5 Best Barcode Label Printers for Small Businesses
Meaghan has provided content and guidance for indie retailers as the editor for a number of retail publications and a speaker at trade shows. She is Fit Small Business’s authority on retail and ecommerce.
With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Mary has worked in some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. Her expertise is featured across Fit Small Business in restaurant, retail, and starting a business content.
This article is part of a larger series on POS Systems.
Whether you use a cash register or a point-of-sale (POS) system, barcode label printers give small business owners the tools to customize pricing labels, track outgoing packages and products on a shelf, and even people in their venue. Barcode label printers range in price from $80 up to the thousands. The best label printers integrate with point-of-sale (POS) systems and ecommerce platforms to streamline small business operations. They also use direct thermal printing rather than ink cartridges and print on widely available labels of various sizes.
Based on our evaluations, the best barcode label printers are:
- Brother QL-810W: Best overall (and best mobile) barcode label printer
- Dymo LabelWriter 450: Best Square-integrated barcode label printer
- MUNBYN ITPP941 Thermal Label Printer: Best barcode label printer for home-based businesses
- Rollo: Best shipping label barcode printer
- Zebra ZD410: Best barcode label printer for POS integration
Need barcodes? Learn how to make barcodes in our 3-step guide.
Top Barcode Label Printers Compared
Price | $129.99 | $120 - $150 | $169.99 - $189.99 | $179.99 | $355 - $469 |
Print Speed | 176 mm/s | 75 mm/s | 150 mm per second | 150 mm per second | 152 mm per second |
Label Resolution | 300 dpi | 203 dpi | 203 dpi | 203 dpi | 203 - 300 dpi |
Label Size | Up to 2.4” wide | Up to 2.2” wide | Up to 4” wide | Up to 4.1” wide | Up to 2.36” wide |
Network connection type | USB/Ethernet or Wi-Fi | USB | USB or Wi-Fi* (*requires additional purchase) | USB | USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Warranty length | 2 years | 2 years | 1 years | 1 years | 1 years |
How We Evaluated Barcode Label Printers
We compared a dozen barcode label printers based on what’s important to small retail 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.
Based on the above criteria, the Brother QL-810W is the best barcode label printer for small businesses. This printer has the highest overall score according to our grading system (4.25 out of 5). Based on our personal experience working in and with small businesses that use barcode labels printers every day, the Brother QL-810W is also one of the top tools we personally recommend.
Click through the tabs below for our full evaluation criteria:
20%
Pricing
30%
General Features
30%
Ease of Use
20%
Expert Score
20% of Overall Score
We looked for barcode printers priced below $400, giving extra points to printers that cost less than $200. We also considered the cost of label rolls, giving the highest marks to brands that use labels that cost less than $5 per roll.
30% of Overall Score
We looked for barcode label printers that print on thermal paper, negating the need for pricey ink cartridges. We also considered print speed, image resolution, and available POS and ecommerce integrations.
30% of Overall Score
The first thing we looked at was the length of each label printer’s warranty. We then considered available user manuals, training documents, and customer support. We also considered how each printer connects to other hardware—via Bluetooth, ethernet, or USB. Finally, we considered whether each printer requires proprietary labels, and whether those labels are widely available. We also looked at available user reviews, to see how typical users rated each printer’s functions.
20% of Overall Score
We looked for standout features like long term warranties and wide array of label types. We also judged whether each printer offered good value for the price. Finally, we judged each printer’s popularity with small retailers.
*Percentages of overall score
Looking for more POS tools? Check out our ultimate guide to POS hardware.
Brother QL-810W: Best Overall (and Best Mobile) Barcode Label Printer
Brother QL-810W
Overall Score: 4.25 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- High resolution printing makes crisp bar codes
- Prints up to 110 labels per minute
- Dual color printing expands label options
- Integrates with Revel Systems, Lavu, and Clover POS
What's Missing
- Very fine barcodes—like jewelry price tags—can bleed
- Needs a stable WiFi connection
- Requires ink cartridges
Pricing
Brother QL-810W Pricing: $129.99
Some businesses need to be able to leave the office to print labels. For those times, the compact Brother QL-810W, outfitted with its optional lithium-ion battery, can assist. This dynamic, Wi-Fi-enabled printer also prints in both red and black, so you can create labels that call attention to sales or promotional pricing. The QL-810W is also super-fast, printing up to 110 labels per minute. This printer retails for $129.99 and is available from Staples, Amazon, and Best Buy.
