Brother P-touch PT-N25BT Bluetooth Label Maker: features, specs and uses

The Brother P-touch PT-N25BT is a compact handheld label maker with a QWERTY keyboard, a small display and Bluetooth. It prints short labels for the home, the classroom, the craft table or a small business, and it connects to a free app for more design options. Here is how it works and what to check.

A keyboard, a display and a cutter

Labels are typed on a full QWERTY keyboard, much like a computer keyboard, so there is no cycling through letters. A 16-character display shows a preview of what you typed before printing, which helps avoid wasted tape from typos. A built-in cutter trims each label cleanly once it is printed.

The machine saves up to 10 labels in memory, so you can re-print frequently used ones, such as storage-box names, without retyping them.

Fonts, frames and symbols

On the device itself, Brother lists 3 fonts in 7 styles (including underline and italic), 15 frames and 250 symbols. Labels can have up to two lines of text, with a combined height of 9mm. The tape width is 12mm, so the print area is small. Think names, categories and short notes rather than long text.

Bluetooth and the Design&Print2 app

Bluetooth connects the label maker to a phone or tablet running Brother's free Design&Print2 app. Brother says the app adds templates, fonts, symbols, emojis, frames, patterns and alignment options beyond what the keyboard offers. This is handy if you want decorative labels or to design on a larger screen. As with any app, check that your phone's operating system is supported.

Btag tapes

The PT-N25BT is made exclusively for Brother Btag label tapes. Each cartridge is about 1/2 inch (12mm) wide and 13.1 feet (4m) long, and Brother offers 17 colours. The tapes have a split, easy-peel backing and are designed for damage-free removal. Because the machine uses only this tape family, it will not accept other Brother P-touch tape types, such as TZe tapes. Check that the colours and type you want are available.

Power options

The label maker can be plugged in or run on batteries. It requires 6 AAA batteries; the adapter and batteries are sold separately, according to the listing. Battery power makes it easy to carry around a room or to events. Brother lists the size as 6.0 x 6.0 x 2.9 inches and the weight as 1.1 lb.

Where it fits

Brother suggests uses ranging from organizing at home and in dorm rooms to wedding planning, conference coordination, education and small-business tasks. Typical examples include marking cables, jars, files, drawers, folders, gifts or craft supplies.

Who it suits

It suits anyone who wants simple, personalized labels at home or in a small workspace, and who likes the option of customizing from a phone. It is less suited to jobs that need wide labels, barcodes, or long text, because of the 12mm tape and two-line limit.

What to check before you buy

• Tape type: only Btag tapes work; confirm the colours and lengths you need.
• Power: an adapter and batteries are sold separately.
• Label size: 12mm tape with two lines up to 9mm total may be too small for some uses.
• App support: check that your phone or tablet can run the Design&Print2 app.
• Surface: check the tape's adhesive suits what you plan to label, such as textured or curved surfaces.

The short version

• Handheld label maker with a QWERTY keyboard, 16-character display and built-in cutter.
• Bluetooth and the free Design&Print2 app for additional templates and fonts.
• 3 fonts in 7 styles, 15 frames, 250 symbols; stores 10 labels.
• Uses only Brother Btag tapes, 12mm wide, in 17 colours.
• Plug-in or 6 x AAA battery use; adapter and batteries not included.

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