Zebra · Monochrome Label/Receipt

ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID SKU ZQ51-BUW0300-00

Only 3-inch rugged mobile RFID printer on the market, for outdoor asset tagging and field RFID compliance work.

4.3 · 3 verified reviews · Read reviews
Print speed
5 ppm mono
Paper capacity
sheets
Duplex
Single-sided (Simplex)
Connectivity
Free delivery 24-hr quote turnaround Authorized Zebra reseller Lease or buy outright
In stock
Zebra
Authorized Zebra reseller Free shipping to 50 states 1-year manufacturer warranty Install guidance by phone 30-day return policy
Is this the right printer for you?

Who the ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID is actually for

Most printer pages just tell you what a printer does. Here's the honest version: when this machine is the right choice, when it's fine, and when you should look at something else. We sell a lot of these for a reason, but the reason is not "every office."

Best fit

Pick this if...

  • You need 3-inch RFID labels printed in rough outdoor conditions.
  • You're tagging utility, oilfield, military, or fleet assets in the field.
  • You're under an RFID compliance mandate that requires mobile encoding.
  • You need military-grade durability with RFID in one device.
Works fine

You'll be happy if...

  • You're piloting RFID with a single rugged unit before scaling up.
  • You also print non-RFID labels and want one device that does both.
  • You print under a few thousand RFID labels per month per device.
Look elsewhere

Skip this if...

  • You don't have an RFID requirement — the ZQ511 is cheaper.
  • Your work is indoors — get a standard mobile or desktop unit.
  • You need 4-inch RFID — get the ZQ521R.
  • You need color, duplex, or document output.
Full specifications

Every spec, no guessing

The Zebra ZQ511R is the RFID version of the rugged 3-inch ZQ511 — and it's the only 3-inch RFID mobile printer on the market. Same military-grade build, same 5 ips, same outdoor-ready battery, but with RFID print-and-encode in a single pass. The use case is narrow but real: asset tracking and compliance work in field conditions — utility transformers, oilfield equipment, fleet vehicles, military assets. Anywhere you're tagging things outdoors that need RFID and 3-inch labels won't fit on the asset if you go bigger. Honest catch: this is a niche product. Most field crews don't need RFID, and most RFID work doesn't need 3-inch mobile. If you're considering it, you probably already know you need it. If you're shopping for general mobile printing, the standard ZQ511 saves money. RFID inlays are also significantly more expensive per label than standard thermal stock, and that cost compounds quickly at fleet scale.
Print
Print technology Label/Receipt
Print speed (mono) Up to 5 pages per minute
Print speed (color) Up to 0 pages per minute
Duplex printing Single-sided (Simplex)
Print resolution Up to 203 × 203 dpi
Copy & Scan
Capability Monochrome Label/Receipt
Duplex copy / scan Single-sided (Simplex)
Scanner type
Scan resolution (optical) Up to 203 × 203 dpi
Scan destinations
Paper
Paper capacity 0 sheets
Paper size
Recommended monthly volume 0 pages
Max monthly duty cycle
Connectivity
Physical & power
Form factor Portable
Usage class Personal
Manufacturer Zebra
Model
How you can buy this printer

Buy it, lease it, or just reorder supplies

Three ways to get this printer, each priced to match how you actually use it. Most small offices lease because toner and maintenance are bundled. If you know what you need, buy outright. If you already own one, just reorder supplies.

Buy outright
One-time payment · yours to keep
Custom quote
Free delivery · 1-yr warranty
  • Machine is yours the day it arrives
  • 4,500-page starter toner included
  • 1-year Zebra manufacturer warranty
  • Install help by phone or remote session
  • Order your own toner when the starter runs out
Request purchase quote →
Supplies only
Already own one? Just reorder.
Request pricing
Genuine Brother TN830 / TN830XL
  • Genuine Brother TN830 toner (standard yield, ~1,200 pages)
  • Genuine Brother TN830XL toner (high yield, ~4,500 pages)
  • Genuine Brother DR810 drum unit when it's time
  • Free shipping on qualifying orders
  • Auto-reorder option so you never run out mid-job
Order supplies →

Final lease rate depends on term length, credit profile, and bundled supplies. Outright purchase and supplies pricing varies with bundled warranty, install packages, and order volume. Request a quote for exact pricing.

Included with every order

What ships with the ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID

The printer itself

ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID in original Zebra packaging. Portable form factor, roughly 150 mm x 120 mm x 62 mm (5.94 x 4.72 x 2.4 in)

Starter toner

Includes a high-capacity starter supply, giving you about 3 to 6 months of use before you have to think about your next order.

Setup documentation

Zebra quick-start card, power cord, USB cable (use Wi-Fi or Ethernet for multi-user), and a link to driver downloads.

Setup call (if you want it)

Book a 20-minute setup call with our team. We'll walk through network config, driver install, and first print. No extra cost, no sales pitch.

Supplies & consumables

Toner, yields, and what to actually reorder

The #1 question we get on this printer is "which toner do I buy?" Short answer: you have two cartridge options and a drum. Standard yield TN830 covers roughly 1,200 pages. High yield TN830XL covers roughly 4,500 pages and is the better value for most offices. Pick XL unless you print very little.

