SUMMARY
In 2026, “we need more boba” can mean two very different things:
- You are constantly behind in the kitchen, or
- You are ready to turn boba into a smooth, high-volume process.
The difference usually comes down to your boba maker.
In this guide, we walk through what to look for when you are choosing a boba maker for high-volume production. Instead of drowning you in specs, we focus on the real questions: what kind of boba you want to scale, how much you actually need, how automated your line should be, and what will matter six or twelve months from now. Use this as a checklist to evaluate your boba production plan and have more focused conversations with equipment suppliers.
1. Start with your “boba reality” in 2026
Forget machines for a second. Look at what is really happening in your business.
Ask yourself:
- What are you actually selling the most of?
Classic tapioca pearls? Popping boba? Crystal boba? A mix? - Where is the pain right now?
Are you running out of toppings? Are staff stuck prepping boba instead of serving guests? Are you throwing away inconsistent batches? - Where do you want to be in 12 months?
One flagship shop with a smoother back-of-house… or a central kitchen supplying multiple locations?
Your answers will shape the kind of boba maker that makes sense for you. A machine that is perfect for a single busy tea shop is not the same as one that needs to feed a regional bottling line.
2. Decide which boba machine you want to own
You do not have to put every topping on one machine. In fact, trying to force that can create more problems than it solves.
Dough-based boba (tapioca pearls)
- Chewy, starch-based pearls made from a dough
- Dough is mixed, pressed, cut, rounded, then cooked
- Requires a boba maker built for dough: strong enough to press and cut, gentle enough to form even pearls
Liquid-based boba (popping boba and crystal boba)
- Popping boba: thin shell, liquid center that bursts
- Crystal boba: translucent, jelly-like “white pearls” often made with agar or konjac
- Needs a popping boba maker: turns liquid mixes into droplets and forms a gel shell in a controlled bath.
Trying to do both on one line is usually a compromise. Most brands instead pick:
- One process to own in-house, and
- One process to outsource or buy ready-made, at least at the beginning.
If your biggest growth is in colorful toppings, fruit teas, and playful textures, a popping boba / crystal boba maker usually has the bigger impact.
3. Get honest about what “high-volume” means for you
“High-volume” is relative. For one shop, it might be 20–30 kg per day. For a growing chain or manufacturer, that could be 200+ kg per shift.
Instead of chasing the biggest machine, work backwards:
- How many cups or servings use boba in a day?
- How many kilos of topping do you go through in a typical week?
- Do you want to run production a few hours per day or almost all day?
That will tell you if you need:
- A compact line that can comfortably handle your current demand with room to grow, or
- A full automatic line that is designed to run longer and feed multiple locations or clients. Check out the machines we have here.
The goal is simple:
A boba maker that feels busy, but never overwhelmed.
4. Choose your level of automation like you choose your team
Think of your boba maker as another “team member.” What kind of teammate do you need?
Option A: “Helper” – semi-automatic
- Takes over the hardest part (forming boba), but still needs you for a lot of steps
- Good for: a central kitchen or smaller chain where staff are already used to hands-on prep
- Feels like adding extra strong hands to your existing process
Option B: “Line lead” – compact automatic line
- Mixes, forms, gels, rinses, and transfers boba in one continuous flow
- Uses a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) screen so you can run recipes and repeat the same process each day
- Good for: shops or brands that want consistency, but do not need maximum capacity yet
Option C: “Production manager” – full automatic high-volume line
- Built to run longer hours and handle much higher output
- Often uses servo-driven depositing and more advanced controls
- Good for: beverage manufacturers or central kitchens that supply many stores or private label clients
Ask yourself:
- Do you want a machine that just makes forming easier, or one that takes over the full process?
- How many people can you realistically assign to run the line per shift?
- Does your team have (or want) experience with PLC touchscreens and basic machine settings?
5. Make sure the machine fits your space and your flow
In 2026, space is expensive. A boba maker that technically “fits” but blocks your staff is not a good fit.
Before you fall in love with a spec sheet:
- Sketch your production area
- Where do ingredients come in?
- Where are sinks, drains, and power?
- Where do filled containers leave the room?
- Drop the machine into that sketch
- Can people move freely around it?
- Is there safe access for cleaning and maintenance?
- Is there a straight, simple path from “bags and drums” to “packed boba”?
- Check utilities
- Do you have the right power supply?
- Do you have compressed air if the model needs it?
- Are you set up for electric or steam heating, depending on what the line uses?
Good equipment does not just fit the floor plan. It fits the way your team moves.
6. Look closely at cleaning, hygiene, and changeover
High-volume production means you will clean the line a lot. If cleaning is painful, your “high-volume” dream will disappear into downtime.
Things to look for:
- Food contact parts made from stainless steel and other food-grade materials
- Smooth surfaces, good welds, and no awkward corners where syrup or gel can hide
- Clear access points for cleaning and inspection
- Simple ways to drain and rinse tanks, baths, and pipes
Ask every supplier:
- “Walk me through how we clean this at the end of a shift.”
- “How long does a typical cleaning or flavor changeover take?”
- “Which parts do we remove, and which parts can be cleaned in place?”
If the answer feels vague or complicated, that is a red flag.
7. Protect your future menu, not just your current one
A lot can change in a year: new drinks, new toppings, new customer favorites.
When you look at a boba maker, ask:
- Can this line only do one thing, or can it produce more than one topping with a few smart changes?
- Can we adjust bead size within a sensible range if drink formats change?
- Does this support where we want to be in 2027 and 2028, not just 2026?
For example, some popping boba lines can:
- Make popping boba and crystal boba by changing specific parts and recipes
- Adjust bead size within a certain range by changing plates or nozzles and updating settings
- Produce related products like small gel spheres for desserts or imitation caviar for culinary projects
You do not have to use all of that on day one. But it is helpful to know the line will not box you in later.
8. Think in “years,” not “months”
A boba maker is not just a purchase. It is a relationship.
Beyond the price tag, ask:
- What kind of training do we get for operators and maintenance?
- How fast can we get spare parts if we need them?
- Who do we call when something behaves differently than expected?
- What does a normal maintenance schedule look like for this line?
The best match is the boba maker where you feel:
“We understand how this works, we know how to keep it happy, and we have support when we need it.”
Turning boba demand into a scalable production plan in 2026 and beyond
Boba is no longer a niche topping. It is a core part of menus and brand identities. The question is not just whether you can make it, but whether you can make it:
- In the right quantity
- With consistent quality
- In a clean, efficient way
- Without burning out your team
The right boba maker helps you move from “we are always catching up” to “we know exactly what we can produce today.”
Use this checklist when you talk with equipment suppliers and plan your next step. Get clear on your boba type, output, automation level, space, hygiene, flexibility, and long-term support. That clarity will save you time, money, and a lot of trial and error.
If you are reviewing your boba production plan for 2026, reach out to our team. We are happy to walk through your goals and help you choose the style of boba maker that fits both where you are now and where you want to grow.
