NFC and Contactless Smart Card Readers
Hold a card or NFC tag near the reader, and your software can read it.
BSD Infotech supplies ACS contactless and NFC smart card readers in India: the ACR1552U, ACR1252U, ACR1255U-J1 and ACR1222L, and dual-interface readers that also read contact cards. They work at 13.56 MHz with ISO 14443 cards, MIFARE and NFC tags, and connect to your computer or device for use with your own software.
Talk to BSD Infotech
Tell us which cards or tags you use and how many readers you need. We will suggest a model that reads them and quote for your quantity.
Which NFC Reader Should I Choose?
| Your requirement | Reader | BSD price |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday USB NFC reader for MIFARE, DESFire and NFC tags | ACR1252U | ₹3,700 + GST |
| New project needing ISO 15693 cards, a built-in SAM slot or longer range (up to 70 mm) | ACR1552U | ₹5,500 + GST |
| Existing software written for the ACR122U | ACR122U (end of life at ACS, in regular supply at BSD) | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Bluetooth, for tablets, phones and portable use | ACR1255U-J1 | ₹8,400 + GST |
| Contact and contactless cards in one reader | ACR1281U-C1 or ACR1581U | ₹3,900 / ₹6,000 + GST |
| Messages to the card holder on a display | ACR1222L (LCD) | On request |
Prices per piece, GST extra. Not sure? Compare ACR122U vs ACR1552U, or send us your card type and quantity.
What Is a Contactless Smart Card Reader?
The card has a chip and an antenna inside it, with no visible contacts. The reader’s radio field powers the chip when the card comes close — a few centimetres, depending on the reader and card — and the two exchange data. That is why contactless readers suit tap-to-use applications such as entry, payment and ticketing.
Contactless, NFC and RFID: What’s the Difference?
Contactless (13.56 MHz)
Smart cards read by radio at 13.56 MHz, mainly ISO 14443 Type A and B cards such as MIFARE. Some readers also support ISO 15693 and FeliCa cards.
NFC
A short-range form of 13.56 MHz communication (ISO/IEC 18092) used by NFC tags and phones. NFC readers such as the ACR1252U and ACR1552U read NFC tags as well as contactless cards.
RFID
The wider family of radio identification. Contactless and NFC readers are high-frequency (HF) RFID. Long-range tracking uses UHF RFID, which is a different reader type — see UHF RFID readers.
Current Contactless and NFC Readers
Current ACS contactless readers. Prices are BSD Infotech prices per piece, plus GST.
ACR1552U
USB NFC Reader IV for ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693, MIFARE, FeliCa and NFC tags, with a SAM slot and a read range of up to 7 cm. PC/SC and CCID compliant.
₹5,500 + GST
ACR1252U
NFC Forum certified USB NFC reader for ISO 14443 A/B, MIFARE, FeliCa and NFC tags, with a SAM slot and a reading distance of up to 50 mm. PC/SC and CCID compliant.
₹3,700 + GST
ACR1255U-J1
Bluetooth and USB NFC reader for portable and on-the-go use, supporting ISO 14443 A/B, MIFARE and FeliCa cards. Confirm PC/SC and operating-system support for your application.
₹8,400 + GST
ACR1222L
VisualVantage USB NFC reader with an LCD, for ISO 14443 A/B, MIFARE, FeliCa and NFC tags, with SAM slots and a reading distance of up to 50 mm. PC/SC and CCID compliant.
Price on request
Compare Contactless Readers
| Reader | Interface | ISO 14443 / MIFARE | FeliCa | ISO 15693 | NFC tags | Read range | SAM | PC/SC | BSD price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACR1552U | USB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Up to 7 cm | Yes | Yes | ₹5,500 + GST |
| ACR1252U | USB | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Up to 50 mm | Yes | Yes | ₹3,700 + GST |
| ACR1255U-J1 | Bluetooth + USB | Yes | Yes | Confirm | — | — | Confirm | Confirm | ₹8,400 + GST |
| ACR1222L | USB, LCD | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Up to 50 mm | Yes | Yes | On request |
| ACR1281U-C1 (dual) | USB | Yes | — | — | — | Up to 50 mm | Yes | Yes | ₹3,900 + GST |
| ACR1581U (dual) | USB | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Up to 70 mm | Yes | Yes | ₹6,000 + GST |
From ACS documentation as published on each product page. “—” means not stated there; “Confirm” means BSD Infotech has not yet published it for that model. Read range depends on the card or tag.
Dual-Interface Readers (Contact + Contactless)
One reader with a contact card slot and a contactless antenna, for applications that use both kinds of card.
ACR1281U-C1
USB dual-interface reader for ISO 7816 contact cards and ISO 14443 A/B / MIFARE contactless cards, with a SAM slot. PC/SC and CCID compliant.
₹3,900 + GST
ACR1581U
Third-generation DualBoost reader for contact cards and ISO 14443, ISO 15693, MIFARE and FeliCa contactless cards, with a SAM slot and a reading distance of up to 70 mm.
₹6,000 + GST
ACR1281S-C1
Serial-interface dual-interface reader for contact and contactless cards, with a SAM slot. A separate product from the USB ACR1281U-C1, for serial installations.
