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Barcode scanners and label printers

Almost any barcode scanner works with StockLive. These are the ones we recommend, from cheap to long-range. Prices and details were checked on the sellers' pages on 29 September 2026; the seller's page is the final word. StockLive earns nothing from these links.

Best for most stores

One scanner at the counter or in the aisle, all day.

  • Zebra DS2278 (standard range)

    About $250 at resellers

    Cordless 2D handheld, Bluetooth, with a charging cradle

    Reads every product barcode, including creased and on-screen ones, from about 1 cm to 37 cm; 14 hours of battery; keyboard mode for iPhone, iPad and Android.

    See it at Zebra ↗

Cheapest that still read everything

2D scanners (they read QR codes and scratched labels too) for less than $60.

  • Tera D5100

    From $42.99

    Cordless 2D handheld, Bluetooth

    Keyboard mode for iPhone, iPad and Android; a good spare for each staff member.

    See it at Tera ↗

  • Tera HW0002

    $59.99

    Cordless 2D handheld: Bluetooth, a 2.4 GHz USB receiver, or a cable

    Three ways to connect, so the same scanner also works at a computer without Bluetooth.

    See it at Tera ↗

Small and pocketable

For labelling shelves and counting, where a gun is in the way.

  • Zebra CS60 (CS6080)

    Price varies by reseller

    Pocket-size 1D/2D companion scanner, Bluetooth

    Fits in a pocket or on a lanyard; 18 hours of battery; tap to pair with NFC; wireless (Qi) charging; keyboard mode for iPhone.

    See it at Zebra ↗

  • Tera HW0010

    See Tera

    2D ring scanner worn on a finger, Bluetooth

    Both hands stay free to peel and stick shelf labels.

    See it at Tera ↗

Reads from far away

For top shelves, back-stock racks and pallets.

  • Generalscan R5524

    See the listing

    Long-range 2D scanner, Bluetooth, pistol grip or finger mount

    Reads up to about 12 m (40 ft) with a Zebra SE55 engine; works with iPhone, iPad and Android.

    See it at Amazon ↗

iPhone with a scanner built in

A case with a real scanner and an optional pistol grip. Each case fits one iPhone model.

  • KOAMTAC KDC1100 SmartSled

    $499 (standard model); grip extra

    2D scanner case for iPhone 16 Pro Max (other models for iPhone 13–16)

    Keyboard mode, so it works with StockLive as it is; an optional pistol grip adds a 6,000 mAh battery.

    See it at KOAMTAC ↗

All-in-one handheld

An Android phone and a scanner in one rugged device, running the StockLive Android app.

  • Tera P166GC

    $629.99

    Android 13 handheld with a Zebra SE4710 2D scanner and a pistol grip

    One device per staff member, no phone of their own needed. Before buying, confirm with Tera that the scanner can type into apps (keyboard output).

    See it at Tera ↗

Label printer

What Tandoori Market prints its shelf labels on.

  • Brother QL-820NWB with DK-1201 labels

    $239.99

    Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and network-cable label printer; white 3.5" × 1.1" labels

    Prints StockLive's white shelf label from the website, from iPhone and iPad (AirPrint), and from Android with Brother's print plugin.

    See it at Brother ↗

Setting up a scanner

  1. Set the scanner to Bluetooth keyboard mode. Manuals call it “HID”; most scanners come set to it.
  2. Make sure it sends Enter after each scan (“CR suffix”, usually the default).
  3. Pair it in the phone's or tablet's Bluetooth settings, like a keyboard.
  4. Scan. From phone app version 0.13.0 a scan works on any screen: Labels adds a label, Counts finds the product, an open receipt adds the line, anywhere else the product opens. On earlier versions, tap the barcode box first.

While a scanner is paired, iPhone and iPad hide their on-screen keyboard, because the scanner counts as a keyboard. To type, double-press the scanner's trigger if its manual lists an “iOS keyboard” toggle (most do), or switch the scanner off.