Other label makers use embossing to make their mark, meaning you’ll need to buy a supply of tape and ribbon for this to work – although the vintage effect offered by such models is incredibly appealing. We’d recommend this product to anyone who’s in the market for a label maker that can do so much more than that. If you love your arts and crafts, are into design or even run a small business, the array of options Cricut’s software and machinery can offer you will transform your ideas into beautiful designs in minutes. It offers similar features as its rival but comes with a QWERTY keyboard so it feels more like typing on a regular laptop or phone.

READ NEXT: Our selection of the best photo printers The best label makers to buy in 2023 1. Brother GL-H105: The best label maker overall The obvious advantage of these label makers is that they don't need to be physically tethered to a device to work - and are super-portable. It doesn’t have any major bells and whistles, but it's easy to use and does the labelling job nicely, embossing 49 different characters onto 9mm wide 3D strips.

Weight: 380g, dimensions: 10 x 6 x 8 cm, colour: white What connections do I need on a label maker? The Cricut Joy is not your conventional label maker as it can also cut and create pictures, hand-drawn designs, and cut-out words.

Brother's tapes (up to 12mm) can be used with this P-touch model and are available in up to 60 colour and size combinations. The alphabetical keyboard makes it easy to type what you want the label to say and you can see, at a glance, exactly how the font you’ve chosen will look. You can then change the size of the font, make it emboldened, italicise it, add one of 195 symbols, and more.

If you want a handheld label maker but the ABC keyboard on the LT-100H puts you off, try the Brother PT-H200.

With five font sizes, seven print styles, eight box styles, a keyboard and a super easy-to-use screen, it’s no wonder the Dymo LetraTag LT-100H is so popular. This Cricut is compact, easily transportable and its sleek design means it even looks great on an office counter or worktop.

Beyond the practicalities of organising, label makers can help you add finesse to gift wrapping or scrapbook projects. You could even personalise presents with some.

Alternatively, you can pay a little extra for a thermal printing label maker, a machine that doesn’t require additional tape, and could save you money in the long run. If you've got grand plans to declutter your home and streamline your storage system in the months ahead, a labelling machine is an essential bit of kit.Some label printers print using ink and toner, while others use embossing to make their mark - and both can be pretty cheap.