Sato WWCLP1701-WAR vs Sato WWFX31241-WDB: Specification Comparison
Both the Sato WWCLP1701-WAR and the Sato WWFX31241-WDB are 203 dpi thermal label printers from the same manufacturer, placing them in the same resolution class. However, they serve meaningfully different deployment profiles: the WWCLP1701-WAR is a full-size industrial unit with UHF RFID capability and high-volume throughput, while the WWFX31241-WDB is a compact specialty printer designed for narrow media, mobile or point-of-care use, and dual AC/battery power. Buyers cross-shopping these models are typically choosing between fixed high-volume RFID labeling and compact mobile or clinical label printing.
In This Guide
- Which printer delivers the throughput and media range your operation requires?
- Which printer's feature set — RFID, durability ratings, and power options — matches your environment?
- How do the physical footprint, onboard storage, and operator interface compare?
- Which should you choose: the WWCLP1701-WAR or the WWFX31241-WDB?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which printer delivers the throughput and media range your operation requires?
The WWCLP1701-WAR prints at 14 ips versus the WWFX31241-WDB's 6 ips — more than twice the linear output per second at the same 203 dpi resolution. For high-volume label runs, this gap is operationally significant.
Media width range also diverges sharply. The WWCLP1701-WAR handles media from 0.87 inches up to 5.04 inches wide, with a maximum print width of 4.09 inches and roll diameter up to 10 inches. The WWFX31241-WDB accepts media from 1 inch to 3.15 inches wide, prints up to only 1.10 inches wide, and takes rolls up to 5.3 inches in diameter. The WWFX31241-WDB is purpose-built for narrow tags and wristbands; the WWCLP1701-WAR supports a broad range of standard label stock and wide-format requirements.
Ribbon capacity follows the same pattern: the WWCLP1701-WAR accepts ribbons up to 1,968 feet, while the WWFX31241-WDB is rated to 984 feet. The WWCLP1701-WAR also supports both direct thermal and thermal transfer print methods; the WWFX31241-WDB is direct thermal only, limiting it to media that does not require a ribbon.
Which printer's feature set — RFID, durability ratings, and power options — matches your environment?
The WWCLP1701-WAR includes integrated UHF RFID (860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2) with SATO RF Analyze support. The WWFX31241-WDB has no RFID capability specified. For operations encoding smart labels, tracking assets, or complying with RFID-mandated supply chains, the WWCLP1701-WAR is the only option between these two.
The WWFX31241-WDB carries an IPx2 splash-resistance rating and IK06 vandal-resistance rating, along with an anti-microbial casing and slip-resistant surface — specifications the WWCLP1701-WAR does not list. These ratings make the WWFX31241-WDB suited to clinical, food-service, or light-industrial environments where hygiene and incidental liquid exposure are concerns.
Power flexibility is exclusive to the WWFX31241-WDB: it operates on either an AC adapter or a 14.4V / 1,950 mAh Li-ion battery, enabling untethered mobile use. The WWCLP1701-WAR requires AC mains (100–240V, 50/60 Hz) and has no battery option, making it a fixed-station device. The WWFX31241-WDB also adds Bluetooth connectivity; both models support Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB.
How do the physical footprint, onboard storage, and operator interface compare?
The WWCLP1701-WAR is a substantially larger unit at 10.66 × 17.99 × 12.63 inches and 33 lbs. The WWFX31241-WDB measures 5.19 × 8.875 × 6.3125 inches and weighs 5.0 lbs — roughly one-sixth the weight. Installation space, bench footprint, and portability requirements will be decisive factors for buyers comparing these two.
Display sizes are specified for both, but differ markedly in context. The WWCLP1701-WAR carries a 3.5-inch full-color LCD touchscreen. The WWFX31241-WDB is listed with a 7-inch full-color touchscreen, enabling more screen real estate for guided workflows or PC-less operation — notable for clinical or retail point-of-use deployments.
Onboard memory also differs. The WWCLP1701-WAR provides 2 GB flash, 256 MB SDRAM, and 100 MB user storage. The WWFX31241-WDB offers 512 MB flash, 256 MB SDRAM, and 256 MB user storage. The WWCLP1701-WAR's larger flash supports storing more label formats and firmware assets, while the WWFX31241-WDB's larger user storage allocation may be relevant for on-device template libraries in mobile workflows. Both units share the same operating temperature range of 41°F to 104°F.
