Best Barcode Label Printers

• Adjustable resolution
  The ZD410 is the only printer on this list that allows you to choose your label resolution. You can use 203 dpi resolution for fast printing, or shift to 300 dpi to print smaller, detailed labels like jewelry tags.
• Color-coded hardware
  All moving pieces of the Zebra ZD410 are colored bright yellow. This makes it easy to identify where paper may be jammed and helps you see where a part is damaged and needs to be replaced.
• Flexible connections
  The ZD410 can connect to a computer or POS via serial connection, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth.
• Industry-grade
  Zebra printers, and the ZD410 in particular, are designed for high-volume workplaces. This rugged construction can withstand the rigors of high-volume barcode printing in a warehouse or stockroom. Since the ZD410 is also popular in healthcare settings, a version of the ZD410 is designed to withstand frequent cleaning and sanitizing. This makes the ZD410 a good fit for food and beverage businesses that also must adhere to high sanitation standards.
• Flexible labels
  The ZD410 can handle tiny jewelry tags, wristbands, and small shipping labels. You can use any label that fits the print width of 2.36 inches, whether it is die-cut, continuous, roll-fed, or fan-folded.
• Remote printer management interface
  Zebra’s Print DNA software allows you to set up your printers and manage them from a central dashboard. This is especially useful in healthcare and warehouse settings that use multiples of the same printer. You can set your printers to update their software automatically as updates become available and even troubleshoot errors remotely.

The ZD410 is a powerhouse printer that supports all types of businesses, but it must be plugged into an electrical outlet to work. If you need a fully mobile solution for offsite sales of services, look at Epson’s P60II. And while the print speed of 150 mm/s (6” inches) is fast, it’s not the fastest. If you need a high volume of labels fast, Star Micronics’ TSP743II prints a staggering 250 mm/s (nearly 10 inches).

• Adjustable resolution
  Your TSP743II offers two resolution options: 203 x 203 dpi or 406 x 203 dpi. You can use increased print speeds at the lower resolution (which is still excellent), or use the increased resolution when you need sharper graphics or smaller barcodes.
• Swap-a-Star
  Beyond the three-year manufacturer’s warranty, Star Micronics has its “Swap-a-Star” service agreement. Once enrolled, users can have a replacement printer overnighted to them if their existing Star printer fails. Thermal printers have two- or three-year service agreement options. You’ll need to contract a Star sales agent to enroll.
• Universally compatible
  This printer is compatible with Apple and Windows-based devices, alongside a massive number of restaurant and retail POS systems. POS integrations can easily be built using the printer’s WebPRNT and CloudPRNT functions.
• WebPRNT and CloudPRNT functionality
  Star Micronics printers support a wealth of software integrations via its WebPRNT and CloudPRNT functions. WebPRNT supports JAVA-coded connections between a web-based POS system (like Lightspeed) and your Star printers. Once the connection is built, WebPRNT-connected printers do not need internet connectivity to operate.

CloudPRNT supports similar connections with cloud POS systems (like Revel Systems). CloudPRNT printers do need a strong, active internet connection to work, though.

• Rugged design and quiet operation
  The TSP743II is designed to be rugged to withstand high-volume use. The outer shell of the printer is sealed to repel debris and spills. Internal print mechanisms are also buffered to reduce print noise and the noise of the auto-cutter.

The TSP743II is a rockstar printer, but if you don’t need to print hundreds of labels a day, it may be more machine than you need. For smaller operations, consider the DYMO LabelWriter. The TSP743II also needs electricity to work. If you want a portable barcode label printer that you can take to off-site sales or service locations, look at the Epson P60II.

• Multiple installation orientations
  The TM-L90 PLUS operates from multiple positions. So, no matter how tight your kitchen or restaurant service areas are, this printer will fit easily. It can sit flat on the countertop, stand on its side, or be wall-mounted.
• Multiple paper types
  You can use standard thermal paper for receipt printing or use linerless, continuous thermal label paper to print labels of any length. This is ideal for printing sticky labeled receipts for takeout orders or printing barcoded tamper-evident seals for ready-to-eat foods. The printer is compatible with 40 mm or 80 mm paper and will automatically detect the paper size.
• Customized connections
  The Epson TM-L90 PLUS comes in multiple connection types. You can get TM-L90’s with serial connections, Ethernet connections, Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. Just take care when purchasing as not all printers have all types of connections. You’ll need to ensure that the printer you purchase has the connection type you need.

This Epson printer is really best for restaurant applications. If you need to print a high volume of barcode labels in a retail or warehouse environment, the Star Micronics TSP743II is a better option. If you need a high volume of food safety labels without POS integration—such as for food production or catering operations—Integrated Control’s i.Print will be more user-friendly.

• Product management
  While the underlying Zebra printer integrates with several POS systems, the i.Print labeling functions don’t integrate; you’ll need to manage your labels directly in the i.Print touch screen. But you can easily import your product lists and recipes via an excel file on a thumb drive or through the cloud.
• Comprehensive food safety labeling
  With your product and recipe information stored in the i.Print, you can print a variety of food safety labels. If you need to internally track quantities of prepped items (as in a large-scale catering operation), you can print labels with time, date, and the cook’s initials. You can create expiration labels and detailed labels for retail ready-to-eat and ready-to-drink items.
• Multiple label types
  The underlying Zebra printer accepts all types of labels, including continuous label rolls. So you can print on custom labels that are pre-printed with your business logo or legally required disclaimers for safe food temperatures and refrigeration requirements. You can print on heat-resistant, dissolvable, linerless or removable labels based on your needs and use cases.

