BillionFables

Side by side

Brother PT-E310BT vs Brother PT-E510: E510 trades Bluetooth phone editing for wider tape and half cuts

Quick verdict

PT-E310BT is the pick if you edit jobs on a phone. PT-E510 is the better fit when 24 mm media and automatic half cuts count for more than Bluetooth. The higher model number shifts the workflow in both directions, with gains and losses.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

Which printer fits depends on phone access versus batch handling

A technician gets a phone route with E310BT, though cutting is manual. E510 brings automatic half cuts and wider tape but lacks the same Bluetooth workflow. When names change on site, E310BT may be more convenient. When prepared sequences have to stay in order, E510 can fit better.

Where this comes from

Match where you edit with how you finish the job. Neither feature is inferred from the model hierarchy.

The catch

Brother PT-E310BT

You still have to cut by hand between labels.

The catch

Brother PT-E510

No Bluetooth connection is documented for this particular model.

Brother PT-E310BT

Brother PT-E310BT

Why pick it
  • Cable names get edited on your phone at the job site. E310BT brings Bluetooth and Pro Label Tool support.
  • Your cable IDs fit on 18 mm media, which the narrower printer handles.
The catch
You still have to cut by hand between labels.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Brother PT-E510

Brother PT-E510

Why pick it
  • Labels should stay together on one backing strip. E510 has the documented half-cut option.
  • Panel labels call for 24 mm tape, and E510 takes the wider media.
The catch
No Bluetooth connection is documented for this particular model.
See price & reviews on Amazon

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Comparison updated , Product data updated , Amazon.com / United States

What this page compares

Brother PT-E310BT vs PT-E510 for cable jobs, edits made on a phone and labels kept on connected strips. Here is how 18 mm Bluetooth labeling stacks up against 24 mm automatic half cutting.

PT-E310BT is the pick if you edit jobs on a phone. PT-E510 is the better fit when 24 mm media and automatic half cuts count for more than Bluetooth. The higher model number shifts the workflow in both directions, with gains and losses.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • You change cable names on a phone while at the job

    Bluetooth and Pro Label Tool support come with the E310BT.

    Brother PT-E310BT
    Good
    Brother PT-E510
    Depends

  • 18 mm media fits your cable IDs

    That range is handled by the narrower printer.

    Brother PT-E310BT
    Good
    Brother PT-E510
    Depends

  • You want your labels to stay on one backing strip

    The documented half-cut option comes with the E510.

    Brother PT-E310BT
    Depends
    Brother PT-E510
    Good

  • Panel labels mean you need 24 mm tape

    The E510 takes the wider media.

    Brother PT-E310BT
    Depends
    Brother PT-E510
    Good

In practice

Differences you will notice

Which printer fits depends on phone access versus batch handling

A technician gets a phone route with E310BT, though cutting is manual. E510 brings automatic half cuts and wider tape but lacks the same Bluetooth workflow. When names change on site, E310BT may be more convenient. When prepared sequences have to stay in order, E510 can fit better.

How we worked this out

Match where you edit with how you finish the job. Neither feature is inferred from the model hierarchy.

Half cuts can keep a prepared sequence in order

With compatible backing, E510 can cut through the label face and leave the backing joined. Neighboring identifiers then stay together until you place them. E310BT works through a manual Cut-Pause workflow instead. What you gain is easier organizing and handling of the batch. It is not a verified number of seconds saved, and it does not mean every medium can be half-cut.

How we worked this out

Documented automatic half cutting is set against a manual cutter. Confirm the compatible media and cutter settings.

Your office workbook may need to become a simpler file first

CSV is required for the printer database, and E310BT mobile database use needs it as well. A Windows desktop application may accept XLSX, but that does not mean the raw workbook will transfer to the printer or phone unchanged. Export the fields you intend to use, then check a sample label before you count on the job away from the desk.

How we worked this out

Notes on the official model page about databases separate Windows editor formats from CSV requirements for the printer and mobile.

Option A
Brother PT-E310BT

Brother, PT-E310BT

PT-E310BT

Cable wraps and flags get formatted on the keyboard or in the mobile app.

Best for
Cable names get edited on your phone at the job site. E310BT brings Bluetooth and Pro Label Tool support.

