2D Barcode Reader Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034

2D Barcode Reader Market Size

The 2D barcode reader market size was valued at USD 8.90 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 18.95 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. 2D barcode readers evolved from basic identification devices into essential traceability, authentication, and real-time data capture enablers in enterprise operations. Their adoption has increased with the standardization of 2D barcodes in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and electronic commerce processes. This has made 2D barcode readers the essential infrastructure for accuracy, speed, and continuity in operations.

Key Market Insights

• Asia Pacific dominated the market with a revenue share of 38.6% in 2025.
• North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.12% during the forecast period.
• Based on type, the handheld segment held the highest market share of 46.8% in 2025.
• By technology, the AI-enabled decoding segment accounted for a market share of 29.4% in 2025.
• Based on end-use industry, the retail & e-commerce segment is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period.
• The China 2D barcode reader market size was valued at USD 2.41 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.63 billion in 2026.

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2D Barcode Reader Market Trends

Shift from Traditional Rule-based Scanners to AI-powered Systems

The market for 2D barcode readers is undergoing a paradigm shift from traditional rule-based barcode scanners to AI-powered decoding systems, which can efficiently detect damaged, distorted, or low-contrast barcodes. In the past, the accuracy level of early barcode scanners was hampered by print quality differences. These scanners needed controlled lighting and orientation, resulting in interrupted workflows and repeated scans. AI-powered 2D barcode readers rely on machine learning algorithms, which help the device adapt and perform well in real-life scanning applications, resulting in increased first-pass read rates.

Shift Toward Item-level Intelligence in Retail Infrastructure

The rapid evolution of omnichannel commerce models is elevating the role of 2D barcodes for item-level intelligence across retail and fulfilment networks. Unlike legacy linear codes, 2D barcodes support dense, multi-attribute data that allows products to be authenticated, traced, and verified throughout their lifecycle from warehouse picking and returns processing to last-mile delivery. As enterprises prioritize unified inventory views and transaction transparency across physical and digital channels, upgrading from 1D to 2D barcode scanning infrastructure has become a strategic imperative. This shift is reinforcing the adoption of advanced 2D barcode readers as foundational tools for real-time visibility, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making within modern commerce ecosystems.

 2D Barcode Reader Market Drivers

Government-mandated Traceability Accelerates Enterprise-wide 2D Barcode Adoption

The increasing need for end-to-end product traceability has been mandated by authorities related to healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, thereby fueling the demand for 2D barcode readers. Within the healthcare industry, the Food and Drug Administration’s Unique Device Identification rule requires 2D barcodes to be printed on all medical devices to ensure improved safety and better recall and trackability of the product. The Medical Device Regulation of the European Union (EU MDR) has enforced very strict labeling and identification norms, which have mandated the use of machine-readable 2D codes.

Rising Adoption of QR-based Ticketing Drives Demand for Barcode Scanners

The growing adoption of QR code-based ticketing systems in concerts, sports grounds, public transportation, and major public gatherings is fueling the demand for 2D barcode scanners. Organizers of major events and public transportation bodies are adopting contactless entry systems to handle crowds better and prevent fraud, thereby increasing the large-scale adoption of fixed and portable 2D barcode scanners at entry points. This, in turn, is increasing the utilization of 2D barcode scanners as critical infrastructure in major events and transportation management systems.

Market Restraints

Substitution Risk from Non-Line-of-Sight Identification Technologies

Emerging identification technology solutions, such as RFID, NFC, and Bluetooth-enabled tracking solutions, are currently restraining the adoption of 2D barcode readers in certain high-automation settings. These solutions make it possible to capture data without line-of-sight or in bulk, thereby making item-by-item scanning unnecessary in large warehouses and high-volume logistics facilities. With the increasing focus of businesses on automation and real-time visibility, the adoption of these emerging solutions is currently restraining the widespread adoption of 2D barcode scanners in certain applications.

Market Opportunities

Digital Identity Infrastructure Offers Lucrative Opportunities for Mass-scale Scanner Deployment

Large-scale identification and document digitization initiatives are opening new avenues of growth for the 2D barcode reader market. Governments and public institutions are embedding 2D barcodes in identity cards, certificates, licenses, and official documents, helping the former in rapidly verifying their authenticity to reduce fraud and enhancing the efficiency of their services. These programs need reliable barcode scanning at every public touchpoint, such as service centers, transportation hubs, and financial onboarding locations, thus creating sustained demand for 2D barcode readers across distributed networks. This transition to machine-readable documentation is helping organizations reduce the pain in verification workflows by either automating a lot of these processes or considerably reducing the use of manual checks, hence increasing throughput and accuracy.

