Review · Business
PayPal Reader review: the Zettle Reader 2 successor, explained
Zettle by PayPal is becoming PayPal Point of Sale, and the Zettle Reader 2 is being succeeded by the touchscreen PayPal Reader. Features, fees, pros and cons.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 7 min read
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Card reader · Budget
PayPal Reader (successor to Zettle Reader 2)
The PayPal Reader, successor to the Zettle Reader 2, is a neat, budget-friendly card reader with a touchscreen for tips, one flat fee for all cards and instant access to your money in PayPal, but it depends on a paired phone or tablet and girocard is not on its list of accepted cards in Germany.
What we like
- +No monthly fee and one transaction rate for all cards, including American Express
- +Colour touchscreen for easy tipping on the new PayPal Reader
- +Bluetooth 5.1 or USB-C connection, and a magnetic dock that can be wall-mounted
- +Over nine hours or more than 250 transactions per charge in power-saving mode
- +Money lands in your PayPal balance, usually within minutes of a sale
- +Works with iPhone, iPad and most Android devices
What could be better
- −Needs a paired smartphone or tablet with an internet connection
- −girocard is not among the listed payment methods in Germany
- −No built-in SIM or receipt printer
- −Dock costs extra
- −Brand transition from Zettle to PayPal Point of Sale can be confusing
Best for: Small sellers already using PayPal who want a cheap reader with no monthly fee
Visit PayPal →This Zettle Reader 2 review comes with an important update. PayPal is renaming Zettle by PayPal to PayPal Point of Sale, and in Germany the Zettle Reader 2 has been succeeded by the new PayPal Reader, a Bluetooth and USB-C card reader with a colour touchscreen. Anyone searching for the Zettle Reader 2 today will mostly find this model, so we review the PayPal Reader and explain what carries over from its predecessor.
The review draws on PayPal's German and UK product pages and published specifications. We cover design, connectivity, payment methods, battery life, fees and payouts, and compare the reader with SumUp's standalone Solo.
From Zettle Reader 2 to PayPal Reader
Zettle started as a Swedish payments company and was bought by PayPal, which sold the Zettle Reader 2 as its main card reader for years. The Reader 2 is a compact Bluetooth device with physical PIN keys and a small 32 by 128 pixel display, measuring about 11 by 7 by 2 cm and weighing around 130 grams. PayPal still lists this type of reader in some markets, such as the UK.
The PayPal Reader keeps the same concept, a small reader that pairs with the point of sale app on your phone or tablet, but adds a colour touchscreen, USB-C as a wired connection option and a redesigned dock. Existing Zettle merchants keep using the same account and app, now under the PayPal Point of Sale name.
Design, dock and connectivity
The PayPal Reader has a slim design with an easy-to-clean, UV fade-resistant plastic housing in black or white. A USB-C cable and power adapter are included. The optional dock uses a magnetic mount, can stand on the counter or be fixed to a wall, and has built-in cable management.
The reader connects to your phone or tablet over Bluetooth 5.1 or via USB-C, which PayPal describes as its most reliable connection. The reader itself has no SIM card, so the paired device needs Wi-Fi or mobile data for payments to go through.
Payment methods and speed
The reader accepts contactless cards, chip and PIN, and digital wallets. PayPal lists Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, Discover and Diners Club, plus Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. girocard does not appear on the German list, which is a real drawback in a country where many shoppers still use their bank card, although many girocards are co-badged with Maestro, V Pay or Debit Mastercard.
PayPal quotes about two seconds to power on, around five seconds for a contactless payment and under ten seconds for chip and PIN.
Battery life
In power-saving mode, PayPal says the reader lasts more than nine hours or handles more than 250 transactions on a charge, the same figures it quoted for the Zettle Reader 2, which recharged fully in one to two hours. That is enough for a typical market day or shop shift, and the dock keeps the reader topped up at a counter.
Fees, app and payouts
PayPal keeps pricing simple. The PayPal Point of Sale app is free, there is no monthly fee or contract, and one percentage rate applies to every card, including American Express. The reader is budget-priced, with an introductory offer for new business customers. Delivery usually takes one to two working days.
