Barcode Scanner Buyer's Guide

1D vs 2D

• 1D (linear) scanners read UPC/EAN codes — what's on most retail products. Cheap (~USD 30). Can't read QR codes.
• 2D (imager) scanners read both 1D and 2D (QR, DataMatrix). ~USD 80+. Required if you take M-Pesa QR payments or have any item that needs a 2D code (pharma, logistics, airline boarding passes).

Rule of thumb: if you're opening a new store in 2026, just buy 2D. The incremental cost is worth it.

Handheld vs Presentation

• Handheld: cashier points the scanner at the item.
• Presentation: fixed on the counter, cashier waves items past it. Faster at checkout but costs 2–3× more.

Use a presentation scanner if you're scanning 50+ items per sale (supermarket), handheld otherwise.

Wired vs Bluetooth

Bluetooth sounds cool but introduces a battery-dead failure mode you don't want in a till. Wired USB is boring, reliable, and cheap.

Exception: stock-taking on the shop floor. For that, a Bluetooth scanner or a phone with a good barcode app beats dragging a USB cable.

Buy from

• Honeywell (premium, reliable)
• Zebra (workhorse, great support)
• Ring scanners — avoid for retail, they're for warehouses.