Best Dot Matrix Printers of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

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Dot matrix printers are a type of impact printer that use a series of pins to strike an ink ribbon and transfer ink onto paper. They are known for being reliable and durable, making them a popular choice for businesses that require high-volume printing. Although they may not produce the highest quality prints, they are capable of printing on a variety of surfaces including multipart forms and labels. Dot matrix printers are also known for their ability to handle continuous feed paper, which is ideal for printing invoices, receipts, and other documents that require multiple copies.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer Cover #TOP 1
Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer Cover #TOP 2
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer Cover #TOP 3
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Dot Matrix Printers

#TOP 1

Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer

LQ-590II
Clear
One Size
Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson Lq-590ii 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer

The Epson LQ-590II Dot Matrix Printer is a powerful impact printer designed for busy print environments. It offers speeds up to 584 cps, a long life cycle, and a 3-year limited warranty. This reliable printer is engineered for seamless integration into virtually any system and includes Epson ESC/P2 and IBM PPDS printer languages. It is ideal for harsh environments and can handle cut-sheet, continuous, or multipart forms up to 7 pages thick. The intuitive control panel makes setup and operation easy.

What We Like
Fast printing speed of up to 584 cps
Long life cycle and 3-year limited warranty
Can handle cut-sheet, continuous, or multipart forms up to 7 pages thick
Engineered for seamless integration into virtually any system
Intuitive control panel makes setup and operation easy
#TOP 2

Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer

C11CC24001
1-(Pack)
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson C11CC24001 LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer - 9 pin - Up to 347 char/sec - Parallel/Serial/USB

The Epson LX-350 is a compact dot matrix printer with fast and durable 9-pin technology, ideal for front and back office applications needing continuous paper or multi-part stationery. It prints up to 347 characters per second and has a mean time between failure of 10,000 operating hours. The LX-350 has parallel, serial, and USB interfaces, and is energy-efficient for less power consumption.

What We Like
Fast and durable 9-pin technology
Compact design fits neatly onto desks
MTBF of 10,000 operating hours
Multiple interfaces: parallel, serial, and USB
Energy-efficient model for less power consumption
#TOP 3

Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer

C11CC24001
Black
Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson C11CC24001 Dot Matrix Printer

The Epson LX-350 Dot Matrix Printer is a fast and durable printer with 9-Pin technology that prints up to 347 characters per second, making it ideal for front and back office applications needing continuous paper or multi-part stationery. It has a mean time between failure of 10,000 operating hours, making it more reliable than ever. This printer is wired and has parallel, serial, and USB connectivity options. It is compact and is designed for use in both home and office settings, and it outputs monochrome prints at a maximum speed of 20 pages per minute.

What We Like
Fast and durable 9-Pin technology
Multiple connectivity options
Compact design
Ideal for continuous paper or multi-part stationery
Reliable with mean time between failure of 10,000 operating hours
#TOP 4

Epson LQ-590II NT Dot Matrix Printer

LQ-590II NT
Clear
One Size
Epson LQ-590II NT Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson Lq-590ii Network-Ready 24-Pin Dot Matrix Printer

The Epson LQ-590II NT Dot Matrix Printer is a reliable 24-pin impact printer that offers durability and ease of use for critical daily print requirements. It boasts a long life cycle and speeds up to 584 cps, with an up-to-5-million-character ribbon cartridge that reduces user interventions as well as cost per page. Engineered for seamless integration into virtually any system, it includes Epson's ESC/P and IBM's PPDS printer languages. This printer is ideal for harsh environments, and can race through cut-sheet, continuous or multipart forms up to seven pages thick. It also features an intuitive control panel for easy setup and operation.

