Need hardware that can read or encode the exact chip family you plan to deploy?
Stock SKU. Custom tooling from 2,000 pcs.
Standard; rush possible on request.
Stock samples via DHL / FedEx.
Use this hardware when the project needs enrollment, encoding, or compatibility testing around a specific chip family and interface. Confirm protocol support, SDK expectations, and deployment style before the shortlist is locked.
What buyers usually confirm first
swipe →Spec Check
Chip protocol, operating system, interface, and SDK expectations should all be clear before a reader sample is approved.
| Product Name | RFID Reader/Writer (Desktop / OEM Module) |
| Form Factor | Desktop enclosure 86x54x12 mm / OEM board 62x42 mm / UART module 28x18 mm |
| Weight | Desktop 38 g / OEM board 12 g / UART module 6 g |
| Communication Interface | TCP/IP (Ethernet), USB 2.0, UART TTL, RS232 (optional) |
| Power Supply | 5V DC regulated or PoE (IEEE 802.3af); max operating current 400 mA |
| Supported OS | Windows 10/11, Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu/Debian/RHEL), Android 8.0+, macOS 11+, Raspberry Pi OS |
| RF Protocol | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, Type B (optional), ISO/IEC 15693 (optional), ISO 18092 (NFC) |
| Supported Cards | NXP MIFARE Classic 1K/4K, Ultralight EV1/C/Nano, DESFire EV1/EV2/EV3, MIFARE Plus EV2; NTAG213/215/216, NTAG424 DNA; Type A/B CPU / Java Card / SmartMX; ICODE SLIX/SLIX2 |
| Communication Speed | 106, 212, 424, 848 Kbit/s |
| Read Range | Up to 5 cm (typical 3-4 cm for cards) |
| Cryptography | AES-128, 3DES, session keys, NTAG424 DNA SUN verification (SDK helper) |
| SDK | Free, open-source examples in C, C++, Java, Python; community bindings for Node.js, Go, C# |
| Certifications | CE RED, FCC Part 15, RoHS 3, REACH |
| Operating Temperature | -10 deg C to +55 deg C |
| Storage Temperature | -25 deg C to +70 deg C |
| Humidity | 10-90% RH non-condensing |
| LED Indicators | Power, link, activity, encoding success/fail |
| Warranty | 2 years standard; extendable to 3 or 5 years |
| MOQ | 10 units for evaluation; production pricing at 100+ |
Shortlist Logic
Hardware usually stays in consideration when it reduces integration risk and supports the exact credential workflow being planned.
Use Cases
Deployment context helps determine whether this hardware belongs at a desk, in a kiosk, in a gate, or inside a device.
encode and read employee badges for building entry systems with TCP/IP-networked controllers
embedded reader module for payment, ticketing, and visitor check-in kiosk hardware
read and write ICODE SLIX tags per ISO/IEC 15693 for patron self-service and EAS deactivation
encode MIFARE and DESFire room key cards at front desk and self-service check-in kiosks
operator login and data logging via card tap at manufacturing terminals
embed reader modules into custom-designed terminals, gates, and vending machines
Desktop RFID Reader vs USB NFC Dongle — How To Choose
These serve different buyers entirely. Desktop RFID reader-writers support multi-frequency (LF 125 kHz + HF 13.56 MHz + UHF) for industrial card encoding workflows. USB NFC dongles (like µFR Nano) are HF-only compact units for consumer-grade NFC tap development, smartphone pairing, and basic enrollment. Pick by whether you need UHF range or just HF tap.
Option A Multi-frequency, USB + Ethernet, industrial
Best for
Option B Compact USB NFC, developer-friendly
Best for
Quick decision tip — If your workflow requires UHF (long-range inventory, encoding UHF tags) or multi-band (LF Prox + HF MIFARE + UHF in one device), desktop reader-writer (Option A) is the industrial-grade choice at $185-680. If you only need HF / NFC for MIFARE / NTAG / DESFire reading and writing in an office setup, µFR Nano (Option B) is the compact USB tool at 1/4 the cost.
Yes if you are an OEM, system integrator, or in-house product team building a kiosk, access control terminal, card encoder, or industrial HMI that needs reliable HF (13.56MHz) card reading and writing with a real free SDK. The The reader/writer delivers TCP/IP + PoE connectivity, sub-5-cm read range, ISO/IEC 14443 Type A/B and 15693 protocol coverage, and tested SDK libraries in C / C++ / Java / Python that ship with source-code examples the combination that removes most of the integration debugging time NFC projects typically suffer.
Pick a different reader if you need UHF Gen2 (use a handheld or portal reader instead), sub-meter BLE location (use a BLE gateway), or mobile phone NFC (the phone itself is the reader). Pick this reader if the workflow needs: issuing hotel key cards, encoding access badges, powering a kiosk, running a library self-checkout, or feeding authenticated card data to a Windows / Linux / Android host system over Ethernet.
