A $17 Label Maker Is Outselling Every Major Brand in Printers
I’ve been tracking printer sales for years, and February’s data just threw me for a loop. While everyone’s debating Canon versus HP, the actual #1 best seller is a $17 Bluetooth label maker from Nelko — a brand most people have never heard of. It’s racked up over 20,000 reviews and somehow convinced Amazon shoppers it belongs in the “printer” category. Honestly didn’t expect this one to be here, but the numbers don’t lie.
What’s really interesting is how the top 10 splits between traditional inkjet printers and these new portable label makers. The whole category is shifting, and buyers are clearly prioritizing convenience and cost over brand recognition. Here’s what people are actually buying right now.
Nelko Label Maker Machine with Tape, P21 — $17.99
This little Bluetooth label maker has somehow become Amazon’s #1 printer, and I get why. At $17.99, it’s cheaper than most ink cartridge refills. The 2026 version is half the size of traditional label makers and connects wirelessly to your phone through their app. With over 90 fonts and 450+ templates, it’s like having a mini print shop in your pocket.
The main gripe I see in reviews is the Android 14 compatibility issue with Google phones — something to watch if you’re running the latest Android. But 77% of buyers gave it 5 stars, and most mention using it for home organization and small business tasks.
Phomemo Label Maker Machine D30 — $17.99
Phomemo’s competing directly with Nelko at the same $17.99 price point, but with a few extra features that caught my attention. Their app includes OCR text recognition and Excel data import — pretty advanced for a $17 device. The German thermal print head supposedly improves print quality by 25% over the previous version.
What sets this apart is the continuous label tape support, which means fewer interruptions when you’re printing longer labels. Though with 70% five-star ratings versus Nelko’s 77%, it’s clearly the runner-up in this micro-category.
Epson EcoTank ET-2803 — $179.00
Now we’re back to traditional printing territory. The EcoTank ET-2803 represents everything buyers want right now: no cartridges, just refillable ink tanks. At $179, it’s the pricier option in the top 10, but buyers consistently mention the long-term savings. Epson claims you can print thousands of pages before needing more ink.
The wireless setup works with AirPrint, and the scanning quality impressed reviewers who mentioned digitizing old family photos. Just heads up — initial setup takes longer since you’re manually filling four ink tanks, but most buyers say it’s worth the upfront effort.
Brother Work Smart 1360 — $109.98
Brother’s Work Smart line hits the sweet spot for home offices. The 1360 includes automatic duplex printing and a 20-page document feeder — features you’d expect to pay more for. Print speeds of 16 ppm black and 9 ppm color put it ahead of most competitors in this price range.
What I like is the 1.8″ color display that lets you connect to cloud apps directly from the printer. No need to go through your computer for Google Drive or Dropbox printing. The 65% five-star rating suggests most buyers are happy, though some mention the initial wireless setup can be finicky.
HP Envy 6155e — $89.89
HP’s Envy 6155e comes with their AI-powered formatting feature, which automatically cleans up web pages and emails before printing. Sounds gimmicky, but reviewers actually mention it working well for removing ads and fixing awkward layouts. The 3-month Instant Ink trial is included, though you’ll want to decide quickly whether to continue the subscription.
Print speeds are slower at 7 ppm color and 10 ppm black, but for light home use, most buyers don’t seem bothered. The borderless photo printing capability is solid for family photos.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e — $179.89
The OfficeJet Pro 8125e is HP’s answer to home office demands. The 225-sheet paper capacity means fewer refill interruptions, and the wireless connection gets consistent praise from reviewers. At $179.89, it’s competing directly with the Epson EcoTank on features if not on operating costs.
The “AI-enabled” features feel less essential than HP markets them, but the core printing performance is reliable. Several buyers mentioned switching from cheaper printers and being surprised by the difference in speed and print quality.
HP DeskJet 4255e — $109.89
The DeskJet 4255e is HP’s budget workhorse with an auto document feeder and 60-sheet paper capacity. The AI formatting feature appears here too, though at slower print speeds of 5.5 ppm color and 8.5 ppm black. Probably not the best pick if you print frequently, but fine for occasional home use.
The main limitation is the 2.4GHz-only wireless capability, which could cause connection issues if you have a crowded network. Most buyers mention easy setup, though the 57% five-star rating suggests it’s more hit-or-miss than HP’s pricier models.
Liene M100 4×6” Photo Printer — $159.99
Here’s something completely different: a dedicated 4×6 photo printer using thermal dye sublimation. The Liene M100 produces photos that are water and scratch resistant, and it creates its own WiFi hotspot so you don’t need external internet. The full package includes 100 sheets and 3 cartridges.
At 79% five-star ratings, it’s clearly hitting the mark for people who want instant photo printing. Think of it as a modern Polaroid that works with your phone. The prints won’t fade like traditional inkjet photos, but you’re limited to the 4×6 size.
Canon PIXMA TS4320 — $59.00
The PIXMA TS4320 is Canon’s entry-level play at $59. It handles basic printing, scanning, and copying with a 2-cartridge system that keeps replacement costs reasonable. The compact design works well in tight spaces, and the wireless setup is straightforward.
Don’t expect speed records — this is clearly built for light use. But at $59, it’s hard to argue with the value. The 59% five-star rating reflects its budget positioning, with most complaints focusing on slower performance rather than reliability issues.
Brother DCP-L2640DW — $209.99
The most expensive printer in the top 10 is also the most business-focused. Brother’s DCP-L2640DW is a monochrome laser that prints 36 ppm and includes both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless. The 50-page auto document feeder makes it ideal for scanning multipage contracts or reports.
Laser printing means lower per-page costs over time, and Brother’s reputation for reliability shows in the 71% five-star rating. If you print mostly text documents and want something that’ll last years, this is probably your best bet despite the $209.99 price.
What Actually Caught My Eye
Three things surprised me about February’s rankings. First, those $17 label makers aren’t just novelties — they’re solving real problems for home organization and small businesses. Second, the Epson EcoTank’s staying power at $179 shows people are willing to pay upfront to avoid cartridge costs. And third, Brother’s laser printer at the #10 spot proves there’s still demand for traditional business-focused printing.
If I had to pick three from this list, I’d go with the Epson EcoTank for heavy home use, the Phomemo label maker for organization projects, and the Brother laser for anything business-related. The rest feel like compromises in one direction or another.
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