Thermal printers are essential for day-to-day operation in a wide range of businesses. From small retailers to large warehouses, these devices play a crucial role in printing labels, receipts, and other documentation.
With so many different models on the market, it can be challenging to know which thermal label printer is right for your business. To help you make the best decision, we’ve put together a list of the seven best thermal printers available in the market.
We’ve considered a range of factors, including print quality, speed, connectivity, and durability. So, whether you’re looking for a high-end model with all the bells and whistles or a more budget-friendly option, we’ve got you covered.
Here is a list of the seven best thermal label printers for 2023.
Overview of Zebra ZT231 | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Industrial Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution | 203 DPI (8 dots/mm),
300 DPI (12 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| At 203 DPI – 12ips,
At 300 DPI – 8ips
|
Maximum Print Width
| 104 mm (4.09 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| At 203 DPI – 3988 mm (157 inches),
At 300 DPI – 1854 mm (73 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Continuous Label Paper,
Die-Cut Label Paper,
Black Mark Label Paper,
Notch Paper
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | 4.3-inch touch-enabled colored display with 5 colored coded LED status indicators
|
Connectivity Options and Ports
| USB Host Port (2.0),
Serial Port (RS-232 & DB-9),
Ethernet Port (Transmission Rate: 10/100 Mbps),
802.11ac Certified Wi-Fi (optional),
Applicator Port (optional),
NFC,
Bluetooth Low Energy
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
macOS,
Linux,
Android,
IOS
|
Warranty
| One Year From the Date of Shipment
|
The Zebra ZT231 is a mid-range industrial printer. It features a metallic frame, making it suitable enough to withstand harsh work environments.
While the printer lacks an in-built processor, it has 256 MB of SDRAM and 256 MB of flash memory, providing ample storage to handle print jobs. The ZT231 runs on LinkOS and comes with a Zebra DNA software suite, providing users with a wealth of features and benefits.
The ZT231 features an E3 (Element Energy Equaliser) printhead, which distributes heat evenly, ensuring that labels are printed accurately and consistently.
The Zebra ZT231 is a bulky printer and weighs 9.1 kg (20 lbs.). It measures 432 mm (17 inches) in length, 241mm (9.5 inches) in width, and 279mm (11 inches) in height.
The Zebra ZT231 is commonly used to.
Please visit Zebra ZT231 description page for more information.
Overview of Zebra ZD421 | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Desktop Printer
|
Printing Mode*
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm),
300 DPI (12 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| At 203 DPI – 6 ips (up to 152 mm/s),
At 300 DPI – 4 ips (up to 102 mm/s)
|
Maximum Print Width
| At 203 DPI – 104 mm (4.09 inches),
At 300 DPI – 108 mm (4.27 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| 991 mm (39 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Roll-fed or fan-fold,
Label stock (die cut or continuous),
Tag stock (die cut or continuous),
Continuous receipt paper (direct thermal only),
Wristband stock (Z-Band 4000)
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | No display. Only 5 colour-coded LED status indicators and 3 user interface buttons |
Connectivity Options and Ports
| USB Host Port (2.0),
USB Device Port (2.0),
Ethernet Port (Transmission Rate: 10/100 Mbps) (Optional),
Serial Port (RS-232 & DB-9) (Optional),
Dual Wireless Radio with 802.11ac Certified Wi-Fi (Optional),
Bluetooth 4.1 (MFi-Certified),
NFC support
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
macOS,
Linux,
Android,
IOS
|
Warranty | Two Years From the Date of Shipment
|
* Both printing modes are not available on the same printer model.
The Zebra ZD421 is a desktop printer designed for light-duty applications. It comes with a dual wall frame construction making it sturdy and durable.
The printer has a unique architecture that is designed for faster processing speeds. It has 512 MB SDRAM and 512 MB flash memory. The printer is powered by LinkOS and comes with the Zebra DNA software suite.
The ZD421 features a smart ribbon sensor that notifies users when the ribbon is running low. It also has a movable media sensor that detects the width of the label and adjusts the printhead accordingly.
