Zebra OneCare Essential vs Select vs Premier: Buyer's Guide
Three tiers, one goal: keep your Zebra fleet running. Here's how to pick the right OneCare plan — and what you're actually buying at each level.
By Arrowhead Team · Arrowhead is a Zebra Elite Service Center authorized to sell and service OneCare contracts.
What is Zebra OneCare?
Zebra OneCare is Zebra's post-warranty service contract program for its full hardware portfolio — mobile computers, industrial and desktop printers, barcode scanners, and RFID readers. A contract gives you a fixed annual cost for repairs, a defined turnaround SLA, and access to Zebra's support team, instead of paying time-and-material depot rates every time a device breaks.
OneCare plans are priced per device per year and typically run 1, 3, or 5 years. Most enterprises buy multi-year contracts to lock in rates and avoid re-enrollment. Contracts must be purchased while the factory warranty is still active (or after a paid device inspection for out-of-warranty units).
Three core tiers exist: Essential, Select, and Premier. A fourth offering — Technical and Software Support (TSS) — is an add-on for software and OS update entitlement, sold separately on top of any repair tier.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Essential | Select | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repair turnaround | 3 business days | Next business day | Custom SLA |
| Replacement method | Depot (return first) | Advance exchange | Custom / on-site option |
| Support hours | M–F, 8am–5pm local | 24/7 live agent | Dedicated team |
| Accidental damage | Add-on available | Often included | Fully customizable |
| Contract term | 1, 3, or 5 years | 1, 3, or 5 years | Custom |
| Best fleet size | Any | Any (critical fleets) | 100+ devices |
| On-site dispatch | No | No | Optional |
Terms vary by device model and SKU. Confirm exact coverage with your Zebra authorized reseller before purchasing.
Tier-by-tier breakdown
OneCare Essential
Baseline coverage — depot repair, business-hours support
Best for: Cost-conscious fleets where same-day replacement is not required
- Lowest per-device cost
- Predictable repair budget — no surprise depot bills
- Covers all major Zebra mobile computers, printers, and scanners
OneCare Select
Faster response — next-business-day replacement, 24/7 support
Best for: Operational fleets where device downtime stops work
- Critical for warehouse, retail, and T&L operations on tight SLAs
- Advance exchange means workers get a device the next morning
- 24/7 support line for after-hours troubleshooting
OneCare Premier
Managed service — custom SLAs, dedicated team, optional on-site
Best for: Large fleets (100+ devices) or business-critical 24/7 environments
- Single point of contact for your entire Zebra fleet
- On-site technician options for locations where depot is impractical
- Lifecycle reporting and proactive replacement scheduling
Which tier is right for you?
Do device repairs stop your operation within hours?
Yes → Select or Premier. A 3-business-day depot turnaround means workers are without a device for at least a full day. Select's advance exchange ships a replacement before you even return the broken unit.
Does your team work nights, weekends, or across time zones?
Yes → Select or Premier. Essential's M–F support window means after-hours failures wait until the next business day. Select gives you a live agent at 2 AM.
Do you have more than 100 devices, or a dedicated IT fleet manager?
Consider Premier. At scale, the fleet-visibility reporting, proactive replacement scheduling, and dedicated support contact typically pay for the premium tier.
Are your devices in an office or lightly used environment?
Essential is likely sufficient. The 3-day turnaround is manageable when you have spare devices, and the budget savings are real.
Are you upgrading from time-and-material repair?
Essential is the natural first step. It converts unpredictable depot bills into a flat annual cost — a win for budgeting — without the premium of Select.
Don't forget: Technical and Software Support (TSS)
OneCare hardware tiers cover depot repair; they do not automatically entitle you to OS upgrades, firmware updates, or Zebra application license renewals. That's what TSS (formerly SoftwareCare) covers. If keeping Android versions and LifeGuard security patches current matters for your MDM policy or compliance posture, add TSS to your hardware contract.
TSS is sold separately per device and stacks on top of Essential, Select, or Premier. Ask about bundled pricing when enrolling a large fleet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zebra OneCare?
Zebra OneCare is Zebra Technologies' family of post-warranty service contracts for Zebra mobile computers, printers, barcode scanners, and RFID readers. It covers depot repair, advance exchange, and — on higher tiers — next-business-day replacement and 24/7 live agent support.
What is the difference between Zebra OneCare Essential and Select?
OneCare Essential provides 3-business-day depot repair turnaround and 8 AM–5 PM local-time support, Monday through Friday. OneCare Select adds 24/7 live agent access and next-business-day advance replacement — the right upgrade when device downtime directly stops operations.
What does Zebra OneCare Premier include?
OneCare Premier is a fully customizable managed-services tier with a dedicated support team, SLA terms negotiated to your fleet size and uptime requirements, and optional on-site services. It suits large fleets (200+ devices) or business-critical environments where a standard contract cannot cover the risk.
Does OneCare cover accidental damage?
Comprehensive coverage (sold as an add-on or included in some Select plans) covers accidental damage — drops, spills, and screen breaks. Standard Essential plans cover manufacturer defects only. Always confirm whether the SKU includes comprehensive or standard coverage before purchasing.
Can I buy OneCare after the factory warranty expires?
Yes, but Zebra requires a device inspection before issuing a contract on an out-of-warranty device. The device must pass inspection before the contract begins. Arrowhead can handle the inspection and contract enrollment together.
How many devices do I need before OneCare Premier makes sense?
Premier is typically cost-effective at 100+ devices, or earlier if your devices are in high-uptime environments — 24/7 manufacturing lines, emergency healthcare, or hub-and-spoke logistics. Below that threshold, Essential or Select usually delivers better value.
What is Zebra OneCare Technical and Software Support (TSS)?
TSS (formerly Zebra SoftwareCare) is an add-on to any OneCare plan that provides OS and firmware update entitlement, Zebra application license renewals, and priority software troubleshooting. It is sold separately from the hardware repair tiers.
Does Arrowhead sell Zebra OneCare contracts?
Yes. As a Zebra Elite Service Center, Arrowhead is authorized to sell and service OneCare contracts and can combine contract enrollment with depot repair, deployment, and lifecycle management services.
Get a OneCare quote for your fleet
As a Zebra Elite Service Center, Arrowhead can enroll your devices, combine contracts with depot repair, and manage renewals across your entire fleet.
Talk to a service specialist