Editor
Although it might seem that eCommerce is all about technology, the most crucial part of the online economy takes place offline: shipping. The mail system works symbiotically with the online marketplace, uniting customers with their purchases. When you’re doing this much mailing, you need a reliable, fast and efficient way of producing shipping labels; if these aren’t printed well, you could be facing serious damage to your brand. That’s where thermal shipping label makers come in. With these handy machines, you can print huge numbers of shipping labels directly from your computer program, selling platform or mobile device of choice. However, with so many different shipping label printers on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for your needs. We’ve reviewed hundreds of thermal printers to find you the best for the most common type of shipping label – 4×6 inch stickers. Here are our top five recommendations.
Product Comparison Table: Best 4×6 Thermal Label Printer
| Title | Price | Rating (Amazon) | Best in class | Buy | |
 | NefLaca Thermal Label Printer | $$ | 4 stars | Best for Large Volumes | Amazon |
 | Itari Commercial Shipping Label Printer | $ | 4 stars | Best Value | Amazon |
 | DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Thermal Label Printer | $$$$ | 4.5 stars | Best Premium | Amazon |
 | JADENS Wireless 4×6 Shipping Label Printer | $$ | 4.5 stars | Best Wireless | Amazon |
 | iDPRT SP410 Thermal Shipping Label Printer | $$ | 4.5 stars | Best Overall | Amazon |
NefLaca Thermal Label Printer
The NefLaca Thermal Label Printer uses direct thermal technology to print large volumes, at speed, without inks, toners or ribbons. At its top speed, it can manage 150 mm/s (millimetres per second) – enough for 60 labels per minute. Automatic label detection means it instantly detects the size and shape of fed in labels, and calibrates the machine accordingly. It supports all label sizes from 2” to 4.65” wide, making it perfect for all major shipping/selling platforms including FedEx, USPS, Amazon FBA, Etsy, Ebay and Shopify, among others. As for connection, it doesn’t support Bluetooth or WiFi; this means you have to rely on old-fashioned USB cables, so you can only print from your laptop, Mac or PC.
Pros
- Compatible with all major platforms
- Superfast printing speed
- Automatic label detection
Cons
- No wireless connection
Verdict
The NefLaca Thermal Label Printer is our best option for large volumes of printing. This makes it perfect for larger eCommerce businesses, or even home enterprises that sell a large quantity of smaller packages. The fast printing speed means you won’t have to wait long for your labels to get made. However, the lack of wireless connection makes this a less versatile option, and less useful for sellers who depend on app-exclusive platforms like Depop.
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Itari Commercial Shipping Label Printer
The Itari Commercial Shipping Label Printer prints around 58 labels per minute, and can remain stable for long periods of working; Itari claims the printer can work non-stop for 12 hours or longer, and the print head will last for up to 200,000 prints. Although it doesn’t have automatic label detection, it does support a wide range of label sizes from 1.57 to 4.1 inches wide. This makes it compatible with all major shipping and selling platforms, including eBay, Etsy, Amazon FBA and national posts. Best of all, this machine comes with rudimentary Labelife label editing software, which allows you to create and edit your own labels. However, this machine also only connects via USB, making it incompatible with mobiles.
Pros
- Stable with long-lasting print head
- Compatible with all major platforms
- Comes with Labelife software
Cons
- No wireless connection
Verdict
The Itari Commercial Shipping Label Printer is our best value option, providing excellent long-term performance at a very low price. Usually, buying low-priced heated technology can feel risky, but this machine’s ability to work for long periods at high speed is very reassuring. It is, however, not compatible with mobile devices, requiring a USB connection to work; this could be irritating for new businesses, who often use mobiles to lower costs.
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DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Thermal Label Printer
The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Thermal Label Printer has an ultra-wide capacity, meaning it can support 4×6 labels alongside other, larger types: warehouse labels, barcode and identification labels, bulk mailing labels, and other large-format labels. This means it is compatible with all major shipping label platforms, including those which require barcode labels (such as Amazon FBA). The free DYMO Connect label design software allows you to choose between 60 label templates, customise text and graphics, and optimise resolution up to 300dpi. As for speed, it can print up to 53 standard 4-line address labels or 129 4-line address labels per minute. However, it only supports DYMO’s own-brand FSC Certified LabelWriter paper labels.
Pros
- Prints extra-large format labels
- Comes with DYMO Connect software
- Fast printing speed
Cons
- Expensive
- Only supports DYMO labels
Verdict
The DYMO LabelWriter 4XL Thermal Label Printer is the best premium thermal label printer for 4×6 labels. This printer has a fast speed, and prints even the most unusual formats, making it perfect for specialist companies. The only major issue is the cost; both of the unit itself, and the proprietary labels. These can push running costs much higher than generic labels, so it’s worth adding up whether you can afford to pay premium costs in the long, as well as the short-term.
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JADENS Wireless 4×6 Shipping Label Printer
The JADENS Wireless 4×6 Shipping Label Printer uses a high-tech Japanese thermal print head to achieve a clear, high-quality resolution of 203dpi. It can print label sizes up to 4×6, compatible with all major eCommerce platforms including Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and national posts. The compatible size range includes more uncommon sizes such as FNSKU labels, and Code 128 labels, and there’s automatic label detection too. Speed-wise, it can print up to 150mm/s. The most unique feature of this machine is its wireless connectivity, facilitated either through Bluetooth or the connected app. Bizarrely, however, it is specifically incompatible with MacOS; Mac users have to connect via USB, while Linux and Chromebook users have no compatibility at all. This aside,
Pros
- Fast printing speed
- Wireless connectivity via Bluetooth and app
- Compatible with all major platforms
Cons
- Not compatible with Apple Macs
Verdict
Unless you’re using Mac, Linux or Chrome, the JADENS Wireless 4×6 Shipping Label Printer is an excellent wireless option. The Bluetooth and Wifi connections make it easy to print directly from your mobile devices, including iPads and other tablets. It’s unclear as to why this printer has such a grudge against MacOS users and not iOS; the incompatibility is slightly odd. However, if you’re a mobile user, this machine will suit you just fine.
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iDPRT SP410 Thermal Shipping Label Printer
The iDPRT SP410 Thermal Shipping Label Printer prints at a speed of up to 5.9 IPS (images per second), enough for 72 4×6 labels per minute. Despite its lightning fast speed, however, there’s no loss of quality, with a consistently clear resolution of 203dpi. Automatic label detection means it automatically calibrates to match the size of label you offer it, which can range from a barcode/FNSKU size (2 inches), up to a shipping size (4.25 inches). You can also pick between roll-type labels and fanfold labels, as it supports both. Connection is only available via USB, yet it does offer one-click plug-and-play setup on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Pros
- Compatible with all major platforms
- Superfast printing speed
- Instant setup on Windows, Mac and Linux
- Automatic label detection
Cons
- No wireless connection
Verdict
The iDPRT SP410 Thermal Shipping Label Printer delivers everything you want from a thermal shipping label printer. Firstly, it’s fast, printing at the highest speed of any on this list; this makes it perfect for both large and small enterprises. Secondly, it’s compatible with all major platforms. Lastly, it supports any type of label, including cheaper generics. Although it does only offer a wired connection, this actually makes it more reliable than finicky wireless options like the JADENS. All these features combine to make the iDPRT SP410 Thermal Shipping Label Printer our best overall 4×6 thermal shipping label printer for eCommerce businesses.