The Zebra ZD421 is a lightweight printer weighing between 1.35 kgs (2.98 lbs.) and 2.3 kg (5.0 lbs.), depending on the model. The dimension of the printer varies based on the model chosen. Nonetheless, it is one of the most compact printers in its class and ideal for places with limited space.
Some common use cases of the Zebra ZD421 are.
For a more in-depth insight of the product, please refer to the Zebra ZD421 specification and description page
Overview of Zebra ZT411 | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Industrial Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm),
300 DPI (11.8 dots/mm),
600 DPI (23.6 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| Up to 14 ips (356 mm/s)
|
Maximum Print Width
| 104 mm (4.09 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| At 203 DPI – 3988 mm (157 inches),
At 300 DPI – 1854 mm (73 inches),
At 600 DPI – 991 mm (39 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Die-Cut Label Paper,
Black Mark Label Paper,
Notch Paper,
Continuous Label Paper
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | 4.3-inch touch-enabled coloured display
|
Connectivity Options and Ports
| USB 2.0 Host Port (2X),
Serial Port (RS-232),
Ethernet Port (transmission rate: 10/100 Mbps),
802.11ac Certified Wi-Fi (optional),
Bluetooth 4.1 (Apple certified) (optional),
Parallel (bi-directional interface) (optional),
Applicator Port (optional)
|
Compatibility | Windows,
MacOS,
Linux,
Android,
IOS
|
Warranty | One Year From the Date of Shipment |
The Zebra ZT411 is a high-end heavy-duty printer designed for critical industrial applications. It features a sturdy metal frame, making it suitable enough to handle tough working conditions. The ZT411 has a bi-fold door construction making it easy to access the media and printheads.
The Zebra ZT411 lacks an in-built processor but is equipped with 256 MB SDRAM and 512 MB onboard linear flash memory. The printer runs on LinkOS and comes with the Zebra DNA software suite.
The Zebra ZT411 comes with an auto-calibration feature. Auto-calibration is the ability of the printer to adjust itself automatically and ensure that labels are printed accurately every time. The printer auto-calibrates whenever it is turned on, or the printhead is closed.
Please note that the Zebra ZT411 will take approximately two to three labels to complete the auto-calibration procedure.
The Zebra ZT411 is a bulky printer weighing 16.33 kg (36 lbs). It has a large footprint, measuring 495 mm (19.5 inches) in length, 269 mm (10.6 inches) in width, and 324 mm (12.75 inches) in height.
The Zebra ZT411 is commonly used in the following industries.
Please visit Zebra ZT411 description page for more information.
Overview of Honeywell PD45/PD45S | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Industrial Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm),
300 DPI (11.8 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed – PD45
| At 203 DPI – 2-8 ips (50-200 mm/s),
At 300 DPI – 2-4 ips (50-100 mm/s)
|
Print Speed – PD45S
| At 203 DPI – 2-10 ips (50-250 mm/s),
At 300 DPI – 2-8 ips (50-200 mm/s)
|
Maximum Print Width
| At 203 DPI – 108 mm (4.25 inches),
At 300 DPI – 105.7 mm (4.16 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| At 203 DPI – 4800 mm (188.98 inches),
At 300 DPI – 2200 mm (86.61 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Notch Paper,
Continuous Label Paper,
Guide Hole Paper,
Black Label Paper,
Non-Continuous Label Paper,
Tag Paper
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | 2.36-inch keypad LCD screen or 3.5-inch touch-enabled colored display
|
Connectivity Options and Ports
| Wi-Fi Module Slot,
Industrial/Applicator Interface Port Slot (PD45S only),
Parallel Port Slot (PD45S only),
USB 2.0 Host Port,
USB 2.0 Device Port,
Ethernet Interface (Transmission Rate: 10/100 Mbps),
RS-232 (Transmission Rate up to 115.2 KB/s)
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
Linux
|
Warranty
| One Year From the Date of Shipment
|
The Honeywell PD45/PD45S is a rugged industrial thermal label printer with minimum internal mechanical parts and an all-metallic frame structure.
