Inventory management is one of the most critical parts of running your store. Between storage cost, vendor management, count times, and the cost of inventory, a significant portion of your capital goes into inventory each month.
What’s the best way to keep these costs under control? Investing in the tools you need to manage inventory and track stock like a pro. An inventory scanner gun is one of the most vital tools in your inventory toolbox.
You need heavy-duty, reliable scanners that can handle high volumes day in and day out. However, with so many options on the market, choosing the right barcode scanner for your needs can get overwhelming. Whether your needs call for wireless scanners' flexibility or corded models' workhorse capabilities, we've got you covered.
This article will explore key considerations when selecting your next inventory scanning gun and break down the pros and cons of the leading models so you can make an informed decision based on your business needs.
Inventory Scanner Guns: The 411
Inventory management is crucial for small businesses. Tracking what products you have in stock, what's selling, and what needs reordering can easily become disorganized without the right tools. Strong inventory management software and a reliable inventory scanner gun are invaluable for retailers looking to hone their inventory processes.
Inventory scanner guns help your staff breeze through inventory counts, taking stock much faster and more accurately than manual methods. By scanning product barcodes as they work, employees can instantly capture granular data like SKU numbers and quantities without the errors inherent in human data entry. These tools save considerable time and labor costs over traditional pen and paper techniques.
Related Read: Automated Inventory Management: Why It's a Critical Feature for Retailers [EXAMPLES]
Tying your inventory data into your point of sale system is critical for maximizing the advantages of your inventory scanner guns. For example, POS Nation offers a feature-rich POS suite with seamless support for connecting devices like barcode readers. The data captured from inventory counts populates the back office inventory dashboard in real time. Reports and metrics within our system help retailers identify fast and slow sellers, optimize stock levels, simplify reordering, and reduce out-of-stocks.
Implementing user-friendly wireless barcode scanner guns to replace outdated manual methods pays dividends for lean retailer operations. Accelerating inventory receiving while reducing errors provides small stores with the detailed, accurate data they need to keep shelves stocked and customers happy.
With this in mind, let’s examine some top options today for inventory scanner guns.
5 Top Inventory Scanner Guns for Small Businesses
When choosing the right inventory scanner gun for your small business, consider four critical criteria:
- Hardware: How durable is the scanner? Ensure you select a scanner that can withstand regular retail use.
- Software: Assess built-in features and ensure the scanner integrates with your existing inventory management platform.
- Portability: Prioritize lightweight, ergonomic designs to help employees manage all-day scanning.
- Barcode Compatibility: Confirm the scanner you select reads both 1D and 2D barcode formats used in retail.
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1. Honeywell 1900G-SR 2D Barcode Scanner
The first inventory scanner gun you may consider is the Honeywell 1900G-SR 2D Barcode Scanner. As a 2D scanner, it can read both 1D/linear barcodes and 2D barcodes, which is essential for supporting the variety of product codes used in retail today. The scanner incorporates Honeywell's Eclipse imaging technology to scan even damaged or poorly printed labels. This feature makes checkout and inventory counting hassle-free without errors from unreadable barcodes.
Designed for comfort over long shifts, the 1900G-SR features an ergonomic, lightweight gun-style form factor that fits comfortably in the hand. Further adding to its versatility, the scanner automatically detects and supports the most common 1D and 2D barcode symbologies, adjustable by the user. With its durability, ease of use, and reliable scanning abilities across various code types, the Honeywell 1900G-SR delivers performance specialty retailers can count on.
Related Read: 5 Best Barcode Systems for Retail Shops
2. Datalogic Gryphon GM4430-BK 2D Cordless Barcode Scanner
The Datalogic Gryphon GM4430-BK is one of the most capable general-purpose barcode scanners. This tool is adept at scanning all common 1D and stacked linear barcodes that retailers typically encounter. But it also reliably reads 2D codes and postal/delivery barcodes, expanding its utility for inventory functions. For added flexibility, the scanner can even capture images and signatures at the point of sale when needed.
