Whether you’re selling shampoo, clothing, or soap, a good label printer can quickly produce labels for facing, inventory management, and shipping.
But with a bewildering variety of label printers on the market, picking the right one can be challenging. From the initial price to features, print quality, speeds, and running costs, there’s so much to think about before buying one.
Not sure what you’re after? Discover 7 of the best label printers for small businesses, including their features and a handy guide to finding the right one.
Best 7 label printers for small business
- DYMO 5XL Shipping Printer
- Brother QL Wi-Fi Label Printer
- Zebra USB Label Printer
- Zebra ZSB Wireless Label Printer
- Rollo Label Printer
- Jadens Thermal Label Printer
- DYMO LabelWriter® 4XL
1. DYMO 5XL Shipping Printer
Best label printer for high-volume shipping needs
The DYMO 5XL is a thermal label printer for retailers who need to print 4” x 6” shipping labels directly from major online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, and for shipping platforms like DHL, UPS, and FedEx.
It’s compact, not too large to sit on a desk, and produces crisp, clear, and precise labels, so you won’t have to wrestle with sheet labels.
The printer’s economic thermal printing technology eliminates the need for costly ink cartridges or toner and has less smudging than laser and ink-jet printers. Coupled with its high 300 dots per inch (dpi) resolution and typical output of 53 labels per minute, the DYMO 5XL is a convenient choice for high-volume printing tasks.
Installation and setup are easy, though you’ll need to download the DYMO Connect Software and connect a computer via USB or LAN network connectivity. Then, you can add text or images, edit them to the desired size, send them to print, and get your label in seconds.
And with its Automatic Label Recognition, it’s easy to know the size, color, and label types loaded into the printer and how many are remaining—no more running out of labels mid-job.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Quick setup
- Fast printing
- High-quality prints
- Doesn’t need ink or toner
- Reduces label waste
Cons
- Restricted to use of proprietary paper label rolls
- No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
- Requires DYMO software download
Price: $209
2. Brother QL Wi-Fi Label Printer
Best wireless thermal printer
Brother is an established, premier provider of home office and business products and solutions, including point of sale (POS) hardware, scanners, and printers.
Its QL Wi-Fi label printer boasts a compact and sleek design and high-speed printing. It can create up to 4-inch paper labels for postage, envelopes, packages, and more.
The printer is engineered with flexible ethernet and wireless interfaces and Bluetooth wireless technology, so you can create and print adhesive labels from a phone or tablet. A USB host interface is available, which you can use with a peripheral, such as a scanner.
One of its nifty features is the automatic crop function, which allows you to print product and barcode labels from letter-size or A4 label sheet templates.
Like many modern label printers, the Brother QL delivers fast printing at 300 dpi for crisp text and graphics and up to 69 standard labels per minute. Simply connect the printer to your computer or mobile device to design and print customized labels.
Pros
- Easy to connect and set up
- Doesn’t take up much space
- Can print various sizes and shapes
- Multiple connectivity options
- No ink, toner, or ribbons to replace
- Integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Cons
- Expensive compared to other label printers
- Automatic Crop only works with Windows
Price: $339.00
3. Zebra USB Label Printer
Best for low-cost label printing
The Zebra USB label printer is the most basic, stripped-down model in the ZD series, but it delivers reliable printing at an affordable price.
The thermal printer has a clamshell design, dual-wall construction, and an all-metal printhead for added durability. This makes it ideal for printing a variety of labels, tags, passes, and receipts in light manufacturing, transportation and logistics, retail, and healthcare applications.
Print quality is 203 dpi—the industry standard for print resolution—which meets the needs of most applications and prints clear and readable 4-inch labels quickly.
The printer’s increased memory allows you to store fonts and graphics, while its Print DNA Basic technologies let you print labels more cost-effectively.
It’s simple to install, so you can get printing right out of the box. For easy operation, the printer comes with USB connectivity for universal interoperability and a single feed/pause button interface with one LED light to indicate printer status.
