Brother QL-810WC Label Printer Review

Introduction

The Brother QL-810WC is a high-performance thermal label printer built for environments that demand speed, clarity and flexible connectivity. With an advertised ultra-fast output of up to 110 standard address labels per minute and the ability to print attention-grabbing black-and-red labels, this compact unit promises to streamline shipping, inventory, retail and general office labeling tasks.

For small businesses, busy offices or retail counters that need consistent, on-demand labels without ink cartridges, the QL-810WC solves multiple pain points: it eliminates costly consumable ink, reduces wait times during peak periods, and brings mobile-friendly wireless printing to the label workflow. The result is a nimble device that increases throughput while keeping labeling simple and scalable.

Overview

Physically the QL-810WC is compact and portable — a slim black chassis that measures roughly 5″D x 9.2″W x 5.7″H and weighs about 2.4 pounds. Its thermal printing mechanism removes the need for ink or toner, instead using Brother’s DK series labels and continuous tapes. The model distinguishes itself with dual-color (black & red) printing capability when used with the DK-2251 ribbon/tape, and it achieves a high color copy resolution up to 600 dpi for fine barcodes and crisp text.

Connectivity is a central theme: you get USB and wireless printing with WPA3 support for secure networks (note: only 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi is supported and the unit requires separate SSID naming for mixed 2.4/5 GHz routers). The unit also integrates with Brother’s P-touch Editor software, mobile apps for Android and iOS, and works with laptops and PCs, positioning it as a flexible solution for offices, e-commerce packing stations, retail counters and mobile workstations.

Features

Ultra-Fast Label Throughput: Delivers up to 110 standard address labels per minute (black text at 300 dpi). This speed reduces printing bottlenecks during packing or retail rushes and keeps labeling queues moving without sacrificing legibility.

Dual-Color Printing (Black & Red): Unique thermal ribbon support (DK-2251) enables black-and-red output across the full label width, letting you add warnings, sale indicators or priority markers without manual stickers or two-step processes.

Wireless + USB Connectivity with App Control: Supports 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi (WPA3) and USB; control via P-touch Editor software or Brother’s mobile apps for direct printing from smartphones and tablets. This simplifies shared network printing and mobile label creation for teams.

High-Resolution Thermal Output: Offers up to 600 dpi color resolution (and 300 dpi for monochrome), producing sharp barcodes, small fonts and detailed logos—useful for shipping labels, product tags and asset tracking.

Compact, Energy-Star Certified Design: Small footprint and Energy Star qualification mean the QL-810WC fits tight counters and consumes less power than comparable devices, making it ideal for dense workspaces and environmentally conscious offices.

Benefits

Speed-Driven Productivity

Print large batches of standard address labels and shipping tags quickly, reducing packing time and helping meet tight shipping cutoffs. The high throughput is especially valuable in e-commerce operations and bulk mail environments.

Clear Visual Communication

The red-and-black capability lets you highlight critical information (fragile, urgent, sale) directly on the label, improving visibility for handlers and customers without extra materials or manual intervention.

Lower Running Costs

Direct thermal printing removes the need for ink cartridges or toner—only Brother DK labels and ribbons are required—cutting consumable complexity and lowering total cost of ownership for many labeling workflows.

Flexible Deployment

With USB and wireless options plus app control, the printer can be placed on a packing bench, shared across a small network, or used with mobile devices for on-the-go label creation, giving teams practical layout flexibility.

Compact Footprint & Energy Savings

Small form factor and Energy Star compliance make it easy to deploy multiple units in a constrained space while keeping electricity usage and heat output modest.

Usages

Perfect for E-commerce & Shipping Stations

Rapidly produce address labels, postage-compatible tags and barcode labels during peak shipping periods. The speed and label roll capacity reduce downtime between runs.

Ideal for Retail & Price Marking

Use the red/black printing to mark promotions, clearance items or limited-time offers on product tags or shelf labels for immediate visual impact.

Great for Asset Tracking & Inventory

High-resolution printing produces reliable barcodes and small type for inventory tags, file folders and asset labels used in back-office operations.

