Best Receipt Printers for Small Businesses (UK)
Once you are taking card payments, a receipt printer is the next small upgrade that makes a business feel professional and keeps your bookkeeping tidy. Most small businesses want a thermal printer (no ink, just heat-sensitive paper), 80mm wide, that connects over USB, Bluetooth or your network and plays nicely with your till or card reader.
If you are still sorting your payment setup, start with our guide to the best card machines for small businesses.
What to look for
At a glance
- Paper width
- 80mm is standard
- Type
- Thermal (no ink)
- Speed
- 200mm/s is plenty
- Connection
- USB, Bluetooth or LAN
- Thermal, not inkjet — no cartridges to buy, just cheap rolls.
- 80mm rolls — the standard receipt width; easy and cheap to restock.
- The right connection — USB for a fixed till, Bluetooth for a tablet or phone till, LAN if you have a network setup.
- Compatibility — check it works with your till software or card reader before buying.
The best receipt printers
Epson TM-T20III
The reliable workhorse most shops and cafes end up with. Fast, well-built, widely supported by till software, and cheap on running costs. If you want one that just works for years, this is it.
Check price on AmazonLive price · opens in a new tabStar Micronics TSP143
A hugely popular choice for iPad and tablet tills, with strong support across point-of-sale apps. A little pricier, but rock-solid and a favourite of the hospitality trade.
Check price on AmazonLive price · opens in a new tabMunbyn 80mm Thermal Printer
A great-value option for a new or part-time business, or a market stall. Does the core job at a fraction of the price of the big brands, with USB and often Bluetooth versions available.
Check price on AmazonLive price · opens in a new tabPortable Bluetooth Receipt Printer
If you sell on the move, at fairs, markets or deliveries, a small battery-powered 58mm or 80mm Bluetooth printer pairs with your phone and prints a receipt anywhere. Handy alongside a mobile card reader.
Check price on AmazonLive price · opens in a new tabThermal Receipt Paper Rolls (80mm)
Whatever printer you choose, stock up on rolls, they are cheap in bulk and you never want to run out mid-trade. Check your printer's width (usually 80mm) before ordering.
Check price on AmazonLive price · opens in a new tabThe bottom line
For most small businesses the Epson TM-T20III (fixed till) or a Star TSP143 (tablet till) is the safe, buy-once choice. On a tight budget, a Munbyn does the job, and a portable Bluetooth printer is the answer if you trade on the move.
Whatever you pick, grab a few extra paper rolls at the same time.
General information to help you choose. Check compatibility with your own till or card reader before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a receipt printer if I have a card machine?
Not necessarily. Most card readers can send a receipt by email or text, which is free and satisfies the customer. A printer earns its keep when you want a paper copy in the customer's hand, or when you need a docket for a kitchen or workshop.
Will any receipt printer work with my till or card reader?
No, and this is the thing to check before buying. Printers connect by Bluetooth, USB, or network, and your till software or card reader will support some and not others. Check the supported list rather than assuming.
What paper do receipt printers use?
Almost all use thermal paper rolls, which need no ink. Check the roll width your model takes, usually 57mm or 80mm, and buy spares at the same time.
Can I use a receipt printer at a market stall?
Yes, if it is a portable Bluetooth model running on a battery. Mains-powered countertop printers are not practical away from a fixed pitch.
Related reading
- Best card machines for small businesses — pick by where you take payment
- Card machine for craft fairs — why 4G beats Wi-Fi in a field
- Cashbox for a craft show — the float that stops you losing sales
- Best all-in-one printer for home use — if it is for the house rather than the business