The PD45/PD45S is shipped with a powerful Arm Cortex-A7 800MHz processor that allows it to handle large print jobs quickly and efficiently. It has 128 MB flash memory and 128 MB DDR3 SDRAM, providing ample storage for running print jobs.
The printer is equipped with a patented Dual-Sensor Positioning technology. This technology detects and tracks the position of labels and tags, ensuring that they are printed correctly. The printer also has dual pressure bars that exert consistent pressure on the media, preventing them from wrinkling or curling.
The PD45/PD45S weighs 9.25 kg (20.39 lbs.) or 9.34 kg (20.59 lbs) depending on the model. It measures 438 mm (17.24 inches) in length, 249 mm (9.80 inches) in width, and 270 mm (10.63 inches) in height.
The Honeywell PD45/PD45S can be used for.
Please visit the PD45/PD45S description page for a complete specification and overview of this Honeywell printer model.
Overview of Honeywell PM45/PM45C | |
|---|---|
Printer Type | Industrial Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm),
300 DPI (11.8 dots/mm),
406 DPI (16 dots/mm),
600 DPI (23.6 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| At 203 DPI – 2-14 ips (50-350 mm/s),
At 300 DPI – 2-12 ips (50-300 mm/s),
At 406 DPI – 2-10 ips (50-250 mm/s),
At 600 DPI – 2-6ips (50-150 mm/s)
|
Maximum Print Width
| At 203 DPI – 108 mm (4.25 inches),
At 300 DPI – 105.7 (4.17 inches),
At 406 DPI – 104 (4.09 inches),
At 600 DPI – 105.6 (4.16 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| At 203 dpi – 4800 mm (188.98 inches),
At 300 dpi – 2200 mm (86.61 inches),
At 406 dpi – 1200 mm (47.24 inches),
At 600 dpi – 550 mm (21.65 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Gap Label Paper,
Black Mark Label Paper,
Tag Paper,
Guide Hole Paper,
Notch Paper,
Continuous Label Paper
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | 3.5-inch touch-enabled colored LED display
|
Connectivity Options and Ports
| Industrial/Applicator Interface Port Slot,
Parallel Interface IEEE 1284,
USB 2.0 Host Port (x2 PM45, x1 PM45C)
USB 2.0 Device Port,
Ethernet Interface (Transmission Rate: 10/100/1000 Mbps),
RS-232 (Transmission Rate up to 115.2 KB/s),
RFID,
WLAN – IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac; Wi-Fi Certified, 1×1 SISO,
Bluetooth V5.0
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
Linux
|
Warranty | One Year From the Date of Shipment
|
The Honeywell PM45/PM45C is a mid-tier industrial printer designed for high-volume printing applications. The printer has a rugged, all-metallic construction ensuring durability and long-lasting performance.
The printer does not come with an inbuilt processor. However, it has 512 MB flash memory and 256 MB SDRAM, which manages print jobs efficiently.
The Honeywell PM45/PM45C supports software such as Honeywell Cyber Security, Operational Intelligence MDM Tool, PrintSet MC, and Honeywell’s Smart Parse. These applications make the printer more versatile and help it handle and optimise print jobs.
The dimension and weight of the printer vary based on the model.
The Honeywell PM45/PM45C can be used to.
Check out the Honeywell PM45/PM45C description page for a detailed list of specifications.
