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Thermal label printers are the perfect way to keep your home or business organised. Within seconds, you can create labels that designate important files, identify products, ensure correct food storage and more – without an ink cartridge in sight. Most thermal label printers are compatible with Microsoft PCs, or with smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth connection. However, if you’re using an Apple Mac, it can be hard to find a model of label printer that works with your machine. That’s why we’ve searched across the market to find you the best label printer for Mac computers, comparing different machines against the criteria that make a label printer truly excellent: speed, efficiency, print quality and value for money. This list includes a variety of machines suited to a range of purposes, so you can find the one that does exactly what you need. Here are our top five picks for the best label printer for Mac in 2022.
Product Comparison Table: Best Label Printer for Mac
| Title | Price | Rating (Amazon) | Best in class | Buy | |
 | iDPRT SP310 Thermal Label Maker | $$ | 3.5 stars | Best for home | Amazon |
 | Brother P-Touch PT-P950NW Industrial Network Laminate Label Printer | $$$$ | 5 stars | Best for business | Amazon |
 | iDPRT SP320 Thermal Label Printer | $$ | 3.5 stars | Best portable | Amazon |
 | DYMO S0915400 Plug N Play Label Maker | $ | 4 stars | Best value | Amazon |
 | Brother PT-700 Connectable Label Printer | $ | 4.5 stars | Best overall | Amazon |
iDPRT SP310 Thermal Label Maker
The iDPRT SP310 Thermal Label Maker boasts an impressive print speed of 100 2×3 inch labels per minute. This averages out as 102 mm/s, 50% faster than some of the competing thermal label printers on the market. Better still, this machine has a solidly high resolution of 203dpi, which comes close to the 300dpi you would expect from most monochrome office printers. Auto Label Detection means that the printer is capable of intelligent size recognition; simply feed in any size of label between 1 inch (25mm) and 3.35 inch (85mm) wide, and the SP310 will detect the size, before calibrating itself accordingly. This means no more skewed prints or miscalculated sizes. Lastly, the printer only supports USB connections, and is compatible with all the major operating systems for desktop PCs and laptops: Windows, Mac and Linux.
Pros
- High resolution for clear prints
- Fast printing speed
- Automatic size detection
Cons
- Only supports USB connection
Verdict
The iDPRT SP310 Thermal Label Maker is perfect for making address labels, storage labels and other types you would use around the average home. Although it can’t make anything larger, the decently fast print speed means sorting out your storage spaces won’t involve waiting around for labels to print. Plus, being desktop mounted means it slots in easily within your existing home office.
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Brother P-Touch PT-P950NW Industrial Network Laminate Label Printer
Designed as a workhorse machine for heavy-duty business environments, the Brother P-Touch PT-P950NW Industrial Network Laminate Label Printer creates durable laminated labels that can withstand even the most extreme conditions: wet weather, chemical exposure, concentrated UV light and abrasive contact. Despite their hardiness, however, the labels don’t take long to print, taking approximately 3 seconds per image. The resolution is extremely high at 360dpi, too. A built-in auto cutter combines with easy-peel backing and drop-in tape replacement to make the printer efficient and foolproof to use for even the most junior employees. As for connectivity, several devices including smartphones, tablets and Macs can be connected at once via Wi-Fi, or wired Ethernet for extra reliability. The included P-touch Editor 5 label design software is compatible with Mac, too.
Pros
- Includes label design software
- Extremely durable labels
- High resolution for clear prints
- Advanced connectivity options for multiple users
Cons
- Very expensive
Verdict
In business workspaces – where errors can be devastating – you need to be able to produce clear labels that can be read in any conditions. With its super high resolution and durable laminated rolls, the Brother P-Touch PT-P950NW Industrial Network Laminate Label Printer won’t let you down when you need it most. Plus, the included software being compatible with Mac sets this one apart from most on the market, and makes it a dead cert for this list.
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iDPRT SP320 Thermal Label Printer
The most striking feature of the iDPRT SP320 Thermal Label Printer is its entirely wireless connection setup; using Bluetooth connection it can easily connect with iPads, iPhones and Macs, while remaining portable. It can print UPC codes, address labels, storage labels and all the labels a business could need, up to a maximum width of 3.15 inches. Any generic or proprietary label rolls are compatible, allowing you to print a variety of colours and finishes without causing damage to the machine. Plus, the box includes the free label editing tool HiLabel for iOS, so you can design labels easily on the go – this is not compatible with desktop Macs, however, unlike the basic printing function. The printing speed reaches a maximum of 140 2×3 inch labels per minute (180 mm/s), at a resolution of 203 dpi.
Pros
- Portable, compact design
- Uses any generic or branded label prolls
- Very fast printing speed
Cons
- Label design software not compatible with Mac
Verdict
Despite limiting our access to the iDPRT Label Designer tool, the company behind the SP320 Thermal Label Printer still has plenty to offer Mac users. This printer has the fastest speed on this list, and is entirely portable and wireless. This makes it extremely useful for both business and home, providing a level of versatility some others on this list could only dream of. Accepting generic labels only makes it even more flexible.
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DYMO S0915400 Plug N Play Label Maker
The DYMO S0915400 Plug N Play Label Maker is geared towards providing incredible value, despite its modest price. After connecting to your Mac via USB, the Plug N Play gives you access to all the fonts already loaded on your computer to make a huge number of style, size and orientation choices. You can even add graphic files, logos, barcodes and more, all in a very serviceable 180dpi resolution. Although the USB connectivity might make you think this machine won’t be portable, this cable also charges the rechargeable batteries built into the printer; once charged, you can connect to the printer with Bluetooth for use on the go. As for printing capabilities, the machine can handle any DYMO branded label rolls under 1 inch wide, in a variety of finishes: standard, laminated vinyl, and flexible nylon.
Pros
- Great value low price
- Rechargeable battery for portable use
- Plug N Play software
Cons
- Lower print resolution
- Only prints labels up to one inch width
Verdict
Coming in at one of the lowest retail prices on this list, the DYMO S0915400 Plug N Play Label Maker nevertheless offers incredible value for money. With the Plug N Play technology, users can instantly start making labels for whatever purpose they need, no technical expertise required – what more could you want from an entry-level printer? The limitations on output might be too stringent for larger businesses, however.
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Brother PT-700 Connectable Label Printer
In a similar price range to the DYMO S0915400 Plug N Play Label Maker, the Brother P-Touch P700 Label Maker also includes the Plug N Play function; after plugging the machine into your Mac, you can use the computer’s preloaded fonts, images and graphics to create professional-looking labels in a snap. It also has the USB chargeable battery function for portable use, too. However, unlike the DYMO, this machine boasts some extra features – an auto cutter, repeat printing capability and a maximum print width of 24mm – that push it into a whole new level. With enhanced P-Touch editor software, you can download additional templates from the Cloud for inspiration, and even automatically detect the colour of fed tapes to simulate a true-to-colour version on screen. Although the printer only accepts Brother TZe family tapes, these come in a range of finishes: durable laminated tape, iron-on fabric tape, standard tape, coloured tape, tamper-evident security tape, flexible nylon cable tape and more.
Pros
- Advanced P-Touch editor software
- Plug N Play instant printing
- Wide and versatile label types
Cons
- Relatively slow print speed (30 mm/s)
Verdict
The Brother P-Touch P700 Label Maker takes elements from all the other printers on this list – durable labels, high print quality, portability and more – and combines them in one great value package. This thermal printer provides everything you would need for home and business labelling. The print speed may be relatively slow, however the flexibility, versatility and quality easily render this inconsequential. This is our top choice for the best label printer for Mac in 2022.
