A lab-scored test, two editors' guides and tens of thousands of Amazon reviews pick the label makers worth buying, from pocket Bluetooth printers to keyboard workhorses.
The full ranking
A lab-scored test, two editors' guides and tens of thousands of Amazon reviews pick the label makers worth buying, from pocket Bluetooth printers to keyboard workhorses.
DYMO LabelManager 420P
DYMO's rechargeable, PC-connectable 420P topped TechGearLab's lab-scored label maker ranking with a full QWERTY keyboard and a sharp screen. Buyers call it easy to use and love the keyboard, but complain about battery drain and some durability problems.
Brady M211
Brady's rugged Bluetooth printer ($179.99) brings industrial-grade labels to a phone app and is Forbes Vetted's pick for large labels. Buyers praise its durability, battery life and quick pairing, while opinions split on the app and the cost of cartridges.
Brother P-touch PT-D210
Brother's $34.99 PT-D210 is the best overall pick at both Forbes Vetted and NBC Select, with a QWERTY keyboard and plenty of fonts and frames. Buyers rave about the print quality and versatility but find the small screen hard to read.
Phomemo D30
The pocket-size Bluetooth Phomemo D30 prints from a phone app and is the only label maker named by all three source guides. Buyers love its compact, cute design and easy app setup, while a share report flaky Bluetooth and reliability issues.
Brother P-touch Cube Plus PT-P710BT
Brother's rechargeable Cube Plus designs labels on a phone or computer and placed second in TechGearLab's lab ranking. Buyers say it beats standalone label makers and travels well, though some complain it wastes tape between labels.
Brother QL-800
A desktop label printer rather than a handheld, the QL-800 prints shipping and address labels fast and in black and red. Buyers praise the speed and easy setup, especially for small businesses, but find the software confusing.
Epson LabelWorks LW-PX400
Epson's industrial LW-PX400 ($185) prints tough labels for wiring, equipment and job sites, and works with PC, Mac, iOS and Android. Buyers say it is easy to use and prints great labels, with mixed views on connectivity and battery type.
DYMO LabelManager 160
DYMO's long-selling LabelManager 160 is a TechGearLab top-four pick and one of the most-reviewed label makers on Amazon. Buyers call it a great middle-of-the-line value, though some report printing problems and units failing early.
Brother P-touch PT-H110
NBC Select's best battery-powered pick is a simple handheld with a QWERTY keyboard and quick-change tape cassettes. Buyers find it easy to use and a good value, noting only that the batteries are not included.
Brother P-touch Cube PT-P300BT
The original Brother Cube prints from a phone app over Bluetooth and is NBC Select's pick for smartphone labeling. Buyers like designing labels on their phones, with mixed reports on iOS pairing and on tape waste.
Ranked across 5 sources: Forbes Vetted · The Best Label Makers (unordered roundup) (July 2026); NBC Select · The Best Label Makers (unordered roundup) (February 2026); TechGearLab · The Best Label Makers, by lab score (December 2024); Amazon Reviews · Ranked by Star Rating (October 2026); Lineup Positioning · Ranked by Launch Price (October 2026). Full scoring is on the Methodology tab above.
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