Best Laminator for Teachers | Classroom Laminating Machines

If you’re looking for the top-rated laminator for the classroom, then you’re certainly in the right place. Keep on reading for the top picks for the best laminating machine for teachers.

Best Laminator for Teachers: Top 5 Picks

Let’s get into the top options for a laminator for the classroom.

#1: Scotch Thermal Laminator

If you’re looking for a laminating machine that gets the job done in an efficient way, then you’ll want to consider the Scotch Thermal Laminator. It’s very reasonably priced but has all the features that you’d expect in a product like this one.

Key Features of this Laminator for the Classroom

• Ideal for photos
• Can handle items up to 9 inches wide
• Works for pouches up to 5 mm thick
• Sleek color and finish
• Takes up a small space
• Reasonably priced
• Some great customer reviews
• 5-8 minutes of warm-up time
• 2 rollers

User Reviews

“Very happy with my purchase. It heats up quickly and efficiently plus laminates just about anything with no bubbles or hassle. I’m a teacher and this thing makes it super easy to recycle all kinds of things from class to class and year to year.”

“This thing is a workhorse for the teachers that share an office at my school. I’m surprised, considering how cheap it is but it’s surprisingly durable and does a great job. Just be sure to let it heat up for a few minutes before getting started and you’ll have no problems at all with it.”

Shop Now

We certainly recommend picking up the Scotch Thermal laminating machine for the classroom. It’s simple to use, works well, is durable and also one of the cheaper options on this list. Head over to Amazon to find out more about it:

#2: Blusmart 13-Inch Laminator 

This laminating machine from Blusmart is certainly one of the top picks if you want to laminate bigger things. It’s ideal for papers up to 13 inches wide, unlike the Scotch above that works for things up to 9 inches. Besides that, it comes with all the extras like a paper trimmer and corner rounder that will make sure you have as smooth of an experience as possible.

Features

• Ideal for home, school, or office
• Also comes with a hole punch, corner rounder, paper trimmer and 25 laminating pouches
• 3-5 minutes warm-up time
• Quick laminating speed
• Hot and cold modes
• Easy to resolve jamming issues
• Comes with a 12-month, hassle-free warranty

Customer Reviews for this Laminator for the Classroom

“This thing is awesome and I can’t say enough good things about it. I’d give it 10 stars if I could! It heats up quickly, laminates well without air bubbles and doesn’t jam. It’s also bigger than some of the other machines which means it’s perfect for oddly shaped things.”

“No issues at all with this machine at our school. Since we discovered how easy it is to use, there’s a constant line-up for this thing. Don’t forget to pick up a classroom light filter as well—both of these things have made my teaching life so much better.”

Buy this Laminate Machine Today

If you want to take your laminating to the next level, then consider this machine that has all the bells and whistles. Head over to Amazon to find out more about it:

#3: AmazonBasics 9-Inch Thermal Laminator

AmazonBasics products are simple, reasonably priced and get the job done. This laminating machine is certainly no exception to that and our guess is that you’ll be as happy with yours as we are with ours. If you’re looking for the best thermal laminator for teachers, this is certainly one that you should consider.

Key Features

• 9 inches (but also comes with 12-inch options)
• 2 heat settings to adjust for different thicknesses of paper
• Requires 3-5 mm laminator pouches
• Jam release level
• 4 minutes heat-up time with indicator light when it’s ready
• Frustration-free packaging

What do People Think About One of the Best Personal Laminators for Teachers?

“I love this thing. It takes a few minutes to heat up and then about a minute per sheet. I’ve never had any big problems with jamming or bubbling or anything like that. I use it for all my holiday-themed stuff like Halloween games or New Year activities.”

“I was looking for a simple personal laminator to use in my classroom and this one did the trick. I love the price too. It sits nicely in the bottom of my rolling teacher cart so I can whip it out no matter what classroom I’m in.”

Get yours Today

Head over to Amazon to check now for the best prices on a personal laminator for teachers:

#4: Swingline Thermal Laminator

Features

• 9-inch capacity
• Ideal for personal use, at school or the office
• Ideal for photos, handouts or crafts
• 4-minute warm-up
• The indicator light shows when it’s ready
• Can be used with 3 mm or 5 mm pouches
• Jam release lever
• 90-day warranty

User Reviews

“Heats up quickly and moves the pouches through quickly as well. A nicel option if you don’t want to drop a ton of money on one of the super high-end ones like the Heidi Swapp machine. Small enough that I can take it from home to school in my teacher bag.”

