When the term “vending machine” is brought up, what comes to mind for most of us are probably those that dispense packet snacks, drink cans, and occasionally, freshly squeezed fruit juice.
While we still love a classic vending machine, gone are the days where vending machines are only good for a packet of chips or a can of Coke. Enter the unique, high-tech ones – think hot meals, bouquets, last-minute beauty fixes.
We did a sweep of some of the most unique vending machines in Singapore, and here are 10 of them.
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If you need a quick fix while you’re out or simply want to skip the hours-long hassle of getting your lashes and nails done, the good news is that there is now a vending machine you can stop by for lashes and press-on nails.
Check out the Press On Me vending machines at E!Hub, Plaza Singapura, and Hillion Mall. With cluster lashes and press-on nails in a variety of sizes, the vending machines deliver exactly what you need for a speedy spruce-up.
Plus, the press-on nail format means you can DIY your manicure on the go, and the cluster lashes allow you to customise your look depending on how dramatic you feel on a given day.
Image credit: Ultifresh
If a run or the Singapore weather alone has got you sweating buckets into your clothes, you can get a fresh change of T-shirts with the Ultifresh vending machines.
With 34 vending machines islandwide, Ultifresh brings an environmentally-friendly reuse and recycling concept, as its T-shirts are made from eco-friendly, anti-odour and anti-bacterial materials. This makes the shirts re-wearable and extra good for the weather. Ultifresh makes a profit of just $0.10 per shirt sold, prioritising sustainable innovation over profits.
Moreover, the apparel comes in a variety of colours, so you can take your pick depending on whether you’re feeling snazzy or basic that day.
We’ve already got vending machines that dispense snacks and drinks, but ChefGenie takes things a step further by actually cooking your meal on the spot. Launched at Punggol Coast Mall in 2025, the homegrown concept is Singapore’s first AI-powered automated kitchen, serving freshly prepared hot meals around the clock.
Instead of pulling a pre-packed meal from a chilled compartment, place your order at the machine or through the ChefGenie app, then leave the automated kitchen to do the cooking. Depending on the station, you can choose dishes from familiar brands such as Springleaf Prata, Takagi Ramen, The Hainan Story, and Tuk Tuk Cha.
There are now over 300 ChefGenie vending machines in Singapore, and all of them are available 24/7, so you can easily grab a hot bite when the hunger pang hits. Some locations include schools like Singapore Poly, NUS, LaSalle, SingHealth Tower, and condos like Seaside Residences.
If you’re craving your shio pan or some old-school snacks but your favourite shops are too far, HYPHA vending machines have got your back. The homegrown vending network partners local food businesses and places their goodies in unmanned kiosks around Singapore, giving smaller brands a physical retail presence without having to open another store.
One of its more eye-catching setups is the vending machine alley at Our Tampines Hub, where you can pick up goodies from several brands in one spot. The line-up has included Butter Town’s shio pan, with its OG Shio Pan, and Uncle Lee’s Confectionery goods. The machines are open 24/7, so late-night bakery cravings needn’t wait till morning.
EZ-Link cards don’t have to be boring. If the standard card feels too plain, you can check out limited-edition EZ-Link cards and charms featuring your favourite characters at SimplyGo vending machines around Singapore.
The designs change depending on what collaborations are running, which makes the machines worth checking every now and then.
You’ll find these vending machines all over Singapore, including at malls, MRT stations, and bus interchanges. Simply pick the design you want, pay at the machine, and collect your card or charm from the compartment below – perfect if you want your everyday commute to come with a little more personality.
Image credit: FamPlayTCG
Pokémon fans, you now don’t have to wait for card shows to go hunting for your next favourite card.
FamPlayTCG has vending machines at 9 locations around the island that dispense a variety of trading cards and are open round the clock. Just select your choice of cards, pay by card, then watch them unwind and fall into the collection bin before collecting them.
These vending machines may be your next trick to skipping the crowds and queues at card shows and conventions, so they’re worth a try, especially if you have one near you. Who knows, you might just find some treasures.
Image credit: @whitedewflower via Instagram
Forgot your flowers on a date or need a last-minute gift? White Dew Flower vending machines dispense just that.
You can take your pick of bouquets of fresh blooms displayed cutely behind glass panels, and buy one like you would at a normal vending machine. 2 of these vending machines are even located conveniently at Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, perfect for a quick pick-me-up before making any hospital visits.
What’s best about these flower vending machines is that you can skip preorders with florists and go straight to having a bouquet in hand. The machines are even available 24/7, so you can head down anytime.
Image credit: Eatbook
If you can never decide on a drink order, What The Cup’s vending machine takes the pressure off by letting you customise your own drink instead of picking from a set menu. Each vending machine has over 300 permutations of drinks, from tea and coffee to smoothies, matcha, and more. You can also customise your sugar level, choose add-ons, and make something with a flavour that’s uniquely your own.
Everything is prepared on demand by the machine, so you can watch your concoction come together before collecting it. The large screen even tracks the progress of the drink-making and tells you which step is in progress. Both hot and cold drinks are available, as well as multiple payment options for your convenience.
The best part is that the machines operate 24/7, making them especially handy for late-night drink runs. You’ll find What The Cup kiosks at locations such as Thomson Plaza, *SCAPE, and Tampines Bus Interchange, although drink options may differ between machines.
Image credit: @boustead.ps via Instagram
Whether it’s a harried day with no time for lunch or you’re just feeling a good salad, you can stop by a Shake Salad vending machine to grab one on the go.
Shake Salad’s salads come in a large plastic cup, and all you have to do to eat them is to shake them up after they are dispensed. There are several flavours to choose from, including Caesar salad, Japanese Egg Mayo salad, Soba salad, and more.
The salads are packed fresh and currently listed at $5.90 each. There are also smaller sides from $3.90, plus wraps such as the Maple & Herb Baked Chicken Wrap for those who want something a little more filling.
You won’t have to hunt too hard for one either. Shake Salad currently has multiple vending machines located across offices, schools, hospitals, condominiums, and other locations islandwide, and the machines operate 24/7.
If you’re sick of the perpetual air bubbles when you’re trying to apply a new screen protector to your phone, TKO GLAZZ has got the solution for you in the form of a vending machine.
Simply approach one of their vending machines, select your phone model and screen protector type, pay by card or cash, then insert your phone into the designated slot, and the application will be done within 2 minutes.
The prices are $16 for a clear protector, $18 for a privacy protector, and $20 for a matte one. However, the availability of each type of protector varies with your phone model, so do check the availability of your desired cover against the list on their Instagram before heading down.
TKO GLAZZ vending machines are available at multiple locations islandwide, including Singpost Centre, Marina Square, and Waterway Point.
From press-on nails to hot meals to screen protectors, vending machines in Singapore have surely come a long way from the days when all they dispensed were snacks and drinks. So the next time you pass one by, it might be worth taking a stop and a closer look. You never know – instead of a packet of chips, you might be walking away with a new manicure, a box of shio pan, or a fully customised drink.
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Cover photo adapted from: Eatbook, @pressonme.sg via Instagram
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