Your POS hardware sits on the counter all day, getting bumped, spilled on, and used constantly. You want something durable. Square's card readers are surprisingly tough, but you'll also need a stand. Lightspeed and Cova offer more robust hardware bundles, often with commercial-grade tablets and cash drawers. Clover's terminals are known for reliability. Shopify POS is flexible but depends on your device.

When choosing, consider warranty and support. A cheap terminal that breaks after six months costs more in downtime than a pricier one that holds up. Look for hardware with at least a one-year warranty.