Sato WWHC03041-NHN vs Sato WWCLP1701-WAR: Specification Comparison
Both the Sato CT4-LX-HC (WWHC03041-NHN) and the Sato CL4NX Plus (WWCLP1701-WAR) are 203 dpi direct thermal/thermal transfer label printers sharing the same maximum print width of 4.09 inches and the same AC 100–240 V power supply. Despite that common ground, they are engineered for very different operational contexts: the CT4-LX-HC targets clinical and healthcare environments, while the CL4NX Plus is an industrial-grade printer built around UHF RFID smart-label production. This comparison examines print throughput and media capacity, environmental hardening and form factor, and connectivity plus intelligence features.
In This Guide
- Which printer delivers higher throughput and greater media capacity?
- How do the two printers differ in physical footprint, weight, and operating environment?
- Which unit offers broader connectivity and smarter label-production capabilities?
- Which should you choose: the WWHC03041-NHN or the WWCLP1701-WAR?
- Side-by-Side Specs
- FAQ
Which printer delivers higher throughput and greater media capacity?
Print speed is a clear differentiator. The WWCLP1701-WAR is rated at 14 ips, compared to 8 ips for the WWHC03041-NHN — a 75% speed advantage at the same 203 dpi resolution. For high-volume label runs this directly affects labels-per-hour output.
Media capacity also favors the WWCLP1701-WAR substantially. It accepts roll stock up to 10 inches in outer diameter versus 5 inches for the WWHC03041-NHN, allowing longer uninterrupted runs before a roll change. Ribbon capacity mirrors this gap: the WWCLP1701-WAR supports ribbon up to 1,968 feet, versus 984 feet for the WWHC03041-NHN. The WWCLP1701-WAR's media width range (0.87" to 5.04") is also wider than the WWHC03041-NHN's 1" to 4.1" range, giving it slightly more label-format flexibility.
On memory, the WWHC03041-NHN holds an advantage: 4 GB flash and 2 GB user storage versus 2 GB flash and 100 MB user storage on the WWCLP1701-WAR (which specifies 256 MB SDRAM; the WWHC03041-NHN lists 1 GB DDR3). The WWHC03041-NHN's larger onboard storage suits format-heavy clinical environments storing many label templates.
How do the two printers differ in physical footprint, weight, and operating environment?
The WWCLP1701-WAR is a substantially larger and heavier unit: 10.66" × 17.99" × 12.63" and 33 lbs. The WWHC03041-NHN is a compact desktop device at 7.0" × 9.375" × 8.4375" and 8.0 lbs — less than one-quarter the weight. The WWHC03041-NHN is clearly designed for point-of-care or countertop deployment where space and portability matter.
The WWHC03041-NHN specifies an antimicrobial, disinfectant-resistant housing — a purpose-built feature for clinical environments where regular surface cleaning with hospital-grade agents is mandatory. The WWCLP1701-WAR's specifications do not include any antimicrobial or chemical-resistance claim.
Both units share a 104°F (40°C) upper operating temperature limit. The WWCLP1701-WAR's lower bound is 41°F (5°C) versus 32°F (0°C) for the WWHC03041-NHN, giving the CT4-LX-HC a marginal cold-environment edge, though neither is rated for freezer or outdoor use. Both accept the same AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz power input.
Which unit offers broader connectivity and smarter label-production capabilities?
The WWHC03041-NHN includes Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB 2.0 — four interfaces. The WWCLP1701-WAR provides Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB 2.0 but does not list Bluetooth in its specifications. For environments that pair the printer with a mobile device or tablet at the bedside, Bluetooth on the WWHC03041-NHN is a practical advantage.
The WWCLP1701-WAR's defining differentiator is integrated UHF RFID (860–960 MHz, EPC Class 1 Gen 2). This enables simultaneous barcode printing and RFID inlay encoding in a single pass — a capability the WWHC03041-NHN does not offer. The RFID feature is specifically noted with SATO RF Analyze support for tag verification. No RFID capability is listed for the WWHC03041-NHN.
Both units feature a full-color touchscreen: 4.3 inches on the WWHC03041-NHN and 3.5 inches on the WWCLP1701-WAR. The WWHC03041-NHN also specifies tool-free printhead replacement — a service-convenience feature not mentioned in the WWCLP1701-WAR specifications. Both carry a stated 1-year warranty.
Which should you choose: the WWHC03041-NHN or the WWCLP1701-WAR?
