Choosing between two thermal receipt printers for your POS retail supplies comes down to how much you want to spend and how complete a setup you need. Both the Citizen CT-S2000 and the Star Micronics TSP700II are thermal receipt printers, but they offer different trade-offs. You don't need to compare print speeds or paper sizes; the main differences are price and what is included in the box. This head-to-head covers a quick verdict, a side-by-side glance, product notes, and a final recommendation by use case.
Quick verdict
If you want the lower-cost path to a working receipt printer and can accept a used unit with a small quirk, choose the Citizen CT-S2000. If you want a printer the seller says is in good working condition and ready to use, choose the Star Micronics TSP700II.
At a glance
| Citizen CT-S2000 | Star Micronics TSP700II | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 59.99 | USD 99.95 |
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Connectivity | USB | USB |
| Cutter | JamFree Auto-Cutter | JamFree Auto-Cutter |
Where each wins
The Citizen CT-S2000 wins when the goal is to spend as little as possible. The Star Micronics TSP700II wins when you prefer a more bundled package over the lowest upfront number.
The Citizen's missing roll holder is a real issue only if you plan to move the printer often. The Star's included power supply makes it a more self-contained purchase, which can be worth the extra money.
Product notes
Citizen CT-S2000 POS Receipt Printer - Thermal Barcode W/ Roll & Power Supply
The Citizen CT-S2000 is the lower-cost pick in this pairing, at $59.99. It ships with a power supply and a paper roll, so you can plug it in and run a test print fairly quickly. The important caveat is the missing middle piece that holds the paper roll in place. The listing says the printer still prints without it, but the roll can move around when the unit is transported. USB connectivity keeps the hookup simple for a Windows-based POS system. If you can accept that quirk, this is a direct way to get a working thermal receipt printer for less money.
Star Micronics TSP700II Thermal Receipt POS Printer w/ PS-180 Power Supply
The Star Micronics TSP700II takes a bundled approach. The listing describes the unit as in good working condition and ready for use with compatible POS systems, and the included PS-180 power supply means you don't have to hunt for a separate adapter. The printer is aimed at retail, restaurant, hospitality, and kitchen receipt applications. The trade-off is the higher cost, at roughly $40 more than the Citizen. That difference buys the matching power supply, and for someone who values a ready-to-use setup, it earns the extra spend.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Citizen CT-S2000 when the lower entry price outweighs its small quirk. Choose the Star Micronics TSP700II when the larger spend is worth it for the added setup convenience. The right pick is simply a trade-off between how much cash you want to spend now and how much setup convenience you want.
If you're running a small shop and the printer won't be moved, the Citizen's lower price leaves more room for other supplies. If you're setting up multiple counters, the Star can save you from tracking down a separate adapter.
