Introduction
It’s become increasingly clear that many online reviews are simply regurgitated information. Search for “Best Thermal Printer,” and you’ll likely encounter numerous articles titled “Top 10 Thermal Printers of 2023.” These pages often feature stock photos and cherry-picked pros and cons, seemingly compiled without the reviewers ever having actually used these printers.
Essentially, these sites might not have any real hands-on experience with the products they recommend, yet they readily provide affiliate links, profiting from potentially poor advice.
It’s crucial to seek reviews from individuals who genuinely own and have used the thermal printers they’re discussing. This firsthand experience offers invaluable insights you won’t find in generic roundups.
While you can print shipping labels on plain paper with any standard printer and protect them with clear tape, the ongoing expense of ink cartridge replacements makes this approach unsustainable for frequent shippers. This is precisely why thermal printing is favored for shipping labels. Thermal printers eliminate ink costs, and their print heads are remarkably durable, often lasting for decades.
The Best Thermal Printers (From My Home Office)
Today, we’ll be discussing thermal printers I personally own and have used. All links provided direct to the manufacturers’ websites and are not affiliate links. These might not always be the cheapest sources, so remember to shop around and do your research.
While I haven’t personally used the following model, my daughter relies on it for her Shopify-based home business: the iDPRT SP410.
The printers discussed here offer a range of connectivity options, which is a key reason for my selection. All are capable of printing standard 4″x6″ shipping labels.
- Ethernet Connectivity: Dymo 5XL, Brother QL1100NWB
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Brother QL1100NWB, FreeX SuperRoll
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Beeprt BY 426BT, Brother QL1100NWB
- USB Connectivity: iDPRT SP410, Dymo 5XL, Brother QL1100NWB, Beeprt BY 426BT, FreeX SuperRoll, Zebra LP 2844-Z
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows compatible (all models)
While I generally prefer the reliability of ethernet connections over Wi-Fi, sometimes a wired connection isn’t feasible. And while my own workflow is laptop-based, many people operate their businesses primarily from smartphones. Bluetooth capability is invaluable if you manage your shipping from an iOS or Android device.
Dymo 5XL
Dymo 5XL Thermal Label Printer for Home Shipping
Having owned numerous Dymo label printers, the Dymo 5XL seemed like a natural choice for 4×6 shipping labels. For basic home shipping needs, it’s perfectly adequate. However, the major drawback of the Dymo 5XL is its reliance on expensive, proprietary label rolls that are chipped. For infrequent users like myself, the cost of a label roll every year or two isn’t a significant burden. But for high-volume resellers, these proprietary labels can become a considerable expense.
Adding to the frustration, the Dymo Connect Software is, to put it bluntly, CRAP. Yes, in all caps and bolded.
On the positive side, leveraging wired networking whenever possible is always recommended, and that’s how I connect my Dymo 5XL at home. Ethernet offers a straightforward, configuration-free setup.
PROS
- Ethernet connectivity for reliable wired connection
- Label rolls are easily loaded within the machine, not externally
- Consumables are widely available in local stores
- Aesthetically pleasing design (if that’s a concern)
- Native integration with PirateShip (my preferred shipping software)
CONS
- Relatively expensive at $199
- Exceptionally poor Dymo Connect software
- Some shipping services, like USPS, may not support direct 4×6 label printing. Requires saving as PDF, screenshotting, and printing from a PDF viewer.
- Uses proprietary and expensive labels
- Slow customer support. No response to software support inquiries after several days.
Brother QL1100NWB
Brother QL1100NWB Thermal Label Printer for E-commerce Shipping
Unless your specific shipping service mandates a particular printer, the Brother QL1100NWB is likely your best all-around option.
The challenge, however, is finding one in stock. Its popularity leads to frequent stock shortages. The retail price is $299.99, but you’ll often see inflated prices on marketplaces like Amazon due to supply and demand. Avoid overpaying.
I eventually found one at Staples for the retail price and received it within a few days.
Using third-party labels is possible but requires some adjustments. I found that creating a custom label size of 4.01″x 5.98″ with a 0.3″ bottom margin setting worked best.
