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The modern vending machine is way smarter than the equipment we grew up accustomed to. Today, a vending machine can be connected to the internet and managed remotely, accept mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, utilize motion sensors to power down during off-peak hours to save energy, and remotely notify an operator when there is a mechanical breakdown. The top vending equipment manufacturers in 2024 are on the cutting edge of these technological advancements.
Vending Machine Technology in 2024
As technology advances, manufacturers are finding creative ways to customize vending machines to vend a lot more than just snacks and drinks. As the usage case for vending machines expands, so does the proportion of vending machine sales as a percentage of overall retail sales. Global Industry Analysts estimated the global market for vending machines at $25.7 billion in 2022. The industry is expected to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3% through 2030.
The vending machine market in the United States is expected to grow at a faster pace than the global rate. Standing at a market size of $8.5 billion in 2022, the US vending machine market is expected to record a CAGR of 5.7% through 2030.
US-based vending machine manufacturers have been able to maintain a competitive edge in the US market even as large-scale equipment manufacturing picks up in Asia. For the most part, American vendors prefer to buy their equipment from local retailers and manufacturers.
The Top Vending Equipment Manufacturers of 2024
The cost of a vending machine is the single biggest expense when starting a vending business. You must spend your money on a machine from a well-reviewed reliable company. The following vending equipment manufacturers make mostly reliable products.
AMS Vending
Automated Merchandising Systems (AMS) has been building vending equipment in the United States since 1997. Due to the high demand for their products, they opened a second plant in Mexico in 2000. The company was acquired by Seaga Manufacturing Incorporated (SMI) in 2002.
AMS vending machines have a good reputation for reliability among vendors. They are rugged, well-priced, and have the features you’ve come to love in modern vending machines.
AMS Vending makes the following vending machines:
- The Classic Snack Machine, as the name suggests, is AMS’s signature snack machine introduced in 1997. It is their most popular snack vending machine model. It is 72” tall and 35” or 39” wide.
- Epic Premium Vending Machine, a state-of-the-art snack machine suitable for high-traffic locations. It is 72” tall and 39.375 or 39.5” wide.
- AMS Beverage Machine allows you to offer a variety of drinks, including water, soda pop, energy drinks, and juices. It is 72” tall and 35” or 39” wide.
- Klearview Locker System is suitable for selling non-traditional vending items such as industrial supplies. It is 72” tall and 39.375” wide.
- The Low Temp Combo Machine is AMS’s cost-effective solution to selling both snacks and drinks at a moderately trafficked location or in establishments with limited space where separate snack and drink machines are impractical. It is 72” tall and 35” or 39” wide.
- The Low Temp Food is a combo machine for locations that don’t need separate snack and drink machines. It’s perfect for schools, offices, and similar locations. It is 72” tall and 35” or 39” wide.
- The Multitasker is a combo machine that can carry snacks, drinks, candies, and more. It can carry drinks in both bottles and cans. It is 72” tall and 35” or 39” wide.
- Slimgem is AMS’s solution for narrow spaces. At only 28.5” in width, the snack machine can fit in many tight spaces.
- The Steeley is AMS’s solution for outdoor vending. If you need a sturdy machine that can withstand the elements, this drink machine is a great choice. It is 73.5” tall and 40” wide.
- Vandal Resistant Merchandiser is your go-to combo machine when vending at a location where security is a concern. It is built tough to withstand the elements and fend off vandals. It is 72” tall and 39” wide.
AMS Vending sells its machines through distributors. You can find a U.S. distributor near you here.
Crane Merchandising Systems
Crane Merchandising Systems builds stellar snacks and combo machines under its Merchant line of vending machines. Its signature machines are:
- Merchant Ambient Media 2. A snack machine that comes in two variants, Merchant 4 (72”H X 37.5”D X 33”W) and Merchant 6 (72”H X 37.5”D X 44”W).
- Merchant Combo Media 2. A combo machine that also comes in two variants, Merchant 4 (72”H X 32”D X 35”W) and Merchant 6 (72”H X 32”D X 46”W).
The machines feature a color touchscreen display, remote management, a shopping cart for multi-purchase shopping, the ability to show nutritional information on the display, and suggestive selling that recommends complimentary products.
Crane Merchandising Systems can also customize your machine with custom graphics. They have an in-house design service that can come up with custom designs.
Aside from snack and drinks machines, the company also manufactures modern coffee vending machines with touchscreen interfaces.
Royal Vendors
Royal Vendors specializes in manufacturing vending machines for the soft drink industry. If you are a soft drink manufacturer or bottler who can order vending machines in bulk, going with Royal Vendors can be a good decision. The company also sells to vending machine distributors and retailers.
A typical drinks machine from Royal Vendors features:
- Five individual pull-out shelves
- FIFO dispensing
- Upright product delivery
- Refrigeration
- ENERGY STAR® Qualification
- A standard 35.5” X 37” footprint
- A simple mechanical design to ensure reliability
Royal Vendors can customize the vending machines to suit your company’s needs for orders of 50 or more machines.
