RFID
RFID readers, antennas, and printers - with tags for any environment or application.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses radio waves to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects at a distance. Unlike a barcode, a RFID tag does not need to be in line of sight of the reader so it can even be embedded inside an object. Specialised RFID tags can work in almost any environment and application: tracking parts through an assembly line or in a warehouse, wristbands that automate access and payments, monitoring livestock or produce, preventing tampering on secure items and much more.
We stock and source a wide range of RFID readers, antennas and tags from the leading global suppliers and can help you find the right products for your systems, or design a solution with you that is suited to your specific environment and needs. Browse a selection of our products below, or speak to an expert about your needs.
RFID TAGS
Your RFID solution starts with the right tag. Read our frequently asked questions below, and contact us to help you source the best, most affordable tags for your application
The short answer is all of them - from low cost paper label tags to custom-designed tags that are suitable for unique applications and environments. We partner with major RFID tag producers globally and we can source any kind of RFID tag, at affordable prices, as well as tags using Bluetooth low energy (BLE), LoRaWAN or other wireless protocols.
There are various ways to categorize RFID tags:
1. By power or source
- Passive tags have no battery and are powered by the reader’s RF field.
- Active tags are battery-powered and can transmit continuously or do periodic beaconing. With a longer range, they are often used for real time location tracking.
- Battery-Assisted Passive (BAP) / Semi-passive tags have a small battery to power the chip, but only transmit when interrogated.
2. By frequency band
- Low Frequency (LF, 125–134 kHz) tags have a short range (cm) and are tolerant of metal/liquid environments. They are often used in access control and animal ID.
- High Frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz) have a short-to-medium read range (cm–1m). NFC tags fall within this category and applications include book tracking, smart cards, tap-to-pay bank cards.
- Ultra High Frequency (UHF, 860–960 MHz) have longer read ranges (meters) and the fastest read rates. These are typically used for tracking pallets or items in logistics and retail.
- Microwave (2.45 GHz and up) are specialized, less common tags, used in some toll / vehicle systems and radar-like applications. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags also fall in this range.
3. By form factor or physical construction
- Label or Inlay: paper or plastic sticker with antenna + chip. Suitable for low cost, high-volume use (e.g. packaging, apparel).
- Hard tag: rugged plastic housing; used on tools, totes, reusable containers.
- On-metal tag: designed with a spacer or special antenna to work when attached to metal surfaces.
- Wristband or wearable: for events, patient tracking.
- Bolt, cable tie or hang tag: attachment for assets or containers, and can often indicate tampering.
4. By protocol or standard - this is to insure interoperability with readers and ecosystems
- EPC Gen2 / ISO 18000-6C — widely used UHF supply-chain tags.
- ISO 14443 / ISO 15693 — HF smartcard/NFC standards.
5. By memory and functionality
- Read-Only / Factory-programmed: fixed ID (serial).
- Read/Write: can store/update user data (stock info, maintenance logs).
- WORM (Write Once Read Many): write once, then read-only.
- Crypto / Secure: hardware security for authentication (payment, high-security access, toll roads).
- Sensor-equipped: temperature, humidity, shock sensors (often BAP or active, but not necessarily).
6. By environmental or durability rating, for example -
- Standard (paper/plastic): indoor, shelf-life sensitive.
- Rugged / Industrial: IP-rated, UV-resistant, vibration-proof for harsh sites (mining, manufacturing).
- Washable / Laundry: for garments (hospital, textiles, reusable containers).
- Autoclave-resistant / Microwaveable: for items that need to withstand these conditions.
Almost any item can be tagged: from tools, assets, and vehicles to pallets, garments, and even livestock. The key is to match the tag type to the item’s material and environment. For example, on-metal tags are designed for equipment and containers, label tags work well on packaging or apparel, and rugged tags suit outdoor or industrial conditions. Whether it’s plastic, metal, wood, or fabric, we can help you choose an RFID tag designed for reliable performance..
Tag selection depends on three main factors:
- Surface and environment: Metal, plastic, or liquid-filled items need different tag constructions.
- Read range and frequency: Short-range reads (e.g., access cards) use HF or NFC tags; longer-range tracking (e.g., warehouse assets) uses UHF tags.
- Durability requirements: Harsh or high-temperature conditions call for rugged or industrial-grade tags.
Our team can help you identify the right tag for your application based on your use case and what kind of reader setup you prefer.
First, it is important to understand the difference between active and passive tags:
Passive RFID tags have no battery. They harvest energy from the reader’s RF field and respond by backscatter. Depending on the tag you choose they can be very low cost, thin, and require no battery maintenance, but they only transmit data when within a reader's range.
Active tags have a battery - that naturally needs to be maintained or replaced - and can be set to transmit continuously, at scheduled intervals, or when triggered. These have long read ranges and work without being in a reader's field. They are great for continuous monitoring, particularly when paired with sensors, or real time location tracking.
