Rugged 4-Inch Mobile Label Printers - Comparison Chart
Article by Mike Monocello, editor-in-chief
Testing by Paul Aldridge, sales manager, Paragon Print Systems
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| Printer Name |
Datamax-O’Neil RL4 |
Toshiba TEC B-EP4DL-GH40-QM-R |
Zebra QLn420 |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal | Direct Thermal | Direct Thermal |
| Resolution | 203 dpi | 203 dpi | 203 dpi |
| Maximum Print Speed | 4 ips | 4 ips | 4 ips |
| Memory |
32MB RAM / 64MB Flash |
16MB SDRAM / 8MB Flash ROM |
32MB RAM / 64MB Flash |
| Drop Specs | 6 ft. (1.8m) Mil-STD 810F | 5 ft. (1.5m) height to rear and bottom surface each one time, or 4 ft. (1.2m) five times on any angle | Multiple drops of 6 ft. (1.8m) onto concrete |
| IP Rating | IP43 | IP54 with carrying case | IP43, IP54 with soft case |
| Operating Temperature |
-4°F (-20°C) to 122°F (50°C) |
32°F (0°C) to 122°F (50°C) |
-4°F (-20°C) to 122°F (50°C) |
| Battery |
14.8V Lithium-ion, 2200 mAh (33 W-h) |
14.8V Lithium-ion, 2600 mAh |
5.0 AH Lithium-ion smart battery |
| Battery Life |
Prints more than 320 4” x 6” labels when operating 16 continuous hours |
300 cycles from low to maximum | 8 to 12 hours depending upon usage and connectivity used |
| Physical Size / Weight Of Unit |
6.5” W x 7.9” H x 3.2” D, 2.16 lbs |
5.9” W x 5.7” H x 3” D, 1.9 lbs |
6.5” W x 7.35” H x 3.25” D, 2.45 lbs |
| LCD Interface | 128 x 64 pixel LCD | 2 lines x 16 characters | 240 x 128 pixel LCD |
| Media Roll Size |
2.65” max O.D. / 0.75” I.D. core |
2.68” max O.D. / 0.75” I.D. core |
2.6” max O.D. / 0.75” or 1.375” I.D. core |
| Maximum Media Width | 4.12” (105 mm) | 4” (101 mm) | 4.4” (112 mm) |
| Media Thickness | 2 mil to 6.5 mil | 0.79 mil to 7.5 mil | 7.5 mil |
| Connectivity Options | Serial; RS232 up to 460.8 kbps, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 2.1 Class 2, 802.11 a/b/g | IrDA, USB, RS232, Bluetooth, 802.11 b/g | Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n, USB, Ethernet via Cradle |
| Emulation | DPL, ZPL II, CPCL, IPL, XML, EPL, Easy Print | ZPL (available upon request) |
Through the intelligence designed within the printer, virtually any other printer on the market can be emulated |
| Accessories | AC Adapters (U.S., E.U., U.K., Swiss, AU), DC/DC Voltage Converter, Vehicle Charger, Cigarette Lighter Charger, 2 Bay Battery Charging Cradle, Multi Unit Charging Adapter (U.S., E.U., U.K.), Communication Cables, Mounting Bracket, Belt Clip, Belt Loop, Hand Strap, IP54 Environmental Case, RAM Mount, External Media Spacer | RAM (third party) forklift mount, 1 slot & 6 slot batter charger, AC Adaptor, Shoulder Strap Cigaretter Lighter Adaptor, Carry Case, Linerless kit, Battery | AC Adapter, Smart Battery single charger, Quad battery charger, Charging and Ethernet cradle, Forklift mount accessories - Heavy-duty mount with fanfold tray, Cradle for easy attach/detach, DC converters for powering and charging from forklift batteries, shoulder strap, hand strap, soft case, hard case for heavy abrasive environments |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year † | 1 year †† |
| MSRP | $1,395 | $1,455 | $1,195 |
| Datasheet | Download | Download | Download |
| Extended Online Review | Click Here For The Extended Review | Click Here For The Extended Review | Click Here For The Extended Review |
† 1 year return to depot (all parts & labor). Toshiba also offer extended service outside the one year such as extended depot or on-site services.
†† 1 year; other service offerings: A ZebraCare Depot service agreement covers all the labor and parts (excluding batteries and accessories) required to keep printers operating. Comprehensive coverage includes unlimited printhead replacement; normal wear and tear; and all internal and external components, such as the LCD, media cover, gears, etc. All Zebra equipment returned for service under these agreements will receive a complete preventative maintenance procedure and will be returned at no additional cost.
Standard with Comprehensive Agreement - The Standard agreement covers all labor and parts (excluding accessories and batteries), cleaning and adjustment, preventative maintenance, and three-day turnaround.
Advantage with Comprehensive - ZebraCare Advantage includes all the standard features with the addition of next day turnaround on all corrective maintenance.
Advantage PLUS with Comprehensive - Zebra will maintain a pool of up to 6 percent of printer inventory at our facility for same-day exchange, provide free overnight shipping, and monthly activity reports.