RFID
Asset Tracking: RFID, Bluetooth and UWB Compared
Amey Kadle
13 February 2026
7 min read
High-value asset tracking has matured beyond RFID. Three technologies now compete for the slot, each with a distinct sweet spot.
The Comparison
| Spec | Active RFID | BLE | UWB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 30 – 100 m | 20 – 80 m | 50 – 200 m |
| Accuracy | Zone-level (2 – 5 m) | Zone-level (1 – 3 m) | Sub-meter (0.1 – 0.3 m) |
| Battery life | 3 – 7 years | 1 – 5 years | 6 months – 3 years |
| Tag cost | ₹1,500 – ₹8,000 | ₹300 – ₹1,500 | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Infrastructure cost | Moderate | Low | High |
| Best for | Vehicle / outdoor asset | Tool crib, mid-value | Mould / die / capex |
Pattern Match
- Vehicle and trailer tracking outdoors → Active RFID or GPS hybrid.
- Tools, dies, calibration equipment → BLE with mesh gateways.
- High-value moulds, fixtures, robots → UWB.
- General "where is X?" inventory → passive UHF RFID at gates / zones.
Frequently asked
Is UWB worth the cost premium?
For sub-meter indoor positioning of high-value assets, yes. For coarse zone-level tracking, BLE is a fraction of the cost.
Amey Kadle
Founder & CEO, Ajinkya Technologies. 20+ years of building MES, ERP and AI systems for India’s most demanding manufacturing plants.