Looking for a cheap label maker? This guide runs from lowest price to highest: LabelManager 160P, LetraTag 200B, LetraTag 100H, Rhino 4200, LabelManager 420P, then LabelManager Executive 640CB. Compare six handheld DYMO models by their purchase prices including GST, tape family and features.
- A cheap label maker should match your tape, keyboard and power needs, not just your purchase budget.
- LetraTag 100H uses an ABC keyboard; LetraTag 200B prints from the LetraTag Connect phone app.
- LabelManager 160P uses D1 tape up to 12mm; 420P adds rechargeable power, 19mm tape and USB.
- Executive 640CB adds 24mm D1 tape and Bluetooth; Rhino tools use separate industrial cartridges.
Handheld label makers and current prices at a glance
These are Australian dollar prices including GST. The table and model sections run from lowest price to highest. The black LetraTag 100H is the version priced here. The Executive 640CB is the standard boxed machine, not its separate carry-case kit.
| Handheld label maker | Price inc GST | Suited to | Tape and width | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DYMO LabelManager 160P | $45.00 | Files and storage labelled with a QWERTY keyboard | D1, 6mm, 9mm and 12mm | No USB; batteries or adaptor purchased separately |
| DYMO LetraTag 200B | $49.50 | Home labels designed on a phone | LetraTag, 12mm | Needs a compatible phone or tablet; four AA batteries not included |
| DYMO LetraTag 100H Black | $50.40 | Home labels typed on the machine | LetraTag, 12mm | No phone printing; four AA batteries not included |
| DYMO Rhino 4200 | $148.50 | Standalone cable, panel and breaker identification | Rhino, 6mm to 19mm | No PC connection; case and power accessories not included |
| DYMO LabelManager 420P | $198.00 | Rechargeable multi-line and barcode labelling | D1, 6mm to 19mm | No Bluetooth; no 24mm tape |
| DYMO LabelManager Executive 640CB | $220.00 | Wider D1 labels and phone printing | D1, 6mm to 24mm | Standard box has no carry case |
Why the machine price is only part of the decision
A handheld label maker needs the right tape family and a way to power it. The LetraTag 100H and 200B use four AA batteries, while the LabelManager 160P uses six AAA batteries or an optional 9V adaptor. Those power items are not included with these three machines.
The 420P and Executive 640CB include rechargeable batteries. The Rhino 4200 is a bare tool with a starter vinyl cartridge; its hard case, battery pack and adaptor are not included. Comparing those contents explains what you get for the purchase cost.
Choose the finished label before choosing the machine. A 12mm storage label, a four-line 19mm asset label and a five-line 24mm D1 label are different requirements. Buying more width or connectivity only makes sense when you will use it.
What to compare before choosing a cheap label maker
- Tape family: LetraTag machines take LetraTag tape, LabelManager takes D1 and Rhino takes industrial cartridges. They are not interchangeable.
- Text entry: Choose between an ABC keyboard, a QWERTY keyboard or a phone app.
- Width: LetraTag uses 12mm tape; the LabelManager 160P stops at 12mm, the 420P at 19mm and the Executive 640CB at 24mm.
- Power: Include batteries or an adaptor in the initial purchase where they are not in the box.
- Connection: The 160P and Rhino 4200 are standalone; the 420P connects by USB and the 640CB adds Bluetooth.
- Kit contents: A case and additional cassettes change the purchase contents, not necessarily the machine's printing capability.
1. DYMO LabelManager 160P: suited to straightforward D1 labelling
The LabelManager 160P costs $45.00 inc GST. The current product name includes the P suffix. It has a QWERTY keyboard, label preview and one-touch formatting keys, and accepts D1 tape in 6mm, 9mm and 12mm widths.
Useful features:
- QWERTY typing directly on the machine.
- Up to two print lines, or one line on 6mm tape.
- Six font sizes, eight text styles and 228 symbols.
Limitations:
- No computer connection.
- Maximum width is 12mm.
- Six AAA batteries or the optional 9V adaptor are purchased separately.
Suited to: Filing, shelf and storage labels where 12mm D1 tape covers the job. Choose the 160P for standalone D1 labelling without paying for a computer link or wider tape. LetraTag cassettes will not fit, even though both ranges include 12mm tape.
2. DYMO LetraTag 200B: suited to phone-led home labelling
The LetraTag 200B costs $49.50 inc GST. It has no keyboard or display: you create the label in the free DYMO LetraTag Connect app and print over Bluetooth. The app supports iOS 13 and later and Android 10.0 and later.
Useful features:
- Phone or tablet text entry and label design.
- Compact 120 x 120 x 45mm body.
- Black-on-white paper starter tape included.
Limitations:
- Cannot be used for standalone keyboard entry.
- Uses 12mm LetraTag tape only.
- Four AA batteries are not included.
Suited to: People who prefer typing and designing labels on a phone. Choose the 200B for app-led labelling; choose the 100H if you want to leave the phone out of the process. They use the same tape family, so the main distinction is how you enter and preview the text.
3. DYMO LetraTag 100H: suited to labels without a phone
The black LetraTag 100H costs $50.40 inc GST. You type directly on its ABC keyboard and preview the label on a 13-character graphical display. It prints up to two lines on 12mm LetraTag tape and stores nine labels.
