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Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker vs Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on reliability. Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker wins on print quality & durability of labels, app/keyboard.
The biggest complaint about the Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker is screen is hard to read; for the Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker it's bluetooth must be reconnected every time. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker | Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in label makers | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Keyboard | Keyboard |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 13% |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Print quality & durability of labels | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Tape cost & choice | — | 3.5 |
| App/keyboard | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Reliability | 4.0 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $35 · $$ $35–80 · $$$ over $80. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker
- Screen is hard to read
The Spruce says the screen is difficult to read when the unit lies flat on a table, and it previews text only in a standard font. Amazon's summary says multiple owners find the display hard to see, especially in low light.
- No power adapter in the box
Amazon's summary says the power supply is a problem because the label maker doesn't come with a power adapter.
- Value is debated
Amazon's summary says opinions on value are mixed, with some owners calling it a waste of money.
Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker
- Bluetooth must be reconnected every time
Wirecutter says it has to be manually connected to the app each time you turn it on, and the connection takes a couple of minutes. Amazon's summary says Bluetooth connectivity gets mixed feedback, with several owners reporting poor connectivity.
- Batteries and adapter not included, and batteries run down
It needs six AAA batteries or an AC adapter, and neither comes in the box (Wirecutter, PCMag). PCMag lists the adapter at $23.49. Amazon owners say the batteries run out quickly.
- Wastes tape, and only one tape width
Wirecutter says it wastes up to 2.5 cm of tape per label unless you use chain printing, and its long-term tester calls it 'a lot of plastic waste'. PCMag's main con is that it supports only one width and type of tape (12mm), and the included starter tape is about half length.
Who should pick which
Pick the Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker if
A simple keyboard label maker with no phone needed
Pantry and storage-bin labels
Lots of fonts, frames and symbols
Skip it if: You want to design labels on your phone; You need labels wider than 1/2 inch; You'll use it in dim light (screen is hard to read)
Pick the Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker if
Home organizing on a budget with durable labels
People who want both a keyboard and a phone app
Cheap refills (about $7 per 13-ft tape)
Skip it if: You need wider tapes or specialty tapes; You want a rechargeable battery; You have large hands (the keyboard is cramped)
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