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When it comes to picking the best label makers, you have a lot of options, including small devices that fit in your pocket, wireless label makers, and machines that do everything. There are even small craft machines that can make stickers and labels that you design yourself. Most people think of two kinds of label makers when they think of label printers, labeling systems, barcode printers, or whatever else each company calls its products.
The first is a small computer printer that can print labels for file folders and mailing addresses. The second is a portable printer that prints on plastic labels instead of paper. It has a small keyboard and a black-and-white LCD screen. But these two different kinds of printers are both label printers, and not all printers for plastic labels are portable.
Best Label Makers Comparison Table
| Label Maker | Label Cutter | Power Source | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dymo LabelManager 280 | Manual | Rechargeable | 2.3″ x 7.9″ | 0.84 lb | $49.99 |
| Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro | Manual | Manual | 2.4″ x 4.4″ | 0.4 lb | $19.99 |
| Brother PT-H110 | Manual | Battery | 6.2″ x 4.4″ | 1.1 lb | $34.99 |
| Brother P-Touch Cube Plus | Auto | Rechargeable | 3.0″ x 3.0″ | 0.75 lb | $99.99 |
| Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300 | Auto | Battery | 4.5″ x 2.5″ | 0.68 lb | $199.99 |
| Epson LabelWorks LW-PX400 | Auto | Battery | 4.7″ x 2.4″ | 0.84 lb | $299.99 |
| Dymo LabelManager 160 | Manual | Battery | 1.4″ x 6.7″ | 0.49 lb | $29.99 |
| DYMO LabelManager 420P | Auto | Rechargeable | 2.0″ x 7.8″ | 1.32 lb | $139.99 |
Dymo LabelManager 280
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.18 x 3.46 x 8.86 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Display | LCD |
| Connectivity | USB |
The Dymo LabelManager 280 Label Maker is our top pick. We gave it a perfect score for assembly, instructions, portability, functionality, overall value, and value for money. It was especially impressive how easy it was to set up. The instructions were easy to follow, but since it’s so obvious, you might not even need to read them.
You just have to put in the tape and battery and turn it on, and you’re ready to go. Notably, this handheld label maker has a large screen with two rows of text, six font sizes, six preloaded styles, and a built-in library with up to 220 clip art images and symbols. The cartridges are expensive, but the tags that are printed with thermal ink are clear and easy to read.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- Can connect to a computer via USB, which makes it easy to make labels.
- The QWERTY keyboard makes it easy and quick to type.
The Bad
- Not many options for label sizes
- The display is small and doesn’t light up.
Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 9.38 x 6.25 x 2.25 inches |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Keyboard | ABC |
| Tape width | 3/8 inch |
| Tape cutter | Manual |
On a budget? Choose the Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro Embossing Label Maker. We found that it was very small, light, and easy to use. It comes with tape already on it, so you don’t have to do anything to set it up. Because it doesn’t come with written instructions, the “plug and play” feature is very helpful.
Since the Xpress Pro is a rotary label maker, it doesn’t need a power source either. Keep in mind that you can’t backspace or delete, so you’ll need to be very careful not to make spelling mistakes while you’re working. But this type of label maker is also very portable and good for anyone who needs to take their product to different job sites.
The Good
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
- A simple ABC keyboard makes it easy to make labels.
- A manual tape cutter lets label lengths be made to order.
The Bad
- Not many options for tape width
Brother PT-H110
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.2 x 2.7 x 5.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.12 pounds |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Display | LCD |
| Tape width | 3.5 to 12mm |
Everything you need to make labels is already built into the Brother PT-H110. You can choose from three fonts and 15 frames and symbols for more options. This is one of the best Label Makers that you can buy right now.
The label cutter on the side of the Brother PT-H110 works well and makes it easy and quick to cut off your label, so you waste less tape. It can handle tape widths of 3.5mm, 6mm, 9mm, and 12mm. This gives you a good amount of options.
The Good
- QWERTY keyboards let you type quickly.
- Large screen makes it easy to look at labels.
- Labels up to 12mm wide can be printed.
The Bad
- Not rechargeable, requires six AAA batteries
- There aren’t many ways to change labels.
Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.4 x 2.4 x 4.4 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Keyboard | App-based |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Tape width | 3.5 to 24mm |
The Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT is one of the sleekest and most up-to-date label makers. It is a fully connected device that is great for people who already do a lot of their home administration on their phones.
If you connect it to your phone via Bluetooth, you can use all of its printing tools and access a huge number of fonts from Google and Apple. Labels can be as wide as an inch, which is wider than most label makers. To spice up your labels, you can also order colorful or glittery printing tape directly from Brother.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- With an app-based keyboard, making labels on a smartphone or tablet is easy.
- Labels up to 24mm wide can be printed.
The Bad
- Using it requires a Bluetooth connection.
- The battery could last longer.
