RFID vs Barcode: which is better for business?
A practical comparison of RFID and barcode for inventory, laundry, and assets — including when a hybrid system wins.
Speed
Barcode needs line-of-sight and one-by-one scans. RFID can read many tags quickly without aiming, which is why laundry tunnels and dense warehouse zones favour RFID.
Cost
Barcode labels are cheaper per item. RFID tags and readers cost more up front but often pay back when labour time dominates the process.
Durability
Paper barcodes fail in industrial washes and outdoor wear. Laundry and harsh environments usually need washable or rugged RFID tags.
Best practice
Many EastmarkHK projects mix both: RFID where bulk reads matter, barcode/QR where cost or simplicity matters.