We tested five label makers with a variety of price points and functionality. The Brother P-Touch Cube Smartphone label maker ($40) and the abrasively called DYMO the 450 Turbo label printer ($73) come with a range of digital capabilities. They can be connected through Bluetooth to your smartphone (Brother) or via USB cable to your computer. It allows you to design custom templates and images, if that’s what you like. The DYMO Labelwriter 450 Turbo Thermal can also print postage and produce up to 71 labels in a minute. None of these I’ve ever had to do.
In order to use the sleekly designed Brother P-Touch Cube, you need to download the special P-Touch app, which right there is a deal-breaker for me, what with my can-I-just-pick-it-up-and-use-it rule. This model is for you if you like the idea of making labels using your phone.
We tested the DYMO LetraTag ($18) that came with an alphabetic keyboard, a slow printer and low-quality labels, with a difficult to get rid of paper backings.
dymo label maker