When printing on third-party labels, the print alignment might be slightly off-center lengthwise, not perfectly centered within the label space. While adjusting the bottom margin can improve this, excessive tweaking can reduce the print size. Genuine Brother DK-1241 labels cost around $40 for 200 labels. In contrast, I purchased 600 third-party 4×6 labels for $26. For that price difference, a slightly off-center shipping label is perfectly acceptable. It’s a functional label, not a piece of art.
PROS
- Limited stock availability is a strong indicator of its popularity and quality.
- Label rolls are conveniently housed inside the machine.
- Offers the widest range of connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth.
- Compatible with affordable third-party labels.
- 300 dpi resolution for crisp print quality.
- Works seamlessly with iOS and Android devices.
- Compatible with most major shipping services.
- Excellent overall print quality.
CONS
- Higher initial cost, but the ability to use third-party labels significantly reduces the total cost of ownership.
- Requires custom label size (4.01″x5.98″) and bottom margin (0.3″) settings for optimal third-party label printing. Brother brand labels work perfectly without adjustments but are more expensive.
- With third-party labels, perfect lengthwise centering isn’t achievable. Margin adjustments improve alignment but don’t achieve perfect centering. Acceptable for shipping labels, but perfectionists might notice the slight offset.
Beeprt BY 426BT Bluetooth 4×6 Wireless
Beeprt Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer for Mobile Shipping
If your home business is entirely mobile, run from an iPhone or Android device, the Beeprt BY 426BT is likely the ideal label printer. While I still rely on a laptop for business operations, many users now conduct business solely via their smartphones.
This printer is also more budget-friendly than many competitors. The lower price point combined with compatibility with generic, third-party labels keeps overall costs down.
While the Brother QL1100NWB also offers Bluetooth, the Beeprt printer has a smaller footprint, unless you consider the external label roll holder required for fan-fold labels.
One recurring complaint in reviews is the Beeprt app’s frequent updates and reported issues with older versions. The current working app is “Shipping Printer Pro,” available on the App Store. Out of the box, setup was incredibly simple. I plugged it in, selected a shipping label from my photo app, sent it to Shipping Printer Pro, and printed my first label without consulting instructions or videos. Print quality was sharp and dark.
The Beeprt also includes a label roll stand, a useful bonus.
PROS
- Low purchase price
- Compatible with third-party labels
- Compact footprint
- Bluetooth connectivity for iOS and Android printing
- Uses fan-fold labels
- Includes a label roll stand
- Excellent print quality
CONS
- App updates and compatibility issues reported by some users.
FreeX Wifi SuperRoll
FreeX Wifi Thermal Label Printer for Wireless Shipping
The FreeX Wifi SuperRoll is another strong contender. It’s competitively priced, and its standout feature is built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. However, online reviews reveal setup challenges for some users, even those claiming IT expertise. FreeX provides detailed instructions and a helpful Wi-Fi setup video on their website. The video creator, “thecollegepicker,” is a recognized expert in label printers, and his printer analyses are highly insightful. Watching his videos before purchasing any label printer is recommended.
The Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, which might be a source of confusion for those struggling with setup. The instructions also specify setting DHCP and enabling it within the Ethernet tab of the setup program, which isn’t immediately intuitive but is clearly outlined in the manual. RTFM (Read The Fine Manual).
PROS
- Relatively inexpensive
- Accepts third-party labels
- Functional Wi-Fi connectivity
- Label rolls are stored internally
- Excellent print quality
CONS
- Larger footprint compared to some models
- Wi-Fi setup can be less intuitive, but works reliably when instructions are followed
- Wi-Fi setup software doesn’t automatically detect nearby SSIDs; manual network information input is required.
- Slower Wi-Fi printing speeds. Initial prints can take around 20 seconds.
- Labels tear best when pulled upwards and away, not downwards.
Zebra LP 2844-Z
Zebra LP 2844-Z Used Thermal Label Printer for Budget Shipping
The Zebra LP 2844-Z, a printer from the early 2000s, was a top-tier model in its day, widely used in warehouses and supermarkets.
