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A label printer has now become a necessity for both formal and informal uses. They make life so much easier at home by labeling the contents inside of your kitchen cupboard, or perhaps for study and work purposes. When it comes to small businesses, labels are a crucial requirement as they consist of various types such as postage labels, which contain essential information such as addresses, etc.
The DYMO 4XL and the Brother QL-1100 are two quite well-known label makers that most users swear by, so I decided to test these out for myself. The given article is a complete and detailed comparison of the DYMO LabelWriter 4XL and the Brother QL-1100 thermal label printers, glossing over their features, as well as their pros and cons. The entire review is based on my experience to give an accurate depiction of these two devices.
| DYMO 4XL | Brother QL-1100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Dimensions | 10.25 x 10 x 10 inches | 8.7 x 6.7 x 5.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.82 pounds | 3.65 pounds |
| Batteries | 1 AA batteries | No internal battery |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Printing Technology | Direct Thermal Printer | Direct Thermal Printer |
| Print Speed | 53 Labels per Minute | 69 labels per minute |
| Print Resolution | 300 dpi | 300 dpi |
| Printable Width | 4 inches | 4 inches |
| Postage Printing | yes | yes |
| Barcode Printing | yes | yes |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Similarities between DYMO LabelWriter 4XL and Brother QL-1100 Thermal Label Printer
Printing Technology
The thermal printing technology is utilized by both the DYMO 4XL and the Brother QL-1100. Printing is done via a thermal head, which helped me eliminate any extra ink and toner costs. It also helped reduce the hassle that comes in replacing ink and toner cartridges.
Usage
These two devices can print out different types of 4-inch labels such as warehouse labels, identification labels, barcode labels, shipping labels, and bulk mailing labels. These label makers are great for printing out mailing addresses, and name tags and visitor badges.
Colour
Both of these devices are currently only available in one color, which is black.
Differences between DYMO LabelWriter 4XL and Brother QL-1100 Thermal Label Printer
Design and Size
DYMO 4XL
The DYMO 4XL label maker has dimensions of 10.25 x 10 x 10 inches and weighs 1.82 pounds. It is a bit compact and can easily be fitted into your desktop without requiring or using any additional space.
Brother QL-1100
This label maker has dimensions of 8.7 x 6.7 x 5.9 inches and has a 3.65 pounds weight. Although it is a bit heavier, it is slightly smaller in size than the DYMO 4XL and can be placed onto a small desktop as well if need be.
Winner: The Brother QL-1100, as it is more compact.
Batteries
DYMO 4XL
A single AA battery can power this device.
Brother QL-1100
There is no internal battery included in the Brother QL-1100.
Winner: The DYMO 4XL, since it can be powered by a battery, which is both a safer and more convenient option.
Print Speed and Resolution
DYMO 4XL
The DYMO 4XL has a printing speed of 53 Labels per Minute, with a print resolution of 300 dpi.
Brother QL-1100
The Brother QL-100 has a printing speed of 69 labels per minute and has a printing resolution of 300 dpi.
Winner: The Brother QL-1100, as it is relatively faster than the DYMO 4XL.
Features
DYMO 4XL
The labels on DYMO 4XL are highly customizable, and I had around 60 different template options that I could choose. I was also given the option to format and customize my labels through different fonts and graphics. This label maker also gave me easy access to directly printing shipping labels from online websites such as Amazon and Etsy.
The inbuilt DYMO Productivity software ensures only the highest quality labels are being printed, as well as barcodes and USPS approved labels. I found this device compatible with my Mac OS X v10.10, but it also works well on Windows 7 and later versions.
Brother QL-1100
The Brother QL-1100 has a unique barcode cropping function that is not easily found in other label makers. It also has a USB host interface and was compatible with my scanner, allowing me to print out scanned labels. The plug & label feature was by far the most convenient, as I could print out labels directly without installing any software on my PC.
This device is cost-effective and can also detect the tape’s size and automatically adjust the label accordingly.
Winner: Although both of these label makers have their own distinct and unique features, the Brother QL-1100 has the upper hand with better quality and more features that I could easily use.
Value for Money
The Brother QL-1100 will give you better value for money, as it comes with multiple features and is also relatively cheaper than the DYMO 4XL.
Pros and Cons
DYMO 4XL
Pros
- Equipped with an excellent label-making program which was of great convenience
- Postage labels can be printed for different services such as USPS and FedEx
- Setting up is relatively easy, and the device is user friendly
- Compatible with most selling platforms and is relatively cheap
Cons
- Does not work properly with Word
- May stop printing as advertised after a while
- LED lights stop working properly after a while
Brother QL-1100
Pros
- Prints fast and is quite reasonable
- Had a decent quality print
- Equipped with a brilliant label design and printing software
Cons
- Does not come with an internal battery, unlike most label makers
Which Termo Label Printer is Better?
Both of these devices were easy to use and fun for label printing; however, the Brother QL-1100 was cheaper and had additional features that helped me during my label making process. I would recommend this label maker to whoever is deciding on investing in one.