The Ultimate Commercial Coffee Machine Buying Guide

Nothing compares to that coffee shop feeling, enjoying the rich aroma of freshly ground beans, and that first sip of expertly brewed coffee. Now, imagine bringing that experience into your workplace with a premium commercial coffee machine.

Investing in a high-quality coffee machine is proven to not only enhance productivity and employee well-being but also elevate your workspace with a professional, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you run a bustling office, hotel, restaurant, or healthcare facility, choosing the right coffee machine is essential to delivering exceptional coffee experiences.

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of coffee, water and vending solutions, we have put together a comprehensive guide to buying the right commercial coffee machine for you. We will help you navigate the options available so you can select the best coffee machine to match your business needs, ensuring quality, efficiency, and reliability in every use.

Features to Consider When Buying a Commercial Coffee Machine

With a wide range of leading makes, models and styles it can be difficult to know where to start when deciding on the best coffee maker for you.  From improving well-being to enriching your space with a premium feel, your chosen machine needs to be well-suited to your space, and able to meet the demands of your team, customers or guests.

There are several key factors to consider to ensure your chosen commercial coffee machine meets your business’s specific needs:

Brewing Capacity and Durability

Consider how many cups the machine needs to produce per day. To avoid falling short of your staff and customers’ daily caffeine needs, it’s important to select a machine with the brewing capacity. Whilst small teams may manage with a single-serve coffee maker that delivers great-tasting refreshments and minimises waste, those working in bustling offices or larger commercial spaces will require a machine with a large brewing capacity.

Those in workspaces exceeding 50 employees will need a machine capable of producing a high volume of drinks. Models suited to these kinds of commercial spaces would include larger bean-to-cup or instant coffee machines. These machines often come equipped with advanced milk-foaming features, touchless technology, and a wide selection of customisable beverages.

Additionally, assessing the durability of a machine and its build quality is essential to selecting the right machine and ensuring its long life during high-demand periods. Considering factors like this ensures your investment continues to produce flavourful coffee for years to come.

Ease of Use and Maintenance

Choosing a coffee machine that is intuitive and low maintenance is essential for busy commercial locations. A user-friendly machine ensures that employees, guests, or staff can enjoy high-quality coffee without the need for extensive training or barista skills.

Bean to cup coffee machines are particularly popular due to their ability to produce barista-style coffee in seconds. These machines are designed with automation in mind, streamlining both the brewing and cleaning process for maximum efficiency for all.

Look for key features such as:

• Automated Cleaning & Descaling: Many machines come with guided regular cleaning cycles that prompt users through the process, reducing downtime and maintaining hygiene standards.
• Removable & Dishwasher-Safe Components: Drip trays, milk frothers, and brew units that can be easily detached and cleaned help to keep the machine in top condition with minimal effort.
• Accessible Bean Hoppers & Water Reservoirs: Machines designed for quick refills prevent unnecessary interruptions, keeping up with high demand effortlessly.
• Intuitive Touchscreens: A simple interface allows users to select their preferred drink quickly, making the machine suitable for self-service environments with little to no training required for use.

Customisation and Speciality Brews

A high-quality commercial coffee machine should not only deliver great-tasting coffee but also cater to the unique preferences of employees, customers, or guests. The ability to customise both the machine’s functionality and the beverages it serves ensures a tailored coffee experience that aligns with your needs. Many modern machines come equipped with advanced personalisation features, allowing businesses to perfect the user experience. Whether it’s a fully branded touchscreen interface, contactless payment options, or a comprehensive menu of speciality drinks, these features help create a seamless and enjoyable coffee experience.

High-tech models such as the Schaerer Coffee Club or the Schaerer Coffee Soul 12 go a step further with their offerings. Including options for users to download an app to place their go-to order and a personalised touchscreen interface with company logos, custom drink menus, and aesthetic elements that align with office branding. This not only enhances convenience but also reduces wait times, ideal for fast-paced office environments.

In addition, many machines like these now feature touchless technology and contactless payment options, allowing users to select and customise their drinks via mobile apps or QR code scanning, promoting hygiene and efficiency.

Beyond standard espresso-based drinks, most machines need to be capable of producing a variety of speciality beverages to cater to diverse tastes. Options such as alternative milk, chai lattes, flavoured syrups, and iced coffee settings offer a café-style experience, making workplaces and hospitality settings more appealing.

Cost Considerations

From single-serve pod machines to premium models, the price of a professional coffee machine will vary. Due to their high specification and brewing capacities, commercial coffee machines are often more expensive than domestic ones, but with that extra cost comes a higher capacity and improved performance. They can, however, save your business time and money in the long run. Many modern machines feature energy-saving functionality that puts them into standby mode when out of use, reducing unnecessary power consumption and lowering operational costs.

Beyond the initial investment, businesses should also consider ongoing expenses such as maintenance, servicing, and the cost of coffee beans or consumables. Opting for a high-quality, durable machine may require a larger upfront spend but can prevent frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. Commercial coffee machine rentals and leasing options are also available for businesses looking to manage cash flow while still benefiting from a premium coffee solution.

