The Complete Guide to Office Coffee Machines For Small Medium Workplaces (Up to 50 Staff)

Why Your Office Deserves Better Coffee

Good coffee is no longer a perk — it's an expectation. Australian workers have grown up with third-wave coffee culture, and the days of instant sachets or a stale pod machine quietly gathering dust in the corner are well and truly over.

For small and medium workplaces — those with anywhere from 5 to 50 staff — choosing the right coffee machine can feel overwhelming. Do you go super-automatic or traditional espresso? Plumbed or tank-fed? Beans-to-cup or capsules? What budget makes sense? And which machines are actually built to last in a commercial environment?

This guide answers all of those questions, drawing exclusively on the machines available through Service Sphere — one of Australia's leading commercial coffee equipment specialists, and the authorised Australian distributor for LaCimbali, Casadio, Eversys, Eureka, and Rheavendors.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is written for office managers, facilities teams, and business owners running workplaces with up to 50 staff. Whether you're setting up a new office, replacing an ageing machine, or upgrading to meet growing team expectations — you'll find a recommendation here.

What to Consider Before You Buy

1. How Many Coffees Will You Need Per Day?

This is the most important number. Before looking at any machine, estimate your daily coffee demand:

• Under 20 staff: 40–60 cups/day is typical. Most quality super-automatics can handle this comfortably.
• 20–35 staff: 60–100 cups/day. You'll want a machine rated for at least 80+ cups per day with reliable throughput.
• 35–50 staff: 100–150 cups/day. At this volume, look for commercial-grade super-automatics with faster output and modular servicing.

Don't forget peak demand — most offices consume 40–50% of their daily coffees between 8 and 10am. Your machine needs to handle that rush without queues forming.

2. Super-Automatic vs Traditional Espresso Machine

For most offices, super-automatic machines (where everything from grinding to milk frothing is handled at the press of a button) are the clear choice. Here's why:

• No barista skills required: Any staff member can walk up and make a quality coffee.
• Speed and consistency: Every cup is the same, regardless of who made it or what time of day it is.
• Automated cleaning: Daily hygiene cycles run themselves, reducing burden on office managers.
• Low friction: No grinding, tamping, or milk steaming technique to learn.

Traditional espresso machines are better suited to offices that have a dedicated coffee enthusiast on staff, or where the 'ritual' of making coffee is valued as a social activity. They're not typically recommended for self-serve office environments.

3. Plumbed vs Tank-Fed

Most commercial coffee machines can be configured either way:

• Plumbed: Connect directly to a water supply line. No refilling, ideal for high-volume use. Requires nearby plumbing access.
• Tank-fed: Uses an onboard water reservoir (typically 2–8L). More portable, easier to relocate, but requires regular refilling.

For offices with 20+ staff, we generally recommend plumbed connection — the convenience alone justifies the installation cost. For smaller offices or machines in secondary locations (meeting rooms, satellite offices), a tank-fed model offers more flexibility.

4. Budget: What Does a Good Office Machine Actually Cost?

It's important to separate the initial machine cost from the total cost of ownership. Here's a realistic breakdown:

Remember: the ongoing cost of beans, milk, and servicing often matters more than the upfront price. A $5,000 machine serviced annually will typically outlast and outperform a $1,500 machine that's never touched.

5. Servicing & Support

This is where many buyers go wrong. A coffee machine in a busy office is mission-critical infrastructure — when it breaks down on a Monday morning, it matters. Always choose a supplier with:

• Local service technicians (not just manufacturer warranty by post)
• Availability of genuine spare parts in Australia
• A track record of commercial machine support

Service Sphere operates a national service network across Australia with factory-trained technicians. For all machines in this guide, that support infrastructure is built in.

Our Top Picks: Office Coffee Machines from Service Sphere

Below you'll find detailed profiles of our recommended machines for small and medium Australian workplaces. Each machine is available through Service Sphere, with full local service support.

De'Longhi Rivelia

✔  Pros

• Excellent value — best-in-class quality at the entry-level price point
• LatteCrema system produces consistent, silky milk foam without any barista skill
• 16 drink recipes covers all the essentials: espresso, flat white, cappuccino, latte, long black
• Compact footprint — fits comfortably on a standard kitchen bench
• Very intuitive interface — staff can learn it in under a minute
• Quiet operation — won't disrupt open-plan offices
• De'Longhi reliability backed by Service Sphere's Australian service network

✖  Things to Consider

• Tank-fed only — requires regular refilling in busier offices
• Not suited for 30+ staff if coffee culture is strong
• Less durable than commercial-grade machines for continuous all-day use

Read our review of the Delonghi Rivelia

De'Longhi Eletta Explore

✔  Pros

• Outstanding drink variety including cold brew-style drinks — a genuine talking point for guests
• Premium aesthetic — looks impressive in a corporate reception or boardroom
• LatteCrema Hot & Cold handles both hot and cold milk drinks
• Easy-to-use colour touchscreen interface
• Great for offices with diverse coffee preferences
• MyRecipe feature allows custom personalised drinks

