Running a retail counter means every transaction needs to end with a clean, readable receipt. The printer has to work with your POS system, cut the paper cleanly, and not slow down your staff. When you're shopping for pos retail supplies, the choice often narrows to two used Star thermal receipt printers: the TSP650II and the TSP700II. They share a similar design and both feature a jam-free auto-cutter. The real question is how you want to budget for the hardware and whether you already have the necessary accessories.
Quick verdict: If your budget is tight, the Star TSP650II at $30.00 is the smart buy. If you want a printer that arrives ready to plug in, the Star Micronics TSP700II at $99.95 is the easier out-of-the-box option.
| Product | Listed Price | Connectivity | Cutter | Power Supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star TSP650II Thermal Receipt Printer | USD 30.00 | USB | JamFree Auto-Cutter | Not included |
| Star Micronics TSP700II Thermal Receipt POS Printer | USD 99.95 | USB | JamFree Auto-Cutter | PS-180 included |
Where the TSP650II wins The TSP650II is the economical pick, especially when you already have the accessories from a previous printer. Its compact design fits well on a crowded checkout counter, and its support for iOS, Windows, and Android gives you flexibility with different POS systems. If you're outfitting more than one register, the $69.95 gap between the two printers really adds up.
Where the TSP700II wins The TSP700II wins on convenience. It's built for retail, restaurant, hospitality, and kitchen settings, and it comes ready for a straightforward swap. If you want to avoid gathering extra parts, this model takes the guesswork out of the setup. The higher listed price is the trade-off, but you're paying for lower setup friction.
Star TSP650II
Choose the Star TSP650II if you're comfortable supplying a few extras. Its price sits at the bottom of the $30-to-$99.95 range, and it supports iOS, Windows, and Android systems, so it can work with many POS setups. The compact black design fits neatly on a busy counter, and the thermal print method keeps receipts easy to read. The trade-off is that the printer does not come with a USB cord, so you'll need to have one available before you can connect it. If you already have the right cable from an old printer, this is a low-stress way to keep your checkout line moving.
Star Micronics TSP700II
The Star Micronics TSP700II is the higher-priced option, but it includes the PS-180 power supply, so you don't need to buy a separate power supply to get it running. That alone makes it the more convenient choice for a quick replacement. It's ready for use with compatible POS systems and suited to retail, restaurant, hospitality, and kitchen environments, which means it can handle a busy service counter. The main limitation is the price, which sits at the top of the $30-to-$99.95 range and can add up when outfitting multiple stations. If a seamless setup matters more than upfront cost, this printer is the one to pick.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the Star TSP650II if you want the lower upfront cost and are comfortable handling the missing accessories, or if you're setting up a single station where the price gap matters more than convenience.
- Choose the Star Micronics TSP700II if you want a printer that works with compatible POS systems out of the box, especially in a retail or restaurant environment where uptime is critical.
