Best Thermal Printer For eBay Shipping Labels (Fast & Cheap)

When my wife and I first started selling on eBay, I worked the 3–11 p.m. shift at my “real” job. I’d get home around midnight, pull the items that sold during the day, and we’d drive to the post office—often standing at the self-service kiosk for an hour or more. I’d punch in label info while Kirstie stuck them on boxes and scribbled our return address by hand.

Looking back, it’s hard not to laugh. Or cringe. Or both.

We had no clue that you could print shipping labels from home. We didn’t know anyone who sold on eBay, so we were just figuring it out as we went.

Eventually, we learned. We started printing labels at home with our regular old inkjet printer. And hey, it worked… at first. But if you’re shipping more than a few items a week, a regular printer just doesn’t cut it.

It’s like trying to hammer in a nail with the handle of a screwdriver—it’ll get the job done, but it’s not what the job wants.

That’s when I made the switch to a thermal label printer—and never looked back.

Why a Thermal Printer Is a Game Changer for eBay Sellers

If you’re even semi-serious about selling on eBay, getting a thermal label printer is one of the best investments you can make.

Here’s why:

• No ink needed. Ever. Thermal printers use heat to print, so you’re not shelling out for cartridges every other month.
• No more taping paper labels. Print on adhesive thermal labels, peel, stick, and done.
• Much faster. A thermal printer spits out a 4×6 label in about a second. It’s no contest.
• Cleaner and more professional. Your packages look legit, not like a kid’s school project.

So let’s talk about which one to get.

The Best Printer For eBay Shipping Labels
Our top choice for printing eBay shipping labels is the Rollo Printer. I have put nearly 10,000 labels through mine in the last 3+ years and still think it’s great.

After years of printing thousands (literally) of shipping labels, our top recommendation is still the Rollo Thermal Printer.

I’ve printed over 10,000 labels with mine in the last few years and it hasn’t missed a beat.

Why I Love the Rollo:

Real-world note: We’ve printed over 3,000 labels in just the past year alone on our Rollo, and we haven’t had a single issue.

You can also read our Full Review of the Original Rollo Printer Here or our review of the New Wireless Rollo Printer Here.

However, we’ve got a full comparison and we can check out how it stacks up to a few other options on the market. So let’s get to our full review.

The 3 Best Thermal Printers For eBay Labels

While we don’t believe in those bloated “Top 10” lists full of copy-paste info, here are the three we’ve personally used and recommend:

1. Rollo Label Printer – Best Option Overall

The Rollo is relatively new compared to some others but quickly earned its spot on our desk. After hearing a few big eBay sellers swear by it, I gave it a shot—and it’s been fantastic.

Setup? Dead simple.

Print quality? Sharp and consistent.

Reliability? 3,000+ labels and counting—no jams, no issues.

The only downside? The labels sit behind the printer instead of feeding from inside, so if your workspace is a bit chaotic (like ours), it takes some wrangling.

Pros:

• Works with any brand of label
• Prints lightning fast (1 label/sec)
• Auto-detects label size/type
• Minimal upkeep
• Connects like a regular printer—no tech wizardry required

Cons:

• Labels feed from the back—not great if you’re tight on desk space

My Verdict:
If you want a thermal printer that’s fast, dependable, and easy to use, this is the one. It’s the printer I recommend to almost every eBay seller.

2. ZEBRA LP2844 – Best Commercial Option

This was our first thermal printer, and it’s been around forever—for good reason. It’s a tank. Used in tons of commercial warehouses, and still relevant today.

We used ours for more than 3 years and pushed 5,000+ labels through it.

But while it’s built to last, the software setup can be… let’s call it “character-building.”

We had issues getting it to work with new computers and had one particularly traumatic night when it randomly printed over 200 blank labels onto the floor.

Still, for the price you can sometimes find these used or refurbished, it’s worth considering.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Easy to find support, guides, and spare parts
• Internal label feed (great for cluttered desks)

Cons:

• Not very intuitive to set up
• Low print quality, especially with cheap labels
• Software is dated and clunky

My Verdict:
A great budget pick for technically confident sellers. If you find one in refurbished condition from a reliable source, go for it—but know what you’re getting into.

3. PEDOOLO Label Printer – Best Budget Option

The PEDOOLO printer surprised me. At less than half the price of the Rollo, I expected frustration. But it’s actually… pretty decent.

