U550-M UHF RFID pistol-grip handheld with phone clamp and orange trigger, angled front view

U550-M Bluetooth UHF RFID Pistol-Grip Reader with Phone Holder

Q: Does the U550-M need its own app?

No. It pairs over Bluetooth as a keyboard-type device without a PIN and types each tag ID or barcode into the app that has the cursor, followed by Enter. No SDK is documented for this model.

Q: Which phones and computers does it work with?

iOS and Android phones over Bluetooth; Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10 and Linux are also listed. The clamp holds the phone mechanically, so check the fit of your phone model on a sample unit.

Q: How far can the reader be from the phone or PC?

Bluetooth is stated as stable up to 10 m, and the 2.4G receiver link as up to 150 m outdoors. Tag read range is separate: 0–3 m, depending on tag type.

Q: How long does the battery last?

The built-in battery is 3500 mAh with a 100 mA working current, and standby is stated as up to 1 year. Runtime per charge depends on how often you read, so confirm it on a sample against your shift pattern.

Q: Can the U550-M encode UHF tags?

No. It reads tag IDs only. Encode tags on a UHF desktop reader/writer, then use the U550-M to check them in the field.

The U550-M is a pistol-grip UHF RFID reader with a trigger and a clamp that holds the operator's smartphone. It reads ISO 18000-6C tags at 0–3 m, also scans 1D/2D barcodes, and sends each ID to the phone over Bluetooth as keyboard input, or to a PC through a 2.4G receiver or USB.

Frequency: 915 MHz (UHF)
Cards / tags: ISO 18000-6C UHF tags
Interface: Bluetooth (pairs without PIN); 2.4G wireless (USB receiver); USB
Output: Keyboard-type input; Enter appended by default
Read range: 0–3 m (depends on tag type)

Request a quote for U550-M Order a sample Datasheet (PDF)

✓ Sample units for evaluation
✓ Output format confirmed for your software
✓ Private label & OEM options
✓ Reply within 1 business day

Why integrators choose the U550-M

The phone is the screen — the clamp holds a smartphone above the grip, and tag IDs are typed into the app that has the cursor.
0–3 m UHF read range — reads ISO 18000-6C tags at up to 3 m, depending on tag type.
Barcodes as well — 1D and 2D codes, including codes shown on a phone screen.
Three host links — Bluetooth (stable up to 10 m, no PIN), 2.4G receiver (up to 150 m outdoors) and USB.
3500 mAh built-in battery — charged at 5 V, 100 mA working current.
Trigger plus 4-color LEDs — red for charging, green for a read, orange for working, blue for connection, plus a buzzer.

How the phone-holder design works

The U550-M has no display of its own. The operator's phone runs your inventory, asset or retail app, and the reader acts as its RFID and barcode front end. It pairs over Bluetooth as a keyboard-type device without a PIN, so any app with a text input field can receive tag IDs and barcodes, each followed by Enter. There is no app to install and no SDK to integrate.

That keeps rollout simple for software vendors: users keep the phones they have, and the app only needs an input field. The trade-off is control. With no SDK, your app receives the ID the reader types and nothing more: it does not set RF parameters or read other tag memory. If you need that level of control, use a reader with an SDK such as the U610-M, or encode tags on a UHF desktop reader/writer.

Keyboard-type readers send key codes, so set the phone or PC keyboard to English (US) if characters come out wrong. Our keyboard-wedge guide explains why.

U550-M or U540-M?

Both read UHF tags and barcodes. The choice comes down to where the screen is and how the data is used:

Feature	U550-M	U540-M
Form	Pistol grip with trigger and phone clamp	Paddle with keypad
Screen	Your smartphone	Built-in OLED
Output	Keyboard-type input, Enter appended	Agreed with your host software
Host links	Bluetooth, 2.4G receiver, USB	USB, 2.4G, Bluetooth
Stated read range	0–3 m, depending on tag type	Measure with your tags on a sample
Frequency	915 MHz	902–928 MHz, customizable

Pick the U550-M when staff already work in a phone app; pick the U540-M when the device should show results on its own screen.

U550-M specifications

General
Model	U550-M
Form factor	Pistol-grip handheld with trigger and smartphone clamp
Frequency	915 MHz (UHF)
Housing color	Black with orange trigger
Standard accessories	Handheld, 2.4G receiver, USB cable, user manual

Cards & reading
RFID protocol	ISO 18000-6C
Supported tags	ISO 18000-6C UHF tags
Read mode	Read-only (tag ID)
Read range	0–3 m (depends on tag type)
Read time	< 100 ms
Read interval	0.5 s
Barcodes	1D codes, 2D codes and codes on screens

Interface & output
Host connections	Bluetooth (pairs without PIN); 2.4G wireless (USB receiver); USB
Bluetooth range	Stable up to 10 m
2.4G range	Up to 150 m outdoors
Output	Keyboard-type input; Enter appended by default
Host systems	iOS, Android, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10, Linux
Indicators	4-color LED (red: charging, green: read, orange: working, blue: connection) and buzzer

Physical & environment
Battery	Built-in, 3500 mAh
Charging voltage	5 V
Working current	100 mA
Standby time	Up to 1 year
Dimensions	171 × 191 × 88 mm
Package size	225 × 205 × 95 mm
Weight	400 g (600 g packed)
Operating temperature	-20 °C to +70 °C

Specifications of U550-M as supplied for the standard version. Read range depends on the card or tag, mounting surface and environment — we can test your own cards before you order.

Download the U550-M datasheet (PDF, A4)

Card, tag and system compatibility

Works with

✓ISO 18000-6C UHF tags: tag ID read at 0–3 m, depending on tag type
✓1D and 2D barcodes, including codes shown on phone screens
✓iOS and Android phones over Bluetooth; Windows XP/7/10 and Linux PCs
✓Any app with a text input field (keyboard-type output)

Not designed for

✕Writing or encoding UHF tags: use the U120-U desktop reader/writer
✕Reader control from your own app through an SDK: none is documented for this model
✕13.56MHz NFC / MIFARE and 125kHz proximity cards

Card not listed? Send us the card type or a photo and we will confirm compatibility before you buy.

Integration in 4 steps

1
Charge the built-in 3500 mAh battery with the supplied USB cable from a 5 V supply.
2
Fit the phone into the clamp and pair the U550-M from the phone's Bluetooth settings; no PIN is needed. For a PC, plug in the 2.4G receiver instead.
3
Open your inventory or asset app, tap the input field and pull the trigger; the tag ID or barcode is typed, followed by Enter.
4
If characters come out wrong, set the host keyboard input to English (US), then test with your own tags to confirm read range.

OEM / ODM options for U550-M

◆Versions for UHF bands other than the stated 915 MHz: availability for your destination country confirmed in your quotation
◆Output settings such as the Enter terminator preset to suit your app, confirmed in your quotation
◆Private-label marking and packaging, confirmed in your quotation

How OEM/ODM projects work →

Typical applications

Inventory & asset tracking

U550-M FAQ

Does the U550-M need its own app?

No. It pairs over Bluetooth as a keyboard-type device without a PIN and types each tag ID or barcode into the app that has the cursor, followed by Enter. No SDK is documented for this model.

Which phones and computers does it work with?

iOS and Android phones over Bluetooth; Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 10 and Linux are also listed. The clamp holds the phone mechanically, so check the fit of your phone model on a sample unit.

How far can the reader be from the phone or PC?