UHF RFID Reader Market Analysis by Types and Applications

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Updated on 11/26/2024

Handheld RFID readers offer flexibility for on-the-go applications like reading RFID tags in different areas, whereas fixed readers are suitable for continuous and automated monitoring in a specific location.

The UHF RFID reader market is anticipated to experience robust growth from 2023 to 2029, with the total market size expected to increase from $508.44 million to $933.38 million, reflecting a CAGR of 10.65%. Within this, fixed RFID readers are projected to grow at a slightly higher rate of 11.71% CAGR, while handheld RFID readers are forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 10.01%.

 

2023

2029

CAGR (2023-2029)

Fixed RFID Readers

187.63

364.68

11.71%

Handheld RFID Readers

320.81

568.71

10.01%

Total

508.44

933.38

10.65%

From 2018 to 2023, the global production of UHF RFID readers saw a steady increase, with fixed RFID readers experiencing significant growth from 584.1 thousand units in 2018 to 984.1 thousand units in 2023, and handheld RFID readers rising from 390.8 thousand units to 585.7 thousand units over the same period. The total production of UHF RFID readers climbed from 974.9 thousand units in 2018 to 1569.8 thousand units in 2023, reflecting a robust expansion in the industry.

 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Fixed RFID Readers

584.1

679.0

635.0

824.5

875.7

984.1

Handheld RFID Readers

390.8

441.1

402.1

509.4

527.4

585.7

Total

974.9

1120.0

1037.1

1333.9

1403.1

1569.8

From 2018 to 2023, the global UHF RFID reader market, composed of two types, saw a slight increase in the proportion of fixed RFID readers and a corresponding decrease for handheld RFID readers. The market share of fixed RFID readers rose from 59.91% in 2018 to 62.69% in 2023, while the share of handheld RFID readers declined from 40.09% to 37.31%. This indicates a growing preference for fixed RFID readers in the market, with their share consistently increasing each year, and the share of handheld RFID readers gradually decreasing. However, both types together account for the entire market share, maintaining at 100% each year.

 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Fixed RFID Readers

59.91%

60.62%

61.23%

61.81%

62.41%

62.69%

Handheld RFID Readers

40.09%

39.38%

38.77%

38.19%

37.59%

37.31%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

From 2023 to 2029, the global production of UHF RFID readers is expected to show a sustained growth trend for both fixed and handheld types. Fixed RFID readers are projected to increase from 984,100 units in 2023 to 1,959,300 units by 2029, while handheld RFID readers are expected to rise from 585,700 units to 992,800 units over the same period. The total projected production of UHF RFID readers is anticipated to grow from 1,569,800 units in 2023 to 2,952,100 units by 2029, indicating a strong expansion in the industry in the coming years.

 

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

Fixed RFID Readers

984.1

1120.6

1262.8

1413.8

1588.1

1761.9

1959.3

Handheld RFID Readers

585.7

646.1

708.3

772.3

843.7

924.2

992.8

Total

1569.8

1766.6

1971.1

2186.1

2431.8

2686.2

2952.1

During the forecast period from 2023 to 2029 for the global UHF RFID reader production market share by type, the share of fixed RFID readers is expected to steadily increase, while the share of handheld RFID readers is anticipated to correspondingly decrease. The market share of fixed RFID readers is projected to grow from 62.69% in 2023 to 66.37% by 2029, while the share of handheld RFID readers is expected to drop from 37.31% to 33.63% over the same period. Despite these changes, the total market share remains at 100% each year, reflecting the entire market composition for UHF RFID readers.

 

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

Fixed RFID Readers

62.69%

63.43%

64.06%

64.67%

65.31%

65.59%

66.37%

Handheld RFID Readers

37.31%

36.57%

35.94%

35.33%

34.69%

34.41%

33.63%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

In the comparison of global unit prices for two types of UHF RFID Readers, Fixed and Handheld, from 2018 to 2023, the Fixed RFID Readers have seen a gradual increase in price from $183 in 2018 to $191 in 2023, with a slight dip to $186 in 2020 before resuming their upward trend. This indicates a modest but steady growth in the price of fixed readers over the six-year period.

In contrast, Handheld RFID Readers have exhibited a more pronounced upward trajectory, with prices climbing from $502 in 2018 to $548 in 2023. The year-over-year increase has been relatively stable, with no declines, highlighting a stronger market demand or potentially technological advancements that justify the higher prices. Over these years, handheld readers have remained significantly more expensive than fixed readers, suggesting a premium associated with their portability and flexibility.

