Products at a Glance
How We Picked the Best Label Maker
Though they may seem rudimentary on the surface, there’s a few key factors we considered when picking the best label maker in 2024. One of our core considerations was connectivity: wireless connection is ideal for printing different label designs from a phone or PC, so that you can create and print from whatever devices you may have. Similar to connectivity, we gave preferential treatment to wireless options over cable-powered label makers, as it adds an extra layer of versatility to your labelling.
We also considered quality-of-life features such as any automated features or companion apps that make the overall process quicker or easier. The best label makers allow you to easily import a variety of designs, and print them quickly and efficiently to a high standard. On top of all these factors, we considered a range of budgets to suit everything from commercial to hobbyist use.
Product Reviews
- Lightweight and compact
- Fully wireless
- Companion app
- Limited connectivity
The Brother P-Touch Cube checks all the boxes as a reliable label maker for home or office use. From its sleek and compact design to its convenient features, it leaves little to be desired when it comes to labeling.
The label maker’s standout feature is its ability to connect through Bluetooth. You can connect it to your smartphone or tablet and use the Brother P-Touch app for quick editing and easy printing. Considering the limited fonts and designs of standard label makers, this feature gives you a large area for creativity. In addition to its Bluetooth connectivity, the P-Touch Cube is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Best of all, you can use voice-to-text technology while printing labels if your hands aren’t free, and your device will spell-check your labels for you. You get to choose from more than 60 frame and 450 symbol presets to decorate your labels, along with a batch of tailor-made fonts. For the most vivid color quality, the Brother label maker utilizes inkjet printing technology. Also, it has a maximum printing speed of 20 ppm for both colored and monochromatic images.
The maker’s only drawback is the lack of a screen or controlling buttons. You can only use it by connecting it to an external device, which can be inconvenient if you don’t always have one on hand. Similarly, no wired option limits this to primarily smartphone designing, adding a step of transference if you design on a more intensive program like Photoshop. However, for high quality and accessible labels in an array of designs, the Brother P-Touch Cube is easily our pick for the best label maker on the market!
- Affordable
- Fast speeds
- Battery-operated
- Basic design
The Brother P-Touch PTM95 is the best choice for limited budgets, and we prefer it for home organization rather than work. With an array of customization options at a surprisingly low price point, this label maker is ideal as a cheap solution to a label-less home.
For quick printing, the PTM95 comes with ready-to-use frames, decorations, and fonts that you can choose from on the display. It can print tapes up to 12 mm in width, which is enough for labeling bins, folders, belongings, and more. The label maker has a maximum printing speed of 7.5 mm/sec, and is compatible with a variety of Brother Genuine P-Touch tapes. The PTM95 is lightweight and portable, so you can move around with it in your bag as it only weighs about 9 ounces. While its design is meant for placement on a desk, it’s small enough to be used as a handheld label maker.
That said, the price of this label maker is low for a reason: the design is fairly rudimentary and runs on non-rechargeable batteries that run out quickly. Compared to our top choice, which offers far more modern versatility for its price, this may not be the best option. But for simple and effective labels, the PTM95 is still a worth budget label maker!
- Long-lasting and rechargeable battery
- LCD display
- Customizable options
- Requires wired connection for customization
If you want a label maker that fits in your hand comfortably, the Dymo LabelManager 280 is your best bet. You can use the LabelManager 280 for printing anywhere on the move without connecting it to an external device, with a compact yet versatile design.
That said, you can still connect the maker to your laptop if you want. The LabelManager 280 comes with a connection cable that lets you access pre-designed fonts and graphics and choose from them for your labels. For ease of use, the label maker comes with an LCD display where you can view your options. Also, it features more than 200 readymade symbols and 20 text formats. In addition to labeling your items, you can decorate the labels with clip art and designs. To accommodate various labeling needs, the Dymo label maker can print labels from 6 mm to 12 mm in size. DYMO label tape ensures consistent quality from your first label through to your five hundredth and above.
That said, the hassle of plugging the LabelManager 280 into customize or tweak elements can be frustrating, so you better ensure that you have all the configuration done before putting this handheld label maker to work. Similar to our budget pick, you also don’t get the same array of customization as a truly modern label maker would allow. That said, it’s still a strong choice and ideal for using in a home or small business as a handheld label maker!
- Fast print speeds
- Wireless
- Affordable
- Poor LCD screen
For the best desktop label maker, we return to Brother and their P-Touch PTD220. A compact label maker that can comfortably sit on top of a desk and is ideal for suitable for both home and office use, this is a highly affordable and easy-to-use labelling solution.
