Label printers are devices used to create labels with text, graphics, barcodes, or other information on various types of label materials, such as adhesive paper, plastic, or fabric. These printers are commonly used in various industries, businesses, and personal settings for tasks such as labeling products, organizing files, and creating shipping labels.
Thermal label printers are a category of label printers that use thermal printing technology to create labels. Thermal label printers encompass two primary categories: thermal transfer printers and direct thermal. Thermal transfer label printers employ a thermal printhead to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the label material. These printers excel in applications requiring long-lasting labels, high-resolution graphics, and resistance to environmental factors. They can print on a wider range of materials, making them suitable for product labeling, barcode generation, asset tracking, and more. However, the need for ribbons increases ongoing consumable costs.
In contrast, direct thermal printers function by applying heat directly to heat-sensitive label paper, causing it to darken and create the desired text, graphics, or barcode. They are valued for their simplicity, cost-efficiency (no need for ink or ribbons), and speed, making them ideal for applications like shipping labels and receipts. However, direct thermal labels are less durable and may fade over time due to sensitivity to heat and environmental conditions.
We recently got our hands on BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer. It is a direct thermal printer with the benefit of Bluetooth connectivity (in addition to the USB connectivity).You can seamlessly pair the printer with phones, tablets (compatible with Android and iOS), and Windows computers. For users preferring a wired connection, the printer can be connected via a USB cable and is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, and Linux. But how does it perform in real life usage?
This is the review of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer. We are writing this review after using and testing the device for printing different labels and stickers. We will discuss our thoughts on the ease of use, compatibility, app/software experience, quality of the print, and many. Continue reading the review to find out more about the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer.
We will begin the review with unboxing and taking a look at the contents of the package. First, we have the main unit i.e., the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer itself. It is a compact little printer with minimalistic design. We will take a closer look at the printer in the next section. Continuing further, we have a power adapter that outputs 24V @ 2.5A. There is also a power cord that plugs into this adapter.
Then we have a USB Cable and a quick start guide. There is also a USB Flash Drive, which contains the drivers for different operating systems and also a USB-C to USB-A adapter. You can use this adapter to connect the printer with a Mac or other similar device that doesn’t have a regular USB-A Port.
We have reviewed a few thermal label printers in the recent past and the overall design of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer isn’t different to those printers. It has a boxy shape with a top section that opens to the side. There is a small latch on the side of the printer that releases the top lid. The top lid also contains the paper feeder button.
If you lift the lid and take a peek inside, you will see a roller attached to the inside of the lid and a thermal print head on the printer. Turning the printer to its back, there is a power on/off switch, a USB Port, and a weird looking power port. Instead of a regular DC barrel plug, they went with a 3-pin DIN plug.
We thought they should have gone with a standard DC plug as finding a replacement would be easy, if ever needed one.
Setting up the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer is fairly simple. There are a few things you need to do with the device and after that you need to install the drivers on your computer. On the device side, we have to properly insert the media i.e., the thermal paper.
To load media into BPXX Thermal label printers, begin by pushing the open button to unlock and open the printer’s cover. Insert the thermal paper into the designated area. Extend the paper roll/stack, ensuring it aligns correctly, and secure it in place using the paper guide. Finally, close the printer’s cover carefully to complete the media loading process.
We can turn the device on and go ahead with installing the driver. So, connect the power supply to the printer and connect the USB cable between the printer and a computer. Insert the USB flash drive that came in the package and install the driver. You just have to follow the on-screen instructions and there is nothing special you have to do.
Without changing any printer preferences or adjusting any settings, we tried to print a standard 4” × 6” shipping label. It immediately started printing and there were no hiccups. After that, we tried printing different sized labels, barcodes, and even some round stickers. All the prints came out very good.
We would like to remind that we got a small stack of 4” ×6” in the package to test the printer. But when you purchase the printer, you won’t get any thermal papers and you have to purchase them separately. The good thing is this thermal printer is compatible with various brands of thermal labels, including fan-fold labels and roll labels. Its auto-detection function simplifies the installation and replacement of thermal labels.
Next, we tried installing the app (4BarCode) on our smartphone to test the Bluetooth functionality. The app is from a third-party source and looks like a generic printer app for barcode and label printers. You can create QR Codes, Shipping Labels, Barcodes, plain text, and many more. Once you connect your smartphone (or the app in it) with the printer, you are ready to print.
Once again, the print process was hassle free. While the app is decent for simple labels and barcodes, we expected a lot more functionality in the app such as pre-designed templates for some stickers.
The BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer supports both wireless (Bluetooth) and wired (USB) printing options. You can use the Bluetooth connectivity for giving prints from phones, tablets (compatible with Android and iOS), and even desktop/laptops with Bluetooth. For a simple and straightforward printing experience and for users who don’t want to install apps on their smartphones, you can use the good old USB connection.
Featuring a rapid printing speed of 6IPS, the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer can print up to an impressive 72 sheets of 4”×6” shipping labels per minute. Moreover, with a high resolution of 203DPI, your labels are consistently clear, resistant to fading, and easily scannable. If you are worried about the longevity of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer, then worry not as the aluminum alloy print head ensures exceptional durability, significantly extending its service life. Remarkably, it can print up to an astounding 300 miles of labels.
Even if you have any problems with either the thermal print head or the label roller, you can easily replace them as BPXX says they are user replaceable. Not sure about availability of the replacement parts though. Your only recurring cost with this thermal printer is the thermal labels. Although you have to purchase the labels separately, we are glad that you are not restricted to any particular brand of labels. You can use fan-fold labels, roll labels, and even round stickers from any brand. But make sure the maximum width of the label is 4.1”.
Another important and useful feature of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer is its automatic label detection. This printer can automatically determine the media size when it is loaded. To do this, place the first label or sheet of paper in the printer and close the cover. The printer will then detect the paper size and be ready to print. If you need to pause the printing job, press the feed key. The LED will blink blue while the job is paused. To resume printing, press the feed key again.
The listing price of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer is $99.99 but with coupons and offers, you can get this printer for a lot less (we have seen $40 coupons). At this discounted price, this thermal label printer with Bluetooth connectivity is definitely one of the bang for the buck printers out there.
Overall, we really liked the hardware aspects of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer. The quality of the prints, Bluetooth connectivity, and the compactness of the printer is very good. The BPXX Thermal label printers offer a versatile and efficient solution for businesses, combining both wireless and wired printing options.
As it doesn’t require ink or ribbon and if you combine the affordable price-tag of the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer, this printer is definitely a cost-effective printing solution for many applications such as small business and individuals.
Both wired and wireless printing are good but the basic Bluetooth app (which we believe is a generic third-party printer app) could be better. Apart from that, the BPXX Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer is definitely worth checking out.
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