Portable card machines

A portable card machine lets you take payment wherever the customer is: at the table, at the door or on a job. These are the options I recommend and when each makes sense.

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Last updated 18 October 2026

Portable or mobile?

A portable card machine runs on your wifi, so it works anywhere on your premises. A mobile card machine also has its own SIM, so it works anywhere with a 4G signal.

Restaurants, pubs and hotels usually need portable. Trades, delivery drivers and market traders need mobile. Many current machines do both, switching to 4G when wifi drops.

What to look for

Battery that lasts a full trading day
4G backup so payments keep working when the wifi doesn't
Tipping and bill splitting if you serve tables
A printer, or text and email receipts if you'd rather carry less
Contactless and phone wallets as standard

Portable machines from my partners

Provider	Portable models	Connection
Teya	Teya Pro, Teya Go, Teya Lite	Wifi with 4G fallback
myPOS	Go 2, Go Combo, Flex, Ultra	Free data SIM and wifi
Rapyd	PAX A920 Pro	Wifi with automatic 4G switch

In most cases your first card machine is free. Not sure which fits? Send me your statement and I'll recommend one.

QUESTIONS

Questions

What's the difference between a portable and a mobile card machine?

People use the words loosely. I call a machine portable when it runs on wifi within your premises, and mobile when it also has a SIM and works anywhere with 4G.

How long does the battery last?

Most current models last a full trading day. If you're out all day, I'll suggest a machine with a charging dock or a spare.

Does a portable machine print receipts?

Some do. Many customers prefer a text or email receipt, and machines without a printer are lighter.

Ready to cut your card fees?

Send your statement today and I'll come back to you with what I find.

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