Brother QL-820NWB Label Printer Review WiFi Bluetooth Connectivity with Fast Printing

Description

A Professional Label Printer with Flexible Connectivity

Testing the Brother QL-820NWB Professional Label Printer felt like stepping into the future of office gadgets. This compact device is packed with features that make it a solid contender for anyone needing efficient and high-quality label printing. From its WiFi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth connectivity to its remarkable 110 labels per minute speed, the printer is clearly designed for both convenience and productivity.

Design and Build Quality

The design is sleek and practical, with a sturdy build that feels durable enough to handle frequent use. Its compact dimensions of 12 x 9 x 7 inches make it easy to fit on any desk or workspace without feeling cramped. I appreciated how lightweight it is, coming in at just 5 pounds, because moving it around the office didn’t feel like a chore. The interface and controls are intuitive, and I found the app control method particularly handy when I needed to print labels on the go.

That said, there’s no color printing capability, as it uses thermal printing technology. This limitation might not work for those who want colorful logos or designs, but for most professional uses, the 300 x 600 DPI resolution delivers crisp and clear labels.

Performance and Efficiency

As someone who frequently prints address labels, I was genuinely impressed by the performance. The auto-cut feature was a game-changer—it eliminated the hassle of manually cutting labels and saved a ton of time. The speed is another standout feature; printing 110 labels per minute makes it one of the fastest label printers I’ve ever used. Whether I was using USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth, the connection was seamless, and I never experienced delays.

However, the simplex printing (no duplex capability) might be a downside for users who want double-sided printing for certain projects. Still, for its primary purpose of label printing, this wasn’t a deal-breaker for me.

Positives

Here are some aspects I found particularly impressive about the device:

• Versatile connectivity options: WiFi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth make it adaptable to various setups.
• High-speed printing: Produces up to 110 labels per minute, which is incredibly efficient.
• Auto-cut functionality: Adds convenience and eliminates manual effort.
• Compact and lightweight design: Easy to move and fits well in small spaces.

Areas for Improvement

While the printer delivers on many fronts, there are a few caveats worth noting:

• No color printing: Its thermal printing tech limits output to black.
• Single-purpose focus: It’s strictly a label printer, so it doesn’t offer the versatility of an all-in-one device.
• Limited media compatibility: Works with labels, envelopes, and glossy photo paper, but not much else.

Competing Brands

Comparing it to DYMO LabelWriter 4XL, I noticed that the Brother printer offers better connectivity options with Bluetooth and WiFi, which the DYMO lacks. On the other hand, the DYMO model supports wider labels, making it more suitable for shipping labels. Another competitor, the Rollo Label Printer, excels in speed and works with various label brands, but it doesn’t have an auto-cut feature or a display screen, which I found essential on the Brother device.

What sets this thermal printer apart is its user-friendly app control and the included roll of 400 address labels, which is a generous start for most users. It balances efficiency and ease of use better than most rivals in its price range.

Quality for Price

When factoring in its features, the value proposition feels strong. While it’s slightly pricier than some competitors, the inclusion of multiple connectivity options, high-speed output, and the auto-cut mechanism make it worth the investment for small businesses or office settings needing reliable label printing. It’s not the cheapest option, but the thoughtful features and impressive performance justify the cost.

This label printer is a solid choice for professionals looking for speed and flexibility without compromising on print quality. However, those needing more versatile media compatibility or color printing might find alternative options better suited to their needs.

Additional information