A label printer takes the scrawl and the sticky-tape out of organising a home or running a small business. It prints crisp address labels, shipping labels, barcodes and neat tags for jars, files, cables and storage boxes — all using heat rather than ink, so there are no cartridges to run dry. An extensive test of 16 label printers sorted the best, and these are the top picks, checked against current UK prices.
What to Look For
Desktop or portable? A desktop label printer plugs into a computer, prints faster and at higher quality, and suits high-volume work like shipping and address labels. A portable, handheld labeller pairs with your phone over Bluetooth, prints small stickers anywhere, and is perfect for tidying a kitchen, office or craft room. Decide which job you are buying for.
Thermal printing and running costs. Almost all of these use direct thermal printing — heat darkens special label paper, so there is no ink or toner to buy. But watch the labels themselves: some machines only print on the maker's own proprietary rolls, which locks you into their prices, while others take cheaper generic media. Factor the label cost, not just the printer price, into the sums.
Resolution and speed. Print resolution is measured in dpi: around 200 dpi is fine for text and simple labels, while 300 dpi and up gives sharp small text, barcodes and logos. If you print in bulk, look at speed too — the quickest desktop units rattle out labels at 150 mm/s, and some portables hit 203 mm/s.
Label width and format. Match the printer to the labels you need. The printers here handle label widths from 25 mm up to around 116.8 mm, including handy die-cut address labels and 102 × 152 mm shipping labels on desktop Brother units; portable models typically top out around 50 mm (2 inches); and specialist wide-format machines can print labels up to 180 mm across. Some printers even manage a second colour, usually red, for warnings and highlights.
Software and connectivity. A good companion app or PC software makes designing labels painless, with templates for addresses, barcodes and QR codes. Desktop printers connect by USB; portable ones by Bluetooth to a phone app. Check the software supports your computer or phone before buying.
The Winner: Brother QL-800
The Brother QL-800 (around £88.40) is the best for most people and a superb desktop label printer. It impresses on the technical fundamentals: at 300 dpi its resolution is among the highest on test, it can even add a second colour in red, and it automatically detects the DK label roll you load. It arrives with two label rolls and Brother's extensive, genuinely useful software, and it is solidly built. For addresses, shipping and everyday office labelling at a fair price, it is the clear pick. Check the price on Amazon
