The 8 Best Label Printers Under $200 for Warehouses, Shops and Workshops, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: A long-standing direct thermal desktop printer that ends ink purchases.

The LabelWriter 450 is a direct thermal label printer that prints address, shipping and file labels without ink, and avoids the waste of sheet labels. It costs $100 to $200.

It wins because it is the most common desktop label printer and is easy to supply: rolls are sold everywhere and drivers exist for most systems. Printing is quick, and there is no ribbon to replace. Direct thermal labels fade with sunlight and heat, so it is not for long-life labels.

Buy it for shipping, mail and office labels. Choose thermal transfer for durability.

Technology

Direct thermal

Ink

None needed

Use

Address, shipping, file labels

Price range

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A renewed industrial thermal transfer printer with a built-in peeler and USB, serial and Ethernet.

The Zebra GX420t is a renewed thermal transfer printer with an integrated label peeler and USB, serial and Ethernet connectivity. It costs $100 to $200.

Thermal transfer makes the print durable, and an Ethernet port lets a whole office share it. A built-in peeler hands you each label ready to stick. Zebra is the industrial standard. The risk is renewed condition and the need to buy ribbons.

Buy it for durable labels and networked use. Check the seller's return window.

Technology

Thermal transfer

Feature

Built-in label peeler

Connectivity

USB, serial, Ethernet

Condition

Renewed

Our verdict: A 4 inch thermal transfer printer with dual ribbon core support for growing small shops.

The CLABEL X1 is a 4 inch thermal transfer desktop printer with dual ribbon core support and wide material compatibility. It costs $100 to $200.

A new thermal transfer printer in this tier is rare, and dual ribbon core support lets you use different ribbon types. It ranks third because the brand is less known than Zebra and the listing gives few numbers.

Buy it for durable labels on a new machine. Confirm connectivity.

Width

4 inch

Technology

Thermal transfer

Ribbon

Dual core support

Price range

$100 to $200

Our verdict: Prints black and red labels with easy connectivity and low-cost paper labels.

The QL-810W is a Brother professional label printer that prints black and red labels using special paper, with easy connectivity and cost-effective paper rolls. It costs $100 to $200.

Red highlights make alerts and sale tags stand out. It ranks fourth because black and red needs special rolls and the listing is light on width.

Buy it for office and shop labels with color accents. Choose Zebra for industrial use.

Colors

Black and red

Connectivity

Easy, wireless

Labels

Cost-effective paper

Price range

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A renewed direct thermal 4 inch shipping and barcode printer.

The Zebra GX420D is a renewed direct thermal printer for 4 inch shipping and barcode labels. It costs $100 to $200.

Direct thermal needs no ribbon, and Zebra is known for reliability. It ranks fifth because renewed units vary and the listing gives few details.

Buy it for shipping and barcodes at a lower cost. Check returns.

Technology

Direct thermal

Labels

4 inch shipping, barcode

Brand

Zebra

Condition

Renewed

Our verdict: A new direct thermal USB shipping printer under a familiar brand name.

The Westinghouse printer is a direct thermal shipping label printer that connects by USB, with a print quality pitch. It costs $100 to $200.

It ranks sixth because the listing is thin and the brand is licensed rather than a printer specialist. As a new, simple shipper it works.

Buy it for basic shipping. A DYMO is better supported.

Technology

Direct thermal

Use

Shipping labels

Connection

USB

Price range

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A mid-size handheld label maker with Bluetooth and USB-C for faster labeling.

The PT-E310BT is an industrial handheld label printer with Bluetooth and USB-C. It costs $100 to $200.

It handles cables, panels and equipment tags, not parcels. It ranks seventh because it is a different tool from the shipping printers.

Buy it for electrical and facility labeling. Skip it for shipping.

Type

Industrial handheld

Connectivity

Bluetooth and USB-C

Use

Cables, panels, equipment

Price range

$100 to $200

Our verdict: A compact renewed Zebra with a 2 inch print width and plug-and-play USB.

The ZD410 is a compact renewed direct thermal printer with a 2 inch print width and USB. It costs $100 to $200.

Two inches suits product and barcode labels, not 4 by 6 shipping labels, which is why it ranks last. It is small and sturdy.

Buy it for small barcode labels. Not for parcels.

Technology

Direct thermal

Width

2 inch

Connection

USB plug-and-play

Condition

Renewed