Side-by-side comparison across the five reader classes system integrators typically evaluate. All prices indicative at MOQ 10 units; volume discounts negotiable above 100 units.
| Class | Interface | Protocols | SDK quality | Best fit | Unit price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The HF Reader/Writer | TCP/IP + PoE + USB | ISO 14443 A/B + 15693 | Full (source code, 4 languages) | OEM, kiosk, hotel encoding, access control | $85 $180 |
| ACS ACR122U | USB only | ISO 14443 A/B + 15693 + NFC P2P | Open-source libs (libnfc) | Developer prototyping, desktop apps | $35 $55 |
| HID OMNIKEY 5427CK | USB / BLE | ISO 14443 A/B + 15693 + iCLASS | Closed SDK, commercial support | Enterprise access control, iCLASS-specific workflows | $120 $220 |
| Feig MR102 / CPR | USB / RS232 / Ethernet | ISO 14443 A/B + 15693 + specialty | Closed SDK, professional services | Library / transit / specialty | $200 $450 |
| Impinj Speedway R420 / R700 | Ethernet + GPIO | UHF ISO 18000-63 (Gen2) not HF | LLRP + Octane SDK | Retail / warehouse UHF different use case | $1,400 $2,200 |
Verdict: The wins for OEMs who need a real SDK with source code; ACR122U wins on unit price but has no PoE; HID and Feig win if the project must support iCLASS or specialty protocols out-of-box.
Hotel groups deploy desktop reader/writers at front desks as the card-encoding station tied to the PMS: reception encodes a room credential at check-in, and the same reader handles re-encodes, extensions, and lost-card invalidation. TCP/IP plus PoE models drop into the property network with a single cable run.
SDK quality decides integration time. Readers shipping compiled sample code in the integrator's language get wired into a PMS in days, not weeks.
Verified compatibility across HF chip families and host operating systems. Updated quarterly based on firmware revisions and customer deployment reports.
| Category | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NXP MIFARE chips | Classic 1K / 4K, Plus EV2, Ultralight EV1 / C / Nano, DESFire EV1 / EV2 / EV3 | AES-128 and 3DES session keys; multi-app DESFire fully supported |
| NXP NTAG chips | NTAG213 / 215 / 216, NTAG424 DNA (SUN auth) | SUN message verification via SDK helper |
| ISO 15693 chips | NXP ICODE SLIX / SLIX2, ST LRI / LRIS series | Optional firmware module specify at order |
| CPU cards | ISO 14443 Type A / B, Java Card (JCOP), SmartMX | Supports APDU passthrough for custom applets |
| Hotel lock systems | Saflok, VingCard (Assa Abloy), SALTO, Onity, TESA, Kaba | Tested via customer integrations; encoding format per lock vendor spec |
| Access control panels | HID VertX, Mercury, Lenel, Software House, Genetec | Wiegand passthrough via accessory module |
| Host operating systems | Windows 10 / 11, Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian, RHEL), Android 8.0+, macOS 11+, Raspberry Pi OS | SDK binaries ship for all listed platforms |
| Languages / runtimes | C, C++, Java, Python, C#, Node.js, Go (via C binding) | Sample code in first four; community bindings for others |
| Network deployment | TCP/IP (static, DHCP), PoE (IEEE 802.3af class 2) | Multi-reader per subnet; MQTT bridge available on request |
How much does the The Reader/Writer cost at 10K pcs? At MOQ 10,000 units, the desktop USB + TCP/IP model lands at $85-95 per unit; the OEM board-only variant lands at $58-65 per unit; the UART module drops to $42-48 per unit. All prices in USD, EXW Shenzhen, excluding duties and shipping.
What about smaller orders? MOQ 10 units for evaluation at $165-180 per unit; MOQ 100 units at $125-140 per unit; MOQ 1,000 units at $95-110 per unit. Custom firmware development engagements start at $2,500 (one-time NRE) with per-unit pricing unchanged.
What drives the unit price up or down? Up: ISO 15693 firmware module (+$8-12), custom enclosure tooling (NRE $1,800-3,500), pre-loaded encryption keys (+$4-7 per unit), FCC / CE retest for modified hardware. Down: volume above 10K, UART-only OEM variant, stock ABS enclosure reuse, bulk firmware image deployment.
How is it priced vs ACR122U? ACR122U is lower sticker price ($35-55) but lacks PoE, has no SDK source code, no technical support channel, and a much smaller MIFARE DESFire AES helper library. For production deployments above MOQ 500 units, The TCO beats ACR122U once integration labor and field support cost are factored in.
What does PoE save? PoE eliminates 1 power adapter per reader (saves $8-15 CAPEX per unit at deploy) plus 1 outlet and 1 cable run per front-desk position (saves $80-180 per install in electrician labor at US / EU prevailing rates).
Integrators consistently report that SDK documentation and firmware maturity, not unit price, determine how long an NFC reader project takes: a reader with compiled sample code in your language gets integrated in days, while a reader with only a datasheet can stall a project for weeks. That is why experienced buyers evaluate the SDK before the spec sheet.
