From compact form factors to fast print speeds and extremely low running costs, a thermal printer can be your best companion if you’re running a storefront or e-commerce business. The best thermal printers can vary significantly when it comes to print speed, print size, ease of use, supported paper rolls, and operating systems but don’t worry, we are on hand to help.
In this round-up, we’ve reviewed some of the best printers that you can buy right now. From receipt makers to shipping label printers and budget models, our shortlist covers a wide range of use cases and needs. Thermal Sticker Printer
We’ve picked the best thermal printers based on three main factors: reliability, speed, and ease of use.
As a business owner, you don’t want to find yourself buying a new thermal printer every year, so durability is key when choosing a thermal printer. Speed and ease of use, on the other hand, can significantly impact your productivity.
So, while not every thermal printer does a perfectly good job with all these factors, we’ve picked ones that at least get as close as possible.
Whether you own a small shop or an e-commerce website, the Dymo LabelWriter 4XL is one of the best thermal printers you can get.
The Dymo’s form factor is pretty compact, so it won’t eat away a big chunk of your office or space. It’s capable of printing clear, smudge-free labels with high details at a maximum resolution of 300 DPI.
The printer is quite versatile; you can use it to print different-sized labels, with a maximum label size of 4 inches. It’s pretty fast as well, worth a maximum speed of 29 labels per minute. So no matter how many labels you need every day, the Dymo can definitely deliver.
Additionally, the Dymo supports 60 different label styles and formats. You can also customize its aesthetics with cool fonts and styles.
The only noticeable problem with the Dymo 4XL is that it’s restricted to Dymo’s proprietary label rolls. That, and the fact that it doesn’t support wireless printing. You only get a USB port to connect it to your computer, meaning that mobile printing isn’t an option.
Also, keep in mind that it supports Windows and Mac OS X. If you own a Chromebook, you won’t be able to install the software and connect the printer.
The Brother PT-P710BT lets you print narrow plastic labels without breaking the bank.
Featuring a tiny footprint, the Brother label printer works with desktop and mobile devices thanks to its versatile connectivity choices. You can either hook it up to your laptop with a USB cable or use Bluetooth to quickly print labels using your smartphone or tablet. It supports both iOS and Android devices too.
Using the app, you can customize the images, barcodes, logos, and icons as much as you like. You can use the built-in spell checker to avoid paper waste. Moreover, the app includes prebuilt label templates for quick printing.
In terms of speed, the Brother Cube Plus prints at a rate of 20 mm/s, so if your labels are one inch wide, you can roughly print 55 labels per minute. This is considered pretty fast, especially with the printer’s small footprint.
Like many other label printers from different manufacturers, the Brother Cube Plus is restricted to Brother’s proprietary TZr tapes, but we can’t really complain about their quality, though they’re a bit costly.
We also appreciate that it comes in different sizes and colors. You can print labels as wide as one inch.
What’s more, the Cube Plus has a built-in rechargeable battery, so you don’t need to keep it connected to a power source for it to work. This also lets you print labels on the go, and thanks to the printer’s small size and portability, you can easily throw it into your backpack.
The obvious disadvantage of the Brother Cube Plus is that it’s limited to small labels only.
The Epson TM-T20II is designed specifically for receipt printing. It runs cheap and won’t let you down even with years of continuous usage.
At a nominal Mean Cycles Between Failures (MCBF) rating, the Epson receipt printer can potentially print up to 60,000,000 lines before you need to repair it.
It can print at a maximum speed of 200mm/s, making it one of the fastest thermal printers we’ve encountered.
The printer supports Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, though you can’t use it if you have a Chromebook. Moreover, it supports mobile printing via the ePOS-Print service.
Further, the TM-T20II can print on 3.125” wide paper with a maximum length of 230” long. That’s the standard size for this printer’s receipts. As for connectivity, you can connect this printer via USB or Bluetooth.
On a final note, although we love this model’s receipt printing capabilities, that’s as far as its functionality goes.
For small businesses, the MUNBYN P941 offers fast, affordable, and wireless label printing. It can print a whooping 4800 labels per hour, faster than many other label printers on the market.
On top of that, the MUNBYN printer is one of the few printers that support Wi-Fi connectivity. This allows you to wirelessly connect your desktop and mobile devices to the printer and print labels efficiently.
Unlike other printers that use Bluetooth, you can connect multiple devices at the same time, which also encourages multitasking among your team members.
The maximum print size is 4” x 6”, which is enough for different types of labels for brick-and-mortar and e-commerce.
To add, the printer is equipped with a Rohm printhead that offers up to 3x better durability than standard printheads. It also drastically improves print speed.
We also appreciate that this printer supports Chromebook printing with a Chrome browser extension that enables you to print directly from your browser.
You can also use the MUNBYN to instantly transform your labels from 8” x 11” to 4” x 6”. However, for some reason, this printer doesn’t come with dedicated label creation software, so you’ll need a third-party tool to design your labels.
Despite not having a big name behind it, the ROLLO printer has proved to be a worthy thermal printer for label printing.
The Rollo printer can identify labels automatically by detecting their sizes and features when you press a single hardware button. We also like the fact that this printer isn’t tied to a specific proprietary type of paper roll. You can use whatever paper you prefer from your brand of choice.
