The general purpose Socket Mobile reader, now on Bluetooth Low Energy, with a charging dock in the box and a working range out to 91.7 cm.
The Socket Mobile SocketScan S721 is the direct successor to the SocketScan S720 and it carries the 700 series into the Bluetooth Low Energy era. Physically it is the same pocket sized, single handed reader that retail and hospitality staff already know, with the same field replaceable NiMH battery and the same style of charging dock that keeps it upright and ready between transactions. What has changed sits underneath: a Bluetooth LE radio in place of Bluetooth Classic, which pairs faster, holds a steadier connection across a busy shop floor and draws noticeably less power across a long shift.
The other real gain is reach. Where the outgoing S720 reads from 3.0 to 49.5 cm, the S721 works from 2.8 cm all the way out to 91.7 cm, so a counter operator can capture a 20 mil Code 39 carton label at nearly a metre without leaving the till, then drop straight back to a 3 mil label held close to the window. It reads printed labels and codes on customer phone screens equally well, which matters for e-tickets, digital loyalty and click and collect. Before you order, please read the compatibility note below, because the move to Bluetooth LE removes the keyboard wedge mode that older Socket readers offered.
The S7x1 generation is a Bluetooth Low Energy reader, and the scanner on its own does not offer the HID keyboard wedge mode that the Bluetooth Classic S700, S720, S730, S740 and S840 provide. How your data reaches your software therefore depends on what you pair it with. With the standard Charging Dock the reader runs in application mode only, so your point of sale or business software has to be built on Socket Mobile CaptureSDK 2.0.29 or later. With the Magic Dock, Socket Mobile states that scanned data is delivered straight into the active application using standard keyboard style input as well as enhanced capture through CaptureSDK enabled apps. Socket Mobile also sells SM Link, a USB dongle listed as compatible with the S721 and S741 that presents the reader to the host as a standard USB input and switches automatically between application driven capture and standard keyboard input. In short, if your application is not CaptureSDK aware, the Magic Dock or SM Link is the route back to keyboard style behaviour. Call us on 1300 115 808 and we will confirm the right combination for your setup.
Every S721 ships with a dock, but which dock you choose changes what the scanner can do, not just where it sits. The Charging Dock is the simple one: it charges the reader, holds it upright and lets it scan hands free in presentation mode, and the reader talks Bluetooth LE straight to your host device. That is all it does, so your software has to be CaptureSDK aware.
The Magic Dock is the interesting one. Socket Mobile built it for shared workstations, the counters and nurse stations and front desks where a reader gets passed between staff and across shifts, and where the scanner that went missing or flat is a real daily cost. It combines charging, storage and scan to connect in one unit: there is a barcode printed on the top face, and connecting a reader is a matter of scanning it rather than working through a Bluetooth pairing dialog. Socket Mobile states that once connected, scanned data is delivered straight into the active application using standard keyboard style input, as well as enhanced capture for CaptureSDK enabled apps.
That last point is the one worth reading twice if you are replacing an older Socket reader. It is what gives a site running software that was never built for Bluetooth LE a workable path to the S721. Socket Mobile also sells SM Link, a USB dongle it lists as compatible with the S721 and S741, which presents the reader to the host as a standard USB input and switches automatically between application driven capture and standard keyboard input. SM Link suits staff who move between computers, tablets and operating systems, including macOS, rather than a fixed counter. We do not bundle SM Link here, but we can source it, so tell us how you work and we will match the parts to it.
One constraint to plan around: Socket Mobile only pairs the Magic Dock with the white scanner, in either a black or a white dock. If you need black scanners, you are on the Charging Dock.
| Charging Dock | Magic Dock | SM Link (USB dongle) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited to | Any site running a CaptureSDK aware app, one reader to one host | Shared counters, nurse stations, front desks, multi shift sites | Portable and mixed device fleets, including macOS |
| How the reader connects | Bluetooth LE straight to the host device | Scan to connect through the dock, no manual Bluetooth pairing | Scan to connect through a USB dongle on the host |
| Getting data into your software | Application mode only, CaptureSDK 2.0.29 or later required | Standard keyboard style input into the active application, plus CaptureSDK capture | Host sees a standard USB input, so data lands in virtually any application |
| Charges the scanner | Yes | Yes | No, it is a dongle not a dock |
| Scanner colours offered | Black or White | White scanner only | Not applicable |
| Availability here | Included, choose it above | Included, choose it above | Not bundled, we can source it to order |
Pairs to an iPad or Android till and reads paper tags, shelf labels and phone screen vouchers from the one position.
