The 4 Best IR Breakbeam People Counters for Retail (2026 Guide)

Retailers across formats—from single boutiques to global chains—still rely on IR breakbeam people counters because of their simplicity and accuracy. These systems are unaffected by lighting conditions, require minimal infrastructure, and remain compliant across jurisdictions. As privacy regulations tighten, the demand for non-visual counting technologies continues to grow. An IR people counter for retail offers a future-proof approach to footfall analytics. 

This guide reviews four of the best IR breakbeam counter solutions and IR-based people counting devices for retail. 

1. SensMax TAC-B 4G Outdoor People Counting Radar (IR-Compatible Retail Footfall System)

The SensMax TAC-B 4G is not a traditional doorway sensor, but it plays a critical role alongside any IR breakbeam counter strategy for retail. It is an outdoor-grade people counting radar designed for wide retail-adjacent environments such as storefront promenades, open-air malls, retail parks, and pedestrian-heavy zones near stores.

While radar-based rather than infrared beam crossing, it complements any breakbeam people counting system by covering areas where IR beams are impractical or impossible to install. This allows retailers to connect outdoor footfall trends with in-store data from an IR people counter for retail.

The device uses 60 GHz mmWave radar to detect movement direction and speed, classifying pedestrians and cyclists without cameras. All data is processed anonymously and transmitted in real time via built-in 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi, supporting privacy-first retail analytics.

Key Strengths For Retail Environments

• Covers up to 100 m² with a 120° field of view

• Supports up to 5 configurable counting lines or zones

• Real-time data via built-in 4G/LTE connectivity

• Works in all weather and lighting conditions

• IP68-rated enclosure for permanent outdoor deployment

• Fully GDPR-compliant, no images or personal data

In retail contexts, the TAC-B 4G is best suited for measuring external foot traffic before customers reach entrances equipped with an IR breakbeam counter. It supports site selection, outdoor campaign measurement, and retail park performance analysis rather than direct in-store conversion tracking.

2. SensMax S1 Wireless IR Breakbeam People Counter for Retail Entrances

The SensMax S1 is a classic IR breakbeam counter designed for fast, cable-free deployment at retail entrances. It uses a single invisible infrared beam across a doorway or corridor to register each crossing, making it a foundational infrared people counter for retail analytics.

This IR breakbeam people counter is battery-powered, camera-free, and built for long-term retail operation with minimal maintenance. Visitor data is stored locally and uploaded periodically via a SensMax gateway, ensuring reliable counting even during temporary connectivity interruptions.

Key Strengths For Retail Environments

• Infrared beam crossing for simple entry counting

• Unidirectional detection

• Up to 2-year battery life using AA batteries

• 25 days of internal memory for hourly statistics

• Wireless communication via SensMax gateway

• Multiple range variants (short, long, super-long range)

• Anonymous and GDPR-compliant

This IR people counter for retail is ideal for small to mid-sized stores, pop-up locations, libraries, and service counters where total visitor volume matters more than directional analytics. Its simplicity makes it particularly suitable for multi-store rollouts seeking a cost-effective people counting system for retail stores.

3. SensMax D3 TS Real-Time IR Breakbeam People Counter With IN/OUT Tracking

The SensMax D3 TS is an advanced IR breakbeam counter engineered for retail locations that require real-time IN/OUT counting and live occupancy monitoring. It uses a three-beam infrared crossing algorithm to accurately determine visitor direction at entrances.

Unlike periodic-upload systems, this IR breakbeam people counter streams data instantly, enabling live dashboards, occupancy alerts, and immediate operational responses. This makes it a powerful upgrade for retailers moving beyond basic counting into real-time optimization.

Key Strengths For Retail Environments

• Triple-beam infrared technology

• Bidirectional IN/OUT counting

• Real-time data delivery

• Live occupancy monitoring

• Up to 99% accuracy in standard indoor conditions

• Wireless, battery-powered deployment

• On-device backup for 1000 records

• Fully GDPR-compliant

For retail chains, malls, and high-traffic stores, this infrared people counter is best used where live visibility is critical. It supports queue management, occupancy compliance, staff optimization, and responsive cleaning and security workflows.

4. SensMax SE Outdoor IR Breakbeam People Counter for Retail-Adjacent Areas

The SensMax SE is a battery-powered IR breakbeam counter built for outdoor and semi-outdoor retail environments where no power or internet connection is available. It records hourly footfall data locally for up to 250 days, making it ideal for long-term retail-adjacent monitoring.