Handy for Office Organization & Mailrooms

Generate name badges, file labels, mailing labels and office signage quickly without maintaining separate printers for each task.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very fast label output (up to 110 labels/min) ideal for high-volume tasks
• Dual-color (black and red) printing for enhanced visual labeling
• Compact, energy-efficient design that fits small workspaces
• High resolution for sharp barcodes and fine text
• Flexible connectivity: USB and wireless printing with mobile app support

Cons

• Only supports 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi — mixed networks require separate SSIDs
• Some users report occasional label feed/skip issues that may require calibration
• Direct thermal labels can fade over time when exposed to heat or sunlight
• Limited onboard memory (6 MB) compared with larger industrial label printers
• No duplex or full-page printing — specialized for label media only

FAQs

Does the QL-810WC require ink or toner?

No. This is a direct thermal label printer. It uses heat-sensitive labels/tapes (Brother DK series) and a special red/black ribbon for two-color printing—no ink cartridges or toner are required.

Can I connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks?

The QL-810WC supports 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi only. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on the same SSID, you should create separate network names to avoid connectivity issues.

What label sizes does it support?

It supports Brother DK-series labels and tapes, including die-cut address labels and continuous tape up to 62mm width. Maximum media length is governed by DK roll specifications; the device lists a maximum media size of 11 x 17 inches as a reference for supported printable artwork sizes.

Is the printer suitable for barcode printing?

Yes. With up to 600 dpi color resolution (and 300 dpi monochrome), the QL-810WC produces high-quality barcodes suitable for inventory, shipping and POS applications when correct label stock and barcode settings are used.

What platforms are supported for mobile printing?

Brother’s control apps support Android and iOS devices, and the printer integrates with Windows and macOS via P-touch Editor and driver software, enabling printing from laptops, smartphones and tablets.

Product Specifications

Printer Type	Direct Thermal Label Printer
Print Speed (PPM)	Up to 110 labels per minute (standard address label, black at 300 dpi)
Resolution (DPI)	Maximum 600 dpi (color), 300 dpi (monochrome)
Connectivity	USB 2.0, Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz, WPA3 supported); mobile app control (Android, iOS)
Duplex	Simplex (single-sided labels only)
Supported Media Sizes	Brother DK series labels and tapes (e.g., DK-1201 die-cut, DK-2251 continuous 62mm tape); Max media reference 11 x 17 inch artwork support
Ink/Toner Type	Direct Thermal (no ink/toner); optional ribbon for black/red printing (DK-2251)
Dimensions	5″D x 9.2″W x 5.7″H
Weight	2.4 Pounds
Warranty	Limited warranty (manufacturer)
Color	Black
Model	QL-810WC (Model: QL810WC, New Processor)
Paper Handling	Continuous roll and die-cut DK label support; max input capacity ~200 labels depending on roll
Included Components	Brother QL-810WC Label Printer, P-touch Editor Software & Driver, AC Power Adapter, USB Cable, Starter Rolls (DK-1201 100 labels & DK-2251 2.4” x 16.4’ red/black tape)
Memory	6 MB

Ratings

Print Clarity & Accuracy	4.4
Connectivity & App Support	3.6
Label / Receipt Feed Reliability	3.2
Printing Speed	4.9
Durability & Portability	4.5
Value for Money	4.1

Recommendation

The Brother QL-810WC is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, e-commerce sellers, retail counters and mailrooms that need high-speed label printing with the flexibility of mobile and networked workflows. Its dual-color capability is a practical upgrade for stores and warehouses that use visual cues on labels.

Choose this unit if your setup relies on 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi or direct USB connections, you value high throughput over industrial-grade heavy-duty duty cycles, and you want to eliminate ink/toner maintenance while still getting crisp barcodes and sharp text.

Conclusion

The Brother QL-810WC delivers a compelling mix of speed, clarity and practical features aimed squarely at professionals who need dependable label output without the complexity of ink-based systems. Its standout attributes—the extremely fast label throughput, crisp high-resolution output, and dual black/red printing—translate into real operational gains for shipping operations, retail environments and busy office mailrooms.

There are caveats: the 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi requirement and a handful of user reports about label feeding irregularities mean you should plan your network and label media choices carefully. For most buyers, however, the QL-810WC offers strong long-term value: lower consumable overhead, easy mobile integration, and a compact footprint that fits modern workflows. If you need a fast, versatile thermal label printer that balances speed with visual flexibility, the QL-810WC is a solid choice.