Identifying and organizing items become quicker and more effective when they have labels. Whether it's for home use or commercial purposes, a label maker will go a long way in ramping up your productivity. This machine lets you create labels on adhesive paper or label maker tape and may even allow personalization of tags.
With the right kind of label maker, you can print shipping labels, bar codes, QR codes, and even tags with a logo or image on them. To help you sift through the options in online marketplaces like Lazada and Shopee, we've created a buying guide and a list of the best models we can recommend. Read on to know more about the different types of label makers and which one would be most useful for you.
Quick List - Top Label Makers
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Label makers come in two main categories: manual and thermal. Aside from style, your choice would depend on your organizational needs and level of usage. Read on to know more about each type.
A manual label maker is a handheld tool with a wheel to create labels on an adhesive tape. You select the character you want to use by turning the wheel. Once it's in place, you press on a lever to emboss the character on the tape. Most manual label makers include two wheelsーone for upper case letters, and another for lower case.
This type is best for simple organizing tasks or minimal usage, since it takes a longer time and more effort to produce labels. The upside is that the adhesive tapes are easy to replace, and you can take your pick from different colors. Thus, you can create a color-coded labeling system for your items.
A thermal printer has two different kinds of printing methodsーdirect thermal and thermal transfer. The direct thermal printing method uses the machine's direct heat to print sharp black print that's easy to scan. However, direct thermal labels fade easily and won't last long, which is why it's commonly used in shipping labels, receipts, and other labels that don't need to be preserved.
On the other hand, thermal transfer printing uses the machine's heat to melt the wax ribbon in specific areas and print the text or image on the label. With the right combination of media and ribbon, this type can withstand different changes in temperature and environmental conditions. Thus, it has a longer life than direct thermal printed labels.
Another thing to consider is the label size that the label maker supports. With manual label makers, this is easy to determine because they typically come with their own ribbons. Thermal label makers, on the other hand, can support a range of widths, usually between 9 to 12 mm. Depending on the size you want, you can then easily switch between widths.
Label thickness is also worth looking into, since a tape that's too thick may clog the printhead, or worse, damage the machine. The tape thickness that a machine can support varies from brand to brand, but the typical range is from 0.03 to 0.08 mm.
Before making a purchase, make sure that your label maker has a number of connectivity options. Look for those that support both wired and wireless connections and check their compatibility with your smartphone OS. For wireless models, the most common connectivity used is Bluetooth. Make sure that the label maker supports the latest Bluetooth version for a fast and stable connection.
Aside from the points mentioned above, you may also want to check out other features that make your label maker even more effective and convenient to use. Here are some of the most common extra touches that give you more value for your money.
You don't have to stick to plain and boring texts for your labels. Features like a wide range of fonts, symbols, bar codes, box styles, and icons allow you to be as creative as you want to be. Some brands also allow you to customize logos for an even more unique design with your personal touch!
A wireless thermal printer's functions and processes are similar to the heavy-duty corded type, only much smaller in size and way more convenient. It can be powered using batteries or via USB port connection.
You also need to download an application on your phone to customize labels. After downloading, simply connect the two devices via Bluetooth, and it's ready for bulk printing.
