If you are running a business then a barcode or label printer is a must need accessory. Currently, Zebra and Dymo Thermal Printers are ruling the thermal label printing industry. So, choosing a thermal label printer among them is tough.
But don’t worry. We are here to help. Because this in-depth comparison guide on “Zebra Vs Dymo Thermal Printers” is going to provide a user-centric analogy between the two products.
However, to understand this analogy better first we need to understand what a thermal label printer is.
What is a Thermal Barcode/Label Printer?
Thermal Barcode/Label Printer is a kind of digital printer that relies on thermal paper and heat instead of toner or ink for printing.
As a result, the printing costs get reduced and there is no noise either. So, they are tremendously used in commercial stores.
Moreover, with some thermal label printers, you can use fanfold labels instead of label rolls. So, the label wastage and cost get even more reduced.
Learn more about thermal printers here Thermal Printer.
Now, let’s have a look at the side-by-side comparison between Zebra and Dymo Thermal Printers
Side By Side Comparison On Zebra Vs Dymo Thermal Printers
This comparison is based on real-life testing instead of just a feature comparison.
| Comparison Factor | Zebra label printer | DYMO Label Printer |
| Setup | Setup process of the Zebra label printer can be difficult for regular users. | Setup process of the DYMO Label Printer is quite easy. |
| Speed | Zebra thermal Printers can print at around 125-130 mm per second. | DYMO Thermal Printers can print at around 85-88 mm per second. |
| Print Resolution | Zebra models can print 4 IPS in 300 DPI/6 IPS in 203 DPI. | DYMO models can print 4.3 IPS in 300 DPI. |
| Media Capacity | It has a media capacity of 5″. | It has a media capacity of 2.44″ |
| External Slot | Most Zebra thermal printer models have an external slot for feeding labels. | DYMO thermal printer models do not have any external slots for feeding labels. |
| Peeler options | Have peeler options available in most models. | Do not have any peeler option available. |
| Customization | Zebra offers a variety of customization options for its users. | DYMO is not quite as customizable as zebra. |
| Label | It supports both label rolls and fanfold labels. | It supports only DYMO label rolls. |
| Colored Labels | Zebra supports colored labels. | Most DYMO models support colored labels. |
| Battery Support | Most Zebra thermal label printers have battery support. | Most DYMO label printers do not support batteries. |
| Compatibility | Compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux. | Compatible with only Windows and MAC. |
| Connectivity | Most Zebra models have USB 2.0/3.0, RS-232, Ethernet, Wireless dual radio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity. | Most DYMO label printers are connectable via USB. |
| Most Suited For | Big businesses or stores. | Small businesses or shops. |
| Affordability | Comparatively expensive. | Affordable. |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
Well, now you might get a clear idea about the thermal printers and their basic difference. Now we will dive deep and look into the short reviews of the thermal printers to understand the differences better.
Zebra Label Printer Review
There are a lot of Zebra label printer models in the market. However, for this comparison, we have chosen the most common one.
Zebra GK420t
Design
Zebra GK420t has a lightweight compact design. It has a dimension of 12.95 x 9.13 x 8.07 inches and a weight of 7.00 pounds. Its robust outer casing makes it more durable and its small size makes it perfect for putting anywhere.
Features
- GK420t has Thermal Transfer Technology: Meaning It can both print using a thermal ribbon or using direct thermal media.
- It has a Max print speed of 5 in/sec with a resolution of 203 dpi.
- Zebra GK420t can be connected via USB, Serial, or Parallel.
- It is compatible with media rolls that have a 1 in core with a max diameter of 5 inches and a max width of 4.25 inches.
Specification
| Compatible With | PC(Windows, MAC, Linux) |
| Scanner Type | Sheetfed |
| Resolution | 203 x 203 DPI |
| Wattage | 70 watts |
Our Verdict On Performance
Zebra GK420t is one of the most reliable barcode printers we have ever tested. We tested this product both in our store and our office and found it to be satisfying every time.