“I’m a teacher who is ALL about laminating just about everything. Why do prep again and again if you can use the same stuff from year to year? This is the best laminator machine for teachers that I’ve run across so far. I love the price point too.”

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Pick up one of the best-rated laminators that are ideal for use in the classroom. Click below to find out more details:

#5: Fellowes 12.5-Inch Laminator

If you’re a teacher who is regularly pressed for time, then you may want to consider this laminating machine from Fellowes. It has the fastest heat-up time of any machine on the market at 1-minute. Plus, all the other features that you’d expect.

Key Features

• 1-minute warm-up
• 12.5 inches wide
• 12 inches per minute laminating speed
• Auto shut-off prevents overheating
• Jam release function
• Includes 10 pouches

Customer Reviews

“I work in a school where we have access to a laminator in the teacher’s office but I wanted to get a personal one for my classroom that actually works! This one does the trick perfectly with no hassle at all. I love that it takes only a minute to heat up too.”

“Finished products turn out really well with this machine and the heat-up time and laminating speed is top-notch. Highly recommended.”

Buy One Now

If you want to save a ton of time when doing your laminating, then consider this top-quality device. Head over to Amazon to check now for the lowest prices:

What to Look for in a Laminating Machine

If you’re looking to pick up a classroom laminating machine, here are some of the most important factors to consider.

Time to Heat Up

These kinds of machines take between 1 and 5 minutes to heat up. It may not seem like such as a big difference but a busy teacher knows that they often don’t have 5 minutes to waste waiting for something like this. In this case, we recommend picking up a faster rather than a slower one.

Size/Capacity

The width of pouches/paper a laminating machine can handle ranges from around 9 to 12.5 inches. What size to choose really depends on space in your classroom.

If you have lots of storage space or can leave something like this on the counter with no problem, opt for a bigger one. This will allow more freedom in terms of what you can laminate. Of course, for a small space, opt for a 9-inch one.

Price

It’s always prudent to compare prices before buying something like this. However, the price range between the cheapest and the most expensive option isn’t that great so instead, pay close attention to size and features.

Customer Reviews

To find out whether or not a product is right for you, have a look at the 3-4 star reviews on Amazon. They’ll generally give you a great indication of the product’s true strengths and weaknesses.

Warranty

We always prefer companies that stand behind their products with long, hassle-free warranties. Some of these products have warranties of 30 or 90 days, while others offer up to a full year.

FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about buying a laminator machine for teachers. Here are the answer to some of the most popular ones.

Why would I need a laminator?

A laminator helps preserve and protect important documents, make them waterproof, and enhance their durability.

What types of laminators are available?

There are pouch laminators (for individual items) and roll laminators (for larger quantities). Pouch laminators are more common for personal use.

What sizes of documents can be laminated?

Laminators come in different sizes. Common sizes include letter (8.5 x 11 inches) and legal (8.5 x 14 inches).

Are laminators easy to use?

Yes, most laminators are user-friendly. You simply insert the document into a laminating pouch and feed it through the machine.

Can I laminate both sides of a document?

Yes, you can laminate documents on one or both sides, depending on the laminator and your needs.

What is the thickness of laminating pouches measured in?

The thickness is measured in mils (1 mil = 0.001 inch). Common thicknesses are 3 mil, 5 mil, and 10 mil.

Are laminators suitable for home or office use?

Laminators are suitable for both home and office use. Consider your volume and needs when choosing a laminator.

Are there laminators with temperature settings?

Yes, some laminators allow you to adjust the temperature based on the thickness of the laminating pouches.

Do I need any special supplies for laminating?

You’ll need laminating pouches, which are clear plastic sleeves that come in various sizes and thicknesses.

Can I laminate different types of materials?

Yes, you can laminate paper documents, photos, artwork, cards, and more, as long as they fit within the laminator’s size specifications.

What safety features should I look for?

Look for laminators with safety features like automatic shut-off when not in use for a certain period and heat-resistant exteriors.

Are laminators energy-efficient?

Laminators typically use relatively low energy. Look for models with energy-saving features.

Have your say about the Best Laminator

What’s your top pick for the best laminating machine for teachers? Is it one of the options from this list or do you have your eye on another one? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. I’ll help other busy teachers, like yourself who love to use laminators find this useful resource.

 

Last update on 2025-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API