Money from card sales arrives in your PayPal balance, usually within minutes. From there you can spend it, pay suppliers, schedule free transfers to your bank account or use the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard, which offers cashback on purchases. The reader can also be integrated with other point of sale apps.
- Sign up for a PayPal business account
- Buy the reader, optionally with the dock
- Download the PayPal Point of Sale app from the App Store or Google Play
- Pair the reader with your phone or tablet and start selling
PayPal Reader vs SumUp Solo
The SumUp Solo is a standalone terminal with its own 4G SIM and accepts girocard, so it suits businesses that want a device independent of staff phones and that serve many German bank card users. The PayPal Reader is cheaper to start with, has a single rate for all cards and puts money into PayPal within minutes, which appeals to sellers who already run their online business through PayPal.
Who should buy the PayPal Reader?
The reader is a good fit for small shops, craft sellers, cafés and service providers who already use PayPal, always have a phone or tablet at the checkout and want to avoid monthly costs. Businesses that rely heavily on girocard, need a standalone terminal with its own data connection or want built-in receipt printing should compare it with SumUp Solo or a full POS terminal.
Key specs
- Connection
- Bluetooth 5.1 or USB-C to a phone or tablet
- Compatibility
- iOS 14 or later, Android 8.1 or later
- Battery
- Over 9 hours or 250+ transactions in power-saving mode
- Speed
- Starts in 2 s; contactless in about 5 s; chip and PIN in under 10 s
- Payments
- Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, V Pay, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Discover, Diners Club, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
- Security
- Tamper-resistant design, encrypted card data, PCI DSS compliant
- Colours
- Black, white
- Warranty
- 12 months
Alternatives to consider
- SumUp Solo: A standalone terminal with a built-in 4G SIM and girocard support.
- SumUp Solo Lite: A similarly budget-friendly phone-connected reader from SumUp.
- Revolut Terminal: A portable POS terminal with a built-in printer and eSIM for Revolut Business customers.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Zettle Reader 2 still available?
+
In Germany, PayPal now sells the PayPal Reader as its card reader, succeeding the Zettle Reader 2, and Zettle by PayPal is being renamed PayPal Point of Sale. The earlier reader type is still listed in some other markets, such as the UK.
What is the difference between Zettle Reader 2 and the PayPal Reader?
+
The PayPal Reader adds a colour touchscreen, which makes tipping easier, and can connect via USB-C as well as Bluetooth. It also comes with a redesigned magnetic dock that can be wall-mounted.
Does the PayPal Reader have a monthly fee?
+
No. There is no monthly fee or contract. You pay one percentage fee per transaction, the same for all accepted cards including American Express.
Does the Zettle or PayPal Reader accept girocard?
+
girocard is not included in PayPal's list of accepted payment methods for the reader in Germany. Many German bank cards also carry Maestro, V Pay or Debit Mastercard, which the reader does accept.
How long does the PayPal Reader battery last?
+
PayPal says it lasts more than nine hours or over 250 transactions per charge in power-saving mode. A USB-C cable and adapter are included, and the optional dock charges it at the counter.
Do I need a phone to use the PayPal Reader?
+
Yes. The reader pairs with the PayPal Point of Sale app on an iPhone or iPad with iOS 14 or later, or an Android device with Android 8.1 or later, and needs an internet connection through that device.
How fast do I get my money?
+
Card payments arrive in your PayPal balance, usually within minutes of a sale. You can then transfer the money to your bank account or spend it with the PayPal Business Debit Mastercard.
If you were looking for a Zettle Reader 2 review, the key news for 2026 is that PayPal has moved on to the PayPal Reader. It keeps what made the Reader 2 popular, a small, budget-friendly device with no monthly fee, one rate for all cards and fast access to money in PayPal, and adds a touchscreen, USB-C and a smarter dock. The missing girocard listing and the need for a paired phone are the main limits in Germany. For PayPal-based small businesses with a phone at the counter, it remains an easy recommendation.
How we research: Reviews are based on the maker’s specifications, published independent tests and owner reports. Scores compare the product with others in its class.
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