Best Barcode Scanner Hardware: Compare Options

Your barcode scanning hardware plays a pivotal role in capturing business data. Choosing the right devices boosts front-line speed, ensures data accuracy, and gives business leaders the confidence to act.

Not convinced? Helthjem, Norway’s largest media group, enabled shop staff to scan packages 4x faster by upgrading scanning devices.

This guide and video covers everything you need to know to select the barcode scanning hardware that will drive results for your business.

Here is a comparison table of low-budget (less than $200) and high-budget (greater than $500) scanners, highlighting the key features to evaluate when choosing the best barcode scanner hardware for your business.

Click the links for more detailed analysis.

Barcode scanner device types range from single-purpose laser, CCD, pen, and slot scanners to multi-purpose, image-based scanners running on mobile devices. Each one includes three basic components: a sensor, processing and memory units, and a display. Many scanners are also networked to a server for data transfer.

While traditional laser barcode scanners are still in use, this guide focuses on smart devices and handheld computers. These units use an imager or camera to capture barcode data and process it using software running on onboard processors.

If you're still using laser scanners, consider upgrading to smart devices, which may be more efficient and cost-effective. If you’re looking for a wireless barcode scanner, any smart device will fulfill this need.

This guide covers the following device types:

When discussing device cost, we follow these per-unit price ranges (in USD):

To choose the best barcode scanner for your team, first think about what you need it to do. This will help you search through the available options and focus on the characteristics necessary to support your users and business goals.

1. How much scanning does the device need to support?

• Do users scan high volumes of barcodes (e.g., hundreds vs. thousands)?
• How frequently do they scan barcodes (e.g., every minute vs. a few times per hour)?

2. How long must the battery last?

• Is the device used for an entire shift before charging?
• Is the device mostly kept in a charging cradle?
• Can employees access spare batteries and does the device support hot swapping?
• Are employees comfortable carrying devices with extended-use battery packs?

3. What does your scanning environment look like?

• Are barcodes often small, poorly printed, or damaged?
• Is scanning performed under harsh conditions, such as frequent bumps, high moisture environments, water drops, or dusty air?
• What type of lighting is present in the scanning environment (e.g., bright store lights, low-light stockrooms, or a mix of both)?
• Do users scan from long distances (e.g., if items are stacked high or placed in hard-to-reach locations)?
• Do users wear gloves, safety goggles, or other clothing that may interfere with device operation?

4. What is your desired user experience?

• Does the device need to be usable over prolonged scanning operations (e.g., an entire 8-hour shift)?
• Do users need guidance through scanning workflows (e.g., with augmented reality)?
• Do users need clear feedback (e.g., sound, vibration, or haptics) under harsh visual conditions or noisy environments?
• Do users require access to other apps on the same device?

5. How will the device integrate with existing IT systems?

• Is continuous network connectivity required?
• How will data backup and recovery be managed?
• Does the device need to support a Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution?
• Does the device need to comply with any security or privacy rules?

Make a list of the pain points you want to solve with your new barcode scanners, and determine what device features are necessary to do it. The next sections explain what hardware features to look for based on how they influence barcode scanning performance.

Today’s devices are more powerful than ever. Even low-end smartphones can boost scanning effectiveness when combined with the right software.

Basically, there’s something for everyone and every budget.

The following sections explain the things to evaluate when choosing barcode scanning hardware. Some measures will be more important than others, depending on your use case.

For example, scanning speed and accuracy are critical for high-volume situations, such as retail inventory. Here, workers are scanning hundreds of items per day. It’s less valuable when workers scan fewer items, such as a delivery driver capturing five to ten package labels per hour.

1. Time to scan (speed)

Why it matters

Time to scan is the absolute time it takes to capture, decode, and present the results of a barcode scan. Users expect performance comparable to other apps they’re used to, and businesses want to minimize time spent scanning barcodes.

Things to look for

• How fast the camera focuses on an object, and its shutter speed.
• The time it takes to capture and decode label data.
• The latency between decoding and presentation to the user (note that this is highly dependent on the barcode scanning software).

Budget choices

2. Scan accuracy

Why it matters

Accuracy is defined as the number of times the scanner thinks it has scanned a barcode successfully, but actually decoded it incorrectly.

Often expressed as a false positive rate, the higher the number, the more likely rescans and errors are. This frustrates users and causes inaccuracy and error handling costs further down the line.

Barcode characteristics (such as size, label condition, and distance from the camera) affect how fast and how accurately the sensor can capture data. Environmental factors like lighting, reflections, and dust will also impact accuracy.

Things to look for

• Camera sensor resolution, and sensitivity to changes in a scene (ISO, aperture, shutter speed).
• Advanced image processing capabilities, including autofocus (Phase Detection Autofocus, Dual Pixel PDAF, or AF with Fixed Pixel), digital zoom, and noise reduction.

Budget choices

3. Scan range

Why it matters

Many situations call for barcode scanners that can capture labels at longer distances, without forcing users to lean, bend, or stretch at awkward angles. For example, scanning packages on the bottom of a retail shelf or pallets stored high above the floor.

Devices supporting longer ranges become even more important in high-volume scenarios, where slowing users down to scan translates into significant lost time.

Things to look for

• Camera sensor factors, such as sensor size and resolution (4K, UHD).
• Camera focal length
• Advanced image processing capabilities, including autofocus, digital zoom, and noise reduction.

Budget choices

4. Low-light performance

Why it matters

Real-world scanning environments rarely have ideal lighting conditions. While a warehouse floor may be brightly lit, the package your user wants to scan could be shaded by a shelf or in a dark stock room. A delivery driver may have no problems scanning and packing their van under the morning sun, but struggle as night approaches.

