Honeywell PM45 vs. PM65 Barcode Printers: Which Model Fits Your Needs?
Posted by Thermal Printer Supplies on Jun 6th 2025
Unlocking Industrial Efficiency: The Honeywell PM45 & PM65 Barcode Printers
In today’s fast-paced industrial environments, the need for reliable, high-volume barcode printing is more critical than ever. Enter the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers—two powerhouse models that have quickly become the go-to choice for businesses demanding rugged performance, exceptional print quality, and long-term value. Let’s explore why these two industrial barcode printers are considered leaders in their class and how they can help your operation stay ahead of the curve.
A Legacy of Innovation: From Intermec and Datamax to Honeywell
The Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers are the direct result of Honeywell’s strategic consolidation of its industrial printing portfolio. Following the acquisitions of Intermec—renowned for mobile computers, scanners, and barcode printers—and Datamax, known for its rugged barcode printing solutions, Honeywell has unified these legacies into a cohesive and advanced lineup.
Specifically, the PM45 Printer replaces the well-regarded Honeywell PM43, while the PM65’s wider-format design draws from the proven reliability of the Honeywell PX6ie printer. In addition, these models have also effectively taken over the roles of older Intermec I-Class and M-Class industrial printers. This streamlined offering ensures that businesses can count on a consistent, advanced product family that builds upon decades of innovation and real-world performance.
Core Functionality That Drives Industrial Productivity
The Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers deliver exceptional performance and flexibility, thanks to an impressive array of features tailored for the rigors of modern industry:
✅ RFID Encoding Capabilities
Future-proof your operation with integrated RFID encoding. Both the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 RFID Printer models support the latest RFID standards, enabling businesses to add smart tracking to their supply chain and inventory processes without additional hardware investments.
✅ Wireless Printing for Agile Workflows
Gone are the days of tangled cables and static workstations. These printers support wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), ensuring fast and secure data transmission in dynamic environments.
✅ Multiple DPI Options
Achieve the perfect balance of speed and print quality. Choose from 203 dpi, 300 dpi, or 406 dpi configurations to match your specific application’s requirements—whether you’re printing crisp logos or high-density barcodes.
✅ Internal Rewind and Cutter Options
The internal rewind feature keeps your work area tidy and maximizes uptime by automatically winding printed labels. Meanwhile, the optional cutter ensures precise label separation, essential for applications requiring variable label lengths or perforated media.
PM45 vs. PM65: What’s the Difference?
The key difference between the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers is their media handling capabilities:
- Honeywell PM45 Printer: Designed for standard-width printing (up to 4.25 inches). It’s the ideal choice for common industrial barcode labeling needs such as shipping labels, inventory tags, and product identification. Compact and versatile, the PM45’s standard media width is perfectly suited for most day-to-day industrial labeling applications.
- Honeywell PM65 Printer: Tailored for wide-format printing (up to 6.85 inches). It’s perfect for large compliance labels, pallet labels, and other applications that demand bigger label sizes without compromising print quality. The PM65’s expanded width capability supports broader labels for bulk shipping, chemical drum labeling, and other large-format tasks.
Beyond print width, the PM65 features a slightly larger physical footprint to accommodate its wider media handling capabilities, making it a better fit for industrial environments where large-label printing is a necessity. Additionally, while both models share the same impressive print speeds of up to 14 ips and offer identical connectivity, durability, and RFID encoding options, the PM65’s configuration is optimized for wider platen roller and media path handling, ensuring reliable and precise printing of large labels.
This differentiation ensures that no matter your label width requirements—or your specific use case—there’s a Honeywell barcode printer that meets your needs with unmatched reliability and performance.
Durability and Total Cost of Ownership
Honeywell has engineered the PM45 Printer and PM65 Printer to thrive in demanding industrial settings where reliability is non-negotiable. These printers are built around an all-metal print mechanism and robust housing that resists shock, vibration, and environmental hazards commonly found in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics environments. From dusty factory floors to busy distribution centers, the PM45 and PM65 are designed to handle the daily challenges of high-volume label production with ease.
This rugged construction doesn’t just offer physical protection—it also directly impacts your bottom line. The Honeywell PM45 and PM65 require minimal maintenance and are less prone to costly repairs, reducing the likelihood of unexpected downtime. The result is a significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over the lifetime of the printer, compared to cheaper models that might require frequent servicing or component replacement.
In addition to hardware durability, Honeywell’s consolidation of Intermec and Datamax product lines has created a more unified and future-proof ecosystem. Replacement parts, consumables, and compatible media are easier to source and manage, thanks to streamlined supply chain processes and standardized designs. This means fewer headaches for your team when it comes to procurement and maintenance, keeping your printing operations running smoothly.
The long-term investment value is further bolstered by Honeywell’s global support network. Comprehensive technical support, easy firmware updates, and flexible maintenance plans help ensure that your printers remain reliable assets in your business for years to come. All of these factors combine to make the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers a smart choice for industrial environments where durability and cost-effectiveness are essential.
Performance that Keeps Pace with Your Business
One of the key reasons the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 printers are so popular is their impressive print speed and volume capabilities. The PM45 can print at speeds of up to 14 ips (inches per second), while the PM65 matches this performance despite handling larger label formats. This high throughput capability means your labeling processes stay efficient even in the busiest shifts.
Common Applications: Where the Honeywell PM45 & PM65 Barcode Printers Excel
Thanks to their versatility, Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers are widely used across multiple industries:
- Manufacturing: Asset tracking, product identification, and compliance labeling.
- Warehousing & Distribution: Shipping, receiving, and bin labeling for streamlined logistics.
- Healthcare: Specimen tracking and patient identification with advanced label materials.
- Retail: Shelf labeling, price marking, and promotional signage.
- Transportation & Logistics: Pallet labeling, RFID tracking, and cross-docking applications.
These printers are designed to seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows, thanks to broad media compatibility and advanced connectivity options.
A Smart Investment for Future-Proof Printing
As industries evolve and demands shift, the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 provide the flexibility and future-ready technology that modern businesses need. With their RFID encoding capabilities, wide media support, and consolidated legacy of Intermec and Datamax, these printers are a smart investment that ensures you’re ready to meet today’s challenges—and tomorrow’s.
How Do They Stack Up Against Competitors?
When compared to competitive models from brands like Zebra and Sato, the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 barcode printers hold several advantages:
Pros:
✅ Consolidated design that combines the best of Intermec and Datamax engineering.
✅ Wide range of dpi and RFID options for future-ready applications.
✅ Excellent print speeds that rival or exceed competitors in the same class.
✅ Honeywell’s trusted support network and global service infrastructure.
Cons:
• Initial investment can be higher than entry-level models, though this is offset by lower TCO and higher reliability.
• Some users might find the feature set more advanced than necessary for smaller-scale or low-volume operations.
Overall, the PM45 and PM65 printers are engineered for high-volume, mission-critical applications—offering performance and reliability that often outpaces competitive options in the same industrial-grade segment.
Elevate Your Industrial Barcode Printing
The Honeywell PM45 and PM65 Barcode Printers represent the pinnacle of industrial barcode printing. By building on the legacies of the PM43, PX6ie, Intermec I-Class and M-Class, and Datamax lines, Honeywell has delivered a unified, future-ready printing solution that can withstand the toughest environments and the highest throughput demands.
For businesses looking to streamline operations, boost productivity, and ensure reliable barcode printing for years to come, the Honeywell PM45 and PM65 are standout choices that deliver exceptional return on investment.
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