Over here, at least, laminate has developed to stage that some premium brands are more expensive than hard wood and can carry a 25 year guarantee. I replaced a laminate floor in my hall which had a brand (cheap) that I referred to as 'clackety-clack' as that was the sound it made when you walked on it, with another laminate called Amtico. I loved the fact that I could add a border and had 3x Mariner's Compasses inlaid.
I once had cushion floor vinyl in a kitchen and dropped a knife. The knife remained upright making a hole in the vinyl - something to bear in mind if you're going to drop those pointy seam rippers and scissors...........