Star Micronics UK — Complete Product Range Guide 2026

Star Micronics is the most-deployed commercial receipt printer brand in the UK hospitality and retail market. The TSP143 alone appears in thousands of venues across every hospitality and retail category — restaurants, cafés, pubs, boutique retailers, market stalls, hotel reception desks.

This guide covers every current Star Micronics model stocked at Commandear, explains the differences, and helps you identify the right product for your setup.

TSP143IV — Current Production Model

The TSP143IV is the current flagship receipt printer in Star's range. It's the model to specify for any new installation.

Key specs: 250mm/second, 80mm paper width, USB/Ethernet/Bluetooth (by variant), 203 dpi, full and partial auto-cutter, RJ11 cash drawer port.

Connectivity variants:

•    USB — Fixed counter setups, single terminal. Most common.

•    Ethernet (LAN) — Multi-terminal setups, shared network printing. Assign static IP in router.

•    Bluetooth — iPad-first setups, cable-free counter.

Browse the Star TSP143IV at Commandear.

TSP143IIU — Previous Generation (USB)

The "U" suffix indicates USB-only connectivity. Previous generation, still reliable, available and stocked. GSC shows "star tsp143iiiu" earning a click at position 27.3. If you have one of these in service already, it's worth maintaining — parts and paper are readily available. For new installations, specify the TSP143IV.

The Star TSP143IIIU USB iOS printer is stocked at Commandear.

TSP143IIIU — Earlier Generation

The IIU is the earlier USB model — functionally reliable but older firmware and slightly slower than the IV generation. GSC shows "star tsp143iiu" at position 12.9. If replacing an existing IIU, the TSP143IV is the correct upgrade path.

Star MC-Print3

The MC-Print3 is a newer direction from Star — cloud-connected receipt printing with a built-in hub that supports multiple connectivity options simultaneously: USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and LAN, all active at once. Designed for environments where cloud-based printing or print API integration is required.

Where the TSP143 is the right specification for standard POS setups, the MC-Print3 is worth considering for cloud POS platforms, multi-location operations where centralised print management matters, or environments integrating receipt printing via API.

The Star mPOP combines a thermal receipt printer and cash drawer in a single unit. Counter footprint of one device rather than two. Bluetooth and USB connectivity, 80mm or 58mm paper options, rear USB hub that passes through to the iPad.

Print speed is 150mm/sec — lower than the TSP143IV. Right for moderate-volume boutique retail, café, and pop-up setups. Not the right specification for high-volume hospitality environments.

Full review: Star mPOP UK review. Browse Star printers at Commandear.

The SP742 is Star's kitchen impact printer — a completely different product category from the thermal receipt printers above.

Impact printers use a pin matrix striking an inked ribbon against paper rather than heat-sensitive thermal technology. They print in hot, steamy, grease-laden kitchen environments where thermal paper would turn black or degrade completely.

When to specify the SP742: Any kitchen with grills, fryers, steamers, or other significant heat sources within a few metres of the printer position. Full-service restaurant kitchens, pub kitchens, ghost kitchens with commercial cooking equipment.

When not to: Café pass areas, prep kitchens without significant heat sources, food-to-go operations where a thermal receipt printer at the counter handles everything.

GSC shows the Star Micronics buzzer for TSP100 series earning 19 clicks — the second-highest click total in the entire GSC dataset. That's a real commercial signal.

The buzzer connects to the TSP100 and TSP143 series printers and emits an audible alert when a print job completes. In a noisy kitchen or bar environment where the printer isn't within line of sight, the buzzer ensures staff hear when a ticket has printed. A small accessory that solves a real operational problem.

Paper rolls: 80mm thermal receipt paper for TSP143IV, TM-M30 series, and most receipt printers. Standard 57m or 80m rolls.

Power supply: The Star Micronics power supply for TSP143 and compatible models.

Cash drawer keys: The Star CB-2002 cash drawer replacement keys for Star-branded cash drawers.

Customer display: The Star Micronics customer display for transaction-facing customer screens.

For setup guides: Star TSP143 review and setup | How to connect Star to Shopify | Star TSP143 vs Epson TM-M30.

What's the latest Star Micronics receipt printer?

The TSP143IV is the current production model in the TSP143 range. The MC-Print3 is the newer cloud-connected model. For standard POS use, the TSP143IV is the right specification.

What's the difference between the TSP143IIIU and TSP143IV?

The IIIU is USB-only, previous generation. The IV is the current model with USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth options and improved resolution.

Does Star Micronics have an authorised UK reseller?

Commandear is an authorised Star Micronics reseller, stocking the full Star range with UK dispatch.

What paper does the Star SP742 use?

The SP742 is an impact printer using a ribbon cartridge, not thermal paper. Replacement ribbon cartridges are available separately.

Can the Star MC-Print3 replace the TSP143?

For standard POS environments: yes, the MC-Print3 works as a receipt printer. It adds cloud connectivity capabilities that the TSP143 doesn't have. For straightforward till point use, the TSP143 remains the simpler and often more cost-effective choice.

Browse all Star Micronics products at Commandear — TSP143IV, mPOP, MC-Print3, SP742, and accessories, all UK-stocked. For a complete POS setup, see POS starter kits. Questions? Contact us.