The Zebra HC series — HC20, HC25, HC50 and HC55 — are Android mobile computers built for hospitals, clinics and laboratories. They look and work like a phone, which matters when the device is used at the bedside dozens of times a shift, but they are built around the one thing a consumer phone cannot survive: repeated disinfection.
Why a healthcare model rather than a standard terminal
-
Disinfectant-ready housing — designed to be wiped down with the alcohol, bleach and quaternary compounds used on wards. A standard housing clouds, cracks and eventually fails under the same routine.
-
White, UV-resistant plastics — they stay white instead of yellowing under ward lighting and constant cleaning.
-
IP65 sealing — dust-tight and protected against water jets, so a wipe-down is not a risk.
If the device will be cleaned with disinfectant more than occasionally, the healthcare version is the cheaper option over the life of the fleet — replacing degraded standard units costs more than the difference.
Which model?
| Model |
Notes |
| HC20 |
The volume model — SE4720 2D imager, Android. The usual choice for ward and clinic fleets where devices stay on Wi-Fi. |
| HC25 |
Ships with Android 13, which gives a longer security-update horizon. Also available in a version without an integrated scanner — useful for staff who look up records and communicate but don't scan. |
| HC50 |
SE4720 imager, Android. The larger-format option in the range. |
| HC55 |
Android 13 with the SE4720 imager — the current-generation choice where both scanning and a long support life are needed. |
All four include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and USB. Part numbers differ in radio and configuration beyond this; the exact specification is listed on each product page.
Android version is worth checking
For a fleet bought now, the Android version decides how many years of security updates you get. HC25 and HC55 ship with Android 13; the HC20 and HC50 are on an earlier release. In healthcare, where devices touch patient data and stay in service for years, that difference is usually worth more than a small price gap.
Typical use
-
Patient identification — scanning wristbands at the bedside to confirm identity before medication or a procedure
-
Specimen collection — matching tube labels to the patient at the point of draw
-
Medication administration — scanning the dose and the wristband as a closed-loop check
-
Asset and inventory tracking — equipment, consumables and stock across departments
All HC terminals below are CE certified and covered by Zebra's manufacturer warranty.
Printing the wristbands and specimen labels too? See the healthcare label printers → Comparing brands? See the Honeywell ScanPal EDA52 → or the Datalogic Memor 11 →