Useful features:
- Standalone keyboard and display; no phone required.
- Five font sizes and eight box styles.
- White paper starter cassette included.
Limitations:
- LetraTag tape only; D1 and Rhino cartridges do not fit.
- Four AA batteries are not included.
- Fixed 12mm tape width, rather than a choice of wider formats.
Suited to: Short names and storage labels typed at the item. Choose the 100H when direct keyboard entry matters more than phone-led layout options. This price is for the black model; the blue model has a separate listing and price.
Compare the four lowest-priced handhelds
Each card links to the current product page and shows its purchase price including GST. The 420P and Executive 640CB appear only in the table and their own sections above.
4. DYMO Rhino 4200: suited to industrial cartridge jobs
The Rhino 4200 costs $148.50 inc GST. It uses a QWERTY keyboard and hot keys for cable wraps, flags, breaker labels and fixed-length labels. It accepts Rhino vinyl, flexible nylon, permanent polyester and heat shrink cartridges from 6mm to 19mm.
Useful features:
- Text entry directly on the tool.
- Cable and panel formatting hot keys.
- Industrial vinyl starter cartridge included.
Limitations:
- No PC connection and no 24mm cartridge support.
- Hard case, battery pack, adaptor and six AA cells are not included.
Suited to: On-site identification using industrial cartridges. Choose the Rhino 4200 when the material and label format call for Rhino, rather than ordinary D1 or LetraTag labels.
5. DYMO LabelManager 420P: suited to rechargeable multi-line labels
The LabelManager 420P costs $198.00 inc GST. Its rechargeable battery, charging adaptor and USB cable are included. It accepts D1 tape from 6mm to 19mm and prints up to four lines on 19mm tape.
Useful features:
- Backlit display showing four lines.
- USB connection to a PC or Mac for label design.
- Six barcode types on 19mm tape, including Code 39 and Code 128.
Limitations:
- No 24mm tape support.
- No Bluetooth phone printing.
- D1 tape only; not a Rhino cartridge printer.
Suited to: Asset and equipment labels that need multiple lines, barcodes or computer preparation. Choose the 420P when those capabilities justify moving beyond the 160P. If your task is just a short shelf name on 12mm tape, the extra features are not essential to that job.
6. DYMO LabelManager Executive 640CB: suited to wider D1 labels
The standard Executive 640CB costs $220.00 inc GST. It accepts D1 tape from 6mm to 24mm, prints up to five lines according to tape width, and saves up to 30 labels on the machine.
Useful features:
- Bluetooth printing with the LabelManager Executive Connect app.
- USB-C connection to a PC or Mac.
- Rechargeable battery, USB-C cable and one D1 cassette included.
Limitations:
- The standard box does not include a carry case.
- D1 only; LetraTag and Rhino cartridges do not fit.
- Wider labels need enough space on the item being labelled.
Suited to: Wider shelf or equipment labels and labelling from a phone or computer. Choose the 640CB for 24mm D1 tape or Bluetooth, not simply because it is further up the range. The 420P already covers rechargeable 19mm D1 labelling with a USB connection.
Which handheld label maker fits your budget?
Choose the LetraTag 100H for standalone home labels, the LetraTag 200B for phone-led labels, or the LabelManager 160P for narrow D1 labels with QWERTY entry. Move to the 420P for rechargeable multi-line and barcode work; choose the Executive 640CB for 24mm D1 tape or Bluetooth.
Keep Rhino separate in the decision. Its industrial cartridges and cable-formatting tools solve different jobs, which is why the Rhino 4200 can cost less than an advanced LabelManager without being a replacement for it.
FAQ
How much does a cheap label maker cost in this guide?
The LabelManager 160P is $45.00 inc GST, the LetraTag 200B is $49.50 inc GST and the black LetraTag 100H is $50.40 inc GST. Choose by tape family and text entry, and include the batteries these machines need.
Is this list ordered from lowest to highest price?
Yes. It runs from lowest price to highest: LabelManager 160P ($45.00), LetraTag 200B ($49.50), LetraTag 100H ($50.40), Rhino 4200 ($148.50), LabelManager 420P ($198.00), then Executive 640CB ($220.00). All prices include GST.
Can LetraTag 100H and 200B use the same tape?
Yes. Both use 12mm DYMO LetraTag tape. D1 and Rhino cartridges do not fit either machine.
Does the LabelManager 160P connect to a computer?
No. The LabelManager 160P is a standalone machine with no USB port. It takes D1 tape up to 12mm and uses six AAA batteries or an optional 9V adaptor.
What does the 420P add over the 160P?
The 420P adds rechargeable power, USB connectivity, barcodes on 19mm tape and up to four print lines. The 160P stops at 12mm and has no computer connection.
Does the Executive 640CB price include a case?
The $220.00 inc-GST standard machine does not include a case. Its box contains the label maker, one D1 cassette, battery, USB-C cable and quick start guide.
Can Rhino label makers use D1 tape?
No. The Rhino 4200 uses Rhino industrial cartridges. It does not accept D1 or LetraTag tape.
One last thing
Width alone does not make tapes interchangeable. A 12mm LetraTag cassette, a 12mm D1 cassette and a 12mm Rhino cartridge belong to different machine families. Matching that family prevents a purchase that cannot be loaded into your machine.
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