Best Barcode Scanner for Small Business Inventory and POS

The best barcode scanner for small business is usually a 2D model. For most small shops, that means a corded scanner at the till or a Bluetooth model for an iPad or stockroom.

A 2D scanner reads ordinary barcodes, QR codes, shipping labels and codes displayed on phone screens. That makes it useful for more than just scanning products at the counter. The right choice depends on where you scan and which devices your POS runs on.

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Quick picks

All four picks below were available on Amazon UK when this page was checked.

• Best corded 2D for a counter: Zebra DS2208-SR. This is a third-party kit listing, so check the model suffix, seller and warranty before ordering.
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• Best wireless 2D for the stockroom: Inateck BCST-54.
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• Best for phone or tablet POS: NETUM C750.
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• Best budget and most rugged (IP54, listing): Tera D5100.
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Prefer a cordless Zebra? The Zebra DS2278 is the cordless version of the DS2208. Its Amazon UK listing shows a different brand name, so it is better to buy from an authorised Zebra reseller.

Which scanner fits your setup

The 3-question picker

1. Does it move away from the till? If yes, choose cordless or pocket. If not, corded will do.
2. Do you scan QR codes or phone screens? If yes, choose 2D. All four picks here are 2D.
3. What device runs your POS? For an iPad or phone, choose Bluetooth and check the POS maker's compatibility list. For a PC, use USB or a 2.4GHz dongle.

1D vs 2D in one paragraph

A 1D scanner reads the familiar striped barcodes found on products. A 2D scanner reads those too, along with QR, Data Matrix and PDF417 codes, according to scanner vendor Wasp. The difference matters when dealing with shipping labels, supplier codes or customers showing codes on their phones. MerchantMachine's UK overview explains the same distinction for small businesses. Unless you only scan your own simple labels, a 2D scanner is the safer choice.

The picks

Zebra DS2208-SR (corded 2D)

Who it is for: shops with a fixed till or counter, including those running Shopify POS. Who it is not for: businesses that need to scan away from the desk.

The DS2208-SR is a corded 2D imager that connects by USB. With no battery to charge, it is a straightforward option for a permanent counter setup. Shopify POS lists the DS2208 among its supported scanners. theprotoolkit also recommends it for a fixed counter, while Testix UK names it as its top pick.

According to the maker's own Zebra spec sheet, putting the scanner in its presentation stand automatically switches it to hands-free mode. There is no need to change any settings. The series is also designed to withstand multiple drops from 1.5 m onto concrete.

Zebra's warranty statement gives the corded DS2208 60 months, the cordless DS2278 and the presentation cradle 36 months, and the battery 12 months, from the date of shipment. That applies to genuine Zebra stock, which is another reason to check the seller on a kit listing.

The Amazon listing is a third-party kit, and its warranty field says 1 year. Before ordering, check that the model suffix is DS2208-SR and confirm the seller and warranty.

Inateck BCST-54 (wireless 2D with base)

Who it is for: stockroom counts and goods-in where staff need to move away from the desk. Who it is not for: a single counter where a cable would never get in the way.

The Inateck BCST-54 is a 2D Bluetooth scanner supplied with a smart base. Inateck's maker page specifies Bluetooth 5.0, a 2,600 mAh battery and the ability to read codes displayed on screens.

One useful feature for stocktaking is its inventory mode. It can store up to 270,000 codes, allowing staff to scan items on a shelf and upload the results later.

Inateck lists support for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS. Shopify names the Zebra DS2208 and DS2278, and it also supports any HID keyboard scanner. The BCST-54 is not named on that list, so check Shopify's current page and your POS maker's list before buying.

NETUM C750 (pocket Bluetooth 2D)

Who it is for: iPad or phone POS setups, particularly where staff need a scanner they can carry in a pocket. Who it is not for: Square users, as the listing says it is incompatible with Square POS. Available on Amazon UK, sold by the NETUM Official store and dispatched from Amazon.

The NETUM C750 offers several ways to connect. According to its Amazon UK listing, it supports Bluetooth using HID, SPP and BLE, as well as a 2.4G dongle or USB cable.

It reads both 1D and 2D barcodes, including QR, PDF417 and Data Matrix codes. It can also scan codes printed on paper or displayed on screens.

The listing specifies a 1,200 mAh battery with around 20 hours of continuous scanning. There is also offline storage for up to 100,000 barcodes, plus listed support for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.

