The Best Compact Card Reader for Mobile Businesses
What to look for in a compact card reader
Not all card readers are built with mobile businesses in mind. Here's what matters when you're not working from a fixed counter:
- Size and weight — it needs to fit in a bag, a pocket, or a toolbox without being an inconvenience
- Battery life — long enough to get through a full day without hunting for a socket
- Simple connection — you want to be set up in seconds, not minutes
What about the contract?
A lot of card reader providers tie you into a 12 or 24-month contract before you've even taken your first payment. Some charge a monthly fee on top. Some add exit fees if you want to leave.
We don't do any of that. There's no contract with Lopay. No minimum term. No monthly fee. If your business changes, your setup can change with it. No awkward phone calls, and no penalty clauses.
For mobile businesses especially, that flexibility matters. You might be busy one season and quiet the next. You might want to pause. You might want to grow. Either way, you're not locked in.
The Lopay WisePad 3: built for life on the move
The WisePad 3 is a compact Bluetooth card reader that pairs with the Lopay app on your phone. That's it, just your phone, the reader, and you.
It accepts contactless, chip & PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Customers can add a tip straight on the reader. And it's fully PCI-compliant, so you're covered on the security side without having to think about it.
It fits in a jacket pocket. It's light enough that you'll forget it's there. And it connects via Bluetooth in seconds.
What it costs
Your first WisePad 3 is £24 + £6.95 postage when you order it through the Lopay app, that's 50% off the standard price. It arrives in around 2 business days.
After that, the only cost is 0.79% per transaction on the Essential Account for UK consumer Visa and Mastercard payments. No monthly fee. No setup fee. No contract.
What it looks like in practice
James is a mobile dog groomer. He visits six or seven clients a day across a wide area, carrying all his kit in a van. He used to take cash only, which meant awkward conversations about exact change, trips to the bank, and the occasional client who 'forgot their wallet'.
Now he ends every appointment by pulling the WisePad 3 out of his top pocket. The customer taps their card or phone. Payment done in five seconds. He's back in the van.
On a typical week of 35 bookings at £45 each, he's taking around £1,575. His transaction fee with Lopay at 0.79% is just over £12. No monthly subscription on top. No contract. That's the whole cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to use the WisePad 3?
No. The reader connects to your phone via Bluetooth, so as long as your phone has a mobile signal you can take payments anywhere. No relying on someone else's Wi-Fi.
What payments does it accept?
Contactless, chip & PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay. It doesn't support magstripe (swipe) transactions.
How much does it cost to get started?
Your first reader is £24 + £6.95 P&P when you order through the app. Transaction fees start at 0.79% on the Essential Account. No monthly fee, no setup cost, no contract.
What if something goes wrong with the reader?
Lopay’s card readers are highly reliable and built to last, but even better, we also offer Tap to Pay: the perfect backup option. It’s already built into your Lopay app, so you can take payments directly on your phone. Meanwhile, you can contact Lopay’s UK-based support team at support@lopay.com or 020 4571 4796 for help, without ever having to stop taking payments.
Ready to sort your payments out?
Download the Lopay app, register your business, and order the WisePad 3 in-app. It takes a few minutes and most people are up and running well before their reader arrive!
