Fellowes Brands is a company that manufactures office and technology accessories, business machines, and records storage. It was founded in 1917, and now it operates in 17 countries around the world. Their laminating machines are known as one of the most elegant machines in the market for both home and office use.
After multiple hours of research work and various tests of the Fellowes laminators, the following ten machines have been selected for your consideration. These top models incorporate the best functions and feature a balance between speed, capacity, thickness, and price tag.
Top 8 Fellowes Laminators
| Rank | Review | Name | Lamination Type | Maximum Paper Width | Dimensions (inches) | Heat-up time | Max laminating speed | Number of rollers | Weight (lb.) | Warranty | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | Jupiter™ 2 125 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 12.5’’ | 5.06 x 21.25 x 8.19 | 1 min | 47’’ per min | 6 | 14.99 | 2 years | 9.9 |
| 2 | | Saturn™ 3i 125 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 12.5’’ | 4.13 x 20.94 x 5.75 | 1 min | 12’’ per min | 2 | 5.10 | 2 years | 9.7 |
| 3 | | Neptune™ 3 125 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 9.5’’ | 4.63 x 20.00 x 5.50 | 1 min | 31’’ per min | 4 | 10.14 | 2 years | 9.5 |
| 4 | | Callisto™ 95 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 9.5’’ | 4.25 x 17.75 x 5.75 | 1 min | 19’’ per min | 2 | 4.59 | 2 years | 9.3 |
| 5 | | M5™-95 | Pouch-type Hot | 9.5’’ | 2.63 x 14.00 x 6.25 | 4 min | 12’’ per min | 2 | 3.00 | 1 year | 9.2 |
| 6 | | Voyager™ 125 | Pouch-type Hot | 12.5’’ | 5.13 x 24.81 x 9.06 | 4 min | 35’’ per min | 4 | 21.85 | 2 years | 9.1 |
| 7 | | Spectra™ 95 | Pouch-type Hot | 9.5’’ | 3.06 x 14.56 x 7.00 | 4 min | 12’’ per min | 2 | 3.00 | 1 year | 8.9 |
| 8 | | Cosmic™ 2 95 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 9.5’’ | 4.25 x 17.75 x 5.75 | 5 min | 12’’ per min | 2 | 4.00 | 2 years | 8.6 |
Fellowes Jupiter 2 125
This model from Fellowes has a black and silver sleek design. Being powerful, it is able to handle 47’’ of paper per minute. The machine features the AutoSense mechanism that detects the thickness of the pouch used and adjusts the settings automatically. It also has a special pouch tracking system that understands that the pouch was inserted incorrectly and reverses it.
- Fast heat-up time (1 min) thanks to the InstaHeat mechanism
- Equipped with cold and hot lamination technologies
- AutoSense system
- Advanced Pouch Tracking mechanism
- Auto switch-off
- Six rollers for better lamination quality
- The presence of markings on the entrance slot for the correct feeding of documents (photo, letter, and menu size)
- A kit of pouches as bonus
- Super easy to operate
- Heavy weight
- No in-feed support
- Slow cooling down
Fellowes Saturn 3i 125
The Saturn 3i 125 is an elegant-looking pouch laminator with black and silver ABS plastic housing. Being not very powerful, it is able to laminate your items a few times a week. It can be used at home or in the office with moderate laminating needs. This advanced machine performs quality thermal lamination thanks to the InstaHeat technology.
- Hot and cold lamination
- Rapid warm-up time (1 min)
- A release lever for easy pouch removal
- Auto shut-off
- A starter kit – 10 pouches
- Four temperature settings
- Beeping sound that indicates the readiness of the machine to be used and completion of lamination
- High price-quality ratio
- Fast operation
- Good for only occasional lamination
- Loud operation
- Small feeding area
Fellowes Neptune 3 125
The Neptune 3 125 also has a black and silver plastic cover. It is a solid laminator with a quick laminating speed. Being heavy-duty, it is able to handle pouches up to seven mil thick. Thanks to reverse mode, the user can remove the pouch or recenter it. The machine features an exit tray for quality laminating results.
