The best thermal printers in 2023

Address label being printed by DYMO LabelWriter 4XL thermal printer, on office desk in front of packages
(Image credit: DYMO)

The best thermal printers are cheaper to run than inkjet printers or laser printers. They're also more portable, reliable, and durable, and tend to run quieter too. And although the quality is relatively low, it's normally quite legible. For this reason, they're often used to print small items like barcodes, tickets, and receipts. They're also among the best label makers for bulk printing on a budget.

Thermal printers work by moving thermochromic-coated paper over a print head that's packed with tiny electrically heated elements. Where the coating is heated, it changes color. So there's no need for ink cartridges; you just need the paper.

Below you'll find the best thermal printers on sale today, for a range of budgets. We'll explain the differences between them, and provide the facts and figures you need to choose the right one for you.

Best thermal printers in 2023

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DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Label Maker

(Image credit: Dymo)

1. Dymo LabelWriter 4XL Label Maker

The best thermal printer overall

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows XP+, macOS 10.4+
Connects via: USB
Speed: 53 labels per minute
Maximum label size: 4 x 6 inches
Dots per inch: 300
Mono or color?: Mono
Dimensions: 7.36 x 7.01 x 5.28cm
Weight: 780g

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to set up 
+
300dpi 
+
Prints 4 inch wide

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't print from mobile

The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Label Maker is the best thermal printer for most people. It's easy to set up, reliable in use and offers high 300dpi print quality at an affordable price. You get speeds of up to 53 labels a minute, and you can print labels up to 4 x 6 inches in size. 

It's nice and compact, too, so it won't take up too much space on your desk, and it's light enough to carry around on trips. The main potential negative is that while you can print from a Windows or Mac computer via USB, you can't print from your phone or tablet.

Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo Label Maker

(Image credit: Dymo)

2. Dymo LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo Label Maker

The best thermal printer for small shipping labels

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 7+, Mac OS 10.9+
Connects via: USB
Speed: 71 labels per minute
Maximum label size: 2.3 inches wide
Dots per inch: 300
Mono or color?: Mono
Dimensions: 28.88 x 13.97 x 21.26cm
Weight: 680g

Reasons to buy

+
High printing speed
+
300dpi
+
Affordable price

Reasons to avoid

-
Only prints 2.3 inches wide

If the first printer on our list is too pricey for you, you can save some cash by opting for a cheaper model, the Dymo LabelWriter 450. It won't print the 4 x 6-inch shipping labels you need for Amazon, but if you're happy with the smaller 2.3 x 7.5-inch shipping address labels that are suitable, for example, for USPS, you'll be fine. And you'll still get the same high print quality of 300 dots per inch.

The 450 Twin Turbo is also faster than the 4XL, at 71 labels per minute, plus it's slightly less wide, so won't take up so much space. Plus, this printer feeds two separate rolls, so you can send separate print jobs to either one. This can be a neat timesaver if you'd otherwise be swapping out different rolls all the time.

(Image credit: Brother)

3. Brother PT-P710BT Label Maker

The best thermal printer for narrow plastic labels

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 7+, macOS 10.12+, iOS, Android, Linux
Connects via: Bluetooth, Micro USB
Speed: 20mm (0.78 inches) per second
Maximum label size: 24mm (1 inch) tapes
Dots per inch: 180
Mono or color: Mono
Dimensions: ‎12.8 x 6.7 x 12.8 cm
Weight: 670kg

Reasons to buy

+
Print via mobile
+
Reasonable price
+
Spellcheck your text

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 180dpi

If you want to print narrow, plastic labels, we recommend the Brother PT-P710BT. It uses the company's TZe tapes, which are available in up to 60 different colour and size combinations, and in widths of 6, 9, 12, 18 or 24mm (1 inch). 

You can print from both desktop and mobile devices via Bluetooth or USB 2.0, and the software makes it easy to create customised labels including barcodes, images, logos, symbols and frames. You can even spellcheck your text before you print it. 

The printer itself is beautifully compact, and the price is very reasonable too. Admittedly, the 180dpi print resolution it provides isn't the highest, but at this size of label, that doesn't really matter that much. 

(Image credit: Brother)

4. Brother VC-500W Label Maker

The best thermal printer for color

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 7+, macOS 10.11+, iOS, Android
Connects via: USB
Speed: 0.3 inch per second
Maximum paper size: 50mm (2 inches wide)
Dots per inch: 313
Mono or color: Color
Dimensions: ‎4.57 x 4.45 x 3.78 cm
Weight: 660g

Reasons to buy

+
Prints in color
+
Print from mobile
+
313dpi

Reasons to avoid

-
You may need wider labels

If you want to print in color, check out Brother's VC-500W, which is good for printing labels, in 9mm, 12mm, 19mm, 25mm and 50mm (2 inch) widths, and up up to 50cm long. The print quality, at 313 dots per inch, is excellent. You can print from Windows computers, Macs, and mobile devices. And you also get a 5m label roll and a cleaning roll included free.

Munbyn Desktop Thermal Label Printer

(Image credit: Munbyn)

5. Munbyn Desktop Thermal Label Printer

The best thermal printer for value

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, ChromeOS
Connects via: Bluetooth, USB
Speed: 72 labels per minute
Maximum label size: 4 x 6 inches
Dots per inch: 203
Mono or color: Color
Dimensions: ‎7.6 x 4.1 x 3.9 cm
Weight: 1.62kg

Reasons to buy

+
Print from mobile
+
Fast print speeds
+
Affordable price

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 203dpi

Looking for the best cheap thermal printer? Unfortunately, there aren't any current models under $100 we can recommend.  So your best bet is the Munbyn Desktop Thermal Label Printer. 