What We Like
Reliable 24-pin impact printer
Long life cycle with speeds up to 584 cps
Up-to-5-million-character ribbon cartridge reduces user interventions and cost per page
Ideal for harsh environments and can handle cut-sheet, continuous or multipart forms up to seven pages thick
Includes Epson's ESC/P and IBM's PPDS printer languages for seamless integration into virtually any system
#TOP 5

Epson LQ-2090II NT Dot Matrix Printer

EPS-C11CF40202
Epson LQ-2090II NT Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson LQ-2090II NT 24-pin Dot Matrix Printer - Monochrome - 550 CPS Mono - USB - Parallel - Ethernet

The Epson LQ-2090II NT Dot Matrix Printer is a monochrome printer with 24-pin printing capability and USB, parallel, and Ethernet connection options. With a print speed of 550 CPS Mono, this printer is suitable for high-volume printing tasks. As a dot matrix printer, it is ideal for printing forms, invoices, and other multipart documents.

What We Like
High print speed of 550 CPS Mono
Suitable for high-volume printing tasks
Can print multipart documents such as forms and invoices
#TOP 6

OKI MICROLINE 320 Turbo Mono Dot Matrix Printer

OKI
62411601
black
OKI MICROLINE 320 Turbo Mono Dot Matrix Printer Cover
OKI MICROLINE 320 Turbo Mono Dot Matrix Printer (62411601)

The OKI MICROLINE 320 Turbo Mono Dot Matrix Printer is a high-speed printer with a 9-pin print head that can print up to 435 characters per second. It has a maximum duty cycle of 20,000 pages and a 64 KB memory buffer. This printer is compatible with both USB and parallel ports and has a resolution of 240 x 216 dpi.

What We Like
High-speed printer
Large memory buffer
Compatible with both USB and parallel ports
#TOP 7

Epson LQ-2090II Dot Matrix Printer

LQ-2090II
Monochrome
Epson LQ-2090II Dot Matrix Printer Cover
Epson LQ LQ-2090II Dot Matrix Printer - Monochrome

The Epson LQ-2090II Dot Matrix Printer is a reliable and durable printer that is perfect for demanding print environments. This wide-format impact printer offers speeds up to 584 cps, a long life cycle, and a 3-year limited warranty. It is engineered for seamless integration into virtually any system and includes Epson ESC/P2 and IBM PPDS printer languages. The up-to-8-million-character ribbon cartridge reduces user interventions and cost per page. This printer is ideal for harsh environments and can race through cut-sheet, continuous, or multipart forms up to 7 pages thick. The intuitive control panel makes setup and operation easy.

What We Like
Reliable and durable
Fast printing speeds up to 584 cps
Includes Epson ESC/P2 and IBM PPDS printer languages
Up-to-8-million-character ribbon cartridge reduces user interventions and cost per page
Ideal for harsh environments and can handle cut-sheet, continuous, or multipart forms up to 7 pages thick
#TOP 8

Epson TM-U220B Impact Receipt Printer

U220PB
Black
Epson TM-U220B Impact Receipt Printer Cover
Epson TM-U220B Dot Matrix Compact POS Impact Receipt and Kitchen Label Printer, DK Port and Ethernet Connectivity - up to 6.0 lps, 4 Lines Per Second, Auto-Cutter, DAODYANG

The Epson TM-U220B Printer is a compact and efficient solution for your receipt and kitchen printing needs. It connects seamlessly with mobile POS systems, allowing you to print directly from your iOS, Android, or Windows devices. With a high-speed printing capability of up to 6.0 lines per second, you can process orders quickly, enhancing your service efficiency. The two-color printing feature is perfect for drawing attention to special offers or important order details, while the autocutter ensures neat and hassle-free receipts. Additionally, it accommodates various paper widths, making it versatile for different printing tasks.

What We Like
High-speed printing
Mobile POS compatibility
Two-color printing
Autocutter included
Versatile paper widths
#TOP 9

OKI MICROLINE 420 Dot Matrix Printer

OKI
62418701
Beige
OKI MICROLINE 420 Dot Matrix Printer Cover
OKI 62418701 MICROLINE 420 Dot Matrix Printer

The OKI MICROLINE 420 Dot Matrix Printer is a reliable and efficient printer that can handle high-volume printing tasks with ease. With a printing speed of up to 570 cps and a max duty cycle of 24,000 pages, this printer is perfect for busy offices that require fast and consistent printing. It features a 9-pin printing technology with a 240 x 216 dpi resolution, delivering sharp and clear monochrome prints. The printer comes with a parallel and USB connectivity technology, making it easy to connect to your computer. Additionally, it has an auto-document feeder, which allows for hands-free printing. This printer is also energy star certified, making it an eco-friendly option for your office.

