'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
This $14 accessory is a must-have for tech drawers and DIY projects
ZDNET's key takeaways
- The Polono P31S Bluetooth portable thermal label printer is available from Amazon for $14 (49% off plus a $4 coupon).
- The labels are crisp and sharp, and they print fast.
- The printer prints monochrome labels only, and the app is a little fiddly.
Forget hand-printed labels. They're tedious to create, the quality can be poor, and the ink runs with even the slightest exposure to moisture.
Also: iOS and Android owners will now be alerted if an unknown tracker is moving with them
What you need is a label printer. What if I told you that you could get a battery-powered Bluetooth thermal label printer for as little as $14? That would pique your interest, right?
You need the Polono P31S.
View at AmazonPolono P31S
The printer is simplicity itself. A button on the side turns the device on and off and calibrates the paper roll. If you forget you have to press and hold the button to turn the thermal printer on and off, there's a handy label stuck to the printer that tells you what to do.
I love that there's a label explaining everything this button does.
On the back of the device, there's a USB-C port for charging and a hole for a lanyard. Simple.
Connecting the printer to a smartphone is easy.
Also: The best electric screwdrivers: Expert tested
Download the Labelnize app (available for iOS and Android), let it connect to the printer, and away you go. The app is straightforward and contains pre-made labels and functionality for more advanced features, such as QR codes and more.
The Labelnize app is easy to use.
Once a label is printed, press the button on the front to chop it off, and you're ready to organize your life.
Finally, the top lifts off to allow you to change labels. This printer is about as easy as it gets.
As for the labels, you can get a three-roll 540 label pack of 14mm x 40mm labels in a variety of colors -- white, colorful nebula, and a variety of other colors -- for $24. Bear in mind that while the labels come in different colors, the ink is always black.
ZDNET's buying advice
The Polono P31S is a decent mini battery-powered Bluetooth thermal printer. It's easy to use, the labels are crisp and clear, and the battery life is great. Best of all, if you're happy with a white one, you can get this printer for only $14.