- Quick heat-up time (1 min)
- AutoSense function to detect the thickness of pouches automatically
- Pouch tracking mechanism to check if the pouch is fed correctly
- Cold and hot lamination
- Fast performance
- The auto shut-off mode that prevents overheating
- Stylish design
- Ten bonus pouches
- Easy to use
- Slow cooling down between sessions
- Loud operation mode
- The lack of effective cold lamination
Fellowes Callisto 95
The Calisto 95 has a very sleek design and comes in black and grey. It is suitable for small office or home use with moderate laminating needs. It features the unique HeatGuard system that keeps heat inside the machine. This allows the user to touch the laminator without getting burnt.
The device also uses the HotSpot technology so that it can immediately switch between pouches with different thickness with no need to wait until it cools down or heats up.
- Quick heat-up time (1 min) thanks to the InstaHeat mechanism
- Two laminating settings – hot and cold
- Easy to use
- Energy-saving features
- Stylish design
- Reverse mode and three temperature settings
- A carrying handle for easy transportation
- Rapid laminating speed
- Cannot be used often
- Small feeding area
Fellowes M5-95
The M5-95 is a very affordable laminating machine with a black plastic finish. It weighs only 3 lb so it is easy to transport. This is a pouch-type unit that is suitable for casual laminating needs.
This machine provides only thermal lamination and comes with a pouch starter kit. Its feeding entrance features indications which way to insert various types of documents.
- Reasonable price
- Light weight and portability
- User-friendliness
- Auto shut-off to avoid overheating
- A release lever for easy paper removal
- Fragility and no durable
- The tendency to jam paper
- A plastic smell during operation
- Loss of use for cold lamination
Fellowes Voyager 125
This model from Fellowes is a high-performance laminator that can be used for frequent use in large offices. It has several important and innovative functions that make this device outstanding. It includes four robust rollers with the Belt Drive technology that guides the papers through the machine for efficient performance.
- Auto-reverse mechanism for easy paper removal
- AutoSense system to detect pouch thickness
- Rapid laminating speed
- AutoLam technology to adjust a proper operation setting
- Intuitive control panel
- Auto switch-off mode
- HeatGuard function to trap heat inside the machine
- Cleaning sensors which indicate that cleanup is necessary
- Lack of cold lamination
- High cost of the machine and its pouches as well
- In some items, the LCD screen fails to work because of the defective connection
Fellowes Spectra 95
The Spectra 95 has a low price tag and has been developed for light-duty home/office use. The machine uses pouches and provides thermal lamination. Weighing only 3 lb, it is very portable. The model has a plastic finish and comes with a pouch starter kit.
- A release lever to recenter a pouch
- Auto switch-off
- Cost-effectiveness
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- User-friendliness
- Good laminating quality
- No setting for cold lamination
- The tendency to bend large sheets of paper
- No durability
Fellowes Cosmic 2 95
This model has probably got its name thanks to a slim modern design made in white, which looks very unusual. On the top cover, it features a display with illuminated buttons. The audible and visible alerts inform the user that the machine is ready to laminate.
The device is user-friendly and comes with a pouch starter kit. It can be used in small offices or homes for light laminating needs.
- Fast switch between hot and cold lamination settings
- The jam release lever helps reposition or remove paper
- Stays cool to touch thanks to the HeatGuard system
- Lamination temperature control
- Comfortable power switch on the back
- Possibility of seeing sizing on the tray
- Simplistic to use even for elderly people
- A slight odor during operation mode
- Flimsiness because of its light weight
| Review | Name | Lamination Type | Maximum Paper Width | Dimensions (inches) | Heat-up time | Max laminating speed | Number of rollers | Weight (lb.) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mars™ 95 | Pouch-type Hot | 9.5’’ | 3.56 x 16.94 x 6.50 | 8 min | 11’’ per min | 2 | 4.10 | 2 years |
| Venus™ 2 125 | Pouch-type Hot & cold | 12.5’’ | 4.81 x 21.88 x 9.63 | 4 min | 19’’ per min | 4 | 13.70 | 2 years |
Fellowes Mars 95
The Mars 95 is an inexpensive laminator for hobbies and home use. It has an attractive white housing. Its control panel is not overloaded with numerous buttons, and it is very simple to use. The green light signals that the device is ready to laminate. The machine is very lightweight and includes a convenient built-in carrying handle for easy transportation.