Which should you choose: the WWCLP1701-WAR or the WWFX31241-WDB?
Our take: The WWCLP1701-WAR is the stronger choice when the deployment requires UHF RFID encoding, high-volume throughput, or wide media support. It prints at 14 ips versus the WWFX31241-WDB's 6 ips, handles media up to 5.04 inches wide compared to 3.15 inches, and is the only model between the two with integrated UHF RFID (860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2) — a hard requirement for asset-tracking, retail compliance, or smart-label production lines. Conversely, the WWFX31241-WDB is the correct choice for mobile, clinical, or space-constrained point-of-use applications: it weighs 5.0 lbs versus 33 lbs, runs on battery power, carries IPx2 and IK06 durability ratings with an anti-microbial casing, and provides a larger 7-inch touchscreen for guided PC-less operation. Buyers should select the WWCLP1701-WAR for fixed industrial or warehouse RFID labeling and the WWFX31241-WDB for mobile, hygienic, or narrow-tag environments.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Sato WWCLP1701-WAR | Sato WWFX31241-WDB |
|---|---|---|
| Print Resolution | 203 dpi | 203 dpi |
| Print Speed | 14 ips | 6 ips |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer | Direct Thermal only |
| Max Print Width | 4.09" | 1.10" |
| Media Width Range | 0.87" to 5.04" | 1" to 3.15" |
| Max Media Roll Diameter | 10" | 5.3" |
| Max Ribbon Length | 1,968 ft | 984 ft |
| RFID | UHF 860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2 | — |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB |
| Display | 3.5" full-color LCD | 7" full-color touchscreen |
| Power | AC 100–240V, 50/60 Hz | AC Adapter or 14.4V Li-ion Battery |
| Battery Capacity | — | 1,950 mAh |
| IP / Vandal Rating | — | IPx2 / IK06 |
| Weight | 33 lbs | 5.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 10.66" x 17.99" x 12.63" | 5.19" x 8.875" x 6.3125" |
| Flash / RAM / User Storage | 2 GB / 256 MB / 100 MB | 512 MB / 256 MB / 256 MB |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the WWCLP1701-WAR or the WWFX31241-WDB?
The WWCLP1701-WAR is the stronger choice when the deployment requires UHF RFID encoding, high-volume throughput, or wide media support. It prints at 14 ips versus the WWFX31241-WDB's 6 ips, handles media up to 5.04 inches wide compared to 3.15 inches, and is the only model between the two with integrated UHF RFID (860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2) — a hard requirement for asset-tracking, retail compliance, or smart-label production lines. Conversely, the WWFX31241-WDB is the correct choice for mobile, clinical, or space-constrained point-of-use applications: it weighs 5.0 lbs versus 33 lbs, runs on battery power, carries IPx2 and IK06 durability ratings with an anti-microbial casing, and provides a larger 7-inch touchscreen for guided PC-less operation. Buyers should select the WWCLP1701-WAR for fixed industrial or warehouse RFID labeling and the WWFX31241-WDB for mobile, hygienic, or narrow-tag environments.
Can either printer encode UHF RFID smart labels?
Only the WWCLP1701-WAR includes UHF RFID capability, operating at 860–960 MHz and supporting the EPC C1G2 standard with SATO RF Analyze. The WWFX31241-WDB has no RFID capability listed in its specifications.
Is the WWFX31241-WDB suitable for use in a clinical or food-service environment?
The WWFX31241-WDB is specified with an IPx2 splash-resistance rating, IK06 vandal-resistance rating, an anti-microbial casing, and a slip-resistant surface — all of which support clinical or food-adjacent deployments. The WWCLP1701-WAR does not carry any of these ratings in its provided specifications.
Which printer is better suited to a high-volume fixed labeling station?
The WWCLP1701-WAR is designed for fixed, high-volume operation: it prints at 14 ips (versus 6 ips for the WWFX31241-WDB), supports both direct thermal and thermal transfer methods, accepts media up to 5.04 inches wide and roll diameters up to 10 inches, and takes ribbons up to 1,968 feet. It requires AC mains power and is not portable. The WWFX31241-WDB is optimized for low-volume, narrow-tag, and mobile use cases.
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