1 · Snack, beverage, combo — or smart?
The right type depends on what your location’s traffic actually buys. As a rule of thumb:
2 · Capacity and traffic
Estimate people passing the machine daily, then assume 5–15% buy something. A 100-person office typically supports a standard combo machine restocked weekly; a busy gym or school may need a dedicated beverage machine or two machines. Undersizing means constant restocking trips; oversizing means expired product.
3 · Space and electrical requirements
- Footprint: most full-size machines are 72–79″ tall, 29–41″ wide, 28–38″ deep. Leave 4–6″ behind for ventilation and full door-swing clearance in front.
- Path in: measure every doorway, hallway, and elevator on the delivery path — machines don’t bend.
- Power: a standard 115 V outlet; a dedicated circuit is recommended for refrigerated machines. Never a daisy-chained extension cord.
- Floor: level, hard surface; machines weigh 500–900 lbs loaded.
4 · Payment systems
Cashless now drives the majority of vends in most locations. A card + mobile reader typically raises sales enough to cover its transaction fees, and eliminates coin-jam service calls. Bill and coin acceptors still matter for schools and cash-heavy sites. If in doubt: get both, or choose a machine that can add a reader later.
5 · Refrigeration
Required for drinks, fresh food, and anything perishable — and it changes the machine: more power draw, more weight, and a compressor to maintain. Health-code-sensitive products need machines with a health-lock (the machine blocks vending if the temperature goes out of range). If you only sell shelf-stable snacks, skip it and save.
6 · Shipping and installation
Vending machines ship crated on pallets via LTL freight — this is normal and nothing to fear, but plan for it:
- The carrier calls ahead to schedule; standard service is curbside with a liftgate.
- Getting the machine from curb to its final spot is your responsibility unless inside delivery is arranged — a pallet jack and two people, or a local mover, handles it.
- Inspect the crate before signing and note any damage on the receipt — this protects your freight claim. Full checklist in our Shipping Policy.
- Let a refrigerated machine stand upright 4–6 hours before plugging in if it was tilted in transit.
7 · Budget and warranty
Plan for the machine price plus freight, payment-hardware transaction fees, and initial product stock. Compare warranties the same way you compare prices: period, parts vs. labor, and who provides support. Every machine we list shows its warranty terms on the product page, and our Warranty Policy explains the claim process.