The long end of the range lets staff read carton labels on a pallet without climbing or unstacking.
Small enough to pocket between customers, with a dock that turns any bench into a scanning station.
| Model | Socket Mobile SocketScan S721 with Charging Dock |
| Scan engine | 1D and 2D imager, omnidirectional |
| Reading distance | 2.8 to 91.7 cm (1.1 to 36.1 in), depending on symbology, size and media |
| Reads from screens | Yes, printed labels and phone or tablet screens |
| Wireless | Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) |
| Bluetooth range | Up to 10 m (33 ft), depending on the host device and environment |
| Pairing mode | Application mode, requires Socket Mobile CaptureSDK 2.0.29 or later |
| Operating systems | Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad), Android, Windows 11 |
| 1D symbologies (default) | Bookland EAN, Codabar, Code 128, Code 39, Code 93, EAN/JAN 13, EAN/JAN 8, GS1 DataBar Expanded, GS1 DataBar Limited, GS1 DataBar Omnidirectional, Industrial 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5, Trioptic, UPC-A, UPC-E |
| 2D symbologies (default) | Aztec, Data Matrix, Han Xin, MaxiCode, MicroPDF417, Micro QR, PDF417, QR |
| Additional symbologies | Code 11, Matrix 2 of 5, MSI (supported, disabled by default) |
| Hands free scanning | Auto (presentation) mode when seated in the charging dock |
| Battery | 2 rechargeable NiMH cells, field replaceable, 2,000 mAh, 2.4 V |
| Charge time | Approximately 6 hours |
| Battery service life | 500 charge and discharge cycles |
| Standby time | Over 20 hours |
| Active scanning | 70,000 scans in 9 hours at two scans per second, or 12,000 scans in 15 hours at one scan every 4 seconds |
| Indicators | Barcode LED, battery LED, Bluetooth LED, charge indicator LED, multi tone audible feedback |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 45 degrees C (32 to 113 degrees F) |
| Storage temperature | -40 to 70 degrees C (-40 to 158 degrees F) |
| Relative humidity | 95 percent at 60 degrees C, non condensing |
| Ambient light | 0 to 100,000 lux (pitch black through to direct sunlight) |
| Drop specification | 4 ft (1.2 m) drop to linoleum |
| Tumble specification | 2,500 cycles at 1 m to a metal plate (IEC 60068-2-31, IEC 60068-2-32) |
| Colours available | Black and White stocked in Australia. Yellow, Blue, Green and Red are catalogued by Socket Mobile |
| Origin | Designed and assembled in the USA (Fremont, California) |
| Part numbers, Charging Dock | CX4642-3917 (Black scanner, black USB-C charging dock), CX4655-3930 (White scanner, white barrel jack charging dock) |
| Part numbers, Magic Dock | CX4853-4177 (White scanner, black Magic Dock), CX4854-4178 (White scanner, white Magic Dock) |
| Replaces | SocketScan S720 |
| Warranty | 12 Months Return to Base |
| SocketScan S721 | SocketScan S741 | SocketScan S840 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scan engine | 1D and 2D imager | 1D, 2D, DotCode and OCR | 1D and 2D imager |
| Wireless | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth LE | Bluetooth Classic 2.1 + EDR |
| Pairing modes | Application mode (CaptureSDK) | Application mode (CaptureSDK) | HID keyboard mode, SPP, iOS application mode |
| Reading distance | 2.8 to 91.7 cm | 1.5 to 50.8 cm | 3.0 to 49.5 cm |
| Reads IDs and passports | No | Yes, OCR-A, OCR-B, passport MRZ | No |
| Battery | 2 x NiMH, field replaceable | 2 x NiMH, field replaceable | Lithium ion polymer, field replaceable |
| Standby time | Over 20 hours | Over 20 hours | 25 hours |
| Charging dock | Included | Included | Not included |
| Warranty | 12 Months Return to Base | 12 Months Return to Base | 12 Months Return to Base |
It depends on which dock you pick, and this is the most important thing to settle before ordering. The scanner on its own is a Bluetooth Low Energy reader running in application mode, so with the standard Charging Dock your software has to be built on Socket Mobile CaptureSDK 2.0.29 or later. Older Socket readers such as the S700, S720, S730, S740 and S840 use Bluetooth Classic and can present themselves as a wireless keyboard (HID keyboard mode) to type into practically any software, and the S721 has no equivalent built in. The Magic Dock is the answer to that: Socket Mobile states it delivers scanned data straight into the active application using standard keyboard style input as well as CaptureSDK capture. Socket Mobile's SM Link USB dongle does the same job for portable setups. Call POS Plaza on 1300 115 808 and we will work out which one you need.
