Ease of use, efficiency and value for money—these are the qualities that we look for when buying new office equipment, such as thermal label printers. We spend a great deal on such things, and so we often look to others for their previous experiences with different devices.

bestselling thermal label printers

In this blog, enKo Products will feature ten of Amazon’s bestselling thermal label printers that are still being manufactured as of August 2020. We shall look at the most common positive and negative experiences that customers have had with these gadgets.

Best Thermal Printers for Shipping Labels

Haven’t chosen which thermal printers should you buy for printing your shipping labels? Here’s a quick overview of the most popular direct thermal printers and where to buy wholesale labels for them.

BEST OVERALL
ZEBRA-ZP-450

Zebra ZP 450

  • Sleek and compact design
  • Easy, direct printing using thermal print technology, no ink needed
  • Prints fast at 5 inches per second
  • Double walled construction
  • Supports user-defined fonts and graphics.

Compatible Labels

1. 4″x6″ Shipping Labels 

  • 450 pcs per roll
  • As low as $6.99 each for 600+ rolls

2. 4″x3″ Thermal Labels 1″ Core

  • 500 pcs per roll
  • As low as $4.89 each for 600+ rolls

3. 4″ x 2″ Zebra Compatible Labels

  • 750 pcs per roll 
  • As low as $4.49 each for 600+ rolls

Applications

BEST BUDGET
#2. Dymo LabelWriter 450

Dymo Labelwriter 450

  • Easy printing  without hassle of sheet labels
  • Direct thermal print technology, No ink needed
  • Customizable professional label templates for company logos or other graphics using DYMO’s software.

Compatible Labels

1. Dymo 30252 Compatible Address Labels

  • 350 pcs per roll
  • As low as $2.95 each for 600+ rolls

2. Dymo 30256 Compatible Shipping Labels

  • 300 pcs per roll
  • As low as $3.33 each for 600+ rolls

Applications

  • Files, binders, and other office supplies labels 
  • Wide selection of specialty labels, from name badges, CD labels, postage, and price tags.
  • Assets and Barcoding: Keep everything trackable by easily tagging your inventory and supplies.
BEST HIGH-RES
Brother QL 820 NWB

Brother QL-820NWB

  • Supports various connectivity options: USB, Network, Wireless, Bluetooth 
  • High-resolution printing (up to 300 x 600 dpi)
  • Convenient printing with drop-in rolls. No ink or toner needed

Compatible Labels

1. Brother DK-2205 Continuous Paper Label 

  • 2-3/7″in x 100’ft – Compatible
  • As low as $4.58 each for 600+ rolls

2. Compatible Brother DK-1204 Multipurpose Labels 2/3″ x 2-1/8″

  • 400 pcs per roll 
  • As low as $3.12 each for 600+ rolls
  •  

Applications

  • Can be a mobile printer when purchased with an optional Li-ion battery which can print up to 2,000 black text or 850 two-color labels
  • Brother is the only label printer brand with Black/red label printing using DK-2251
BEST WIRELESS
Brother QL 810W

Brother QL-810W

  • Easy network connection
  • Black/red label printing using DK-2251
  • Prints up to 110 labels per minute
  • With an optional Li-ion battery for a complete mobile solution

Compatible Labels

1. Compatible Brother DK-1209 Address Labels 1-1/7″ x 2-3/7″

  • 800 pcs per roll 
  • As low as $3.92 each for 600+ rolls

2. Compatible Brother DK-1203 File Folder Labels 2/3″ x 3-7/16″

  • 300 pcs per roll 
  • As low as $3.92 each for 600+ rolls

Applications

  • Perfect for printing labels wirelessly using AirPrint rights reserved, Brother iPrint&Label app download
  • Can be used for custom-sized labels using the automatic cutter for precise cuts
BEST FOR LARGE LABELS
Best Budget Printer Dymo LabelWriter 4XL

Dymo LabelWriter 4XL

  • Print up to 4″ x 6″ extra large shipping labels
  • Includes 60 professional label templates customizable with company logo or other graphics 
  • Print directly from Microsoft Word, Excel, or Outlook, and other software
  • Direct thermal print eliminates the need for costly ink or toner

Compatible Labels

1.Dymo 30323 Address Labels, 2-1/8″ x 4″ 

  • 220 pcs per roll
  • As low as $3.12 each for 600+ rolls

2. Dymo 30336 Labels – Address Labels

  • 500 labels per roll
  • As low as $2.80 each for 600+ rolls

Applications

  • Print shipping labels directly from DYMO Stamps, eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Iabol
  • Wide selection of specialty labels, from name badges, CD labels, postage, and price tags.
  • Assets and Barcoding: Keep everything trackable by easily tagging your inventory and supplies.
CONTENT

#1.