There are also “battery-assisted passive/semi-passive” tags, where a battery powers the chip / sensors, but the reply is still reader-triggered. These are useful for sensing and extra range without constant beaconing. For example, a BAP tag with a temperature sensor could continuously monitor temperatures in a storage fridge, but would only transmit this data once the tag is read.
Active RFID tags and BLE tags are both considered active tags, but they are not the same:
Active RFID tags
- Radio & readers: Uses RFID radios (e.g., 433 MHz, 860–960 MHz, or 2.45 GHz) with vendor/standard-specific protocols and dedicated active RFID readers.
- Range & density: Typically longer range than BLE (tens to hundreds of meters), good for yard/mine/warehouse chokepoints and portal reads.
- Ecosystem: Purpose-built infrastructure; strong in industrial, harsh, or large-site deployments.
- Use cases: Vehicle/fleet yards, mine safety beacons, long-range asset tracking across gates, outdoor tool/tote tracking.
- Trade-offs: Higher tag/reader cost; excellent performance at scale; batteries to manage.
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) tags
- Radio & receivers: Use the BLE protocol (a Bluetooth standard distinct from “classic” Bluetooth). They broadcast advertising packets that can be picked up by BLE gateways, smartphones, tablets, or BLE-enabled readers or access points.
- Range & density: Practical indoor range is room-to-floor scale (often 10–30 m in offices; more with tuned gateways or long-range PHY). Great for dense indoor coverage.
- Ecosystem: Extremely broad device support; easy to integrate into mobile/IoT apps and enterprise systems.
- Use cases: Hospitals/offices for staff badges and asset tags, indoor wayfinding, light-infrastructure RTLS, cold-chain beacons with temp sensors, advertising beacons.
- Trade-offs: 2.4 GHz congestion/interference to plan for; accuracy and reliability depend heavily on gateway layout and calibration.
How to choose the right active tag?
- Need long read ranges across gates/yards or harsh outdoor environments? → Active RFID
- Want to leverage phones/tablets or low-cost gateways with broad ecosystem support? → BLE
- Minimise tag cost and avoid batteries, and reads happen near portals/shelves? → Consider Passive UHF instead
- Require sensing (temp/shock) with periodic broadcasts? → Either Active RFID or BLE works; pick based on infrastructure you prefer (RFID readers vs BLE gateways/mobile devices), interference profile, and cost.
Yes. We can supply customised RFID tags in different sizes, materials, and frequencies - including logo printing, encoding, or special housings for metal, heat, or chemical exposure. We also work with manufacturers to design bespoke tags for unique applications.
High temperature
RFID tags
Our high-temperature RFID range includes heat-resistant label tags (lower temp cycles), industrial on-metal tags and ceramic/screw-mount transponders that tolerate repeated exposure to high temperatures and caustic cleaning. Choose based on exposure class (continuous vs short peak temperature), mounting method, and read-range needs.
Metal-mount
RFID tags
These tags are engineered to perform when attached to metal surfaces, where standard tags would normally fail. Metal tuned antennas and durable housings prevent signal interference, ensuring accurate reads in harsh environments. Available in rugged, screw-mount, adhesive, or embedded formats, they're ideal for tracking tools, machinery, returnable containers, IT assets and more.
Label
RFID tags
A flexible, cost-effective way to tag and track items. Printed and encoded like standard barcode labels, these thin, lightweight tags make adopting the speed and automation of RFID easy. They can be applied to plastic, cardboard, or non-metallic surfaces, and are available in various sizes and adhesive strengths, including options for curved or high-volume packaging.
RFID tags
with sensors
These tags combine identification and environmental monitoring - such as temperature, humidity, vibration or movement - in a single device. These tags enable real-time visibility of asset conditions throughout storage, transport, and production, using the same RFID infrastructure for both data and power. Available in passive, semi-passive, and active variants.
HANDHELD AND MOBILE READERS
High-performance handheld and tablet-based UHF RFID readers for fast, accurate tag capture anywhere your team works.
All featured readers support Impinj Gen2X
Chainway C66
A highly expandable large-screen rugged handheld computer. Equipped with octa-core processor and Android 11 / 13, the C66 comes with a 5.5-inch HD display, barcode scanning, NFC and optional fingerprint recognition. UHF RFID can be added through a backclip; by attaching the C66 to the R6 sled or by ordering the built-in UHF version, all of which support Impinj Gen2X. The UHF module is based on Impinj E series chips and you can choose between a circularly or linearly polarized antenna. It has IP65/67 sealing and a 1.8m drop rating.
