SumUp Air Card Reader: Features, Benefits and Its Replacement, the SumUp Solo Lite

The SumUp Air was one of the most popular mobile card readers for small businesses, freelancers, market traders and independent retailers. Designed to make accepting card payments simple, the compact device connected to a smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth and worked alongside the SumUp app.

However, the SumUp Air is now an older-generation card reader and is no longer part of SumUp’s current card reader range. SumUp recommends the SumUp Solo Lite as the modern alternative for customers looking for a similar portable, app-connected payment solution.

What Was the SumUp Air?

The SumUp Air was a compact Bluetooth card reader designed to allow businesses to accept card and contactless payments without needing a traditional payment terminal.

Rather than operating completely independently, the SumUp Air connected to the SumUp app on a compatible smartphone or tablet. The business owner could enter the transaction amount in the app, while the customer completed the payment using the card reader.

The SumUp Air supported contactless payments, Chip & PIN transactions and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

This made it particularly useful for businesses that needed a portable card payment machine without the cost and complexity of a traditional fixed till.

How Did the SumUp Air Work?

Using the SumUp Air was relatively straightforward:

1. Download and install the SumUp app on a compatible smartphone or tablet.
2. Connect the SumUp Air to the device using Bluetooth.
3. Enter the transaction amount in the SumUp app.
4. Ask the customer to tap or insert their payment card.
5. The payment is processed securely.
6. Send a digital receipt by email or SMS where available.

Because the Air relied on the paired smartphone or tablet for the app and internet connection, it was particularly suited to businesses already using a mobile device at checkout.

Key SumUp Air Features

The SumUp Air offered several features that made it attractive to small businesses:

Portable Design

The compact design made the SumUp Air easy to carry between locations. It was suitable for market stalls, mobile traders, small shops, cafés, freelancers and service businesses.

Bluetooth Connectivity

The card reader connected wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet, allowing businesses to take payments without a traditional wired checkout system.

Contactless Payments

Customers could make contactless payments using compatible bank cards and mobile wallets. The Air also supported Chip & PIN payments.

SumUp App

The SumUp app acted as the central point for managing transactions. Businesses could enter payment amounts, process sales and manage payment information from their mobile device.

Simple Setup

One of the biggest advantages of the SumUp Air was its straightforward setup. The reader could be connected through the SumUp app and was designed to get small businesses accepting payments quickly.

Is the SumUp Air Still Available?

The SumUp Air has been replaced by newer SumUp card reader models.

SumUp currently describes the Air as an older model that is no longer part of its current card reader range. For customers looking for a similar simple and portable solution, SumUp recommends the SumUp Solo Lite.

This is important if you are searching online for a SumUp Air card reader. You may still see new, old-stock or previously sold units advertised by third-party sellers, but the current replacement recommended by SumUp is the Solo Lite.

Meet the SumUp Solo Lite – The SumUp Air Replacement

The SumUp Solo Lite was launched in the UK in February 2026 as a new portable card reader designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Like the SumUp Air, the Solo Lite connects to a smartphone using Bluetooth and works with the SumUp Business app. This makes the transition relatively familiar for businesses that previously used the Air.

However, the Solo Lite introduces several improvements and a more modern design.

Compact and Lightweight

The Solo Lite measures approximately 83 × 83 mm and weighs around 126 g, making it small enough to carry comfortably throughout the working day.

Touchscreen PIN Pad

Unlike the older Air, the Solo Lite features a small HD touchscreen with a touch PIN pad, providing a more modern customer payment experience.

Accept Major Payment Methods

The Solo Lite supports Chip & PIN, contactless payments and mobile wallets including Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as major debit and credit cards.

Long Battery Life

The Solo Lite is designed for busy working days and features a long-lasting battery. SumUp says it can process 1,000+ transactions on a single charge.

Durable Gorilla Glass

The device uses Corning Gorilla Glass and is designed to withstand the demands of everyday business use. This makes it particularly useful for mobile businesses, market traders, food trucks and hospitality operators.

Tipping on the Reader

The Solo Lite also allows customers to choose tipping options directly on the reader’s screen, providing an additional feature for cafés, hospitality businesses and service providers.

SumUp Air vs SumUp Solo Lite

Feature	SumUp Air	SumUp Solo Lite
Product generation	Older model	Current replacement
Smartphone connection	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
SumUp App	Yes	Yes
Contactless payments	Yes	Yes
Chip & PIN	Yes	Yes
Apple Pay / Google Pay	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen	No	Yes
Touch PIN pad	No	Yes
Gorilla Glass	No	Yes
USB-C charging	Older charging setup	Yes
Tipping on device	Limited/varies	Yes
Portable	Yes	Yes

The two devices share the same basic concept: a compact card reader paired with a smartphone and SumUp’s app. The Solo Lite, however, offers a newer hardware design and additional features intended for modern small-business payment needs.

Who Is the SumUp Solo Lite Suitable For?

The Solo Lite is particularly well suited to businesses that need a simple and portable way to accept payments.

It can be a good option for:

• Market traders
• Food trucks and coffee carts
• Small retailers
• Cafés and hospitality businesses
• Freelancers
• Tradespeople
• Mobile service providers
• Pop-up shops
• Event vendors
• Businesses that already use a smartphone or tablet at checkout

Its small size and Bluetooth connectivity make it convenient for businesses that don’t want to carry a larger standalone payment terminal.

Why Upgrade From SumUp Air to Solo Lite?

For existing SumUp Air users, the Solo Lite provides a familiar app-connected payment experience while bringing newer hardware features.

The biggest reasons to consider upgrading include:

Modern touchscreen: Customers can interact directly with the Solo Lite when entering their PIN or selecting tipping options.

Improved durability: Gorilla Glass provides additional protection for everyday use.

Longer battery performance: The Solo Lite is designed for extended use, with SumUp stating that it can handle more than 1,000 transactions on one charge.

USB-C charging: The modern USB-C connection makes charging more convenient.

Current product support: Since the Air is an older model and no longer part of SumUp’s current range, the Solo Lite is the recommended alternative for businesses looking for a comparable portable card reader.

Is the SumUp Air Still Worth Buying?

If you already own a SumUp Air and it continues to work with your SumUp account and compatible setup, it may still be useful.

However, businesses looking to purchase a new SumUp card reader should consider the current product range rather than choosing an older Air model. SumUp itself recommends the Solo Lite as the similar, newer alternative to the Air.

For businesses that want a small, affordable and portable card machine, the Solo Lite offers the familiar smartphone-connected experience of the Air while adding newer hardware and features.

SumUp Air Replacement: Final Verdict

The SumUp Air helped make mobile card payments accessible to small businesses, offering a simple way to accept contactless and Chip & PIN payments through a smartphone or tablet.

Today, however, the Air has been superseded by newer products. For customers specifically looking for a SumUp Air replacement, the SumUp Solo Lite is the natural successor to consider.

With Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone integration, contactless and Chip & PIN payments, a touchscreen PIN pad, durable Gorilla Glass and long battery life, the Solo Lite provides a modern alternative for businesses that want to accept payments wherever they operate.

If you’re replacing an older SumUp Air or looking for your first portable card reader, the Solo Lite is worth considering as part of SumUp’s current range.

Get your Sumup Solo Lite Here!