What We Like
Fast printing speed of up to 570 cps
High duty cycle of 24,000 pages
Sharp and clear monochrome prints
Auto-document feeder for hands-free printing
Energy star certified for eco-friendliness
#TOP 10

OKI Microline 320 Turbo Printer

JetSet Label
62411601
OKI Microline 320 Turbo Printer Cover
OKI Microline 320 Turbo Printer - OKI Data 320 Turbo Printer (62411601) | Includes Jetset Software

The OKI Microline 320 Turbo is a reliable dot matrix printer designed for efficient printing. With a speed of 435 characters per minute, it allows you to quickly produce documents, making it ideal for busy work environments. The printer supports both USB and parallel connections, ensuring compatibility with various devices, which adds convenience to your setup. Its 240 x 216 dpi resolution delivers clear and legible prints, essential for professional documents. Additionally, it comes with JetSet Software, which simplifies operation and enhances user experience, allowing you to focus on your tasks without technical hassles.

What We Like
High-speed printing
Multiple connection options
Clear print quality
User-friendly software
Buying Guide Image

How to Select Dot Matrix Printers: The Comprehensive Guide

Printing Speed

One important factor to consider is the printer's printing speed. This is typically measured in characters per second (CPS) or lines per minute (LPM) and will determine how quickly the printer can produce printed output. A higher printing speed is generally better, as it will allow you to complete printing jobs more quickly.

Printing Resolution

Another important factor to consider is the printer's printing resolution. This is typically measured in dots per inch (DPI) and will determine the clarity and detail of the printed output. A higher printing resolution is generally better, but it can also impact the printer's speed and overall performance.

Connectivity Options

It's also a good idea to consider the printer's connectivity options. Most dot matrix printers have at least one USB port, but some also have Ethernet or Wi-Fi connectivity, which can make it easier to share the printer with multiple users or computers.

Durability and Reliability

Dot matrix printers are known for their durability and reliability, but it's still a good idea to consider the printer's overall build quality and reputation for reliability. Look for a printer with a sturdy metal frame and a good track record for uptime and performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a dot matrix printer best used for?

Dot matrix printers are best used for printing documents, but not for high-quality photo printing. They use pins that impact an ink ribbon to create reproductions, making them suitable for basic document printing tasks.

2. Which is cheaper dot matrix or laser printer?

Dot matrix printers are generally cheaper to operate compared to laser printers. The cost of printing one page on a dot matrix printer is significantly lower. This cost-effectiveness makes dot matrix printers a favorable choice for businesses where print speed is not the top priority.

3. What are the disadvantages of dot matrix?

Dot matrix printers have some disadvantages. The print quality is not high resolution, and they have limited capabilities for printing barcodes and color. Additionally, dot matrix printers are slower compared to laser printers.

4. Do dot matrix printers need ink?

Yes, dot matrix printers require ink to print. However, they are less prone to ink smudging compared to etched receipts.

5. Why is a dot matrix better than a laser printer?

Dot matrix printers are considered better than laser printers in terms of cost-effectiveness. The cost per page is significantly lower in dot matrix printers. However, laser printers offer faster print speeds, which may be a more important factor for some businesses.

6. Which is better dot matrix or inkjet?

Inkjet printers are generally better than dot matrix printers in terms of print quality. Inkjet printers can produce higher-resolution images and are suitable for making quality prints. However, dot matrix printers can still produce satisfactory work for basic printing tasks. The choice between the two depends on the specific printing needs and requirements.

Editor's Notes

During our dot matrix printer research, we found 24 dot matrix printer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,069 customer reviews through our big data system to write the dot matrix printers list. We found that most customers choose dot matrix printers with an average price of $547.84.

The dot matrix printers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of dot matrix printers, including Epson, OKI, JetSet Label. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 85 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.