Our take: The WWHC03041-NHN is the stronger choice when the deployment is a clinical or healthcare setting requiring a compact, disinfectable printer with broad wireless connectivity including Bluetooth. Its antimicrobial housing, tool-free printhead replacement, 4 GB flash with 2 GB user storage, and Bluetooth interface address hospital workflow needs that the WWCLP1701-WAR does not cover in its specifications. Conversely, the WWCLP1701-WAR is the correct selection for industrial or logistics environments demanding high throughput (14 ips vs 8 ips), large-roll capacity (10" OD vs 5" OD), extended ribbon runs (1,968 ft vs 984 ft), and — critically — UHF RFID smart-label encoding (860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2), a capability entirely absent from the WWHC03041-NHN. Buyers cross-shopping these two should anchor the decision on use case: RFID-required or high-volume industrial label production points unambiguously to the WWCLP1701-WAR; point-of-care or clinical label printing points to the WWHC03041-NHN.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Sato WWHC03041-NHN | Sato WWCLP1701-WAR |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | WWHC03041-NHN | WWCLP1701-WAR |
| Print Resolution | 203 dpi | 203 dpi |
| Print Speed | 8 ips | 14 ips |
| Print Method | Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer | Direct Thermal / Thermal Transfer |
| Max Print Width | 4.09" | 4.09" |
| Media Width Range | 1" to 4.1" | 0.87" to 5.04" |
| Max Roll Diameter | 5" | 10" |
| Max Ribbon Length | 984 ft | 1,968 ft |
| RFID | — | UHF 860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2 |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 |
| Display | 4.3" Full-Color Touchscreen | 3.5" Full-Color LCD |
| Flash Memory | 4 GB | 2 GB |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3 | 256 MB SDRAM |
| User Storage | 2 GB | 100 MB |
| Operating Temperature | 32°F to 104°F | 41°F to 104°F |
| Weight | 8.0 lbs | 33 lbs |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 7.0" × 9.375" × 8.4375" | 10.66" × 17.99" × 12.63" |
| Special Features | Antimicrobial housing, tool-free printhead replacement | — |
| Power | AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz | AC 100–240V, 50/60Hz |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the WWHC03041-NHN or the WWCLP1701-WAR?
The WWHC03041-NHN is the stronger choice when the deployment is a clinical or healthcare setting requiring a compact, disinfectable printer with broad wireless connectivity including Bluetooth. Its antimicrobial housing, tool-free printhead replacement, 4 GB flash with 2 GB user storage, and Bluetooth interface address hospital workflow needs that the WWCLP1701-WAR does not cover in its specifications. Conversely, the WWCLP1701-WAR is the correct selection for industrial or logistics environments demanding high throughput (14 ips vs 8 ips), large-roll capacity (10" OD vs 5" OD), extended ribbon runs (1,968 ft vs 984 ft), and — critically — UHF RFID smart-label encoding (860–960 MHz, EPC C1G2), a capability entirely absent from the WWHC03041-NHN. Buyers cross-shopping these two should anchor the decision on use case: RFID-required or high-volume industrial label production points unambiguously to the WWCLP1701-WAR; point-of-care or clinical label printing points to the WWHC03041-NHN.
Can either printer encode RFID smart labels?
Only the WWCLP1701-WAR supports RFID encoding. It is specified with UHF RFID operating at 860–960 MHz and compliant with the EPC Class 1 Gen 2 standard, enabling simultaneous barcode printing and RFID inlay programming. The WWHC03041-NHN has no RFID capability listed in its specifications.
Is the WWHC03041-NHN or WWCLP1701-WAR better for a busy clinical ward with frequent printer cleaning?
The WWHC03041-NHN is purpose-built for that environment. Its specifications explicitly call out an antimicrobial, disinfectant-resistant housing — a requirement in most healthcare settings where surfaces are wiped down with hospital-grade chemicals. The WWCLP1701-WAR's specifications include no such housing claim. The WWHC03041-NHN's smaller footprint (8 lbs, desktop-sized) and Bluetooth connectivity for mobile device pairing also suit point-of-care deployment better than the 33 lb WWCLP1701-WAR.
Which printer is better suited to high-volume continuous label production?
The WWCLP1701-WAR is the higher-throughput unit. It prints at 14 ips versus 8 ips for the WWHC03041-NHN, accepts media rolls up to 10 inches in outer diameter (versus 5 inches), and supports ribbon lengths up to 1,968 feet (versus 984 feet). These three factors — speed, roll capacity, and ribbon capacity — all favor the WWCLP1701-WAR for sustained, high-volume industrial or warehouse label runs with fewer interruptions for media and ribbon changes.
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