Best Handheld POS Systems for Restaurants in 2026
S
Samiur
Dec 30, 2025
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The restaurant industry in the UK has shifted dramatically over the last few years. With increasing customer expectations, faster service standards, and a continued push toward mobile ordering and digital payments, restaurants are rethinking how they manage both front- and back-of-house workflows. One major change is the rapid rise of Handheld POS Systems, now becoming a must-have tool for efficient restaurant operations in 2026.
If you're a restaurant operator looking to modernise your service model, a handheld POS system can streamline ordering, reduce errors, and keep customers moving.
This blog breaks down why handheld POS is becoming essential and highlights some of the best systems to consider in 2026.
A handheld POS system is a portable point-of-sale device that lets staff take orders, process payments, and send tickets directly to the kitchen, all from anywhere in the restaurant. Instead of relying on traditional fixed terminals, servers can take orders tableside, cashiers can manage queues faster, and staff can handle high-volume service more efficiently.
Because handheld POS systems sync in real time with your restaurant’s main POS, KDS, or payment processors, they’re now one of the most in-demand technologies for modern UK restaurants.
Tableside ordering eliminates the extra steps servers usually take, such as walking back to a terminal, reentering items, and printing tickets. With Handheld POS Systems, orders are sent directly to the kitchen instantly.
Faster ordering = faster food delivery = more table turns.
This is especially valuable for:
A handheld device removes the need for handwritten notes or verbal relays. Staff tap orders directly into the system, select modifiers, and send them instantly to the KDS.
This means:
Accuracy is one of the top reasons restaurants are switching to a handheld pos system.
Customers appreciate quick service. With handheld POS, servers can:
In fast-casual and quick-service restaurants, a handheld POS system helps streamline in-store traffic and improve the guest experience.
During peak hours, floor staff can manage multiple tables simultaneously because they aren’t running back and forth to a fixed terminal.
Handheld POS devices support:
This leads to better efficiency and less staff burnout.
As UK restaurants move further toward digital experiences, handheld POS makes operations future-ready. Most devices include:
This aligns perfectly with customer expectations in 2026.
Before diving into specific systems, here are the must-have features to look for:
Choosing a handheld pos system for restaurants becomes much easier once you identify these core needs.
System | Best For | Strengths | Considerations |
Foodhub for Business | Full-service, takeaways, fast-casual | Ecosystem integration, real-time sync | Best value inside Foodhub suite |
Square | Small cafes | Simple, affordable | Limited features for complex restaurants |
Toast | Full-service | Strong tableside ordering | Higher costs |
Lightspeed | Multi-location | Reporting & cloud control | More advanced setup |
Clover Flex | Quick-service | Portable, all-in-one | Limited customisation |
Here are the top systems worth considering this year, based on performance, ease of use, and industry relevance.
Designed specifically for restaurants, Foodhub’s handheld POS system integrates seamlessly with their entire ecosystem, EPOS, KDS, online ordering, and customer apps.
Key strengths:
This is an excellent choice if you want a unified system that handles both online and offline service in one place.
Square remains a favourite for smaller operations and cafes due to its simplicity.
Best for: Coffee shops, bakeries, and small restaurants
Highlights:
Very popular across the UK, especially in full-service restaurants.
Highlights:
Cloud-based and great for multi-location brands.
Highlights:
A compact device that acts as both a POS and a payment terminal.
Highlights:
A handheld POS is ideal for:
If speed, accuracy, and consistency matter to your business, handheld POS is a smart investment.
Foodhub’s handheld POS system is built for restaurants that want everything, ordering, payments, online ordering, inventory, KDS, and reporting, in one streamlined ecosystem. It’s fast, reliable, and cost-effective for UK businesses that want to modernise operations without overspending.
Handheld POS Systems are no longer a trend; they’re becoming standard in modern restaurant operations. Whether you run a small cafe or a high-volume full-service restaurant, upgrading to a handheld POS system can dramatically improve order speed, reduce mistakes, and enhance guest experience.
See how Foodhub’s Handheld POS transforms service speed and accuracy by booking a demo today. Start your free trial and speak with our team to find the ideal solution for your restaurant.