Overview of TSC MH241 | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Industrial Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| Up to 14 ips |
Maximum Print Width
| 104 mm (4.09 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| 25,400 mm (1000 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Continuous Label Paper,
Die-Cut Label Paper,
Black Mark Label Paper (Bottom side or top side black mark),
Fanfold Labels,
Notch Paper,
Perforated Paper,
Tag Paper,
Care Label (outside wound)
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | 3.5-inch non-touch colored LCD or 4.3-inch touch-enabled colored LED |
Connectivity Options and Ports
| RS-232,
USB 2.0 Device Port (High-Speed Mode),
USB 2.0 Host Port (x2),
Internal Ethernet (Transmission Rate: 10/100 Mbps),
GPIO (DB15F) + Centronics (Factory Option),
MFi-certified Bluetooth 5.0 (Factory Option),
Slot-in 802.11 1/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi + BT Combo Module Kit (Dealer Option)
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
macOS,
Linux,
Android,
IOS
|
Warranty | Printer – Two year from the date of purchase,
Print Head – 25 km of printer label length or 12 months, whichever come first,
Platen – 50 km of printer label length or 12 months, whichever come first
|
The TSC MH241 is one of TSC’s mainstream industrial thermal printers in their performance line. The MH241 is a flagship product with premium printhead technology, designed for heavy-duty printing applications.
The MH241 is shipped with a 32-bit RISC processor, allowing it to handle large and strenuous print jobs quickly. It has sufficient storage capacity with 256 MB SDRAM and 512 MB flash memory. The thermal printer comes with TCS Software Suite, a comprehensive collection of software that enhances printer performance.
The TSC MH241 is a bulky machine weighing between 15.35kg (33.84 lbs) and 18.93kg (41.73 lbs), depending on the model. It measures 502 mm (19.79 inches) in length, 279 mm (10.87 inches) in width, and 326 or 412 mm (12.83 or 16.22 inches) in height.
The TSC MH241 can be used for the following tasks.
For a detailed overview, please refer to the TSC MH241 description page.
Overview of TSC TE210 | |
|---|---|
Printer Type
| Desktop Printer
|
Printing Mode
| Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer
|
Print Resolution
| 203 DPI (8 dots/mm)
|
Print Speed
| 6 ips |
Maximum Print Width
| 108 mm (4.25 inches)
|
Maximum Print Length
| 25,400 mm (1000 inches)
|
Supported Media Type – Labels
| Continuous Label Paper,
Die-cut Label Paper,
Black mark Label Paper,
Fanfold Labels,
Notched paper (outside wound)
|
Supported Media Type – Ribbon
| Wax,
Resin,
Wax-Resin
|
Display | No display. Only 1 colour-coded LED indicator and 1 operational button.
|
Connectivity Options and Ports
| USB 2.0 Device Port,
USB 2.0 Host Port,
Internal Ethernet (Transmission Rate: 10/100 Mbps),
RS232,
Internal Bluetooth 4.0 (Factory Option),
External Bluetooth (User Option)
|
Compatibility
| Windows,
Linux,
macOS
|
Warranty | Printer – Two years from the date of purchase,
Print Head – 25 km of printer label length or 12 months, whichever come first,
Platen – 50 km of printer label length or 12 months, whichever come first
|
The TSC TE210 is a budget-friendly, entry-level desktop printer. The printer is designed for low to medium-volume printing applications. The TE210 is built using ABS plastic, making it lightweight and durable.
The TE210 has a 400 MHz 32-bit RISC processor coupled with 64 MB SDRAM and 128 MB flash memory. This combination provides enough power to handle multiple printing jobs. The printer supports TSC Console, a TSC proprietary printer management software.
The TSC TE210 weighs only 2.5 kg (5.51 lbs), allowing it to be easily carried around. It has a small footprint and measures 280 mm (11.02inches) in length, 204 mm (8.03 inches) in width, and 164 mm (6.46 inches) in height.
Some common use cases of the TSC TE210 are.
Thermal printers are an excellent investment for any business. They provide a quick, easy and efficient way to print labels and receipts without the need for ink cartridges.
We have listed some of the best thermal printers available in the market today. Each printer has its unique set of features and benefits that make it suitable for different printing applications.
If you’re in the market for a new thermal printer or need to replace an old one, be sure to check out our selection of thermal printers. We have a variety of models to choose from, all at competitive prices.
So what are you waiting for? Head over to our website and buy yourself a brand-new thermal printer today!
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Auckland
Christchurch
Phone 09 579 2057
Live Chat – Widget below
