Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This review applies to the Epson LabelWorks LW-300 and LW-400 label printers. The Epson LW-300 and LW-400 printers are very similar in capability. The primary differences are enumerated below: 1. The LW-300 supports tape widths up to 1/2" while the LW-400 supports tape widths up to 3/4". 2. The LW-300 can store up to 30 labels while the LW-400 can store up to 50 labels. 3. The LW-300 can print up to 2 lines per label while the LW-400 can print up to 4 lines per label. 4. The LW-300 takes 6 AAA batteries while the LW-400 takes 6 AA batteries (batteries not included with either printer). Both of these printers offer 14 different fonts in 10 different styles and both have more than 300 special characters that can be printed. They each also offer a variety of "frames" that can be set to print around the selected text. The biggest difference, however, between the two printers is that the LW-400 can create special formats. It can create flag labels for cables, wrapped labels for cables and, of great importance to some users, it can print barcodes in 8 different formats. When printing barcodes, the LW-400 is also smart enough to recognize if you don't have a sufficient number of digits entered for that particular barcode format; it won't let you print the barcode until you have entered the proper number of digits. Both machines are easy to set up. Once they are out of the box, you'll be printing labels in 2 or 3 minutes. Changing tape is easy on both units and both accept the same wide variety of tape media (bearing in mind that the LW-300 is limited to a maximum tape width of 1/2"). Having said all that -- and even though I'm impressed by the printing capabilities of both of these units -- I am disappointed in the print quality. Both units print purely horizontal or vertical lines very well, but curved lines are rough. They look pixelated. The resolution of the print head is simply not sufficient to render smooth curved lines. I also have a Brother label printer and, although it doesn't offer the variety of fonts and special characters that these Epson printers offer, the Brother labels are crisper and cleaner. These printers would easily garner 5 stars if their print quality was better. Print quality aside, these printers are well thought out and engineered. They are simple to use with intuitive controls. While the print quality is not exceptional, it will probably suffice for most users.