Tera D5100 (budget, rugged 2D)

Who it is for: businesses using a PC or laptop in a dusty or busy storeroom. Who it is not for: iPad or phone POS setups, because it does not support Bluetooth.

The Tera D5100 is a 2D wireless scanner that connects through a 2.4GHz dongle or USB cable, according to its Amazon UK listing. It has a listed 2,200 mAh battery and an IP54 rating. That is the only rugged rating among the four picks. The same listing says it is not compatible with Square.

Connection to a PC is straightforward because the scanner works like a keyboard. In HID mode, also called "keyboard wedge" mode, each scanned code is typed into whichever field is selected.

This means it can work with spreadsheets and most inventory apps without additional software. That suits anyone logging stock counts straight into a spreadsheet.

Do you even need one?

Not necessarily. Shopify says the camera on a device running Shopify POS can scan both 1D and 2D codes, although it cannot scan directly into the search bar.

Scanning software vendor Scandit also identifies smartphone scanning as a way for small businesses to avoid buying dedicated hardware. It lists phones alongside wireless 2D handheld scanners as a valid option.

The main drawback is speed. According to inventory software vendor inFlow, phones can scan barcodes but are slower than dedicated scanners when volumes are high.

If you only scan a handful of items each day, try using your phone first. Once scanning starts holding up the queue at the till, a dedicated scanner makes more sense.

The rest of the kit

A barcode scanner will not do much unless your products have codes to scan. Depending on your setup, you will also need:

• Labels for your own SKUs if products arrive without barcodes.
• A label printer to produce those labels. See our guide to the best label printer for small business.
• Inventory software or a POS system that tracks stock. Shopify's Stocky app requires an HID scanner in Keyboard Mode, according to Shopify.

If you are also equipping the back office, see our guides to the best document scanner and best paper shredder for small business.

FAQ

Do I need a 1D or 2D scanner?

For most small businesses, 2D is the better buy. It reads ordinary 1D barcodes as well as QR, Data Matrix and PDF417 codes, according to scanner vendor Wasp.

A 1D scanner is only worth considering if you will never need to scan QR codes, shipping labels or codes shown on a customer's phone. All four scanners recommended here are 2D.

Can a barcode scanner read QR codes and phone screens?

A 2D imager can read QR codes, but a 1D scanner cannot. Reading codes from screens is something you should check separately.

The NETUM C750 listing confirms it can scan codes from paper and screens. Inateck also states that the BCST-54 reads codes displayed on screens. If customers present tickets, vouchers or loyalty codes on their phones, check the screen-reading specification before ordering.

Should I get a wired, Bluetooth or 2.4GHz barcode scanner?

A wired scanner is a good fit for a fixed till because there is no battery to charge. Bluetooth is better suited to iPad or phone POS setups and stock counts where staff move around. Shopify says cordless scanners can work up to about 100 m from the iPad or iPhone.

A 2.4GHz dongle is useful for a PC or laptop. It will not, however, pair with a tablet that lacks a suitable USB port.

Will a barcode scanner work with Shopify POS, Square or a spreadsheet?

For Shopify POS, choose a model from Shopify's supported list, such as the Zebra DS2208 or DS2278. Shopify also supports HID keyboard scanners.

For Square, check its own compatible-hardware list. The NETUM C750 listing specifically says it is incompatible with Square POS, and the Tera D5100 listing says the same.

For spreadsheets, a scanner operating in HID keyboard mode types the scanned codes into the selected cell.

Can I just use my phone as a barcode scanner?

Yes, especially if you only scan a few items. Shopify POS supports scanning 1D and 2D codes using the device camera, although not directly into the search bar.

Scanning software vendor Scandit points out that phone scanning avoids the cost of dedicated hardware. The limitation is speed. In inFlow's view, a phone is slower than a dedicated scanner when scanning volumes increase.

What else do I need besides a barcode scanner?

Every product you sell needs a barcode. If products do not already have one, you may need to print your own labels using a label printer.

You will also need somewhere to record the scans. That could be a POS with stock tracking, an inventory app or a spreadsheet if your product range is very small. Make sure the scanner supports the connection type and keyboard mode required by your software.

Our verdict

For most small shops, the Zebra DS2208-SR is a sensible starting point for a fixed till. It is corded, supports 2D codes and avoids the need to manage a battery.

If staff also need to scan away from the counter, add an Inateck BCST-54 for the stockroom or a NETUM C750 for a more portable setup.

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