Epson LabelWorks LW-PX300
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.2 x 4.3 x 9.3 inches |
| Weight | 1.45 pounds |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Display | LCD |
| Connectivity | USB |
The LW-PX300 is our top pick if you want to print labels that are up to 0.71 inches wide on their own. With batteries, it weighs only 1.8 pounds, and the QWERTY keyboard is easy to use whether the printer is sitting on a desk or being held in both hands for thumb typing.
Even better, the backlight on the LCD makes it easy to read, and the firmware has a lot of features, like the ability to read barcodes, change the font size and style, and store up to 50 labels to print when needed. Epson has seven different kinds of standard plastic, vinyl, fluorescent, and magnetic continuous tapes for the printer.
The Good
- Can connect to a computer via USB, which makes it easy to make labels.
- The QWERTY keyboard lets you type quickly, and the design is strong enough to withstand drops and bumps.
The Bad
- Not many options for label sizes
Epson LabelWorks LW-PX400
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.3 x 4.3 x 9.3 inches |
| Weight | 1.65 pounds |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Display | LCD |
| Connectivity | USB |
The LabelWorks LW-PX400 can be used at home, at your office desk, or on the job site. For desktop use, it comes with an AC adapter, doesn’t take up much space, and has a USB port for connecting to a Windows PC or macOS system. It only weighs 1.3 pounds, can run on six AA batteries instead of AC power, and can print from Android or iOS devices through Bluetooth.
At the time of this writing, Epson offers an amazing 113 tape cartridges in nine different types: standard plastic, strong adhesive, fluorescent, silver and translucent matte, vinyl, removable adhesive, magnetic, and two choices for cables. The widths of the tapes range from 4mm to 24mm, and most types come in a variety of widths and colors.
The Good
- Can connect to a computer via USB, which makes it easy to make labels.
- QWERTY keyboard for fast typing. Labels up to 24mm wide can be printed.
The Bad
- When compared to other label makers, the price is higher.
Dymo LabelManager 160
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.2 x 3.2 x 2.8 inches |
| Weight | 0.54 pounds |
| Keyboard | ABC |
| Display | LCD |
| Tape width | 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch |
You can easily hold the DYMO 160 in one hand while typing with the other. A QWERTY keyboard makes it easy to type. The device’s few menus are easy to use, and the font can be changed after the label is typed in. Even though it’s true that you can’t make labels in the dark without a backlight and you have to buy your own batteries.
The low price seems worth it for how simple it is. Our favorite label maker doesn’t have some features we’d like, like a backlit screen or a bigger selection of clip art, and it doesn’t connect to a computer. However, its keyboard and thermal printer do a great job of printing out laminated strips of paper that are easy to read and can be stuck on everything.
The Good
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- A simple ABC keyboard makes it easy to make labels.
- Labels up to 1/2 inch wide can be printed.
The Bad
- Not many options for tape width
- The display is small and doesn’t light up.
DYMO LabelManager 420P
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8.7 x 3.9 x 3.3 inches |
| Weight | 1.25 pounds |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Display | LCD |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Tape width | 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch |
The DYMO LabelManager 420P can do a lot of different things. On the surface, it seems to work like other models with built-in keyboards: once it’s turned on and powered up, you type what you want and press “print.” This model is great for stores, labs, warehouses, and offices where you need to be able to move around while making labels because it has an internal lithium-ion battery.
The 420P is different from the other portable models because it can also be connected to a computer with the USB cable that comes with it and used as the printer for the DYMO Connect label-making software. Once it’s connected to the software, this label maker that looks like it could be used for anything can print any font on your computer, as well as shipping labels, barcodes, QR codes, and more.
The Good
- QWERTY keyboards let you type quickly.
- Can connect to a computer through USB, making it easy to make labels. Can print labels up to 1 inch wide.
The Bad
- Compared to other label makers, this one is more expensive.
- The display is small and doesn’t light up.
FAQs
What is the best machine to make labels?
The Dymo LabelManager 280 Label Maker is our best choice all around. It’s a high-quality, portable label maker with a full QWERTY keyboard, a battery that can be charged, and options for personalization. The Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro is a good choice for people on a tight budget.
What to know before buying a label maker?
- Manufacturer Credibility
- Sales Support
- Flexibility (Range of Motion)
- Reliability
- Speed
- Type of Print Engine
- Type of Data Printed
- Size of Label Capabilities
Is it worth getting a label maker?
A label maker makes it easy to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s bathroom products, jars, toys, spices, or other things. These devices are also fairly cheap and easy to use. Trust us, Sharpie scribbles don’t look as good and are harder to read as labels.
Which is better Dymo vs Brother?
Brother label makers are often cheaper than their Dymo counterparts, but Dymo label makers have features that Brother label makers don’t, like rechargeable batteries. In the end, the products that either company sells are so similar that it comes down to what you want to do with them.