Pros
- Durable build
- Portable and easy to store
- Cost-effective
- No ink or toner needed
- Increased memory for storing more fonts and graphics
- Worldwide service and support
Cons
- Can’t hold large rolls of media
- Not ideal for mid-range or high-quality printing applications
- Minimalistic interface complicates setup and setting adjustments
- Limited resolution can’t support very small imagery
Price: $269
4. Zebra ZSB Wireless Label Printer
Best label printer for eco-friendly printing
The Zebra ZSB wireless label printer is all business and looks the part too: sleek and relatively compact.
It’s thermal, so you won’t need ink or toner subscriptions and comes in a 2-inch and 4-inch cloud connected model. Print quality is crisp and clear at 300 dpi resolution and you can print up to 73 labels a minute.
Setup is simple and intuitive, thanks in part to the ZSB Series App and the guided mobile setup process.
When you first power on the printer, it automatically prints a label with a QR code. Zebra ingeniously worked this into the printer so you can scan with your mobile device’s camera and download the ZSB Series App. Then, follow the setup guide to get connected and view and manage your label designs on the ZSB Series mobile workspace.
You can create labels from scratch on a computer using the ZSB printer’s Label Designer or use a pre-made template for printing on a mobile device. The ZSB app will show how many labels you have left and which label cartridge size is currently in use.
One of the ZSB Series printers’ major selling points is the eco-friendly compostable label cartridges. These cartridges reduce the release of harmful substances during printing and disposal, contributing to a healthier environment.
The main downside, particularly for the 4-inch model, is the size of the unit, but it’s compatible with most major shipping and ecommerce platforms, MS Office, and Google Contacts.
Pros
- Easy installation and setup
- High-quality prints
- Eco-friendly printing
- Variety of label formats
- No ink or toner needed
- Compatible with major shipping and ecommerce platforms
Cons
- 4-inch model is bulky
- Requires Zebra mobile app and labels
- No USB connectivity
Price: 2-inch model: $169, 4-inch model: $299
5. Rollo Label Printer
Best label printer for home offices
The Rollo label printer is made of shiny white plastic with a top cover release latch, rear label feed slots, and purple highlights on the front for a sleek, modern design.
Once you feed the paper labels into the rear slot, the printer’s mechanism moves back and forth to determine label size and find gaps between labels. Then, it positions the leading edge to print the first label.
Rollo works with almost any thermal direct label paper, so you don’t need to buy expensive proprietary rolls. While it’s ideal for printing 4” x 6” address labels, there are no length restrictions. You can also print labels with different widths, like name tags and barcodes, more quickly and easily.
The thermal printer comes in a USB and wireless model, both of which offer high-speed printing and compatibility with all marketplaces. However, the USB model only works with computers, while the wireless model offers intelligent label detection, ships with a free pack of 4x6 eco-friendly labels, and works with various devices and operating systems. You will need to download the Rollo app to print via Wi-Fi, though.
Pros
- Ink-free printing
- Fast printing speed
- Wireless convenience
- Works with almost any thermal label paper
- Variety of label sizes for various shipping needs
- Intelligent label detection
- Integrates with all marketplaces
Cons
- Wireless model requires Rollo app
- Cumbersome and clunky plastic tray
- Some users complain of poor print quality and precision issues
Price: USB model: $179.99, Wireless model: $259.99
6. DYMO LabelWriter® 4XL
Best for extra-wide label printing
Although the DYMO 5XL is faster, has better connectivity, and automatic label recognition, among other upgrades, the DYMO 4XL is still a solid option, particularly for large-format label printing.
The thermal printer supports printing extra-large 4" x 6" shipping labels for major shipping platforms directly from popular ecommerce sites and is compatible with desktop computers.