The i.Print is designed specifically for food service businesses. Non-food service businesses looking for similar print quality and print speed should look at the Zebra ZD410. If the ease of use is what attracts you, consider the Epson and Star Micronics printers on this list; with their wide range of POS integrations, you’ll get similar functionality.

• Long-lived battery
  The P60II has a battery life of up to 46 hours. If you are working in the field or labeling items at an off-site event or pop-up shop, this printer has you covered all day long.
• Compact design
  The P60II is designed to be belt-worn to print labels while walking through your store or warehouse or print receipts on the sales floor or in the field. The printer can print on both thermal receipt paper or sticky-backed labels, so when you’re not printing labels you can print receipts.
• Rugged design
  This printer has been drop-tested from four feet and is industry rated to withstand dust and water intrusion. Whether you need a mobile barcode printer to organize your storeroom, print price tags at a farmers market, or label products in the field, the P60II can handle whatever you throw at it.
• User-friendly connectivity
  You can easily print from any Windows or iOS-based device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. No additional setup is required; your devices will automatically recognize the P60II and try to connect. You can print labels and receipts from a smartphone or integrate your printer to a full-scale POS system.
• Label-taken sensor
  The label-taken sensor on the P60II ensures that the printer won’t print another label until the previous one is removed from the cutter. So, you won’t have to worry about walking through your storeroom trailing label tape. Once you remove a label, the next label in the queue will automatically print.

The P60II packs a lot of power into a small barcode printer, but it is not the greatest for high-volume use. If you need to print hundreds of labels per day, you’ll be better off with the Star Micronics TSP743II. Or if you want the ease of a Wi-Fi-connected printer in a high-volume setting, consider sister Epson printer the TM-L90 PLUS.

• POS and ecommerce integrations
  One of the most exciting features of the DYMO LabelWriter 550 is that it integrates with small business favorite Square. The Zebra ZD410 does as well, but the DYMO LabelWriter is half the price of the Zebra printer. If your shop operates with Square for Retail, you can create product barcode labels in the Square dashboard and then send them to print directly through the LabelWriter 550. Shopify users can also quickly transfer their product labels to print via the DYMO LabelWriter.
• Popular with small businesses
  The DYMO LabelWriter series has been a popular choice for small businesses for several years. Customers who are just getting started with the DYMO LabelWriter will find massive amounts of user-generated how-to videos and blog posts about getting the most out of this well-liked printer.
• Widely available labels
  You can find DYMO labels on Amazon and local office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot. The LabelWriter 550 also accepts a wide range of label sizes, from butterfly labels for small jewelry and accessories to standard barcode price tag labels. The LabelWriter 550 can only accept labels up to 2.2” wide, though. For 4”x6” shipping labels, you’ll need to upgrade to the LabelWriter 550 XL, which retails for around $215.
• Auto label recognition
  Only using DYMO branded labels has a benefit; your DYMO LabelWriter 550 will automatically recognize the label size when you drop new label paper into the printer. You won’t need to worry about reformatting anything in the printer itself; just add labels and go. This feature also tells you how many labels are left on a roll so you can re-order in plenty of time.
• Two-year warranty
  DYMO offers a two-year limited warranty, which is longer than Epson TM-L90 PLUS, Zebra ZD410, and the i.Print. Users should be aware, though, the warranty gets voided if you use third-party labels with the printer.

If you want a label printer with more POS integrations than just Shopify and Square, try the Epson TM-L90 or Star Micronics TSP743II. If you use custom label paper branded with your logos or required disclaimers (as in veterinary offices or pharmacies), check out the Zebra ZD410.

We compared 18 barcode label printers based on what’s important to small, independent businesses. We looked at price, print speed, label resolution, flexible label size, and ease of use. We also considered our retail and restaurant experts’ personal evaluations of each printer.

Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:

Printing barcode labels doesn’t need to be complicated. You can create barcode labels using free online generators like the one we include in our guide to creating barcode labels.

You don’t necessarily need separate printers for receipts and barcode labels. Several printers from Epson and Star Micronics print both thermal receipts and thermal barcode labels interchangeably. Check out the Epson TM-L90 PLUS and P60II and the Star Micronics TSP743II listed above for more information on these types of printers.

Handheld and mobile barcode printers are increasingly popular as commerce moves from traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts into pop-ups and on-site services. We like the Epson P60II for a handheld barcode printer; it is popular with pop-up sellers and service providers and integrates with Square POS systems. But printer brands Zebra and Star Micronics also make handheld, mobile barcode printers if you want to consider more options.

Barcode label printers range in price from $80 to over $1,000. The price will vary based on the connection type you need; if you need POS connectivity, you can expect to spend between $300 to $500 per printer. Desktop barcode printers tend to cost less, closer to the $100 to $250 range. Though mobile barcode printers run the gamut; consumer grade barcode printers by Munbyn and Phomemo run around $60 to $180 each, while rugged, industry-grade mobile printers from Zebra can run up to $900 or higher.