Zebra-CS6080
top 10

Best Pocket Barcode Scanners of 2024

Pocket barcode scanners are great pieces of equipment for scanning while on the go. Find the top pocket scanners for 2024.

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Top 10 Barcode Pocket Scanners

Scanners come in a range of prices with various features and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all businesses. Pocket scanners offer a unique design and capability due to their small size that can fit easily into your employees’ pockets. If your workers need a compact scanner that performs all the duties of a regular barcode scanner, pocket scanners may be your solution. Find the best pocket scanners for 2024 below.

AirTrack SP1: Best Budget/Value

The AirTrack SP1 is perhaps one of the simplest ways to implement barcode scanning into your business. This wireless scanner easily pairs with your tablet, smartphone or other mobile device. Compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows, the AirTrack SP1 includes a 1-inch display, which provides detailed visual confirmation for a quick, easy read with every scan your workers will love.

Best Uses: Retail applications such as gift registry, inventory, proof of delivery, c-store ordering; as well as field service and sales applications such as merchandising, delivery, route accounting, and repair and installation.

Features:

  • 2 MB of memory to store 20,000 scans
  • Easy pairing
  • Lightweight: 2 oz
  • Bluetooth range: 30 ft
  • Full-shift battery: 8 hours
  • Withstands 5-foot drops to concrete
AirTrackSP1
  • Rating – Great 80% 80%

AirTrack SP2: Best BlueTooth Scanner

If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth scanner, the AirTrack SP2 is an excellent choice. Small enough to fit in your pocket, the SP2 can go anywhere with storage for 10,000 scans that can automatically upload to a spreadsheet or other computer once back in range. Designed with aggressive technology, the SP2 can easily read all common 1D and 2D barcodes and even damaged labels or labels from a digital screen.

Best Uses: Point of sale for retail & hospitality, inventory control, gift registries, proof-of-delivery, route accounting, field sales, utilities & delivery.

Features:

  • USB/Bluetooth compatibility
  • Easy pairing
  • Lightweight
  • Scan 2D barcodes
  • Lightweight – 2.2 ounces
  • Withstands 5-foot drops to concrete
  • Operate in temperatures as low as 32 F/0 C and as high as 122 F/50 C
AirTrackSP2
  • Rating – Great 90% 90%

Zebra CS4070: Best Ergonomic

The Zebra CS4070 is an ergonomic, enterprise-level scanner often used for large-scale scanning operations. It is surprisingly affordable and features advanced barcoding technology. This scanner allows employees to easily capture 1D and 2D barcodes at a quick pace. Its long range and omnidirectional scanning deliver true point-and-shoot simplicity and the natural feel delivers comfortable, no-fatigue scanning no matter how many times a day your workers need to scan.

Best Uses: Retail applications including mobile point-of-sale and inventory/cycle count. Used in transportation and logistics, and field sales and service.

Features:

  • PRZM Intelligent Imaging technology for next generation barcode scanning performance
  • Wireless scanning for iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices
  • Scan virtually any barcode on any medium
  • Superior ergonomics
  • Easy Bluetooth pairing
Zebra CS4070
  • Rating – Great 80% 80%

Zebra CS6080: Most Reliable

The Zebra CS6080 is a highly reliable scanner used for a variety of scanning applications. Zebra scanners are known for being highly dependable and lasting longer than the competition. With its ultra-versatile design, the CS6080 companion scanner easily converts between corded and cordless operation depending on the need.

Best Uses: Retail applications including mobile point-of-sale, inventory management, cycle counting, concession stands, ticket processing, shipping labels, and asset tracking.

Features:

  • Extended 330 ft./100 m range
  • Eliminate Bluetooth interference with Wi-Fi friendly mode
  • Minimize shift interruptions with anti-loss tools
  • Full shift power and beyond – 18 hour battery life
Zebra-CS6080
  • Rating – Great 90% 90%

Zebra CS3000: Best Battery Life

The innovative Zebra CS3000 Series allows businesses to easily implement 1D laser scanning where either mobility or the cost and size of a traditional scanning device is a potential problem. It is priced affordably and is small enough that it can fit in a pocket or on a lanyard. CS3000 series scanners can be utilized in standalone mode for large batch scanning of barcodes, while specific models like the CS3070 offers Bluetooth mode as well as real-time barcode data transmission. Battery life is incredibly long-lasting and can last as long as 24-hour batch and 12-hour in Bluetooth mode.

Best Uses: Supply chain proof of delivery (PoD), customer managed inventory (CMI), facilities management inspections, asset tracking, field sales, account management and delivery; and retail for use in inventory and gift registry.

Features:

  • Best-in-class high-performance scanning
  • Enhanced ergonomics
  • Simple two-button design
  • Long battery life – up to 24 hours
  • 512 MB non-volatile memory
Zebra CS3000
  • Rating – Good 70% 70%

Honeywell Voyager 1602g: Easiest to Use

Honeywell’s Voyager 1602g scanner combines high-performance area-imaging technology into an elegant and pocket-sized form factor, making it the perfect scanner companion to tablet-based retail point-of-sale and field service applications. Workers love this scanner due to its high-performance area-imaging engine found in many full-size handheld scanners. Scan all 1D and 2D barcodes easily.

Best Uses: Ideal for tablet-based fixed point-of-sale, mobile point-of-sale, inventory management, backroom/stockroom, in-store customer engagement and even non-retail scanning applications such as Salesforce automation.

Features:

  • Capable of reading barcodes off smartphone screens
  • Omnidirectional 1D and 2D barcode scanning
  • Bluetooth wireless technology
  • Features a battery rated for up to 2,250 scans over 12 hours
  • White LED aimer for fun and easy scanning
Honeywell Voyager 1602g
  • Rating – Good 70% 70%

Scanner Comparison Chart

Product Reliability Screen Size Battery Life Scanning
Range
Ruggedness Warranty Repair
Reputation
Compatibility Ease of Use Temperature
Tolerance
Water/Drop
Resistance
Score
AirTrack SP1 2 1 3 2 2 5 3 3 3 3 1 4
AirTrack SP2 2 1 3 2 2 5 3 3 3 3 1 4.5
Zebra CS4070 5 n/a 5 4 1 5 5 4 4 3 3 4
Zebra CS6080 5 n/a 5 5 4 3 5 3 4 2 4 4.5
Zebra CS3000 5 n/a 5 3 3 2 3 4 4 4 3 3.5
Honeywell Voyager 1602g 3 n/a 4 4 2 3 3 3 4 4 2 3.5

1=poor, 5=best

*Depends on exact model