Technological Landscape

• Cognex ViDiis a deep-learning–based machine vision software platform used to decode damaged and low-quality 2D barcodes in real time, particularly across electronics and semiconductor manufacturing inspection workflows.
• Zebra Fixed Industrial Scannerssupport high-speed DataMatrix and QR code reading on automated production and PCB assembly lines, featuring rugged designs with IP67-rated protection for harsh industrial environments.
• Keyence SR Seriescode readers integrate AI-based decoding algorithms to ensure reliable 2D barcode reading across varying surfaces, angles, and lighting conditions in manufacturing and logistics operations.

Regional Analysis

The 2D barcode reader market in the Asia Pacific had a market share of 38.6% in 2025. This dominance is due to its strong set of manufacturers, extensive retail networks, and fast-developing warehousing and e-commerce platforms in China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. The high volume of electronics manufacturing in this region has led to the wide adoption of automation in warehousing, thus creating an immense need for 2D barcode scanning solutions in these countries. The presence of device manufacturers and suppliers in this market has allowed for rapid adoption and localization of barcode scanning solutions in this region, contributing to its leading market share.

A major driver for the 2D barcode readers market in the Chinese market is the wide adoption of 2D code scanning in digital payments, point-of-sale, and smart manufacturing processes. The wide adoption of QR code-based payments and authentication has led to the increased adoption base of barcode scanners across stores, manufacturing facilities, and logistics facilities. The adoption of 2D barcode scanners across automated manufacturing facilities and export-based supply chains is also enhancing demand, making the Chinese market a major player in dominating the market.

North America

The North American market is expected to register a CAGR of 10.12% during the forecast period, owing to the increased automation of the fulfillment centers, as well as the growing adaptation of data analytics in retail technology in the region. Companies in North America are focusing on efficient operations, accuracy, and real-time visibility, which has led to the replacement of old scanning technology using 2D barcodes at an increased pace in the region.

The US market for 2D barcode readers is growing as the retail, healthcare, and logistics industries are increasing the use of automated identification systems. The increasing application of 2D barcodes for traceability, medical identification, and contactless payments has led to an increase in the use of barcode readers. The adoption of warehouse automation and same-day delivery services has led to the growth of high-performance barcode readers, which makes the US a vital growth driver in the North American region.

Regional Market share (%) in 2025

Source: Straits Research

Europe

The market for 2D barcode readers is experiencing an increase in growth in the European region due to the rising use of self-checkout platforms, smart warehousing solutions, and digital labeling of products across various retail and industrial settings. Europe's increased interest in supply chain visibility, food label verification, and pharmaceutical serialization is also propelling businesses toward the use of sophisticated 2D barcode scanning solutions. The increase in the number of automated distribution centers in this region is upholding the need for reliable 2D barcode readers.

The market in Germany is driven by a highly developed manufacturing infrastructure and an emphasis on precision manufacturing. Manufacturers in the country are adopting 2D barcode readers in their production lines. The adoption of smart factories in the country has positioned it as a major innovation as well as a consumption point in the European market.

Latin America

The Latin America 2D barcode reader industry is gaining traction due to the efforts being made by retail and logistics companies to optimize their processes and increase accuracy and efficiency. The adoption of automated inventory management solutions and payment systems in various nations within Latin America is triggering massive demand for 2D barcodes. Online retail and logistics services within Latin America are boosting the demand for 2D barcode readers.

The Brazilian market for the 2D barcode reader is growing as larger retail and distribution centers are also looking forward to automating their operations to meet the increased number of orders. There has also been an increase in the use of QR code-based payments and receipts, which has led to the growing use of scanners across retail and service outlets. The upgrade of distribution centers and port infrastructure is also boosting the demand for industrial-grade 2D barcode scanners in Brazil.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East & Africa 2D barcode reader market is growing as various nations in these regions are increasingly adopting digitalization in their transport, retail, and government services. The rising use of smart airport solutions, border control solutions, and digital identification solutions is fueling the adoption of efficient 2D barcode readers, even in heavily populated areas. The rising need for contactless transactions as well as electronic document sharing is further fueling this adoption.