The Brother QL-810W earned a score of 4.25 out of 5. The Brother QL-810W is affordably priced at $129.99, supports two-color printing and high-resolution 300dpi labels. The QL-810W also integrates with a wide array of shipping, ecommerce, and POS platforms. But unlike the other printers on this list, the Brother QL-810W is a thermal-transfer printer and requires ink cartridges.
Brother QL-810W Standout Features
- Two-color printing: You can create labels with red and black ink on your Brother QL-810W. This is ideal for security teams that need to print visitor badges, retailers that want to advertise sale prices, and food businesses that want to highlight allergens. The QL-810W is the only printer on this list that prints in any color besides black.
- Widely available supplies: The printer and its many label options are widely available at major retailers like Office Depot or the Brother website. The Brother QL-810W prints on any label up to 2.4 inches wide and up to 3 feet long.
- Mobile option: With the optional lithium-ion battery ($99), you can operate the QL-810W without an electrical outlet. This allows you to easily print labels in a storage room or at a check-in desk.
- Available integrations: Several popular third-party platforms integrate with Brother QL series printers. Shopify, Revel Systems, and Lavu are just a few that should be readily recognizable to retail or restaurant owners. The printer also integrates with all major shipping carriers: USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
- Print from multiple devices: The Brother QL-810W can print labels from your computer or smart device. It can communicate with multiple devices simultaneously to print labels for a whole team or office. You can even connect a smartphone or iOS tablet to the QL-810W using the Brother iPrint & Label app from the Apple App Store.
- Two-year warranty: Brother offers a two-year warranty. Like Dymo, the Brother manufacturer’s warranty is voided if you use non-Brother approved labels.
Dymo LabelWriter 450: Best Square-Integrated Barcode Label Printer
Dymo LabelWriter 450
Overall Score: 4.10 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Integrates with Square and Shopify
- 2-year warranty
What's Missing
- Using third-party labels voids the warranty
- Labels are pricey
- Not the best for high-volume printing
Pricing
Dymo LabelWriter 450 Pricing: $120 – $150
The Dymo LabelWriter 450 is a dynamic thermal label printer that is available in the $120 – $150 range. This petite powerhouse offers a simple setup, minimal maintenance, broad compatibility, and many label printing options. The LabelWriter 450 can process 51 labels per minute and labels in 18 different sizes, including tiny butterfly labels for jewelry and small accessories.
The printer and labels are available through a variety of retailers—from Staples to Amazon. Since the LabelWriter 450 is a direct thermal printer, it does not require ink cartridge replacements like the Brother QL-810W.
The Dymo LabelWriter 450 earned a score of 4.10 out of 5 on our barcode label printer ranking. This printer earned high marks for its affordable price (from $120 to $150 depending on the retailer), positive user reviews, two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and integration with the popular Square POS. There are a few things holding the Dymo LabelWriter 450 back from a perfect score. One is the lack of mobile connections. Another is that users are tied to Dymo’s proprietary label products, which can be expensive.
Dymo LabelWriter 450 Standout Features
- POS and ecommerce integrations: One of the most exciting features of the Dymo LabelWriter 450 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 450. Shopify users can also quickly transfer their product labels to print via the Dymo LabelWriter.
- Popularity: The Dymo LabelWriter 450 has been a popular choice for small businesses for several years. Users review the product highly; the average rating is more than 4.5 out of 5. 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 450 also accepts a wide range of labels, from butterfly labels for small jewelry and accessories to standard barcode price tag labels. The LabelWriter 450 can only accept labels up to 2.2” wide, though. For 4”x6” shipping labels, you’ll need to upgrade to the LabelWriter 450 XL, which retails for around $215.
