The Silent Waste: Hidden Energy Drains in Your Warehouse

Gent +Ivziku • November 19, 2025

Old handheld scanners consuming power at multiple charging stations compared to energy-efficient Lotwork W26 wearable scanners.

In today’s push for sustainability, most warehouse leaders focus on electric vehicles, LED lighting, or smarter HVAC systems to cut energy use. Yet, one of the most persistent sources of waste often goes unnoticed — your handheld devices. Scanners, tablets, and mobile computers running outdated hardware quietly consume excessive power every hour of operation. Multiply that by dozens or even hundreds of units running across multiple shifts, and the result is a hidden energy drain that inflates both utility costs and carbon footprint.

Outdated scanners were designed for a different era, one where battery size and charging frequency were acceptable trade-offs for performance. But in high-volume operations today, every extra watt adds up. Continuous recharging, idle power draw, and inefficient processors can cost thousands in annual electricity use and lead to unnecessary battery replacements. Worse, frequent charging cycles shorten device lifespan, adding to electronic waste and replacement expenses.

	Traditional Handheld Scanner	Lotwork W26 Hyco Ring Scanner
Avg Power Consumption (W)	5.0	1.5
Charges per Shift	2.0	0.5
Device Lifespan (Years)	2.0	4.0
Annual Energy Cost (USD)	240	72

Figure 2. Low-power design of the W26 Hyco Ring Scanner significantly reduces energy use and charging frequency

This is where low-power innovation is making a real difference. Lotwork’s W26 Hyco Ring Scanner was built from the ground up for ultra-low energy consumption. Using advanced power management and optimized communication protocols, it operates up to three times longer per charge compared to traditional handheld scanners. That means fewer charging docks, fewer interruptions, and a smaller energy footprint overall.

Beyond power savings, low-consumption wearables like the W26 aren’t just about efficiency, they’re about sustainability. Lower energy use directly translates to reduced emissions from electricity generation, aligning warehouse operations with broader environmental goals. And by extending battery health and device longevity, these scanners help reduce the churn of electronic waste that burdens both budgets and the planet.

Energy efficiency is no longer just a facilities concern, it’s an operational advantage. The next wave of sustainability in warehousing won’t come only from large infrastructure changes, but from smarter, smaller devices that work harder while consuming less. The W26 Hyco Ring Scanner proves that every watt counts when it comes to building a more sustainable, cost-efficient, and forward-thinking operation.

About the Author

Gent Ivziku

Client Success Manager, Lotwork

Gent is a Client Success Manager at Lotwork, helping teams find smarter, faster ways to get work done using wearable tech and hands-free scanning. He’s passionate about simplifying warehouse and logistics workflows and enjoys working closely with customers to find the right fit for their needs. Outside of work, he’s a big fan of soccer and loves diving into great movies and TV shows whenever he gets the chance.