Laser Scanners offer the best performance among bar code readers. They read dense bar codes on curved or irregular surfaces and have a great scanning range - typically from contact to 24 inches. Special Long Range scanners can read up to 20+ feet. There are scanners which read in intense sunlight or through glass or plastic bags and CD covers. The scanners can be single-beam for 1-D bar codes or raster for 2-D bar codes such as PDF-417. Some examples are Symbol's LS-2208, LS-4208: Metrologic's Voyager; PSC's PowerScan and QS6000; Intermec's Sabre 1400, Sabre 155X, ScanPlus 180X.

Omni directional scanners project multiple beams of lasers to scan bar code. If even one beam goes across a barcode, it can be read. Therefore the orientation of the bar code itself is not very important. These scanners, however, have one limitation. in that they work best for a short range - typically 2" - 5". In most cases you can either bring a bar code to the scanner or remove the scanner from the stand and take it to a bar code. They are popular for high volume applications such as grocery store and libraries. Some examples are Symbol's LS-9208: Metrologic's Orbit and Intermec's Maxiscan 2210/2220.

Wand Readers (Light Pens) come in two variations: undecoded and decoded. Most wands are undecoded, and require an external decoder to decipher bar codes. A decoded wand has an integrated bar code decoder and can be connected directly to a computer/terminal. Wand readers are affordable and work well in clean environments on flat surfaces. A variety of decoders are available to work with undecoded wands. An example of an undecoded wand is Opticon's MSH 119 and an example of a decoded wand is Opticon's MSH-220.