All guidesCard Machines & Payments

Countertop, Portable or Mobile: Choosing the Right Card Machine

The wrong terminal type creates queues, dropped connections and lost sales. Here is how to match hardware to your trading pattern.

24 July 2026 6 min read

Countertop

Fixed at the till and connected by ethernet or phone line. The most reliable option for shops with a static point of sale, and usually the cheapest to rent.

Portable

Connects to a base station over Bluetooth or WiFi, with range across a venue. The right choice for restaurants, pubs and salons where payment happens at the table or chair.

Mobile

Uses a SIM to work anywhere with signal. Essential for trades, market stalls, delivery and events. Check whether the SIM is multi-network — single-network terminals fail in patchy coverage areas, which is exactly where they get used.

Want this reviewed for your business?

Send us a recent bill and a consultant from our Cardiff office will tell you, honestly, whether you are paying more than you need to.

Find out what your business should be paying

Serving businesses across the UK from our Cardiff office.