These printers are incredibly robust and readily available in the used market at very affordable prices, often around $30 if you’re patient.
My own Zebra LP 2844-Z cost $35 plus shipping and included the power adapter. It connects via Ethernet or USB, making it by far the most economical option on this list.
The default IP address is 192.168.0.xxx. If your network uses a different subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x), you’ll need to temporarily configure a computer to the 192.168.0.x network to manually reset the printer’s IP address. It’s a slightly quirky process but manageable.
PROS
- Very inexpensive, especially on the used market. Can be found on eBay for very low prices.
- Print quality surpasses all other printers I own, impressive for a 20-year-old printer.
- Zebra continues to provide driver support for Windows and Mac.
- Spare parts are widely available.
- Accepts third-party labels.
- Exceptionally durable and reliable (“built like a tank”). Proven performance in demanding environments for decades.
CONS
- Network setup can be less intuitive. USB connection is plug-and-play.
- Slower network printing speeds.
- Discontinued model, so no manufacturer warranty.
iDPRT SP410
iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer for Reliable Home Business Shipping
I don’t have personal experience with the iDPRT SP410, as my daughter uses it for her business.
She prints 4×6 labels for her shipments and reports no issues. She prints via USB from a MacBook.
This printer has been in daily use for a year or two and has proven consistently reliable for her needs.
What Printer To Avoid
Steer clear of the Dymo LabelWriter 5XL. While functional, its proprietary ecosystem is overly restrictive. If the software were exceptional, the proprietary nature might be forgivable. However, the Dymo Connect software is truly subpar. If you isolate the Dymo 5XL, connect it via Ethernet, and solely print 4×6 labels, it will get the job done, but there are better options available.
What Printer To Get
For the best value and overall performance, I recommend the Brother QL1100NWB as “The Best Thermal Printer of 2023.” The ability to use third-party labels offers significant cost savings over time. While I did need to adjust margin settings for optimal alignment with third-party labels, this minor tweaking is a reasonable trade-off. It’s not a fault of the Brother printer, as third-party 4×6 labels are often slightly different dimensions than Brother’s proprietary labels. A little adjustment is perfectly acceptable.
The Brother QL1100NWB offers the widest range of connectivity options and supports Apple AirPrint, a feature not found in the other models. Brother’s long-standing reputation in the printer industry inspires confidence, unlike many of the lesser-known brands in this market, with the exception of Dymo.
I opted for an Ethernet connection, which provides the simplest and most reliable setup. Wi-Fi devices, particularly with varying operating systems (firmware), can introduce network security vulnerabilities. Whenever feasible, prioritize wired connections.
Brother’s support website provides more comprehensive information and better user manuals. They are also more likely to maintain support for this popular printer model across future operating system updates.
Inexpensive Alternatives To These Printers
Thermal printers are built to last for years. eBay is a treasure trove of used Zebra printers from the early 2000s at very low prices. Look for models like the LP 2844 or the GC420d. The LP 2844 was a legendary workhorse, widely used in supermarkets and retail environments. Despite its age, Zebra still provides support for the LP 2844.
You might even find these older Zebra models in thrift stores or warehouse sales. However, I only recommend considering a used printer if you can acquire it very cheaply and verify that it’s functional.
Spare parts for these older models are readily available. But be aware that if you purchase an untested printer for a very low price (e.g., $25) and subsequently need to replace components like the motor, print head, mainboard, or power adapter, the combined repair costs can approach $100. At that point, purchasing a tested and working used printer directly would have been more economical.
Final Thoughts
If you utilize a shipping service that formats labels to the 4×6 standard, such as PirateShip, Shopify, or UPS, any of the printers discussed here will serve you well.
When selecting a label printer, prioritize your preferred connection method and carefully consider the ongoing cost of compatible labels. Also, assess the local availability of consumables. Having same-day access to labels when you run out can be a significant advantage.
My final piece of advice: If you are a reseller or run a shipping-intensive home business, consider owning two printers. If one fails, you’ll have a backup and avoid shipping disruptions. For occasional shippers, you can rely on USPS or UPS to print labels for you temporarily while you resolve any printer issues.
