My Thoughts on the Rongta F81 Portable Thermal Printer (after 2-weeks of use)

I’ve been testing the Rongta F81 portable thermal printer for the past couple of weeks, and I’ve discovered it to be my favorite portable printer that I’ve ever owned.

As someone who regularly needs to print documents on the go, I was initially skeptical about this compact printer’s capabilities. But after putting it through its paces in various settings – from coffee shops to client meetings – I’ve formed a clear picture of who this device will serve best.

Key Takeaways

• Compact and lightweight thermal printer (16.6 ounces) with convenient portability features including a carrying pouch and full, true wireless connectivity.
• Quick setup process through SoPrint app with seamless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printing capabilities for Windows and mobile (iOS/Android) devices.
• Delivers crisp black and white prints with consistent text quality, though limited to 203 dpi resolution.
• Built-in battery supports printing up to about 200 sheets on a single charge, ideal for remote work and meetings.
• Uses thermal paper which may fade over time, and includes only 10 sheets with initial purchase.

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE: Use code 5DTNXQDQ when purchasing the Rongta F81 on Amazon and you can save 10% off the purchase price.

What I Liked

Simple Setup and Installation

One of the biggest highlights of the Rongta F81 is its painless setup process across both Windows, Android, and iOS.

When I tested it with my Windows 11 laptop, I simply plugged in the included USB thumb drive, and the drivers installed in just 15 seconds. After that, I could print from any application without any issues.

The mobile setup was equally straightforward. I downloaded the SoPrint app from the Google Play store on my Android smartphone, and the app guided me through the entire process. Within two minutes, I’d established a Bluetooth connection and was ready to print. The iOS version of this app is identical, and it offered the same simple

It’s simply awesome to see a printer that doesn’t require lengthy installations or complicated configuration steps to get up and running.

Quality Prints

After experiencing the quick setup, the F81’s print quality exceeded my expectations.

Despite being limited to black and white, every print job I ran through this portable printer came out flawlessly. I was impressed by how the printer handled both text and images with equal proficiency.

What stood out to me was the consistency of the print quality. The text appeared dark and bold, without any of the common issues you might expect from a portable printer – no fading, no unwanted lines, and no uneven printing.

Even when I tested it with black and white images, the results were surprisingly crisp and clear. I found the 203 dpi resolution more than adequate for my everyday printing needs.

While this isn’t capable of the same print quality as a color laser printer or photo printer, it exceeds exceptionally well at what it’s designed to do; simple text and black and white images.

Extremely Portable Design

The F81’s compact form factor truly delivers on the promise of portability. At just 10.25 inches wide, 1 inch tall, and 2.1 inches deep, I can easily slip this printer into my laptop bag or purse without feeling weighed down.

The lightweight design – only 16.6 ounces – means I’m never burdened when carrying it to meetings or while traveling. I especially appreciate the included soft carrying pouch, which protects the printer when it’s stowed away.

What really impresses me is the built-in battery that eliminates the need for power cables during operation. I only need to plug it in for charging after printing about 200 sheets. While you can use a USB connection for wired printing from a PC, Mac or laptop, the WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to do without.

And thankfully, it has a battery life indicator on the small LCD that clearly shows when you need to charge it up. This true wireless functionality makes the F81 a genuinely portable solution for my on-the-go printing needs.

Quiet Operation with Good Speed

Among my favorite features of the F81 is its whisper-quiet operation. When printing, you’ll only hear a gentle hum that measures under 60 decibels – quiet enough for libraries, meetings, or late-night work sessions without disturbing others.

I’ve found the printer’s speed to be impressive as well. It takes about 10 seconds to print a full page, even when loaded with both text and images. This efficiency makes it practical for printing multiple documents in succession.

Whether I’m preparing materials for a meeting or printing a batch of shipping labels, the F81 maintains its consistent, quiet performance. The combination of near-silent operation and reliable speed makes this printer appealing for mobile professionals who need to print in various environments without drawing attention.

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE: Use code 5DTNXQDQ when purchasing the Rongta F81 on Amazon and you can save 10% off the purchase price.

Awesome App with Wireless Connectivity

Setting up wireless connectivity proved remarkably smooth thanks to the intuitive SoPrint app, which installed quickly on both my iOS and Android devices.

The app’s guided setup process made connecting via Bluetooth or WiFi effortless, regardless of which device I used.

I’m impressed with the app’s well-roundedness. Whether I needed to print from other apps, files, websites, or images, SoPrint handled it all seamlessly. Best of all, it didn’t freeze, lock up, or need any tweaks from my end.

There’s even a creative DIY paint feature that lets you draw directly on your phone and print instantly. It’s a pretty fun feature that, although I may not find myself using it very often, is a definite bonus.

I tested the printer’s connectivity across multiple devices – an iPhone, Android phone, tablet, and Windows 11 laptop – and experienced zero connection issues.

If you’re worried about wireless setup headaches, don’t be – this printer-app combo just works.

What I Didn’t Like

Requires Thermal Paper (but uses no ink)

Speaking of printer limitations, the Rongta F81’s thermal paper requirement stands out as both a strength and weakness.

While I can’t use standard printer paper with this device, I don’t have to worry about buying or replacing ink cartridges either. That’s because it uses heat transfer technology to create prints, which can save money over time.

I should mention that the printer only comes with 10 sheets of thermal paper to start, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of additional paper purchases.

Although this might seem inconvenient, I’ve found that the economic benefits of never buying ink cartridges make up for the specialized paper requirement. It’s a trade-off that makes sense if you’re looking for a low-maintenance printing solution.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’ve found the Rongta F81 to be a reliable companion for my on-the-go printing needs. (Use code 5DTNXQDQ for a 10% discount.) While you’ll need to keep thermal paper on hand, I think that’s a fair trade-off for the convenience of never buying ink.

The quick setup, quiet operation, and solid print quality make it a worthwhile investment. If you’re looking for a portable printer that’s easy to use, the F81 won’t disappoint.

I’ve already recommended it to my collogues, and many have had the same experience with it as I did – pure enjoyment; no frustration!