Comparing a Dymo label printer to any of Zebra’s newer models is like setting an NCAA football team against a Super Bowl contender. The features of the Dymo LabelWriter series are basic and have not been upgraded for years. Meanwhile, Zebra thermal printers have advanced functions, although some of them may be too complicated for the average mom-and-pop shop. In this article, we compare two barcode printers, the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and Zebra ZD410d. The 450 Turbo is Dymo’s fastest single-head thermal printer, while the ZD410d is Zebra’s typical 2” label printer. If you just started in business and are looking at these gadgets for the first time, we urge you to read on. You’ll see here why “the better one” is not always the better one for you. The Dymo LabelWriter 450 The Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo Zebra ZD410d Printers. Left: Regular Version. Right: Healthcare Version. CONTENT Similarities between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and Zebra ZD410d Differences between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and the Zebra ZD410d Similarities between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and Zebra ZD410d Both the 450 Turbo and ZD410d rely on direct printing technology. Like most other direct thermal printers, they produce only black images. If you have a colorful logo and you want to include it in your business labels, you’ll need grayscale adjustment to retain their clarity on paper. Both machines have compact designs and come with internal label holders, unlike Rollo printers. They have a maximum print width of about 2”, making them unsuitable for creating 4” x 6” shipping labels. However, you can still use them for making barcode labels, healthcare tags, file folder tags and other slim labels. Dymo and Zebra are American manufacturers, so you can be sure that the 450 Turbo and ZD410d are made with the highest quality standards. However, Dymo produces label makers resembling its classic handheld embossers, while Zebra specializes in industrial-grade printers. Save up to 48% OFF on these Zebra ZD410 Compatible Labels! Zebra Compatible Labels 2″ x 1″ SHOP NOW Zebra Compatible Labels 1-1/2″ x 1/2″ SHOP NOW Differences between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and the Zebra ZD410d Breaking down their other features, here are the differences between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and Zebra ZD410d. Basic Functions Software & Hardware Compatibility Label Compatibilities and Use Price 1. Basic Functions The 450 Turbo has a resolution of 300 dpi. The ZD410d can also print at 300 dpi, but you can reduce it to 203 dpi. This level of clarity suffices for most business labels, including barcodes, although sharper prints make tags look more professional. The 450 Turbo can print about 4.3 inches per second. Meanwhile, the ZD410d’s operational speed depends on its resolution. It can go as fast as 6 inches per second when printing at 203 dpi, but it slows down to 4 inches per second in the 300-dpi mode. In this respect, the 450 Turbo performs a little better. Learn More: Shop for cheap 4×6 Zebra compatible thermal labels. Check out our selection of thermal labels compatible for Zebra GC420D Desktop Printer. Save Time and Money. Order Your Zebra Direct Thermal Labels Online! Buy now at enKo Products and learn how to print your shipping labels using MS Word. Browse all of our standard sizes and start creating your shipping labels! The ZD410d has a battery option. You can take it with you while making warehouse labels or patient bracelets, both of which require identification accuracy. You can add an optional cutter and peeler to the unit for efficiency. It also has a healthcare model, which has a body that is resistant to hospital antiseptics. The 450 Turbo does not have any of these features. 2. Software and Hardware Compatibility The 450 Turbo is compatible with Mac and Windows, and its setup process is pretty straightforward. In contrast, the ZD410d can work with, not only Mac and Windows, but also Linux and many other operating systems. It can do this because, besides its pre-installed drivers, Zebra’s Link-OS allows you to connect the ZD410d with a computer or printer network. However, installing this device may be pretty challenging for non-Windows users, especially those who want to take advantage of Link-OS. In terms of hardware interfacing, the 450 Turbo is USB-only, whereas the ZD410d has wide connectivity. It can link to PCs by USB, RS-232, Ethernet, wireless dual radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Although the ZD410d can go wireless, neither printer is AirPrint-enabled, so they cannot readily connect with your iOS device. The ZD410d needs special apps installed on your PC before you can make it iOS-compatible. As for the 450 Turbo, you can also make it print remotely, but you need to make bigger changes to your PC or network to do it. 3. Label Compatibilities and Use The 450 Turbo is compatible only with Dymo labels, which are pricey. In contrast, the ZD410d can work with generic labels, which are inexpensive. Both come in various sizes and colors and so are highly customizable. However, the Dymo labels’ die-cut look makes them more attractive. The maximum media capacity of the 450 Turbo is 2.44”, which is smaller than the ZD410d’s 5”, so you can load more labels at a time into the Zebra printer. This works to your advantage because fewer label changes can improve your efficiency. It also has an external label feed slot, which can further expand its label capacity. This feed slot also lets you use fanfold labels, which are available in large stacks. Save up to 62% on these Dymo LabelWriter 450 Compatible Labels! Dymo 1738595 Labels3/4″ x 2-1/2″ SHOP NOW Dymo 30252 Labels1-1/8″ x 3-1/2″ SHOP NOW Dymo 30915 Labels1-5/8″ x 1-1/4″ SHOP NOW 4. Price The Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo’s price currently starts at $140. The Zebra ZD410d’s price starts at $390. The table below summarizes the major differences between the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and the Zebra ZD410d. Points of Comparison Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo Zebra ZD410d Dimensions (inches) 7.4 x 5 x 5.3 8.6 x 4.5 x 6 Weight (lbs.) 1.4 2.2 OS compatibility Windows and Mac Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. through Zebra’s pre-installed drivers and Link-OS Hardware connectivity USB only USB, RS-232, Ethernet, wireless dual radio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Maximum print speed (inches per second) 4.3 ips in 300 dpi 6 ips in 203 dpi 4 ips in 300 dpi Battery option Absent Present Cutter and peeler options Absent Present Healthcare version Absent Present Maximum resolution (dpi) 300 300 Print colors Monochromatic black Monochromatic black Compatible labels Dymo and Dymo-compatible labels Generic labels, including fanfolds Colored labels Available Available Maximum media capacity 2.44″ 5″ External feed slot Absent Present Price starts at $140 $390 When you compare them side by side, it looks like the Zebra ZD410d was built for maximum efficiency and durability. It is also more cost-effective for establishments with labeling volumes that reach thousands a day. Therefore, it is more suitable for fast-growing businesses and complex organizations. Meanwhile, the Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo’s basic features make it more appropriate for startups and small offices. As always, our recommendation is to choose the label printer that best suits your needs. The Dymo LabelWriter 450 Turbo and the Zebra ZD410d Are Simply Worlds Apart, But… From our discussion here, you can see that the 450 Turbo and ZD410d are worlds apart. Examining other Dymo LabelWriters and Zebra direct thermal printers will make you realize that this observation is true for the rest of these product lines. However, these machines cater to different niches. Dymo label printers are more suitable for small establishments, while Zebra devices fit industrial settings more. Your labeling needs should determine which printer is better for you. 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