Hire vs Buy: 5L Soft Serve Machine

Choosing between a one-day hire and owning a machine depends on how often you plan to serve soft serve and what you need to manage yourself. Compare the verified details below, then review the full hire terms and conditions.

At a glance

Consideration Hire the 5L machine Buy the 5L machine
Upfront cost £140 per day, plus a £250 deposit at collection. £679. Delivery included.
Event frequency One-day rental, 8am to 8pm. Listed for parties, festivals, events and children’s gatherings. Designed for businesses, pop-ups, markets and on-the-go trading, making ownership more relevant when you expect repeated use.
Training Operator must be aged 18 or over. The operator signs the machine in and out and receives operational instructions. No training terms are stated in the product listing.
Cleaning Return in the same clean and sanitised condition. A £25 cleaning fee applies if it is returned unclean. No cleaning service or cleaning terms are stated in the product listing.
Storage Return within the hire window, by 8pm, so no ongoing machine storage is described. You keep the machine. It measures 200 × 400 × 510mm and weighs 25kg.
Maintenance Do not leave it running without mix in the chamber. Repairs caused by misuse incur a £250 charge. One-year warranty stated. Post-warranty maintenance terms are not stated in the product listing.
Support Product listing states professional support throughout the rental. No ongoing support terms are stated in the product listing.
Delivery or collection Collection and return are required. Collection is between 8am and 10am, with return by 8pm according to the hire terms. Delivery included. If the requested colour is unavailable, the listing says it can be supplied in 7 days.
Return or cancellation terms Free cancellation up to 30 days before the rental. Cancellations 14–30 days before the rental receive a 50% refund. Failure to return the machine incurs a £600 replacement fee. See the hire terms for the complete conditions. Return and exchange terms are not stated in the product listing.
Ideal use case Parties, festivals, events and children’s gatherings where a machine is needed for a single day. Pop-ups, markets and food businesses that want a compact machine for repeat trading. It produces 5L per hour, with the first batch ready in around 20 minutes.

Before you choose

Soft serve operation may involve food-business registration, food hygiene obligations and insurance requirements. This comparison does not confirm whether you meet those requirements. Do not book hire or purchase on the assumption that you are eligible. Check your position with the relevant local authority and your insurer before operating the machine.

View the 5L hire listing · View the 5L purchase listing · Read the hire terms and conditions