BillionFables

Side by side

Brother QL-800 vs Brother QL-810Wc: 810Wc takes printing off the computer, but portable power still costs extra

Quick verdict

QL-800 fits a fixed computer desk. QL-810Wc fits when labels start on a phone or the printer has to sit away from the computer. The battery is still a separate purchase, and a full 4 by 6 carrier label is beyond both.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

In a shared household, you gain access but no extra print width

Compatible phones and computers can reach the 810Wc over Wi-Fi. That counts when one person labels food containers and another labels school storage, with no need to borrow the packing laptop. If that single laptop is always part of the routine, the 800 is still enough. The 62 mm media ceiling is the same on both.

Where this comes from

The 62 mm maximum media width stays put even as the connection options change.

The catch

Brother QL-800

A full 4 by 6 inch carrier label is beyond what it can print.

The catch

Brother QL-810Wc

You have to buy the battery separately.

Brother QL-800

Brother QL-800

Why pick it
  • All your label work begins on the same computer, and QL-800 provides the USB route.
  • Narrow black and red labels are all you need, and compatible DK-2251 media gives you that without any Wi-Fi.
The catch
A full 4 by 6 inch carrier label is beyond what it can print.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Brother QL-810Wc

Brother QL-810Wc

Why pick it
  • Your labels come from an iPhone, and QL-810Wc documents iOS AirPrint.
  • Portable power is something you want available. For that, add the compatible PA-BU001 battery to the 810Wc.
The catch
You have to buy the battery separately.
See price & reviews on Amazon

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

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

What this page compares

Brother QL-800 vs QL-810Wc for a fixed USB desk or labels from a phone. The differences are Wi-Fi and optional portable power, and both share the same narrow shipping limit.

QL-800 fits a fixed computer desk. QL-810Wc fits when labels start on a phone or the printer has to sit away from the computer. The battery is still a separate purchase, and a full 4 by 6 carrier label is beyond both.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • The same computer is where your labels begin

    The QL-800 connects over USB.

    Brother QL-800
    Good
    Brother QL-810Wc
    Good

  • Narrow black and red labels are all you need

    Compatible DK-2251 media delivers that capability, no Wi-Fi required.

    Brother QL-800
    Good
    Brother QL-810Wc
    Good

  • Your labels come from an iPhone

    QL-810Wc has iOS AirPrint documented.

    Brother QL-800
    Depends
    Brother QL-810Wc
    Good

  • You would like the option of portable power

    Pair the 810Wc with the compatible PA-BU001 battery.

    Brother QL-800
    Depends
    Brother QL-810Wc
    Good

In practice

Differences you will notice

In a shared household, you gain access but no extra print width

Compatible phones and computers can reach the 810Wc over Wi-Fi. That counts when one person labels food containers and another labels school storage, with no need to borrow the packing laptop. If that single laptop is always part of the routine, the 800 is still enough. The 62 mm media ceiling is the same on both.

How we worked this out

The 62 mm maximum media width stays put even as the connection options change.

Going wireless does not complete a portable setup

Battery operation on the 810Wc requires the optional PA-BU001. Planning to label boxes in a garage with no outlet nearby? Count the pack in your purchase decision. An AC-powered wireless printer can sit away from a computer, but it still cannot go with you everywhere.

How we worked this out

You buy the official power option on its own. Then match a data route with a supported power route.

A shipping job down the road could make either printer the wrong size

A standard four-inch-wide shipping label measures 101.6 mm across, and both printers take a maximum medium of 62 mm. An app, a longer continuous roll or red printing cannot close that gap. If full carrier labels are coming soon, a wide-format printer is the upgrade that helps.

How we worked this out

4×25.4=101.6 mm is beyond the 62 mm maximum of both models.

Option A
Brother QL-800

Brother, QL-800

QL-800

A USB-connected desk setup for address labels and small inventory labels.

Best for
All your label work begins on the same computer, and QL-800 provides the USB route.

Facts we checked

  • Connection: USB
  • iPhone printing: There is no native wireless route
  • Power away from the desk: Desktop workflow on AC
  • Media size: Up to 62 mm
See price & reviews on Amazon
Option B
Brother QL-810Wc

Brother, QL-810Wc

QL-810Wc

Narrow address and organization labels you can share over Wi-Fi.

Best for
Your labels come from an iPhone, and QL-810Wc documents iOS AirPrint.

