Working in an office environment can be a roller-coaster ride, filled with meetings, deadlines, and creative brainstorming. But amidst all of this, what keeps the energy high and the spirits uplifted? A perfect cup of coffee!
Selecting a suitable coffee machine for your workspace is as essential as deciding on the right tech and stationery. With a myriad of models flooding the market, finding the perfect one can be a daunting task. Thus, we’ve compiled this buying guide to help you zero in on the ideal coffee machine for your office.
Our comprehensive guide delves into a variety of coffee machines, from large espresso machines suited to cater to diverse tastes in larger offices, to compact pod-based ones designed for those needing a quick caffeine boost. Rest assured, we’ve explored over 100 models from renowned manufacturers to small-scale brands, ensuring a broad spectrum of options.
We’ve also excluded price information since the cost often depends on the company’s size and machines aren’t always available for individual purchase. So, let’s dive into our top picks for the best office coffee machines.
Best office coffee machines
Jura Giga 6
This high-performing coffee maker stands out with its advanced features, creating a personalized coffee experience. Its artificial intelligence learns your preferences and offers your favorite drinks just like a skilled barista would. Two self-adjusting grinders allow you to blend various coffee types, ensuring the finest quality grind. Plus, with its dual thermolock and pump system, the Jura Giga 6 can prepare milk and espresso simultaneously, saving time and expanding coffee possibilities. However, its sensitive touch screen and relatively high price tag might be a drawback for some.
Pros
- Aroma+ Grinder
- Very hot espresso
- 4.3″ LED touch screen
- Double Thermolock
- Pump system
- A.I. System
- Smart Phone App
- Easy to Set Up and Use
Cons
- Sensitive touch screen
- The most expensive on this list
Jura ENA Micro 1
The ENA Micro 1 is a compact, high-quality coffee maker ideal for smaller offices. It delivers a commendable espresso, Americano, or ristretto. It offers five grinder settings, two dosage options, and an adjustable height suitable for different cup sizes. Despite its compact design, it’s quite sturdy and offers an automated flushing system, ensuring durability. However, its premium price and need for regular upkeep may deter some potential users.
Pros
- Design is compact.
- Use whole beans or ground coffee.
- It can make espresso, Americanos, and ristrettos.
- 5 different grinder settings
- There are two dosage options.
- Adjusts between 2.5 and 5 inches to accommodate various cup sizes.
- Durable
- Flushing on autopilot
- Warranty period of two years or 6,000 brews
- What drawbacks should you be aware of?
Cons
- Expensive
- It necessitates a significant amount of upkeep on a regular basis.
DeLonghi America Lattissima Pro
DeLonghi’s Lattissima Pro is an excellent choice for medium-sized offices with a slightly flexible budget. It uses Nespresso capsules, creating quality espresso, and has an integrated frother for longer, creamier drinks. It’s easy to use and clean. Its multi-pack packages make it cost-effective for offices with multiple locations. Remember, the ongoing cost of capsules should be taken into account.
Pros
- There are multi-pack packages available with up to 5 machines at a significant savings.
- For superb espresso, use 19 bars of pressure.
- Onboard frother for making longer, creamier beverages.
- Heating time is quite fast.
- It is simple to use and similarly simple to clean.
Cons
- Certainly not cheap, but think of it as an investment rather than a cost.
Breville Barista Touch Espresso Maker
For the office that values both quality and convenience, the Breville Barista Touch is a match made in coffee heaven. This machine offers bean-to-cup brewing, and it lets you adjust the strength of your coffee and the temperature and texture of your milk. Despite its sophisticated features, it heats up in less than a minute, ensuring you won’t have to wait long for your coffee.
Pros
- Elegant and commanding appearance
- With bean-to-cup brewing, you can serve delicious coffee to everyone in the office at the touch of a button.
- Easy-to-use automatic steam wand
- There is no need to wait because the heating time is quick.
Cons
- Coffee may not be served hot enough for everyone’s taste.
Keurig K155 Medium Business
Keurig’s K155 is a commercial-grade single-serve coffee machine, perfect for office settings. Its push-button simplicity saves time, and the large 90oz water reservoir can brew up to 18 cups. However, keep in mind the recurring cost and environmental impact of K-Cup pods.
