Which office coffee maker?

We're so spoilt for choice nowadays that it can sometimes be tempting to think about giving office coffee and espresso machines like this a miss in favour of the straightforward teabag, which takes no prisoners, and requires no decision, except for how much sugar, milk, honey or whatever else you want to put into your cup of boiling water.

But perhaps we should take a second look. After all, these machines haven't just come about because we're hooked on gadgetry. The modern age cries out for ways of pleasing people with all different kinds of taste. Our workplaces are so diverse, and especially during a recession, so demanding, that we should take the prospect of choosing the beverage that's going to keep us going through the day as a welcome addition to our lives. Better that than to be brewing out of a copper pot over a bundle of sticks you've collected at five in the morning.

So with all this choice, how do we choose? Rather than draw you to particular brands, here are three tips for choosing the right kind of machine for your office - either for you to buy, or to present to your boss as a recommendation for that increased productivity which is the golden egg of all business.

1. Will the machine fit in your kitchen? Check its footprint, and make sure the machine and all associated accessories will happily find a place in your kitchen as well as your standard old fashioned kettle - which you won't abandon just in case you need to make a hot water bottle or just have some hot water handy for a drink the machine doesn't make. If you don't do this, the risk is the machine will lie dormant in your cleaning cupboard instead.

2. Does the machine offer sufficient numbers of flavours and drinks to cater not only for your staff and colleagues but also for any potential visiting clients? Make sure when choosing that you don't skimp on this detail or you may find everyone turning on the kettle instead.

3. Is it easy to procure the drinks sachets and other accessories for your machine? And are they economically priced? Make your choice, but make sure it's going to be easy to stock up, and that it's not going to cost you a fortune - otherwise, again, you'll be buying something which will soon be lying redundant.

Are you looking for used coffee makers? Check out free safe classifieds for some inspiration.