The Best Mobile Credit Card Readers
We compared six mobile credit card readers based on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price. The Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) offers the best balance of features and value.
Updated
The bottom line
The Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) is our top pick for its versatility, ease of use, and affordability. It supports contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, and has a high owner satisfaction rating of 9/10 from 4685 ratings. The closest alternative is the Square Terminal, which has more features but costs $298.99. For a budget option, the Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C) is a good choice at $9.88, though it lacks the advanced payment options of the top pick.
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) $48.99
Best balance of features and value
The Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) is a versatile payment processing solution at $48.99, supported by a high owner satisfaction rating of 9/10 from 4685 ratings. It supports various payment methods and has no long-term commitments or monthly fees. The tradeoff is its reliance on internet connectivity for processing payments.
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Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS $298.99
Advanced features at a higher price
The Square Terminal is a comprehensive mobile POS system for $298.99, with a high user rating on Amazon. It accepts all major credit and debit cards and processes chip cards in two seconds. The tradeoff is its higher price compared to other options.
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Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C) $9.88
Affordable option with basic features
The Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C) is a budget-friendly choice at $9.88, with a 4.6/5 rating from 1753 owners. It offers fast payment processing and compatibility with Apple devices. The tradeoff is its lack of advanced payment options like contactless and chip card support.
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- Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) Best balance of features, value, and user satisfaction. 9.0/10 $48.99 Amazon
- Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS Advanced features but at a higher price. 8.0/10 $298.99 Amazon
- Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C) Affordable with basic features. 8.0/10 $9.88 Amazon
- Square Handheld Portable POS Credit Card Machine Portable and durable but expensive. 7.0/10 $399.00 Amazon
- SumUp Plus Card Reader Bluetooth NFC RFID Simple and low-cost but with connectivity issues. 6.0/10 $54.00 Amazon
- SumUp Solo Credit Card Payment Card Reader Portable with touch-screen but has connectivity issues. 5.0/10 $99.00 Amazon
Where the differences show up in daily use
The Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation) is versatile in accepting various payment methods, which is useful for businesses with diverse customers. The Square Terminal offers advanced features like printing receipts and managing sales, beneficial for larger businesses. The Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C) is a basic, affordable solution for small businesses or individuals.
What owners complain about after buying
Owners of the SumUp Plus Card Reader and SumUp Solo have reported connectivity issues, which can be a significant drawback for consistent payment processing.
The also-rans
The SumUp Solo falls short due to connectivity issues and a lower owner satisfaction rating. The Square Handheld Portable POS Credit Card Machine is expensive and may not offer enough additional benefits to justify the higher price.