Comparison
Zebra DS4608 vs DS4678: corded or cordless scanner?
Same imager and settings, different freedom: the DS4608 is corded, the DS4678 adds Bluetooth, a 2,500 mAh battery and the CR8178 charging cradle.
In this guide
The DS4608 and DS4678 share the same imager, read the same bar codes at the same distances and use the same programming bar codes. The difference is the cable. Choose the DS4608 for a fixed till or desk where the scanner stays at the counter. Choose the DS4678 when staff need to scan items in a trolley, on a pallet or across the shop floor, or when the scanner should connect to a tablet or phone by Bluetooth.
| DS4608 | DS4678 | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Cable: USB, RS-232, keyboard wedge or IBM 46XX | Bluetooth 5.2 with BLE to a CR8178 cradle, which connects by cable; or directly to a PC, tablet or phone (HID or serial profile) |
| Wireless range | Cable length | Up to 100 m (Class 1) or 10 m (Class 2), open air |
| Base | Gooseneck Intellistand | CR8178-SC standard cradle (desk or wall) or CR8178-PC presentation cradle |
| Battery | None needed | 2,500 mAh Li-Ion, removable, with asset reporting |
| Scans per charge | Not applicable | 50,000 at one scan per second |
| Full charge from empty | Not applicable | 2 h 15 min with 12 V supply; 3 h on a BC 1.2 USB port; 7 h 45 min on a standard USB port |
| Size (H × W × D) | 16.5 × 6.7 × 9.8 cm | 16.8 × 6.6 × 10.7 cm; standard cradle 7.1 × 8.4 × 21.1 cm |
| Weight | 161.9 g | 225 g; standard cradle 201.3 g |
| Colours | Nova White, Twilight Black | Twilight Black |
| Imager | 1280 × 800 pixels, 1D and 2D, OCR | Same |
| Read range, 13 mil EAN/UPC (SR) | 0–71.1 cm | Same |
| Sealing | IP52 | Same |
| Drop and tumble | Multiple 1.8 m drops to concrete; 2,000 tumbles of 0.5 m | Same |
| Keyboard layouts | Over 90 international keyboards | Same |
| Zebra warranty | 5 years | 3 years for scanner and cradle; battery 1 year |
Figures from Zebra's DS4600 Series spec sheet; battery warranty from the DS4678 Quick Reference Guide. Battery and range figures depend on use and surroundings.
Choose the DS4608 if
- The scanner stays at one till, desk or packing bench
- Items come to the scanner, not the other way round
- You want no battery to charge or replace
- You want the longer five-year Zebra warranty
Choose the DS4678 if
- Staff scan bulky items in a trolley or on a pallet
- You want no cable across the counter
- The scanner should work with a tablet or phone by Bluetooth
- You need extras such as batch mode, a cradle Page button or an alarm when a scanner leaves the area
What both scanners share
Both use the same programming bar codes for the settings they share, so the keyboard layout, Enter and Tab steps in our DS4608 and DS4678 setup guide work on both. Only the page numbers in the DS4608 and DS4678 Product Reference Guides differ. Both read 1D and 2D codes on paper and on phone screens, and both are configured with Zebra's free 123Scan utility.
Video: Zebra Technologies
What the DS4678 adds
- Two cradles. The CR8178-SC standard cradle sits on the desk or mounts on a wall. The CR8178-PC presentation cradle also lets the scanner read hands-free while it charges. Our DS4678 kit includes the standard cradle. Zebra lists both cradles as cross-compatible with its DS8100 Series.
- Virtual Tether. Scanner and cradle can raise an alarm when a scanner leaves the radio range, for example at a self-checkout. It is off by default.
- Wi-Fi Friendly Mode. Keeps the scanner's Bluetooth away from busy Wi-Fi channels.
- Several scanners per cradle. Up to seven DS4678 can share one cradle in Multipoint-to-Point mode.
- Batch mode. The scanner can store bar codes while out of range and send them later.
The cradle runs on USB power from the PC. An optional 12 V power supply charges fastest. Compare both models in our shop: DS4608 and DS4678.
Frequently asked questions
Does the DS4678 scan better than the DS4608?
No. Both use the same 1280 × 800 imager and Zebra quotes the same read ranges. The DS4678 adds Bluetooth and a battery.
Can the DS4678 work without its cradle?
Yes. It can pair directly with a PC, tablet or phone as a Bluetooth keyboard. It still needs the cradle to charge.
How long does the DS4678 battery last?
Zebra quotes 50,000 scans per full charge at one scan per second.
Can the DS4678 scan hands-free?
Yes. Zebra offers the CR8178-PC presentation cradle for hands-free scanning. It describes the standard cradle in our kit as a charging and communication base for the desk or wall.
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