A barcode scanner that performs poorly in low light will cause repeated failed scans, slowing down operations and frustrating users.

Things to look for

• Larger sensors with enhanced ISO sensitivity can capture more light in dim environments.
• Wider apertures allow greater light transmission to the sensor.
• Image stabilization minimizes blurring issues, as hand movements have a greater impact during long exposure times.

Budget choices

5. Power efficiency

Why it matters

Allowing workers to use their devices for a full shift without recharging goes a long way towards improving productivity and happiness. Battery life is especially important where users perform hundreds or thousands of scans per day and access to power is difficult or impossible.

Battery life is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), but a larger number doesn’t always mean a longer time between charges.

Things to look for

• Many factors influence power consumption, such as screen backlighting, refresh rates, and the sophistication of the power management scheme at processor and operating system levels.

Budget choices

6. Ergonomics

Why it matters

Device ergonomics is the physical design of the device’s housing, input controls, and screen. It impacts barcode scanning efficiency and the comfort and health of users.

Under prolonged and repetitive scanning tasks, poor ergonomics can lead to hand fatigue, wrist strain, and repetitive stress injuries, particularly in high-volume environments like warehouses and retail stores.

Things to look for

• Ergonomic factors include device weight and balance, grip comfort, button placement, and overall form factor (size, shape, and style).
• Lightweight devices reduce arm and wrist fatigue during extended use. Proper weight distribution prevents the device from feeling front-heavy or awkward to hold.
• Grip surface texture and shape influence how users with different hand sizes operate the device, and how it works while wearing gloves.

Budget choices

7. Ruggedness

Why it matters

Rugged devices protect the internal hardware from harsh conditions like drops, moisture, dust, temperature extremes, and chemical exposure. Without ruggedized protection, device screens may crack and components may fail, resulting in expensive downtime and replacement costs.

Protective cases are an alternative solution for environments with occasional rough handling at a lower cost, but with added bulk and potential functionality limitations.

Things to look for

• Reinforced housing, sealed ports, shock-absorbing materials, hardened displays, and extended temperature operating ranges.
• If required, certification to standards such as military-standard drop testing (MIL-STD-810G) and high IP ratings (IP65/IP67) for dust and water immersion protection.

Budget choices

8. Multiple barcode (batch) scanning

Why it matters

Multiple barcode scanning, or batch scanning, allows users to capture more than one barcode simultaneously. It can significantly improve scanning efficiency.

Scanning multiple barcodes at once requires two capabilities. Firstly, the ability to capture and recognize multiple barcodes within the camera’s field of view. Secondly, the ability to decode different symbologies at the same time (e.g., a shelf of packages labelled with both UPC and EAN barcodes).

Things to look for

In addition to the software supporting it (such as Scandit MatrixScan), multiple barcode scanning requires:

• Higher CPU processing power. The actual specifications depend on how the scanning software is designed and optimized. Greater power tends to increase the scan range and capture more barcodes within the camera’s frame. For example, Scandit MatrixScan works best on devices running processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, Samsung Exynos 9XXX series, or better, and have a minimum of 4 GB RAM.
• A high-resolution camera (4K) , 12MP or higher and image processing features (e.g., optical image stabilization) that can “clean up” the image before sending it to the barcode scanning software.
• Devices using PDAF and rangefinder technology enable faster and more precise focusing on multiple objects.
• Cameras with a higher field of view, measured in degrees, can capture more labels. For example, standard smartphone cameras have a field of view around 85 degrees, while ultrawide cameras can reach 120 degrees.

Budget choices

9. Tiny barcodes and electronic shelf labels

Why it matters

Certain use cases require devices to read tiny barcodes printed on small objects (such as cosmetics or electronics packaging) or electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Being able to scan these barcodes without physical effort – i.e. bending down or reaching up – makes users’ lives easier and scanning operations faster.

Things to look for

The ability to decode a tiny barcode or ESL is influenced by a device camera’s resolution, autofocus, and exposure capabilities.

Budget choices

It’s also important to keep in mind that hardware alone won’t deliver the performance your business needs. As you weigh your options, remember that the right mix of hardware and barcode scanning software is what truly unlocks cost savings, efficiency gains, and better user and customer experiences.

Scandit has supported thousands of customers upgrading their barcode scanners, including industry leaders in retail, travel, and logistics, with the following benefits

• Scandit AI Engine: Sophisticated AI technologies that understand barcode data, the scanning environment, and the user's intent behind each scan. This improves performance and accuracy in cluttered, fast-moving environments and enables users to capture complex product labels with multiple barcodes and accompanying text simultaneously.
• Enterprise-level support: High-quality support from concept to live operations and maintenance. Our Enterprise-Level Success Team includes a Device Solutions group that can replicate your environment, test different devices, and generate benchmarks to help you select the right device for your business. They also provide video guidance and onsite support to resolve any issues and improve adoption rates.
• Change management: Scandit’s Enterprise-Level Success Team facilitates smooth adoption of new barcode scanning devices by implementing proven best practices for organizational technology adoption. Through comprehensive stakeholder engagement, structured pilot programs, and customized training, the team ensures a smooth rollout, clear communications, and that any resistance points are overcome.
• SDK options to suit every development environment and level of effort: While hardware specifications are important, the software used for barcode scanning is where many of your business needs will be met. Scandit’s barcode scanning software delivers enterprise-grade scanning performance across a wide range of smart devices and handheld computers.