- Quiet mode
- Compactness and ease of transportation
- Low cost
- Equipped with a low friction technique that eliminates jams
- Precise temperature control for better results
- Good laminating quality
- The rollers feed the paper very smoothly
- No cold lamination
- Insufficient capacity; it is suitable for moderate use
- Slow to operate and to heat up
- No release lever
- No auto shut-off
Laminators Comparison: Fellowes Vs Scotch
Scotch Brands is a company that specializes in the production of a variety of products. It is a world-known supplier of the adhesive transparent tape. It manufactures laminators, but its assortment is quite limited.
On the contrary, the laminators developed by Fellowes differ in sizes, capacities, functions, prices, etc. This brand offers a much larger variety to choose from.
Fellowes Venus 2 125
The Venus 2 125 is a machine for professional applications. It comes in metallic silver and has a modern appearance. It is equipped with a six-roller mechanism that guarantees a trouble-free feeding of the document. It features an accessible design that ensures easy maintenance, cleanup, and paper removal.
- Five temperature settings
- Ease to operate LCD control panel
- Auto turn-off
- Reverse mode
- A starter pack of 10 pouches
- The AutoSense technology that is able to determine a pouch thickness
- Hot and cold lamination
- High-risk of leaving unmelted spots in 10 mil sheets
- Slow cooling down
FAQ
If you have never had a laminator, and you are planning to purchase this fantastic machine, you may have some questions concerning its maintenance.
In fact, the Fellowes devices are easy to operate. Here are some common facts that you would like to look at.
How to Use Fellowes Laminator Correctly?
The careful use of your Fellowes laminator will ensure its longevity. These simple tips ? will instruct you how to handle this machine and keep it working properly:
- Keep the rollers away from sharp items like knives, needles, and scissors. They may damage the rollers’ silicone cover. This will be costly to repair or replace the rollers.
- Make sure that your product for lamination has no specks and dust and that its surface is clean. The dust minimizes the effectiveness of an adhesive.
- Don’t laminate items with glitter or metallic products because they can damage the rollers.
- Turn the device off when it is not in use to protect the motor.
- Clean the rollers if you notice any adhesive buildup. Consult the user manual on how to do it correctly. Run cleaning sheets through the rollers periodically.
- Photographs, coated papers, and gloss paper may cause problems by a laminating process.
- Don’t forget to insert the sealed edge of the pouch first.
These precautionary measures will extend the lifetime of your machine.
What Brand Laminating Pouches Work in These Laminators?
The laminators from Fellowes offer hot and cold lamination, so use the correct type of the Fellowes branded pouches for a certain laminating setting.
The choice of a pouch type also depends on the finished result. There are pouches of various sizes and thicknesses. Use the type that is affordable for your Fellowes model. The letter-sized pouches are the most commonly used pouches. The photo-sized and menu-sized ones are appropriate for laminating name tags and organizers respectively. The legal-sized pouches are good for making maps.
Selecting the thickness of Fellowes pouch depends on your project. Thin pouches are more flexible, thicker ones look sturdy and stiff. Start with the thinnest one to understand how it works.
Why Is My Fellowes Laminator Beeping?
Some Fellowes laminators give a beep signal when they are ready to laminate or when the lamination is over. This audible alert is true only for particular models.
If your machine makes these signals, and they don’t mean the beginning or termination of the operation, consult the user manual. You may find the answer in its troubleshooting chapter. If it contains no information, consult Fellowes customer support. Don’t be nervous trying how to open the laminator and find a disorder and let a professional fix the machine.
Where to Buy ? Laminator by Fellowes?
The Fellowes laminators are available for purchase from the official website of the company. They can also be found in online shops and trading platforms. Check trusted retailers, such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Costco, BestBuy, Williams Sonoma, and many others. The vivid reviews from customers, who have already tested a laminator, will help you find the device for your needs and up to your budget.
Conclusion
If you are tired of sharing or borrowing a laminator, buy your own machine. The selection of appliances given above offers solid items with multiple useful features and attractive appearance. Scrutinize all their functions to know what works best for you. With this post by WoWPencils, you will find the right machine that will stay useful for a long time.
References
- Fellowes® Office Machines – https://www.fellowes.com/
- Scotch™ Brand – https://www.scotchbrand.com/