Pros
- Touchscreen interface that is simple to use
- With a huge 90oz water reservoir, you can make up to 18 cups.
- It takes less than a minute to brew.
- To meet your needs, there are four brew sizes to choose from.
Cons
- Consider the recurring cost of K-Cup pods.
Breville-Nespresso Vertuo
This compact machine is ideal for small offices. It offers five different brewing sizes and automatically adjusts its settings for the perfect cup of coffee every time. While it heats up quickly and is easy to clean, it’s worth noting that it exclusively uses Nespresso capsules, which some might find limiting.
Pros
- Compatible with Nespresso capsules
- One-touch brewing
- There are five sizes.
- 3 cup-sizing options
- Without the need for changes, barcode scanning technology brews automatically.
- It takes 15 to 20 seconds to heat up.
- 40-ounce detachable water tank with 9-minute auto shut-off
- 12 pods are included in the welcome package.
Cons
- Only works with Nespresso capsules, which might be costly.
- Some consumers complain that the coffee isn’t hot enough.
BUNN GRB Velocity Brew Coffee Maker
The BUNN GRB is a workhorse in a compact form. It can brew a full carafe of coffee in less than ten minutes, a notable feature for busy offices. Despite its relatively low price, this machine doesn’t compromise on taste, ensuring consistently delicious coffee.
Pros
- Slim design is suitable for smaller offices.
- Consistent extraction requires even soaking of the grounds.
- No more messes in the workplace kitchen with this drip-free carafe.
- Brews 4 to 10 cups, making it excellent for hectic situations.
Cons
- Because it is a less expensive machine, set your expectations for its longevity.
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker
This model is versatile with its ability to brew a single cup or a full carafe, making it suitable for varying coffee needs. Its single-serve side can accommodate either soft pods or coffee grounds, while the carafe side is perfect for brewing coffee for the entire team. It’s worth noting, though, that this model isn’t compatible with Keurig pods.
Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Coffee Maker
The Cuisinart PerfecTemp promises exceptional taste with its cutting-edge brewing technology. Not only does it deliver hotter coffee, but it also ensures a balanced flavor profile. The machine’s sleek, modern design can add an aesthetic touch to your office environment.
What Makes an Office Coffee Machine Unique?
An office coffee machine, being different from the domestic kind, is expected to be user-friendly for diverse users, irrespective of their familiarity with barista practices, and should meet varied tastes. Multiple factors influence the choice of the best office coffee machine including the size of the workplace, the machine’s ease of use, and its capabilities.
However, a word of caution – your office should not aim to replicate a coffee shop or restaurant’s setup. These establishments typically use large equipment designed for creating specialty beverages. In contrast, your office staff requires a quick, tasty cup of coffee rather than a fancy brew that takes an age to prepare.
Understanding the Role of an Office Coffee Machine
A coffee machine might not appear as crucial as an Internet router or printer in your office environment. However, offering employees an easy method to get a hot drink can significantly enhance productivity and morale.
The value of having a coffee maker in the workplace extends beyond simply keeping people awake or providing them with energy. It offers convenience, eliminating the need for employees to leave the premises for their caffeine fix.
While a coffee maker is not an indispensable piece of office equipment, its presence can positively influence your business dynamics. Considering that more than two billion cups of coffee are consumed globally each day, this is not surprising!
Consider the size and nature of your workforce when choosing your office coffee machine. If your staff primarily works remotely or only visits the office occasionally, a large coffee machine might not be necessary.
Renting vs. buying a coffee machine can be a challenging decision, particularly for startups or those hesitant to invest in a machine that might not suit their evolving needs. In such cases, renting could be the better option. However, for offices where coffee consumption is high, buying a machine could prove more cost-effective in the long run.
The Users and Benefits of an Office Coffee Machine
Office coffee machines aren’t exclusive to the hardcore caffeine addicts. Given that most machines can also brew decaf coffee, tea, and other hot beverages, they can cater to a wider audience. Indeed, coffee machines often prove more popular than water dispensers in offices because coffee offers a more exciting regular drink option that is also healthier than continuous soft drinks consumption.
