MUNBYN RealWriter 401 AirPrint Voice Controlled Thermal Label Printer

Munbyn RW401AP AirPrint Thermal Label Printer

I was recently provided a Munbyn RW401AP  ($299 retail) Thermal label printer to review.   There was zero pressure applied by the nice folks at Munbyn for a positive review.  What you will read here is what I think.

People occasionally send me things to review and it speaks volumes about a product when a manufacturer provides one with no strings attached.  That means they trust their product.

I have owned lots of label printers and primarily use them to print shipping labels.  There are a lot of thermal printers out there that can perform that mission.  So, in this day and age you have to stand out from the pack, with new and cool features.

I believe Munbyn has done just that.

Before I get into this I’d be remiss in not pointing out a couple of connection issues I ran into.   These may or may not impact you as I run a pretty unusual network stack in my home.  In fact they probably won’t impact you.

Let me provide a few details.
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Epson LW-K200PX Label Maker Review

Epson LW-K200PX

I was done reviewing label makers for a while.  And then Epson released a new label maker in their PX line of label makers.  Since I own several more advance PX label printers, the Epson LW-K200PX ($39.99) seemed like something I should pass on.   Then I realized they were offering a promotion in December 2023 to include any two PX tape cartridges for FREE!  That could potentially be an up to $75 value.

I have literally bought used Epson labelers online that I know didn’t work because the included pics showed multiple tape cartridges.  One guy sold a beat up labeler and had 7 cartridges for $25.  I got it just for the cartridges and tossed the machine.   So when I had the opportunity to get a couple extra cartridges that cost $55 or so for $40, AND GET A NEW LABELER, I was hooked.

To sweeten the pot the LW-K200PX comes with a cartridge of 1/2″ black on white tape.  So you are getting THREE tapes to get started.
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Epson LW-PX700 Label Maker Review

Epson LW-PX700

It is no secret that I love label makers.  I have picked up yet another one in my quest to test them all.   Today I will be testing the Epson Labelworks LW-PX700 ($129).  Epson had a 15% off campaign and that’s when I jumped at the chance to get one.

Best of all after ordering mine directly from Epson I got an email stating that VIP members could get a Buy One, Get One label maker.  I immediately emailed Epson who altered my order to BOGO.  I lost the 15% discount but got TWO LW-PX700’s for the price of one.  WOW!

It can also be purchased in the Deluxe Kit also known as the LW-PX700PCD ($209).  I ALWAYS recommend getting the deluxe kits as they include a lithium ion battery, an AC adapter, a USB cable, magnetic mounting feet,  and a roll of tape to get you started.  Top that off with a hard carry case and you are all set.

Included with just the label maker is an AC adapter and 1 tape cartridge.  No battery.

However, this time I did not get the Deluxe Kit.  I already own the Epson LW-PX900PCD Deluxe Kit.  All the accessories are the same.  Most of the extra cost is wrapped up in the lithium ion battery ($79) which is NOT included when you buy just the LW-PX700.
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Epson Labelworks LW-PX800 Label Maker Review

Epson LW-PX800

The latest acquisition to my label maker stable is the Epson LW-PX800 from Epson Labelworks.  I’m actually partial to handheld label makers however, I decided to give a stand alone, network labeler a shot.  And boy, I am glad that I got the Epson Labelworks LW-PX800.  Before I get started I want to state that I intend to use this labeler with Mac OS, and connected via wired LAN.  Or by the IOS apps Epson provides for free.

Epson Label Editor Software is Windows only however, a Lite version is provided for Mac OS.  Label Editor Lite requires a driver and with the driver you download you need to select the box to also install the Epson Network Configuration Tool.  More on that in just a bit.

Who Is This For?

You might think that the Epson LW-PX800 is for industrial and heavy office use.  And you might be right.  However, if you are reading this you undoubtedly have an interest in technology which means you have an interest in having the best tech possible.  If you own lasers, 3D printers, or vinyl cutters, this is right up your alley.  If you are a serious hobbyist or DIY warrior the LW-PX800 is your Huckleberry.
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Epson LW-PX300 Review

Epson LW-PX300

Up today for review is the Epson LW-PX300 label maker.  I easily own more than a dozen label makers and I can tell the good ones from the bad ones.

This label maker costs about $59 and I specifically got the LW-PX300VP kit.  The kit includes a hard case, a bumper guard, an AC adapter, and comes with a 212VTBWPX black on white, 1/2″ label cartridge.  The Full Kit costs about $89.

Missing are 6 AA batteries, however the label maker can be used with only the AC adapter if necessary.  It also has a QWERTY keyboard.

