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Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker vs Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on print quality & durability of labels, app/keyboard. Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker wins on ease of use.
The biggest complaint about the Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker is pricey machine and refills; for the Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker it's screen is hard to read. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker | Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in label makers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Keyboard | Keyboard |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 7% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Print quality & durability of labels | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Tape cost & choice | 3.0 | — |
| App/keyboard | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Reliability | 4.0 | 4.0 |
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-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker
- Pricey machine and refills
Wirecutter says it costs $90, more than any model it recommends, and replacement labels run up to $17 for white tape or $22 for colored tape.
- Fussy Bluetooth
Wirecutter says it needs manual pairing each time it's turned on. Amazon's summary says some owners report Bluetooth issues.
- Heavy, cramped keyboard, and it wastes tape
Wirecutter says at 27.2 ounces it's too heavy to hold comfortably for long, its QWERTY keyboard is cramped, it wastes tape on continuous rolls, and it needs six AA batteries or an adapter. Amazon owners are mixed on the display, with some finding it too small.
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.
Who should pick which
Pick the Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker if
Small-business labels (addresses, inventory, shelves)
Multi-line labels on wider tape
The longest warranty among Wirecutter's picks
Skip it if: You want a light, handheld unit; You want cheap refills; You only label things around the house
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)
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