Cans are the backbone of drinks vending. They’re tough, light, chill quickly and come in every flavour customers want.

This guide covers how a can vending machine works, can sizes, the best drinks to stock, the deposit return rules coming in 2027, prices and where to put one.

How a can vending machine works

A can vending machine stores cans in vertical columns or spirals inside a refrigerated cabinet. When a customer pays and selects a drink, a mechanism releases one can, which drops to the delivery hatch.

Columns, often called stacks, are common in can-only machines because cans roll and stack neatly. Spirals are more flexible and can hold both cans and bottles.

The fridge keeps every can cold, and most machines take coins, notes, cards or a mix. For more on drinks machines in general, see our drinks vending machine guide.

Can vending machine: 9 proven tips

1. Stick to one can size per column

Mixing sizes in one column causes jams. Give each size its own columns.

2. Stock the best sellers at eye level

Cola, diet cola and a few flavoured drinks usually lead. Put them where customers look first.

3. Offer card payments

Most buyers pay by card or phone. A coin-only machine loses sales.

4. Keep it out of direct sun

Sun makes the fridge work harder and raises power bills. Shade helps cans stay cold.

5. Leave space for ventilation

The cooling system needs air around the back. Follow the manufacturer’s clearance.

6. Load cans the right way

Cans loaded upside down or at angles can jam. Train whoever restocks the machine.

7. Use telemetry

Remote stock alerts mean you restock before columns run empty.

8. Rotate stock

Cans last a long time, but rotating them keeps dates fresh.

9. Plan for the deposit return scheme

The 2027 scheme will change how cans are priced and returned. Prepare early.

Can sizes in the UK

Most drinks in a can vending machine come in a few standard sizes. Knowing them helps you set up columns correctly.

Can size	Common drinks	Vending notes
150ml mini	Mini colas and mixers	May need spacers
250ml slim	Some energy and premium drinks	Slim columns or spacers
330ml standard	Colas, lemonade, flavoured drinks	Fits most machines
440ml	Some soft drinks and iced coffees	Check column height
500ml tall	Energy and large soft drinks	Tall columns needed

Check the machine’s specification before buying stock in unusual sizes.

Best drinks for a can vending machine

• Cola and diet or zero-sugar cola
• Lemonade and lemon-lime drinks
• Orange and fruit-flavoured sodas
• Sparkling water
• Iced tea and iced coffee
• Sports and low-caffeine drinks

From April 2027, high-caffeine energy drinks are set to be banned from vending machines in England. Our guide to low caffeine drinks explains what you can still sell.

The deposit return scheme and cans

From 1 October 2027, a deposit return scheme starts in England and Northern Ireland. It covers single-use cans and PET plastic bottles holding between 150ml and 3 litres, according to the deposit return scheme regulations.

Customers will pay a deposit on each covered can and get it back when they return the empty can. The deposit amount hasn’t been confirmed in the regulations.

For a can vending machine, that means updating prices to include the deposit and checking whether your site needs to offer returns. Watch for official guidance as the start date approaches.

Can vending machine prices

At the time of writing (October 2026), Irelley cold drinks machines start from £795. The Bubba Cola Cold Drinks Machine, set up for cans, costs £995.

• Coca-Cola Modern Drinks Machine: £795
• Pepsi Cold Drinks Machine: £995
• Bubba Cola Cold Drinks Machine: £995

Every price includes free UK delivery and installation and a 12-month warranty. See our vending machines for sale for the full range, including the Cold Drinks Can Machine (Ice Design), the RC Cola Cold Drinks Machine and the Large Cold Drinks Machine.

Best sites for a can vending machine

• Offices: steady weekday sales. See vending machines for offices.
• Warehouses and factories: shift workers want cold drinks. See vending machines for warehouses.
• Gyms and leisure centres: sparkling water and zero-sugar drinks. See vending machines for gyms.
• Car washes: customers waiting for their car. See vending machines for car washes.
• Schools: only drinks allowed under school food standards. See vending machines for schools.

Pricing cans in a can vending machine

Price cans in line with local shops, with a small premium for convenience at captive sites such as gyms and hospitals. Card payments let you set exact prices rather than rounding to coins.

