DYMO LabelManager 160 Portable Label Maker with One-Touch Smart Keys & QWERTY Keyboard - Easy-to-Use Label Printer for Home & Office Organization - Large Display for Clear Visibility - Perfect for Filing, Storage & Shipping Labels (Black)

Most of the handheld label printers are built using ABC keybaords vs. the QWERTY keyboard, and that was a key factor in my decision to buy this scanner. Some people have claimed that using DYMO label makers vs. Brother label makers will save money as the DYMO does waste less label when printing, this is both true and false --- I will explain more further down in this review.I would like to add to this review a comment about batteries, there has been multiple comments about this label maker "eating batteries"; I have used up trial cartridge and many labels into my second cartridge and have not changed the batteries in this unit. I am using Eneloop Rechargeable batteries and they have performed flawlessly. Keep in mind that this would be a higher drain type of device when printing and cheap "Super Duty" (Non-alkaline or cheap Rechargeable) batteries are probably not going to work well. As always, I recommend the investment in Eneloop batteries with a good charger (LaCrosse BC-700)PROs:- Handheld form factor- Easy to use- Prints nice looking labels- QWERTY KeyboardCONs:- NO access to any special charactors except via menus (i.e. if you need a "-" or a "." on your label, there is NO button for this and you have to go into the symbol menu to find the symbol you want) ... This is annoying and is the reason that this label maker looses one star (most of my labels include "-" or "." in them)******************************************************************************************* The truth about actual label costs (Pictures will be attached to this review) *******************************************************************************************I printed out labels using a Brother P-Touch PT-2030 and the DYMO LabelManager 160 and these were the results of my findings:As of the time of this writing, the DYMO 1/2" D-1 label roll is selling for $14 and includes 23 feet (276 inches) of labelAs of the time of this writing, the Brother 1/2" P-Touch label roll is selling for $11 and includes 26.2 feet (314 inches) of labelI printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "TEST-XX-01"The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 2.75" in length which would allow 100 labels to be printed on a $14 roll *** $0.14 per labelThe Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4" in length which would allow 78 labels to be printed on the $11 roll *** $0.14 per label*** TIE ***I printed two labels that had this text in 24pt BOLD "255.255.255.255"The DYMO label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 3.375" (3 3/8") in length which would allow 81 labels on $14 roll *** $0.17 per labelThe Brother label that was printed including wasted space on both sides was 4.5" in length which would allow 69 labels on a $11 roll *** $0.16 per label*** BROTHER WINS ***The DYMO would win with smaller labels, it seems that my first label tested is about the tie breaker in size.Bottom line:If you print SMALL labels, you will get more for your money using a DYMO label printer with less waste per labelIf you print larger labels, you will get more for your money using a BROTHER label printer even though it waste more per labelThe DYMO generally prints more labels per roll than the brother, even though there is less label per cart, however the Brother label is cheaper at this time.There is also the consideration that you might be ok with the extra tape used by the dymo, and that you might hate how much extra tape is used with the brother, ... How much time might you spend trimming brother labels because they are huge?They are both great label makers ... I hope this review helps someone make an informed decision!So I was always curious about the Dymo because people talked about how it didn't waste label paper. I had owned the Brother PTD210 and ended up buying the Dymo. After using both a lot, I definitely prefer the Brother. But this is a review of the Dymo so let's begin. The first thing I noticed was it's a very basic machine. No font options (just an arial-type font with bold, italics, etc.). The sizing options are limited. The available graphics are limited and not drawn particularly well. The best aspect is how simple the machine is. You type the text and hit print and then cut it. There is no need to feed the label before you cut so you can't accidentally cut your text. The machine is designed to do 1 label at a time which means you type a label, you print, you cut. Then you type the next label, you print, and you cut. There is no advantage to typing multiple labels before cutting because there are almost no adjustable label options. If you only do one label or a few labels at the time, the Dymo is a great option. I actually gave the Dymo to my staff because it's more dummy proof than the Brother because there are almost no options.In comparison, the Brother has so many options from fonts to graphics to how the label is printed. Next to the Dymo, it can be overwhelming. On the Brother, you do have to feed the last label before cutting or else the last label will be cut in the middle.As for "saving" or "wasting" label, if you only print 1 label at a time, the Dymo is better. With the Brother, the first label wastes label paper. However, if you print more than 1 label, the Brother actually consumes less paper than the Dymo. And that's because the Brother has modes like chain print. You can see this in the pictures I