The Charging Dock does one job, it charges and holds the scanner. The Magic Dock combines charging, storage and scan to connect into one workstation unit: you connect a reader by scanning the barcode printed on the dock rather than working through Bluetooth pairing, and Socket Mobile states that data is then delivered into the active application using standard keyboard style input, with CaptureSDK capture available on top. Choose it if your software is not CaptureSDK aware, or if the scanner is shared across staff and shifts at a fixed counter and you want it to reconnect itself without anyone fiddling with settings. Choose the Charging Dock if the reader belongs to one person on one CaptureSDK aware device and you only need somewhere to park and charge it. Note that Socket Mobile only pairs the Magic Dock with the white scanner, in either a black or a white dock.
The S721 swaps Bluetooth Classic for Bluetooth Low Energy, which is what gives it faster pairing, more stable reconnection and lower power draw. It also reaches a lot further: the S720 reads from 3.0 to 49.5 cm, while the S721 reads from 2.8 to 91.7 cm, so it can pick up a 20 mil Code 39 label at nearly a metre. The trade off is the loss of HID keyboard mode. Socket Mobile is discontinuing the S720 in the December 2026 price list, with orders accepted until 30 November 2026.
Yes, always. Every SocketScan S721 part number published by Socket Mobile is a scanner and dock bundle, so there is no bare scanner option to buy. Pick your configuration at the top of this page: the black scanner ships with a black Charging Dock using a USB-C connector, the white scanner ships with a white Charging Dock using a barrel jack connector, and the white scanner is also offered with the Magic Dock in either black or white.
Yes. The S721 reads both printed labels and codes displayed on phone and tablet screens, which covers digital loyalty cards, e-tickets, click and collect codes and mobile vouchers. It handles QR, Data Matrix, PDF417 and Aztec out of the box.
It runs two rechargeable NiMH cells rated at 2,000 mAh with over 20 hours of standby and around 70,000 scans across a 9 hour shift at two scans per second. A full charge takes about 6 hours and the pack is rated for 500 charge cycles. The battery door is user accessible, so the cells are field replaceable rather than sealed in, which is a genuine advantage once a scanner has been in service for a few years.
It is rated for a 4 ft (1.2 m) drop to linoleum and 2,500 tumble cycles at 1 m to a metal plate, and it operates from 0 to 45 degrees C in anything from darkness to full sunlight. That is standard commercial grade rather than industrial, so for genuinely harsh sites look at a rugged reader instead and we can point you at one.
Black and White are the two colours set up in the Australian channel. Socket Mobile also catalogues Yellow, Blue, Green and Red, and we can quote those on indent if you need colour coding across departments or sites.
12 Months Return to Base from Socket Mobile. Extended 3 year and 5 year SocketCare plans exist through Socket Mobile if you want longer cover, and we can price those for you.
The Socket Mobile SocketScan S721 is a handheld 1D and 2D Bluetooth Low Energy barcode scanner supplied with a charging dock, sold by POS Plaza in Black (part CX4642-3917) and White (part CX4655-3930). It reads printed and on screen barcodes from 2.8 to 91.7 cm, covers Code 39, Code 128, EAN, UPC, GS1 DataBar, QR, Data Matrix, PDF417, Aztec, MaxiCode and Han Xin, and connects to Apple iOS, Android and Windows 11 hosts through Socket Mobile CaptureSDK 2.0.29 or later in application mode. It does not provide HID keyboard wedge mode. Power comes from two field replaceable 2,000 mAh NiMH cells giving over 20 hours standby and roughly 70,000 scans across a nine hour shift, recharging in about six hours. It survives a 4 ft drop to linoleum and 2,500 tumble cycles, operates from 0 to 45 degrees C, and carries 12 Months Return to Base warranty. The S721 replaces the SocketScan S720, which Socket Mobile is discontinuing in the December 2026 price list. Four configurations are sold: Black or White scanner with the standard Charging Dock, and the White scanner with the Magic Dock in black (CX4853-4177) or white (CX4854-4178). The Magic Dock adds scan to connect setup and, per Socket Mobile, delivers scanned data into the active application using standard keyboard style input, which is how a site running software that is not CaptureSDK aware can still use the scanner.
Not sure your POS app supports Bluetooth LE readers? Call 1300 115 808 and we will check it.
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