Not all RFID scanners are created equal, especially when you’re talking about handhelds.
These mobile readers are expected to do a lot: scan tags quickly, hold up under pressure, and keep operations moving smoothly in real-world environments. But how do you know which features actually matter? What separates a good handheld RFID scanner from a great one?
Let’s break it down.
Range and Speed Matter, A Lot
You can’t have a great scanner if it struggles to pick up tags. That’s just the truth.
A reliable handheld RFID scanner should be able to read tags from a reasonable distance, even through packaging or cluttered environments. But it’s not just about distance. It’s also about how fast it can process multiple tags without choking up.
Picture this: You’re scanning a pallet stacked with inventory. You don’t want to wave the scanner around five times just to catch every tag. That wastes time. Great scanners read fast, in bulk, and without fuss. Lowry Solutions focuses on this exact capability in the RFID solutions they deploy because when speed meets accuracy, productivity follows.
Built to Survive the Real World
Warehouses aren’t gentle places. Neither are loading docks, hospital storage rooms, or construction sites. Your RFID scanner needs to be more than a tech gadget. It needs to be tough.
Drop it? It should survive. Expose it to dust or a bit of moisture? It should keep working.
Lowry Solutions understands this reality. That’s why the hardware they recommend is rugged, tested, and ready for environments where durability isn’t optional, it’s essential.
It’s Not Just Hardware. It’s the Ecosystem.
Ever buy a device that works great, until it tries to talk to your other systems? Integration can make or break your RFID project.
Handheld scanners don’t live in a vacuum. They need to connect smoothly with middleware, asset tracking platforms, and enterprise tools. That’s where things get real.
Lowry doesn’t just drop off a scanner and wish you luck. They bring the whole stack together. From middleware that makes sense of all that tag data to Sonaria, Lowry’s own asset tracking software, everything talks to everything else. That means cleaner data, faster decisions, and less tech headache for your team.
Easy to Use Or It Won’t Get Used
It doesn’t matter how powerful your scanner is if people hate using it.
Clunky interfaces, confusing buttons, and outdated displays? That’s a fast track to employee frustration. Instead, look for scanners with simple controls, readable displays, and apps that make sense in the field.
Lowry’s handheld RFID solutions often run on Android, so the learning curve is small and familiarity is high. With mobile apps like Sonaria guiding users through scans in real time, teams can hit the ground running, no lengthy training required.
Flexibility Is the Secret Sauce
Every business is different. Even within the same industry, workflows and environments vary wildly. So why would a one-size-fits-all scanner work?
A truly great RFID scanner is flexible. It reads different tag types, adapts to different frequencies, and works across a variety of surfaces and materials. Whether you’re tracking tools, pallets, surgical equipment, or apparel, the device needs to be up to the task.
That’s exactly why Lowry tailors its RFID solutions from tag selection to scanner configuration, to fit your actual needs. No cookie-cutter kits here. Just tech that works for your workflow.
Security Can’t Be an Afterthought
RFID scanners are data collectors. They don’t just track inventory, they gather sensitive information about assets, locations, and movement. That means security isn’t optional.
You want a solution that aligns with modern data protection standards. Lowry checks this box with SOC 2–compliant systems that focus on protecting data from start to finish. So whether you’re scanning pharmaceuticals or tracking expensive hardware, you can trust the data stays protected.
What Happens After You Buy It?
Here’s a question most vendors avoid: What happens when something goes wrong?
Batteries fail. Firmware needs updates. Devices wear out. That’s just life. The difference lies in how well your provider supports you afterward.
Lowry has built a name on not just delivering great technology but standing behind it. Their lifecycle support includes repairs, updates, maintenance, and help when you need it. Because technology should be an asset, not another thing to manage.
Quick Checklist: What to Look For in a Handheld RFID Scanner
Want to cut through the noise? Use this checklist when evaluating your options:
- Strong read range and fast tag capture
- Durability for industrial or mobile environments
- Smooth integration with tracking software and middleware
- Simple, intuitive interface for fast adoption
- Support for multiple tag types and frequencies
- Secure data handling and compliance standards
- Post-sale support, updates, and repair services
Lowry’s RFID solutions hit all these marks because they design them too.
Use Cases That Prove the Point
Handheld scanners aren’t just for scanning shelves. Their versatility is what makes them so valuable.
In warehouses, they speed up inventory counts and reduce errors. On the manufacturing floor, they track work-in-process in real time, cutting paperwork and improving throughput. In healthcare, they monitor critical equipment and supplies. In retail, they turn manual audits into quick, accurate scans.
Lowry has supported projects in all these sectors. They’ve seen firsthand how a well-chosen handheld scanner can completely change the way a business tracks and manages its assets.
Final Thought: Choose Smarter, Not Just Faster
At the end of the day, the best handheld RFID scanner is the one that fits your environment, your workflows, and your data strategy. It’s not about the flashiest specs. It’s about dependable performance, smooth integration, and long-term support.
Lowry Solutions understands this better than most. They’ve been in the game for decades, and they know that success starts with asking the right questions and ends with delivering systems that work.
So, what are you scanning for? Maybe it’s time to upgrade your expectations.
