7 Best Barcode Printers (Shipping & Inventory 2024)
Barcode printers have transformed how businesses track and manage inventory, assets, and sales and have become essential tools for a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
Sometimes using an ordinary printer can never produce a high-quality, durable barcode, and it may not be readable by a barcode scanner.
So, to make efficient, cost-effective, and accurate barcodes for any type of business compatible with barcode scanner technology, we need the best barcode printer to print barcodes for businesses.
Selecting the best barcode printer may be difficult for you. We are here to help you in choosing a worthy barcode printer that is according to your requirement.
By the end of this article, you may learn
- What is a barcode printer?
- Why do we require it?
- What are the specifications on which we can select barcode printers?
- The list of some suitable barcode printers.
Let’s get started.
Choosing the Best Barcode Printer
For accurate, time-saving, and scannable barcodes we always look for cost-efficient and high-quality barcode printers.
The best barcode printers I and field professionals recommend are the JADENS JD168BT and Phomemo M110. They are the best because trustworthy companies make them. Thousands of people have tried them, and they all like the outcomes. They are reliable, of high quality, and reasonably priced.
How to decide which printer best suits you? Here are a few factors which you and I should consider when making the right decision.
a. Software
The printer’s software can significantly impact how simple it is to use. Look for a printer that includes simple-to-use software that enables you to quickly and easily design and print labels.
b. Connectivity
In order to connect to your computer or network, barcode printers might use USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. You have to pick a printer with the connectivity features you require.
c. Print resolution
The number of dots per inch (dpi) that the printer can generate is referred to as the print resolution. The most common resolutions are 203DPI, 300DPI, and 600 DPI. The higher the DPI, the barcodes will be more precise and clear.
d. Print speed
The printer speed means how many labels it produces per minute and is measured in inches per second (IPS) or label per minute (LPM). If you want to print numerous barcodes, then you must need a printer with a high printing speed and for small businesses, slow barcode printers will also be enough.
e. Barcode types
Make sure that the printer can print the type of barcode that you need. There are several types of barcodes, such as Code 39, Code 128, and QR codes.
Some barcode printers might be designed specifically for a certain kind of barcode, while others might be more adaptable and able to handle a variety of barcode kinds.
f. Label size
The label size that the printer can handle is determined by the maximum print width and the print length of the printer. Verify that the printer you are thinking of purchasing can handle the size of label you require.
g. Label material
Barcode printers are generally compatible with a variety of label materials like paper, polyester, polypropylene, and vinyl. But to be sure that the label material you intend to use is compatible with your particular barcode printer, it’s important to go over its specifications.
List of Best Barcode Printers
Here is the list of the best barcode printers that you can choose for your business.
1. TSC Barcode Printer
TSC is known for its innovative and reliable products and is a trusted brand among customers around the world. The TSC barcode printer is a versatile printer that is ideal for a variety of applications.
Important features:
- Thermal transfer technology is used by printers to print barcodes.
- The resolution of the printer is 203 dpi (dot per inch) and it can print precise and clear barcodes.
- The printer can print 4 inches of barcode and labels per second.
- It uses USB and Bluetooth for connectivity to print barcodes.
- It is compatible with windows, Linux, and macOS.
- It comes with Bartender Ultralite label design software to design different labels.
In a short summary, The TSC Barcode Printer (Amazon link) prints high-resolution barcodes, and it can handle a variety of label printing needs.
2. Zebra ZQ520
Zebra products are reliable, durable, and easy to use, these qualities make their products a popular choice for any business. The zebra ZQ520 is designed to print high-quality and long lasting barcodes.
Important features:
- This printer used direct thermal technology to print and it transferred heat into ink to print barcodes and labels.
- The printer has a print resolution of 203 dpi.
- The ZQ520 can print up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) per second, allowing for fast and efficient printing of labels and barcodes.
- It comes with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, allowing for easy connection.
- It is compatible with various operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows, and others operating systems.
Overall, the Zebra Technologies ZQ520 (Amazon link) thermal printer is a portable and versatile barcode label printer that can be used in a wide range of applications, from retail to warehousing to transportation.
3. VEVOR Thermal Barcode Printer
VEVOR is a company that provides a variety of commercial and industrial goods, such as machinery, tools, and equipment. VEVOR thermal label printer is a 300dpi printer that produces clear and fast barcodes and labels.
Important features:
- It used direct thermal technology for printing.
- The VEVOR Direct Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer has a print resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch), which means it is a good choice for high volume production.
- It can print up to 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) per second.
- For connectivity to connect to your device, it comes with Bluetooth and a USB connection.
- The printer is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, and iOS.
The VEVOR thermal printer (Amazon link) is a very good and durable choice for the business where numerous labels and barcodes are needed.
4. ZEBRA ZD410
Zebra is a brand that offers barcode printers, scanners, and other devices which are used in different industries. ZEBRA ZD410 is tiny and focuses on printing barcode labels and tags, it is perfect for usage by people as well as small enterprises.