Like the 5XL model, this printer comes with the free DYMO CONNECT Software, which lets you customize your labels with 60+ templates and customizable texts and graphics. Printing is fast and easy at 300 dpi resolution and up to 53 crystal clear standard labels per minute.
Pros
- Easy setup and installation
- Fast printing
- Durable
- Can use custom or third-party labels
Cons
- Expensive
- No automatic label recognition
- No Ethernet or Bluetooth connectivity
Price: $306.95
7. Jadens Thermal Label Printer
Best budget-friendly thermal label printer
You don’t have to splash out for a high-end thermal label printer. There are plenty of budget picks, like the Jadens Bluetooth label printer.
Don’t let the price tag fool you—it’s a strong choice with a handful of great features, like automatic label alignment, high-speed 150 mm/s printing, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a label holder, and compatibility with all major marketplaces and shipping platforms.
The thermal printer works with rolls and fanfold thermal direct label paper, cranking out 72 clear and waterproof labels per minute.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Ink-free printing
- Wireless convenience
- Small, compact, and portable
- Affordable than other options
- Color label printer model available
Cons
- Basic features
- Requires Jadens app to use
- Potential label wastage
- Some users complain about dropping the Bluetooth connection
Price: $119.99
What to consider when choosing the best label printer for small business
Finding the best label printer can be a challenging quest. To help, we’ve put together a list of five key aspects to review when comparing your options.
Print quality
A label printer is only as good as the labels it prints, but output quality depends on the printer’s resolution, which is measured in dots per inch (dpi).
The industry standard is 203 dpi, which prints clear and readable labels and meets the needs of most applications. But you’re better off with label printers offering at least 300 dpi resolution for crystal-clear labels and little or no smudging after printing. This will preserve the quality of your shipments and make the right impression on your customers.
Print speed
Time is money in business. You need a printer that can cope with the demands of your store, especially if you have a high volume of orders. For example, if you sell coffee online, a label printer with fast printing speeds can help maintain a smooth workflow during peak hours, ensuring you label each order without delay and reduce wait times.
Print speed is measured in labels per minute. For instance, the DYMO 5XL prints 53 labels per minute, while the Brother QL can print 69 labels per minute.
The choice ultimately depends on your shipping needs. If you’re just starting out, a printer with a lower printing speed may be a good fit. As your business scales, you can upgrade to one with faster speeds and batch printing capabilities.
Connectivity options
The best label printer for small businesses offers a variety of connectivity options. Most options connect to a computer with a USB cable, but some (usually costlier) models offer Bluetooth, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity, so you can print labels from mobile and desktop devices.
Depending on how and where you want to use the printer, you can pick one with USB or wireless connectivity or a combination of USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. A label printer with wireless connectivity, for instance, is ideal for use in multiple locations or on the go, while a USB-only printer works well in one location.
Consider label printers that offer both USB and wireless capabilities for seamless connectivity.
Label size and variety
Ensure the label printer accommodates your label dimensions.
Most standard shipping labels are 4 x 6 inches, which many label printers support. But some printers support 8 or 8.6 inches for large-format labels, which might rule out a few options you’re considering.
To find the right printer, get samples, costs per print, and consider the label material (paper or synthetic), format (fanfold or roll), adhesives, and range of sizes they support.
Cost
Just because one printer is cheaper than another doesn’t always mean it’s cost-effective.
The upfront cost of the printer is just one piece of your investment. Running costs, like ink cartridges, toner subscriptions, rolls, label tape, stickers, maintenance parts, and possible downtime, can quickly rack up the overall price tag. A competitively priced label printer with more affordable consumables might keep your long-term expenses low.
Do the math to get a clearer picture of what your costs will look like in a year before buying a printer.
Streamline your small business operations with label makers
The best label printer for small businesses offers all the features you need, produces quality output, and delivers quick, reliable performance when you need it, without requiring much upkeep or tons of expensive ink.
Ultimately, only you can decide which one is right for your business. Test different label printers before committing to a decision.
