Card machines for events

Take card payments at any event - portable terminals with 4G connectivity, long battery life, and no permanent contract required.

Common challenges

  • No Wi-Fi or unreliable venue connectivity
  • Need terminals for a one-off or occasional event
  • Battery must last a full event day
  • Don't want a 12-month contract for occasional use
  • Multiple vendors or stalls needing separate terminals

Published:

Recommended solutions

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in Wi-Fi & 4G connectivity, along with thermal printing. Includes merchant branding on-screen, an intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, and is configurable for full POS integration.

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, over-the-phone
  • Fast contactless transacting
  • Integrates with its provider's own POS only
  • Android POS and payments
Contract
negotiable

SumUp

Solo

Compact, buy-outright card machine with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. No monthly fees, no contract - just a one-off hardware cost and a simple flat transaction rate. Ideal for very low volume merchants.

  • 3.5-inch greyscale touchscreen
  • Wi-Fi and multi-network 4G
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, Payment-Links
  • No monthly fees
  • No contract
  • Buy outright - yours to keep
Contract
No contract

Why event traders choose uno

Events mean no fixed infrastructure - no mains power guarantee, no reliable Wi-Fi, and sometimes no shelter. You need a card machine that works regardless, from start to finish.

4G everywhere

Don’t depend on venue Wi-Fi shared with hundreds of people. 4G-connected terminals run on their own mobile signal wherever there’s phone reception.

All-day battery

A terminal that dies at 3pm is a terminal that costs you sales. We recommend terminals with battery life proven to last a full trading day.

Flexible terms

Whether you trade at events weekly or once a year, we offer terms that match your pattern - no paying monthly fees for a terminal in a drawer.

What you get from uno

  • Portable terminals with 4G and all-day battery
  • Flexible or pay-as-you-go terms
  • Multiple terminals for multi-stall setups
  • Simple setup and reliable support

Common questions from events owners

I need card machines at a three-day event - will the batteries last?

A full charge lasts a day's trading. For multi-day events, charge overnight - you're done by morning. If your event runs long shifts, a countertop terminal on mains power at a fixed point (registration desk, bar) is a reliable alternative. We can supply both types for one event.

Can I have card machines at the gate, the bar, and the food stalls?

Yes. Multiple terminals on one merchant account, all at the same rate. Each terminal operates independently, so the gate, bar, and stalls all take payments simultaneously. We'll set up as many as you need for the event.

I only run two or three events a year - do I need a permanent card machine setup?

If you only need card payments a few times a year, the SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees is ideal. Use it at your events, then put it in a drawer until the next one. You pay nothing between events. If your events are high-volume, the cost savings of a lower-rate terminal may justify the monthly fee.

General questions about uno
Which card machine is right for my business?

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

How much does a card machine cost?

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

We know for many UK independent businesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging next morning, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip & Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesses operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would then be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 day processing timeframe to complete.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort at all, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Am I locked into a contract?

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to understand how your business works, and only then recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Get Started 07395 451520