Home > Consumer Reviews > Brother RQL-500 Refurbished PC Label Printer

The QL-500 label printer is a very simple product to use that yields perfect results every time I use it. The included software works very well in synchronizing with Microsoft Office applications. Labels print out very FAST and with impeccable quality. You cannot smear the printed items and the labels seem impervious to water.

And at this price for a refurbished unit? Come on!

No cons yet--if you need labels for things regularly, make it easy for yourself and just get one of these. It's quite a bit easier than worrying about printing off whole sheets of labels, especially when you just need one or two.

I had a Seiko label printer for years and, when it finally died on me, I first looked at what Seiko had to offer. While searching, I came across the Brother printer. I usually don't purchase refurbished equipment, but for the price (under $20) I figured I didn't have much to lose.

So glad I bought it! It looks just like a brand new printer - comes with all attachments, manuals, software and starter pack of labels. Set up was very easy (both hardware and software) - I was printing within 10 minutes of it arriving at my door.

Print speed is much faster than my old Seiko, and the software offers significant flexibility in designing labels. Or, to save time, you can use one of the pre-defined templates.

Great printer, fantastic price.

Rarely buy refurb items but for this price, decided to try it. Delighted with it so far. Crisp black printing, super speedy. Easy to use. USB cable and power outlet and good to go. I have Vista and while loading software, I did get an error message which told me to change my OS (what?!). Set up continued though and what I found when completed...the "editor" did not install. How to fix? Scamper off to the Brother site, put in serial number, download and all total..less than 5 minutes from start to finish....all better. Buy the cheapo roll of standards labels along with it since starter pack is ok but will surely deplete them fast.

Update 3/09: I see cost currently at almost $90. I paid $27 from Amazon. I'd buy it again at my price in a heartbeat but would seriously reconsider at higher.

First, the pros: We got one of these to help with addressing envelopes, labeling file folders, etc. and it does a great job there. I even label my homebrew beer bottles for gift purposes. For the as-needed labels that come one at a time, it's great.
The downside is the software. It's proprietary, and we couldn't get our address books or other databases to migrate and print properly. The labels themselves don't have any third-party generic equivalents, but the cost is small when you consider the refurb price and the fact you have to type in onesies.

These are fantastic labelers, I have bought about 6 or 7 of them, so I can have each loaded with a different size labeler. Hooked them up to a four-port USB network print sharing device, so they can be accessed from any computer. Got three of these refurbed for $18.xx each - came with manual, CD, etc., and a FULL roll of mailing labels -- whereas you only get a smallish starter roll with the new retail box item. Wish I had bought more of the refurbs while they were available - they sold out quickly.