My Portable Label Printer Is a Game-Changer for My Office
▼ Summary
– The Nelko PM220 Bluetooth thermal label printer exceeded expectations by performing reliably in a commercial setting for nearly a year, printing over 5,000 labels.
– Its labels are water, oil, chemical, and low-temperature resistant, making them durable and suitable for various uses like refrigerators and packaging.
– Despite heavy use and frequent drops, the printer maintains print quality, has an intact shell, and a long-lasting battery that only needs monthly charging.
– A minor drawback is that it requires a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and cannot use a USB-C to USB-C cable.
– Originally perceived as suitable only for light household tasks, it has proven to be a cost-effective and dependable choice for commercial applications.
Finding the right tools to organize a small business or home office can feel like a constant battle, but sometimes a surprisingly simple gadget makes all the difference. The Nelko PM220 Bluetooth thermal label printer is one such device, a palm-sized powerhouse that has proven its worth far beyond initial expectations. Initially tested for personal workshop organization, its ability to produce bright, clear, self-adhesive labels via a smartphone app was impressive. The labels themselves are surprisingly durable, offering resistance to water, oil, chemicals, and low temperatures, making them ideal for a variety of environments, though they can fade with prolonged exposure to heat and direct sunlight.
After the initial review period, the printer was handed over to a local café to see how it would handle a more demanding setting. For nearly a year, it has been in constant use, churning out labels for sandwiches, cakes, price tags for gifts, and shipping packages. The café owners report having gone through at least 16 boxes of labels, with each box containing three rolls of 100 labels each. When combined with the initial testing, this amounts to over 5,000 labels printed.
After such intensive use, the physical appearance of the printer shows significant wear and tear. Despite its battered look, its performance remains impeccable. The print quality is as sharp as the first day, the casing has survived countless drops without breaking, and the battery life is still remarkably strong, requiring a charge only about once a month even with this extreme workload.
There is one minor drawback: the printer will not charge with a USB-C to USB-C cable and requires a USB-A to USB-C connection instead. This is a common quirk with some earlier USB-C devices, but it’s a small inconvenience to note, especially considering the printer’s affordable price point.
My initial impression was that the Nelko PM220 was a capable but essentially light-duty device, more of a clever toy for home use than a tool for commercial demands. That assessment turned out to be completely incorrect. For anyone in need of a compact, wireless labeling solution, this printer is a remarkably resilient and cost-effective choice. It is cheap to purchase, uses reasonably priced labels, and its setup is straightforward and reliable, even under heavy, continuous use.
(Source: ZDNET)