Brand Reputation, Reviews and Support

When in the market for a commercial coffee machine, it is important to research the appliance and the business you are considering purchasing from. Opting for a reputable brand will guarantee you quality customer service, and on-hand support with expert knowledge.

It’s important to source the machine from a trusted business, who have an advanced technical understanding and a reliable maintenance service. This will ensure your machine continues to operate to its full potential, reducing downtime and producing great-tasting coffee for all staff to enjoy.

Some of the things to consider when selecting a supplier:

• Brand Reputation
• Customer Reviews
• Technical Support
• Maintenance Services
• Warranty and Guarantees

Understanding Your Business’s Coffee Needs

With all of the above in mind, it is also important to understand that different industries have different coffee needs. The best coffee machine for a small office won’t also be suitable for a high-traffic café or a busy hotel. When selecting a machine, factors such as capacity, ease of use, and the variety of beverages offered should be carefully matched to your industry requirements.

Hotels & Hospitality

Hotels cater to a diverse range of guests, each with different coffee preferences. From early risers looking for a quick cup before meetings to leisure guests enjoying a relaxed breakfast, a hotel coffee solution needs to be both high-quality and highly efficient.

For large hotels, a combination of coffee solutions is ideal. Bean-to-cup machines are great for breakfast areas and self-service stations offering users a hassle-free experience, while traditional espresso machines in restaurants and bars provide a coffee shop experience for your guests without the need to leave your site.

Key features to look for:

• Speed & Efficiency: High-capacity machines to handle peak breakfast hours and conference events.
• Self-Service Options: User-friendly, automated machines for guest convenience.
• Premium Quality: Machines that can deliver consistently excellent coffee, enhancing the hotel’s reputation.
• Adaptability: The ability to serve different coffee strengths and milk options to cater to diverse tastes, making each guest feel welcome and special.

A hotel’s coffee offering is a key part of its hospitality experience. Investing in a high-quality coffee solution can boost guest satisfaction, improve online reviews, and encourage repeat business.

Cafés & Restaurants

In the food and beverage industry, coffee quality will set the tone for a customer’s experience with your business. Whether running a speciality coffee shop or a busy restaurant, consistency and speed are critical. This is why a traditional espresso machine is often the ideal choice for cafés and restaurants with trained baristas who can craft high-quality coffee beverages.

However, high-output bean to cup machines can support quick service environments where efficiency is a priority.

Important factors for coffee solutions in cafés and restaurants:

• Quality Control: Machines that allow baristas to control temperature, extraction time, and milk texture for a perfect cup.
• Speed and Durability: Heavy-duty machines built to withstand high-demand settings allow for fast service, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Customisation: Options for plant-based milk, flavoured syrups, and speciality drinks to meet modern consumer preferences.

For businesses looking to maintain high coffee standards while increasing overall efficiency, selecting the right coffee maker is a crucial decision that directly impacts customer satisfaction and revenue.

Healthcare & Education

Hospitals, care homes, and universities require reliable, high-capacity coffee solutions that are easy to operate and maintain. Staff members, patients, and students all benefit from convenient access to quality beverages, whether in break areas, cafeterias, or vending stations.

Bean-to-cup machines and instant coffee machines are popular in these settings due to their efficiency and ease of use.

Key considerations for healthcare and education coffee solutions:

• Hygiene & Safety: Touchless or easy-clean machines are essential in healthcare environments.
• Capacity: Machines in these environments should be able to handle high foot traffic without the need for frequent refilling.
• Simplicity: Self-service and one-touch brewing options make coffee accessible to all users, enabling slightly more freedom for people living in assisted living homes for example.
• Cost Efficiency: Reliable machines with low maintenance requirements reduce operational costs.

Why Investing in a Quality Coffee Machine Matters

Providing high-quality, consistent coffee in commercial settings has many benefits, from boosting staff productivity to improving customer experiences and providing an extra wow factor.

Coffee can improve concentration, creativity, and problem-solving skills, driving workplace efficiency and encouraging collaboration. Whether you’re a hotel, café or office, offering great-tasting coffee leaves a lasting impression on clients, guests and staff.

Fuel Your Business with Liquidline

At Liquidline, we provide a range of commercial coffee solutions tailored to meet the size and needs of your business. Our expert team of in-house professionals work closely with clients to understand their specific requirements, guiding them through the process and recommending the machine best suited to their space. Whether looking to purchase, rent, or lease a machine, we offer a seamless, hassle-free experience with comprehensive support and a variety of maintenance packages.

Our commitment means you can trust us to deliver premium coffee solutions that enhance your workspace and delight all users. Contact our team today to find the perfect commercial coffee machine for your business.

Unsure where to start? You can also try our Machine Finder Tool, crafted by our coffee experts to help you decide which machine is the best fit for you.