What’s more, the printer pairs seamlessly with Windows, Mac, and Linux, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Chromebooks or mobile devices. It can be connected via USB, so there’s no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity here.
It’s also worth noting that Rollo has a companion shipping manager that seamlessly integrates with popular e-commerce platforms. It also provides access to discounts on shipping rates.
Additionally, the head of the printer boosts a nominal lifespan of 650,000 labels, which is pretty impressive.
There are two main nuances with the Rollo printer. First, it’s not as fast as other label printers we’ve reviewed. It’s by no means a slow printer though. In fact, it can print up to 238 four-row labels or 60 full-size shipping labels per minute.
Second, the placement of the labels is somewhat awkward and makes it hard to move the printer while it’s printing.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a thermal printer:
When looking for a thermal label printer, it’s important to check its maximum print resolution. The higher the print resolution is, the clearer and sharper your labels will be.
Print resolution is measured in DPI or dots per inch. Most thermal printers have print resolutions within the 200 – 600 DPI range. Nevertheless, a high print resolution isn’t always necessary. It largely depends on your application.
As a business owner, you need to be able to print large volumes of labels or receipts quickly. Before buying a thermal printer, check out its rated print speed.
It can be measured in mm/s or label per minute, depending on the manufacturer and the model. The higher this number, the more labels you’ll be able to print in less time.
Many thermal printers have USB ports that let you connect them to computers and laptops. However, if you need to be able to print labels using your smartphone, consider getting a thermal printer that supports Bluetooth.
Also, while Wi-Fi isn’t very common in thermal printers, it can come in handy if multiple users need to print labels simultaneously.
Thermal printers are designed to be used continuously for years. To make your new printer less likely to break down quickly, check the rated lifespan of the printhead. The longer the lifespan, the more likely it’ll last for many years before requiring maintenance.
The outer body of the printer is important, too. Try to pick a printer with an aluminum body as they tend to be more durable than plastic ones.
Some thermal printers come with custom label creation and printing software for desktop and mobile phones. These software solutions enable you to design your labels from scratch, integrate them with popular e-commerce platforms, and use prebuilt label templates.
However, not all thermal printers come with companion software, leaving you no choice but to use a third-party program. Additionally, you need to consider compatibility with your OS. Most thermal printers work with Windows and Mac devices.
Linux and Chromebook support is somewhat rare, while mobile operating systems are supported in wireless thermal printer models only.
Some thermal printers can only use one type of paper (usually the manufacturer’s), while others are more versatile. Try to choose a printer that can use different types of paper so you can buy affordable and high-quality paper.
The best way to clean a thermal printer is to wipe down the rollers and sensors with a microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol. You can also get rid of dust accumulations with an air compressor.
On a side note, thermal printers rarely require any cleaning or maintenance, as long as you use them in a clean place.
Thermal printers are designed for heavy-duty commercial printing, so they should last for at least a few years before they need maintenance or replacement. As a general rule of thumb, a thermal printer may last anywhere from 4 to 8 years, depending on your printing volumes and the printer’s model.
To extend the lifespan of your thermal printer, make sure to clean the printhead regularly. Also, try to avoid using the printer in extreme environments with high heat, humidity, or lots of dust.
Thermal printers typically last anywhere from 6 to 9 months depending on the quality of the printer and paper. However, keep in mind that they require proper care.
For example, you should avoid scratching the labels or exposing them to direct sunlight for prolonged periods as they’re sensitive to UV rays.
This really depends on your use case. For example, if you need a printer for commercial label or receipt printing, a thermal printer would be your best bet as they run cheap and fast. They’re also very durable and can withstand loads of daily abuse.
On the other hand, laser printers are more versatile. They are great for printing documents at fast speeds with decent running costs. Some models can also print color documents and photos.
Theoretically, thermal printers can print in color. However, it’s typically limited to the color ribbons installed in the printer.
Generally speaking, thermal printers aren’t specifically designed for color printing. Inkjet printers and color laser printers are more suited for this use case.
Thermal printers transfer pigments onto paper with heat action, transforming the coating of the special thermal paper from white into black. Unlike inkjet and laser printers, they don’t use ink cartridges or toners.
The biggest advantage of thermal printers is their extremely low running costs compared to inkjet and laser printers. They’re also smaller, more portable, and much faster.
Alright; that’s all we have to say when it comes to thermal printers. We’re hopeful that, by now, you’ve already ordered your thermal printer and are waiting for it to be delivered to your doorstep. If you still can’t make up your mind, we can make things easier for you with a few recommendations.
From our experience, the Dymo LabelWriter 4XL is the best thermal printer out there if you need to print labels. While it doesn’t support wireless printing and is tied to Dymo’s proprietary paper, it’s fast and reliable. We also love its label creation software – it has plenty of customization options.
Alternatively, you might want to take a look at the Brother P-Touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT if you’re on a strict budget. It’s speedy, and compact, and even supports wireless printing with mobile devices.
For receipt printing, the Epson TM-T20II is second to none with its durable design and low running costs. On the other hand, the Rollo USB Shipping Label printer can be a great choice if you don’t want to be restricted to a specific paper roll brand.
Finally, if you’re a Chromebook user, the MUNBYN Shipping Label Printer P941 is one of the few thermal printers out there that offer a Chrome extension for easy Chromebook label printing.
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