Important features:
- It used direct thermal technology to create barcodes and labels.
- It is compact in size which makes it easy to use in a small workspace.
- The printer can connect to a computer and mobile using Bluetooth, USB and wi-fi connectivity.
- It can print up to 4 inches per second for labels and barcodes.
- It can print at a resolution of 203 dpi ensuring that barcodes are clear.
With a print width of 2 inches (5.08 cm), USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, the ZEBRA ZD410 (Amazon link) is a flexible and effective barcode printer with many features that make it perfect for small enterprises or personal use.
5. Phomemo M110
Phomemo is a brand that produces labels and barcodes with help of thermal printing technology for a variety of uses like for shipping and organizations. The Phomemo M110 is compatible with both android and iOs which makes it a versatile and convenient option for printing.
Important features:
- It uses thermal printing technology to print long lasting barcodes.
- It can be connected to Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth.
- Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to take with you wherever you go, so you can print labels on the spot.
- It offers a resolution of 203dpi for readable barcodes.
- The maximum speed of the printer is up to 22mm per second.
- The M110 has a built-in rechargeable battery that provides up to 4 hours of continuous label printing on a single charge.
The rechargeable and high speed printing feature of the Phomemo M110 (Amazon link) makes it the best choice for barcodes and label printing.
6. Star micronics SM-S203i
Star Micronics is dedicated to offering outstanding customer support and service, and they provide a variety of tools and resources to help their clients make the most of their goods.
The Star Micronics SM-S230i is a small, portable receipt printer that supports printing from mobile devices with a variety of features and capabilities.
Important features:
- It is a compact and lightweight design which makes it easy to carry device.
- It supports both bluetooth and USB connectivity.
- It is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows devices.
- It supports a range of barcode printing formats, including PDF417, QR Code, and Data Matrix barcodes.
- It is capable of producing high-quality receipts with a print speed of up to 80mm per second.
- Up to 13 hours of printing can be done with the SM-S230i on a single charge. It has USB and AC adaptor charging options.
Businesses of all shapes and sizes favor Star Micronics SM-203i (Amazon link) because of its lightweight portability, high-quality printing capabilities, and variety of networking possibilities.
7. JADENS JD168BT
JADENS is a brand that produces a variety of Bluetooth and USB support label printers. JADENS JD168BT is made specifically to print labels that include USPS barcodes and mailing information, which are frequently used in logistics and shipping processes.
Important features:
- It uses direct thermal transfer technology to print barcodes and labels.
- It supports macOS, WINDOWS, ANDROID & IOS operating systems.
- For connectivity, the device supports both Bluetooth and USB connections.
- It offers a resolution of 203 dpi which makes it a device to print clear barcodes.
- The device offers a maximum speed of 6 inches per second; it is a good choice for massive production.
In a short summary, the JADENS JD168BT (Amazon link) printer’s high speed and quality make it a great choice for businesses and individuals who need to print a large volume of labels quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
For businesses and organizations that need to print and produce high-quality, scannable barcodes, barcode printers are valuable tools. To select the best barcode printer that can print readable and clear barcodes, you must need proper knowledge about the different barcode printers.
In the market different barcode printers with different specifications are available and it becomes difficult and frustrating to pick one device from dozens of devices for yourself.
In order to avoid getting bored, you should consider a few factors into account before purchasing a suitable barcode printer.
- Affordability
- Printing speed
- Printer resolution
- Cost
- Easy to use
- Label size
I believe that Phomemo M110 (Amazon link) is the best barcode printer based on all of these qualities. The product has received positive reviews. The good thing about this printer is that it provides a high resolution of 203 Dpi, is rechargeable, and uses thermal technology for barcode printing. These characteristics make this printer a good contender for the top spot.
Questions about Barcode Printer
In this section, we will answer some most asked questions about the barcode printer.
Q1. What are the advantages of using a barcode printer?
Using a barcode printer can save time and reduce errors in business processes. It can improve efficiency by allowing for faster scanning and data entry and also enhance customer services through fast and more accurate processing.
Q2. Can I connect my barcode printer to multiple devices or a network?
Yes, many barcode printers offer multiple connectivity options, such as USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, allowing you to connect to multiple devices or a network. But be sure your particular barcode printer has the connectivity options you need.
Q3. How to maintain a barcode printer?
Regular maintenance is necessary to keep a barcode printer in good shape and avoid problems like poor print quality and mechanical breakdowns. By following the manufacturer’s manual for cleaning and upkeep you can maintain the barcode printer.
Q4. Can I use a barcode printer to print other types of labels besides barcodes?
Yes, many barcode printers can also be used to print other types of labels, such as product labels or shipping labels. You can also create a custom label design and directly print it from the printer because some barcode printers come with label design software.
Q5. How reliable are barcode printers?
In general, barcode printers are reliable and durable. However, a variety of factors, including the brand, model, and usage environment, might affect how reliable they are.
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