included. Note: I picked different fonts just to show you how many fonts the Brother has. Some fonts are bigger than others and some fonts are wider than others. Also keep in mind that the Brother let's you adjust the width of the fonts so you can stretch the font. Bottom line: with the Brother, you type up all your labels and then do 1 cut. This will consume the least paper between the printers. But if you only type 1 label, then the Dymo is a better option. If you try to use the Dymo like you use the Brother, you will waste paper because there's always this huge gap between labels and it's not adjustable like the Brother.The things I don't like about the Dymo is how plain it is. Take the above image as an example. There is no battery graphic. So I ended up using a screw. The Brother has so many pictures in so many different categories, and the Brother has better pictures. I printed a label with a computer picture on both the Brother and the Dymo and the Dymo image was very old-fashioned. The other thing I don't like about the Dymo is the keyboard layout. The good is that it's a narrow machine that you can wrap around. However, I can't stand how the keys in a row are right up against each other but then when you go to the row above or below, how far that row is. The Brother keyboard is better laid out. Also, the feel of the Brother is better to me.In the end I just feel the Brother is the better machine if you really want to do custom labels with fancy designs. It just has so many features. It's even easier to do things like print multiple copies of the same label. However, for people that don't want to really use labelmakers, the Dymo is more dummy proof and wastes less labels when printing individual labels. When I gave the Brother to my staff, I told them to print all their labels before cutting it. But they kept doing 1 at a time. So the staff that wanted more control over the label design preferred the Brother. It's for the power users. And the staff that just wanted to print 1 label preferred the Dymo.The product is exactly what I wanted! I have absolutely enjoyed labeling several items in my home and garage. The adhesive on the labels is good quality and will come off every surface I have used thus far with ease.Good value. Works as advertised. Some reviews said it really goes through the batteries. I did not have that experience. But in new batteries and used all afternoon labeling things in the shop no issuesI really like this label maker. It does the job and I like the small size of the label maker.The label maker works fine. I really like the QWERTY keyboard. Still learning how to use it, but I notice there isn't a clear button, which really is a pain in the a... Very inconvenient if you try to clear a previous long text...Easy to use, sticks well and prints clearly. Great for labeling anythingWorks great easy to use, I labeled a lot of things. Now I don't need to open a container to know what's in it.I bought this primarily to label food going into the freezer as many frozen meals or sauces were being thrown out as unidentifiable. I as probably expecting an upgrade of the old Dymo embossed labels but these are professional printed labels which are good enough to use on display eg organisers as on Stacey Solomon’s tv programme. The freezer is properly organised too and the labels adhere perfectly. Update*. My wife has now labelled all the shelving in our large shed and I know where everything is. Could have done with it years ago!I've had a DYMO labelmaker for many years, but it eventually gave up the ghost. This one replaces it. Nice that this has a qwerty keyboard instead of an abcd one.Hmmm, I wanted to like this - I’m a big fan of a good labeller, and I use a Brother which has lasted years and is just as good now. I got this Dymo for my mother, as it has a qwerty keyboard which she finds easier to use. But the print window is tiny! You really have to squint to see what you’ve pressed - I can manage but at her age, it’s not so easy. Yes you get different font styles (not different fonts, just styles - italic, bold etc) and sizes so that’s all fine, plus lots of symbols (she’d only use the basics) so it’s almost over engineered. And it uses 6 AA batteries, which is a heck of a lot, let’s hope they last - buy decent ones! The Dymo is a well established brand and you do pay for the name, on this (over £34 although you get two tapes) and the tapes themselves. I’ll stick with my old faithful Brother, although my mother is happy with this and is now labelling everything (sometimes with spelling mistakes as she can’t see the tiny screen!)Wanted one since I was a kid, use one at work (school) and decided to treat myself. All my Christmas decoration boxes are labelled and can’t wait to label more!! Nice clear print, on large setting for me and could reposition label on plastic box if not quite right easily, has lots of functions/fonts/sizes etc but not explored those options yet.Produces good prints, very intuitive with the functions being fairly obvious from the keys, only improvement I could suggest is making a long press of the delete key delete the lot, it will delete continuously if you hold it down but 1 letter at a time, bit tedious if it is a long label. Yes that's it! I bought the American one as it was cheaper and had three rolls of tape with it as a bonus, I still have no idea what the difference is! Possibly a warranty issue? I'm not concerned, it was a good purchase and addictive, I have been labelling everything around the house, even multi-plugs so I can switch off the correct one if needed, (yes I may need counselling) - but it's great!!