Chainway C5
A premium all-in-one UHF RFID handheld, combining high read performance, rugged design and advanced sensor capabilities. The UHF module is based on the Impinj E710 chip, supporting Gen2X, with read rates of 1 300+ tags/sec and read range of up to 30 m+. It runs Android 11/13, a removable battery (6 700/13 400 mAh pistol grip style), and optional sensor set including gravity, proximity, geomagnetic and gyroscope. It has IP65 sealing, 1.5 m drop proofing, a 5- or 6-inch display, optional fingerprint reading, and front- and rear facing cameras.
Chainway C72
The C72 UHF RFID engine is based on the Impinj E series (E710) chip with support for Gen2X and RAIN protocols. Circular antenna polarization is standard, but it supports configurable antenna polarization (linearly or circularly) for optimized bulk-reads as well as long range (30m+) reading. It runs on Andriod 11/13 with a 5.2 inch FHD display, IP65 ruggedisation, a drop rating of 1.5 m, and a large 8 000 mAh battery. Connectivity and data capture options include WiFi, 4G LTE, barcode scanning, NFC/HF, GPS.
Chainway MC51
The Chainway MC51 built-in RFID reader is a 5G high-performance, large-screen handheld terminal. It integrates a UHF module that is based on the Impinj E Series chips and supports Impinj Gen2X, delivering superior reading capabilities. It features a powerful processor, a 6-inch HD display, and exceptional 5G and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, providing frontline workers with a high-performance mobile office solution. The device also supports multiple data collection functions, including barcode scanning, RFID, and NFC.
Chainway SR160
A powerful, lightweight scanner with UHF and 2D barcode scanning in one. The UHF RFID module is based on Impinj E Series chips, supporting Impinj Gen2X. It has a circular polarized antenna for excellent single-tag read/write performance, with a 7-100cm adjustable reading range. It has an ergonomic design and can easily be adjusted to scan barcodes, RFID or hybrid. The SR160 connects to your desktop or laptop, via a USB-C cable or Bluetooth.
Chainway P80 RFID Tablet
The latest P80 tablet runs on Android 13 and has a 8700 mAh battery. The 8-inch IPS display and multi-touch panel works with gloves and wet hands. It has a rugged design, with IP65 sealing and a 1.5m drop rating. The UHF engine is based on the Impinj E series, supports Gen2X, and it has a circularly polarized antenna with a 10m read range. Other data collection options include 2D barcodes, NFC and biometrics: facial recognition, and three options for fingerprint reading.
FIXED AND DESKTOP RFID READERS
Reliable fixed and desktop UHF RFID readers for always-on, high-volume tag capture in controlled or automated environments.
All our readers support Impinj Gen 2X.
Impinj R700 Series
Impinj R700 series readers provide best-in-class tag readability, enterprise security, and modern developer tools. IoT developers can easily build and deploy custom enterprise applications with a Linux OS, REST API, and native support for industry-standard data formats and protocols such as MQTT. Powerful processing and expansive on-reader memory enable embedded applications that transform RAIN data into actionable business intelligence.
Impinj Speedway
Available with 2 or 4 antenna ports, Impinj Speedway readers are high-performance RAIN RFID fixed readers that deliver the flexibility and reliability necessary to provide effective item visibility. With the largest installed base of fixed readers across a diverse range of applications, Speedway readers deliver proven performance, leveraging the patented Impinj Autopilot capability, with a choice of different readers to match your solution requirements and price point.
Impinj xSpan Gateway
Impinj gateways are fixed infrastructure RAIN RFID reader systems that simplify deployment for applications that need always-on monitoring. Impinj gateways pair an Impinj Speedway reader with purpose-built antennas that monitor tagged items within an environment. Designed for large-scale, item-level applications, Impinj gateways provide real-time item intelligence events. The Impinj xSpan gateway installs overhead or on walls to automatically monitor inventory and track item movement along a single axis.
Chainway URA4
The Chainway URA4 is a 4-channel fixed RFID reader powered by Android 13 and integrated with Impinj E-Series chips, and supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol. The reader offers multiple interface options, including RS232, RJ45, and HDMI, and is compatible with a wide range of antennas. With high stability and robust performance, the URA4 is ideal for applications such as warehousing, retail, library management, laundry tracking, production lines, medical asset tracking and vending machines.
Chainway UR4
The Chainway UR4 is a four-port fixed UHF RFID reader built with Impinj E-Series chips and supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol. It features RS232 and RJ45 interfaces and is compatible with various antenna types. Designed for durability, the UR4 offers excellent heat dissipation and resistance to electromagnetic interference. With high integration and stable performance, it is ideal for demanding environments such as warehousing, retail, library management, laundry tracking, production lines, medical asset tracking and vending machines.