Facts we checked

  • Wireless editing: Through a Bluetooth mobile app
  • Widest media: 18 mm
  • Cutting: By manual Cut-Pause
  • Database input: CSV, for the printer and the mobile app
See price & reviews on Amazon
Option B
Brother PT-E510

Brother, PT-E510

PT-E510

Cable IDs made on a keyboard, with automatic half cuts.

Best for
Labels should stay together on one backing strip. E510 has the documented half-cut option.

Facts we checked

  • Wireless editing: Bluetooth is not documented
  • Widest media: 24 mm
  • Cutting: Full and half cuts, automatic
  • Database input: CSV, for the printer
See price & reviews on Amazon

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where Brother PT-E310BT and Brother PT-E510 differ
SpecBrother PT-E310BTBrother PT-E510In practice
Wireless editingBluetooth mobile appNo documented BluetoothPhone-first work favors E310BT.
Maximum media18 mm24 mmThe E510 takes maximum tape that is one-third wider.
CuttingManual Cut-PauseAutomatic full and half cutOn supported tape, half cutting leaves a strip of backing intact.
Database inputCSV for printer and mobile appCSV for printerBefore use, a spreadsheet file may have to be converted.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With Brother PT-E310BT

  • To use its database on the printer or the app, export your spreadsheet to CSV first.

With Brother PT-E510

  • A raw workbook will not do for printer databases, which need CSV.

Change of plan

When the answer changes

Phone editing is essential

Go with Brother PT-E310BT. The documented Bluetooth route comes with the E310BT.

24 mm media or half cutting is a must

Go with Brother PT-E510. Both come with the E510.

Phone editing and half cutting are both needed

Neither model fits. Look at the E560BT, which documents both capabilities.

Decision guide

How to decide

Phone editing points to PT-E310BT. A need for 24 mm media and automatic half cuts, even without Bluetooth, points to PT-E510. In this pairing the higher model number shifts the workflow in both directions.

01

Which printer fits depends on phone access versus batch handling

A technician gets a phone route with E310BT, though cutting is manual. E510 brings automatic half cuts and wider tape but lacks the same Bluetooth workflow. When names change on site, E310BT may be more convenient. When prepared sequences have to stay in order, E510 can fit better.

02

Half cuts can keep a prepared sequence in order

With compatible backing, E510 can cut through the label face and leave the backing joined. Neighboring identifiers then stay together until you place them. E310BT works through a manual Cut-Pause workflow instead. What you gain is easier organizing and handling of the batch. It is not a verified number of seconds saved, and it does not mean every medium can be half-cut.

03

Your office workbook may need to become a simpler file first

CSV is required for the printer database, and E310BT mobile database use needs it as well. A Windows desktop application may accept XLSX, but that does not mean the raw workbook will transfer to the printer or phone unchanged. Export the fields you intend to use, then check a sample label before you count on the job away from the desk.

Check these before you buy

  • On Amazon, confirm the exact model and package, along with its power source and the media that comes with it.
  • Make sure your real label size, material and design device fit the documented workflow.

What this page can’t tell you

  • These conclusions come from specifications and workflows. They are not a hands-on comparison of reliability or print quality.
  • Amazon offers, software and phone support can all change, so confirm the current version and the package you select.

By the numbers

What the data shows

What we found across the label printers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.

Show the facts and the math
Models in the comparison
2 models
Sources
2 covering these models
Product data updated
The facts and sources behind each product in this recommendation
ProductNeeds it meetsFacts we checkedSources
Brother PT-E310BT
  • Cable names get edited on your phone at the job site. E310BT brings Bluetooth and Pro Label Tool support.
  • Your cable IDs fit on 18 mm media, which the narrower printer handles.
  • Wireless editing: Through a Bluetooth mobile app
  • Widest media: 18 mm
  • Cutting: By manual Cut-Pause
  • Database input: CSV, for the printer and the mobile app
Brother PT-E510
  • Labels should stay together on one backing strip. E510 has the documented half-cut option.
  • Panel labels call for 24 mm tape, and E510 takes the wider media.
  • Wireless editing: Bluetooth is not documented
  • Widest media: 24 mm
  • Cutting: Full and half cuts, automatic
  • Database input: CSV, for the printer

Ready to buy

See today’s price and what owners say

Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

Brother PT-E310BT

Brother PT-E310BT

Cable names get edited on your phone at the job site. E310BT brings Bluetooth and Pro Label Tool support.

See price & reviews on Amazon

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We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money

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