The drum unit (DR810) is separate and usually lasts 15,000 to 30,000 pages before it needs replacing. At a typical small office volume, expect to change it once every 2 to 4 years.

If you lease this printer through us, toner and drum are included. You never pay for supplies separately. That's usually the better deal once you add up real costs over 3 years.

TN830

Standard-yield toner

About 1,200 pages · fits all L2700 / L2750 / L2759 series

Quote
each
TN830XL

High-yield toner BEST VALUE

About 4,500 pages · recommended for most offices

Quote
each
DR810

Drum unit

15,000–30,000 pages · replace every 2–4 years · separate from toner

Quote
each
Request bulk supplies pricing →
4.3
★★★★★
Based on 3 verified customer reviews

Verified means the customer bought this exact model from us. We don't publish paid or incentivized reviews.

What customers actually say

The 5-star consensus: "it just works"

Small sample size, high signal. The 3 verified reviewers picked this model to replace older inkjets or aging Zebra machines. Common threads in the feedback:

  • "Been using this for our small retail operation to print RFID tags on the fly. Setup was straightforward and the 3-inch width is perfect for our label sizes. Haven't had any jams or connectivity issues in the 6 months we've had it."
  • "Good mobile printer overall, compact enough to move between locations. The RFID encoding works reliably but the software can be finicky sometimes and took a while to get it configured properly with our warehouse system."
  • "This thing handles our inventory tagging workflow without issues. Prints fast, the RFID read/write is consistent, and it's actually mobile unlike some competitors. Would definitely buy another one."

Five reviews is a small sample. Want to see hundreds of reviews across our whole catalog? We have a 5.0 average on Google across 1,240+ reviews and an A+ BBB rating. Linked below.

Better Business Bureau
A+ BBB rated
Accredited business
★★★★★
5.0 on Google
1,240+ reviews
G2 verified vendor
G2 verified
Vendor profile
Free quote · no obligation

Get a quote on the ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID

Tell us how you want to pay (outright, lease, or supplies only) and what volume you run. You'll get a line-item quote back within one business day, from a specialist who actually works on these machines, not a general sales rep.

  • Real pricing, no runaround. Upfront monthly lease rate or outright price, plus shipping and any install add-ons itemized.
  • One business day turnaround. Quotes land in your inbox within 24 hours. Often faster.
  • No credit pull until you say yes. We don't ping your credit to give you a quote. Only if you sign.
  • Volume & bundled supplies. Tell us your monthly print volume and we'll price toner bundling so you don't get surprised.
FAQ

ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID, common questions

The questions we get asked most often on this model. If yours isn't here, call (888) 574-5120 and get an answer in about 30 seconds.

The ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID is a direct thermal printer and does not use toner or ink. It prints using heat-sensitive labels, eliminating the need for toner cartridges. The printer ships with a starter roll of thermal labels, and replacement labels are available in various yields. When you lease through us with supplies included, you never pay for labels separately.
The ZQ511R is a 3-inch RFID mobile printer designed for outdoor asset tracking, with a rugged military-grade build and RFID print-and-encode capability. The ZQ610 Plus is a 2-inch mobile thermal printer optimized for retail receipts and small labels, featuring WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and a color display. The ZQ511R is niche for RFID workflows, while the ZQ610 Plus is better suited for general mobile printing in retail or field service. For small offices needing RFID, the ZQ511R is ideal, but for broader use, the ZQ610 Plus offers more versatility.
The ZQ511R is best for small businesses needing RFID asset tracking in rugged outdoor environments, such as utilities or fleet management. Its 3-inch print width and RFID encoding are specialized features, so it may not suit general office printing. For more options, visit https://1800officesolutions.com/printer-lease/.
No, the ZQ511R is a monochrome direct thermal printer and cannot print in color. For color mobile printing, consider alternatives like the Zebra ZQ630 Plus or other color-capable mobile printers.
Request a quote through the form on this page or call us at (888) 574-5120. A printer specialist responds within one business day with a detailed, itemized quote based on your location, monthly volume, whether you want to buy outright or lease, and any bundled supplies or service. Quotes are free and no obligation. We do not pull credit to issue a quote.
Zebra includes a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty on the ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID when purchased new from an authorized reseller. 1-800 Office Solutions is an authorized Zebra reseller. Extended warranty and full-service maintenance plans are available through our managed print services bundle, which covers parts, labor, and on-site service for the life of the agreement.
Yes. Free delivery is included on every ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID order shipped within the continental United States. Most orders ship within 1 to 2 business days and arrive within 2 to 5 business days. Install guidance is available by phone or remote session at no extra cost.

Ready to put this printer to work?

Request a free, no-obligation quote on the ZQ511R Premium Mobile 3-inch RFID. Lease, buy outright, or just order supplies. Quote in your inbox within one business day. Or call and talk to a specialist right now.

Get my free quote Or call (888) 574-5120