If you run a small business or want to label your household or children’s items you don’t want to spend precious time handwriting labels that can be completed quickly and efficiently by a label printer. These are real lifesavers and are compatible with lots of operating systems and major shopping platforms. Our products were selected because they all reduce waste and are better for the environment because they use thermal technology. This means no more ink or cartridges! These take up very little real estate on your desk or table top and are easy to operate. Make your business or home run smoother by investing in one of these affordable devices. If you are in the market for a thermal label printer, we’ve got you covered. Our experts have found the best products that are available for online purchase. Take a look at our buying guide below!
Frequently Asked Questions?
How do thermal printers work?
Thermal printing or “direct thermal printing” is a process which creates the text, barcodes and other information by using heat. They do this by using a print head that heats up and then reacts to a paper which has a special coating on it. The coating turns black in the areas where it’s heated. This means that as long as you have a label you can print! Watching your ink run out mid-print will no longer be an issue!
What are the benefits of a thermal printer?
First of all, they are better for the environment for the obvious reason that they are not creating as much waste as traditional inkjet printers. They are also the best option when it comes to producing clear, easy to scan labels. The images are more durable and more resistant to oils, climate and UV rays. They are smudge resistant, with some of them even advertising that they are “coffee proof.” Additionally, they are lightweight, durable, easy to transport and affordable.
Buying Guide
Investing in a thermal label printer can be a game changer for you if you own a small business. We have some tips for you to keep in mind as you are shopping.
- Compatibility: Before you purchase, make absolutely sure that the operating system you plan to use is supported by the model you like. Ditto for shopping platforms. Though these are widely compatible, some don’t support Bluetooth,Chromebook, etc, so read the specs very carefully.
- Print speed: If you need to print huge volumes of labels, you want one that does this quickly and efficiently. The number of labels per minute is a good indicator of what these can accomplish and that number can increase or decrease depending on the size of labels that you are using.
- Accessories: Items like label roll unwinders and label roll rewinders can make the printing process much neater and more organized, which will streamline your operation. Many of these products do not come with these accessories, so think about adding them onto your order.
MUNBYN Thermal Label Printer
Best Overall
More Choices for Your Growing Business
This device is not only cute, but extremely efficient. It can be used with any thermal label and will continuously print 700 sheets. Just run the automatic paper calibration function at your first use and with one click all of your installation difficulties will be taken care of. This will print high quality bar codes and shipping labels without using any ink! It supports several operating systems, including Chrome, Mac and Windows. It is also compatible with several shopping platforms including Etsy, Amazon, Ebay and Shopify, to name just a few. With its intelligent paper return, it can adjust to label position and will confirm that the label is printed correctly!
Pros:
- Comes in cute colors
- Will print 72 labels per minute
Cons:
- Will take a 5 minute “rest” occasionally to protect the machine
This printer is equipped with a Japan 203 dpi ROHM printhead and uses premium thermal direct technology printing. Create custom labels directly from any application, including thank you stickers, reminder tags, brand design labels, QR code labels, barcode labels, shipping labels.
Phomemo Portable Label Maker
Most Compact
Tiny but Powerful
This Bluetooth label printer uses BPA free direct thermal technology. No ink, toner or ribbons are necessary. You’ll get high quality printing with clear results. Your labels will be crisp, have dark imaging and smooth printing effects. Light and portable, this can fit in your pocket, allowing printing anywhere. Offering multiple label templates, you can choose from a wide variety of existing designs that include symbols, frames and fonts.
Pros:
- Comes in lots of cute colors
- Rechargeable battery
Cons:
- Small labels only
This is a great option for children’s name tags, household items, pill boxes and even barcodes. It runs on a lithium battery which is included and weighs just 8.1 ounces. Supports iOS and Android operating systems.
NIIMBOT Label Maker
Best for Home
Label Just About Anything
This inkless thermal label printer supports Bluetooth and works with iOS, Android smartphone and iPad. Label everything from food items in your refrigerator and pantry to file folders, to clothing, to school supplies, to sports equipment with this lightweight but powerful device. A rechargeable battery keeps it ready for whenever you need it and it can be operated continuously for 4 to 5 hours. Choose from multiple pre-designed font sizes, styles and frames.
Pros:
- Comes with a strap
- Comes in lots of cute colors
Cons:
- Not optimal for use with spreadsheets
This portable label printer has an intelligent chip reading function. The app automatically identifies the size and pattern of the paper roll, which simplifies its use. Print density can be adjusted and it prints in black text.
Jadens Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer
Best Desktop
Print From All Sorts of Platforms
This high tech product uses a Japanese thermal print head that offers 203 dpi printing quality. It works with both fanfold labels and rolls and can print between the widths of 1.57 inches and 4.1 inches. This is compatible with FedEx, ebay, Poshmark, PayPal and much more. It supports Windows, iOS, Android and Chrome. High quality printing ensures that barcodes scan easily and auto calibration automatically calibrates label position and size to ensure correct printing.
Pros:
- Compatible with major mobile devices
- High speed
Cons:
- Does not support MAC
Save time and money with this handy device. Included in the box is 1 printer, 1 label holder, 1 USB flash disk with driver installation, 1 user manual, 1 power adapter and cable, 1 USB cord, 1 type C converter and 50 sheets of 4×6 test labels. Choose one of these and leave ink cartridges in the past.
LabelRange High Speed Thermal Printer
Most Efficient
Perfect Choice for a Small Business
Providing strong system compatibility, this works with Windows 7 and newer, Mac 10.9 and newer, and the Linux system. Simply download the driver from the USB drive or the official website to start the install and easily setup operation. Intelligent auto label identification can calibrate and identify different label sizes once you insert the labels. Print labels that range in width from 1.5 inches to 4.24 inches. Paper guides can be easily adjusted to fit various thermal label types.
Pros:
- No ink
- Prints 70 labels per minute
Cons:
- Only comes in one color
This is cost effective, efficient and easy to operate. Included in the order is the label printer, a power cable, a power adapter, a USB 2.0 cable, a user guide, 100 sheets of 4×6 fanfold labels and 1GB USB disk that includes driver software, tool software and a sample label.
