Niimbot B21: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Niimbot B21 right for you?

The B21 is the retro-styled Niimbot with a carry strap, functionally the same 2-inch label maker as the B1 but with a different look that made it a gift favourite. It shares rolls and app features with the B1, so labels and templates carry over. It charges more slowly and has a slightly older battery than the B1, which is the only practical difference.

Best for: Gift buyers and crafters wanting a stylish 2-inch label maker

Setting up the Niimbot B21

Pair through the Niimbot app over Bluetooth, load a roll with the label side facing the head and let the app detect the size. Calibrate from the app if prints land across the label gap. The USB port is for charging and for the Windows desktop driver.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the ink cartridges, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use NIIMBOT's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Niimbot B21 uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• Niimbot B21/B1 thermal label rolls

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications