The Best Label Makers

Buying Guide for Label Makers

Why buy a label maker?

The reasons for buying a label maker are innumerable. Make valuable and tasteful labels for small spice containers or pantry food bins for pasta and rice. Integrate labels into your scrapbooks or photo albums. Label your art supply containers or your kids’ toy bins. Make your shipping labels or address labels for wedding invitations. And for the less exciting but equally essential office needs, use a label maker to organize files and office supplies.

What should you look for in a label maker?

• Fonts and Extras: Every label maker can print words in a standard font, but some go above and beyond with customization options. If you want to go all-in, look for a product with multiple templates, fonts, symbols, colors, and clip art. Some can make tags with bar codes for retail and shipping labels for e-commerce. Also, look for labelers with various colors and design label material to amplify the mood you want to create for your art.
• Function: You can’t buy just any label maker if you need to make shipping labels. And you wouldn’t want to buy an all-purpose label maker to make greeting cards or flashcards. So be sure you know what sort of label maker you need.
• Technology: If you want wireless capability in a label maker, you don’t have to look far. Some products come with apps that you can download to your smartphone. From there, you can access various templates, fonts, and graphics, to name a few. Another quality feature you may like is a thermal printer, which requires no ink or toner.

How much should you plan to spend on a label maker?

We poked around to find how much the more expensive label makers cost. If you want an industrial label maker kit with a carrying case, you can expect to spend around $300, but it’s a great investment for a lifetime of organizing. However, many label makers cost much less than that, often starting at around $35.

Our Picks for the Best Label Makers

Pros: This label maker is highly efficient and easy to use, making labeling tasks a breeze. Additionally, it offers 20+ ways to format text and 228 symbols and clip art, allowing for the personalization of labels. It also has an extended battery life with an automatic switch-off for convenience. Lastly, the bundle includes three D1 label cassettes that measure 12 millimeters by 7 meters and have black print on white tape, making it a good value for its price.

Cons: You may experience issues such as jamming, battery errors, and difficulty printing. The device lacks a clear button, making the replacement tapes expensive. Additionally, the labels this device creates tend not to stick well to wood surfaces.

Bottom Line: The Dymo label maker is a great product that is highly efficient and easy to use. While it may not stick well to wood surfaces, and there may be jamming issues, it’s still a good quality device at a reasonable price. For those needing a simple and reliable label maker, this is still a good choice.

 

Pros: This label maker is a versatile and affordable tool that can help you keep your space organized and personalized. Its lightweight and portable design makes it easy to use at home, in your home office, or even in your garage. The label maker is user-friendly and convenient with its QWERTY keyboard and easy-view display. It can print one or two lines of text and offers nine font sizes from genuine Brother ‘M’ tapes. Additionally, it has a variety of type styles, frames, and symbols. It also comes with one sample and three full-length black-on-white label tapes.

Cons: This machine itself is great, but the labels leave a bit to be desired. It can be difficult to separate them from the backing and tricky to feed them into the machine. They’re also not laminated. The user interface may also be counter-intuitive compared to other Brother label makers, and the batteries don’t last very long.

Bottom Line: The Brother PT-M95 P-Touch Label Maker is a reliable and versatile label maker that is perfect for home and home office use. It is easy to use and has a range of customization options. Although the labels are not laminated and may be tricky, this label maker is a good value for the money.

 

Pros: This label printer produces high-quality e-commerce shipping labels quickly and efficiently. It is easy to use, set up, and compatible with various e-commerce and transportation platforms, including eBay, Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, UPS, and USPS. The printer can be easily set up on multiple systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and it comes with the free iDPRT label designer software for custom label creation. The printer has a 4.25-inch print width for thermal labels and can print various labels, including fan-fold and roll labels. It also provides high speed and print quality performance, supporting 5.9 IPS (150mm/s) high-speed printing technology and 203 DPI high-resolution printing. Additionally, it saves money in the long run as there is no need to purchase ink or toner.

Cons: It’s important to note that the printer does not support Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity and is unsuitable for Chromebook. Some have experienced issues with setting up and difficulty with customer support. Additionally, some have reported that the printer did not last long or required frequent adjustments.

Bottom Line: Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable and efficient label printer that doesn’t require ink or toner, the iDPRT SP410 Thermal Label Printer may be a good choice. It saves time by printing your e-commerce labels, so you don’t have to wait in line at the post office. However, if you require Bluetooth connectivity or print on multiple platforms, you may want to consider a different printer.

 

Pros: The Phomemo label maker is a bit of a phenomenon in the label-maker industry. It utilizes the latest technology so that you can make labels almost anywhere. The portable label maker features wireless Bluetooth capability to design and print labels with your smartphone with the free Print Master app. The direct thermal printer requires no ink and can save you money over time. Open the app to access the many templates available or create your own, using 300+ symbols, 60+ frames, and a variety of fonts and labels between 0.24 to 0.47 inches. There’s also a built-in 1,000-mAh rechargeable battery and a port for the USB cable for easy charging.

Cons: Some were disappointed when they realized the Phomemo labeler prints monochrome only. In addition, some customers have reported issues with the accompanying app or software, and others have experienced connectivity issues with their devices.

Bottom Line: The Phomemo label maker is notable for its ease of use, portability, and ability to create custom labels. It’s an excellent option for organizing small household or office items, though it may not suit more heavy-duty labeling needs.

 

Pros: The SUPVAN label maker is a versatile and efficient tool for anyone looking to get organized. With a user-friendly design and a helpful YouTube tutorial, this label maker is easy to use and set up. It uses inkless thermal technology to produce high-quality, clear labels without needing ink or toner. The device is also portable and durable, with a rechargeable battery lasting up to a month on a single charge. This label maker is great for organizing various items, from storage bins to food containers, and comes with a range of customizable templates, including names, barcodes, QR codes, text, emojis, and more. Its small size makes it perfect for organizing small spaces, such as kitchen and bathroom cabinets. The device can connect to your phone via Bluetooth for easy app control and customization.

Cons: The print size cannot be changed, and some buyers reported issues with the app being challenging to use or glitchy, as well as trouble with Bluetooth connectivity. Others have had issues with specific label tape refills or missing labels.

Bottom Line: The SUPVAN label maker is a high-quality, portable device that produces clear labels without relying on ink or toner. Its customizable templates and Bluetooth app control make it easy for various organizational needs. However, potential buyers should consider reported issues with the app, Bluetooth connectivity, tape refills, and limited print size options.

Final Thoughts

Label makers are nifty gadgets to have around the home or workplace to keep your stored items even more organized. With the customization and efficiency they offer, you’ll be more than satisfied you have one on hand.