UHF RFID Reader

The UHF RFID reader market is anticipated to witness substantial growth across different application sectors between 2023 and 2029. The retail sector is poised to have the most significant expansion, with the market size growing from $194.68 million to $378.39 million and boasting the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.71%. This is closely followed by the manufacturing sector, which exhibits a strong growth potential with a CAGR of 11.22%, increasing from $96.42 million to $182.53 million.

In addition to these, other sectors such as transportation and logistics, public utilities, and others are also expected to contribute to the overall market growth, albeit at a slightly lower CAGR ranging from 9.23% to 9.59%. The total UHF RFID reader market is projected to increase from $508.44 million in 2023 to $933.38 million in 2029, reflecting an overall CAGR of 10.65%, which underscores the technology’s expanding role and application across diverse industries.

 

2023

2029

CAGR (2023-2029)

Transportation and Logistics

98.22

166.84

9.23%

Public utilities

49.71

86.12

9.59%

Manufacturing

96.42

182.53

11.22%

Retail

194.68

378.39

11.71%

Others

69.41

119.51

9.48%

Total

508.44

933.38

10.65%

The global consumption of UHF RFID readers has shown a general upward trend from 2018 to 2023 across all application sectors, with the retail industry leading the growth from 336,500 units to 566,900 units. Despite a slight dip in 2020, particularly in transportation and logistics, and manufacturing, there has been a strong recovery and continued increase in consumption, reaching a total of 1,569,800 units in 2023. This reflects the increasing adoption and reliance on RFID technology in diverse industries.

 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Transportation and Logistics

226.0

256.6

234.6

299.0

310.8

345.0

Public utilities

73.6

83.6

76.8

97.6

101.9

113.2

Manufacturing

147.2

169.8

158.3

204.3

215.9

243.3

Retail

336.5

391.1

365.8

474.9

504.5

566.9

Others

191.7

218.9

201.7

258.1

270.1

301.5

Total

974.9

1120.0

1037.1

1333.9

1403.1

1569.8

Between 2018 and 2023, the global consumption share of UHF RFID readers by application shows a slight decline in the percentage shares for the Transportation and Logistics, Public Utilities, and Others sectors, while the Manufacturing and Retail sectors have experienced a modest increase. The Retail sector has consistently held the largest share, growing from 34.51% in 2018 to 36.11% in 2023. In contrast, the Transportation and Logistics sector has seen a minor decrease from 23.18% to 21.98% over the same period. Public Utilities have also experienced a slight decline, whereas Manufacturing has demonstrated a slight but steady growth. The ‘Others’ category has gradually decreased. Overall, the data indicates a shifting landscape in the consumption of UHF RFID readers, with the Retail sector solidifying its leading position and other sectors maintaining relatively stable shares of the total market, albeit with minor fluctuations.

 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Transportation and Logistics

23.18%

22.91%

22.62%

22.41%

22.15%

21.98%

Public utilities

7.55%

7.46%

7.41%

7.32%

7.26%

7.21%

Manufacturing

15.09%

15.16%

15.26%

15.32%

15.39%

15.50%

Retail

34.51%

34.92%

35.27%

35.61%

35.95%

36.11%

Others

19.66%

19.54%

19.44%

19.35%

19.25%

19.20%

Total

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Global consumption of UHF RFID readers will grow steadily across all industries between 2023 and 2029. The transportation and logistics industry is expected to grow from 345,000 units in 2023 to 600,300 units in 2029. Utilities consumption is expected to grow from 113,200 units to 200,900 units over the same period. Manufacturing is expected to grow from 243,300 units to 471,800 units, while the largest consumer industry, retail, is expected to see a significant increase from 566,900 units to 1,128,600 units. The “other” category also shows an upward trend, from 301,500 units to 550,500 units. Total consumption is expected to increase from 1,569,800 units in 2023 to 2,952,100 units in 2029, reflecting strong and growing demand for UHF RFID technology across a variety of applications.

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

2028

2029

Transportation and Logistics

345.0

383.0

421.1

462.0

507.0

555.0

600.3

Public utilities

113.2

125.9

139.4

152.8

168.7

185.0

200.9

Manufacturing

243.3

275.0

308.8

343.7

384.1

427.3

471.8

Retail

566.9

645.5

727.4

814.4

914.8

1015.0

1128.6

Others

301.5

337.2

374.4

413.1

457.2

503.9

550.5

Total

1569.8

1766.6

1971.1

2186.1

2431.8

2686.2

2952.1

Updated on 11/26/2024
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