Arkscan 2054A

Buyer’s Rating

4.6/5

Dimensions (inches)

9.45 x 6.54 x 8.31

Weight (lbs)

4.75

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$195

OS

Windows only

Label Type/s Used

Standard-size label rolls or fanfolds

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB only

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

Yes

Speed

5 inches/sec

Arkscan is a relatively new player in the electronic world, and it’s already making waves this early. Positive comments about this product include cost-efficiency, high speed, good-quality print, easy to set up and friendly customer service. However, some of its supposed setbacks are its small print, the need to recalibrate every time it’s unplugged, that it’s not plug-and-play and that it is not Mac-compatible.

Learn More:

Our take: The Arcscan 2054A is an affordable wide-label printer that can use standard-size labels. If you’re looking for a cost-effective unit for your labeling needs, it is definitely worth a try. For greater cost reduction, we recommend using enKo Products’ direct thermal labels on this unit. 

#2.

Dymo LabelWriter 450

Buyer’s Rating

4.5/5

Dimensions (inches)

7.25 x 4.87 x 5.75

Weight (lbs)

2.0

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$64.95

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Dymo label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB only

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

51 2” labels/min

On the other hand, others also say that it jams easily, uses expensive labels and is hard to reload. Some people find its software problematic and also have a hard time reaching customer service.
The Dymo LabelWriter 450 is a reliable model that has been around for years, so it shouldn’t be a surprise why it’s high up on the list. Some of the good things that people say about this thermal label printer are that it’s easy to set up, convenient for online postage, durable, efficient and produces expert-looking tags.

Our take: The Dymo LabelWriter 450 is a very handy unit. While most customers have good experiences, these problems encountered by Amazon customers are not unheard of. enKo Products offers its line of Dymo labels to help lessen the printing costs. Technical support is available in Dymo’s online platforms. 

#3.

Zebra ZD410

Zebra ZD410

Buyer’s Rating

4.5/5

Dimensions (inches)

8.6 x 4.5 x 6.0

Weight (lbs)

2.2

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$325

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Standard Zebra label rolls or fanfolds

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop, can be portable (can be powered by a battery)

Interface

Wide

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

6 inches/sec

The Zebra ZD410 is a compact thermal label printer that can be used in any office setting, although the company states that it is most suited for the healthcare industry’s needs.

Buyers have mostly good things to say about this product, e. g. that it’s fast, it prints quality labels and it is well designed. Wireless access makes it very convenient for medical workers caring for patients at the bedside. This device’s only limitation is that it cannot print 4 x 6 labels to be more useful for logistics.

Our take: Zebra units are some of the fastest-printing, most reliable and cost-effective label makers in the market. They are fit for high-volume tagging. enKo Products offers a broad array of Zebra labels suitable for these units.

#4.

Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo

Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo Budget Printer

Buyer’s Rating

4.3/5

Dimensions (inches)

8.5 x 5.33 x 7.38

Weight (lbs)

2.5

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$152.89

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Dymo label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

71 2” inch labels/min

The LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo can load two different sticker sizes at a time, unlike other Dymo label printers. Some of the positive reviews about it are that it is easy to set up, works fast and prints crisply. Its dual roll feature is convenient for small offices as it requires less time to reload.

However, as with other Dymo label printers, buyers complain that the labels are too expensive, the unit easily gets jammed, and the software has glitches. Its large size is also an issue for home businesses.

Our take: The LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo is a sturdy and efficient gadget, although most users would love to find an alternative for Dymo’s price labels. To answer this problem, enKo Products offers high-quality but cheap compatible labels for Dymo label printers.

#5.

Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo

Buyer’s Rating

4.3/5

Dimensions (inches)

4.88 x 5.75 x 7.25

Weight (lbs)

1.44

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$247.65

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Dymo label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

71 2” inch labels/min

The Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo is considerably one of the faster-printing models from this line. It prints quietly, clearly, and is easy to set up, hence many buyers like this unit. As with the other Dymo label printers, logjams and refilling problems are frequently encountered. Additionally, people complain of its recurrent misalignment and easy breakage.

Our take: The LabelWriter 450 Turbo is an efficient, stylish model that prints excellently. enKo Products’ Dymo labels will go well with this unit.

#6.

Brother QL 820 NWB

Buyer’s Rating

4.2/5

Dimensions (inches)

9.2 x 4.9 x 5.7

Weight (lbs)

2.6

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$186.98

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Brother die-cut and continuous label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black and Red

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop, can be portable (can be powered by a battery)

Interface

Wide Connectivity

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

Up to 110 2” labels/min

The Brother QL 820 NWB is one of the company’s most reliable lines of dual-color direct thermal label printers. People love this feature, of which Brother is the pioneer, as it allows them more customization opportunities.

