10 Best Color Thermal Printers 2025 in the United States

The Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer stands out as a portable and user-friendly option for those who want to print high-quality photos from their smartphones and other devices. Using thermal dye-sublimation technology, this printer offers vibrant and durable prints that are resistant to water, scratches, fingerprints, and fading. This makes it an excellent choice for preserving memories. The built-in Wi-Fi hotspot ensures an easy and stable connection, eliminating the need for external networks or cables. Additionally, it can handle up to 5 simultaneous device connections, making it convenient for family and friends to use together.

The accompanying Liene app adds further customization options, such as adding borders, filters, and adjusting contrast and brightness. The printer includes a solid package with 100 sheets of photo paper and 3 color cartridges, providing good value for money right out of the box. The print resolution of 300 x 300 dpi might not be as high as some users expect, especially for professional use. The print speed of 1 page per minute is relatively slow, and the initial page print time of 59 seconds may be a drawback for users needing quick prints.

While the Liene M100 4x6'' Photo Printer excels in portability, ease of use, and print quality, it is best suited for casual home or office use rather than high-volume or professional photo printing. The maximum media size of 4x6 inches could limit its usability for larger prints, and the cost of proprietary cartridges could add up over time.

The MUNBYN Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer (model ITPP130B) is a versatile option for small businesses, home offices, and online sellers looking to streamline their shipping label printing. One of its standout features is the ability to print ultra-clear labels at a swift 72 pages per minute, which can help reduce errors and waste. Additionally, it eliminates the need for ink and toner, which can result in significant cost savings over time. However, it's important to note that it only prints in monochrome, not in color, despite being in the color-thermal-printer category.

The Bluetooth connectivity and USB option make it compatible with iPhones, Android devices, iPads, Windows, macOS, and Google Chrome, offering flexibility in how you connect and print your labels. This printer is particularly user-friendly, with a simple 3-step setup process and compatibility with major shipping and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Shopify.

Additionally, it supports a wide range of label sizes and designs, making it suitable for various labeling needs beyond shipping, such as branding, QR/bar codes, and home organization. The build quality seems reliable, but keep in mind that the printer may encounter issues with UPS thermal paper, so using Munbyn's own labels is recommended. The MUNBYN 130B is a robust and efficient choice for anyone looking to simplify their label printing tasks, provided they don't require color printing.

The Epson SureColor F170 Dye-Sublimation Printer excels in print quality, thanks to its PrecisionCore printhead technology, delivering remarkable image clarity and color vibrancy. Its genuine Epson dye-sublimation ink offers high color saturation and contrast, making it ideal for producing professional-quality prints on both soft and rigid materials.

The printer supports versatile media with a 150-sheet auto-feed tray, ensuring efficient and clean prints with minimal paper handling. However, the print speed is quite slow at 1 page per minute for both monochrome and color prints, which might be a drawback for users needing fast output.

The connectivity options are comprehensive, including wireless, USB, and Ethernet, making it easy to integrate into various network setups. The printer's build is compact and durable, fitting well in small office spaces with dimensions of 13.7 x 14.8 x 7.4 inches. While the cost of consumables is somewhat mitigated by the high-capacity ink bottles that reduce the frequency of replacements, the printer's initial cost and the specialized consumables may be a consideration for budget-conscious users. The non-returnable policy once the inks are loaded due to potential leakage issues should also be noted. This printer is well-suited for small businesses or hobbyists needing high-quality dye-sublimation prints and a versatile, reliable printing solution.