With an omnidirectional scanning range, employees can freely scan products without precisely lining up the barcode, speeding up checkout times. The Gryphon GM4430 utilizes motion tolerance and good scan confirmation to ensure solid scanning, even with some product or hand movement while scanning.
As a more premium device, it does carry a higher price point, around $500. However, the enhanced scanning capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for high-volume retail environments that need to read a wide variety of barcode types and formats.
Related Read: How Much Does a POS System Cost? 6 Factors That Impact Price
3. Honeywell 1902GSR Wireless Bluetooth Laser Barcode Scanner
The Honeywell 1902GSR brings the convenience of cordless mobility to barcode scanning, optimized for retail inventory applications. As a 1D laser scanner, it quickly and accurately captures common linear/1D barcodes used in retail for product identification. The 1902GSR connects wirelessly to host devices via Bluetooth, giving employees complete freedom of movement to scan items anywhere in the store without getting tangled up.
This Honeywell scanner also supports their Mastermind management software platform. Mastermind allows centralized configuration, tracking, and maintenance of multiple 1902GSR units from one interface. Retail managers can adjust scanner settings, update firmware, monitor battery life, and troubleshoot issues remotely. This makes optimizing a fleet of scanners for peak reliability easier at scale. With its robust wireless performance complemented by Mastermind's remote oversight capabilities, the 1902GSR simplifies inventory management workflows for evolving retail environments.
4. Zebra DS9900 Series 1D/2D Hybrid Scanner
The Zebra DS9900 brings high-performance hybrid scanning capabilities to retail checkout and inventory management applications. As a hybrid device, it can quickly scan 1D and 2D barcodes, which is vital for supporting the many code types used in retail today. Zebra's intelligent ScanSpeed Analytics software monitors DS9900 performance, detecting bottlenecks in barcode capture speeds to optimize scanning workflows over time.
Hand-detection sensors automatically switch the scanner between hands-free and handheld modes for added flexibility. Users can also manually adjust the scan range and beam width to accommodate specific retail use cases. Optional HF RFID reading further expands the DS9900’s capabilities for simplified inventory tracking, letting employees scan multiple RFID tags in a single pass.
When deployed as part of an integrated POS Nation ecosystem, you can enjoy the advanced hybrid scanning functionalities and analytics-driven performance improvements the Zebra DS9900 Series offers. These help retailers enhance operations, transaction times, and customer satisfaction.
5. Brainydeal USB Automatic Barcode Scanner
The Brainydeal USB Automatic Barcode Scanner provides versatile performance for retailers needing flexible scanning solutions. This tool can switch dynamically between a handheld mode for scans up to 10.5 inches and a hands-free mode up to 18 inches. This feature allows cashiers to choose the most comfortable and efficient scanning method at any time without changing devices.
The scanner features industrial-grade, rugged housing and components tested to withstand up to 50 drops at 1.5 meters. Omnidirectional scanning also accommodates various barcode orientations for seamless checkout. With adjustable modes to suit different needs plus durable construction able to endure heavy daily use, the Brainydeal scanner suits diverse retail environments that value worker flexibility and reliability. The scanner couples high versatility with the durability required for long-term cost efficiency in evolving store settings.
Use the Right Inventory Scanner Gun
Having the right inventory scanner gun is crucial for retail businesses to manage stock levels efficiently and accurately. When selecting your scanner, remember the key criteria — durability, software integration, ergonomic design, and barcode compatibility. Models like the scanners outlined here check many of these boxes.
Ultimately, your scanner gun should tie seamlessly into a broader retail management ecosystem for maximum advantages. The POS Nation software suite delivers integrated inventory tracking, real-time inventory management, reorder point automation, detailed reporting, and customer loyalty program management. Our platform works hand in hand with leading scanner guns to give retailers true anytime visibility into the lifeblood of operations — your products.
If you want to keep your inventory management technology up to date, schedule a demo of POS Nation's point of sale software and recommended hardware options. Our retail experts are ready to show you how the right integrated solution can help your business save time, reduce headaches, and boost profitability through barcode scanning, actionable insights, and robust automation.
