Label Maker Roundup 2026: Brother Devices Top Wired's Picks

Home organization has found an unlikely companion in label makers, with reviewers increasingly testing devices for everything from pantry bins to kids' lunchboxes. Wired recently evaluated a range of these machines, focusing on ease of use and how well labels held up under real household wear.

Best Overall

The Brother P-touch PT-n25bt was named the top overall pick thanks to its affordable price and beginner-friendly design. It features a built-in QWERTY keyboard, an LCD preview screen, and an on-device cutter for clean edges. Users can choose from multiple fonts, text styles, and symbols, or connect via Bluetooth to the Brother Design&Print 2 app for additional templates and design flexibility. Tape cartridges come in 17 colors and are marketed as resistant to water, temperature extremes, microwaving, dishwashing, and freezing — claims that held up during testing. Downsides include a reliance on six AAA batteries not included in the box and a maximum tape width of just 12 millimeters.

Best Upgrade

For a more polished, professional finish, Wired recommends the Brother P-touch Cube Plus (PT-P710bt). It supports tape widths ranging from 6 to 24 millimeters and offers an extensive selection of fonts, borders, and graphics through three separate Bluetooth-connected design apps. The device lacks a built-in keyboard, so a companion app is required for all label creation. Its labels are printed with seven layers of lamination and withstood heat, sunlight, microwaving, and dishwashing during testing. The Cube Plus costs nearly three times as much as the base model, and replacement tape cartridges — especially specialty colors — add to the ongoing expense. Brother also offers a fabric-compatible tape for this device, though it requires ironing to apply and was not tested.