Different Types of Vending Machines

There is a large variety of products available via vending machines throughout most cities in the UK, with an equally rich array of ways they can be dispensed. Commercial vending machines have been categorized in a number of ways, according to the type of product they dispense. Here are the 10 most common categories of vending machines in the UK:

Hot Drinks Vending Machines

Hot drinks have become the most common vended items in the UK, most likely because 60% of vending machines are now placed in workplaces. The most popular hot beverage dispensed is coffee, followed by tea, hot chocolate, and soup.

Cold Drink Vending Machines

Cold beverages are another very popular dispensed item in the UK, the most popular ones being soda, followed by ice tea, juice, milk and milkshakes.

Snack Vending Machines

Snack vending machines, while supplying any type of sweet or savoury snack, can also dispense cold drink in bottles or cans; a combination of two of UK’s most popular vended products. The snacks include crisps, pastries, ice-cream, nuts, candy bars, sweets, and others.

Ice Cream and Frozen Food Vending Machines

During the hot summer days, ice cream vending machines become the most sought after category, and vending machines that dispense frozen food like pizza and hot dog sandwich, are great for those looking for more than just a quick bite.

Change Vending Machines

This vending machine dispenses change in exchange for bills and can be useful in places like parking garages or laundry shops.

Gumball and Novelty Machines

An absolute favourite among kids, these vending machines are found in malls, amusement parks, and other entertainment venues and may dispense gumballs, bouncy balls, tattoos, or stickers.

Ice Dispensers

Ice dispensers come in various sizes for residential or commercial use. Combined with a water dispenser, this vending machine can be very helpful and convenient in both homes and offices. 

Medicine and Hygiene Products

These vending machines are mostly found in public bathrooms at restaurants, airports, clubs and malls and may dispense baby changing essentials, toothbrushes, toothpaste, condoms, tampons, hand sanitizers and other hygiene products.  

Healthy Vending Machines

Healthy vending machines contain regular vending supplies like drinks, snacks, and foods, but of healthy brands that have better nutritional value. This category of vending machines is gaining rapid popularity in the UK as people are become increasingly health conscious.

Custom Vending Machine

Installed by a specific company or brand, these vending machines dispense products of only that particular brand, like newspapers, sports equipment or perfume. 

If you are planning to start a vending machine business, browse through our wide range of commercialvending machines and vending supplies and you will definitely find one that suits your needs!