It connects via Bluetooth, supports iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. Setup is easier than the Zebra but not quite Rollo-level.

While I wouldn’t use it if I was shipping hundreds of orders per week, for newer sellers or those on a tight budget, it’s a workable solution.

Pros:

• Compatible with most devices and platforms
• Fast, high-res printing
• Compact design
• Affordable

Cons:

• Labels feed externally
• App-required setup (a bit clunky)
• Smaller community/support base

My Verdict:
If you’re just starting out and can’t justify the Rollo price, this will still save you tons of time over a regular printer. If I didn’t have a Rollo, this would be my backup.

3 Printers I Don’t Recommend For eBay Sellers

During the time we’ve been selling on eBay, we’ve personally owned 3 printers and had the chance to use two others.  Since you’re probably not interested in the bottom half of the list, here is a quick synopsis of the three that we’re not going to fully review:

• Zebra GK420D.  I used this printer briefly during a college warehouse job.  Good printer, but too expensive for our tastes.  There are cheaper options that can do the job better.
• DYMO LabelWriter 4XL. For some reason, this is one of the most common printers found in the homes of small business owners.  However – it is not super durable, pretty much everyone we’ve talked to has had issues with it, and if you use anything besides their super expensive DYMO labels, it voids your warranty (and yes, DYMO labels are different than normal labels).
• DYMO LabelWriter 450 Turbo.  We actually still use this printer.  It’s our dedicated Amazon FBA printer and we keep it full of the smaller labels required.  I don’t love it, but it’s small, cheap, and does the job.

What Makes a Good Thermal Printer for eBay?

Let’s be honest: most home-based eBay sellers aren’t going to push a thermal printer to its limit. These machines are made to churn out hundreds—even thousands—of labels a day in warehouses. So when you’re just printing a couple dozen each morning, the bar isn’t sky-high.

But still, there are some things that matter. Over the years (and thousands of labels), these are the four qualities I’ve learned actually make a difference.

The best label printer for eBay must be:

• Easy to set up
• Reliable
• Cost-effective
• Capable of printing high-quality labels quickly

1. It Should Be Easy To Set Up

The first thermal printer we ever bought was a Zebra LP2844. We picked it up refurbished from a dealer on (you guessed it) eBay. It came with a box of tangled cords, a CD-ROM (yes, really), a printed manual, and a support number in case we got stuck.

And honestly? The initial setup wasn’t too bad—we got it working on my laptop in about 20 minutes.

The real trouble came later. After a couple moves and a new shipping computer, I went to reinstall the printer… and couldn’t find the install disk. No big deal, I thought. I’ll just download the drivers. Two hours later, I was ready to throw the printer out the window.

For whatever reason, it just wouldn’t connect. Not on Windows 8, not with any drivers I could find. I finally gave up, took it downstairs, plugged it into my desktop with Windows 10—and boom, worked in ten minutes.

If you’re not very tech-savvy (and even if you are), this kind of experience is frustrating. That’s why, to this day, I always recommend a printer that’s simple to set up and doesn’t require you to search through obscure internet forums for help.

The Rollo, for example, installs just like a normal printer. Plug it in, download a quick app, and it’s ready to roll.

2. It Should Print High-Quality Labels Fast

Most people who are new to eBay ask, “How fast is it?” But honestly, for the average seller, speed isn’t everything.

Sure, the Rollo spits out a label in about a second, but even a slower printer can keep up with 10–20 packages a day. What’s more important is how good those labels look. If your labels come out faint or off-center, you’re risking misdeliveries and returns.

Thermal printers work by heating the paper, so if they’re too fast (especially the cheaper ones), they can sacrifice quality. A good printer finds the balance—clear, dark labels without slowing you down.

Our Rollo prints fast and sharp. We never have to reprint labels, and they always scan easily at the post office.

3. It Should Be High Versatile And Compatible

Let’s be real: not everyone uses the same tech setup. I use Windows, some folks swear by Macs, and others are doing everything from a Chromebook or even their phones.

A good thermal printer should connect easily to whatever you’re using—without needing extra software hacks, converters, or deep YouTube rabbit holes to figure out.

The Rollo and the Pedoolo both do great here. Bluetooth options, direct USB, AirPrint… they just work.

Also, pay attention to label size support. You don’t want to be stuck with a printer that can’t handle a standard 4×6 shipping label or forces you to use only one kind of paper.