- Two-year warranty: Dymo offers a two-year limited warranty. Users should be aware; the warranty gets voided if you use third-party labels with the printer.
Check out the Dymo LabelWriter 450
MUNBYN ITPP941 Thermal Label Printer: Best Barcode Label Printer for Home-based Businesses
MUNBYN ITPP941 Thermal Label Printer
Overall Score: 3.95 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Affordable price
- Customizable print speed
- Integrates with ecommerce and shipping platforms
- Prints in 4” wide shipping labels
What's Missing
- No POS integrations
- New labels can take time to configure in the printer settings
- Not great for high-volume retail printing
Pricing
MUNBYN Thermal Label Printer Price: $169.99 – $189.99
The MUNBYN ITPP941 is a highly customizable thermal label printer. The hinged print head allows you to easily adjust the printer to accept a wide range of label types, including the standard 4” x 6” shipping labels used by most shipping services.
Depending on your color preferences, the printer retails for $169.99 to $189.99; the ITPP941 is available in standard white, pink, or light blue. This printer accepts labels of all shapes from square to round to butterfly, but small or oddly shaped labels may require some attention to get them to print without bleeding beyond the label’s edges.
The MUNBYN ITPP941 printer earned a 3.95 out of 5 on our barcode printer ranking criteria. This highly customizable printer receives overwhelming positive user reviews, averaging 4.5 to 4.8 stars on Amazon and the MUNBYN website. This printer also earned high marks for its affordable price, and the wide availability of compatible labels.
It lost some points for only offering a one-year warranty (Brother and Dymo both offer two-year warranties) because it does not integrate with any popular retail POS systems. For POS integrations, you’ll want to check out the Brother QL-810W or the Dymo LabelWriter 450. Home-based businesses that don’t rely on POS systems, however, will find the MUNBYN printer to be an ideal fit. The MUNBYN-branded labels are also pricey ($39.50 for 800 4”x6” labels), but users can find compatible labels elsewhere for a better price.
MUNBYN ITPP941 Thermal Label Printer Standout Features
- Customizable print settings: You can increase or decrease your barcode label resolution by changing the MUNBYN’s print speed and darkness. It may take some trial and error, but you can really expand the printer’s 203 dpi print resolution with the right settings.
- Ecommerce integrations: Your MUNBYN printer integrates with all major shipping companies and popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify. MUNBYN also goes one step further by integrating with Etsy, PayPal, and eBay, providing excellent support for home-based ecommerce businesses.
- Wide variety of labels: The MUNBYN printer can print on labels as wide as 4 inches. The label feeder is easily adjustable, though, allowing you to print on labels as small as jewelry tags. Customizable settings and support for various label types allow small businesses to print custom stickers or add a business logo to packages.
- Optional wireless accessories: You can add an optional wireless Wi-Fi dongle ($159.95) to make your MUNBYN printer wireless. The dongle allows you to print from your smartphone or other Wi-Fi connected devices.
Check out the MUNBYN Thermal Label Printer
Rollo: Best Shipping Label Barcode Printer
Rollo
Overall Score: 3.88 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Prints on any label between 1.57” to 4.1” wide
- Integrates with major shippers and ecommerce platforms
- Customer support is available via phone, email, or remote chat
What's Missing
- No POS integrations
- Warranty is only one year
- No mobile connection options
Pricing
Rollo Pricing: $179.99
The Rollo Label Printer is a direct thermal printer that can print labels at a speed of more than 5 inches per second. The Rollo prints on rolls or fan-folded stacks of label paper from 1.57 inches to 4.1 inches wide. There are no restrictions on the height of the label. This printer is excellent for 4-inch x 6-inch shipping labels, warehouse labels, or bulk mailing labels. The Rollo also integrates with its own shipping platform to help you keep all your labels and shipped packages organized, no matter what shipper you use.
The Rollo printer earned a 3.88 out of 5 on our scoring criteria, putting it right on the heels of the MUNBYN ITPP941. Functionally the Rollo printer is very similar to the MUNBYN ITPP941. Like the MUNBYN printer, the Rollo earns overwhelmingly positive user reviews and accepts a wide range of label types.
