Zebra
Zebra ZD420
Label thermal · 2018
84
/ 100
From $399
VS
Epson SureColor F170 wins by 2
Epson
Epson SureColor F170
Dye-sub · 2021
86
/ 100
From $699
Specdex verdict
Epson SureColor F170 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Zebra ZD420 lands at 84 and Epson SureColor F170 at 86. That puts Epson SureColor F170 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Zebra ZD420 if…
- ✓Wireless printing (most)
- ✓Current-gen firmware
- ✓Mature driver support
Pick Epson SureColor F170 if…
- ✓Wireless printing (most)
- ✓Current-gen firmware
- ✓Mature driver support
Zebra ZD420 84
vs 86 Epson SureColor F170
Score breakdown
Zebra ZD420
84 speed 80
quality 84
cost 80
reliability 82
Epson SureColor F170
86 speed 82
quality 86
cost 80
reliability 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Zebra ZD420 | Epson SureColor F170 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Label thermal | Dye-sub |
| Release year | 2018 | 2021 |
Zebra ZD420
Pros
- +Wireless printing (most)
- +Current-gen firmware
- +Mature driver support
Cons
- −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
- −Noisy under heavy loads
- −Paper path varies
Epson SureColor F170
Pros
- +Wireless printing (most)
- +Current-gen firmware
- +Mature driver support
Cons
- −Ink/toner subscriptions (HP)
- −Noisy under heavy loads
- −Paper path varies
FAQ: Zebra ZD420 vs Epson SureColor F170
Which is better, Zebra ZD420 or Epson SureColor F170? +
Epson SureColor F170 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Zebra ZD420 worth the price? +
At $399, Zebra ZD420 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in quality.
Is Epson SureColor F170 worth the price? +
At $699, Epson SureColor F170 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in quality.
Does Zebra ZD420 or Epson SureColor F170 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.