✖  Things to Consider

• Higher price point than the Rivelia for similar daily capacity
• Tank-fed models need regular refilling
• Cold brew function is a novelty — unlikely to be used daily in most offices

Read our review of the Delonghi Eletta Explore

La Cimbali S-Lite CP13

✔  Pros

• Built for commercial use — significantly more durable than consumer-grade machines
• La Cimbali is a world-leading espresso brand; quality is exceptional
• 24 beverage options covers all mainstream preferences comfortably
• 2 -> 8L tank or plumbed onboard water tank reduces refilling frequency
• Wi-Fi ready for telemetry and remote monitoring
• Service Sphere holds the Australian agency for La Cimbali — full local support
• Modular design supports component-level servicing, reducing downtime

✖  Things to Consider

• Significant step up in cost from consumer machines
• Venturi milk system is good but not at the same level as EMT systems in Eversys
• From 19kg it's heavier than home machines — needs a stable permanent position

See our La Cimbali CP13 range

Rheavendors LaRhea BL Grande VHO E3

✔  Pros

• Vending-machine-grade reliability — built for continuous unattended operation
• Variflex brewer system ensures consistent extraction quality
• Remote telemetry built in — monitor usage, schedule maintenance proactively
• Simple 12-drink interface is ideal for unmanned or self-serve stations
• Lower capital cost than Eversys models for similar daily throughput
• Service Sphere holds the Australian Rheavendors agency

✖  Things to Consider

• Only 12 drink options — less variety than machines with larger menus
• Milk system is less sophisticated than Eversys EMT or La Cimbali MilkPS
• Design is more functional than stylish — may not suit premium corporate environments

Buy a Rheavendors BL Grande VHO E3 Today

Eversys Shotmaster

✔  Pros

• Produces genuinely café-quality espresso and milk drinks — the benchmark in super-automatics
• EMT milk system creates silky microfoam that rivals a skilled barista
• Designed and built by Eversys in Switzerland — extraordinary engineering quality
• Service Sphere holds the Australian Eversys agency — full support and parts available
• Makes coffee a genuine perk and retention tool, not just a utility
• Ideal for design agencies, tech companies, law firms — anywhere coffee culture matters

✖  Things to Consider

• Premium price point — contact Service Sphere for a quote
• Requires plumbed water connection
• Overkill for offices where coffee is purely functional

Find out more about the Eversys Shotmaster 

Side-by-Side Comparison

Use the table below to quickly compare the key specifications of each recommended machine.

Quick Decision Guide: Which Machine Is Right for You?

See our best recommended coffee machines for offices

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many coffees per day do I need to plan for?

A good rule of thumb is 2–3 coffees per person per day. For 20 staff, expect 40–60 cups daily; for 40 staff, plan for 80–120. Always factor in peak morning demand — most offices consume 40–50% of their daily coffees between 8–10am.

Q: Should I choose a plumbed or tank-fed machine?

If your machine will be in a kitchen or breakroom with plumbing nearby, a plumbed connection is far more convenient — no refilling. Tank machines (like the De'Longhi Rivelia) are better for offices with no nearby plumbing, or where the machine needs to be portable.

Q: Do super-automatic machines really make good coffee?

Yes — modern super-automatics from brands like Eversys and La Cimbali produce excellent espresso and milk drinks. They won't replace a skilled barista, but for consistency and ease of use in an office environment, they're outstanding.

Q: What is the real cost of ownership?

Factor in the machine price, coffee beans (~$25–40/kg), milk, consumables (filters, cleaning tablets), and annual servicing. The cost-per-cup for a quality office machine is typically $0.30–$0.80 — far cheaper than café visits.

Q: How important is servicing and support?

Very important. A machine that's down during the morning rush causes real frustration. Always choose a supplier with local service capability — Service Sphere has a national service network across Australia, which is a major advantage.

Q: Can these machines handle alternative milks?

Most of the machines in this guide support alternative milks (oat, almond, soy) though results vary. The Eversys models are particularly well-regarded for plant-based milk performance due to their advanced EMT milk systems.

Q: Does Service Sphere price match?

At Service Sphere we always endeavor to offer the most competitive prices available but realize that on occasion you may find the same product elsewhere at a lower price.

So if you have seen a lower price, fill in a few easy details, sit back and wait for a reply from us.

For eligibility, the following terms and conditions need to be met;

• Product must be identical (same brand, colour, model #)
• Product must be currently advertised in print or electronic media (Including newspaper, catalogue, radio, television advertising or online)
• Product must be in stock at the competitor
• The competitors price of the product must be inclusive of delivery fees, taxes and charges
• The competitors price is lower than our price on the day the price guarantee is requested (day of purchase)
• The competitors price excludes finance, installation, bundling, rebates, cash back, coupon offers, loyalty rewards or free bonus goods.
• The competitor is located in Australia

Ready to find the right machine for your workplace?

Service Sphere's team are coffee equipment experts — not generalist resellers. We'll help you find the right machine for your team size, usage patterns, space, and budget. All machines come with genuine Australian warranty and local service support.

Contact us