Barcode readers and scanners
HDWR offers a complete range of barcode scanners for retail, warehousing, manufacturing and the office. This page gives you the big picture: what types we sell, which to pick, and answers to the questions we hear most often before purchase.
Scanner types
| Type | Best for | Available interfaces |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary (counter, presentation) | Retail tills, kiosks, ticket counters | USB, RS232 |
| Handheld wired | Warehousing, light retail | USB, RS232, USB-COM emulation |
| Handheld wireless | Mobile picking, large warehouses, returns handling | Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz dongle |
| Embedded / OEM | Custom kiosk integrations | TTL, USB-HID |
1D or 2D — which to choose?
- 1D scanners read traditional linear codes (EAN-13, Code 128, UPC). Faster, cheaper, sufficient for most retail use cases.
- 2D imagers read 1D codes plus QR, Data Matrix, PDF417 and codes from phone screens. Required for loyalty apps, e-tickets, COVID certificates and many courier labels.
If you accept any digital coupons or app-based identifiers, pick a 2D imager. Modern 2D devices are not noticeably slower than 1D.
Documentation in this category
- Setup guide — universal procedure for every HDWR scanner
- Troubleshooting — diagnostic flow for the most common scanning problems
- Which model has...? — pick a scanner by feature (Bluetooth, Aztec, auto-induction, DPM, RFID, VCOM)
- Models — specifications, configuration codes and per-model notes (see sidebar)
General information
How does a barcode scanner work and what types are there?
A barcode scanner uses a light source (a laser or LEDs) that reflects off the printed code; a photodiode reads the returned signal and the device decodes it into the data the code represents. Most scanners present themselves to the host as a keyboard — no drivers are needed. Scanners are categorised by code type (1D or 2D), connection method (wired or wireless) and reading technology (laser, CCD or CMOS imager).
What are omnidirectional and 2D imaging scanners?
Omnidirectional scanners project multiple scan lines, so they read 1D codes from many angles without you having to align the label. 2D imagers go further: they read both 1D linear codes (EAN, Code 128) and 2D matrix codes (QR, Data Matrix, Aztec, PDF417). 2D imagers are essential whenever you scan codes from a smartphone display.
What is the difference between CCD, CMOS and laser engines?
Laser engines emit a thin horizontal scan line, work at longer distances and need less ambient light, but cannot read codes from screens and consume more power. CCD and CMOS imagers capture the whole image, read codes from any direction (and from screens), and use less power. CCD is the older, robust technology; CMOS is the modern equivalent used in 2D imagers.
What connectors are available on wired scanners?
Most scanners use a USB interface. Some models are also available with RS232 or PS2 connectors. By default we ship with a USB cable; if you need a different cable type, tell us when you place the order.
What is the wireless range of HDWR scanners?
Range depends on the model and the wireless technology used. Bluetooth offers shorter range but pairs with any mobile device. 2.4 GHz radio (via a bundled USB dongle) reaches several hundred metres. In practice you can expect anywhere from 10 to 600 metres in open space; in offices and warehouses with walls, halve those numbers as a rough estimate.
What is USB-HID and how does it differ from USB-COM?
USB-HID (Human Interface Device) makes the scanner look like a keyboard: scanned data is typed into whatever text field has focus. It works plug-and-play on every modern OS, with no drivers. USB-COM emulates a serial port instead — your application reads scans from a virtual COM port, which gives more control but requires a driver and explicit application support. HDWR scanners ship in USB-HID by default and can be switched to USB-COM with a configuration barcode from the model's manual.
Do I need to install drivers to use an HDWR scanner?
For USB-HID mode (default): no — the scanner is recognised as a keyboard on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. For USB-COM mode: yes, a virtual COM port driver is required; you can download it from the model page on this site.
Do HDWR scanners read barcodes from a phone screen?
Only 2D imagers can reliably read screens. All HDWR models starting with HD-S2x, HD-S6x and HD-S9x are 2D imagers. 1D laser scanners cannot do this — the laser reflects off the glass. If you need to scan loyalty apps, e-tickets or QR codes, pick a 2D imager.
What do the IP protection ratings mean?
IP (Ingress Protection) is a two-digit rating that describes how well the housing resists dust and water. The first digit (0-6) covers solids (6 = dust-tight), the second (0-9) covers liquids (4 = splashes, 5 = jets, 7 = temporary immersion, 8 = continuous immersion, 9 = high-pressure hot water). A rating of IP65 is typical for industrial handhelds; IP54 is normal for office desktop scanners.