This breakbeam people counting system operates fully offline, with data retrieved periodically using a handheld reader. It enables retailers to maintain consistent visitor statistics even in remote or infrastructure-limited locations.

Key Strengths For Retail Environments

• Infrared beam crossing (unidirectional)

• 250 days of internal memory

• Up to 2-year battery life

• No electricity or internet required

• Optional IP68 outdoor enclosure

• Fully anonymous and GDPR-compliant

• Minimal maintenance

In retail scenarios, this IR people counter for retail works well for outlet villages, open-air shopping zones, temporary retail installations, and seasonal locations. It is particularly effective for long-term trend analysis where real-time data is not required.

Final Comparison: Choosing the Right IR Breakbeam Counter for Retail

Each device supports a different retail use case within a complete people counting system for retail stores:

• SensMax TAC-B 4G — best for outdoor retail footfall and wide-area pedestrian analysis

• SensMax S1 — best for simple, cost-effective IR breakbeam counter entrance counting

• SensMax D3 TS — best for real-time IN/OUT tracking using an IR breakbeam people counter

• SensMax SE — best for offline, long-term outdoor retail monitoring

All four solutions share camera-free operation and GDPR compliance, making them safe building blocks for a modern infrared people counter strategy.

Key Components of an IR Breakbeam Counter

An IR breakbeam counter works by creating an invisible infrared line across a passage and registering every interruption of that beam as a visitor movement. In retail environments, this technology forms the backbone of a reliable people counting system for retail stores, especially where privacy, simplicity, and accuracy are required.

Core Components Typically Include

• Infrared transmitter and receiver forming the breakbeam

• Detection logic for counting beam interruptions

• Internal memory for data buffering

• Wireless or offline data transfer mechanism

• Battery-powered or low-voltage power supply

Because an IR breakbeam counter detects only beam interruptions and not images, it produces clean, structured footfall data without noise from lighting changes or background movement. This makes IR-based systems particularly effective at entrances, corridors, and controlled retail passages where counting precision matters most.

IR People Counter for Retail vs Camera-Based Systems

An IR people counter for retail operates fundamentally differently from camera-based analytics systems. Instead of visual analysis, it relies on physical beam interruption, which simplifies deployment and compliance.

Key Differences Between The Two Approaches

• IR breakbeam people counter: detects physical crossings only

• Camera systems: rely on image capture and algorithmic interpretation

• Infrared systems: unaffected by lighting conditions

• Camera systems: sensitive to glare, shadows, and occlusion

• IR solutions: fully anonymous by design

For many retailers, an infrared people counter provides more consistent results with lower operational overhead. Camera-based systems may offer richer visual analytics, but they introduce complexity, higher costs, and increased regulatory scrutiny. This is why IR-based solutions remain a preferred breakbeam people counting system for compliance-focused retail environments.

Privacy Advantages of IR Breakbeam People Counters in Retail

Privacy compliance has become a defining factor in retail technology adoption. The IR breakbeam counter stands out because it does not collect personal data in any form.

Privacy Advantages Include

• No video or image capture

• No biometric or facial data

• No device identifiers or tracking

• Built-in GDPR compliance by design

Because an IR breakbeam people counter only records numeric crossing events, it eliminates the legal and ethical risks associated with surveillance technologies. This makes IR systems particularly suitable for fashion retail, shopping malls, public-facing stores, and international deployments where data protection regulations vary widely.

Integrating IR Breakbeam People Counters With Retail Analytics Software

A modern IR breakbeam counter is rarely used in isolation. Instead, it feeds data into a broader people counting system for retail stores that supports operational and strategic decision-making.

Common Integration Capabilities

• Ready-to-use business reports providing clear answers on footfall trends by hour, day, or store. 

• Store-to-store performance comparisons

• Staffing and scheduling optimization

• Campaign and promotion performance analysis

• Occupancy and compliance reporting

When combined with POS data or sales metrics, an IR breakbeam people counter enables conversion-rate analysis without exposing customer identities. This integration transforms simple counts into actionable insights that directly impact revenue and efficiency.

The 4 Best IR Breakbeam People Counters for Retail (2026)

A brief comparison of the most effective IR breakbeam people counter for retail is as follows: