When it comes to office coffee machines, bigger isn’t always better. The right machine depends on how many people will use it, how often, and what they like to drink. A small team might not need all the bells and whistles, while a large workplace will quickly wear out a machine that’s too small for the job.
In New Zealand, where nearly half of adults drink coffee every day, matching your machine to your office size is one of the smartest moves you can make.
| Office Size | Best Machine Type | Features | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (Up to 20 people) | Compact automatic | • Simple bean-to-cup • Small water tank • Easy cleaning | Enough capacity for light use without over investing. Fresh coffee on tap without taking up too much space. |
| Medium (20–75 people) | Medium to large bean-to-cup machine | • Multiple drink options • Fresh or powdered milk options • Larger canisters • Handles 40-100+ cups daily | Balances variety and reliability. A cost-effective coffee solution that can keep up with daily demand. |
| Large (75+ people) | High-capacity commercial machine | • Fast brewing and bigger boilers • Built-in cleaning cycles • Fresh or powdered milk options • Extra canisters for chocolate and chai latte | Designed for heavy use. Keeps staff onsite, avoids downtime, and scales easily with bigger teams. |
Why Size Matters
- Staff time is money: The NZ median wage is $33.56 an hour. If 30 staff spend 15 minutes a day queuing for coffee offsite, that’s more than $40,000 in lost time each year.
- Productivity boost: 77% of employees say coffee breaks improve their workday. A reliable machine keeps those breaks on site.
- Culture: Coffee brings people together. From a flat white in the morning to a hot chocolate in the arvo, the machine often becomes the social hub of the office.
How to Make the Right Choice
Ask yourself:
- How many staff regularly drink coffee?
- Do they prefer café-style flat whites, or are long blacks enough?
- What’s our budget for consumables and servicing?
The answers will guide whether you need a compact, mid-range, or high-capacity machine. An experienced office coffee supplier can match you with the right model, handle installation, and take care of servicing and consumables.
Ready to Match Your Machine to Your Office?
The right machine saves money, keeps staff happy, and makes your workplace culture stronger. Whether you’ve got five staff or 500, we’ll help you find the perfect fit.