Seaga Vending Machines
Seaga is one of the most popular vending equipment manufacturers in the United States. It builds
- Glass-front snack, drink, and combo machines under its popular Envision line
- Industrial vending machines to dispense industrial and medical supplies
- PPE vending machines to dispense a variety of personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, and more
- Glass door merchandisers that are perfectly suited for soft drinks - they come in a variety of sizes and configurations to suit different products and locations
- Cold beverage vendors that offer the flexibility to vend the entire drinks portfolio of major brands such as Pepsi
- Bill changers to help you give your customers a better experience by dispensing change in the currencies customers want
The most popular vending machines made by Seaga are the drink, snack, and combo machines under the Envision line. These machines include:
- The Envision 5C Combo. The ENV5C is made for high-traffic locations when you need one machine that can offer customers variety. It measures 72”H X 39”W X 36”D. Its standard features include a 4.3” LCD color display, a field programmable VMC, dual coils, back-lit brail keypad, and a delivery guarantee system. You can customize the coil/tray configurations as well as the graphics.
- The Envision 5S Snack. The ENV5S is a snack machine measuring 72” H X 39”W X 37”D. It comes configured with the ability to hold up to 550 total items - 220 snacks and 330 candy. Other features are FIFO vending, guaranteed product delivery, 4.3” LCD color display, and quick change spiral selections that allow you to easily alter your product selection.
You can buy Seaga machines directly from the manufacturer or through a distributor. You have the option to customize your machine’s graphics when you order directly from Seaga.
Vending.com
Vending.com is one of the top vending equipment manufacturers in 2024. Besides building machines, it offers a suite of services to ensure your vending business kicks off successfully, including equipment financing, location scouting, and equipment upkeep.
The company manufactures several vending machines under various categories. The machines include:
- Drink vending machines. These machines include the 10 Selectins Soda Drink Vending Machine, MarketOne Series 10 Selection Drink Vending Machine, MarketOne 5W Cold Drink Elevator Vending Machine, and MarketOne 48 Select Water Vending Machine.
- Snack vending machines. These machines include the 23 Selection Snack Vending Machine, 32 Selection Snack Vending Machine, MarketOne Snack 6W Vending Machine, 40 Selection Snack Vending Machine, and the 5W MarketOne Snack Vending Machine.
- Combo vending machines. These machines include the Express Combo Vending Machine, ePay Combo Vending Machine, MarketOne 5W Snack and Cold Drink Vending Machine, MarketOne 3W Snack and Cold Drink Vending Machine, MarketOne 3W Cold Food and Drink Vending Machine, MarketOne 5W Cold Food Elevator Vending Machine, MarketOne 5W Outdoor Vending Machine, Compact 23/10 Combo Vending Machine, and the Midsize 32/10 Combo Vending Machines.
- Frozen food vending machines. Vending.com offers frozen food vending machines that deliver food in a compact package. There are two variants - one that vends frozen food items only and another that is a dual zone to vend both frozen and refrigerated foods.
- Coffee vending machine. Vending.com’s MarketOne Hot Drink Vending Machine is a state-of-the-art coffee/tea machine that has a beautiful European design and features precise ingredient controls for a superb cup every time.
Vending.com also builds custom vending machines for vendors who need specialized machines for unique vending products such as industrial supplies, bowling accessories, laundry supplies, carwash items, personal hygiene products, and more.
How Should I Choose Between Vending Equipment Manufacturers?
The vending machine manufacturers I have listed above all make very reliable vending machines. That said, when shopping for a vending machine and comparing manufacturers and their equipment, you need to keep the following factors in mind:
- Your current portfolio of vending equipment. If you already have a portfolio of machines from a manufacturer and they have proven to be reliable, it is best to stick to the same manufacturer for ease of maintenance. You will be able to stock parts easily and you likely are already familiar with how they work and their common issues.
- The vending location (indoor or outdoor). Outdoor vending requires specialized vending machines. AMS Vending’s Steeley Vending Machine and the Vandal Resistant Merchandiser as well as Vending.com’s MarketOne 5W Outdoor Vending Machine are your go-to machines when you want a reliable outdoor machine.
- Your overall budget. The vending machine makes up the majority of the startup capital required to jumpstart a vending business. Stay within budget, even when you are offered attractive financing options.
- Features, smart or not. A manufacturer like AMS Vending is more on the conservative side when it comes to smart features while Crane Merchandising Systems tends to go all out on smart features, especially with their Media 2 machines.
- Type of vending machines. For a busy location, you will need separate drink and snack machines. Some manufacturers only make combo and snack machines. You will have to buy a machine from a manufacturer that builds dedicated drinks and snacks machines such as AMS Vending and Vending.com.
Ultimately, your needs and budget will determine the vending machine you pick. Consider reading reviews of the specific models you have your sights on before making a decision. It is best practice to stick to one manufacturer for all your machines as it makes it easy to stock parts and do repairs.
What Is the Average Cost of a New Vending Machine in 2024?
Vending machine prices depend on the manufacturer, type of vending machine, its capacity, and features. On average, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $5,000 for a new vending machine in 2024. Used vending machines are significantly cheaper. You can find used equipment in good condition for under $3,000 on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
