The Best Vending Machines

Vending machines have always been popular for kids because they're a simple way of creating a huge amount of joy. If you're looking for a way to relive this childhood nostalgia, we've found some great vending machines that you're going to love. Whether you fill them with candy or tiny plastic toys, we know that you and your loved ones will have a blast. While we were researching vending machines, we found that the best ones are durable, fun to look at, and designed to work smoothly. With these things in mind, our top pick is the vending machine from the American Gumball Company. This metal vending machine is sturdy and durable enough to use at home or in a commercial setting. This traditional design has three different compartments that can be used to store various shapes and sizes of candy to dispense. We also love the rocketship candy dispenser from FAO Schwarz because it is functional and would look great on display in any room. Keep reading to discover your new favorite vending machine.

American Gumball Company Triple Compartment Vending Machine

Classic and convenient

Treat yourself to this traditional candy vending machine.
Best Overall

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This bright red candy vending machine from the American Gumball Company is ready to make your day a little brighter. The entire unit is made of heavy-duty metal and includes a stand so you can set it up in your office or your playroom. There are three compartments for holding treats and various wheels to adjust the size of the dispensers. Choose between small candy pieces, nuts, gumballs, bouncy balls, and small toys to let the happiness begin.

Pros:

  • We like that the clear fronts of each compartment are made from plexiglass instead of true glass, which would be very unsafe in this situation.
  • It only takes about 15 minutes to put this entire vending machine together. Plus, you don’t need any tools to assemble it.

Cons:

  • This is a heavy vending machine and it doesn’t have any wheels to transfer it to a different room. So once it’s in place it may be difficult to move, especially if it has already been filled.

Vbenlem Triple Head Candy Vending Machine

Welcome to the candy shop

Fill this vending machine with your favorite sweet and savory treats.
Runner Up

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This vending machine from Vbenlem is going to be a hit no matter where you set it up. The three compartments can hold candy of all sizes and even small toys. This metal machine is heavy and has a stable base so you won’t have to worry about it tipping over. To use this vending machine, you use a quarter and crank the dial. If you don’t catch what you’ve paid for in time, it will fall into the spill tray for you to collect.

Pros:

  • There are two keys for opening the lid to fill the compartments and a third key for emptying out the coins that are deposited into the machine. This makes it very difficult to break into the vending machine, so you can use it in commercial spaces, too.
  • We like that each of the canisters is made from shatter-resistant polycarbonate for safety. They are also removable for easy cleaning and refilling.

Cons:

  • This is more of a professional model, so the price is fairly high.

Mophorn Gumball Machine

Delicious dispensing

Get your sugar fix with this playful gumball vending machine.
Best For Candy

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Take a trip down memory lane with this gumball vending machine from Mophorn. This huge dispenser can hold roughly 375 gumballs or ten pounds of smaller candy pieces. There are two interchangeable wheels to make sure the candy comes out correctly so it doesn’t get stuck or come flying out too quickly. The top lid locks for security reasons but also works well to keep out little hands if you decide to use this machine at home.

Pros:

  • This vending machine is very stable when it is set up on a bookshelf or side table so you won’t have to worry about it tipping over.
  • We like that this vending machine can also be filled with one-inch bouncy balls or round capsules filled with miniature toys if you don’t want to fill it with candy.

Cons:

  • There aren’t any instructions included with this vending machine, so it may take some time and experimenting to get it to work correctly.

Handy Gourmet Triple Candy Machine

Little luxuries

This fun-sized vending machine is ready to bring a little extra joy to your day.
Best On A Budget

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If you’ve been wanting to set up a vending machine but are worried about breaking the bank, we’ve got the perfect product for you to try. This dispenser from Handy Gourmet is 12 inches tall and has three compartments to fill with your favorite nuts, chocolates, and candies. While most vending machines require some pocket change this one only needs a slight nudge to dispense a handful or two throughout the day. Get ready to enjoy snacktime more than ever before.

Pros:

  • We like that this vending machine is easy to fill and clean. You can switch out the treats inside if you are hosting a party or having friends over for a movie night.
  • The vending machine can spin 360 degrees thanks to the rotating base.

Cons:

  • It isn’t easy to transport since the top isn’t securely attached to the base.

FAO Schwarz Rocket Candy Dispenser

Space sweets

Kids and adults will love everything this rocket-shaped dispenser has to offer.
Best For Kids

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If you’ve been searching for a gift for your little one, we may have found the perfect pick for you. This candy dispenser from FAO Schwarz is shaped like a rocketship and can be filled with up to 16 ounces of small candies and chocolates. The machine takes four AA batteries to power up and uses motion activation to dispense a handful of candy. Whether your kid is space-obsessed or simply loves a sweet treat, they’ll be sure to think this vending machine is out of this world.

Pros:

  • This is a sturdy vending machine that also works as a decorative piece in a bedroom or office.
  • We like that this vending machine is electric but doesn’t have to be charged to be ready to use. As long as the batteries inside are in working order you should be in business.

Cons:

  • The internal crank is fairly large, so it doesn’t always dispense the contents evenly. You might only get a couple of candies one time and then get an entire handful the next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I want to buy a vending machine?

Vending machines are a fun way to include sweet and savory snacks in your life. If you have one set up in your home, you could use a time system to allow yourself one handful of chocolate pieces every day at the same time. Or maybe you grab a handful of candy as you leave the office to end your workday. If you have kids a vending machine works very well as a reward system. Whether they’re potty training or doing their chores, you can put their favorite treats into the vending machine and work them into your reward system for these accomplishments.

What is the best way to clean a vending machine?

Cleaning a vending machine will depend on the specific shape and size of your personal model. Most of them have a removable top and some of them have removable canisters that can be washed by hand. If the canisters can’t be removed, we recommend removing all of the candy from the canister and vacuuming it out to get out any remnants. Wipe out the inside of the canister with a damp cloth and dry with a clean towel. We recommend letting the canisters dry completely before putting new candy inside.

About the Author

Whether she’s on her iPhone or her iPad Air, Danielle loves all things Apple. As a freelance writer, she spends her days researching and typing away on her MacBook. She knows the frustrations that can occur when looking for the right tech products, and she’s here to help. Danielle wants everyone to feel confident in the products they purchase, which is why she takes special care to review only the best technology on the market.

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