1D Wearable Glove Barcode Scanner
We offer a variety of 1D Bluetooth wearable glove barcode scanners, portable & industrial laser barcode scanners, pocket & ring pistol grip scanners.
A 1D barcode scanner reads the familiar striped barcodes found on retail products, packaging and stock labels using either a laser beam or a linear imager. For everyday tasks such as EPOS checkout, price lookups and stock control, a dependable 1D reader remains the fastest and most cost-effective option, decoding standard EAN, UPC and Code 128 barcodes instantly.
Whether you need a corded counter scanner or a cordless model for aisle work, a 1D barcode scanner offers proven reliability at a lower price than 2D imagers. Smart Mobile POS supplies laser and linear-imager readers compatible with phones, tablets and PCs across iOS, Android and Windows, so you can equip tills and stockrooms without overspending on features you will not use.
How to choose a 1D barcode scanner
- Decide laser or linear imager. Laser readers excel at longer-range single-line scanning, while linear imagers cope better with damaged, curved or poorly printed barcodes and have no moving parts.
- Match connection to your setup. Choose corded USB or serial for a fixed till, or a Bluetooth or wireless 1D scanner for stock takes and mobile working with tablets and phones.
- Confirm it reads your barcode types. Standard EAN, UPC and Code 128 are universal, but check niche symbologies such as Code 39 or Interleaved 2 of 5 if your labels use them.
- Consider durability and scan volume. High-throughput retail counters and warehouses need a robust, drop-tested reader, ideally with an IP rating for dusty or damp environments.
- Remember the limitation. A 1D barcode scanner cannot read QR codes or codes on phone screens, so if you plan to accept mobile vouchers choose a 2D imager instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 1D barcode scanner used for?
A 1D barcode scanner reads traditional striped barcodes for retail checkout, price lookups, stock control and warehouse picking. It quickly decodes standard symbologies such as EAN, UPC and Code 128 printed on products and labels, making it the workhorse reader for tills, stockrooms and any business handling conventional printed barcodes.
What is the difference between a 1D and 2D barcode scanner?
A 1D barcode scanner reads only linear striped barcodes using a laser or linear imager, while a 2D scanner uses an area imager to read QR codes and DataMatrix as well as 1D barcodes. Choose 1D for cost-effective retail scanning, or 2D if you need QR and mobile screen codes.
Can a 1D barcode scanner read QR codes?
No. A 1D barcode scanner reads only linear striped barcodes such as EAN and UPC, and cannot decode QR codes or DataMatrix. If you need to accept QR codes, mobile tickets or vouchers displayed on phone screens, you will need a 2D imager scanner instead, which reads both formats.
Is a laser or linear imager 1D barcode scanner better?
Both are 1D readers with different strengths. A laser scanner offers strong longer-range performance on clean printed barcodes, while a linear imager has no moving parts and reads damaged, curved or poorly printed labels more reliably. For rough handling and durability a linear imager is often the safer choice.
Are 1D barcode scanners compatible with tablets and PCs?
Yes. The 1D barcode scanners we supply work with PCs, tablets and phones across Windows, iOS and Android. Corded models connect by USB or serial to a till or computer, while wireless and Bluetooth versions pair with mobile devices, typically appearing as a keyboard so scans enter your software directly.