7 Best Laminators For Teachers (At Home & Classroom Use)

Why Every Teacher Should Have A Laminator

Laminator For Teachers Compared

How to Choose a Good Laminator For Teachers

Usage

Think carefully and realistically about how often you would use your laminator; would it be daily, weekly, or occasionally? What kind of projects do you have in mind? What size documents will be needed for those projects. Answering these questions beforehand can narrow the search for a good laminator for teachers and speed up the selection process.

Laminator Type

There are a few types of laminators that can be used in the classroom. These are:

Size/Footprint

Along with limited budgets, teachers also have limited space to work with. Kids’ projects, your work tools, and other items take up all the classroom space, making it crucial to find a functional and compact model.

Look carefully are the model and document size to get an accurate picture of the laminator’s footprint and see if it fits in your ideal spot. It is also worth considering if the model is portable and whether it is on the sleek or bulky side; a bulky and difficult to move laminator will be a chore to use for many.

Laminating Pouches

Once you know what size documents you will be laminating regularly, it is best to find a pouch that is a little larger than what you have in mind. A pouch's thickness is also crucial to know; most laminators can use 3mm or 5mm pouches but read the product description or manual to see which thickness is suitable.

Finally, there are a variety of pouch finishes to consider, with each one bringing its own style to a project – we recommend picking a couple you like and trying them out.

Warm-Up Time

In between wrangling kids, planning class schedules, and teaching, we know that teachers do not have the luxury of waiting around. Laminators require a certain amount of warm-up time before they are ready to use, so it is best to pick one that heats up quickly to avoid hanging around. Typically, three minutes or less is a good warm-up time for a laminator.

Extra Features

While laminators are relatively simple to use, they can come with a wide range of features to save you time, effort, and money. Some great features to consider include a jam release lever, safety locks, auto shut off, energy-efficient modes, a high number of rollers, and various thickness modes.

Knowing that type of project you want to do as well as your teaching routine will tell you which is best for you.

Price & Warranty

We know that many teachers are on a limited budget, so getting the best value for money is key. Most laminators can cost anywhere from $15 to $300, with most sitting at $50 or less.

Set yourself a budget, find your perfect laminator in that budget, and snag it in a sale for bonus savings. In terms of warranties, most laminator warranties last anywhere from 30 days to five years; two years plus is the average.

1. Scotch TL901X

Our Top Pick!

In our opinion, the best laminator for teachers is the Scotch TL901X. Featured on Amazon's Choice list, this basic and easy to use thermal laminator can laminate both 3mm and 5mm pouches of up to 9 inches with ease.

This model features cord wrap storage for clean and simple storage and a tidier desk footprint in the classroom; no need to worry about animals or kids messing with electrics. The price is affordable, and there is a pouch bundle option for added convenience.

Two rollers mean that this machine is lightweight and compact but also means that it can be jammed easily if not treated correctly.

It is worth noting that the warm-up time is on the longer side for a laminator and that the warranty only lasts thirty days; put it on your calendar so that you do not forget. The Scotch TL901X is perfect for laminating photos and other projects like classroom displays.

Overall, it is a great model that comes with high praise and reliable performance and is our top pick for the best thermal laminator for teachers.

2. Fellowes Jupiter 2 125

Runner Up

Our runner up for the top spot position, Fellowes Jupiter 2 125 is the best laminator for 10 mm pouches. The Jupiter 2 125 is a sleek six roller laminator that both warms up and laminates in a flash. Using InstaHeat technology, the Jupiter warms up in less than a minute, making getting projects done a quick and easy process.

The AutoSense feature senses how thick your pouch is and tailors its laminating process to that thickness. Worried about stepping away while the laminator is on? You can simply turn it off or let the Auto Shutoff feature will activate after a certain period of time to prevent accidents and overheating.

Pouch tracking technology works for both hot and cold pouches, keeping an eye on the internal process and automatically reversing the pouch if a problem occurs to prevent misfeeds.

Plus, a two-year warranty comes with the Jupiter 2 125 which can be a relief if a malfunction occurs. It is worth noting that some customers say that the Fellowes Jupiter 2 125 last for around two years maximum of regular use.

3. ABOX OL381

Best Laminator For Classroom Use

The best laminator for schools, the ABOX OL381 has everything you need to blow your project out of the park. Versatile and compact, this laminator can laminate 10 mm documents at a rate of 150 mm a minute, which is a great speed.

The double aluminum pipes heat the pouch evenly to avoid imperfections and are part of an effective anti-block system. A three-minute warm-up is decent, especially considering that thicker pouches often need higher temperatures.

