For most NZ counters, the right receipt printer is an 80mm thermal printer on Ethernet (LAN), chosen from your POS system's own list. Brand matters less than you'd think: what decides whether a printer works is your POS and the connection it supports. Busy hospitality kitchens may still want an impact (dot matrix) printer for dockets.
Quick answer by POS system
Each POS publishes its own printer list, and they really do differ:
| POS system | What it says about printers |
|---|---|
| Lightspeed (Retail) | Supports the Epson TM-m30III (USB, LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). Lists several Star and Epson models as compatible, but warns Star printers don't work with Windows IoT Enterprise setups |
| Shopify POS | Sells the Epson OmniLink TM-m30III in NZ. TM-T20 and TM-T88 models work but come from third-party sellers |
| Bustle | Star or Epson only, and USB printers don't work. Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth models listed |
| Lazygrid | Any printer with a LAN port and ESC/POS support; Brother label printers too |
| Loyverse | A long list: Star, Epson, Citizen, Xprinter, Sunmi built-in printers and more |
| Hike | "Industry-standard receipt printers" on PC, Mac and iPad |
| Tabin | Printers come in its starter pack; models aren't named publicly, so ask |
If you're still choosing a POS, our comparison table lines them up. For the details, see Read our Bustle review, Read our Lazygrid review, Read our Lightspeed review, Read our Loyverse review or Read our Shopify POS review.
Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Lightspeed's help centre sums up the four connection types neatly:
- Ethernet (LAN): a cable to your router. Known for reliability and speed, and any till on the network can print to it. This is the safe default.
- USB: connects to one device at a time. Fine for a single till: Lightspeed sets up the Epson TM-m30III over USB on a computer or an iPad, and Loyverse lists a USB Star TSP143IIIU for iPad and iPhone. Bustle doesn't support USB printers at all.
- Wi-Fi: no cable to the router, but Lightspeed notes it's "prone to disconnections".
- Bluetooth: limited range and prone to interference. Bustle allows Bluetooth printers only for single-till setups, because they attach to one iPad.
One nice side effect of Ethernet and Wi-Fi: if your internet goes down but your Wi-Fi stays up, some systems keep printing. Bustle's offline status is "Yes" on our comparison, and its help centre says that with the internet down but Wi-Fi still working, "You can still print and cash drawer will still open".
Thermal or impact (dot matrix) for the kitchen
Thermal printers print onto heat-sensitive thermal paper. They're the standard choice at the front counter. Epson's T88 range, now in its seventh generation, prints at up to 500mm per second.
Impact (dot matrix) printers print by physically striking the paper (hence "impact"), and they're the traditional kitchen choice. Lightspeed sells an impact "Kitchen Docket Printer" that prints heat-resistant dockets and can use two-ply carbon copy paper, and Bustle lists the Epson TM-U220B as its dot matrix option, "ideal for printing dockets in kitchens".
Our rule of thumb: thermal at the counter, and thermal in the kitchen too unless dockets sit near the grill or you want carbon copies.
80mm or 58mm, and ESC/POS in one line
Width: 80mm paper is the standard for counter printers. Some, like the Star TSP143IV, also take 58mm paper with a guide (printing 72mm wide on 80mm paper and 50.8mm on 58mm). Stick with 80mm unless counter space is very tight.
ESC/POS is Epson's printer command set, which many other brands also understand. It's why Lazygrid can support "every LAN receipt printer using ESC/POS", including Epson, Xprinter, Star and Sunmi.
Cloud printing: newer printers such as the Star TSP143IV support Star's CloudPRNT, which lets an online system send print jobs straight to the printer. Only useful if your POS or online ordering supports it.
What receipt printers cost in NZ
Retail prices at one NZ POS supplier, POS Central, all including GST:
| Printer | Connections | Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| NEXA PX610II 80mm | USB, serial, Ethernet | NZ$249.00 |
| Bixolon SRP-330II | Ethernet, serial, USB | NZ$372.00 |
| Epson TM-T82IVL | Ethernet, USB | NZ$399.00 |
| Citizen CT-S310II | USB, Ethernet | NZ$522.00 |
POS vendors' own stores (GST basis not stated on these pages):
| Printer | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Epson TM-T82iV LIGHT LAN | Bustle shop | NZ$399.00 |
| Epson TM-T82iV LAN | Bustle shop | NZ$589.00 |
| Star TSP143iii (Bluetooth, LAN or Wi-Fi) | Bustle shop | NZ$1,075.00 |
| OmniLink Receipt Printer (Epson TM-m30III) | Shopify NZ store | $729.00 |
| Ethernet Receipt Printer, Epson TM-M30III | Lightspeed NZ store | $809.00 |
| Kitchen Docket Printer (impact) | Lightspeed NZ store | $859.00 |
So an entry-level 80mm Ethernet thermal printer starts at about NZ$250 incl. GST from a general supplier. Buying through your POS vendor costs more but guarantees it's on their list. Either way, check the exact model against your POS before you pay.
Paper rolls
Two sizes cover almost every NZ shop:
- 80x80mm thermal rolls for receipt printers ("80mm x 80mm for most ethernet and wifi printers", per Bustle).
- 57x38mm thermal rolls for EFTPOS terminals.
Impact kitchen printers usually take 76mm paper, often two-ply. Your EFTPOS terminal prints its own slip on the small rolls; see our EFTPOS terminals guide.
Do you have to print receipts?
We couldn't find an IRD rule that says every retail customer must be handed a printed receipt. What IRD does say is that taxable supply information must be given to a GST-registered buyer within 28 days of a request, for supplies over $200, and that you must keep taxable supply information for what you buy and sell. In practice, make sure your POS can produce a proper tax invoice when a business customer asks for one. If you're unsure about your obligations, check with IRD or your accountant.