Receipt Printer Buying Guide

Find the perfect receipt printer for your business with our comprehensive guide covering print technologies, speeds, connectivity options, and reliability features.

Professional Recommendation: Print Technology Selection

When selecting a receipt printer, prioritize thermal printing technology for modern retail and hospitality environments. While impact printers remain valuable for multi-part forms and kitchen applications, thermal printers offer superior speed, quieter operation, and lower maintenance requirements. For high-volume operations, invest in models with print speeds of 250mm/sec or higher to minimize customer wait times and ensure optimal throughput during peak business hours.

Key Decision Factors

Print Technology

Choose the right printing technology based on your receipt requirements

Print Speed & Volume

Select appropriate print speed based on your transaction volume

Form Factor

Choose the right size and mounting option for your workspace

Connectivity

CloudPrint for receipt printers typically refers to a system that lets point-of-sale (POS) applications send print jobs to receipt printers over the internet rather than through a direct, local connection. Instead of relying on USB or LAN-only printing, CloudPrint allows printers to be registered to a cloud service so they can receive print commands from anywhere the POS software is running. This enables remote printing, easier multi-location management, and more reliable communication between cloud-based POS platforms and physical receipt printers.

Thermal Printing

Pros:
  • Fast printing
  • Quiet operation
  • No ribbon needed
Cons:
  • Heat sensitive paper
  • Fades over time
  • Higher paper cost

Impact/Dot Matrix

Pros:
  • Multi-part forms
  • Durable prints
  • Lower paper cost
Cons:
  • Slower printing
  • Noisy operation
  • Requires ribbons

Basic Speed (150mm/s)

Pros:
  • Lower cost
  • Adequate for low volume
  • Energy efficient
Cons:
  • Slower service
  • Queue buildup
  • Limited throughput

High Speed (300mm/s+)

Pros:
  • Fast service
  • High throughput
  • Customer satisfaction
Cons:
  • Higher cost
  • More heat generation
  • Premium features

Desktop/Countertop

Pros:
  • Easy setup
  • Portable
  • Cost effective
Cons:
  • Takes counter space
  • Less secure
  • Cable management

Mobile/Portable

Pros:
  • Battery powered
  • Wireless connectivity
  • Field service ready
Cons:
  • Higher cost
  • Battery maintenance
  • Limited paper capacity

USB

Pros:
  • Reliable connection
  • Fast data transfer
  • No setup required
Cons:
  • Cable required
  • Limited range
  • Port dependency

Ethernet

Pros:
  • Network sharing
  • Long distance
  • Stable connection
Cons:
  • Network setup required
  • Higher cost
  • Fixed location

Wireless (WiFi/Bluetooth)

Pros:
  • No cables needed
  • Flexible placement
  • Mobile friendly
Cons:
  • Signal interference
  • Battery drain
  • Setup complexity

Professional Recommendations

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Recommended Receipt Printers

Looking for a recommendation?

Star Micronics, TSP143IV, Thermal Receipt Printer, USB-C, Ethernet, CloudPRNT

$301.99

Citizen CT-S601II Receipt Printer

$293.00

Epson, TM-T20IV, Thermal Receipt Printer, USB, Black

$199.99

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of receipt printers are available?

Thermal printers – Most common; fast, quiet, and no ink required. Ideal for retail and hospitality.
Impact/Dot-matrix printers – Use ink ribbons; good for environments requiring multi-copy or high-heat tolerance (e.g., kitchens).

What connection options should I look for?

USB – Most common for direct countertop POS setups.
Ethernet (LAN) – Ideal for networked systems or sharing across terminals.
Bluetooth – Wireless option for mobile setups.
Wi-Fi – Flexible but can be less stable than wired.

Are receipt printers compatible with all POS systems?

No. Each printer must be compatible with:

  • Your POS software (drivers or direct integration required)
  • Your hardware (Windows, iOS, Android, or dedicated POS terminals)

Always check the compatibility list before buying.

What size paper rolls do printers use?

Most use:

  • 80mm (3 1/8”) width – Standard POS receipts
  • 57mm (2 1/4”) width – Mobile or compact printers
Do I need any accessories?

Common accessories include:

  • Extra paper rolls
  • Cash drawer (connected via RJ11 cable for auto-open)
  • Mounting brackets or stands