Phomemo Portable Wireless Inkless Thermal Printer

Alas, I should learn how to read and realize that it still doesn’t quite fit what I need it to do (small stickers for online selling), I’m still super impressed with this little thing, especially after my previous poor experience with this brand’s printers.

The printer is very compact and comes with a decent amount of test paper for the different sizes that it advertises being able to print. It includes a nice carrying case that houses everything you need for the printer neatly. The case is a hard-shell case with a plush lining, too, which offers that extra bit of protection.
Doesn’t seem to work with bluetooth on Windows, but that’s fine for me. Might be a deal breaker for others. Includes an adapter for if you have USB-C slots on your computer, which is nice and handy.
Print quality is pretty good! I’m rather impressed with how clear the print quality is (for text… images are a bit sloppier, but they’re not too bad, depending on what you’re printing. Obviously trying to print a full color range photo with this black and white thermal paper isn’t going to work out well, but if you’re using a design that’s clear with few, distinct colors, then it looks fine.
Ignore my hand measurements, it’s all I had to test the print with LOL

The printer paper are thin rolls, so your large sticker rolls aren’t going to work well if you were hoping to dual-wield this like I was. This printer also has back feed for shipping labels and the like, but it’s kind of annoying to print with any paper that isn’t the letter sized roll that fits into the printer, since there’s no way to adjust anything inside the printer to make the smaller rolls fit, even if they are compatible. There’s guide lines to where you need to place the smaller rolls, but be careful not to move the printer too much while loading that paper, since there’s nothing holing them in place. Same with anything that you feed through the back. If you misplace it, it’s going to print weirdly.
the company sells rolls of adhesive printer paper that will work in this, but they aren’t the cute round stickers. it’s still usable, I think. i’m going to purchase a pack of them and test them since they look compatible in the image (doesn’t mention this model in compatible printers)

Mobile usage is…OK. Using the app (instructions on their website where you download the printer driver), it connects immediately. The app design, however, is abysmal. This isn’t the printer’s fault but good lord trying to use the app is a headache and a half. Most of the premade designs/templates are impossible to use or properly edit. Just have an image already ready to print, would be my advice if you’re using the app. You can also type into the app to have it print, as well.

Portable printers can be incredibly handy, especially for those who travel frequently and need to print documents on the go. Despite living in a digital age, it’s surprising how often paper documents still play a role in our lives. As a photographer, I never compromise on the quality of my photo prints. Color accuracy and replication across my camera, monitor, and printer are crucial. This is why I’ve never considered buying a thermal printer. However, this printer isn’t designed for printing photos. It dawned on me that my dedication to high-quality photo prints shouldn’t prevent me from saving money on ink when printing documents and labels.

I’ve tested smaller thermal printers before, and while they’re generally useful for labels or stickers, the Phomemo M832 is in a league of its own.

First, I was pleasantly surprised by its form factor. It’s capable of printing letter-sized documents yet remains remarkably portable. It comes in a sturdy hard case that easily fits in my carry-on luggage or even my large backpack. The design is sleek and modern, with a premium gray finish. The build quality is excellent; nothing about it feels cheap or flimsy.

The printer operates completely wirelessly when connected to a mobile device, but for some reason, it requires a USB-C cable when connected to a PC. This seems like an odd limitation, especially since it has Bluetooth capabilities. I suspect it’s a software engineering issue and hope a firmware update might address it in the future.

To start printing, you need to download the Phomemo app. Connecting the printer to the app was quick and seamless, with no issues or glitches. The printer generously comes with four different paper sizes, and the letter-sized roll was already installed by default. Even if you need to change the paper, the process is easy and intuitive.

As expected, I had to adjust my expectations when it came to print quality. This is a thermal printer, so it doesn’t use ink. While the text on printed documents was clear and legible, it lacked some contrast, and some letters weren’t completely black. I’m accustomed to calibrating my photo printers for optimal results, but the M832 doesn’t require this step. Colored logos appeared dark, but larger icons were clearer. Don’t expect to print high-quality black and white photos with this printer; it’s simply not designed for that purpose. However, printing graphs and line sketches is completely possible.

So, who is this printer for? If you’re a frequent traveler who needs to print documents or labels on the go, a business owner printing shipping labels, a vendor at fairs or exhibitions, or a parent looking to save on ink while printing your kids’ homework, this printer is a fantastic tool. However, it’s not suitable for professional presentations or situations where high-quality prints are required.

Overall: The Phomemo M832 is a versatile and portable printer with excellent build quality. It’s perfect for printing documents and labels on the go, but don’t expect it to replace your high-quality photo printer.

Pros:

Compact and portable design
Excellent build quality
Easy setup and operation
Includes multiple paper sizes
Prints clear and legible text
Ideal for documents, labels, and homework

Cons:

Requires USB-C connection to PC
Print quality not suitable for photos
Limited color and contrast

 I have tried a few different Thermal Printers now, and this is the first one that i tried that was able to hold a roll of paper inside the printer! wow, ok so this, to me makes all the difference in the world when it comes to these little portable printers. With the other ones i have tried they do not hold roll of paper inside so you must always have to lug around sheets of paper with you, plus try not to get the paper damaged etc. With this Printer you do not have to worry about that.

Also, thermal printers can be difficult to load the paper, and with this one, you do not need to as the roll is already inside. Another great plus is that it has metal serrated edge along the closure so when your printing is done you just pull it upwards and it tears it off perfectly for you! ( I provided a video so you can see that )

I already had the Phomemo app on my phone from another thermal printer, so all i had to do was turn on the printer and the app picked it up! simple. But if you are New to this item and want to get one for first time, all you need to do is download the Phomemo app (it’s free) and downloads in no time. And from there it is pretty user friendly.

I love the Case that comes with this printer! it is very durable and has a great carry handle and there is separated space inside of it for your rolls of paper ( this one comes with 4 different sized rolls -3 are inside the case in the Paper Carry portion and 1 is already in the printer when you get it )

is super easy to open to access or change the paper roll. there are two little buttons on the front of the printer on each end, you can press one of them at a time or both same time to pop the printer open, and to close the lid again, just push down. it snaps in place.

I found the print quality to be really good, you can see it printing in real time in video i provided. The image i am printing is just one of many Free Images that are included in the Phomemo App.

Great portable printer and huge time saver with its ability to hold paper inside. I would recommend this printer!