What’s the Best Office Coffee Machine?
Coffee can play a valuable role in the workplace. The right office coffee machine helps create a more welcoming environment, supports everyday routines and gives teams and visitors a simple moment to pause, connect, and recharge.
Whether you need a compact coffee machine for a small office or a scalable solution for a busy workplace, there are options to suit every setup.
Which features should you look for in an office coffee maker?
When choosing an office coffee machine, it helps to focus on more than the coffee itself. The right solution should suit your team, your space, and the way your workplace operates day to day.
Look for a machine that offers:
- High-Quality Coffee: Essential for a satisfying coffee experience.
- Customisation Options: Supports different coffee preferences (e.g., Americanos, espressos).
- Ease of Use: The machine should be user-friendly for all employees.
- Maintenance: Should be easy to clean and maintain.
- Capacity: Must suit the size of your office to meet demand.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Preferably includes features that promote efficient and sustainable operation.
It’s also worth considering the practical details that shape everyday use, such as office size, brewing speed, cleaning requirements, employee preferences, daily footfall, available space, customer support and ongoing service.
For example, some solutions like a NESCAFÉ® commercial coffee machine on a revenue share model can remove the need for upfront investment altogether.
What are the different types of office coffee machines?
1. Bean-to-cup office coffee machines
Bean-to-cup machines grind fresh coffee beans for every drink, delivering a premium, café-style coffee experience. They typically offer a wide menu, including lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and americanos. These machines are ideal for workplaces that prioritise quality and variety. While they may require a higher upfront investment, they deliver a more consistent and professional coffee experience.
2. Soluble coffee machines
Soluble coffee machines are a simple and practical choice for many offices. They are easy to use, quick to serve and often more budget friendly than other formats. That makes them a good fit for workplaces looking for a reliable coffee solution without a complex setup.
While they may offer fewer drink options than bean-to-cup machines, they can still deliver a satisfying cup quickly and efficiently. For offices where convenience, speed, and straightforward maintenance matter most, a soluble machine can be a strong choice.
3. Pod coffee machines
Pod coffee machines are designed for speed and simplicity. They usually offer a clean, compact solution with minimal preparation, making them useful in smaller office spaces or areas where ease of use is a priority.
They can deliver consistent drinks with very little effort, which is helpful in busy environments. However, they may have higher cost per cup and less flexibility than other machine types, so they are often best for offices with more specific coffee needs.
Which commercial coffee solution works best for my office?
Once you’ve decided on the type of office coffee machine you need, the next step is choosing the right commercial setup for your workplace.
There are different ways to bring office coffee into your space, depending on your budget, usage levels and service model. Below, we’ve outlined the main options and what they offer, so you can explore the best fit for your team.
1. Revenue share payment model
A revenue share model allows you to install a premium coffee solution with no upfront cost. Instead of purchasing or renting a machine, the equipment is provided as part of an agreement where revenue is generated through drink sales. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to offer high-quality coffee while creating an additional income stream.
With this model, you benefit from:
- No upfront investment or ongoing costs, while generating new income opportunities
- A fully installed bean-to-cup coffee solution, including a branded NESCAFÉ® unit designed for your space
- Ongoing support from a dedicated coffee specialist to keep everything running smoothly
Machines are designed for ease of use and quick service, delivering popular coffee shop-style drinks in under a minute. The units are also built using 100% recycled materials, supporting more sustainable workplace choices.
Is a revenue share model right for your business?
This type of setup works best if you:
- Have high footfall areas such as receptions, breakout spaces, or shared office environments
- Want to avoid upfront investment while still offering premium coffee
- Are looking to enhance your workplace experience while generating additional revenue
- Need a fully managed solution with minimal day-to-day involvement
Available setup options
Depending on your space, usage, and visibility needs, revenue share solutions can be configured in different ways. Typical options include:
| Setup type | Best suited for | Coffee format | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop unit | Small offices, meeting rooms, staff kitchens | Bean-to-cup | Compact, space-saving solution that fits into existing layouts. Offers a wide range of drinks with simple, cashless payment options. |
| Standard self-serve unit | Reception areas, breakout spaces, shared office environments | Bean-to-cup | Freestanding unit designed for everyday use. Combines a broad drinks menu with integrated storage and easy self-service. |
| Medium self-serve unit | Large offices, co-working spaces, event areas | Bean-to-cup | Higher-capacity setup built for increased demand. Provides strong visibility, added storage, and efficient service during busier periods. |
| Premium self-serve unit | High footfall locations, entrance areas, flagship spaces | Bean-to-cup | High-impact branded unit with illuminated design. Ideal for maximising visibility, encouraging usage, and enhancing workplace experience. |
NESCAFÉ® Self-Serve Coffee Machines Base Furniture Unit
Ideal for the reception area, this NESCAFÉ® Bean to Cup Coffee Machine with Base Furniture Unit stands out with its iconic branding, without taking too much space. This machine gives your employees and clients trust they will receive a high-quality coffee, every time.
