Sato WT302-403NN-EX1-2 vs Sato W2302-400DN-EX1: Specification Comparison
Both the Sato WT302-403NN-EX1-2 (WS4) and W2302-400DN-EX1 (WS2) are 300 dpi desktop thermal printers sharing the same power supply range, connectivity suite, and 1-year warranty — placing them squarely in the same cross-shop tier for light-to-medium label printing environments. The comparison turns on three axes that drive real purchase decisions for this class: print width and media handling range, memory and storage capacity for format management, and print method flexibility versus speed.
In This Guide
- Which printer handles your label width and media format requirements?
- Which printer offers more headroom for stored label formats and on-device resources?
- How do print method flexibility and throughput speed compare between the two models?
- Which should you choose: the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 or the W2302-400DN-EX1?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which printer handles your label width and media format requirements?
The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 supports a maximum print width of 4.09 inches and accepts media from 1 inch to 4.65 inches wide, accommodating a broad range of shipping labels, compliance labels, and wider format applications up to a 5-inch outer diameter roll. The W2302-400DN-EX1 is purpose-built for narrower stock: its maximum print width is 2.2 inches and its media width range spans 0.5 inches to 2.83 inches, making it well-suited for small retail shelf labels, jewelry tags, or receipt-style outputs but categorically unsuitable wherever a label wider than 2.83 inches is required. Both units accept rolls up to 5 inches in outer diameter, and both list a maximum ribbon length of 984 ft. The W2302-400DN-EX1 specifies a 1-inch media core; the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 does not explicitly state core size in the provided specs.
Which printer offers more headroom for stored label formats and on-device resources?
Memory and storage specifications differ substantially between the two models. The W2302-400DN-EX1 carries 256 MB Flash, 128 MB SDRAM, and 128 MB user storage. The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 is equipped with 16 MB Flash, 32 MB SDRAM, and 16 MB user storage — a fraction of the WS2's figures across all three metrics. For operations that pre-store large numbers of label templates, font sets, or graphics on the device, the W2302-400DN-EX1 provides meaningfully more headroom. The W2302-400DN-EX1 also specifies Windows OS compatibility in its provided specs; the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 does not list OS compatibility in the data supplied. The W2302-400DN-EX1's 2.4-inch color LCD display is explicitly specified; the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 lists only 'LCD' without a size or color designation.
How do print method flexibility and throughput speed compare between the two models?
The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 supports both direct thermal and thermal transfer print methods, giving operators the choice between ribbon-free printing on thermally sensitive media and ribbon-based printing for labels requiring greater durability, UV resistance, or longevity. The W2302-400DN-EX1 is direct thermal only, eliminating ribbon cost and ribbon-change steps but restricting output to thermally sensitive media stock. On raw throughput, the W2302-400DN-EX1 edges ahead at 7 ips versus the WT302-403NN-EX1-2's 6 ips — a modest but real difference in high-volume batch runs. Both units resolve to 300 dpi at their primary resolution. The provided specs for both models also list a secondary '203' print resolution field; this is noted as-supplied without interpretation since neither datasheet excerpt clarifies whether this represents an alternate mode or a data entry artifact.
Which should you choose: the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 or the W2302-400DN-EX1?
Our take: The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 is the stronger choice when label width exceeds 2.2 inches or when thermal transfer durability is required alongside direct thermal flexibility. Its 4.09-inch maximum print width and 4.65-inch media range decisively outclass the W2302-400DN-EX1's 2.2-inch / 2.83-inch ceiling — a hard incompatibility for standard 4×6 shipping labels. It also adds thermal transfer capability, extending label life in applications exposed to heat, chemicals, or outdoor conditions. The W2302-400DN-EX1 counters with significantly greater on-device memory (256 MB Flash vs. 16 MB; 128 MB SDRAM vs. 32 MB), a 1 ips speed advantage (7 vs. 6 ips), a specified color LCD, and a more compact footprint (6.3×7.5×6.5 inches vs. 8.69×10.96×7.38 inches). It fits space-constrained retail or clinical point-of-care stations printing narrow labels in high volumes with extensive stored-format libraries.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Sato WT302-403NN-EX1-2 | Sato W2302-400DN-EX1 |
|---|---|---|
| SKU / MPN | WT302-403NN-EX1-2 | W2302-400DN-EX1 |
| Series | WS4 | WS2 |
| Print Resolution | 300 dpi | 300 dpi |
| Print Speed | 6 ips | 7 ips |
| Max Print Width | 4.09 in | 2.2 in |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer | Direct Thermal only |
| Media Width Range | 1 in – 4.65 in | 0.5 in – 2.83 in |
| Max Media Roll Diameter | 5 in | 5 in |
| Max Ribbon Length | 984 ft | 984 ft |
| Flash Memory | 16 MB | 256 MB |
| SDRAM | 32 MB | 128 MB |
| User Storage | 16 MB | 128 MB |
| Display | LCD (size not specified) | 2.4 in Color LCD |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 8.69 × 10.96 × 7.38 in | 6.3 × 7.5 × 6.5 in |
| Weight | 5.46 lbs (2.48 kg) | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| Power | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz | AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 41°F – 104°F (5°C – 40°C) | 41°F – 104°F (5°C – 40°C) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 or the W2302-400DN-EX1?
The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 is the stronger choice when label width exceeds 2.2 inches or when thermal transfer durability is required alongside direct thermal flexibility. Its 4.09-inch maximum print width and 4.65-inch media range decisively outclass the W2302-400DN-EX1's 2.2-inch / 2.83-inch ceiling — a hard incompatibility for standard 4×6 shipping labels. It also adds thermal transfer capability, extending label life in applications exposed to heat, chemicals, or outdoor conditions. The W2302-400DN-EX1 counters with significantly greater on-device memory (256 MB Flash vs. 16 MB; 128 MB SDRAM vs. 32 MB), a 1 ips speed advantage (7 vs. 6 ips), a specified color LCD, and a more compact footprint (6.3×7.5×6.5 inches vs. 8.69×10.96×7.38 inches). It fits space-constrained retail or clinical point-of-care stations printing narrow labels in high volumes with extensive stored-format libraries.
Can the W2302-400DN-EX1 print standard 4×6 shipping labels?
No. The W2302-400DN-EX1 has a maximum print width of 2.2 inches and accepts media only up to 2.83 inches wide. A standard 4×6 shipping label is 4 inches wide, which exceeds both limits. The WT302-403NN-EX1-2, with a 4.09-inch maximum print width and media range up to 4.65 inches, is compatible with that format.
Which model is better suited for storing a large library of pre-built label templates on the printer itself?
The W2302-400DN-EX1 is better equipped for on-device template storage, specifying 256 MB Flash, 128 MB SDRAM, and 128 MB user storage. The WT302-403NN-EX1-2 provides 16 MB Flash, 32 MB SDRAM, and 16 MB user storage — substantially less capacity across all three memory tiers.
Do I need to buy ribbon for both printers?
Only the WT302-403NN-EX1-2 requires ribbon when used in thermal transfer mode; it also supports direct thermal (ribbon-free) operation, so ribbon use is mode-dependent. The W2302-400DN-EX1 is direct thermal only and never requires ribbon, which reduces consumable cost and eliminates ribbon-change steps — provided your media is thermally sensitive stock.
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