Best Barcode Label Printers for 2023

The Zebra ZD410 prints up to 6 inches per second. (Image from Zebra)

The ZD410 is highly customizable, with models available in two-inch or four-inch print width and several available connection options. You can get this printer with serial, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth connectivity. Just be sure the printer you purchase has the connection you need; all models do not have all connections.

• Adjustable resolution: The ZD410 is the only printer on this list that allows you to choose 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, making it easy to identify where paper may be jammed and helping you identify damaged parts.
• Flexible connections: The ZD410 can connect to a computer or POS via serial connection, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth.
• Industry-grade: The ZD410’s rugged construction can withstand high-volume barcode printing in warehouses or stockrooms. There is also a healthcare version of the ZD410, designed to withstand frequent cleaning and sanitizing—making it a good fit for food and beverage businesses that also have high sanitation standards.
• Flexible labels: Use any label that fits the print width of 2.36 inches, whether it is die-cut, continuous, roll-fed, or fan-folded, from tiny jewelry tags, wristbands, and small shipping labels.
• Remote printer management interface: Zebra’s Print DNA software allows you to set up your printers and manage them from a central dashboard. You can set your printers to update their software automatically as updates become available and 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 or services, look at Epson’s P60II.

The TSP743II is popular with all types of retail businesses. (Image from Star Micronics)

• Cost: $360–$465 depending on connection type
• Print Speed: 250 mm/s (9.8” / second)
• Resolution: 203 x 203 dpi, or 406 x 203 dpi
• Label Types: Accepts off-brand paper and labels up to 80 mm wide
• Connection Types: Serial, Parallel, USB, PUSB, LAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WebPRNT, CloudPRNT
• Integrations: Windows, MacOS, most retail and restaurant POS systems

• Adjustable resolution: You can use increased print speeds at the lower 203 x 203 dpi resolution, or use the increased 406 x 203 resolution when you need sharper graphics or smaller barcodes.
• Swap-a-Star: Star Micronics has its “Swap-a-Star” service agreement that sends a replacement printer overnighted to users if their existing Star printer fails. Thermal printers have two- or three-year service agreement options. You’ll need to contact 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’s outer shell is sealed to repel debris and spills. Internal print mechanisms are buffered to reduce print noise.

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 to take to off-site sales or service locations, look at the Epson P60II.

Epson’s TM-L90 PLUS operates in vertical or horizontal positions. (Image from Epson)

• Cost: $239–$512, depending on connection type
• Print Speed: 150 mm/s
• Resolution: 203 dpi
• Label Types: 40–80 mm linerless label rolls, Epson or third-party
• Connection Types: Serial, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Integrations: Epson printers integrate with virtually every available restaurant POS system

• 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.

The i.Print label printer uses the Zebra ZD410 as a foundation. (Image from i.Print)

Integrated Control designed the i.Print on top of the Zebra ZD-410 printer, so the printer performance is top of the line. Though the cost for the i.Print is higher than the Zebra printer alone and will require a custom quote.

• Cost: Custom quote
• Print Speed: 150 mm/s (6 inches per second)
• Resolution: 203 dpi (standard); 300 dpi (optional upgrade)
• Label Types: Roll-fed, die cut, fan fold, continuous
• Connection Types: Serial, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Integrations: None; printer is self-contained

• 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.

Epson’s P60II is compact and rugged. (Image from Epson)

• Cost: $369–$560
• Print Speed: 100 mm/s
• Resolution: 203 dpi
• Label Types: 30-60 mm label
• Connection Types: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Integrations: Prints from any iOS, Android, or Windows device with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity; Square and Revel POS Systems

• 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 offsite 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. It 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 farmer’s market, or label products in the field, the P60II can handle whatever you throw at it.
• 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.

(The DYMO Labelwriter 550 looks just like the previous generation Labelwriter 450. (Image from Dymo

The DYMO LabelWriter 550 is one of the most widely available printers on this list. You can buy it from Amazon (like the others on this list). But unlike the others, you can grab one of these printers from your local office supply store if you need it right away.

• Cost: $99–$130
• Print Speed: 75 mm/s
• Resolution: 203 dpi
• Label Types: DYMO branded 2” labels of all types
• Connection Types: USB
• Integrations: Windows devices, Square and Shopify

• 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.