One of the easiest ways to protect certificates of achievement, important documents, special photos, and more is to laminate them. These machines typically heat up plastic to seal around your document, using rollers to pull the paper through for even, wrinkle-free lamination. There are also cold laminators that don't require electricity and are ready to go. (We compare the pros and cons of each below.)
Laminators come in a variety of sizes and styles, though most are long, narrow, and somewhat rectangular. There are compact pouch models that can handle 8x11-inch home printer documents, and on the other end of the spectrum, oversized laminators for posters and other large-scale applications.
In terms of price, you don't have to spend more than $40 to get a solid-quality laminator to cover everyday needs. So whether you're looking for something basic and affordable or want to splurge on the grandaddy of laminators, read on for our recommendations, plus essentials to consider before you shop.
Let's start with advantages and disadvantages of hot and cold laminators. Generally speaking, hot laminators producing a more durable final product so documents stay well-protected, though they take time to warm up, and there's a learning curve to use them effectively (without burning yourself). Along with the convenience of skipping a cord and zero setup, one of the best reasons to buy a cold laminator is for better color and quality of images. They also eliminate air bubbles, though the laminated items they create may not stay intact as long. In terms of price, options are mixed as to which is more expensive, but you can buy a cheap hot or cold laminating machine for $20 or less.
If you opt for hot, pouch laminators are the most popular for home use, as they’re compact, portable, and extremely easy to operate. You simply put your document in a plastic pouch, then run it through the laminator to seal the edges. There are also roll laminators, which are larger and more expensive, but can laminate any size document — even several at once. Cold laminators also use a roll.
As you compare different laminators, think about the size of documents you’re planning to laminate, as well as their thickness. If you choose a pouch laminator, look at the types of pouches it can use and the cost of pouches, as you’ll likely need to stock up on them. Other important factors to consider include how long the laminator takes to heat up, how quickly it works, and whether it’s equipped with any type of anti-jam technology.
To find the best laminators for a variety of applications, we looked for top-rated models from well-known brands like Scotch and GBC. After selecting the best hot and cold laminators, we read dozens of user reviews for each product, prioritizing models that are easy to use and deliver consistent results. All the laminators we selected have an average rating of 4 stars or higher, and they’re praised by buyers for their performance and design.