Our vending machine pricing guide explains how to set prices that sell.

Restocking a can vending machine

Cans are quick to restock because they’re uniform and sturdy. Load each column with the same can, facing the same way, and avoid overfilling.

Telemetry shows which columns run low, so you only visit when needed. Our restocking guide and vending machine telemetry guide cover the basics.

Column or spiral can vending machine?

A column can vending machine stacks cans on top of each other in vertical tubes. It holds a lot of cans in a small space and rarely jams, but it’s usually limited to cans.

A spiral can vending machine pushes each can forward on a coiled wire. It’s more flexible, holding cans, bottles and sometimes snacks, but it can jam if cans aren’t loaded properly.

Choose columns for high-volume can sales and spirals if you want variety.

Some machines combine both, with stacks for best-selling cans and spirals for bottles or occasional lines. That mix gives volume where it matters and flexibility elsewhere.

Can vending machine vs bottle machine

Cans are lighter, tougher and chill faster than plastic bottles. They also stack neatly and take up less space per drink.

Bottles are resealable, which suits customers who want to drink over time, such as at gyms. Many sites offer both, either in a mixed machine or two separate machines.

In general, a can vending machine suits quick-refreshment sites like offices and car washes, while bottles suit gyms and outdoor sites.

Choosing a can vending machine

• Capacity: enough cans for your busiest day.
• Selections: enough columns for your range.
• Payment: card and contactless as standard.
• Can sizes: columns that fit the cans you plan to sell.
• Energy use: efficient cooling and LED lighting.
• Look: branded, retro or plain to suit the site.

Our guide to choosing the right vending machine covers the wider decision.

Branded or plain?

Branded can machines, such as cola and lemonade designs, catch the eye and tell customers what’s inside. Retro designs add character to cafés, bars and games rooms.

A branded can vending machine can still sell other drinks, but customers may expect the brand on the front. Plain machines or custom wraps give you more freedom. See our retro vending machine guide for vintage-style options.

Running costs

A can vending machine runs a fridge around the clock, so electricity is the main running cost. Modern machines with LED lighting and efficient compressors use less power.

Our guide to vending machine electricity costs shows typical costs for cold drinks machines.

Can vending machine profit

Cans usually cost well under a pound to buy wholesale and sell for more, so margins are healthy. Volume matters most, so footfall is the biggest factor in profit.

Our guide to how much vending machines make explains real-world earnings, and our vending machine profit calculator lets you test your own numbers.

Outdoor can vending machines

Outdoor sites such as car parks, sports grounds and campsites need weather protection. A canopy or shelter keeps rain off and sun away from the cooling system.

Strong locks and card-only payments reduce the risk of theft. Our outdoor vending machine guide covers what to look for.

Recycling and litter

Place a recycling bin next to every can vending machine. It keeps the site tidy and shows customers you care about waste.

Aluminium cans are widely recycled in the UK, and the 2027 deposit scheme will add another reason for customers to return empties.

Seasonal demand

Cold drinks sales rise sharply in summer, especially at outdoor and sports sites. Stock up before heatwaves and bank holidays.

In winter, sales usually dip at outdoor sites but hold up indoors. Swap a few lines for iced coffee or lower-sugar options to keep sales steady.

Card payments

Most buyers now tap a card or phone, even for a single can. A can vending machine without card payments loses a large share of potential sales.

Our contactless payment guide explains the options for UK machines.

Questions buyers ask

Can I change the drinks in a branded can vending machine? Yes. You can stock any cans that fit the columns.

How often do I need to restock? It depends on sales. Busy sites may need weekly visits; quieter sites less often.

Can I pay monthly? Yes. Irelley offers a deposit with the balance spread over up to 12 months at 0% interest.

See our payment plans.

Schools and young customers

School food standards limit which drinks can be sold to pupils, and fizzy sugary drinks are generally not allowed. Water, lower-fat milk and small portions of fruit juice are typical options.

Check the rules for your school and age group before stocking a machine. Our vending machines for schools guide explains what usually applies.

