Thermal printers, shredders, safes, calculators and barcode readers.

Impressoras térmicas, trituradores, cofres, calculadoras e Leitores de Códigos

Thermal printers, paper shredders, safes, calculators and scanners: 2026 guide

Running a store or office requires attention to small tasks that make all the difference: printing receipts, destroying documents, protecting goods, quickly calculating values, or reading barcodes. To help you find the best equipment in 2026, we've created this general guide with the main selection criteria and benefits of five essential categories.

Thermal printers for receipts and labels.

Thermal printers are the backbone of point-of-sale (POS) and shipping centers. Instead of ink, they use heat on thermal paper, making printing faster and more economical. There are two main types: 58 mm and 80 mm models, suitable for receipts or shipping labels. Desktop models are designed for high-volume environments and feature an automatic cutter, larger paper rolls, and various ports (USB, Ethernet, RS-232, or Bluetooth) that can drive cash drawers. When choosing, consider the printing speed , paper width (for invoices or labels), the robustness of the thermal printhead , and compatibility with your point-of-sale software or Shopify system. For warehouses or logistics, look for label printers that accept multiple formats and support direct integration with inventory management systems.

Key benefits

  • No ink needed: eliminates cartridge and maintenance costs.

  • Fast and quiet: ideal for operations with a high number of customers.

  • Flexible connectivity: they adapt to fixed or mobile POS systems, with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections.

  • Automatic cutting and easy roll replacement: reduce queues and downtime.

Paper shredders

Even with digitization, companies continue to produce documents containing sensitive information: invoices, contracts, and personal data. To protect privacy and comply with legislation, it is important to destroy them correctly. There are two main types:

  • Cross-cut – cuts sheets into 200–400 pieces, offering medium security (P-3/P-4 levels) and higher speed. Sufficient for typical offices, but not ideal for highly confidential documents. .

  • Micro-cutting – shreds the leaves into more than 2,000 particles (P-5 to P-7), making reconstruction virtually impossible. Superior security comes at a price: these machines are slower and more expensive. .

When choosing a shredder, check the paper capacity per cycle, continuous operating time (duty cycle), noise level , whether it shreds paper clips, cards or CDs, and if it has anti-jamming (reverse) functions. For those who need mobility, there are compact tabletop models; for high volumes, there are floor-standing versions with a larger bin.

Home and office safes

Safely storing money, documents, external hard drives, or keys is crucial for both homes and small businesses. A quality safe offers fire and water resistance , as well as resistance to break-ins. The SentrySafe EF3428E model, for example, guarantees fire protection for 30 minutes at 760°C and protection against water up to 30 cm for 72 hours. Includes up to four active locks, steel construction, and lever-resistant bars. The locking mechanism is digital with a programmable five-digit code. ...and the interior is lined with soft material to avoid scratching delicate items. .

Points to consider

  • Lock type: key, mechanical combination, digital or biometric code.

  • Size and capacity: from small jewelry boxes to models that accommodate A4 files or laptops.

  • Fire/water resistance: independent certifications are preferable.

  • Mounting: opt for safes that can be fixed to the floor or wall to prevent them from being moved.

Calculators : from the counter to engineering

Although smartphones and computers have calculators, dedicated devices are still essential in stores, schools, and accounting offices. There are three main categories:

  • Basic desktop models: for cash registers or offices; focus on large keys, tiltable display, and solar/battery power.

  • Scientific calculators: indispensable for students and technical professionals. The Casio FX-83GTX is a popular model with 276 functions, a fast processor, and a "natural text" display (displays fractions and roots like in textbooks). The NewYes combines 349 functions with a 6.5-inch touchscreen and stylus, powered by a solar panel and a replaceable battery. The Casio FX-991EX includes 522 functions, a high-resolution display, and generates QR codes for viewing results in graphs. .

  • Advanced graphics: models like the Casio fx-CG50 allow programming in Python and the creation of 3D graphics. They are suitable for higher education and engineering.

When choosing, consider the level of study, the list of approved exams (in the case of students), and convenience (rechargeable battery, solar power, intuitive interface). For commerce, a desktop calculator with a dual display and printing (tape type) can be useful for tax records.

Barcode scanners for stores and warehouses

In retail and logistics, scanners are essential for speeding up the point of sale and ensuring inventory control. By 2026, the trend is to invest in 2D devices capable of reading traditional (1D) barcodes and QR codes. The Zebra TC53e/58e model combines robustness and energy efficiency, with a high-resolution screen, 5G connectivity, and a low-power processor. For those seeking a simple and portable solution, the Datalogic Memor 12/17 line offers full-touch Android devices, an ergonomic design, and Wi-Fi 6/6E or 5G connectivity options, along with long-lasting batteries. The Honeywell CT37 stands out for its compact size, FlexRange scanning engine (allowing it to read codes at short and medium distances), resistance to 1.5m drops, and operation in temperatures from -10°C to 50°C. .

Purchase criteria

  • 1D vs 2D : Choose 2D scanners if you need to read QR codes or codes on screens.

  • Mobility : Wireless models with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are ideal for warehouses; for countertops, the wired version is sufficient.

  • Ergonomics and durability : check weight, handle, and drop or dust resistance certifications.

  • Bulk scanning : some scanners support continuous hands-free scanning, useful for busy checkout lines.

Conclusion

Printing equipment, document destruction, physical security, and barcode scanning are strategic investments for any business. Thermal printers reduce costs and speed up service; shredders protect privacy and prevent fraud; safes ensure the security of valuables and backups; calculators facilitate quick and complex calculations; and scanners improve inventory management and checkout speed. By choosing quality products suited to your needs, productivity increases and risks decrease. Visit the UmBox collection to find a curated selection of these equipment, with local support and fast deliveries in Portugal.