1D, 2D USB and Serial Barcode Scanners
Shop the latest 1D & 2D USB and serial barcode scanners for Android, iPhone, windows PDA & tablet devices for warehouse management mobile point of sale.
Corded USB and RS-232 serial barcode scanners remain the backbone of fixed till, POS and industrial systems where a permanent, always-on connection matters more than mobility. A USB barcode scanner plugs straight into any PC or POS terminal and needs no charging, while a serial barcode scanner suits legacy tills, weighing scales and industrial equipment that communicate over RS-232.
These wired readers deliver rock-solid reliability for high-volume scanning at a single workstation, with no pairing, batteries or dropped connections to manage. Smart Mobile POS supplies both USB and serial models compatible with Windows PCs and most POS software, so you can integrate a dependable corded scanner into new tills or maintain established RS-232 industrial setups.
How to choose a USB or serial barcode scanner
- Confirm the interface your system needs. Modern PCs and tills use USB, while older EPOS tills, scales and industrial controllers often require an RS-232 serial barcode scanner, so check the port and cable your equipment expects.
- Choose USB HID keyboard or virtual COM mode. HID types scanned data into any application automatically, while virtual COM or true serial suits software written to read from a specific port.
- Match 1D or 2D to your codes. Pick a 1D corded reader for standard retail barcodes, or a 2D USB imager if you also scan QR codes, DataMatrix or on-screen codes.
- Consider mounting and hands-free use. A stand or fixed-mount presentation scanner frees both hands at a busy till, which speeds throughput compared with a handheld trigger reader.
- Check build quality for the environment. Industrial and warehouse settings need a rugged, IP-rated corded scanner, whereas a retail counter can use a lighter, lower-cost handheld model.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect a USB barcode scanner to my PC or till?
Most USB barcode scanners are plug and play. Connect the scanner to a free USB port and Windows recognises it as a keyboard, so scanned barcodes type straight into whatever application has focus. No drivers are usually required, which makes a USB scanner the simplest reader to integrate with a PC or POS terminal.
What is a serial barcode scanner and when do I need one?
A serial barcode scanner communicates over RS-232 rather than USB, connecting to a COM port on a PC, till or industrial controller. You need one when integrating with legacy EPOS systems, weighing scales or industrial equipment designed to receive scanned data through a dedicated serial connection rather than as keyboard input.
What is the difference between a USB and serial barcode scanner?
A USB barcode scanner connects to a modern USB port and typically acts as a keyboard, needing no drivers. A serial barcode scanner uses an RS-232 port and sends data to a specific COM address, which suits older tills and industrial systems. Choose the interface your existing equipment and software require.
Can a USB barcode scanner read QR codes?
Only if it is a 2D model. A basic 1D USB barcode scanner reads striped retail barcodes only, whereas a 2D USB imager also reads QR codes, DataMatrix and codes displayed on phone screens. Choose a 2D corded scanner if you plan to accept mobile vouchers or QR-based tickets at your till.
Do USB and serial barcode scanners work with Windows POS software?
Yes. The corded USB and serial barcode scanners we supply integrate with Windows PCs and most POS packages. USB models in keyboard mode work with virtually any software instantly, while serial and virtual COM models suit applications configured to read from a specific port, common in established EPOS and industrial systems.