Cappuccino machines are spilt into main two groups. The first group of machines is soluble product machines which use instant products only. The second group of machines uses a combination of instant products and fresh coffee beans.

The soluble product cappuccino machines have one, two three or four product canisters. The single product machines can only deliver one type or drink. They are usually used for producing either black coffee or hot chocolate. Two canister cappuccino machines are used to produce black and white coffees and cappuccino coffees . One canister will contain instant coffee and the other will contain cappuccino topping. Cappuccino topping is a synthetic whiter which includes an aerating agent to produce foam for cappuccino coffees. Each canister has a whipper motor. Each motor can be regulated to produce a still black coffee or whipped cappuccino topping. Three canister cappuccino machines have the option of including soluble chocolate. This extra dimension means that hot chocolate and mocca drinks can also be produced. Four canister cappuccino machines have and extra canister generally used for decaffeinated coffee.

 Cappuccino systems are mainly used where high volumes of drinks are required in a short period of time. Most cappuccino machines have three canisters and can produce up to eight different drinks. These machines can produce up to 480 cups per hour. Some cappuccino systems can be pump fed however most machines need to be plumbed into the mains water supply. Coin options, swipe card and free vend cappuccino machines are available along with self service and staff operated systems. Kenco and Nescafe cappuccino machines are quite common along with Cadburys and Galaxy single canister chocolate machines.

Matrix cappuccino machines are one of the most popular systems manufactured in the United Kingdom. The Matrix mini cup cappuccino system is a three canister machine with a small foot print only 16.5 cm wide and is ideal for where space is a premium. This cappuccino machine has eight drink selections and hot water button for producing tea. It has a full audit system and integrated cleaning program. The next in range for Matrix machines are the Convex range. These cappuccino machines have either three or four canisters and have the option of a coin mechanism. These systems a can produce up to sixteen different drinks and include a hot water facility. The matrix classic cappuccino machines are also three and four canister machines and are designed for high volume drink requirements.

Other high quality cappuccino machine manufacturers include the GDS range. These are  systems are all high volume soluble machines ideal for hospitals, universites, stadiums and other high use situations.

Cappuccino machines which use fresh coffee beans instead of instant coffee are becoming more popular. These systems have two soluble product canisters, one for chocolate and the other for cappuccino topping and a coffee grinder and bean hopper for producing fresh ground coffee. The use of fresh coffee beans means that these beans to cup cappuccino machines offer an outstanding range of quality drinks. Coffee specialties like café crème, espresso , cappuccino and even latte macchiato are only a touch of a button away. Some of the leading cappuccino machines in this area include the Etna Piccola which has a dual coffee grinder and two soluble product canisters and the new Etna Brasil which has eight drink options and a coffee output of up to 150 cups of coffee per hour.