Handheld inventory scanners are the most popular type of barcode label scanner due to their flexibility and ease of use when tracking physical inventory items. They are also ideal for completing transactions at the point of sale (POS) and tracking assets.
Manufacturers such as Motorola Symbol, Honeywell, and Datalogic offer corded and cordless mobile computers with laser, linear imager, or 2D area imager scan engines. Of these mobile devices, 2D imagers are enjoying the most growth. According to a recent report by
VDC Research, they “expect continued, significant investments in handheld 2D imagers by enterprise end users in the Americas, particularly in the U.S. and Canada—enabling the market to register a CAGR of over 9.5% in the region through 2016.”
Know scanner features and your scanning requirements before you shop for a handheld inventory scanner.
VDC also reports that while the use of 2D handheld scanners continues to rise due to their ability to read both 1D and 2D barcodes, laser scanners and linear imagers are still in high demand—especially imagers, which now “read the new GS1 DataBar barcodes being introduced on coupons, produce, and pharmaceutical packaging.”
What's the Right Handheld Device for Inventory Control?
To ensure a perfect fit for every situation, scanner manufaacturers offer a wide array of models with features for nearly every environment, including those with harsh conditions, exposure to extreme temperatures, or minimal scanning volumes. They also produce scanners that are omnidirectional, meaning they can scan items from any angle. Because not every type of inventory management involves handling clean products, they make models that are disinfectant-ready.
When selecting the right handheld inventory scanner for your business, take time to familiarize yourself with common features and compare them against your scanning requirements.
Then you’ll have the information you need to identify the best handheld device to improve your inventory accuracy, customer service, and business operations.
1 Familiarize yourself with common features.
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SCAN ENGINES
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There are three types of scan engines: laser, linear imager, and 2D area imagers.
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Features
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Pros
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Cons
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Laser
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- Ensures precise scans in areas with good lighting
- Scans at distances from 1” to 3.5”
- Most affordable
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- Only reads linear (1D) barcodes
- Doesn’t read damaged or poorly printed barcodes very well
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Linear imager
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- Minimizes risk of failure due to fewer moving parts
- Works well in environments with low lighting
- Reads damaged or poorly printed barcodes
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- Doesn’t read 2D barcodes
- Costs more than laser scanners
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2D area imager
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- Reads both 1D and 2D barcodes
- Reads damaged or poorly printed barcodes
- Scans from any angle
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- Most expensive
- Usually difficult to read when less than 6” away
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STYLES
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There are two styles of handheld scanners: corded and cordless (wireless).
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Features
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Pros
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Cons
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Corded
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- Transmits data in real time
- Least expensive
- Easy to implement
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- Cords can cause scanners to fail
- Only scans at close distances, typically 5 – 6’
- No option to transmit via batch
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Cordless
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- Transmits data in real time or batch
- Has working range of up to 100+ feet
- Scans longer distances
- Doesn’t require a wireless computer
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- Doesn’t work when out of range
- Costs more than corded scanners
- Requires extra batteries
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TYPES
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There are two types of handheld scanners: general purpose and industrial.
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Features
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Pros
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Cons
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General Purpose
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- Meets a wide range of scanning needs, including most business applications
- Offers a variety of models at differing price points
- Provides flexible, advanced data capture options
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- Doesn’t perform in harsh conditions with extreme temperatures
- Lacks certain durability features found on rugged handhelds
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Industrial
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- Withstands multiple drops and knocks usually found in industrial environments
- Performs in all weathers and temperatures
- Handles data demands typically found in environments with rugged, secure networks
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- Costs more than general-purpose scanners
- Has more functionality/features than most offices and small businesses need
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2 Compare features against your scanning requirements.
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Feature
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Requirement
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Solution
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BARCODES
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- To read 1D barcodes or one-line alphanumeric identifiers
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- Choose a laser scanner or linear imager.
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- To read 2D barcodes or capture data that populates multiple fields or contains significant data
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DAMAGED BARCODES
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- To scan 1D barcodes that aren’t damaged or poorly printed
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- To scan 1D barcodes that are damaged or poorly printed
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- To scan 1D and 2D barcodes, including those that are damaged or poorly printed
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DISTANCE
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- To only scan barcodes at close distances
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- To scan barcodes both near and far
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- Choose a cordless scanner.
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ENVIRONMENT
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- To read barcodes in areas with low lighting
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- To read barcodes from any angle
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- Choose an omnidirectional 2D scanner.
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DURABILITY
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- To withstand multiple drops of up to approximately 5 feet
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- Choose a general-purpose handheld scanner.
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- To withstand multiple drops of up to 6.5 feet or more
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- Choose an industrial handheld scanner.
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TRANSMISSION
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- To transmit information in real time while directly connected to a PC
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- To wirelessly transmit information in real time or batch
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- Choose a cordless scanner.
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PRICE
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- For the most affordable handheld scanner
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- Purchase a laser scanner.
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- For a moderately priced handheld scanner
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- Purchase a linear imager.
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- For the most expensive handheld scanner
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VOLUME
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- Choose an industrial printer.
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- Choose a general-purpose scanner.
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STYLES
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- Choose a cordless scanner.
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- To wirelessly scan barcodes
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- Choose a cordless scanner.
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3 Identify the best handheld scanner for your specific needs.
Explore your barcode scanner options.
