A cheap card reader for hairdressers, food trucks and markets
If you take cards at the salon chair, from a food truck or at a market stall, a small reader that pairs with your phone is usually the cheapest option that actually works. In our review, SumUp Solo Lite stands out: 1.49% per payment, no monthly fee and no contract.
The point for mobile and seasonal businesses is that a reader like this costs little to own and nothing to leave unused. A quiet week at the market or a slow month at the salon carries no fixed costs — you only pay the percentage when you actually sell.
Why a phone-paired reader is the cheapest
Solo Lite is a card reader, not a point-of-sale system. It drops its own screen and network — your phone handles the amount, receipt and sales overview via the free SumUp Business app, while the reader handles the card and PIN. That is exactly why it costs less than a standalone terminal.
- Small enough for a pocket or apron, with a durable Gorilla Glass screen.
- Battery for a full working day — over 1,000 payments per charge.
- Chip and PIN, contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay on Visa and Mastercard.
- Receipts by SMS or email, plus tipping in the app.
| Business type | Typical need | Why a small reader fits |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdresser and salon | Take payment at the chair or reception | Run from your phone, with tips and SMS receipts |
| Food truck | Cards at the hatch, often without mains power | Battery for a full day |
| Market stall | Low turnover a few days a week | No monthly fee |
| Pop-up and stand | Temporary sales over a few days | No contract, quick setup |
| Tradesperson | Payment at the customer’s home | Fits in a pocket or tool bag |
Hairdressers, salons and clinics
For a hairdresser or a small salon, a phone-paired reader is often more than enough. You take payment where the customer sits, set up treatments as fixed items and send the receipt straight to their phone. With a couple of chairs and a handful of payments a day, there is little to gain from an expensive terminal contract.
Food trucks, markets and pop-ups
Two things matter here: that the reader lasts a full day without a charger, and that you don’t pay for quiet periods. Solo Lite handles both. The main limitation is that it gets its connection from your phone via Bluetooth and has no SIM card of its own.
If you regularly sell where coverage is poor — festivals, mountains, large events — choose a standalone device with its own 4G, such as SumUp Solo. See our guide to card terminals for markets and pop-ups.
Tradespeople and home services
Electricians, plumbers and others who work at the customer’s home can take payment on the spot instead of invoicing and waiting. With next-business-day payouts to the SumUp account, revenue is available quickly, and for a sole trader with varying workloads, avoiding a fixed monthly fee makes good financial sense.
How to get started
- Download the free SumUp Business app and create a profile.
- Switch on the reader and pair it with your phone via Bluetooth.
- Add treatments or products in advance so sales go faster.
- Enter the amount and let the customer tap or insert their card.
- The money lands in your SumUp account the next business day.
When to choose Solo, Terminal or Register instead
Solo Lite is the entry point, but it doesn’t suit everything. If you need your own connection without a phone, Solo is the next step. If you want to print paper receipts on the spot, Terminal with its built-in printer is a better fit. If you run a fixed counter with stock and staff, a full POS system such as Register is the right choice.
| Product | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SumUp Solo Lite | Reader paired with your phone | Lowest price, good coverage |
| SumUp Solo | Standalone reader with own 4G and Wi-Fi | Selling without a phone, weak coverage |
| SumUp Terminal | All-in-one with 4G and printer | Paper receipts on the spot |
| SumUp Register | POS system with two screens | Fixed counter with stock and staff |
All of them charge 1.49% per payment with no contract. Device prices vary with promotions, so check the current price at the retailer — in Norway SumUp is sold at Elkjøp, among others.
An honest caveat about BankAxept
SumUp processes Norwegian debit cards as Visa or Mastercard, not over BankAxept. For small, mobile businesses this makes little practical difference, but BankAxept is still widespread in Norway.
BankAxept accounted for 49% of transactions with Norwegian cards in 2024.
— Norges Bank, Retail payment services 2024
If you run a shop with very high card volume, compare the total cost against a bank terminal with BankAxept. For the salon chair, the food truck and the market stall, a phone-paired reader still wins on low cost and no contract.
Read our full SumUp review — our top-rated option for small and mobile businesses.
Visit providerFrequently asked questions
Which card reader is best for a food truck?
For most food trucks, SumUp Solo Lite is a good, affordable choice: a full day of battery, over 1,000 payments per charge and no monthly fee. It uses your phone’s connection, so you need decent coverage where you park. If signal is often poor, Solo with its own 4G is safer.
Can I use Solo Lite in my hair salon?
Yes. You take payment at the chair or reception, add tips in the app and send receipts by SMS or email. If the salon also needs appointment booking and a full POS with inventory, you can consider SumUp Register later.
Do I need internet at the market?
Solo Lite has no SIM card of its own; it uses your phone’s connection via Bluetooth, so you need mobile coverage where you sell. If you often sell where signal is very poor, choose a device with its own 4G, such as SumUp Solo or SumUp Terminal.
What does it cost to take cards with Solo Lite?
You pay a one-off price for the reader (check the current price, as it varies with promotions) and 1.49% per payment. No monthly fee or contract. With the Betalinger Plus subscription, the rate drops to 0.79% for NOK 349/month.
Does Solo Lite support BankAxept?
No. Norwegian debit cards are processed as Visa or Mastercard. For a hairdresser, food truck or market stall with moderate volume, this makes little practical difference. At very high volume, a bank terminal with BankAxept may be cheaper, so compare total cost.
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