It's not mega-cheap, but it is a bit more affordable than most, and it does have a lot to offer. This well-made thermal printer allows you to print labels up to 4 x 6 inches, and you can print from Linux and ChromeOS, as well as Windows PCs and Macs. Speeds are fast, too, at 72 labels per minute. You can even print in color.

On the downside, the print quality (203 dots per inch) isn't as good as the first two models on our list, which offer 300 dpi. But otherwise, this is a darn fine thermal printer and excellent value for the price.

(Image credit: Epson)

6. Epson TM-T20II Direct Thermal Printer

The best thermal printer for receipts

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 2003+, macOS 10.5+, Linux
Connects via: USB + serial
Speed: 200mm per second
Maximum paper size: 3 1⁄8 x 230 inches
Dots per inch: 203
Mono or color: Mono
Dimensions: ‎‎19.2 x 15.2 x 22.4cm
Weight: 1.7kg

Reasons to buy

+
Designed for receipt printing
+
Fast worker
+
Durable and reliable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not recommended for general use

If you're looking for a thermal printer for receipts, our top choice is the Epson TM-T20II. It's one of the most popular receipt printers on the market, and for good reason. It's easy to use, sturdy and reliable. Its speed of 200mm per second is pretty decent. It supports printing from Windows, Mac and Linux (although not mobile). And it's nice and affordable too. 

This model prints in black and white, on paper that's 3.125 inches wide and up to 230 inches long. Overall, this is a great choice if you're looking for a low-maintenance, low-cost printer for receipts.

(Image credit: Brother)

7. Brother QL-1100 Wide Format

The best thermal printer for easy use

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 2008+, macOS 10.11+, Linux, Android
Connects via: USB
Speed: 69 labels per minute
Maximum paper size: 4 inches wide
Dots per inch: 300
Mono or color: Mono
Dimensions: ‎‎22.1 x 17.02 x 14.99 cm
Weight: 1.65kg

Reasons to buy

+
Plug and play 
+
300dpi resolution 
+
Fast print speeds 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't print from mobile

Looking for something easy to use? Compatible with Windows and Mac, and integrates with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, the QL-1100 has a Plug & Play feature that makes it easy create and print labels without having to install software. The device also detects the size of the tape in the machine and automatically adjusts the onscreen template. Offering 300dpi resolution and able to print up to 69 labels per minute, it all adds up to a great value thermal printer for the price.

Zebra GK420d Direct Thermal Desktop Printer

(Image credit: Zebra)

8. Zebra GK420d Direct Thermal Desktop Printer

A good choice for printing at volume

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows 7+
Connects via: USB
Speed: 5 inches per second
Maximum label size: 4 inches wide
Dots per inch: 203
Mono or color: Mono
Dimensions: 8.23 x 6.73 x 5.98 cm
Weight: 1.4kg

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy and reliable
+
Versatile

Reasons to avoid

-
Windows only
-
Only 203dpi

The Zebra GK420d is another good choice for a small business needing to print a lot of labels. Well, as long as you're using Windows because it doesn't support other platforms. Designed for frequent use, this is a well-built workhouse for churning out address labels, file folder names, barcodes, binder labels, name tags, and more on a large scale; up to four inches wide. 

Admittedly, its resolution of 203 dots per inch isn't the highest on our list, but it should be good enough for most purposes. And anecdotally, people seem to find this printer very reliable and consistent in practice.

Rollo Wireless Printer X1040

(Image credit: Rollo)

9. Rollo Wireless Printer X1040

Premium choice for shipping labels

Specifications

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook and Linux
Connects via: Wireless
Speed: 150mm/s
Maximum label size: 4.1 inches wide
Dots per inch: 203
Mono or color: Mono
Dimensions: 17.8 x 7.6 x 8.9 cm
Weight: 1.6kg

Reasons to buy

+
Wi-Fi printing
+
Cross-platform
+
Option for shipping discounts

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
No FedEx discounts

If you need to print a lot of 4-by-6-inch shipping labels, this wireless, monochrome thermal printer does an excellent job. As well as a USB port, it offers Wi-Fi printing via iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows, Chromebook, and Linux. And speeds of up to 150mm/s are decent too.

The accompanying Rollo Ship Manager allows you to organise all your shipping within one interface, and offers discounts on shipping too, although note that these are with USPS and UPS, but not FedEx. Also note that the printer itself is on the pricey side.

What is a thermal printer?

A thermal printer doesn't use ink cartridges or toner like normal printers. Instead, it uses heat to print on special paper coated with heat-sensitive material. This type of printer is often used in point-of-sale (POS) systems, ticketing machines, portable printers, and label printers. 

Thermal printers can print quickly and quietly, and are more cost-effective than normal printers over time because the special paper is usually cheaper than ink. You also don't have to worry about clogged nozzles. However, the quality of reproduction is conversely lower.

How does a thermal printer work?

The thermocromic-coated used by thermal printers is coated with a heat-sensitive material that changes color when it is exposed to heat. So as the print head applies heat, the part of the paper it touches reacts by changing color. The intensity of the heat, as well as the duration of the exposure, determines the color and intensity of the image or text it prints.

Read more:

Best portable printers (opens in new tab)
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Best wireless printer (opens in new tab)
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Tom May

Tom May is a freelance writer and editor specializing in art, photography, design and travel. He has been editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq (opens in new tab), and deputy editor at net magazine. He has also worked for a wide range of mainstream titles including The Sun, Radio Times, NME, T3, Heat, Company and Bella.