BARCODE SCANNER GUIDE

Choose the right barcode scanner

Handheld or tabletop? Wired, wireless or Bluetooth? With or without a battery? Here is how the options differ, what they cost, and which one suits your shop.

MOBILE FIRST

Your phone camera is already a scanner

In Baskit, your phone's camera scans barcodes - for billing, adding products and stock checks. You don't need to buy a scanner to get started.

A dedicated scanner is faster when you bill many items in a row. Add one when your counter gets busy.

Start free, upgrade when busy

  • Phone camera - fine for a few items per bill₹0
  • Bluetooth scanner - pairs with your phone, faster for long bills₹3,500 – ₹7,000
  • USB scanner - for a PC or Android POS₹2,000 – ₹3,500
TYPES OF SCANNER

Handheld or tabletop?

Both read the same barcodes. The difference is how you scan: point and press, or just pass the product in front.

Handheld scanner

Handheld scanner

₹2,000 – ₹7,000

The "scanner gun" you hold and point at a barcode, then press the trigger. Most come with a stand, so you can also use them hands-free.

  • Reaches big, heavy or awkward items
  • Can be wireless, for stock-taking in the godown
  • Widest choice of models and prices
Best for: Most shops - kirana, garment, footwear, pharmacy, hardware
Tabletop scanner

Tabletop scanner

₹3,000 – ₹7,000

Sits on the counter and reads barcodes automatically when you pass a product in front of it. No trigger, no aiming - both hands stay free.

  • Fastest checkout for small packed items
  • Reads barcodes at almost any angle
  • Also reads QR codes from customer phones
Best for: Busy supermarket, grocery and pharmacy counters
CONNECTION

USB, wireless dongle or Bluetooth?

This decides where you can scan from and which devices the scanner works with. Baskit works with all three - scanners type the barcode just like a keyboard, so no special setup is needed.

USB only (wired)

₹2,000 – ₹3,500

Plugs into a USB port with a cable. Power comes through the cable, so there is no battery and no pairing - plug in and scan.

Range
Cable length (about 1.5 - 2 m)
Works with
Windows PC, Android POS; Android phone with a USB OTG adapter
Power
No battery

USB + wireless dongle

₹3,000 – ₹5,000

Comes with a small USB receiver (dongle). Plug the dongle into your POS or PC and carry the scanner around. Most can also be used with the cable.

Range
Up to 30 - 100 m from the dongle
Works with
Windows PC, Android POS; Android phone with a USB OTG adapter
Power
Rechargeable battery
Best for mobile

USB + dongle + Bluetooth

₹3,500 – ₹7,000

The "3-in-1" scanner: cable, dongle or Bluetooth. Bluetooth pairs straight with a phone or tablet - no adapter needed - so it is the best match for running Baskit on mobile.

Range
Bluetooth about 10 - 30 m; dongle up to 100 m
Works with
Android phone, iPhone, tablet, Windows PC, Android POS
Power
Rechargeable battery
USB only USB + dongle USB + dongle + Bluetooth
Price ₹2,000 – ₹3,500 ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 ₹3,500 – ₹7,000
Battery None - powered by the cable Rechargeable Rechargeable
Move around while scanning No Yes Yes
Use with Android phone With USB OTG adapter With USB OTG adapter Yes - pair over Bluetooth
Use with iPhone / iPad No No Yes - pair over Bluetooth
Use with Windows PC / POS Yes Yes Yes
Setup Plug in Plug in the dongle Plug in, or pair once
Best for One fixed counter Counter + stock-taking Mobile billing, any device
BATTERY

With or without a battery?

Wired scanners take power from the cable. Wireless and Bluetooth scanners have a rechargeable battery so they can move around.

Without battery (wired)

  • Never needs charging and never dies in the middle of billing
  • Lowest price, and nothing to wear out or replace
  • Stays at one counter - you can only scan as far as the cable reaches
  • Best if you always bill at the same desk

With battery (wireless)

  • Scan anywhere - at the rack, in the godown or at the customer's car
  • No cable across the counter
  • A full charge usually lasts a full working day; many come with a charging stand
  • Most can also be used with the cable while the battery charges

Tip: charge a wireless scanner overnight like a phone. Batteries usually last 2 - 3 years before they hold less charge.

WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Our pick for your shop

Not sure yet? Start with your phone camera in Baskit, then add a scanner when you need more speed.

Small shop billing on a PC or Android POS

Handheld, USB only

Lowest cost, nothing to charge, never runs out of battery.

Billing on your phone or iPhone

Handheld, USB + dongle + Bluetooth

Pairs directly with your phone, and still works with a PC later.

Busy supermarket or grocery counter

Tabletop, USB

Customers' items are scanned as fast as you can pass them over.

Garments, footwear, big items or godown stock-taking

Handheld, USB + wireless dongle

Walk to the rack or carton instead of carrying it to the counter.

Already have a scanner?

It will almost certainly work. See the scanners we have tested with Baskit, or download drivers and setup guides.

See tested scanners →

Need help choosing?

Tell us how you bill today and we'll suggest the right scanner - and show you Baskit scanning with it.

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