As per buyers’ reviews, the unit is easy to set up, great for small businesses and versatile. It also prints sharply, and its wide connectivity makes it very convenient for offices with multiple users. However, some have encountered problems with the P-touch editor, as well as changing label sizes. Others have trouble connecting through wifi as well as issues with accessing technical support.

Our take: Brother label printers are some of the best machines in the market today, and most buyers agree. If you have this unit, we recommend using our Brother labels to improve cost-efficiency.

#7.

Brother QL 800

Buyer’s Rating

4.1/5

Dimensions (inches)

8.4 x 4.9 x 5.6

Weight (lbs)

2.53

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$82.50

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Brother die-cut and continuous label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black and Red

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB only

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

93 2” labels/min

The Brother QL 800 is the first of its line to feature dual-color printing, and it continues to please many customers. This label maker is cost-efficient, easy to set up and prints great images. Its automatic cutter and drop-in roll features are also convenient for buyers.

However, some think that the labels for this unit are rather expensive. The Brother QL 800 is not suitable for wide labeling, and it does not work well with old Mac computers. People also find little support when they encounter problems with the P-touch editor.

Our take: The Brother QL 800 is one of the best label printers in terms of customizability, convenience and durability. Information on how to use the P-touch editor is available on both Brother’s website and YouTube channel. If you’re thinking of buying this unit, we suggest using Brother labels to lower your printing costs.

#8.

Brother QL 810W

Buyer’s Rating

4.1/5

Dimensions (inches)

9.2 x 4.9 x 5.7

Weight (lbs)

2.4

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$144.52

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Brother die-cut and continuous label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black and Red

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop, can be portable (can be powered by a battery)

Interface

Wireless-enabled

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

110 2” labels/min

The Brother QL 810W is just one step ahead of the QL 800 in that it has wireless capability, which customers find very convenient. It is also durable, but prints faster than its predecessor. Labels made through this printer are professional looking and are perfect for small businesses and making name tags.

On the other hand, some customers found problems with software installation, saying that it’s complicated. This label maker is also logjam-prone. Moreover, Brother’s website and technical support have not been very helpful to some buyers when troubleshooting these issues.

Our take: The Brother QL 810W is a very reliable wireless-capable model that is highly customizable. Technical support is widely available. To reduce printing costs, we suggest you try enKo Products’ Brother labels.

#9.

Dymo LabelWriter 4XL

Best Budget Printer Dymo LabelWriter 4XL

Buyer’s Rating

4.0/5

Dimensions (inches)

7 x 5.5 x 7.38

Weight (lbs)

1.96

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$283.32

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Dymo label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

USB only

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

Yes

Speed

53 2” inch labels/min

The Dymo LabelWriter 4XL can print on 4 x 6 labels, making it useful for online postage. Customers find it easy to set up and efficient. It also prints well-defined images.

The less pleasant experiences with this product include cost-inefficiency, unsatisfactory customer service and incompatibility with some online postage websites.

Our take: Dymo label printers make very professional-looking tags that are useful for routine labeling and retail-tagging. Technical support is available on Dymo’s various online platforms. enKo Products offers a wide selection of Dymo labels to lessen printing costs.

#10.

Dymo LabelWriter Wireless

Dymo LabelWriter Wireless Budget Printer

Buyer’s Rating

3.4/5

Dimensions (inches)

5 x 8 x 4.9

Weight (lbs)

1.5

Amazon’s Price for a New Unit

$129.99

OS

Windows and Mac

Label Type/s Used

Dymo label rolls

Printout Color/s

Black

Desktop or Portable?

Desktop

Interface

Wireless-enabled

Wide Print? (4 x 6 allowed)

No

Speed

71 2” inch labels/min

The Dymo LabelWriter Wireless is a desktop unit that can be wheeled on a cart to make it portable. Its wireless capability makes it handy in offices with multiple users. The unit prints sharply and is fast and easy to use.

However, some customers have had issues with its software and connection stability. As with other Dymo models, label cost, label size compatibility and reloading may pose a problem.

Our take: The Dymo LabelWriter Wireless is one of the more reliable wireless label makers, and customer support is very accessible. To make printing more budget-friendly, try enKo Products’  Dymo labels.

Conclusion

As you can see, this list is largely composed of direct thermal label printers that have been around for a very long time. In no way does this reflect the performance of newer models. Additionally, this blog features only Amazon customers’ preferences, and there are a lot of other dealers out there whose clients may have very different experiences with these products. In future blogs, we shall feature the best label printers that each brand currently offers.

Lastly, if you feel that your labeling expenditures could be further reduced, we suggest that you try enKo Products’ labels. We offer the following products that suit most office labeling needs:

  • Sheet labels
  • Direct thermal labels
  • Dymo labels
  • Brother labels

Try enKo Products today and get loads of discounts!

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