Top Label Makers to Help You Organize Your Home Like an Expert

Top Pick

The Brother P-Touch Cube Plus shines with its simple setup, Bluetooth connectivity, extensive font options, and stylish design. Unlike some other models, it lacks a built-in keyboard, but its wireless printing feature from smartphones makes it incredibly convenient. This model also supports spellcheck and voice-to-text, which helps prevent errors—something traditional label makers can't offer. It’s the ideal choice for those seeking portability and efficiency.

Teeple highly recommends this label maker, calling it her 'personal organizing sidekick.' While it comes at a higher price point compared to others, it's a reliable, long-term investment for anyone serious about organizing their space. It works with tape sizes from 1/2 to 1 inch and offers three software options: P-touch Design&Print for creating labels, Brother iPrint&Label for smartphone or tablet printing, and P-touch Editor for greater customization.

This model lets you save your favorite fonts and use pre-set templates, making it versatile for any labeling job. Plus, several of its software options can handle multiple languages. It also offers a sleek design that adds a touch of style to your desk, as opposed to the bulkier, functional label makers you typically find.

Dimensions: 5 x 2.6 x 5 inches | Weight: 1.41 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 1 inch

Best Budget

For a no-frills label maker that simply works, the Dymo Embossing Label Maker is the way to go. This classic tool is dependable and fairly easy to use once you get accustomed to it. While there’s a slight learning curve when typing manually, it still stood out as the best option among the more affordable choices we tested.

To type, turn the wheel and press down—start off lightly and gradually increase the pressure. Note that it only offers one font, and the alignment might not always be perfect, so it’s not ideal for those seeking uniform labels. However, if you enjoy the vintage appeal of embossed labels and want a lightweight, budget-friendly option for basic labeling, this is a solid choice.

Dimensions: 6.25 x 8.38 x 3.75 inches | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Max Label Width: 3/8 inch

Best for Home Organization

The Brother P-Touch Home Personal Label Maker stands out as a value choice due to its broad selection of built-in templates, simplifying the process of organizing your home with just a button press.

Whether you're labeling pantry items or packing for a big move, this compact and portable device ensures easy identification at a glance. It can display two lines of text simultaneously on the LCD preview screen and stores up to 30 labels for quick access to your favorite designs. Keep in mind, however, that there are only 14 font options available on the QWERTY keyboard, though you can still choose from 10 styles and over 600 symbols.

Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.1 x 2.7 inches | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Power Source: 6 AAA batteries | Max Label Width: 1/2 inch

Best Bluetooth

We favor Bluetooth label makers for their use of thermal printing, which is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to ink cartridges. The Niimbot D110 Label Maker Machine stands out as a top option for anyone who needs to label items on the go, thanks to its slim, lightweight build, making it ideal for both home and office environments.

Pairing your Apple or Android device with Bluetooth is a breeze using the app, giving you the ability to preview labels and reduce waste by typing directly from your phone before printing. Unlike other apps, this one is intuitive enough that you won’t need instructions—the setup is so simple you can start printing in under five minutes. The app includes 19 fonts and supports multiple languages, along with emojis and symbols.

Dimensions: 2.76 by 3.94 by 0.79 inches | Weight: 0.44 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 5/8 inch

Ideal for Crafters

For the ultimate crafting enthusiast, the Cricut Joy is the perfect tool. This label maker can craft personalized labels for nearly anything—from the final touches on a scrapbook to creating a one-of-a-kind birthday card. It can write in custom fonts and cut shapes as long as 4 feet on over 50 different materials, such as vinyl, cardstock, and iron-on transfers.

The printer connects to your smartphone, allowing you to print any design you can imagine. The Cricut Joy is perfect for those with plenty of creativity and a little patience—though it might feel too complicated and costly for simpler labeling tasks.

Dimensions: 8.5 by 5.5 by 4.25 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 4 inches

Perfect for Educators

Whether it’s the beginning of a new school year or the return after winter break, preparing the classroom for students can be a challenge. Fortunately, the Dymo LabelManager 280 Rechargeable Portable Label Maker offers speed, convenience, and efficiency, making the task easier. This device is perfect for creating organized files, notes, name tags, folder labels, toy bin labels, and more, as it works with labels ranging from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch wide.

As stated by the manufacturer, this model operates 50% faster than other Dymo models, ensuring effortless classroom organization. We appreciate its handy design, which is compact enough to be used with one hand and small enough to be easily stored in a desk when not in use.

The clear LCD display screen shows 14 characters across two lines at once and allows you to save up to 15 frequently used labels for quick access. Although the device comes with only three fonts, you can connect it to a Mac or PC via Bluetooth for a more personalized labeling experience.

Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 2 inches | Weight: 1.59 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 1/2 inch

Best Portable Option

Possibly the most fashionable label maker available, the Phomemo D30 comes in six eye-catching colors, such as classic white, pale pink, and lilac. This compact device fits easily in the palm of your hand and is just slightly over 6 inches in length, about the size of a smartphone. Its sleek, lightweight design allows for labeling on the go, and with its rechargeable battery, you won’t have to worry about carrying spare batteries.

The highlight of this label maker is its ability to print up to three lines, along with more than 30 preloaded fonts and 1,600 symbols. The Bluetooth-enabled app also supports batch printing, making it an excellent choice for small businesses as well.

