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Wired or wireless: how to choose your scanner?
Scanners 1 min read
A cable is not always a limitation and a battery not always freedom — here is how to decide based on how you actually work.
by POS Kosova · Reviewed on
The short answer
If the product comes to the scanner (a fixed checkout) — wired: no battery, no pairing, always connected. If you go to the product (warehouse, stocktaking, heavy items) — wireless.
The comparison in one table
| Wired | Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | USB or RS-232 | 2.4G USB dongle, Bluetooth or charging base |
| Range | The cable length | Up to 100 m (2.4G) / 40 m (Bluetooth) in open space, per the manufacturer |
| Battery | None | E.g. 2000 mAh, up to 12 h of continuous scanning |
| Out of range | — | Offline memory (e.g. 380,000 EAN-13 characters) |
Wireless values are from the Henex H310RC and HC-4208R datasheets.
Scenarios
- A regular checkout: wired — see wired scanners.
- Warehouse and stocktaking: wireless with offline memory — see wireless scanners.
- A checkout with heavy items (water, drinks, building materials): wireless with a base — it sits in the base and comes out only when needed.
- Several shifts: wired, or wireless with a swappable battery (HC-4208R).
Mistakes we see most often
- A wireless scanner at a fixed checkout where nobody returns it to the base — the battery dies mid-day.
- Overlooking dongle vs Bluetooth: the dongle pairs with a PC, Bluetooth also with a tablet or phone.
- Stated range is measured in open space; walls and metal shelving shorten it.
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