GK420t is reliable, fast, and easy to use. Though it was hard to set up once we got used to it there is no going back.
Some people complained about getting smudge prints on Zebra’s high-quality labels. However, we haven’t found anything on our 1 monthly usage. But if we find anything we will keep you guys posted.
Pros
- Have customization options.
- Supports fanfold and label rolls.
- Can print up to 5 inches every second.
- Can handle bulk printing.
Cons
- The GK420t is quite expensive.
- Hard to set up.
Price and More Information: Amazon
DYMO Label Printer Review
Out of their umpteen models, DYMO LabelWriter 4XL stands in the crowd. So, we have bought this model for this short review.
DYMO LabelWriter 4XL
Design
Compared to most thermal label printers the design of DYMO LabelWriter 4XL is quite stylish. It’s lightweight too. It has a dimension of 10.25 x 10 x 10 in and a weight of 1.82 pounds. So, it’s quite compact.
Features
- DYMO LabelWriter 4XL prints a max 4″ x 6″ label. It can print 53 standard 4-line address labels or 129 high-capacity 4-line address labels in 60 seconds.
- LabelWriter 4XL can print shipping labels (USPS, FedEx, UPS) directly through Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, Shipping Easy, Shopify, ShipStation, and more.
- It comes with a free DYMO Connect Software that has built-in 60 professional label templates and customization options.
- DYMO LabelWriter 4XL has a resolution of 300 DPI. Meaning your text, logos, barcodes come out more crystal clear than ever.
Specification
| Compatible With | PC(Windows & MAC). |
| Connectivity Technology | USB. |
| Resolution | 300 DPI. |
| Batteries | 1 AA battery. |
Our Verdict On Performance
Our experience with DYMO LabelWriter 4XL was satisfactory.
The most amazing feature of LabelWriter 4XL is its print quality. We could not find any other thermal level printer that matches its print quality.
Moreover, it is comparatively fast and has the ability to print directly from websites. So, it’s great for small online businesses.
However, it has some issues too. It does not work well with labels other than DYMO labels which are expensive. Lastly, we have seen many negative reports about it getting damaged after 6-12 months and the customer service is quite awful.
Pros
- Great Print Quality.
- Fast noise-free printing.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Comes with a 2 years warranty.
- Can print directly from websites.
Cons
- Do not support fanfold labels.
- Only supports expensive DYMO label rolls.
- Poor customer service.
Price and More Information: Amazon
By now you have known in detail about both of the thermal label printers. However, before looking at the final verdict let’s have a quick look at some of the FAQs related to this topic.
FAQ
- Will Zebra labels work in DYMO printer?
Actually, it depends on the label type and size. As we have already learned, DYMO printers do not work with fanfold labels. So, Zebra fanfold labels won’t work with DYMO printers. But if the Zebra label is roll type and the size matches then they might work with DYMO printers.
However, keep in mind that most DYMO printers work best with DYMO labels. So, even if Zebra labels work with DYMO printers, the output might not be satisfactory.
- Which brand of label printer is the best?
It completely depends on the usage. For example, DYMO label printers are the Best thermal printer for small business. As they are more affordable and easy to use. However, for big businesses, Zebra thermal label printers are the best. Because they are faster and more reliable.
- Is Dymo Windows 10 compatible?
Most of the modern Dymo printers are windows compatible. By modern, I am indicating the 4 or above series models. Because the older 3 series models are not compatible with windows 7 or windows 10. As the chipset used in the 3 series DYMO models are not currently supported by Windows.
Final Verdict
In this Zebra Vs Dymo Thermal Printers comparison we have learned every single detail about both of the printers. So, which one is best suited for you?
If you have a small shop or online business then DYMO can be the best suit for you. Because they are more affordable, easy to use, and come with a warranty.
On the other hand, Zebra printers are more suited for big or busy businesses. They are more customizable, reliable, fast, and have more features.
From our insight, these printers are not quite comparable. Because they serve different niche markets. But because of the public demand, we created this comparison.
That’s all for today, have a great day!