Dimensions: 6.1 x 4 x 1.65 inches | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 5/8 inch

Best for Embossing

Embossing label makers offer a classic, retro style for those who love the old-school approach. Whether you’re organizing your food storage containers or doing crafts, the raised-text labels provide a unique and fun way to stay organized.

Instead of using ink or thermal printing, this model employs a "turn-and-click" system, where you align the desired letter or symbol and apply pressure to imprint it onto the tape. With 48 character options—letters, numbers, and some symbols—this device is perfect for labeling photo albums, office supplies, and kitchen items. The labels are durable, resistant to water, temperature, grease, and fading. However, they require more force for clear lettering, which could make this tool less suitable for children.

Dimensions: 4.96 x 3.62 x 4.64 inches | Weight: 0.71 pounds | Power Source: Manual | Max Label Width: 3/8 inch

Ideal for Shipping Needs

This Bluetooth-enabled label printer is perfect for small business owners in need of a dependable solution for shipping labels. The ASprink Bluetooth Thermal Shipping Label Printer is versatile, working with a variety of labels, such as envelopes and address or logo labels. With a printing speed of 150mm/s, it can produce over 72 labels per minute, ensuring high-quality, clear labels that maintain their clarity even after 12 hours of continuous use.

Setting up the app is a breeze, and it’s incredibly simple to pair it with your Bluetooth or computer via the USB cord. This allows you to type and edit your labels directly from your preferred device, making the process even more convenient.

Dimensions: 9.06 x 6.42 x 6.5 inches | Weight: 6.98 pounds | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Max Label Width: 4.6 inches

Final Thoughts

Our top recommendation is the Brother P-Touch Cube Plus Wireless Label Maker for its user-friendly setup, Bluetooth compatibility, and versatile features that help you organize any space. If you're looking for a no-frills label maker, the Dymo Organizer Express Pro Embossing Label Maker Kit is a simple, yet reliable option.

How to Choose the Perfect Label Maker

Handheld vs. Desktop Models

Both handheld and desktop label makers come with their own advantages. Teeple recommends handheld models for casual users who are mainly looking to improve household organization. “Desktop label printers can be less intuitive when it comes to home labeling,” she explains. “With handheld labelers, you can easily move around the house and label items in the areas you are organizing. Meanwhile, desktop label printers are more suited for office settings, such as labeling a drawer full of paper files.” For small businesses, a desktop model is more efficient for printing labels.

Keyboard Layout

Teeple advises against opting for keyboards arranged alphabetically. “For most people, it actually slows down label creation,” she points out. “I recommend avoiding handheld label makers without a QWERTY keyboard.”

Along with handheld label makers that feature standard QWERTY keyboards, there are also Bluetooth-enabled models that sync directly with your phone or computer for easy typing. While this option provides additional creative flexibility, some users prefer a single device setup—if that’s the case, an integrated keyboard would be the better choice.

Power Source

Rechargeable batteries are typically the most convenient and eco-friendly option for powering your label maker—especially for portable models. Instead of buying and replacing batteries regularly, you can recharge your label maker as needed. While we generally prefer rechargeable models, battery-powered options like the Phomemo D30 Label Maker Machine offer compact portability, so you won’t have to worry about finding an outlet to recharge.

Settings and Features

When choosing a label maker, think about the extra features that suit your needs. If you’re looking to organize your home, a Bluetooth-compatible model that lets you move around the house might be best. For those into crafting or scrapbooking, check the variety of fonts available to unleash your creativity. Small business owners should also make sure the model includes the ability to print barcodes or shipping labels, as these features can be essential.

Common Questions About Label Makers

How do thermal label makers operate?

Thermal label makers work by using heat instead of ink or toner. The print head applies heat to a heat-sensitive material, which then forms the design or image as it moves through. This method makes thermal label makers more affordable and eco-friendly, eliminating the need for ink cartridges.

Do label makers require ink?

It depends on the label maker type. Traditional models need ink or toner cartridges, while embossing label makers, such as the Labelife Embossing Label Maker Machine, operate manually, stamping characters into the tape. Thermal label makers, however, do not need ink, as they generate images using heat.

Are label makers truly beneficial?

Teeple describes label makers as essential tools for those who thrive on organization. They help us not only get our spaces in order but also keep them that way. She mentions, “Labels make us accountable, ensuring we put things back where they belong, and act as constant reminders to maintain a tidy environment. They also work as a map within your home, allowing everyone to know where things are.”

Is it possible to print labels using a regular printer?

You can certainly print labels with a home printer, but for frequent label users, investing in a dedicated label maker is a smart move. Label makers create labels in the right size, which are automatically cut and can be quickly adhered to any surface. In contrast, regular printer labels require manual cutting and additional steps to attach them to surfaces.

Trust Our Advice

This article is authored by Sophie Dodd, a contributing writer at Mytour who focuses on travel and lifestyle topics, and was later updated by Jamie Fischer, a writer at Mytour. To identify the best label makers, we researched numerous options, evaluating them based on ease of use, portability, and overall value. We also consulted with Katrina Teeple, the owner of Operation Organization, to get her expert advice on the features to prioritize in a label maker.