When you’re on the hunt for a vending machine, there are plenty of options to choose from including different types of refreshments that can go into the machines, the cost of a vending machine and different features to suit the needs that you have.
At Vending Sense, our UK-based, friendly team of refreshment experts can help recommend the best vending machines for your needs based on your individual requirements. Whether you’re looking to buy a machine outright, take out a lease, or rent a second-hand option on a loan or long-term hire basis, we’ll help create a plan that’s right for you. You can start by taking a look through our range of vending machines for hire or lease rental here.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the different types of vending machines, factors that affect the cost including a pricing breakdown, additional expenses to consider and cover handy advice for purchasing a vending machine. Read on to be fully equipped to make the right decision.
The different types of vending machines
Vending machines can come in several types, to cater for the needs of the business. The different types of vending machines include snack vending machines, cold drinks vending machines, a combination of both options, as well as hot drink coffee vending machines.
Snack vending machines
Snack vending machines are designed to provide easy access to confectionery, and to be able to purchase items such as sweets, chocolates, breakfast bars, crisps and more. With the vending machines that we offer here at Vending Sense, you have the flexibility to offer popular brands such as Cadbury, McCoy’s, Walkers, Nestle and more, simply by ordering your products supply directly with us.
Cold drinks vending machines
A cold drinks vending machine dispenses a range of both canned and bottled soft drinks to quench your thirst. Offer a variety of options including water bottles, fizzy drinks, milkshake bottles, protein shakes and more.
Combination snack and drink vending machines
For those, seeking the best of both worlds, there are also snack and drinks vending machines that offer all refreshments in one machine. Stock a combination of both snacks and soft drinks for a larger variety of choices.
Coffee vending machines
Additionally, coffee vending machines are ideal for workspaces looking for a convenient hot beverage solution. These machines have a diverse selection of coffees at the ease of clicking a button and can be either freestanding or sitting on a countertop.
Now, let’s take you through the investment side of things. We won’t sugarcoat it (pun intended), vending machines can tend to be costly upfront. But here’s the sweet deal: you’ll get constant access to snacks and drinks with the ability to fuel your team and have an extra revenue stream for the business. Moving on to the costs that come with owning a vending machine…
The cost of a vending machine: different factors that can affect the price
If you’ve done a bit of research into the costs, you’re probably wondering why vending machines seem so expensive. With most appliances, there are different factors that can affect the price of the machine. The average cost incorporates the brand of vending machine you choose, the size, technology features, plus servicing and maintenance costs.
The brand of vending machine you choose
If you’ve done a bit of research into the costs, you’re probably wondering why vending machines seem so expensive. With most appliances, there are different factors that can affect the price of the machine. The average cost incorporates the brand of vending machine you choose, the size, technology features, plus servicing and maintenance costs.
The size of your vending machine matters
The size of your vending machine also plays a part in the cost as some can stock more products than others and come in dimension options. Whilst cater to both, they tend to be smaller in size than singular drinks or snack vending machines, and therefore are the more affordable option.
Consider the technology features you may need
Vending machines also have different types of technology features for you to consider, that play a part in the cost of the machine. Vending machine technology features cover:
- Payment options such as card readers, cashless, cash or coin payments
- Digital screen displays allowing you to apply digital promotions, multiple product selections and allergen and nutritional information
- with easy-to-use functionalities similar to digital screen displays
- Remote management giving the ability to manage your vending machine via an app to make price changes, planograms and apply nutritional information to your products
How much are vending machines?
The cost of a vending machine can vary depending on the type of machine you opt for. Ultimately, vending machine hire prices in the UK are influenced by factors such as the machine’s complexity, capacity, technology, and the specific products it can dispense. Let’s take you through the starting price points of each type of vending machine.
By opting for a vending machine solution with Vending Sense, we offer different commercial buying options from leasing brand new, renting second hand or buying them outright. Our renting and leasing packages cover 3 to 5 year term agreements.