The PTD220 utilizes solid ink technology for printing, which breeds high-quality colors without raising the running costs too much. The label maker has a maximum printing speed of 20 mm/sec and a maximum tape width of 12 mm. Its printing resolution is 180 dpi, and it comes with pre-designed 14 fonts, 99 frames, and more than 600 symbols to make your life easier. It can print up to two lines of text on each piece of paper for extra information.
Whilst it is a wireless label maker, the PTD220 is limited to WiFi only, so no connectivity to other devices via wired or Bluetooth connections. The LCD screen on the unit is also noticeably hard to read, which can make proofreading difficult. While it doesn’t offer as many options as its competitors, it compensates by being a budget-friendly and quick-to-master label maker.
- Large print size
- Thermal printing
- Automated features
- High price point
- Bulky
The Dymo LabelWriter 5XL is a lifesaver for online sellers who need to print large shipping labels all day long. It’s an advanced device that comes at a high price when compared to other products on our list, but it’s all justified.
What sets the LabelWriter 5XL apart from other makers on our list is its maximum label size. It can print labels up to 4 x 6 inches in size, which is the standard size for shipping labels from Amazon, Poshmark, eBay, and Etsy. Better yet, its printing resolution is 300 dpi, which is impressive for a label maker. With automatic label recognition, you can see the number, size and type of remaining labels without opening it. The LabelWriter 5XL utilizes thermal printing technology, which means you won’t need to get any ink or toner. Finally, as a welcome addition, you can customize you labels with the DYMO software that the label maker comes packaged with.
So why isn’t this the best label maker? Unfortunately, this premium model has both high upfront and ongoing costs, meaning that you’ll need to be turning a profit in order to justify the cost. It’s also larger-than-average for a label maker, meaning it’s less portable than other options on the market. That said, for commercial-grade label-making, the DYMO LabelWriter 5XL is the best choice!
Features and Considerations
If you’re interested in assessing a different label maker to the ones in our list, here are some features to look out for:
Label Maker Type
Label makers come in two famous types, Bluetooth-only and traditional. Traditional label makers have built-in keyboards and screens that you can use to write and design your labels. Meanwhile, Bluetooth-only makers need to be connected to other devices for writing labels but don’t include keyboards or displays.
Multiple-Line Printing
Some label makers are capable of multiple-line printing, while others can only print one line on a label. If you love detailed labeling, you might want to look for this feature, as it’ll make your life easier. Instead of printing multiple labels for each item, you’ll print only one with multiple lines. Not to mention, you’ll save both label rolls and time.
Batteries
As you’ve seen above, some label makers work with rechargeable batteries that you can reuse once dead, while some operate on one-use AA or AAA batteries. Rechargeable batteries make for more affordable running costs since you won’t need to buy new ones every once in a while. However, they come with a higher purchase price. Depending on your budget and labeling needs, you should settle on a type that won’t pose an issue for you.
Pre-Designed Fonts
Label makers that come with pre-designed fonts can make your life easier if you aren’t a fan of designing. They come with readymade templates, frames, and doodles that you can use to decorate your label. Without any effort on your side, you can have professional-looking labels in a few seconds.
Portability
Label makers are either handheld or desktop. Handheld makers fit right into your hands and are usually lightweight enough to carry anywhere. Meanwhile, desktop makers can be bulky and heavy since they’re meant for placement on desks.If you like to label on the go and don’t have a designated desk for work, we recommend going with a handheld maker. However, if you rarely label away from your desk, the right way to go is to get a desktop maker.
Maximum Label Size
Different fields of work call for different label sizes. For instance, office organization requires small labels that can fit on folders. Meanwhile, online selling requires large labels that show clearly on packages. You should always check the maximum label size of a maker before you buy, especially if your work has special labeling requirements.
What is the difference between label makers and label printers?
Label makers are standalone devices that come with their own keyboards and design software. Meanwhile, label printers have to be connected to a laptop or a PC for the designing part. That said, many people use both terms interchangeably because of how closely related both devices are.
Are label makers worth it?
Labels make everything look more neat and organized, and they’re a necessity in workplaces. Rather than hand-writing or cumbersomely printing out labels, a dedicated label maker speeds up the process for the most efficient and high-quality results.
Our Verdict
Though it may not be ideal for those printing from a PC or Mac, the Brother P-Touch Cube is a simple and accessible wireless label maker with all the modern refinements that you’d expect. The sky is the limit with this high-quality and low-price label maker!