Organize Everything in Your Home With These Top Notch Label Makers (2024)

Our Top Picks

Our best overall winner is the Dymo LabelManager 280 Label Maker. It received a perfect rating for every attribute we tested for: assembly, instructions, portability, functionality, and overall value. Its easy setup was particularly impressive during our testing. The instructions were simple to follow, but you might not even have to read them, because the machine is so intuitive. Just insert the battery and tape cartridge, power it up, and you're ready to roll!

Notably, this handheld label maker also has a large screen with two rows of text, along with six font sizes, six preloaded styles, and a built-in library with upwards of 220 clip art images and symbols. The cartridges cost extra, but when we tested, we appreciated the crisp lettering of the thermal-printed tags. You can also connect it to a Mac or PC via Bluetooth to import your own fonts and graphics, so your experience is very customizable, and you have the flexibility to be creative with the labels you create for your space.

Measuring 8 x 4 x 2 inches and weighing only 1.4 pounds, the LabelManager 280 is conveniently compact, but it's also an excellent choice for at-home use. It runs on a rechargeable battery and can print labels 0.25, 0.375, or 0.5 inches wide. If you're looking for a label maker that is easy to use and offers all of the features you need to tackle any organization project in your home, this is a great pick.

_{Type: Handheld | Storage Capacity: Not listed | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 0.5 inches}

On a budget? Go with the Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro Embossing Label Maker. We found it exceptionally compact, lightweight, and easy to use in our test. To start, it comes preloaded with tape, so no setup is required on your part. This plug-and-play functionality is particularly helpful, since it doesn't come with written instructions. (You can access the instructions on the company's website if you need them, though.) The Xpress Pro also works without any power source, since it's a rotary-style label maker.

Keep in mind that you can't backspace or delete, so you'll need to be very careful that you don't make spelling errors when you're working. However, this style of label maker is also extremely portable and good for anyone who's taking their product to different project sites. While it's very functional, it's not a great pick for larger projects. In our test, we found that the rotary keyboard isn't very efficient. But, for smaller projects, it's quite the companion, as it can stand upright on a desk and is generally compact.

_{Type: Handheld | Storage Capacity: None | Power Source: None | Max Label Width: 0.38 inches}

If you are looking for a handheld label maker that you can use every day, or take with you to complete projects on the go, this is the one you need. The Brother P-Touch Handheld Label Maker weighs 1 pound, even with the batteries installed, and is straightforward to set up. In our test, we had it up and running in just a few minutes, and we didn't even need to read the instructions to prepare it for use. Although it doesn't have as many features as pricier picks, the label maker offers three fonts, 14 frames, and more than 250 preloaded symbols. We also appreciated the soft, comfy buttons on the full QWERTY keyboard.

It almost earned perfect ratings across the board in our testing, and it was only docked because it's not as feature-packed as it could be. For example, you'll want to make sure you have extra batteries, since it takes six AA batteries and can't be recharged.

While the storage capacity, at 15 labels, is more than some products, it's still a bit limited. We also found that it can feel a bit big to hold and use with one hand. For a portable model that you may take with you, that's not necessarily convenient. However, generally, this pick is hard to beat and a good overall value in our eyes.

_{Type: Handheld | Storage Capacity: 15 labels | Power Source: Six AA batteries | Max Label Width: 0.5 inches}

If you are specifically hoping to organize your living space, the Epson LabelWorks PX 300 Label Maker is a superb choice. As we tested, we noticed there are several preloaded fonts, and it also allows you to add customizable text styles, icons, and banners. (Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty!)

Notably, the label maker can also store up to 50 labels, which can save you time as you organize your space, since you won't have to re-design the labels every time you organize your spice containers or tidy your office supplies. We especially appreciated the lightweight, user-friendly design and full QWERTY keyboard that landed the label maker with a perfect rating for functionality.

We did note that the tape works best on smooth surfaces, so keep that in mind when figuring out where to stick all your labels. However, you could try Bostrom's advice for working around tricky surfaces like a basket or cloth: "Grab a label clip, slip it over the side of the basket, and add your label to the clip!" You'll also need to have six AA batteries on-hand. Overall, this pick would ultimately be great for making labels for personal projects or even a small business.

_{Type: Desktop | Storage Capacity: 50 labels | Power Source: Six AA batteries | Max Label Width: 0.75 inches}

Need something extremely compact that you can take with you anywhere? Check out the NiiMbot D11 Cloud Print. Not much bigger than a smartphone, and only about an inch thick, this label maker is the most portable option we tested. It'll fit in any purse and even has a wrist strap for hands-free convenience. Though no assembly is required, you do need to download the NiiMbot mobile app and enable Bluetooth on your phone or tablet for setup and use. Since it only works with the app, you can't pass the Cloud Print label maker between users like standard labelers, but it's still a great option for personal use.