If you want to make your labeling process go faster and smoother, check out thermal printers with a large LCD screen and a wide QWERTY keyboard. These features give users a more comfortable experience and help them make fewer errors when creating their labels. Some brands also offer a touch screen for even more ease of use.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brother Label Printer|PT-D210 | ![]() | An Easy-to Use Label Maker With Many Options for Customization | |
2 | Niimbot B21 Label Printer | ![]() | A Heavy-Duty Portable Printer for Home and Office Use | |
3 | Brother P-Touch Cube | ![]() | Print Personalized Labels Using Wireless Technology | |
4 | Dymo LetraTag Label Printer|LT-100H | ![]() | A Cost-Efficient Direct Thermal Label Printer | |
5 | Phomemo Thermal Label Printer|M110 | ![]() | A Small Yet Powerful Label Maker That Can Perform Up to 24 Hours | |
6 | Niimbot Label Printer|D11 | ![]() | An App-Based and User-Friendly Printer | |
7 | VIOPOS Thermal Label Printer|M58A | ![]() | Superior Resolution for High Quality Printing | |
8 | Epson Label Printer|LW-K400 | ![]() | A Label Printer That Cuts Down on Paper Wastage | |
9 | DYMO Organizer Express Embossing Label Maker | ![]() | A Simple Device With Intuitive Design for Creating Embossed Labels | |
10 | Aibecy Mini Portable Manual Labeling Device | ![]() | Emboss 3D Letters and Characters With This Lightweight Manual Label Maker |
This battery-powered label maker is the most user-friendly on the list because of its wide format ergonomic keyboard layout that allows you to type letters accurately. The rubberized keys are highly responsive and provide a soft-touch feel. It also has a monochrome LCD screen that allows you to preview your label before printing.
With 14 fonts, over 600 symbols, and adjustable label sizes, this one lets you go into full creative mode. It even has 97 preset decorative and functional frames, and you can choose from dozens of pre-loaded label templates as well.
The machine supports laminated tapes ranging from sizes 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm. Each label can accommodate up to 80 characters, and you can store up to 30 programmable designs in the device. With all of these versatile features, it's no wonder why this label maker is one of the most popular in the market!
If you're a fan of classic-looking items, this label printer is perfect for you. The vintage aesthetic makes it a standout from other types of label makers, but don't be fooled by its retro look! Its performance boasts technological innovation, especially with its RFID intelligent recognition feature that automatically identifies and formats the labels on a matching template.
Through its accompanying app that connects via Bluetooth, you can choose from many templates, insert images, and create labels customized to your preferences. It even has voice and picture recognition to convert speech and images to text for more convenience.
Another advantage of the Niimbot B21 is that the labels are waterproof, making it the perfect choice for creating labels for commercial purposes. It's also great for home use, particularly for tags that can possibly come in contact with liquids, such as those for kitchen and bathroom storage containers.
The P-Touch Cube is instantly recognizable for its sleek and compact design. This tiny device measures 4.5 x 2.5 inches and weighs less than a pound, so it's definitely something you can take around with you and make labels whenever you want. Its portability is one of the reasons why it has many good reviews!
With this device, you won't find a control panel for making your labels. Instead, using Bluetooth technology, you can print labels from 3.5 mm to 12 mm with just a touch of the app on your phone, laptop, tablet, and other devices. Your label then pops out from the small slot on the side of the cube.
There is also a wide assortment of home and office templates organized in categories that you can use to make your products stand out. But if you prefer to make your own designs from scratch, you can choose from 450 symbols, over 60 frames, and several fonts, including those found in Google and Apple libraries.
If you're looking for an inexpensive yet reliable label maker, look no further than the Dymo LT-100H. This printer is one of Dymo's bestsellers for many reasons. Aside from its small and light design, one of its biggest advantages is its standalone program that doesn't rely on connectivity to work.
This product is designed to sit comfortably in one hand. The wide screen and keyboard format promote a straightforward and easy user experience, although the classic ABC-style layout might take a bit of practice if you're used to the QWERTY keyboard. Meanwhile, the LCD screen can display up to 13 characters and supports 2-line printing. It is angled for easy readability as well.
There's a sufficient variety of font styles and characters to choose from. It has a save button to store the current label format or design for later use and an open file button to see the saved labels. The cassette storage also has a small window indicator showing how much tape is left in the device.
This tiny device is a powerhouse when it comes to battery life and printing quality. It has a very quick charging time of only 2.5 hours, yet it can work for up to 24 hours of continuous printing and lasts 100 days on standby. It's also small and lightweight, making printing on the go possible!
The quality of the print is also top-notch, with multiple label sizes and printing densities supported. This means that the image or text you send on your phone may be easily printed by this device. Thus, it performs well with any task, whether it's for creating product tags, bar codes, and even simple illustrations.