On the demand side, access-control modernization (Classic to DESFire migrations), hotel lock refresh cycles, and self-service kiosks keep desktop and embedded HF readers growing, with Ethernet plus PoE increasingly preferred for enterprise deployments.
For the broader chip-level decision driving reader choice, see the RFID Chip Comparison pillar and the guide to choosing RFID readers and writers.
Supplier Fit
Once the format is right, most teams still need confidence in manufacturing control, sample support, and repeat-order reliability.
Quality-focused manufacturing and sample support for custom RFID projects.
RFID manufacturing experience across cards, tags, labels, wristbands and readers.
Test product compatibility before bulk purchasing and customization decisions.
Next Reading
Use these references when protocol fit, interface choice, and reader workflow still need to be validated before sampling.
Comparison Pages
These head-to-head pages help buyers compare chip, frequency, material or format decisions before they lock a sample plan for this product.
Commercial Fit
Most inquiry-ready visitors want to know whether this product matches their workflow, region and approval stage. These cues help them move faster without leaving the product page.
Usually need reader compatibility, interface clarity and sample hardware that matches the planned deployment.
Often looking for OEM-ready modules or development-friendly reader hardware with practical integration support.
Typically focused on workstation issuance, desktop testing and reader plus credential matching.
Quote Checklist
Market Notes
Desktop enrollment, access-control replacement and asset-reading workflows often require clear driver and interface expectations.
Reader projects commonly involve NFC development, kiosk integration and bundled supply with matching tags or cards.
Attendance, access-control and hospitality rollouts often prioritize simple deployment and dependable hardware pairing.
Nearby Options
Teams often keep a few hardware paths open until interface, deployment style, and credential support are all clear.
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Compare this optionBefore You Order
Five short reads on the procurement-side topics every B2B RFID buyer wants answered before signing a quote — MOQ thresholds, lead time reality, pricing transparency, sample policy, and how to audit a Chinese factory before your first order.
Buyer Questions
These FAQs cover the points that usually come up between a first shortlist and a real sample or quote request.
For RFID Reader Writer, the standard MOQ starts at 1 piece (for evaluation); 10+ for bulk order on stock SKUs. Custom shapes, molds or non-standard materials typically move MOQ to 2,000–5,000 pieces to cover tooling setup. Exact MOQ and unit pricing are quoted per project once chip, customization and packaging are confirmed.
Yes. Stock rfid readers samples of RFID Reader Writer are typically free; we only ask buyers to cover DHL/FedEx express shipping. Samples ship in 1–3 business days after your order is confirmed and arrive in 2–5 days to most countries. Custom samples (new chip, new size, printed artwork) usually take 3–7 additional days.
Standard RFID Reader Writer orders ship in 7–15 business days after PO confirmation and artwork approval. Large runs (>100k units) or orders with complex encoding / custom molds may take 15–25 business days. Rush production is available on request for time-sensitive launches; confirm MOQ and artwork early to protect the timeline.
Yes. RFID Reader Writer supports end-to-end customization: full-color CMYK / silk-screen / UV printing, laser engraving, serial numbering, custom chip encoding (UID write, NDEF, sector locking), custom shape / size (subject to tooling MOQ), and packaging. Share your artwork, chip requirement and quantity and we will return a spec sheet + price within 24 hours.
Compatibility depends on the frequency band (LF 125 kHz / HF 13.56 MHz / UHF 860–960 MHz) and chip family used by your reader or installed system. Send a photo of your current card / reader model and we will recommend the matching chip + test a sample before bulk order.
RFIDAK operates under ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), audited by SGS. RFID Reader Writer is subject to incoming material inspection, in-process QC at every lamination / bonding / encoding step, and 100% electrical performance testing before shipment. Products meet CE, FCC, RoHS and REACH as applicable by market. Full test reports are available on request for buyer audits.
Yes. RFID Reader Writer ships with SDK and sample code (Windows / Linux / Android where applicable), plus USB-HID keyboard-emulation mode for zero-integration deployments. Request the developer bundle at inquiry stage and we will include it with the evaluation unit.
RFIDAK ships RFID Reader Writer via DHL / FedEx / UPS (door-to-door, 3–5 days to most countries), air cargo (5–7 days for heavier orders), or sea freight (20–35 days for bulk over 500 kg). Standard Incoterms are EXW, FOB Shenzhen and DDP; choose based on customs clearance preferences. Commercial invoice, packing list and CoC / MSDS are included automatically.
For repeat buyers, RFIDAK locks tooling, artwork and chip encoding on file so subsequent POs ship faster — typically 5–10 business days for stock chip types at previously-run quantities. Price is adjusted transparently per chip market rate and FX movement; we flag any chip shortage (e.g., DESFire EV3) before quotation so the project plan stays realistic.
Try before you buy. Request free samples of any RFID product from our 50+ SKU catalog. Samples shipped via DHL/FedEx within 1-3 business days worldwide.
Not ready to chat? Just drop your email and we'll send the RFIDAK product catalog (PDF).
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