Dimensions: W900mm x H1800mm x D700mm
Solution: Bean-to-cup
Serves: Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Americano & more
Furniture:Made from 90% recycled materials
POS: Branded point-of-sale and cups included
Payment system: Included
Power supply: 230V/13 A/50-60Hz/3000W
Water supply: Mains water connection
NESCAFÉ® Machine with Flat Header
Perfect for serving employees and visitors shop-style coffee favourites during larger events, this NESCAFÉ® Machine with Flat Header has a stand-out branded unit.
Dimensions:W900mm x H2150mm x D700mm
Solution: Bean-to-cup
Serves: Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Americano & more
Furniture:Made from 90% recycled materials
POS: Branded point-of-sale and cups included
Payment system: Included
Power supply: 230V/13 A/50-60Hz/3000W
Water supply: Mains water connection
NESCAFÉ® Self-Serve Coffee Machines Full Lightbox Unit
This NESCAFÉ® Self-Serve Coffee Machines Full Lightbox Unit is easy to use and simple to maintain. With a unique furniture unit and lightbox as a standout feature, it’s the ideal solution for your breakout areas.
Dimensions:W900mm x H2065mm x D743mm
Solution: Bean-to-cup
Serves: Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Americano & more
Furniture:Made from 90% recycled materials
POS: Branded point-of-sale and cups included
Payment system: Included
Power supply: 230V/13 A/50-60Hz/3000W
Water supply: Mains water connection
We Proudly Serve Starbucks® Coffee Programme
Nestlé Professional also offer the We Proudly Serve Starbucks® Coffee Programme so your employees can enjoy Starbucks® quality coffee in your workplace. You can choose from Served, Self-Served, Brewed or Single-Serve options and they can choose from everyday favourites or iconic seasonal beverages.
2. Renting an office coffee machine
Renting an office coffee machine gives you access to a professional coffee solution without the need for a large upfront investment. Instead, you pay a predictable monthly fee, making it easier to manage costs while still delivering a high-quality coffee experience for your team and visitors.
This model offers a practical balance between cost control and flexibility, allowing you to choose a solution that suits your workplace needs without long-term capital commitment.
With a rental model, you benefit from:
- Predictable monthly costs that are easy to budget
- Access to reliable, high-quality equipment without ownership responsibility
- Ongoing support and servicing, helping to minimise disruption
- Flexibility to match your machine to your office size and usage
Is renting right for your business?
Renting is a strong option if you:
- Prefer fixed monthly costs over variable or usage-based models
- Want a simple, fully supported solution with minimal admin
- Have consistent daily demand rather than high customer footfall
- Need flexibility to scale or upgrade as your business changes
Available machine options
Depending on your office size, coffee preferences, and usage levels, rental machines are available in different formats:
| Machine type | Best suited for | Coffee format | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen soluble machine | Busy offices, high-demand environments | Soluble | Fast, efficient coffee service with minimal maintenance. Ideal for teams that prioritise speed, ease of use, and consistent results throughout the day. |
| Bean-to-cup machine | Small to medium offices, quality-focused workplaces | Bean-to-cup | Freshly brewed, café-style drinks with simple touchscreen operation. Offers a more premium coffee experience while remaining easy to manage day to day. |
Why should I choose a Nestlé Professional® office coffee machine?
Deep industry knowledge to enhance the coffee experience in cafés, offices, and hospitality venues.
Comprehensive offerings for all business sizes, featuring NESCAFÉ, We Proudly Serve Starbucks Coffee Programme, and Seattle's Best Coffee.
State-of-the-art coffee machines and accessories with strong operational and maintenance support.
Exceptional training, live telemetry, and engaging materials for a seamless coffee journey.
Nestlé Professional offers a range of office coffee solutions designed for different workplace sizes, layouts, and usage levels. From compact countertop machines to fully branded self-serve units, our solutions combine quality, consistency, and ease of use.
Create a coffee experience your team and visitors will value every day.
Ready to upgrade your workplace coffee? Find the right coffee solution for your workplace and get in touch today!
FAQs about office coffee machines
- Coffee Facts, British Coffee Association, 2020
- The History of Coffee, National Coffee Association USA
- The History of Coffee, National Coffee Association USA
- The Future of Coffee: 2019, Mintel
- The Future of Coffee: 2019, Mintel
- The Future of Coffee: 2019, Mintel
- The Future of Coffee: 2019, Mintel
- The Growing Acceptance of Veganism, Forbes, 2018