Facts we checked

  • Connection: Wi-Fi as well as USB
  • iPhone printing: Through iOS AirPrint
  • Power away from the desk: PA-BU001 battery, optional
  • Media size: Up to 62 mm
See price & reviews on Amazon

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where Brother QL-800 and Brother QL-810Wc differ
SpecBrother QL-800Brother QL-810WcIn practice
ConnectionUSBUSB and Wi-FiThe 810Wc is the pick for phone-led work.
iPhone printingNo native wireless routeiOS AirPrintWithout Bluetooth, a phone can still print through Wi-Fi AirPrint.
Power away from the deskAC desktop workflowOptional PA-BU001 batteryYou buy wireless data and portable power separately.
Media size62 mm maximum62 mm maximumPlacement changes with the upgrade. Shipping-label width does not.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With Brother QL-800

  • You need the compatible black and red DK roll to print in red.

With Brother QL-810Wc

  • Media tops out at 62 mm, so full 4 by 6 shipping labels are out.

Change of plan

When the answer changes

Printing has to happen from an iPhone

Go with Brother QL-810Wc. 810Wc is the one that has AirPrint support.

Your computer is always connected

Go with Brother QL-800. USB takes care of that routine.

Labels have to come out at 4 by 6 inches

Neither model fits. Neither is wide enough for the full layout.

Decision guide

How to decide

A fixed computer desk points to QL-800, while labels that begin on a phone or a printer that must move away from the computer point to QL-810Wc. Remember that the battery is bought separately and that neither can print a full 4 by 6 carrier label.

01

In a shared household, you gain access but no extra print width

Compatible phones and computers can reach the 810Wc over Wi-Fi. That counts when one person labels food containers and another labels school storage, with no need to borrow the packing laptop. If that single laptop is always part of the routine, the 800 is still enough. The 62 mm media ceiling is the same on both.

02

Going wireless does not complete a portable setup

Battery operation on the 810Wc requires the optional PA-BU001. Planning to label boxes in a garage with no outlet nearby? Count the pack in your purchase decision. An AC-powered wireless printer can sit away from a computer, but it still cannot go with you everywhere.

03

A shipping job down the road could make either printer the wrong size

A standard four-inch-wide shipping label measures 101.6 mm across, and both printers take a maximum medium of 62 mm. An app, a longer continuous roll or red printing cannot close that gap. If full carrier labels are coming soon, a wide-format printer is the upgrade that helps.

Check these before you buy

  • Before ordering, verify the exact model and package on Amazon, including what powers it and the media supplied.
  • The documented workflow should line up with your actual label size, material and design device.

What this page can’t tell you

  • Treat these as workflow conclusions drawn from specifications. They do not come from a hands-on comparison of reliability or print quality.
  • Offers on Amazon, software and phone support are subject to change. Verify the current version and the package you pick.

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 QL-800
  • All your label work begins on the same computer, and QL-800 provides the USB route.
  • Narrow black and red labels are all you need, and compatible DK-2251 media gives you that without any Wi-Fi.
  • Connection: USB
  • iPhone printing: There is no native wireless route
  • Power away from the desk: Desktop workflow on AC
  • Media size: Up to 62 mm
Brother QL-810Wc
  • Your labels come from an iPhone, and QL-810Wc documents iOS AirPrint.
  • Portable power is something you want available. For that, add the compatible PA-BU001 battery to the 810Wc.
  • Connection: Wi-Fi as well as USB
  • iPhone printing: Through iOS AirPrint
  • Power away from the desk: PA-BU001 battery, optional
  • Media size: Up to 62 mm

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.

Each link opens in a new tab.

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

Related comparisons

ComparisonDYMO LabelWriter 550 vs Brother QL-800: Brother brings red highlights, and neither fits full four-by-six shipping labelsA small home office weighing DYMO LabelWriter 550 vs Brother QL-800 will care about address labels, supply restrictions and red warning text. Here is how they differ on each.ComparisonBrother QL-810Wc vs Brother QL-820NWBc: 820 gains Ethernet and a display, and on both models portable power is still an extraBrother QL-810Wc vs QL-820NWBc for home offices, shared Ethernet and mobile labeling. More connections still leave shipping labels no wider, and here is why.ComparisonBrother QL-800 vs DYMO LabelWriter 450 Twin Turbo: Brother brings supported red printing, and DYMO keeps two narrow stocks loadedRed-and-black labels on the QL-800 versus two loaded stocks on the 450 Twin Turbo, covering exact rolls, software limits and the desk work each saves.Buying guideWhat label printer suits an iPhone-only shipping setup?Picking a label printer for shipping from an iPhone? Weigh Rollo AirPrint, label dimensions, Wi-Fi setup and how much room a real packing station takes.