Why you should trust this review
Avery 5160 is the most reviewed label SKU on Amazon and a default specification across every major office supplier. The owner-review corpus runs into the tens of thousands of long-term reports across office, shipping and small-business use. We have specified 5160 labels into multiple shipping and mailing operations and the print-alignment and adhesive patterns line up with the published distribution. We purchased the box referenced here at retail.
How we evaluated the 5160
- Cross-referenced manufacturer specs against the published Avery product page.
- Triangulated owner-reported print-alignment and Easy Peel experience against the Amazon long-tail corpus.
- Compared the Avery 5160 against generic 30-up alternatives at lower price points.
- Reviewed printer-compatibility patterns across laser and inkjet driver setups.
For our full evaluation framework, see the methodology page.
Who should buy Avery 5160?
Buy the 5160 if you:
- Print mailing labels in any volume from a laser or inkjet printer.
- Run an office or shipping operation where label-print speed at the pack station matters.
- Use word-processor mail-merge templates that ship with 5160 as a built-in option.
- Want consistent print alignment across the box.
Skip the 5160 if you:
- Need full shipping labels at 4 x 6 inches. Use a thermal label printer instead.
- Need removable adhesive. The 5160 is permanent. Choose Avery 5167 removable instead.
- Print only a few labels per year. Generic 30-up is fine for occasional residential use.
Print alignment: the consistency advantage
The single feature that separates Avery from generic 30-up labels is the print alignment consistency. Every laser printer driver and every word processor has the Avery 5160 template hard-coded with exact label positions. The Avery sheets are die-cut to the same exact positions, which means a properly designed mail merge prints with all addresses centered in their labels across the entire box.
Generic 30-up labels often have small but visible alignment drift between sheets, which means a mail merge that looked perfect on the first sheet has addresses creeping toward edges by the tenth sheet. For high-volume printing, the consistency is worth the price difference.
Easy Peel design: the pack-station speed feature
The Easy Peel pop-up design is the productivity feature for shipping operations. Each label has a slight pre-cut edge on the carrier that allows the label to lift off cleanly with one fingertip touch, without dragging the adjacent label off with it. Generic labels require fingernail picking at the corner, which slows the pack station.
For an operation packing 100 to 500 shipments a day, the Easy Peel edge saves several seconds per label, which compounds into meaningful labor reduction over a shift.
Adhesive quality and printer compatibility
The Avery permanent adhesive holds well in standard shipping environments and resists peeling in moderate temperature and humidity. For environments with significant moisture or refrigeration, a specialized waterproof label is the better tool. Inkjet print on the 5160 should be allowed to dry briefly before handling to avoid smudging.
Printer compatibility is rated for both laser and inkjet, which is the universal-fit feature. For laser-only use the 5160 is correct; for inkjet-only setups the 8160 is the optimized variant. To pair the labels with a complete shipping setup, see our review of the Uline H-150 tape gun and our review of Sealed Air Bubble Wrap.
Avery 5160 Easy Peel Address Labels (3,000 labels, 100 sheets) vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Format | Easy Peel | Count | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avery 5160 (3,000 labels) | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 30-up | Yes | 3,000 | $40 | Editor's Choice |
| Avery 8160 inkjet-only 5160 equivalent | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 30-up | Yes | 3,000 | $38 | Best for inkjet-heavy use |
| Online Labels OL875 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 30-up | No | 3,000 | $28 | Best Budget |
| Generic Amazon 30-up labels | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | 30-up | No | Variable | $19 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Format | 30 labels per sheet, 1 inch x 2-5/8 inch each |
| Sheets per box | 100 sheets (3,000 labels) |
| Material | Matte white paper |
| Adhesive | Permanent |
| Easy Peel feature | Pop-up label edge for fast peel |
| Printer compatibility | Laser and inkjet |
| Software template | Avery 5160 (universal in word processors) |
| Sheet size | 8.5 x 11 inches (US Letter) |
| Country of origin | USA per Avery label |
| Recycle | Carrier and unused label paper recyclable |
Should you buy the Avery 5160 Easy Peel Address Labels (3,000 labels, 100 sheets)?
Avery 5160 is the 30-up address label format every laser and inkjet printer driver lists by name. For office mailings, e-commerce shipping labels and any task that needs printed labels at scale, the 5160 spec (1 inch x 2-5/8 inch, 30 per sheet) is the format. The Easy Peel pop-up design lifts each label off the carrier without lifting the next one, which is the speed feature that separates Avery from generic 30-up labels.
Frequently asked questions
Are Avery 5160 labels worth $40 in 2026?+
For office and shipping operations printing more than a few hundred labels a month, yes. The Easy Peel design speeds pack-station handling, the print alignment is consistent across the box, and the universal 5160 template format works across every word processor and label software. For occasional residential printing, a generic 30-up box is fine.
Avery 5160 vs 8160: what is the difference?+
Same physical format (30 per sheet, 1 inch x 2-5/8 inch). The 5160 is rated for both laser and inkjet printers; the 8160 is optimized for inkjet. For laser printers, only the 5160 is the right pick. For inkjet-only operations, either works and the 8160 is sometimes slightly cheaper.
What address fits on a 5160 label?+
A standard U.S. mailing address (3 to 5 lines, name, street, city, state, ZIP) fits comfortably in 9 to 10 point font. International addresses with longer street and country lines may need 8 point font or a larger label format. For shipping with carrier markings (USPS, UPS), the 5160 is too small for full shipping labels and a 4 inch x 6 inch thermal label is the right format.
Will the labels jam in my printer?+
Avery 5160 is the most printer-compatible label format in the Avery line, and jams are uncommon when sheets are loaded flat and the printer driver is set for label output. Generic 30-up labels jam more often due to inconsistent sheet flatness and adhesive bleed. If labels jam in your specific printer, fan the stack and check the paper-tray rollers for adhesive residue.
📅 Update log
- May 10, 2026Initial review published.
