5 Best Barcode Printers in 2024

Barcode printers for printing various types of labels

If you often have to use various barcodes for equipment identification, product labeling, parts tracking, shipping labels or other purposes, then you probably need a reliable barcode label printer.

Thanks to barcode labels, you can get all the information you need about a particular product, find out its stock in the warehouse, track it, etc. For this guide, I’ve tested and reviewed dozens of models available today.

Now manufacturers offer a huge selection of models, so choosing the best barcode printer is quite difficult. They differ in specifications, technologies, capabilities and price tags. Dot Matrix, Inkjet, Laser, Thermal are the most common types of label printers at the moment. You can find options with ink-free thermal printing, mobile and computer printing support, incredibly fast performance, etc.

Print Speed: 8 inches per second | Resolution: 300x300 dpi | Dual-Roll Capability: No

This 4-inch desktop network thermal model features print speeds up to 8 IPS at 203DPI. It does an excellent job of printing tags, barcode labels, receipts for SMB supply chain operations.

This thermal barcode printer boasts excellent quality, impressive performance, wide connectivity and reasonable price. It is a perfect solution for inventory, barcode, shipping and shelf labeling needs.

Windows compatibility, user-friendly software, fast spindle-less media loading, Brother template mode and ZPL II emulation are advantages of this option.

Print Speed: 51 labels per minute | Resolution: 600x300 dpi | Dual-Roll Capability: No

This small barcode printer is suitable for Mac and Windows devices. It does a great job of printing shipping labels, address labels, file folder labels, inventory labels, name badges and other tasks.

Thanks to direct thermal printing technology, it uses less ink or toner. In addition, due to its compact design, it does not take up much space, and you can easily find a place for it.

The printer easily connects to a Mac or desktop computer. You can print files directly from Microsoft Word, Excel and Google Contacts.

Print Speed: 30 mm/s | Resolution: 203x203 dpi | Dual-Roll Capability: No

This model has many applications for printing a variety of tags and labels. You can use it for home or school needs, clothing labels, jewelry, etc.

With the ability to adjust the paper plate, you can print on sheets up to 54mm wide. This barcode stickers printer contains an internal rechargeable lithium battery and can work 3-5 hours autonomously.

This model is compatible with Android and iOS devices. You can print labels from your smartphone using the free NETUM printing app. Besides, the printer is compatible with computers and tablets running Mac and Windows.

Print Speed: 35 mm/s | Resolution: 203x203 dpi | Dual-Roll Capability: No

This option is suitable for printing labels up to 2x3.2 inches. Due to its compact design, you can carry this small barcode label printer throughout your store without any inconvenience.

The PUQU supports NFC printing and mobile connection. Download the PUQU app for your iPhone or Android. Then, you can connect the printer via Bluetooth and get high-quality labels in a few seconds.

The manufacturer supplies the printer with rechargeable lithium batteries, an AC adapter, label adjusting board, random roll size paper and a user’s manual. Plus, you get an 18-month warranty.

Print Speed: 45 mm/s | Resolution: 203x203 dpi | Dual-Roll Capability: No

This UPC bar code printer features a compact design and an excellent set of unique features, such as thermal printing technology and Optical Character Recognition. Using its OCR function, you can convert any text inside your images into an editable format.

The manufacturer includes a special application to make printing easier and more convenient. This is a great option to produce labels for jewelry, folders, cable, price, clothing, etc.

The printer is packed with capacious batteries capable of working 24 hours without recharging. Plus, this model comes in different colors.

Nowadays, barcode label printers are divided into four main types.

Inkjet printers are lightning-fast. In just a few moments, they will finish the readable material or cardboard. They are suitable for high-production settings requiring fast barcode label printing. The disadvantages of this type are complex installation and high price.

Dot-matrix barcode printers are quite affordable and suitable for those on a tight budget. This in-place barcode printing technology has been around for a long time.

These printers work with multi-pass ribbons and many materials. Besides, they are easy to install. This is a good solution for many distribution and manufacturing companies.

The laser barcode label printer delivers excellent quality graphics and text. It is similar to a photocopier and can be used to print documents. However, this is not the best option for small operations and industrial purposes.

A thermal barcode label printer is an ideal solution for industrial environments. They print more durable UPC labels that do not deteriorate for a long time. This category consists of Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer printers.

The quality of graphics and text are important criteria when choosing the best barcode printer. Plus, you should check how long a printed barcode lasts. It should not smudge or fade quickly. Your label should remain legible over the years.

Think about what devices you will connect to your barcode sticker printer and check their compatibility. I recommend choosing a model that includes several connection methods, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wireless Direct and NFC. As a result, you can work with almost any device anywhere.