When in use, the ABOX OL381 makes little to no noise, so it will not disturb naptime or reading time. A pack of pouches is included in your order, which is perfect for getting you started. An ABD button is designed to release any jams to protect your documents from getting damaged.

The trimmer and corner rounder will help you finish your projects to perfection while saving you money, time, and space in the classroom. Having a trimmer and corner rounder is not suitable for everyone, and we wish that the corner rounder was built in but, overall, we love this product and think that you crafty teachers will too.

4. Mead M1701875

Best Home Laminator For Teachers

Our pick for best at home laminator for teachers, the Mead M1701875 is another sleek and simple to use laminator that can be used in the office or the classroom. Able to laminate documents up to 12.5 inches wide and 3- or 5-mm thickness at a rate of 12 inches per minute.

While the speed could be better, the three-minute warm-up time is decent, and the extended warranty is a great help if a malfunction occurs. The jam release lever helps protect your documents and photos from damage while the EZAlign pouches make laminating less of a hassle.

A ready light and alert sound let you know when the laminator is ready to go for all three settings – 3mm, 5mm, and cold lamination. Three different line guides are on the feed side to help you keep your documents straight and avoid jamming or damage.

Overall, this is a great tool to add to your classroom equipment and is perfect for leaving in the classroom or taking home for any persona DIY projects.

5. AmazonBasics Thermal

Best Personal Laminator For Teachers

One of the best personal laminators for teachers, the AmazonBasics Thermal Laminator is a durable and reliable tool that can keep up with others on the market for an affordable price. Aesthetic, and simple to use, this laminator warms up in four minutes and can laminate pouches that are up to 9 inches wide and 3 to 5 mm thick.

There is a jam release lever to prevent and help fix internal jams, and there is a ready light indicator to let you know when the laminator is ready. A one-year warranty has you covered in the case of a machine malfunction, and users love the reliable and straightforward nature of this classroom laminator.

Using the line guides on the front can help you get the perfect lamination. Overall, this is perfect for teachers who want a simple laminator for a reasonable price – hopefully, more colors and more compact models will come in the future. 

6. Tacklife

Best Cheap Laminator For Teachers

The best cheap laminator for teachers, the Tacklife Laminator is another compact and simple to use model that can kick off your classroom crafts. It has a max laminating width of 9.45 inches and a maximum pouch thickness of 5 mm, which is perfect for most projects.

A ready light will appear after the three to five-minute warm-up time to help you know when it is time to get started. Ten quality pouches are included with your purchase to help you when you need them.

As with others on this list, there is a jam release lever in case of a jam or blockage and line guides to help you line up your document while feeding. If you do order this laminator, it will arrive in certified frustration-free packaging, which is always a bonus.

While we do wish that the Tacklife Laminator had a faster warm-up time and an alert noise, we do think that this is a great product overall. If you want a compact and clean looking laminator, this is an excellent option to consider.

7. Fellowes Venus 2 125

Best Rated For Warm Up & Laminating Speed

Last but not least, the Fellowes Venus 2 125 comes with all the fantastic features of our top pick including its InstaHeat warm-up time, large size and thickness document lamination, intuitive AutoSense technology, and its six roller lamination system to create excellent and stylishly laminated documents for you and your students.

One key difference is that this system’s laminating speed is substantially higher, laminating at 53 inches per minute rather than 47 inches per minute. The other main difference is that the Venus can laminate A3 size documents as well as standard letters and documents.

While we love this model as well, it is important to note that it is heavier than others on this list and that faster laminators can sometimes sacrifice quality for speed. A two-year limited warranty has you covered in case any errors occur, which is excellent.

Overall, this is an excellent product for people looking to do a lot of lamination projects quickly and regularly. Whether you want to make large educational displays or show off your students' talents, it is worth considering adding the Venus to your classroom.

A Quick Guide On Using a Laminator

While we recommend reading your laminator’s manual for specific instructions, here is a quick guide on using your laminator to get you started.

Office Max Laminating For Teachers

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How much does it normally cost to laminate documents?

This depends on the type and scale of the project, but typically it can be anywhere from free to $50.

What are the essential accessories for laminating machines?

Getting a laminator and the pouches are the bare necessities of laminating. Some extra tools that we recommend picking up include:

What are the proper care and maintenance steps to keep my laminator running smoothly?

While we recommend reading your manual for specific instructions catering to your model, we recommend

Where is the best place to buy a laminating machine for teachers and other necessary lamination accessories?

While it is possible to get good deals from local office stores or online, we recommend picking one up on Amazon.

Not only can you find a wide range of models with plenty of helpful user reviews, but you can also get your new laminator delivered the next day. Amazon regularly has sales and other discounts, which can help you bag some significant savings and get better value for money.

Conclusion