Chainway UR8
The Chainway UR8 is a high-performance, 8-port fixed UHF RFID reader built with advanced Impinj E-Series chips and supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol. With strong resistance to electromagnetic interference and efficient heat dissipation, it delivers consistent performance in both indoor and outdoor environments. Designed for complex, high-demand applications, the UR8 is ideal for warehousing, archive and library management, banking, apparel and jewelry retail, laundry tracking, production lines, medical equipment cabinets, and unattended retail.
Chainway U300 Fixed RFID Reader
The Chainway U300 is a high-performance fixed RFID reader powered by an Android 11 operating system, delivering strong data processing capabilities. It is available in 4-port or 8-port. Built on Impinj E-Series chips and supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol, it offers enhanced UHF RFID performance. The U300 integrates multiple interfaces including RS232, RJ45, and HDMI, and supports DC, PoE, and PoE+ power supplies. It is ideal for complex environments such as warehousing, production lines, medical device tracking, and unmanned retail.
Chainway R1 RFID Reader / Writer
The Chainway R1 is a newly launched, high-performance RFID Reader/Writer featuring integrated UHF RFID modules powered by Impinj E-Series chips and supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol. It delivers excellent UHF RFID performance while also supporting HF RFID and PSAM, enabling it to read and write a wide range of tag types. With SDK support for both Windows and Linux, the R1 is ideal for diverse applications such as logistics, access control, attendance management, anti-counterfeiting, and production process control.
Chainway R3 Desktop RFID Reader
The Chainway R3 is a newly developed desktop UHF reader supporting the Impinj Gen2X protocol. Compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS applications, it offers reliable short-range reading up to 100 cm. Equipped with a high-efficiency anti-collision algorithm, the R3 ensures fast, accurate tag reading and writing with an excellent identification rate. It supports data transmission via Bluetooth and Type-C USB, making it ideal for retail transactions, logistics, identity verification, anti-counterfeiting, and production process control.
ANTENNAS
We source and stock the full range of Times-7 High Performance RAIN RFID Antennas and can also assist with custom application design, installation, and installation accessories such as cabling, frames and mounting plates.
Times-7 far field antennas
This range of far field antennas deliver long-range, high-performance tag detection across a wide array of use cases. They are designed to be flexible, general-purpose antennas, with a variety of designs tailored to different read point requirements. With robust construction (IP54 / 65 / 67 / 68 /69K), multiple polarisation options, and versatile mounting, our antennas ensure accurate performance.
Times-7 near field antennas
Near-field RAIN RFID antennas are designed for short-range, high-precision tag detection with uniform read coverage and no dead zones. They ensure reliable performance in defined read zones, eliminating stray reads and accurately tracking difficult items like liquids and metals. With compact designs, and a choice of white or black finishes, these antennas are designed to complement a wide range of aesthetic and functional requirements.
Times-7 airport antennas
The airport and conveyor antenna range is purpose-built to enhance baggage tracking efficiency across key points in airport operations, from check-in to conveyor systems. The A6015 is a unique circularly polarised flat panel RFID antenna engineered with beam-switching technology for self-check-in airport systems. The A6011 range is specialized for use in bidirectional conveyor systems, with three different size options.
Times-7 ground and underfloor antennas
The ground and underfloor antennas are engineered for high-performance tag detection at floor level, ideal for environments where side-mounted antennas aren’t suitable. With ultra-low profiles, rugged construction, and quick-deploy designs, they deliver accurate reads in high-traffic, indoor or outdoor applications like race timing, people tracking, and retail analytics. Circularly, linearly, vertically, and horizontally polarized antennas are available.
Times-7 doorway antennas & systems
The doorway antennas are ultra-low profile, designed to fit seamlessly into door frames for discreet, efficient tracking. With easy installation and a sleek form factor, they’re ideal for asset and people tracking in environments where appearance and performance are equally important.
Installation hardware: backplates, mounting, cables
Install faster and protect your investment. Connector protector backplates shield coax connections in busy or moving environments, mounting plates ensure clean interior or exterior installs, and our range of low-loss cables and accessories ensure best performance results.
RFID PRINTERS
RFID printers enable seamless encoding and printing of application-ready RFID labels and tags.
Chainway CP30 UHF Printer
Chainway CP30 is an RFID printer with outstanding printing performance, supporting both thermal and thermal transfer printing. Featuring 3.5-inch LCD touch screen, multiple communication interfaces, and automatic identification of printheads of different resolutions, CP30 can accurately and quickly print various RFID tags, barcodes, invoices and wristbands, meeting the printing needs of various industries.
OTS-830 Industrial UHF Printer
The OTS-830 Industrial Printer has an embedded Android 9 OS and an 8-inch touch screen. It uses an Impinj Indy R2000 UHF RFID engine, and has excellent RFID recognition accuracy. It can adapt to various inner diameter paper roll sizes and can automatically detect label height and gap values. It accommodates labels up to 1.2mm in thickness, making it suitable to encode certain metal-mount RFID labels.