I probably should also mention that I own an Epson LW-PX900 which is their high end, industrial label maker.   The only reason I mention that is because the LW-PX300 does most of the tasks and tricks that the LW-PX900 does.   Conversely, it does it at a fraction of the price.

From a professional standpoint I needed that Industrial label printer to identify wires and cable assemblies.   Now that I’m retired, I don’t need to perform all those advanced tasks.
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Best Label Maker For Home

There is an inherent difference between “The Best Label Maker” and “The Best Label Maker For Home”.  The “best” has multiple features and is used in industrial applications.  But you don’t need to apply bar codes and QR codes around the house.  You just need to slap a label on something for general organization.

Before I retired, I used label makers extensively in my profession.  My main use was for marking wires.  Sometimes I would slap a label across an access door on the equipment I worked on.  It wouldn’t keep anyone out of that access but it would let me know if someone had been inside that access door.   Anyway, I have since moved on from wire marking multi-million dollar pieces of equipment to using label makers to my advantage around the house.  Label makers can make your home life easier and more productive.  Generally, your requirements for a home label maker are going to be much more simplistic.

Let’s look at and compare a few label makers for general home labeling requirements, shall we?
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Brady M211 Label Maker Review

Brady M211 Label Printer

I have to admit that I was attracted to the Brady M211 label maker by an unusual feature.  Magnetic mounting.

I own a fiber laser that is sitting on a rolling tool box.  After laser engraving items I put a label on the item or the box it comes in.   I own at least 12, and maybe more label makers but having a label maker magnetically mounted to the side of the tool box is HUGE for me.  It is right there by the machine and the exit chute on the label maker is pointed straight at me.  It couldn’t possibly be more convenient.
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Epson Label Maker LW-PX900 Review

Epson LW-PX900

The Epson label maker, LW-PX-900 is without a doubt my favorite label printer that I own.

I bought mine in April 2020 from Image Supply.  Since that time I have bought more than a few label printers from various manufacturers.  For all that time the Epson label maker has stayed on the top of my favorites list.

This is the most full featured hand held label printer that I have seen to date.  Maybe the best feature it possesses is that excessive label waste is almost non-existent with this machine.  There is only about 4mm of clear space on either side of your printed label.    I have some label makers that add nearly 1″ of waste on both sides of the printing.  That will get expensive, real quick.

Not only does it automatically cut and hold labels, it also can half cut labels which means you can print a strip of labels where only the label tape is scored and not the backing tape.  You can print a whole bunch of sequential labels and simply peel them off one at a time for application.
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Brady M210 Label Maker Review

Brady M210

I own lots of label makers. Label makers from Dymo, Brother, Epson, K-Sun, and Casio.  But I have never tested or reviewed a Brady label maker.   For years I have heard about how great Brady machines are.  I finally gave into the hype and bought a Brady M210 with my own money.

For years I have wanted one but when you buy from a new manufacturer you need to buy into a whole new eco-system of labels and accessories.   I have stackable storage bins from other manufacturers filled up already.  Bringing in a new ecosystem was hard to justify.  And yet, here we are.  Me with a brand new Brady M210.
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Best Label Maker of 2023

What is the best label maker out there?  If you are in the market for a label maker, one of the first things you learn is that no one really reviews these things.   That’s crazy.  I’m very passionate about label makers and I own MANY of them.  And I’ll buy more if something catches my eye.  I think reviewing label makers is a blast.  Additionally, I can tell you things about them that you won’t see in the product literature.

You’ll find lots of “Best Label Maker” pages out there but I generally get the impression that they are specification driven and that the author just reads Amazon reviews and draws a conclusion.  Me.  I own, and I actually use the printers listed below.  Listing a bunch of affordable printers doesn’t make them the “best”.

So what is the best label maker out there?  The answer to that question depends on you.  What do you want to do with a label maker?  What do you NEED to do with a label maker?  If simple text labeling on an infrequent basis is what you need then I recommend the following:

• Don’t buy the “best label maker”.  You don’t need it.
• Take an economical approach.  Buy an inexpensive one at a big box store.
• Pick one that has refill cartridges that are available locally.

Dymo Letratag

You can buy a Dymo LetraTag at Walmart for around $21.  I personally don’t own one of these, nor have I used one of these.  Just pointing out a local option.   Additionally, I am not calling this the “Best Label Maker Of 2023”.    It is just a good example of text labeling in an inexpensive manner if you have basic labeling needs.

One thing to look out for though is that a lot of these label makers do not come with batteries or sometimes do not even include label tape cartridges.   That could potentially double the price of that inexpensive label maker.  When you add all that together you might be near the price range of some of the “best label makers”.
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