Many people rely on the perfect cup of freshly brewed coffee to start their day or get through the dreaded mid-afternoon slump. This dedication and passion for high-quality coffee beverages make choosing the ideal coffee machine for your office setup an important decision to get right.
Once you have established exactly what your coffee needs are and how much money you are willing to invest in the perfect model, selecting the best-suited office coffee machines for your company can quickly become an easy and stress-free process, providing your workforce with a familiar home comfort every day.
Machine types
When purchasing the perfect coffee machine, there are a variety of options from which to choose, suitable for different office needs and preferences. The specific type of machine you choose will largely depend on your coffee needs, workforce and budget.
Espresso
Espresso makers are versatile machines used to create espresso shots or espresso-based coffee drinks. They work by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans, typically under high pressure. This liquid is then released into a cup under the spout.
The type of espresso machine you purchase largely dictates how it works. There are four main types of options to select from: manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic. Semi-automatic is the most commonly used form in both home and corporate settings, allowing the user to stop and start the brewing process with a button or switch.
However, many semi-automatic machines require additional equipment and more time to operate properly, which may not fit into your office budget and time schedule. In this case, a super-automatic machine will be the best option. The fully automated brewing system requires you to drop in whole beans, and with one push of a button will grind, dose, tamp, and brew your drink.
Single cup
Single-cup machines are popular additions to office settings due to their ease of use and exceptional convenience. With just a push of a button, you can enjoy a flavourful cup of coffee without measuring grounds or cleaning messy filters.
These machines traditionally use pods or capsules, making it easy to switch between different roasts and flavours, as needed. With so many big brands now offering recyclable pod options, it remains an environmentally friendly option. For larger office spaces, this may prove to be a time-consuming option, considering its single-serve capacity, but it does require less clean-up compared to coffee pots, combination makers, or high-volume brewers.
Coffee pots
Coffee pots are very common choices for any office that requires large volumes of coffee to be made at once. Coffee is brewed into a pot that keeps the liquid hot for an extended period of time, ideal for busy working environments.
The biggest advantage of coffee pots is their capacity, often holding up to 12 cups of coffee. They are also relatively low maintenance compared to other machine types, providing a steady supply of drip-style coffee throughout the day. These machines traditionally need daily cleaning and may not offer coffee that is as strong or flavourful as other machine types. Furthermore, paper filters are often recommended or required, which should be factored into your allotted budget.
Bean-to-cup
Bean-to-cup machines have become increasingly popular in office kitchens everywhere, thanks to their immense convenience and customisation options. These models grind fresh beans for each cup brewed, guaranteeing high-quality coffee every time.
One of their biggest advantages is the wide range of coffee varieties available and the ability to adjust additional factors like coffee strength and temperature. However, these bonus features come at a price.
Combination coffee maker
As the name suggests, a combination machine brings together two or more different types of makers into one, such as an espresso machine combined with a drip coffee pot or single-serve capabilities alongside a multi-cup carafe. These machines offer fantastic value and the added versatility to meet the needs of a diverse workforce throughout the day.
Alternatively, you can opt for a combination machine known as a grind and brew, which has an integrated grinder for added freshness and convenience. Fresh beans are added to the coffee maker, which are ground directly into a filter basket before being brewed.
While combination makers are a great option for a coffee-loving office, you may have to sacrifice some unique features of type-specific machines to make way for combination features. Additionally, it can be an unnecessary expense if you end up not regularly using the additional features.
High-volume brewers
High-volume brewers are a fantastic option for any office with a large number of coffee drinkers. These machines can brew anything from three to 10 gallons of coffee at one time, guaranteeing that every employee can get a hot and fresh beverage throughout the day.
A beneficial feature of high-volume brewers is their speed. They can also produce large quantities of coffee without compromising on taste or quality. Additionally, they are designed to withstand frequent brewing cycles and heavy usage, making them highly cost-effective and durable for companies that consume a lot of coffee every day.
Factors to consider
When buying the perfect coffee machine for your office space, several important factors should be considered to make the most efficient and cost-effective decision.
Capacity
One of the most important factors to consider when selecting the perfect coffee machine for the office is capacity. The size of your workforce and the amount of coffee they consume every day will significantly influence the capacity you will need.
Smaller offices with five or fewer employees may be well-suited to single-serve coffee machines, while larger offices with dozens or even hundreds of employees will require high-volume brewers to meet demand.
Additionally, capacity also refers to the frequency with which you will need to clean and refill your machine. This is often not an issue for smaller machines, but bigger models will require regular maintenance due to accumulated residue.
Decaf and alternative options
In addition to offering a range of caffeinated options, it is important to ensure decaffeinated coffee options are available alongside a small selection of teas and hot chocolate. This will guarantee inclusivity and cater to the wide range of different preferences that exist in the workplace.
Good-quality decaf coffee options provide the same delicious coffee flavour without the caffeine buzz, an ideal choice for anyone wanting to reduce their caffeine intake. Furthermore, herbal teas are another fantastic caffeine-free drink choice with a range of additional health benefits, while hot chocolate is a comforting and indulgent warm beverage.
Speed vs. quality
A slow coffee machine can quickly kill office productivity, but a fast machine that produces low-quality coffee can destroy morale. In high-traffic offices, speed is crucial to ensure your employees can get a delicious hot beverage between meetings or in the middle of a packed afternoon of work. But speed alone is not enough. You need quality coffee, too.
Pod machines are convenient and quick to use, but they often have limited coffee varieties. Bean-to-cup machines take longer to brew but deliver fresh, delicious, and high-quality beverages. If speed is a non-negotiable, a pod machine may be the solution. However, bean-to-cup models reign supreme in quality.
Sustainability
More and more companies are beginning to realise the importance of prioritising sustainability within their office and business operations. This focus means that companies are choosing to purchase products created by like-minded businesses, ensuring they invest in ethical and sustainable products and services.
A fantastic example of this sustainable practice is Nespresso, who created a sustainability program called The Positive Cup, aimed to improve the quality of their productions and operations while limiting their impact across their entire supply chain.
Furthermore, they have created a recycling scheme for their coffee pods and offer compostable pods that are vegan, biodegradable, and ethically sourced. These pods can be used with machines across their range, and many other big coffee brands are beginning to follow their lead.
Ease of use
Ease of use is a crucial factor when selecting an office coffee machine. After all, you want your employees to make their morning brews with minimal confusion and hassle. Opt for a model with a user-friendly interface and a simple and intuitive panel to navigate.
Furthermore, selecting a machine that frequently requires cleaning or complicated repairs can become frustrating to use. Look for models with dishwasher-safe parts or self-cleaning features.
Automatic vs. manual
You wouldn’t hire a professional barista unless you were running a coffee shop from your office building. So, purchasing a coffee machine that requires constant attention can quickly become counterproductive in a busy office. Automatic coffee machines can do it all. They will grind, brew, and froth milk at a simple push of a button, delivering speedy and consistent results again and again.
Alternatively, manual machines give you a lot more control and customisation options if you have the skills and time to work them properly. They are much better suited for boutique offices where brewing coffee is part of office culture and not just a necessary addition to a morning routine.
Long-term costs
It is vital to remember that buying a coffee machine for the office is not a one-time expense. When establishing your budget, you must consider the additional costs associated with regularly using the machine in the office, including product supply, warranties, and repairs and, depending on the type of machine you purchase, potential installation assistance fees.