The inkless Niimbot D11 label printer has a compact build that will appeal to business owners on the go and people who like colorful minimalist designs. The slim frame made of high-quality ABS plastic is lightweight enough to slip into your pocket or bag. It even has a hand strap for even more convenience.
Despite the small size and weight of only 200 grams, this one is quite powerful and capable of working continuously for up to 4 hours. And thanks to its simple and easy-to-use app, it is a hit with both home and office users.
The wireless design supports printing over distances, and it can support all of the common label formats such as price, date, size, and more. It also allows you to create both horizontal and vertical labels and to store your creations on the device.
This thermal printer might have fewer features than the previous wireless models, but it makes up for it with a high 384-dpi print resolution, giving you crystal-clear printed labels. This device is perfect for small businesses that require quick printing and clear barcodes for foolproof scanning. The wide range of compatibility options also makes it ideal for shared use in the office.
You can use the free app to create labels and execute printing commands. It can also accommodate up to 48 mm of paper, which is more than most brands offer. Aside from that, you get both wired and wireless options, thanks to its USB port and Bluetooth capability.
This label printer is a must-have device, especially for online sellers, because it can print 4 different sizes of labels and supports barcode or QR code printing. You get 14 font styles, 87 frames, and over 700 symbols to add your own personal touch to your labels. The backlit LCD screen and QWERTY keyboard also make for a comfortable labeling process.
Another important thing to note about this model is the small-margin design, which helps you to make the most of the space in your labels, eliminate wastage, and save paper in the process. Add to that a printing speed of 6 mm per second, and you'll see that this one gives you more value for your time and money!
This manual label maker from Dymo is an oldie but goodie. It's the one to beat among those in its category because of its durable material and intuitive system. Featuring an ergonomic design, the wheel is easy to turn and clicks into place for a stable embossing process.
There are 49 characters on the wheel, a basic set that would be sufficient for simple organizational labels and craft projects. The tape is also easy to cut, thanks to the enhanced tape-cutting feature that allows you to snip the label with a press of a button.
If you're looking for a simple and budget-friendly manual label maker, then this model is for you. This comes at an affordable price and includes free black and red tape rolls. It is small and made of lightweight plastic, so you can carry and use it anytime and anywhere.
This tool embosses 3D letters and symbols; however, instead of a button for cutting, it has built-in cutter teeth, so you have to pull the label gently to tear it off. It also comes in a variety of colors, so it's perfect for those who like color-coordinating their office supplies.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
The best way to get waterproof labels is by starting out with the right material and waterproof print. However, these factors depend on the kind of label maker you have. If your label maker isn't capable of churning out waterproof labels, you can still protect your stickers from moisture by sealing them with a clear gloss overcoat spray or a clear plastic film with an adhesive side.
You can put labels on just about anythingーfrom kitchen containers like spice jars to office supplies and packages for shipping. You are free to put labels anywhere you want, but if you're using labels specifically for shipping parcels, it matters where you place them.
Make sure your shipping label is on the widest surface of the box or package, either on the top or on the side. The barcode needs to be unobstructed so that it can be easily scannable for tracking and inventory purposes.
A neat workspace will enhance your productivity level and keep you from feeling exhausted and overwhelmed when faced with multiple tasks. For more ideas on how to make your work station efficient, check out the links below!
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Having an organized home and workplace increases our productivity and sets us up for success. With label makers, you can have a fun way to organize your tools and make them easy to find when you need them. You can even create personalized designs that work for your purposes. We hope our buying guide and top 10 list have helped narrow down your options for the best label maker that works for you!
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Re-editor: R. Umlas
No. 1: Brother|Label Printer|PT-D210
No. 2: Niimbot|B21 Label Printer
No. 3: Brother|P-Touch Cube
No. 4: Dymo|LetraTag Label Printer|LT-100H
No. 5: Phomemo|Thermal Label Printer|M110
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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