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The Best Label Writer

Last updated on August 10, 2020

We looked at the top 7 Label Writers and dug through the reviews from 12 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Label Writers.

Best Label Writer

Our Review Process

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Our Picks For The Top Label Writers

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

DYMO LetraTag Handheld Label Writer

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DYMO

LetraTag Handheld Label Writer

If you're looking for a portable label writer, this handheld model is your best bet. This compact unit fits in the palm of your hand and is extremely lightweight. It comes pre-programmed with seven print styles and five fonts.

Overall Take

Compact and LightweightSince this handheld label writer is lightweight and portable, you can use at home and the office.

Pros
" Inexpensive. Easy to use. Good for handheld or desktop use. Choice of paper, plastic, iron-on fabric, or metallic labels."
Cons
"The device uses four AA batteries which unfortunately is not included in the box."
 Great for the Office

Brother Easy-to-Use PT-D210 Label Writer

Brother

Easy-to-Use PT-D210 Label Writer

With this label writer you'll be able to create labels for your spices, gift boxes and scrapbook pages. The unit is equipped with 600 symbols, 97 frames and 14 different fonts, so you can create both plain and decorative labels. You can even set up your label writer at a desk or pack it and take it on the go.

Overall Take

Multiple User-Friendly TemplatesThis label writer comes with templates for everything from file headers to decorative gift labels.

Pros
" The Brother P-touch D210 is an inexpensive, standalone label printer that can print laminated plastic labels on 12mm-wide (not quite 0.5-inch) tapes."
 Portable Pick

DYMO Label Manager 160 Portable Label Writer

DYMO

Label Manager 160 Portable Label Writer

This label writer is compact and lightweight for portability, making it easy to label just about anything, anywhere. Customize your label with more than 20 ways to format text and more than 200 symbols and clip art.

Overall Take

Easy to UseThis portable label writer is compact and lightweight for portability, making it easy to label just about anything, anywhere.

Pros
" It's hard to find a more well-rounded and reliable label maker in this price range, making this product a great deal."
 No Cartridges to Replace

ROLLO Commercial DirectThermal High Speed Label Printer, 4×6-Inch

ROLLO

DirectThermal Label Printer

Easy set-up and a host of options are what you'll get with this label writer. This unit works seamlessly with all major shipping platforms and even uses UPS's free labels. Since the label writer is equipped with thermal direct technology, you won't have to worry about replacing ink cartridges.

Overall Take

No Height RestrictionsNot only is this label writer compatible with all major shipping platforms, but it also has no height restrictions.

Pros
" This label printer can work with direct thermal labels like free UPS labels where you will also save a lot of cash by buying this printer. It has a high printing speed of 150mm/s and this two times faster than..."
Cons
"Lesser print quality than that of the Zebra or DYMO models (though still effective for scanning/readability), Requires downloading this Chrome extension to work with ShipStation Connect, Does not include container for the label spool or box, Is sometimes back-ordered, making..."

Buying Guide

Label writers have really come a long way over the years. You can still use them at home to assist with craft projects and certain organizational goals, but there are also now more sophisticated office models for printing shipping and barcode labels. Reviewing the available features is the best way to determine which of the label writers will fit your specific needs.

When shopping for a simple label maker, you want the model to be lightweight and portable. That way you can carry it into your home office and create labels for your files before heading to your kitchen to label each of your spices. The DYMO LetraTag Handheld Label Writer is a good choice, as it also comes with a selection of font sizes and styles that can be viewed on an LCD interface display before you print.

Even if you’re shopping for a basic label writer, you still want it to have a few features that make it more functional. For example, the Brother Easy-to-Use PT-D210 Label Writer has a memory that can store up to 30 labels at once. It also includes the addition of 600 symbols and 97 fun frames that will allow you to create unique labels that are colorful and decorative. These are perfect for scrapbooking projects and gift tags.

Should you require a more sophisticated label writer that is capable of printing shipping labels, you’ll want to choose one that uses thermal direct technology. This will save you from having to spend money on replacement ink and toner. The ROLLO DirectThermal Label Printer further cuts costs by accepting free UPS labels. It’s also compatible with such widely used platforms as Stamps.com, ShipWorks, Shopify, Etsy and Amazon.

If you do a lot of printing, you’ll want to go with a model like the Arkscan 2054A Shipping Label Writer, which has a printing speed of 5 inches per second. It has a high resolution and accepts any kind of thermal label paper that you prefer to use.

A few other features worth considering include a sleep mode, date stamp and a protective case. You may also wish to look for a model that works with programs like Excel, Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the label writers available to purchase.
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Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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12

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Gadget Review, Top Guide Pro, Top Best 10 Reviews, Ship Station.

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User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 7 Label Writers and also dug through the reviews from 12 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Label Writers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Brother Easy-to-Use PT-D210 Label Writer

Key Takeawy

With this label writer you'll be able to create labels for your spices, gift boxes and scrapbook pages. The unit is equipped with 600 symbols, 97 frames and 14 different fonts, so you can create both plain and decorative labels. You can even set up your label writer at a desk or pack it and take it on the go.

What other experts liked

The Brother P-touch D210 is an inexpensive, standalone label printer that can print laminated plastic labels on 12mm-wide (not quite 0.5-inch) tapes.
- PC Magazine

What other experts didn't like

This label maker had one of the most limited displays among the models we tested, barely showing one line of text at a time. Where other models had four-directional navigation buttons, the D210 has only left and right navigation buttons, which made finding our way through the menus cumbersome and...
- New York Times Wirecutter

What to Look For

  • Always check to see what is included in your label writer purchase and what isn’t. Some models require a set of batteries that are not included, while others state that they operate with an AC power adapter that is sold separately. You may find the label writer also has a line of accessories that are sold separately as well, such as a label holder.
  • Look to see if any software is needed to use the label writer. Some simply require you to download a free Chrome extension, however, there are label writers that will only work with software that costs money to buy.
  • Keep in mind that most printers are not supported by iOS or Android, so you won’t be able to use them with your smartphone.
  • Since there are so many different types of label writers on the market, the price varies greatly. The simpler the model, the lower the price tag. For example, the DYMO LetraTag Handheld Label Writer and the Brother Easy-to-Use PT-D210 Label Writer are more basic in the functions they can perform, so they are among the most affordable. You’ll pay a higher price for the ROLLO DirectThermal Label Printer and the Arkscan 2054A Shipping Label Writer, as they are able to create and print shipping and barcode labels.

More to Explore

The Roovers-Lotsch Corporation was the first company to manufacture a version of the label writer, which they created with gardeners in mind. The device didn’t gain popularity, however, until the Dymo Corporation offered an improved model that was not only more functional but also had a pop of color to make it a bit more attractive.

Today, label writers look more like mini-computers and are able to create much more than just a tiny label for a gardening stake. They can create and print shipping labels as well. Users are even given a choice of fonts, decorative backgrounds and fun frames.

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