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Compare SumUp card readers
In need of a card reader for your business and not sure where to start? Check out our review on the SumUp card machines.
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The SumUp range
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Table: sorted by transaction cost, promoted deals first
With new data showing that 2021 had the largest use of card payments ever, there is a new necessity for merchants to aid the increasing cashless society. Card readers, sometimes referred to as “card machines” or “card terminals”, offer a quick and easy way for customers to use their payment cards.
SumUp (launched in 2012) is a popular card machine brand used by over 3 million businesses globally.
When considering what card reader would work best for your business, it is important to look at all the features available. Is there a contactless function? In 2021, contactless payments “accounted for 56% of all credit card and 69% of all debit card transactions.” (UK Finance). It is wise to look at card machines that offer this function so you don’t miss out on any key sales. Use our handy table to compare SumUp’s card readers.
More about SumUp card readers
Below are the key features for each of the SumUp card readers:
SumUp Air
- Upfront cost of £29 plus VAT
- No fixed contract
- Makes up to 500 sales a day on a full charge
- Light and travel-friendly, perfect for on-the-go sales
- 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
- Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
- 30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp Air and Cradle
SumUp offer the option to buy the SumUp Air with a cradle attachment, allowing you to keep your card reader charged all day.
- Upfront cost of £39 plus VAT
- No fixed contract
- The cradle keeps the reader fully charged
- Small and compact, perfect for SMEs
- 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
- Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
- 30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp Solo
- Upfront cost of £49 plus VAT
- No fixed contract
- Makes up to 100 sales on a full charge
- 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
- Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
- 30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp 3G and Printer
- Upfront cost of £149 plus VAT
- No fixed contract
- Makes up to 50 sales on a full charge
- 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
- Doesn’t need to connect to a device
- 30-day money-back guarantee
How to order a SumUp card machine
After you have researched and chosen the best card reader for you or your business, you can start the application process.
To apply for a SumUp card reader, head over to SumUp's online application, which takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Once your application is accepted, your card reader will be couriered to you.Pros and cons of SumUp card readers
Pros
- Accepts a wide range of networks
- Machines can be docked or used on the go
- Ability to print receipts (with SumUp 3G and Printer)
- Works in conjunction with the free SumUp app
- No contracts
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 12-month warranty period
Cons
- Transaction fees apply
- The SumUp Air needs to be connected to a tablet or phone
- Longer settlement period of payments compared to rivals
- Only the SumUp 3G and Printer comes with a receipt printer
Our verdict
The SumUp card readers are a popular option among merchants and we can see why. With a few machines to choose from, ranging in price, you can use the SumUp card readers on the go or docked into your professional set-up, ideal for a variety of businesses.
On the whole, SumUp customers rave about the quick and simple set-up and use of the machines, but there are some who have also raised concerns about the reliability of the app software.
When comparing SumUp to rivals, the SumUp card readers tend to have lower transaction costs and sit in the middle of the price spectrum. However, they do have a longer settlement period of payments than most, who seem to pay out within 1-2 working days.
Overall, SumUp offers a great variety of card readers for small-medium businesses. Which machine you choose to go for really depends on your business’s needs. You can use our handy guide to compare a range of card machines and make an informed decision.
SumUp customer reviews
SumUp has received mixed reviews from customers, according to customer review sites like Trustpilot and the Apple App Store.
It currently has a TrustPilot rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 3,978 reviews (updated 23 March 2022). 66% of reviewing customers gave SumUp an “Excellent” rating, reporting that the card reader is “easy to set up and use” and they received “excellent customer service” from the provider. On the flip side, 23% of customers rated the card reader provider as “Bad”, with some of their comments stating that they have had issues with the app software and accounts being “blocked” unexpectedly.
On the Apple App Store, SumUp currently has a rating of 3.2 out of 5, based on 403 ratings (updated 23 March 2022). Like the Trustpilot reviewers, those who rated SumUp with low scores said that they experienced issues with the app software. However, those who rated the provider highly, gave praise to the quick and simplistic nature of the card reader. One customer commented that the product was a “game changer”.
Frequently asked questions
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