# Air

import ReaderHero from '@components/content/ReaderHero.astro';

<ReaderHero
  alt="Air card reader"
  src="/img/terminal-payments/readers/air-2x.png"
  srcset="/img/terminal-payments/readers/air-1x.png 1x, /img/terminal-payments/readers/air-2x.png 2x, /img/terminal-payments/readers/air-3x.png 3x"
  width={320}
  height={320}
/>

Air is a Bluetooth reader for merchants who run checkout from a phone, tablet, or POS app.

## Basic Information

| Category | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Device type | App-paired card reader |
| Main connection | Bluetooth to a mobile device or compatible POS device |
| Hardware characteristics | Mobile reader designed for on-the-go use, with battery life advertised for more than 500 transactions on a charge in some markets |
| Accepted payment types | Contactless, chip card payments, Apple Pay, and Google Pay |
| Good fit for | Mobile sellers and existing tablet-based checkouts |

## Integration Compatibility

- [Android SDK](/terminal-payments/sdks/android-sdk/)
- [iOS SDK](/terminal-payments/sdks/ios-sdk/)
- [Payment Switch](/terminal-payments/payment-switch/)

## What to Expect

- Air depends on a paired device for checkout and network access.
- It is better suited to app-led flows than to fully standalone operation.
- Printer connectivity and device compatibility can vary by market and POS setup.