Everything you need to know about buying, operating, and maintaining your claw machines.
It depends on where you plan to place the machine, but here are our top picks for newcomers:
Not sure which fits your situation? Browse all machines or call us at 800.853.3941 — we'll help you match the right machine to your location in minutes.
The main factors to weigh are traffic volume, prize size, and available floor space.
Standard machines are best for moderate-traffic locations, tight spaces, and operators who want a lower entry cost with a fast payback period. They work well in restaurants, bars, hotels, and small retail.
Jumbo machines are designed for high-traffic arcades and entertainment centers where visibility and prize variety drive revenue. Larger prizes, more players simultaneously, and a bigger presence on the floor — but they require more space (typically 4×4 ft or more) and a larger upfront investment.
If you're unsure, start with a standard machine to test a location. You can always expand once you've validated revenue potential.
Yes. We offer discounted pricing on orders of 3 or more machines, with deeper discounts at higher quantities. Volume pricing is available on most models in our catalog.
Call us at 800.853.3941 or use the contact form to request a volume quote. We'll build a custom proposal based on your machine mix, delivery location, and timeline.
Yes — two options are available:
Our sales team is also happy to do a live video call and walk you through any machine in real time.
Every claw machine order includes:
In-stock machines ship within 1–2 business days and typically arrive within 3–5 business days from your order date. All machines ship via freight carrier on a pallet.
Standard delivery is curbside — the driver will lower the pallet to the curb and you'll need to move it inside. White-glove inside delivery is available for an additional fee. Ask our team for a quote.
Yes, we ship nationwide to all 50 states. Deliveries to the contiguous 48 states ship at our standard freight rates. Alaska and Hawaii may incur additional freight surcharges due to carrier handling. Contact us before ordering for an exact shipping quote to those destinations.
Every machine is pallet-shipped and double-boxed with custom foam inserts to protect all surfaces, glass panels, and components during transit. We've refined our packaging over thousands of shipments to virtually eliminate freight damage.
The freight carrier will call you 24 hours in advance to schedule a delivery window. Please inspect the outer packaging before signing the delivery receipt — see below for what to do if damage is visible.
If you notice visible damage to the packaging or the machine upon delivery:
We'll file the freight claim on your behalf and arrange for replacement parts or a replacement machine depending on the extent of damage. We stand behind every shipment we send.
Yes. Local pickup is available from our Charleston, SC warehouse by appointment. If you have a truck or trailer to haul the machine, this is a great way to save on freight. Call us at 800.853.3941 to schedule a pickup time.
Not at all. Most of our claw machines are true plug-and-play — unbox, position, plug in, and you're ready to earn. The average operator has their machine set up and collecting plays within 20–60 minutes.
The included operator's manual covers everything from initial setup and prize loading to claw strength calibration and coin mechanism settings. If you prefer visual learning, we also have setup walkthrough videos available on request.
Yes — every machine purchase includes a complimentary setup support call. Once your machine arrives, call us and we'll walk you through the full setup, including claw strength calibration, win rate settings, and prize loading tips.
Ongoing technical support via phone is always available at 800.853.3941 during business hours, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm CT.
All of our claw machines run on standard 110V household current — the same as any other appliance in a home or business. No special wiring, dedicated circuits, or electrician work required. Just plug into a standard 3-prong outlet.
Typical draw is 1–3 amps depending on the model. If you're placing machines in a high-density arcade environment, contact us and we can provide exact amp draw specs for your electrician.
Yes. All of our machines are cashless-payment ready, with pre-routed wiring and mounting provisions for card readers. We officially support and recommend two platforms:
Both can be added at the time of purchase or retrofitted later. Ask our team about current pricing and compatibility with your specific model.
Revenue varies widely by location, traffic volume, play price, and prize mix. A typical well-placed machine earns between $200–$800 per month. High-traffic locations — busy arcades, family restaurants, entertainment centers — can push past $1,000/month per machine.
The biggest driver of revenue is foot traffic. A machine in a high-visibility spot at a busy location will consistently outperform a machine in a low-traffic area regardless of machine quality. Location scouting is the most important factor in your ROI.
Most operators recoup their machine investment within 6–18 months. Well-placed machines in high-traffic locations often pay back in under a year — sometimes in as few as 4–6 months.
Use our ROI Calculator to estimate your payback period based on your specific location type, play price, and expected weekly traffic.