Snack only or cold drink only vending machines
Cost: £27 -£39 per week
Buying options: Lease, rent or buy
Capacity: 280 – 564 products per machine
Types available:
- Touch screen displays (optional)
- Digital displays
- Contactless card payment options (optional)
- Energy efficiency
When choosing a snack vending machine or a cold drinks vending machine that offers only one dispensing option, can vary in price dependant on the vending provider you choose. However, at Vending Sense we lease brand new vending machines starting from £37 – £39 per week onwards. Renting a vending machine with us can also vary in price with the tendency to be the more affordable option with second hand options starting from £27 per week.
Combination vending machines (both snacks and drinks)
Cost: £25 – £35 per week
Buying options: Lease, rent or buy
Capacity: 280 – 500 products per machine
Types available:
- Touch screen displays (optional)
- Digital displays
- Contactless card payment options (optional)
- Energy efficiency
When you opt for a combination of both a snack and cold drinks vending machine, the lease price for a brand new machine can start from £35 per week. Whilst renting a second-hand option can start from £25 per week. Opting for a combination snack and drinks vending machine is great as you get the best of both worlds, whilst paying less than a snack only or a drinks only vending machine. The difference in cost is purely due to the size of combination vending machines tending to be smaller in dimensions and the amount of products they can stock.
Bean to cup coffee vending machines
Cost: £22 – £38 per week
Buying options: Lease or buy
Capacity: 250 – 650 cups per machine
Types available:
- Touch screen displays (optional)
- Digital displays
- Contactless card payment options (optional)
- Energy efficiency
Leasing a coffee vending machine can start from £22 per week for a countertop bean to cup machine, whilst leasing a free-standing coffee vending machine can start from £38 per week. Here at Vending Sense, we also offer a free, on loan coffee vending machine called The Bean Box! which allows you to have the flexibility of no upfront or service and maintenance costs, where Vending Sense simply take a fee for each cup of coffee you sell.
Plus, with the fully managed vending solution that we provide, Vending Sense keep your refreshments stocked up at all times with regular onsite visits. With managed maintenance and callouts included in your lease agreement, you’ll have the confidence knowing your machine will always be up and running at all times by a team that’s rated Excellent for customer satisfaction.
Buying a vending machine
Buying a vending machine outright can be a great way to save on the overall costs by paying everything upfront. Whilst there is often a large lump sum to pay in the beginning, you will own your vending machine straight away. To find out how much it costs to buy a vending machine for your business outright, contact our friendly team here at Vending Sense who can recommend to best buying options per machine and specification.
Additional costs to consider when purchasing a vending machine
Keeping our machine stocked up
The more obvious additional costs that come with having a vending machine, are the products to keep it stocked up. Whether it’s regular soft drink orders, your business’ favourite snacks or fresh food, you’ll need regular orders to keep your vending machine stocked up. Here at Vending Sense, we also offer an alongside your machine for product supply, whether it be monthly subscription orders or one-off refills, our team can keep your machine up and running at all times. With our fully managed service, our team will head over to your site as often as you need to restock and maintain your vending machine.
Maintenance fees
While leased vending machines are brand new, another cost to consider are the maintenance costs should anything go wrong. Some vending suppliers charge for both call outs and parts, whilst others (including us) offer maintenance within your package. Plus, any additional parts that need ordering to fix your machine may also be an additional cost to factor in.
Vending Sense solutions
Whether you’re placing your vending machine in an office, warehouse or waiting room, you may want to make sure the vending machine suits the surrounding area. Here at Vending Sense, we offer a bespoke service to provide housing units that are branded to your company marketing guidelines, or to suit the environment the vending machine is being placed in. Simply talk to who can take you through our vending furniture services.
Ultimately, the type of vending machine you go for, and its purchasing options will depend on your personal requirements, and which aspects of the points above are most applicable to you and your business. To summarise to costs, smaller businesses with the least requirements may expect the cost of their vending machine to be from £25 per week . Whilst medium-large sized businesses who need a fully managed service, with all the bells and whistles can expect to spend a minimum of £39 per week.