Choosing the Right Office Coffee Machine: Key Factors
With the knowledge you now have about coffee machines, let’s delve into determining the best machine for your office environment. Here are some key factors to consider:
Automatic vs. Manual
For an office setting, automatic is always the way to go. It’s a given that in any office, some people will not be familiar with how to operate certain machines. Even the most experienced might struggle with semi-automatic machines to get that perfect espresso shot.
This is why drip machines often work well in offices. They are straightforward to operate, making them practical choices. There are also several excellent fully automatic espresso machines available. However, these can be rather pricey. So, a drip coffee machine that merely requires the addition of coffee and a button press is often the best choice.
Brewing Speed
In a busy office environment, a coffee machine that takes forever to brew a pot of coffee will not be popular. People are usually pressed for time and want their coffee quickly. Hence, faster brewing machines are preferred in office situations. Machines capable of brewing 12 cups of coffee at once are especially valuable, as they can cater to a larger group simultaneously.
Ease of Use
When selecting a new appliance, it’s essential not to overlook the usability factor. Reflect on how familiar your employees are with coffee machines. If your small office comprises coffee enthusiasts familiar with espresso machines or willing to learn, a semi-automatic machine, though more challenging, could be a valuable addition.
In contrast, if your office is larger or your staff lacks experience with coffee machines, the easier-to-operate option is preferable. Automated or super automated machines excel in this area due to their simplicity. For those seeking a more hands-on experience without the complications, a pod machine could be a perfect choice. However, keep in mind that employees will still need to foam their milk if the machine provides grinders and tamps.
Placement
The space and the setup of your office also need to be considered when buying a coffee machine. You don’t want to buy a machine only to find it’s too large or looks out of place. Is there a wide, flat surface where the machine will be placed? Or does the machine need to fit into a tight space?
Don’t forget about plumbing considerations as well. Espresso machines come in two types: pour-over machines, which need manual water addition, and direct-connect versions, which hook up directly to your water line. If you don’t have a water connection, consider a pour-over model. These machines can be installed virtually anywhere, provided there’s access to an electrical outlet.
Cost
As with all significant purchases in a business, budgeting is crucial. Given that an espresso machine is a major investment, the budget should be a vital consideration.
However, there’s a wide range of espresso machines available to suit any budget.
Serving Size and Options
Another employee-related consideration is the quantity of coffee they will be drinking and their beverage preferences. If you’re unsure about your employees’ beverage preferences, consider conducting an email survey to gather this information.
Most coffee shop beverages can be made using a semi-automatic or automated machine. However, if you’re considering a super-automatic machine, your options might be more limited. Always examine the menu before buying a super-automatic machine to ensure it can make the beverages your staff enjoys.
Also, consider volume. The amount of espresso an espresso machine can produce varies. Factors like the boiler, the number of group heads, and the piping configuration can affect a machine’s speed and output capacity.
Machines that can brew and steam simultaneously will have multiple group heads and boilers. Larger offices will benefit from such machines, as they could keep up with the higher demand for coffee.
However, a three-group espresso machine with multiple boilers might be overkill for a small office. A single-group machine with similar capabilities might be a more cost-effective choice.
Maintaining Your Office Coffee Maker
Cleaning your office coffee maker is essential to keep it in good working condition. Here’s one method:
Fill the reservoir of your coffee maker halfway with white vinegar and leave it for a few hours. Turn on the machine and let it run for a few minutes. Allow it to sit for about two hours to ensure the vinegar can dissolve any deposits in the tubes.
Then, add distilled water to the reservoir and run the machine until all the vinegar has been flushed out. You might need to do this up to ten times to ensure your coffee won’t taste like vinegar.
Depending on the usage, you might only need to do this once a month. However, remember to rinse and wipe off the brew funnel and carafe after each use.
FAQs
Can any coffee machine be used in an office? A home coffee maker might not be able to withstand the kind of frequent use it would experience in an office. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a machine designed to handle heavy-duty use.
Do commercial coffee makers serve less coffee than home machines? No, they serve similar amounts. However, some commercial coffee machines come with large carafes to serve a larger crowd.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