It depends on your machine's play volume. Most route operators service their machines weekly or bi-weekly. A machine earning $400/month at $1/play sees roughly 100+ plays per week, so prize levels need regular attention.
We recommend keeping the prize chamber at least 60–70% full at all times — a fuller machine looks more inviting and drives more plays. Sparse prize chambers reduce impulse plays and hurt revenue.
The most proven prize mix for consistent revenue is built around a few core categories:
Target a prize cost of approximately $0.50–$2.00 per play revenue — meaning if you're charging $1.00/play, aim for prizes that cost you $0.50–$2.00 each at a win rate that makes sense for your location.
Licensing requirements vary significantly by state and municipality. Some jurisdictions classify claw machines as amusement devices and require an annual amusement license or permit. Others have no such requirement.
A few common requirements to research in your area:
We recommend contacting your state's Department of Revenue or Secretary of State office, or your local city clerk, to confirm requirements before placing a machine. Our team can also point you toward resources and operator communities in your state.
Yes. We stock a comprehensive catalog of replacement parts including:
Parts are available at candymachines.com/parts or by calling us at 800.853.3941. Have your model number handy to help us find the right part quickly.
Manuals and wiring diagrams for all current models are available as free downloads from our Support page. Simply find your model and download the PDF.
If you have an older machine or a model purchased from another distributor and can't find the documentation you need, call us at 800.853.3941. Our technical team maintains a deep archive of legacy documentation and can often locate diagrams for machines 10–15 years old.
Claw strength reduction is one of the most common maintenance questions we get, and the good news is that it's almost always a simple fix. Claw tension is fully adjustable on all of our machines via the control board settings or a mechanical tension spring, depending on the model.
Call us and we'll walk you through the calibration process step by step over the phone — it typically takes less than 10 minutes. We can also advise on whether a claw head replacement makes sense if the unit has significant wear.
Commercial-grade claw machines are built to last. With regular cleaning and basic preventative maintenance, most operators get 10–20 years of reliable service from their machines.
Our machines are rated for tens of thousands of plays. The most common maintenance items over a machine's life are coin mechanism cleaning, claw head replacement (every few years in heavy use), and occasional control board servicing — all of which are inexpensive and straightforward to address.
Our 2-year parts warranty covers all mechanical and electronic components of the machine as shipped. This includes the claw mechanism, motors, control board, joystick assembly, coin mechanism, wiring harness, and lighting systems.
The warranty does not cover:
Warranty claims are fast and hassle-free. Call us at 800.853.3941 or email partners@familyfun.games with your order number and a description of the issue.
In most cases, we can diagnose the problem over the phone and ship replacement parts at no charge within the same business day. You do not need to return the machine or any parts to file a warranty claim.
Parts are covered; labor is not. However, we've designed our machines to be highly serviceable by the operator. Most repairs involve swapping a component rather than complex technical work, and our team will walk you through every step over the phone at no charge.
The vast majority of warranty service calls are resolved with a phone call and a shipped part — no technician needed.
No. The 2-year parts warranty is tied to the original purchaser and order number. It does not transfer to a subsequent owner if the machine is resold or gifted.
If you're purchasing a used ClawMachines.com machine from another operator, we still encourage you to reach out to our team — we can advise on condition, parts availability, and general service history for machines in our catalog.
We accept all major forms of business and consumer payment:
Yes. We offer equipment financing through CandyMachines Capital, our in-house financing program designed specifically for amusement machine operators.
Financing terms range from 12 to 60 months, with competitive rates and no prepayment penalty. You can apply directly at checkout or call us to get pre-qualified before you order. Approval decisions are typically same-day.
Financing a machine often makes sense when your expected monthly revenue will exceed the monthly payment — many of our financed customers are cash-flow positive from the first month of operation.
No minimum order. Whether you're buying a single countertop machine to test a location or outfitting an entire arcade, we welcome orders of all sizes and give every customer the same level of expert service.
Yes, through our financing partner CandyMachines Capital. Once approved, you'll make fixed monthly payments over your chosen term (12–60 months). There's no penalty for paying off early.
To learn more or apply, contact us at 800.853.3941 or request financing details during checkout.
Our expert team is available Mon–Fri 8am–6pm CT. We'll answer anything — no question is too basic.
Browse our in-stock inventory and get your machine delivered in as few as 3–5 business days. Our experts are standing by to help you choose the right fit.