The UAE market is progressing due to ongoing developments in smart city projects and improved digitalization in airport operations, shopping points, and logistics areas in the country. Increased adoption of QR code tickets, smart shopping experiences, and smart customs clearing systems in various sectors is fueling growth in 2D barcode scanning technologies in the UAE. This is resulting in the UAE being at the forefront in terms of adopting advanced 2D barcode scanning technologies in the Middle East and Africa region.

Type Insights

The handheld segment accounted for the largest 2D barcode reader market share, representing 46.8% of total revenue in 2025. This is because handheld barcode scanners are widely being used in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors, where flexibility is a key requirement. Handheld readers can be easily integrated with plug-and-play systems with minimal training due to ease of handling. There is a need for efficient inventory management across various setups. Handheld readers can be used in warehouses, retail stores, logistics hubs, healthcare facilities, manufacturing floors, and e-commerce fulfillment centers. They are less expensive and can be deployed in small- and mid-sized businesses.

The mobile segment is set to register a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the rising adoption of mobile computers and intelligent devices that feature inbuilt 2D barcode scanning capabilities in the field, delivery, and medical sectors. Compared to traditional scanners, mobile barcode readers can be easily integrated into smartphones or rugged handheld computers for real-time data capture and cloud connectivity. Mobile scanners let workers scan items without being deployed to particular sites. Thus, they are widely used in dynamic setups such as retail aisles, healthcare facilities, and logistics centers.

By Type Market Share (%), 2025

Source: Straits Research

Technology Insights

The AI-enabled decoding segment accounted for 39.4% of market share in 2025. Businesses are focused on improved first-pass read success rates in actual scanning situations. AI-enabled decoding scanners have superior decoding, accuracy, and reliability. They can scan poorly printed, damaged, or low-contrast codes as well. They can be easily integrated with IoT, cloud analytics, warehouse management systems (WMS), and ERP systems. Thus, they are highly deployed in high-volume retail checkouts and fulfillment centers.

The laser hybrid segment is expected to experience growth in the forecast period. The driving force behind this growth is the need for flexible scanning solutions that merge traditional laser accuracy with imaging, especially within environments of mixed 1D & 2D codes. Laser barcode systems can scan both traditional linear (1D) codes and complex 2D codes. They have expanded applications such as serialization and traceability in healthcare and pharma industries, shipping labels in warehouses, and QR coupon checkouts in retail setups.

End-use Industry Insights

The retail & e-commerce segment had the largest market share in 2025 and is forecasted to register a CAGR of 10.6%. This segment is experiencing an evolution in the omnichannel shopping model. The growing number of orders placed through e-commerce platforms has fueled the demand for precise, fast product identification and verification. Thus, strong demand from the retail and e-commerce sector is expected to propel the 2D barcode reader market growth throughout the forecast period.

Figure: 2D Barcode Reader Market Segments

Regulatory Bodies Governing the 2D Barcode Reader Market

Competitive Landscape

The 2D barcode reader market is moderately fragmented, with competition from multinational providers of data capture solutions, industrial automation companies, electronics manufacturers, and regional device suppliers. Global companies compete based on their product offerings and enterprise relationships, while regional device suppliers compete on the basis of cost, application-specific designs, and regional distribution networks to cater to the varied requirements of end-users. The intensity of competition in the market is driven by factors such as decoding speed, device robustness, integration capabilities with enterprise systems, and industry standards for certification. The emerging themes of competition in the market include the extension of fixed and mobile scanning solutions for automated facilities, customization for vertical industry workflows, integration with enterprise software platforms, and enterprise-wide deployment.

List of key players in 2D Barcode Reader Market

1. Zebra Technologies
2. Honeywell International
3. Cognex Corporation
4. Datalogic S.p.A.
5. SICK AG
6. Toshiba TEC Corporation
7. Keyence Corporation
8. Omron Corporation
9. Panasonic Holdings Corporation
10. Bluebird Inc.
11. Newland AIDC
12. Unitech Electronics
13. Socket Mobile
14. Code Corporation
15. Denso Wave Incorporated
16. Juniper Systems Inc.
17. Opticon Sensors Europe B.V.
18. Wasp Barcode Technologies
19. Scandit AG
20. Zebex Industries Inc.

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Latest News on Key and Emerging Players

Source: Secondary Research