Price on request
For contact-only USB readers, see PC-linked smart card readers.
Limited-Availability and Legacy Readers
ACS lists these readers as end of life. Some are still supplied by BSD Infotech from available stock. Where ACS has not named a replacement, we do not invent one.
| Reader | Type | Status | BSD price / current option |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACR122U | USB NFC reader | ACS end of life; in regular supply at BSD | ₹3,000 + GST. ACS recommends the ACR1552U for new deployments — see ACR122U vs ACR1552U |
| ACR1251 | USB NFC reader | ACS end of life; BSD subject to availability | ₹6,700 + GST |
| ACR1281U-C8 | USB contactless reader (ISO 14443 A/B, MIFARE) | ACS end of life; BSD subject to availability | ₹3,500 + GST, freight additional. Not the same product as the dual-interface ACR1281U-C1. |
| ACR120 | USB contactless reader | End of life | ACS names the ACR1281U-C8 as its newer version |
| ACR128 DualBoost | Dual-interface reader | End of life | ACS describes the ACR1281U-C1 and ACR1581U as its later generations |
| ACM120S-SM | Contactless module (13.56 MHz, ISO 14443 A, LED, buzzer, relay) | End of life; no longer available from BSD Infotech | Not named by ACS — ask BSD Infotech about a current reader |
| ACR122L | Serial NFC reader with LCD | End of life | Related current ACS model: ACR1222L — confirm suitability |
| ACR122S, ACR122T, ACR123, ACR1283L, ACR1222U-J4, ACR1281U nPA | Various contactless readers | End of life | Not named by ACS — ask BSD Infotech |
Where Contactless Readers Are Used
Applications listed for these readers in ACS product information include:
BSD Infotech also builds card-based systems: see cashless solutions and NFC-based access security.
NFC & Smart Card Applications
With suitable cards, software and, where needed, door or gate hardware, these readers are used in workflows such as:
Developers: see the reader SDK and PC/SC integration guide.
Using a Contactless Reader with Your Software
Connect the reader
Most models connect by USB. The ACR1552U, ACR1252U, ACR1222L, ACR1281U-C1 and ACR1581U are CCID devices; the ACR1255U-J1 also connects by Bluetooth.
Software uses PC/SC
Applications find the reader and talk to the card through PC/SC, the same interface used for contact readers.
Card commands
Commands depend on the card type — for example MIFARE, ISO 14443-4 or NFC tags — so the card’s documentation matters as much as the reader.
Integrating with existing software?
Our smart card and NFC reader SDK page covers PC/SC, ACS SDKs (including the ACR1552U and ACR122U SDKs) and compatibility. BSD Infotech also integrates readers into existing software and writes new applications.
MIFARE DESFire Support
MIFARE DESFire (EV1, EV2, EV3) cards are ISO 14443-4 cards with their own security, keys and on-card applications. Here is how ACS describes support on these readers:
| Reader | What ACS lists |
|---|---|
| ACR1252U | MIFARE DESFire named, with MIFARE Plus and 7-byte UID |
| ACR1581U | MIFARE DESFire named, with MIFARE Plus and 7-byte UID |
| ACR1552U | ISO 14443-4 (T=CL) cards and MIFARE; DESFire is not named separately |
For other readers on this page, ACS does not name DESFire. Ask us before choosing one for a DESFire project.
The reader carries commands between your software and the card. Creating applications and files on the card, managing keys and authenticating are done by the application software, sometimes with a SAM in the reader. BSD Infotech can test your DESFire cards with these readers and can evaluate and undertake DESFire application development for your project, subject to the card, reader, SDK and security requirements. See DESFire application development.
How to Choose a Contactless Reader
Everyday USB NFC
The ACR1252U is NFC Forum certified and has the lowest listed price of the current NFC readers.
Wider card support
For ISO 15693 cards as well as ISO 14443, MIFARE and FeliCa, and a longer listed read range, choose the ACR1552U.
Portable or mobile use
The ACR1255U-J1 connects by Bluetooth as well as USB.
Display at the counter
The ACR1222L has a built-in LCD for messages to the card holder.
Contact and contactless
Choose a dual-interface reader: the ACR1281U-C1, or the ACR1581U for ISO 15693 and FeliCa as well.
Replacing an ACR122U
ACS recommends the ACR1552U as the alternative. Test it with your cards and software first; see ACR122U vs ACR1552U.
Pricing and Bulk Supply
Prices and bulk orders
Listed prices are per piece, plus GST: ACR1252U ₹3,700, ACR1552U ₹5,500, ACR1255U-J1 ₹8,400, ACR1281U-C1 ₹3,900 and ACR1581U ₹6,000. ACR1222L and ACR1281S-C1 pricing is on request. Contact BSD Infotech for bulk, dealer and project pricing, subject to current stock.
Orders ship the same day within Delhi NCR. For other locations across India, delivery typically takes 3 to 5 days depending on the courier service. Shipping begins once full payment is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Contactless or NFC Readers?
Tell us your cards or tags, your application and the quantity. We will recommend a reader and send current pricing.