What is a smart card reader?
Smart card readers are used with smart cards which are a type of plastic technology card with a built-in chip used for 
electronic processes including personal identification, access control, authentication, and financial transactions. Smart card readers obtain or “read” this type of data. These easy-to-install devices read the data that is stored on contact or contactless 13.56 MHz smart cards.
What are the most common uses for smart card readers?
Smart card readers are available in either contact, contactless, or a combination of contact and contactless models.
Contact smart card readers require that the card is manually inserted into the reader by the user. This application is most commonly used for applications that require more security, like government IDs, e-commerce transactions, campus IDs, network security, vending, meal plans, loyalty, electronic cash, and health care cards, to name just a few.
Contactless smart card readers operate with a radio frequency that communicates when the card comes close to the reader. The card does not physically have to be put onto or into the actual reader. Contactless card readers offer the added convenience and speed of not having to insert the card into a reader. The most common applications for contactless card readers include door and facility access, electronic passports, parking, vending, and tollbooth fares.
What’s the best smart card reader to buy?
The type of smart card reader you purchase should be based on the card reader's compatibility with the contact or contactless smart card that is used at your organization or facility.
What is a smart card reader?
Smart card readers are used with smart cards which are a type of plastic technology card with a built-in chip used for electronic processes including personal identification, access control, authentication, and financial transactions. Smart card readers obtain or “read” this type of data. These easy-to-install devices read the data that is stored on contact or contactless 13.56 MHz smart cards.
What are the most common uses for smart card readers? Smart card readers are available in either contact, contactless, or a combination of contact and contactless models. Contact smart card readers require that the card is manually inserted into the reader by the user. This application is most commonly used for applications that require more security, like government IDs, e-commerce transactions, campus IDs, network security, vending, meal plans, loyalty, electronic cash, and health care cards, to name just a few. Contactless smart card readers operate with a radio frequency that communicates when the card comes close to the reader. The card does not physically have to be put onto or into the actual reader.
Contactless card readers offer the added convenience and speed of not having to insert the card into a reader. The most common applications for contactless card readers include door and facility access, electronic passports, parking, vending, and tollbooth fares.
What’s the best smart card reader to buy?
The type of smart card reader you purchase should be based on the card reader's compatibility with the contact or contactless smart card that is used at your organization or facility.