GoKawiilThere’s not a whole bunch more the average person could want in a handheld label maker other than what the PT-n25bt offers, particularly at such an approachable price. With this device, even a label-making newbie should have no issue making a custom tag in less than a minute. After clicking the tape cartridge into place, simply close the back of the machine, power it on, and type directly onto the standard QWERTY keyboard. Press print, and then use the on-device cutting mechanism to get a clean, straight edge every time. If you’re not in a huge rush, you can putter around with three font options, seven font styles (think: bold, underline, italic), 15 text frames, and hundreds of symbols. The LCD screen lets you preview any edits you make to your label, minimizing unintended surprises you get when it, say, spits out a thick border design you really hate.
For even more design flexibility, you can opt for the Brother Design&Print 2 companion app that’s available on iOS and Android devices. It connects via Bluetooth and provides dozens of templates geared toward specific purposes, like gift tags, file folders, or food containers. You can also design your own custom label on the app without using a template. If you go this route, you’ll have way more font, frame, and design options at your disposal than if you design directly on the app.
The labels themselves offer a level of customization. Because the tape cartridges are available in 17 colors, you can choose to make your labels look all your own, particularly if you opt for a less-common color, like black print on green tape. The labels also hold up to the conditions. Brother markets its durability-minded laminated BTag label tapes—specifically for its P-touch line of label makers—as being water-, temperature-, and fade-resistant, along with microwave-, dishwasher-, and freezer-resistant. In my few weeks of testing, these claims held up.
For all of its wins, there are a few drawbacks of the PT-n25bt: It runs on a whopping six AAA batteries that aren’t included in the box. You can also power it with an AC adapter, but you have to buy that separately for $26. You’re also limited to labels that are 12 millimeters wide (roughly half an inch), so you’ll need to stack labels if you’re looking for a bigger visual.