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.
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.
Try something more compact with a mobile printer.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() MAXDONE | 2 ![]() Bonsaii | 3 ![]() Fellowes | 4 ![]() Fellowes | 5 ![]() VEVOR | 6 ![]() Crenova | 7 ![]() Cathedral | 8 ![]() Rexel | 9 ![]() Raycial | 10 ![]() Fellowes |
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Name | Laminator | A3 Laminator | Arc A4 Laminator | Lunar+ Laminator and Craft Pack | Manual Cold Roll Laminator | A3 Laminator with Built-in Paper Trimmer | A4 Laminator Machine | Style A4 home and office laminator | A3 Laminator | Ion A3 Laminator |
Features | An All-In-One Purchase for a Variety of Paper Sizes | A Compact, A3 Laminating Machine Covered by a One-Year Warranty | All the Best Functions Including Anti-Jam Technology at a Surprisingly Low Price | An A4 Laminator and Trimmer Set With Encapsulated Safety Blade | Hand-Powered Cold Press Laminator That’s Perfect for Photography and Posters | A Combination Laminator and Paper Cutter Compatible With Sheets From A3 to A6 | Affordable Laminator That’ll Liven up Your Home Office With a Splash of Bold Colour | A Budget-Friendly A4 Laminating Machine With Countless Positive Reviews | A Versatile Laminator With an Array of Office Supplies Included | An A3 Laminator That Can Also Be Used With Card or Photo Paper |
Price | £29.99 | £27.99 | £19.99 | £32.99 | £139.99 | £50.99 | £18.49 | £17.99 | £46.19 | £34.99 |
Input Size | A4, A5, A6 | A3, A4 | A4 | A4 | 65, 75, 100 cm | A3, A4, A5, A6 | A4 | A4, A5 | A3, A4, A5 | A3 |
Preheat Speed | 2-3 minutes | 3-5 minutes | 4 minutes | 4 minutes | - | 3-5 minutes | 2 minutes | 4 minutes | 3 minutes | 4 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 30 cm per minute | 25 cm per minute | 30 cm per minute | 30 cm per minute | - | 25 cm per minute | - | - | - | 30 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches | Pouches | Pouches | Pouches | Sheets | Pouches | Pouches | Pouches | Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
Dimensions | 32 x 10 x 6.2 cm | 54.7 x 16.3 x 13.2 cm; | 6.2 x 36 x 17 cm | 17.46 x 48.58 x 16.99 cm | 117.1 x 33 x 22.1 cm | 48.4 x 20.1 x 12.5 cm | 30.7 x 8.9 x 5.7 cm | 13 x 35 x 6 cm | 54 x 18 x 11 cm | 6.19 x 45.88 x 10.32 cm |
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This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£29.99
Input Size | A4, A5, A6 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 2-3 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 30 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 32 x 10 x 6.2 cm |
£27.99
Input Size | A3, A4 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 3-5 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 25 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 54.7 x 16.3 x 13.2 cm; |
£19.99
Input Size | A4 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 4 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 30 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 6.2 x 36 x 17 cm |
£32.99
Input Size | A4 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 4 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 30 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 17.46 x 48.58 x 16.99 cm |
£139.99
Input Size | 65, 75, 100 cm |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | - |
Lamination Speed | - |
Sheets/Pouches | Sheets |
Quick Jam Release | - |
Dimensions | 117.1 x 33 x 22.1 cm |
£50.99
Input Size | A3, A4, A5, A6 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 3-5 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 25 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 48.4 x 20.1 x 12.5 cm |
£18.49
Input Size | A4 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 2 minutes |
Lamination Speed | - |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 30.7 x 8.9 x 5.7 cm |
£17.99
Input Size | A4, A5 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 4 minutes |
Lamination Speed | - |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 13 x 35 x 6 cm |
£46.19
Input Size | A3, A4, A5 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 3 minutes |
Lamination Speed | - |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | Yes |
Dimensions | 54 x 18 x 11 cm |
£34.99
Input Size | A3 |
---|---|
Preheat Speed | 4 minutes |
Lamination Speed | 30 cm per minute |
Sheets/Pouches | Pouches |
Quick Jam Release | - |
Dimensions | 6.19 x 45.88 x 10.32 cm |
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
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