Hospitals and care settings

Hospitals often follow healthier food and drink policies, which may limit sugary drinks. Zero-sugar colas, sparkling water and flavoured water usually sell well and fit those policies.

Visitors and night staff want cold drinks at all hours, so machines near entrances and staff areas stay busy.

Forecourts and car washes

Drivers waiting for a car wash or fuelling up often want a cold drink. A machine near the waiting area or kiosk catches impulse buys.

Cans suit these sites because they’re quick to grab and easy to drink in the car.

Placement tips

Put the machine where people pass and pause: canteens, receptions, waiting areas and corridors near entrances. A machine hidden in a back room sells far less.

Near a seating area is ideal, because people who sit down to eat or wait are far more likely to buy a drink.

Make sure there’s a power socket nearby and enough space for the door to open fully. Our guide to vending machine locations explains how to choose a site.

Jams and maintenance

Most can jams come from mixed sizes in one column, dented cans or poor loading. Training whoever restocks the machine prevents most problems.

Clean spills promptly, check door seals and keep the condenser free of dust. Our vending machine troubleshooting guide covers common faults and fixes.

Security

Cash machines attract thieves, especially outdoors. Card-only payments, strong locks and good lighting reduce the risk.

Our vending machine security guide covers placement, locks and monitoring.

Getting started

Choose a site with steady footfall, pick a machine with the right capacity and columns, and plan your first range around best-selling cans. Set up card payments and telemetry from day one.

Track sales for a month and swap slow lines for better sellers. Small changes to the range often lift sales noticeably.

Can vending machine for offices

Offices are classic sites for a can vending machine. Staff want a cold drink with lunch or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, and the nearest shop is often a walk away.

A mix of colas, zero-sugar options, sparkling water and a few fruit drinks covers most tastes. Some employers subsidise prices as a staff perk.

Can vending machine for gyms

Gym-goers often want sparkling water, zero-sugar drinks or sports drinks after a workout. A can vending machine near reception or the changing rooms catches them on the way out.

Pair it with a bottled water or sports drink machine for a complete hydration offer. Our sports drink vending machine guide covers sports ranges.

New or refurbished?

A refurbished can vending machine costs less up front and can be a good first machine. A newer machine is usually more energy-efficient and reliable.

Every Irelley machine is tested before dispatch and covered by a 12-month warranty. Our refurbished vending machines guide explains what to check.

The shift to lower-sugar drinks

Zero-sugar and diet drinks now make up a big share of can sales. Customers are cutting sugar, and many full-sugar drinks pay the Soft Drinks Industry Levy.

Give zero-sugar versions of your best sellers their own columns. They often sell as well as the originals.

Where to buy cans

Cash and carry wholesalers, online wholesalers and drinks distributors all sell cans in cases. Buying in bulk keeps the cost per can down and protects your margin.

Compare prices across a few suppliers and watch for promotions on popular brands. Our guide to vending machine stock suppliers lists the main options in the UK.

The customer experience

Customers want a cold drink fast. Clear prices, bright lighting, a visible “card accepted” sign and a smooth dispense all make them more likely to come back.

If a can gets stuck, a contact number on the machine lets customers report it. Fixing problems quickly protects your reputation and repeat sales.

Common mistakes

• Mixing can sizes in one column.
• Placing the machine in direct sun.
• Coin-only payments.
• Stocking high-caffeine energy drinks in England after April 2027.
• Ignoring the 2027 deposit return scheme.

Can vending machines from Irelley

Irelley stocks a wide range of branded cold drinks machines that suit cans, from retro designs to modern machines. Popular choices include the Bubba Cola Cold Drinks Machine, the Coca-Cola Modern Drinks Machine and the Pepsi Cold Drinks Machine.

Every machine is tested before dispatch, delivered and installed free anywhere in the UK, and covered by a 12-month warranty. Card payment with telemetry costs £10 a month plus 2% per transaction.

The verdict on the can vending machine

A can vending machine is one of the simplest, most reliable ways to sell drinks. Cans are sturdy, chill quickly and restock fast.

Set up columns for the right can sizes, offer card payments and plan for the 2027 changes. Browse our vending machines for sale or contact our team for advice.