MSR X6 Bluetooth Magnetic Swipe Card Reader Writer Encoder - Portable

In this review the MSR X6 Bluetooth Magnetic Swipe Card Reader Writer Encoder is presented as a compact, mobile-ready tool for businesses and technicians who need reliable magnetic stripe read/write capability on the go. The bottom line: it is the only widely available wireless Bluetooth magnetic stripe reader/writer that supports all three tracks and both hi-co and lo-co cards, so its single biggest reason to buy is unmatched mobile flexibility for encoding and reading cards across Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

Key Features

• Bluetooth and USB connectivity: Offers both wireless Bluetooth and wired USB interfaces so it works with mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers without constant reconfiguration.
• Three-track support: Reads, writes and erases Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 data which covers credit cards, gift cards and many ID formats.
• Hi-co and Lo-co compatibility: Accepts a wide coercivity range (approximately 300 to 4000 OE) making it compatible with most modern magnetic stripe card types.
• Cross-platform software support: Free desktop software for Windows and Mac and mobile EasyMSR apps available for Android and iOS provide flexible workflow options for encoding and testing.
• Small, portable form factor: The compact enclosure and included USB cable make it convenient to carry for field service, retail pop-ups or on-site encoding tasks.

Who It's For

This device suits small businesses, event staff, mobile point of sale operators and IT technicians who need to read and encode magnetic stripe cards from tablets, phones or laptops. Its Bluetooth option is particularly valuable when a tethered USB cable is inconvenient or when working with tablets and phones without full USB ports.

It is less suited to users who require built-in proprietary software workflows out of the box; the mobile EasyMSR app is a paid app for Android and iOS (about $19) and some environments will prefer the free desktop tools on Windows and Mac instead.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Truly wireless Bluetooth operation lets technicians encode and test cards from phones and tablets without being tethered.
• Full three-track read/write/erase capability covers a wide range of card types including credit, gift and ID cards.
• Hi-co and Lo-co support ensures compatibility with both older and newer magnetic stripe cards.

Cons

• Mobile EasyMSR app for Android and iOS is a paid app (around $19), which adds to total cost for mobile users.
• Documentation and model variations may be inconsistent; users should confirm included cables and software links before deployment.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The MSR X6 Bluetooth Magnetic Swipe Card Reader Writer Encoder is a practical choice for field technicians and mobile merchants who need flexible three-track encoding and reading with Bluetooth freedom. While the paid mobile app adds a small cost, its cross-platform desktop software, hi-co/lo-co compatibility and compact size make it good value for teams that need reliable, portable magnetic stripe functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it work with phones and tablets?
Yes. The MSR X6 supports Bluetooth for Android and iOS devices and also connects via USB to tablets and computers that accept USB input.

Is software included?
Free software is provided for Windows and Mac; mobile EasyMSR apps for Android and iOS are available but typically cost about $19.

Which card types are supported?
It supports hi-co and lo-co magnetic stripe cards and can read, write and erase Track 1, Track 2 and Track 3 data.