DYMO LabelWriter 5XL

So I’ve had this on the shelf for about a month and so far it has not balked at tasks. One thing is that the supplied starter roll of labels was “aged out” as it were so I tossed it. Two uses: shipping labels for USPS Click-and-Ship, which work fine, and larger labels for storage boxes in the garage that are easier to read. The network capability is a big plus, making the USB connection not particularly necessary. Nice to be able to take the laptop into the garage and compose and print the labels without dragging the printer out with me. One nice feature is the “labels remaining” display in Dymo connect. Generally, Dymo Connect is not quite so friendly as DYMO Label, but that may just be a product of getting used to a different user interface. For basic label creation, DC is fine.

This review is for the Used DYMO LabelWriter 5XL Label Printer. While I understand the risks associated with buying used equipment, I did not expect the unit to fail completely so quickly. The Issue: The printer constantly displays the critical error "Unknown Label." Crucially, this error persists even when using brand-new, official DYMO-branded 5XL labels (specifically the 4" x 6" size). This proves the fault lies with the printer's sensors or firmware, not with third-party label stock. I have attempted all standard troubleshooting—driver updates, software re-installation, cleaning the sensors—with no success. The device is now an expensive paperweight. Timing & Accountability: The core functionality ceased shortly after delivery, meaning the unit was barely functional before it failed. Because I tried to troubleshoot the issue extensively, I have now fallen outside the Amazon return window. This short, poor performance suggests either very inadequate refurbishment by the seller or a major defect with the unit itself. My Verdict: You absolutely get what you pay for. Never ever buy Used stuff from this store. The seller should be held accountable for selling defective equipment that fails immediately. I am requesting the seller/store contact me directly to resolve this significant issue. As the product failed due to a clear defect just outside the return date, I believe an exchange for a fully functional, tested unit is the appropriate resolution.

Recommend

This printer is as inconvenient as it gets. I put these in all my companies' workstations, and the awful Dymo ecosystem caused total supply collapse. The Dymo printer CAN ONLY BE USED WITH DYMO LABELS. These labels tend to be DOUBLE THE PRICE of the regular shipping labels and are completely inconvenient to buy. You can either pay a premium for the only store in town that can get them or wait a week to get them online. The printer is cheap and does not print labels well; it will shut off at random times while printing, causing you to waste your labels, and when turned on again, it will then proceed to start the prints over and waste tons of labels that you paid double for because of DYMO RFID greed. This printer has cost us more money than we will ever get out of it and I recommend anyone with supply chain quality needs to RUN AWAY FROM THIS PRINTER

Easy to use, Love the way it prints and soeed

Ok what you don't realize is you can ONLY use a special label for these due its ability to tell you when the labels are nearly out. The label roll has a chip in it that the printer can sense. However the bummer is you CANNOT use any other label as it does not read them! You MUST use the labels specific for this printer. Sounds just like what the ink printing business is like - buy an affordable printer and get reemed on the ink!

I've been using a Dymo printer daily for my small business for almost a decade, but my customer loyalty ends now. Over quarantine I sent my beloved 4XL to live with my assistant and have recently been searching for a second. I got this one, figuring newer would be better, right? Incorrect, sir. Dymo has gone and installed an RFID reader in the 5XL; that's how it "automatically senses" what label you have inside. They put a chip in all of the rolls. What they skirt around is that the printer will not work AT ALL without sensing a chip, neatly forcing you to use their labels alone. Dymo's branded labels were already obscenely expensive even before they started sticking actual chips into the rolls. I don't even want to know what they cost now. My business is extremely small and I've been buying off-brand labels in bulk since I got my first printer. I'm not going to let those go to waste in favor of a more expensive version of the same thing. Seriously, this is one of the most ridiculously blatant money-grabs I've ever seen... and the most effective way to drive off long-time customers. Good job, Dymo. If you bought this and are stuck with it: the internet informs me by removing the chip and sticking it to the roll holder, you can pretty easily fool it. Unfortunately I use 4 different label sizes regularly, so that hack won't help me; hopefully it will help some of you!

Easy to use software installation (haven't used the software itself yet), windows was a little tricky to get it to recognize as a printer. Requires a LAN connection to "wirelessly" print from else where in the building on the same internet otherwise can use included printer cable. If using for eBay labels make sure you select 4*6 as your label size. There are guides out there to use. I'm excited to use this product going forward.

Great printer. Easy to set up and use.

Update: It's a year later and it's STILL the biggest piece of garbage. $50 for ONE roll of replacement Dymo brand labels since only theirs work and it STILL won't detect them. It wastes 2-3 blank labels every single time before it finally prints one. For real, think of me if you buy this thing when you're ripping your hair out. Don't say I didn't warn you. (All printers are annoying but this is next level). Literally the biggest piece of garbage I have EVER used. I had the 4XL and it died after a few years so replaced it with this one. A few years ago they changed their software, and it feels like it was made by someone that has never used the product before. Non stop "labels are getting low" despite being a new roll. When you try to print, you have to press it 10 times before it finally does, and then half hour later the other 9 labels just shoot out of it. I'm an IT Network Admin I know how to set up a printer. What disgusts me with this brand now though is I have an entire box of labels that WON'T work because Dymo has some kind of code on their labels forcing you to ONLY use their official ones which cost 5x as much and are the exact same. I would NEVER buy another Dymo product EVER again, it is the worst label printer in existence. How this company is even in business with a product this bad is quite honestly mind blowing.

Very easy to use software. I bought this to replace an old zebra printer for my Amazon FBA shipments and I couldn’t be happier. You have to use Dymo brand labels and there are a bit more expensive than generic but it’s not a significant difference.

Very good label maker. Worked perfectly for me EBAY business. Only downside is that it only works with Dymo labels.

Nothing like getting a used printer instead of a new one (and yes I ordered new not refurbished) all scratched up and clearly well loved machine received. Wouldn’t buy again