Types of card machine
Quick Reference
Direct Answer
UK card machines come in six form factors: countertop (fixed at the till), portable (battery, used around one venue), mobile (own 4G SIM, works anywhere), contactless readers (pair with a phone), smart terminals (Android, run apps plus payments), and Tap to Pay on a phone (no separate device). The right type depends on where and how you take payment.
Summary
The six UK card machine types are countertop, portable, mobile, contactless reader, smart terminal and Tap to Pay on phone. Countertop suits a fixed till; mobile suits trades on the road; smart terminals run a till and payments in one; Tap to Pay needs only a compatible phone.
This Page Covers
The form factors of UK card machines, what each is, who each suits, and example devices in 2026.
Not Covered Here
Detailed per-device rates and reviews (see the reviews hub), online checkout gateways, and pricing (see the cost guide).
The six types, compared
| Type | What it is | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Sits on the till and connects by WiFi or ethernet. Always-on, mains-powered, fixed at the point of sale. | Shops and counters where the customer comes to you | Worldpay countertop, Verifone V200c |
| Portable | Battery and 4G/WiFi, used around a fixed venue (table to table) but not out on the road. Returns to a base. | Restaurants, pubs, salons, garden centres | Dojo Go, Square Terminal, Ingenico Move 5000 |
| Mobile | Fully portable with its own 4G SIM, works anywhere with mobile signal. No fixed location needed. | Mobile trades: plumbers, market stalls, food trucks, taxis | SumUp Solo, Stripe Reader S700 |
| Contactless reader | A compact reader that pairs with a phone or tablet over Bluetooth and takes tap, chip and mobile-wallet payments. | Sole traders and low-volume or occasional card takers | Zettle Reader 2, Tide, Revolut readers |
| Smart terminal | An Android touchscreen terminal that runs apps (EPOS, bookings, loyalty) as well as taking payment, all on one device. | Shops and hospitality wanting till plus payments in one | Square Terminal, PAX A920, Clover Flex |
| Tap to Pay on phone | No separate device: the phone itself reads contactless cards and wallets. Tap to Pay on iPhone, plus Android equivalents. | Mobile traders who already have a compatible phone | Tap to Pay on iPhone (SumUp, Square, Stripe, Tide, Revolut) |
See every device in the card terminal hub, compare card readers, or read about EPOS and POS systems.
In one sentence
Choose the type by where you take payment, then choose the provider by the rate and contract.
Counter, table, or on the road: the form factor narrows the field, then the deal decides it. MerchantHQ matches you to the right type for your trade and compares the cost across the whole UK market, then stays your named account team for life.
Get matched in 2 minutesFrequently asked questions
What are the main types of card machine?
Six form factors cover the UK market in 2026: countertop (fixed at the till), portable (battery, used around one venue), mobile (own 4G SIM, works anywhere), contactless readers (pair with a phone), smart terminals (Android, run apps plus payments), and Tap to Pay on a phone (no separate device). The right type depends on where and how you take payment, not just the price.
What is the difference between a portable and a mobile card machine?
A portable card machine has a battery and is carried around a fixed venue (table to table in a restaurant) but relies on the venue WiFi and returns to a base. A mobile card machine has its own 4G SIM and works anywhere with mobile signal, which is what a plumber, taxi or market trader needs. Many devices do both; the distinction is whether you need to take payment away from your premises.
Which type of card machine is best for a small shop?
A smart terminal (Square Terminal, a Clover or PAX device) is usually best for a small shop, because it takes payment and runs the till, receipts and basic stock on one device. If you only need to take payment with a separate till, a countertop or portable terminal is enough. For a market stall or pop-up, a mobile reader or Tap to Pay is the cheaper fit.
Do I need a card machine at all, or can I use my phone?
If you have a compatible phone you may not need a separate device. Tap to Pay on iPhone (iPhone XS or newer, iOS 16.4+) and the Android equivalents turn the phone into the card machine, with no hardware to buy. It suits mobile and low-volume trades. A busy counter still benefits from a dedicated terminal with a printer and a fixed position.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman. Last reviewed: 2026-06-01.