The most significant difference is the MUNBYN has slightly more customization options (including a Wi-Fi-accessible dongle), while the Rollo printer is a bit more plug-and-print. The Rollo printer lost some points because it only offers a one-year warranty, while Dymo and Brother both offer a two-year warranty. And—like the MUNBYN printer—the Rollo does not integrate with any POS systems.
Rollo Standout Features
- Platform friendly: Rollo works with desktop publishing applications (Word, Pages, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat) or barcode label generators on popular ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and Amazon.
- Integrated shipping platform: Rollo includes a built-in shipping platform, Rollo Ship Manager. The Ship Manager allows you to create shipping labels and packing slips in 4-inch x 6-inch format and securely track, manage, and print shipping labels for your ecommerce orders.
- Flexible labels: You can use any label that falls between 1.57 inches and 4.1 inches wide, even the free labels available through the Postal Service.
- Affordable price: The Rollo printer retails for $179.99, which puts it in the middle of the pack price-wise. It costs less than the Zebra ZD410, but more than the Brother QL-810W and the Dymo LabelWriter 450.
Zebra ZD410: Best Barcode Label Printer for POS Integration
Zebra ZD410
Overall Score: 3.38 OUT OF 5 iOur score is based on a weighted evaluation of dozens of similar products and services conducted by our experts.
What We Like
- Prints on over 1,000 label sizes
- Variable resolution setting (203 - 300 dpi)
- Integrates with popular POS systems like Square, Lightspeed, and Revel systems
- Connects via Bluetooth or USB
What's Missing
- Maximum print width is 2.25 inches
- Can be prone to paper jams
- No direct ecommerce integrations
Pricing
Zebra ZD410 Pricing: $355 – $469 (depending on retailer)
Zebra has been in the label printing game since 1969. Many of its retail printers have become the standard by which others are measured. The Zebra ZD410 is a widely used, direct thermal label printer with many applications for businesses of all kinds. It is a compact size with variable resolution settings and prints on 1,000 different label types. It can be purchased from several resellers, priced anywhere from $355 to $469, making it the highest-price barcode label printer on this list.
The Zebra ZD410 earned an overall score of 3.38 out of 5 on our barcode label printer scoring system. This printer scored well in the integrations category; it directly integrates with popular POS systems Square, Lightspeed, and Revel Systems. Variable resolution settings and multiple connection options (USB, ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) also earned points. The price, the one-year warranty, and some middling user reviews set this printer back a bit, though.
Zebra ZD410 Standout Features
- 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 a tablet via 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. However since the maximum printing width is only 2.36 inches, this printer cannot print standard 4-inch x 6-inch shipping labels.
Notable Runner-Up Barcode Label Printer
Cardinal Detecto DL 1060P
The Cardinal Detecto DL 1060P prints barcode labels for weighted items—like deli meat, candy, or bulk goods—at the time of purchase. You can also use it to batch print labels for freshly packaged items that are sold by weight or quantity (like freshly baked cookies that are individually wrapped). Labels include required health code information like the packaged date and sell-by date, alongside the unit price and unit quantity to ensure accuracy at checkout.
Since the Cardinal Detecto DL1060P is both a scale and a barcode label printer, it is pricey. At $649, the DL 1060P is nearly $200 higher than the highest-priced barcode label printer on our list. That’s the biggest reason it didn’t score high enough to be a medal contender. The price, however, is low-to-mid price range for a Legal for Trade scale with integrated barcode label printing. Costs for this type of equipment can go up to thousands of dollars.
Bottom Line
The Brother QL-810W earned the highest score on our barcode label printer ranking. This workhorse of a printer prints high resolution, two-color barcode labels at high speeds. It integrates with popular POS and ecommerce platforms and can print from multiple devices, including smartphones. The flexible features make it a great fit for many retail, warehouse, and hospitality businesses. To see if the Brother QL-810W is the best fit for your business, visit Brother for a full rundown of printer specs.
