With the right brewer, you can turn the breakroom into the team’s favorite coffee shop. Instead of having to run out for that afternoon pick-me-up, everyone can refuel and enjoy a coffee break right at the office. Great for morale and productivity.
We’ve put together this guide to help you find just the right machine for your office.
Comparing different types of office coffee machines
The best coffee machine for your office is the one that is best suited for your team size and their coffee-drinking habits and preferences. Here’s a quick look at which types of coffee machines are best for each category.
- Best for affordability: Drip coffee maker
- Best for SMBs: Drip coffee maker or single serve coffee maker
- Best for large businesses: Automatic coffee maker
- Best for coffee quality: Espresso machine
- Best for convenience: Automatic coffee maker
- Best overall: Single serve coffee maker
Single serve coffee makers
With these, each team member can grab a cup at their convenience. Most single serve coffee makers use coffee pods like Keurig® K-Cup® Pods but some brew with scoops of ground coffee as well. Besides convenience, this type of machine also allows for variety. Coffee pods give you flexibility to easily stock your coffee bar with different blends, strengths, flavors, and decaf options.
Price: $$
Technique required: None
Number of cups: 1
Drip coffee makers
These small but mighty coffee makers are classic, inexpensive, and perfect for small teams (or entrepreneurs!). For example, a team of 10 could brew one pot and everyone would be set with a cup for the morning status meeting. Drip coffee makers do require a little bit of prep, but there’s not much technique involved in brewing good coffee with these machines.
Price: $
Technique required: Minimal
Number of cups: 8 – 12
Industrial pour over coffee brewers
These are the industrial machines you’ll often see at diners or national coffee chain stores. With a little prep, you can brew coffee straight into a thermal carafe that will keep it hot. There are also models with warming plates where you can house multiple coffee pots so you can make a few batches to serve at once, giving you the option to brew different flavors or decaf along with original blend.
Price: $$$
Technique required: Minimal
Number of cups: 12 – 36
Automatic coffee makers
With just the press of a button, team members can enjoy a regular cup of coffee, a cappuccino, an Americano, or another specialty drink. These machines offer variety and require zero prep work. They are a higher cost upfront investment and they do require some plumbing installation, but they can be more than worth it for large teams or offices that regularly entertain clients.
Price: $$$
Technique required: None
Number of cups: 1
Espresso machines
If you have any coffee aficionados on the team, they’ll appreciate an espresso machine. These make individual espresso shots and many models have built-in steamers to make specialty drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. These do require some skill to use, but they deliver artisanal quality.
Price: $$
Technique required: Moderate
Number of cups: Espresso shots
Cold brew coffee maker
Cold brewing coffee is a process that involves letting the coffee sit in the fridge overnight, so this is a specialty item and won’t be right for every team. But if your team loves cold brew and is willing to put in the effort to make it themselves, these are a great addition that can encourage comradery and team bonding.
Price: $
Technique required: Moderate
Number of cups: 4 – 5 cups
Don’t forget the coffee machine accessories
Quill has you covered for whichever type of coffee machine you decide is best for your team, plus all the accessories. Get everything you need to complete your in-house coffee bar like coffee station organizers and stirrers, creamers, cups, and other coffee supplies. Quill is your office breakroom supplies one-stop-shop.