The labels are a preset sticker size (which is the main feature we would change). You can explore tons of templates and customization options on the app. Handy and super slim, it also has a rechargeable battery and comes in multiple colors ranging from sophisticated to cute—all with an affordable price tag.

_{Type: Handheld | Storage Capacity: Not applicable | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 0.59 inches}

The Dymo LabelManager 500TS Touch Screen Label Maker is the perfect label-making tool for small businesses. As we tested, we fund this high-quality gadget flaunts a tech-forward, feature-rich design without veering from the inherent purpose of a standard label maker. In other words, it offers plenty of options to customize your labels with fonts and graphics and hundreds of built-in clip art images and symbols.

This top-of-the-line label maker is a great value. With attention on the all-around, high-end look and feel, we gave this label maker perfect ratings in our test for its setup, instructions, and functionality, noting that it props up on a built-in stand as opposed to laying flat. This feature makes this model very different from other label makers, and it can make it easier to prep labels. It has a rechargeable battery, boasts PC and Mac connectivity, and can store up to 500 labels at once.

_{Type: Desktop | Storage Capacity: 500 labels | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 1 inch}

If you are specifically looking for a desktop labeler, the Brother P-Touch PT- D610BTVP Business Professional Connected Label Maker is our top choice. We want to be clear that we tested an older model, the Brother PTD600 PC-Connectable Labeler. But, with that option now discontinued, and this updated version available in its place, we're excited about the possibilities.

The biggest difference? The latest version offers Bluetooth capabilities, along with a USB cable that gives you the option to print from a computer or mobile device like your phone. It still has a full QWERTY keyboard for on-the-spot printing, too, as well as a full-color screen and full QWERTY keyboard, plus an impressive selection of fonts and customizable lettering options. One of our favorite features from testing the Brother PTD600 was the ability to power it with an adapter or wirelessly with batteries, and we're happy to report that this is also available in the newer model.

When we tested the previous version, we gave it high marks for going above and beyond the basic functionality of some of its peers, and we're glad to see that Brother has offered even more in its next iteration. While this is one of the pricier label makers on the market, we think the abundance of features makes it a reasonable value. However, if you want to protect your investment with the brand's hard-shell case, note that it's sold separately.

_{Type: Desktop | Storage Capacity: 90 labels | Power Source: Plug or 4 C batteries | Max Label Width: 1 inch}

The Brother P-Touch Edge Industrial Handheld Labeling Tool is ideal for construction job sites, workbenches, or garage organization projects. During testing, this heavy-duty gadget earned perfect scores, thanks to its compact design, rechargeable battery, backup battery power source, and the fact that it comes with a hard-shell carrying case. We appreciated that even the polyester labels themselves are very durable.

One potential downside is that it may also be a bit too large to hold with one hand. But there is an included strap that makes it a little easier to carry around while keeping one or two hands free. Like much of its competition, this label maker features a QWERTY-style keyboard that makes creating labels a breeze, and it can be connected to a desktop computer when needed. We also appreciated its "preview" button, which allows you to check your work.

_{Type: Handheld | Storage Capacity: Not listed | Power Source: Rechargeable battery or six AA batteries | Max Label Width: 0.62 inches}

Final Verdict

The best overall is the Dymo LabelManager 280 Label Maker. It's a high-quality, handheld label maker with a full QWERTY-style keyboard, rechargeable battery, and customization options. For our best budget option, we recommend the Dymo Organizer Xpress Pro. It's a user-friendly embossing labeler with rotary-style lettering, offering a lot at a very agreeable price tag.

FAQ

• Is it worth getting a label maker?

  Keeping a label maker on hand is a go-to, expert-approved home organization tip. Whether you're a contractor, small business owner, or office manager, or if you just want to get your home in order, you'll be glad to have one on hand. "We always add [labels] to bins and baskets as the last step to an organizing project," says Bostrom, a professional organizer. "I always say, 'If you're the only one who knows the system, it's not a system.'"

• Do label makers have different fonts?

  Many label makers have several fonts preloaded into the device, including different text sizes and styles. With a high-end pick that syncs to an app or connects to a desktop, you can often add more of your own fonts, as well as symbols, icons, banners, and clip art. Basic embossing labelers will typically only have one font, similar to a typewriter.

• What's the difference between a label maker and a label printer?

  As you're shopping, you'll see the terms "label maker" and "label printer" often used interchangeably, but when you get down to the nitty gritty, there are some differences.

  • A label maker is traditionally a relatively small and portable standalone gadget that allows you to design (when possible), type, and print labels all on the same device. It can feature a display screen to preview what you're creating, but it doesn't always.
  • On the other hand, a label printer typically connects to a computer or app, where the label designing, typing, and previewing take place. Unlike modern desktop printers, a label printer is sized for just labels.

  There are some options that can work both as a standalone gadget or when connected to a computer or phone. Our advice? Go with the device that has the features and functionality that are most important to you, regardless of its label (pun intended). You'll find all of the above types included in our list of recommendations above.