Zebra RFD40-M Premium Plus UHF RFID Sled

The Zebra RFD40M Premium Plus UHF RFID Sled is a modular, high-performance RFID reader that attaches to Zebra mobile computers or connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. It is engineered for industries like retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing, where speed and accuracy in tracking items are critical.

• Launch Year: 2026
• Models: Premium Plus Sled
• Key Differentiator: Industry-best tag read speed and future-proof connectivity

RFD40-M Premium Plus Sled to the RFD40 product family. The new RFD40-M Premium Plus Sled provides a new dimension to Zebra’s RFID sled portfolio by offering an extended read range and heightened RFID performance in dense RFID tag environments. As expected from the RFD40 product family, RFD40-M also has an OS-agnostic platform that adds industry-leading RFID performance to virtually any computing device. 

• It can future-proof their investment by introducing this OS-agnostic platform, which allows them to meet their IT and ex™ technology as well as third-party devices such as iOS- and Android-based phones and tablets via Bluetooth® 5.3. We’ve made pairing your mobile device to the RFD40-M Premium Plus sled easier than ever before. An NFC tag manufactured directly into the sled allows users to tap an NFC-enabled mobile device to the reader to initiate OS strategy today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future.
• RFD40-M Premium Plus maintains all the features found in the current RFD40 Premium Plus, like Bluetooth® 5.3 for device connectivity and integrated Wi-Fi 6 for remote device management over-the-air (OTA). 
• It will also come standard with an integrated 1D/2D barcode imager.

RFD40-M Premium Plus Sled Overview 

Zebra  RFD40-M Sled is fully enabled to support Zebra’s current mobile computers, as well as new mobile computers and 3rd party devices as they come out. In addition to supporting the latest and greatest mobile computers via eConnex™, the RFD40-M also supports Zebra mobile computers that do not possess eConnex™ technology, as well as third-party devices such as iOS- and Android-based phones and tablets via Bluetooth® 5.3. We’ve made pairing your mobile device to the RFD40-M Premium Plus sled easier than ever before. 

An NFC tag manufactured directly into the sled allows users to tap an NFC-enabled mobile device to the reader to initiate Bluetooth pairing. In addition to tap-to-pair, the RFD40-M also supports other optical means for initiating a Bluetooth pair. 

Scan-to-connect allows a user with an RFD40-M Premium Plus RFID sled to scan a configuration barcode on the mobile device’s screen (or printed) to initiate pairing. Pair-by-camera allows users to capture a QR code located on the sled’s manufacturing label with the mobile device’s camera to initiate pairing. This means that users no longer have to enter a Bluetooth settings menu to undertake the once-cumbersome pairing process. 

Wi-Fi 6 for Remote Management

 With the introduction of the RFD40-M Premium Plus sled comes a unique and unprecedented feature – the incorporation of Wi-Fi into an RFID sled. With this new model, we are exposing API’s for remote management, including firmware update, configuration management, device management, device health, and device status – customers can even make the sled beep and blink if they misplace it. All of these management tasks can be accomplished by using the IoT protocol-based interface, utilizing either REST or MQTT.  

MDM’s will also be able to integrate the RFD40M into their solution so customers can use one MDM solution for all of their compatible devices. In addition to this, RFD40-M and the RFD40 Product Family allow for the backhaul of data directly from the sled without a computing device.   

Accessory Ecosystem & Charging

 RFD40-M Premium Plus RFID Sled shares the same great accessories as the RFD40 Product Family. In addition to the adaptors that support Zebra mobile computers, RFD40 also supports the use and mounting of third-party, non-Zebra devices. To charge the third-party mobile device, the Universal Cradle provides users with a USB-A port on the back of each cup to allow them to plug a charging cable into the cradle cup. With all of our charging solutions, including cradle, cable cup, and USB-C port, the RFD40 is now able to read RFID tags and barcodes while it is charging. That means endless power and RFID reading, no matter the application.

Read 1300+ tag reads per second   

1300+  RFID tag reads per second in the palm of your hand. Based on Zebra-designed proprietary radio technology, the RFD40 UHF RFID Sleds raise the bar for RFID reading performance. With a read rate of 1300+ RFID tags per second, the RFD40 Sleds allow workers to be more efficient and effective with their cycle counting and item-finding tasks, giving them more time in their day to accomplish other tasks, such as helping more customers. A new tri-function user-programmable trigger allows for quick access to RFID reading and barcode scanning functions. By default, the top trigger is set to control the RFID reading operation, and the bottom trigger is configured to control the sled barcode scanner in the RFD40-M Premium Plus model. An additional third function can be initiated by pulling both triggers at the same time. 

Key Features of RFD40-M Sled: 

Not only do the RFD40-M Sleds provide the increased performance to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of business, but it has the ruggedness to withstand everyday environments, too. 

• RFD40-M possesses a 5-foot drop to concrete specification, 500 0.5 meter / 1.6 foot tumbles, an IP54 sealing, and an extended operating temperature range of -10°C to 50°C / 14°F to 122°F. 
• These durable specifications are an increase from previous generation sleds to provide our customers with increased assurance that the RFD40 Sleds will meet the demanding needs of their environment. 
•  RFID has become a technology that enterprises increasingly rely upon to keep their day-to-day operations running smoothly. Increased uptime is a requirement, not a luxury. 
• RFD40 UHF RFID Sleds come standard with a 7000mAh battery. Additionally, customers won’t need to worry about associates removing or tampering with the battery. 
• 1300+ tag reads per second in the palm of your hand. Based on Zebra-designed proprietary radio technology, the RFD40 UHF RFID Sleds raise the bar for RFID reading performance. 
• RFD40-M has an optional Battery Locking Foot that will lock the battery in place, helping to prevent user damage and/or theft.

 Industry Applications of Zebra RFD40M: 

The RFD40M is versatile across multiple industries: 

• Retail: Fast cycle counts, real-time inventory visibility, and improved customer service.  
• Healthcare: Track medical equipment, supplies, and patient assets with precision.  
• Logistics & Warehousing: Accelerate inbound/outbound processes, reduce errors, and improve asset utilization. 
• Manufacturing: Monitor tools, parts, and finished goods across production lines. 

Conclusion

The RFD40-M Premium Plus Sled is a game-changer in RFID technology, offering unmatched speed, connectivity, and durability. For businesses in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing, it offers a future-proof solution that reduces operational costs, enhances accuracy, and boosts productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

 Q: Will the current RFD40 product line go EOL with this addition to the portfolio?

 A: No, RFD40-M is a product line extension of the RFD40 Product Family, which offers features suitable for new use cases.

Q: How does the RFD40-M Premium Plus compare to the current RFD40 Premium Plus?

A: RFD40-M offers an extended RFID read range of up to 80 feet through a larger antnna. While yes, RFD40-M maintains all of the features our customers have come to expect with the current RFD40 Premium Plus, it offers enhanced RFID performance.

1. Are the accessories the same for the RFD40 and RFD40M?

An. Yes — the accessories for the Zebra RFD40 and RFD40M are the same. Both models belong to the RFD40 UHF RFID sled family, and they share the same accessory ecosystem (cradles, adapters, mounts, and charging solutions). The difference between the two lies in functionality, not in physical design or accessory compatibility.

What is included in the Box?

• Zebra RFD40 Premium Plus UHF RFID Sled Unit
• Battery
• Lanyard
• Quick Start Guide
• One Year Standard Manufacturer Warranty