Mobile computers for warehouse, production and field service
Our mobile computer series
Each series has its own page with specifications, variants, comparison and frequently asked questions. Prices and availability are in the shop.
Which device suits which application?
| Application | What matters | Suitable series |
|---|---|---|
| Retail, stores and service with moderate wear | smartphone form factor, low weight, Wi-Fi 6E, 5G if needed | Zebra TC22 / TC27, Brady CT32 |
| Warehouse and logistics in multi-shift operation | 2.4 m drop spec, operation down to -20 °C, large swappable battery, scanning up to high bays | Zebra TC53e / TC58e, Brady CT70 |
| Goods receipt and picking with frequent input | hardware keypad, battery for long shifts, long-range scanner | Brady CK62, M3 Mobile US30 |
| Production and warm halls | operation up to 55 °C, IP68, rugged touch device | M3 Mobile SM30 |
| Delivery and field service | 5G with nano SIM and eSIM, GNSS, light device | Zebra TC27, Zebra TC58e, Brady CT32 / CT70 |
| Potentially explosive atmospheres | ATEX and IECEx approval matching zone and gas group, battery change outside the zone | Bartec Ex mobile computers |
| Hands-free scanning | wearable scanner as an add-on to the mobile computer | ProGlove MAI, Zebra RS5100 / RS2100 |
The series compared
| Series | Form factor | Display | Sealing, drop height to concrete | Operating temperature | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebra TC22 / TC27 | touch, smartphone form factor | 6.0 in | IP65 / IP68; 1.5 m with boot | -10 °C to 50 °C | Wi-Fi 6E; TC27 with 5G |
| Zebra TC53e / TC58e | touch; variant with UHF RFID | 6.0 in | IP65 / IP68; 2.4 m with boot | -20 °C to 50 °C | Wi-Fi 6E; TC58e with 5G |
| Brady CT32 / CT70 | touch | 6.0 in | IP65 / IP68; CT32 1.8 m, CT70 2.4 m with boot | -20 °C to 50 °C | CT32: Wi-Fi 6E and 5G; CT70: Wi-Fi 7, optional 5G |
| Brady CK62 | keypad with 47 or 38 keys plus touch | 4 in | IP65; 1.8 m | -20 °C to 50 °C | Wi-Fi 6E; optional 5G |
| M3 Mobile SM30 / US30 | SM30 touch, US30 keypad | 5.7 / 4.0 in | SM30 IP68, US30 IP65; 1.8 m with boot | -20 °C to 55 °C | SM30: Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G; US30: Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bartec Ex mobile computers | keypad (MC9400EX2), touch (TC78ex-NI), smartphone (SP9); Zone 2/22 or 1/21 | 4.3 / 6 / 6.1 in | IP65 to IP68; up to 2.4 m across the temperature range (MC9400EX2, TC78ex-NI) | -20 °C to 50 °C, SP9EX2 up to 55 °C | Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 6; 5G depending on model |
Values according to the manufacturer’s spec sheet. Depending on the manufacturer, drop heights apply with or without protective boot and at different temperatures; details are on the series pages.
Source: manufacturer data sheets and product pages, as of October 2026. Subject to change; individual variants may differ. Prices and delivery times are available in the shop.
What to know before you buy
Android and security updates over the life cycle
A mobile computer often stays in service for many years, longer than a smartphone. What matters, therefore, is up to which Android version and for how long the manufacturer delivers security updates. The commitments differ considerably: according to the spec sheet, Zebra sells the TC53e and TC58e for four years and then supports them for a further four years, Brady commits to Android 15 to 19 for the CT70, and for the TC22 Zebra states an upgrade path to Android 16. Many commitments are subject to the chip manufacturer. Compare these details before buying and roll out updates centrally through Mobile Device Management.
Touch or keypad?
Touch devices in smartphone format are light, have large displays and suit apps built for touch operation. Keypad devices such as the Brady CK62 or the M3 Mobile US30 are heavier, but allow fast numeric input on physical keys and suit screens originally developed for keypad devices. When switching from keypad to touch, adapt the screens and test them with your staff. We support such changes as part of our mobile processes.
Scan engine and range
Standard imagers read 1D and 2D codes within reach. According to the manufacturers, long-range engines capture codes much further away: Zebra’s SE55 more than 12.2 m, the FlexRange XLR in the Brady CK62 up to 24 m, the SE58 in the Bartec MC9400EX2 up to 30.5 m. These figures apply to large, well-printed codes; in practice, code size, print quality, light and film determine the range. Have devices tested with your own labels and make sure labels on high shelves are large enough.
Battery and shift operation
Capacity in mAh alone says little about runtime, which depends on scan rate, display brightness, radio use and temperature. Some manufacturers state runtimes, for example more than 28 hours for the Brady CK62 or 12 to 24 hours for the M3 Mobile SM30, others only the capacity. For multi-shift operation, what counts is swappable batteries, hot swap or warm swap without restarting, and enough charging slots. Plan charging stations and spare batteries from the outset, as batteries age and need replacing during the life cycle.
Sealing, drop resistance and temperature
The IP rating according to IEC 60529 describes protection against dust and water: IP65 stands for dust-tight and protected against water jets, IP68 for protection during continuous immersion under conditions defined by the manufacturer. Drop specifications according to MIL-STD-810H are only comparable if height, surface, temperature and boot match: 2.4 m to concrete with boot is not the same as 1.5 m to tile without boot. Most series on this page operate from -20 °C to 50 °C, the M3 Mobile devices up to 55 °C, the Zebra TC22 and TC27 from -10 °C.
Wi-Fi and 5G
Wi-Fi 6E also uses the 6 GHz band; Wi-Fi 7, as on the Brady CT70, can use several bands at once with multi-link operation. Both only help if your access points support them and roaming in warehouse halls is set up properly. 5G with nano SIM and eSIM pays off for delivery and field service; according to the manufacturers, some devices such as the Zebra TC58e, Brady CT70 or Bartec MC9450EX2 also support private LTE and 5G networks. Find out more under WLAN infrastructure and industrial networks.
What OPAL adds
Frequently asked questions
Android or Windows?
All series on this page run Android. Older devices with Windows Embedded Handheld or Windows CE no longer receive security updates and should be replaced. Existing applications can often continue to be used as a web app, as an Android app or via terminal emulation; we check this with you as part of integration.
What do I need to consider in potentially explosive atmospheres?
Only devices with the appropriate approval may be used there. For Zone 2/22, category 3 devices are sufficient; for Zone 1/21 you need category 2 or 1, and the gas group and temperature class must also match. On many Ex devices, batteries may only be changed outside the zone. You will find suitable devices under Bartec Ex mobile computers.
How do I manage many devices centrally?
With Mobile Device Management, you set up devices, distribute apps and updates and lock lost devices. New devices can be enrolled automatically, for example through Google Zero-Touch enrolment. We set up the MDM for you or run it as a managed service; find out more under Mobile Device Management.
Do I need RFID in the mobile computer?
For finding individual items, a device with short-range RFID such as the Zebra TC53e RFID with up to 1.2 m is sufficient. For stocktaking over longer distances, there is the Zebra TC22 RFID with, according to the manufacturer, up to 24.4 m nominal range, or RFID sleds. You will find an overview under RFID and RFID readers.
How do I find the right device?
Ideally with a test in your environment: with your labels, your software and the staff who use the device every day. We put together a selection for you, compare life cycle and accessories and set up the devices ready for use. Get in touch via contact.