the user. The laminator supports a decent range of thickness capacities, allowing for flexibility in the types of documents you can laminate. Moreover, there are built-in jam prevention features to help ensure a smooth lamination process without frustrating interruptions.

However, being a basic model, it might not offer as many temperature settings as higher-end models, which might limit its versatility in handling different types of laminating projects. It’s also worth noting that the manual operation mode requires you to feed the pouches through the machine, which some users might find less convenient compared to automatic models. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable and straightforward laminator for occasional use.

Rating
7.9
Warm-Up Time
Thickness Capacity
Jam Prevention Features

Most important from
41 reviews

Warm-Up Time
The quick warm-up time is a game-changer, allowing for swift, on-the-go lamination tasks.
Thickness Capacity
Its capacity to handle a decent range of thicknesses offers flexibility for various documents.
Jam Prevention Features
Built-in jam prevention features ensure a smooth lamination process without frustrating interruptions.

Buying Guide for the Best Swingline Laminators

When choosing a Swingline laminator, it's important to consider your specific needs and how you plan to use the machine. Laminators are great for preserving documents, photos, and other important papers, but different models offer various features that can make a big difference in your experience. By understanding the key specifications and how they relate to your needs, you can make an informed decision and select the best laminator for you.
Laminating SpeedLaminating speed refers to how quickly the laminator can process documents. This is usually measured in inches per minute (ipm). Faster speeds are beneficial if you have a large volume of documents to laminate, as it will save you time. Laminators with speeds of 10-15 ipm are suitable for occasional use, while speeds of 20-30 ipm or higher are better for frequent or high-volume laminating tasks. Consider how often and how much you will be laminating to determine the right speed for you.
Maximum Document SizeThe maximum document size a laminator can handle is crucial, as it determines the largest item you can laminate. This is typically measured in inches and refers to the width of the document. Common sizes include 9 inches for standard letter-sized documents and 12 inches for larger items. If you only need to laminate standard documents, a 9-inch laminator will suffice. However, if you plan to laminate larger items like posters or legal-sized documents, opt for a laminator with a wider capacity.
Warm-Up TimeWarm-up time is the duration it takes for the laminator to be ready for use after being turned on. This can range from a few minutes to over ten minutes. Shorter warm-up times are more convenient, especially if you need to laminate documents quickly or frequently. If you are using the laminator occasionally, a longer warm-up time might not be a significant issue. Choose a laminator with a warm-up time that fits your patience and usage frequency.
Thickness CapacityThickness capacity refers to the maximum thickness of the laminating pouches the machine can handle, usually measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). Common thicknesses are 3 mil, 5 mil, and 10 mil. Thicker pouches provide more rigidity and protection. If you need to laminate items that will be handled frequently or require extra durability, choose a laminator that can handle thicker pouches. For general use, a laminator that supports 3 mil or 5 mil pouches should be sufficient.
Jam Prevention FeaturesJam prevention features help to avoid or easily clear paper jams, which can be a common issue with laminators. These features can include reverse functions, which allow you to back out the document, and sensors that detect and prevent jams. If you are new to laminating or plan to use the machine frequently, look for a laminator with robust jam prevention features to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Temperature SettingsTemperature settings allow you to adjust the heat level for different types of laminating pouches and materials. Some laminators offer both hot and cold settings, with cold settings being useful for heat-sensitive items. If you plan to laminate a variety of materials, including photos or delicate documents, choose a laminator with adjustable temperature settings to ensure the best results for each type of item.

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