Avery 8160 Easy Peel Address Labels for Inkjet Printers
✅ PROS
- Pop-up edge design lets you peel labels one-handed without bending or tearing the sheet
- True inkjet coating resists smudging even when addressed with heavy black ink
- Templates integrate seamlessly with Word, Google Docs, and Avery's free Design & Print software
❌ CONS
- Labels are permanent adhesive — no repositioning once they touch the envelope
- Not compatible with laser printers or high-heat copiers despite similar sizing
The Verdict
If you mail anything more than a birthday card a couple times a year, you already know the pain: labels that stick to your fingers, sheets that curl, and print jobs that smear into an unreadable mess. The Avery 8160 Easy Peel labels have been the default answer for over a decade, and the current iteration holds up. But is it actually worth the premium over generic store brands? I ran a full box through my Brother inkjet to find out.
What you actually get
A box contains 25 sheets, each holding 30 labels in the standard 1" x 2-5/8" address format — 750 labels total. That’s roughly 15 months of personal mail for most people. The sheets are letter-size with a permanent adhesive backing, and the key feature is the “Easy Peel” pop-up edge: a scored strip along the side that, when folded back, lifts the label edge so you can grab it without digging a fingernail under the corner.
Also included is a code for Avery’s Design & Print Online, which is genuinely useful. The software auto-detects the exact label dimensions, so you don’t have to fiddle with margins. Word and Google Docs both have built-in Avery templates too, but the dedicated software gives you more control over spacing and font placement.
Performance and real-world use
Print quality is where the 8160 justifies its price. The coating is specifically engineered for water-based inkjet ink. I printed addresses in a dark navy serif font, and the text stayed sharp with zero feathering at the edges. A quick smudge test — rubbing my thumb across a freshly printed label immediately after it exited the printer — left no transfer. Let a sheet dry for 60 seconds and it’s fully water-resistant for normal postal handling.
The Easy Peel mechanism works as advertised, but with a caveat. Fold the sheet along the scored line and the labels pop up uniformly, letting you peel them off in rapid succession. It’s a genuine time-saver if you’re doing a wedding invitation wave or a small business mailing. However, the score line means the sheet has a permanent fold mark. If you need a pristine sheet for storage, that’s a minor annoyance.
What buyers consistently praise
The 4.7-star rating across 235 reviews reflects consistent satisfaction. One verified buyer noted, “I’ve been using these for my Etsy shop for two years. They never jam in my HP printer, and the peel feature means I can stuff envelopes while watching TV.” Another mentioned that “the adhesive is aggressive without being annoying — once it’s on, it’s on, but it goes on flat with no bubbles.”
The most common compliment centers on the adhesive. It bonds firmly to both paper envelopes and poly mailers without curling at the edges after a few days in transit. That’s a real differentiator from cheap knockoffs where labels lift at the corners.
Where it falls short
Let’s be direct: these are permanent adhesive labels. You get one shot at placement. If you’re labeling return addresses on a stack of envelopes, a slight misalignment means a wasted label. There’s no repositioning window.
The other limitation is printer compatibility. Despite the “for inkjet printers” label being prominent, some buyers have accidentally run these through a laser printer and watched the coating melt onto the fuser. This is not a laser-safe product, full stop. Also, the 30-per-sheet count means you’ll burn through sheets quickly if you’re printing a single label at a time — there’s no 2-per-sheet option in this SKU.
Who should buy this
- Home office users who mail bills, cards, or packages weekly and want reliable print quality without babysitting the printer.
- Small business owners doing low-volume shipping (under 50 packages a day) who value speed over bulk pricing.
- Event planners tackling wedding or party invitations where presentation matters and smudged addresses are unacceptable.
Skip it if you’re a high-volume shipper needing 100+ labels daily — you’re better served by thermal printers or continuous-feed rolls. Also skip if you have a laser printer; buy the laser-specific Avery 5160 instead.
FAQ
Can I print on both sides of the sheet? No. The label coating is only on one side, and printing on the back will jam or smear.
Will these work in a laser printer? No. The inkjet coating will melt and can damage your fuser unit. Use Avery 5160 for laser printers.
Do I need special software? No. Word has a built-in template, and Google Docs works too. Avery’s free software just makes alignment easier.
The verdict
The Avery 8160 Easy Peel labels are the gold standard for inkjet address labels, and they earn it through reliable print quality, a genuinely useful peel mechanism, and an adhesive that holds up through the postal system. The permanent adhesive and inkjet-only limitation are real constraints, but they’re clearly disclosed and manageable.
Buy it if you want smudge-free prints and a peel system that saves time on bulk mailings. Skip it if you run a laser printer or need repositionable labels.
Rating: 4.6/5 — a small premium over generic labels, but the consistency and ease of use justify the cost.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.