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Brother P-touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected 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-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on app/keyboard, reliability. Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker wins on ease of use, tape cost & choice.
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-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-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker | Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Personal Connected Label Maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in label makers | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Keyboard | Keyboard |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 13% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 3.8 |
| Print quality & durability of labels | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Tape cost & choice | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| App/keyboard | 4.5 | 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-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-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-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-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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