4. It Should Be Low-Maintenance and Reliable

One thermal printer does not fit all: Which one is for you?

Long story short, I don’t know!  ​Just because you saw another business use a specific printer does not mean that it’s right for you.  Also, just because there is a printer we recommend doesn’t mean you should run out and get it!  We’ll give you 2 reviews of the best printers that we have actually used, but then before buying, you need to ask yourself:

What are you actually going to use it for?

Odds are, you do not need the best thermal printer on the market.  You might not even need the best thermal printer for eBay labels. Maybe you’d be better off saving money on your printer choice and investing the leftovers into inventory?  Unless you are planning on scaling your business and want to keep using the same printer, go for “good enough” rather than “the best there is.”

How technically savvy are you?

Some printers are just easier to set up and use than others.  If you are not very tech-savvy, go for the simplest-to-use printer (the Rollo).  You will be much happier with a printer that will just connect and print every time you want it to, rather than a rocket ship printer that needs constant fixing.

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eBay Thermal Printer FAQs

Should I Buy A Used Thermal Printer?

Absolutely—but with a couple caveats.

If you’ve sold even a few things on eBay, you already know that buying used can save a ton of money. The same goes for thermal printers. In fact, our first Zebra LP2844 came refurbished from a dealer on eBay, and it served us well for years.

The trick is making sure you’re buying from a reputable source. Look for refurbished, not just “used.” Refurbished printers have usually been cleaned, tested, and come with a new power supply and cables—and sometimes even a warranty.

Rollo printers are a bit tougher to find used, simply because people don’t like to get rid of them. But I have seen some great deals on eBay from sellers who are upgrading or moving on.

Bottom line: If it’s from a reliable seller and includes all the cables and drivers you need, a refurbished thermal printer can be a fantastic buy.

We bought our original Zebra printer off of eBay (surprise, surprise) but purchased the ROLLO directly from the ROLLO website (which I recommend).

Do I Need To Buy Name Brand Labels?

Nope.

You definitely can buy name-brand labels, but honestly? Most of us don’t. And we’ve printed tens of thousands of labels using off-brand blanks with no issue.

That said, it’s worth spending a few cents extra per roll to avoid the really cheap stuff. We’ve tried bargain-bin labels that didn’t line up, wouldn’t peel properly, or didn’t stick to the boxes at all.

Find a good generic brand that works well with your printer and stick with it. Your sanity—and your customers—will thank you.

How Do You Clean/Maintain A Thermal Printer?

Here’s the beauty of thermal printers: there’s almost no maintenance required.

Every time we swap out a label roll, we take a quick look inside the printer just to make sure nothing’s jammed or dirty. That’s about it.

If things get dusty or your prints start looking a little faded, you can:

• Wipe down the rollers with isopropyl alcohol
• Blow out any dust with compressed air
• Clean the printhead gently with a soft cloth

That kind of simple care is enough to keep most printers going for 5–10 years or more.

Does A Thermal Printer Actually Save Me Money?

Yes—100%. In more ways than one.

First, you’ll never buy another ink cartridge. Ever. And that adds up fast, especially if you’re printing 10–20 labels a day.

Second, you’ll save time—which, as any small business owner knows, is just as valuable as money. No more taping paper labels, no more fighting with formatting, no more half-printed inkjet disasters.

For us, the thermal printer paid for itself within a couple months. It just made shipping faster, cleaner, and a lot less frustrating.

How Long Does A Thermal Printer Last?

We’ve never actually worn one out. (We usually upgrade before it gets to that point.)

But from what we’ve seen and heard from other sellers, a good thermal printer should last 3 to 7 years, easy—sometimes longer with regular care.

Commercial printers like the Zebra LP2844 can even be repaired if parts fail. You can still find replacement print heads, rollers, and other components online.

As long as you’re not dragging it through the mud or dumping coffee into it, your printer should last you tens of thousands of labels without breaking a sweat.

I Hope We Helped!

Given the wide range of options available, I hope I was able to shed some light on what the best thermal printer for eBay is.

As a long-time eBay seller, I can honestly say that the purchase of a thermal printer was one of the biggest steps for us: something that truly made us realize that this was a serious business and no longer just a fun side hobby.  If you’re hesitant, remember you’ve got to spend money to make money!  What’s more, our printer paid for itself within a couple of months of use.

Whether you decide the time to get serious is now or later – get out there, work hard, work smart, and have fun!