The WM980 makes a finished cotton candy from a 28 to 30 gram sugar shot with no operator, around the clock. Three models, six sugar flavors, 36+ shapes, and clear per-unit pricing from US$4,800 with tier discounts when you buy in volume. If you are sourcing as an operator or cotton candy machine wholesaler, send your quantities and destination port and we will come back with firm pricing, lead times and the export documents your market needs.
A cotton candy vending machine that runs itself
The Wider Matrix WM980 is a fully automatic cotton candy vending machine. A customer picks a shape on the touchscreen, pays by coin, cash, credit card or NFC, and the machine spins and shapes a cotton candy from a 28 to 30 gram shot of sugar. It works unattended around the clock, so there is no operator to schedule, train or pay.
Most buyers put these machines in places where people queue or walk past with kids: malls, cinema lobbies, theme parks, amusement arcades and play areas. The tube of sugar and the four-axis arm doing the shaping are part of the show, which is what pulls customers in before they have even decided to buy.
If you are still comparing machines and suppliers, we have written up how to find a current supplier, the real price, and whether the numbers work. It covers the same questions operators email us about.
WM980 technical specifications
The numbers below are for the WM980. The WM980+ and WM668 run the same core and differ mainly in the cabinet, lighting and tank capacity. Those differences are listed under models further down.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | WM980 |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 132 × 195 × 67 cm |
| Net weight | 300 kg |
| Power | 500 W standby, 3000 W processing |
| Payment | Coin, cash, credit card, NFC |
| Sugar per candy | 28 to 30 g |
| Candy designs | 36+ shapes, updated over time |
How a customer uses the machine
There is no app to install and no account to create. The whole order happens at the screen:
- Pick one of the 36+ shapes on the touchscreen.
- Pay by coin, cash, credit card or NFC.
- The machine spins and shapes the candy on its own.
- The customer takes the finished cotton candy.
That loop repeats all day without anyone watching it, which is the point of an unattended machine.
Built to run unattended
The parts that wear get most of the engineering. The burner runs an auto-cleaning and humidifying cycle to stretch its lifespan, which removes the one maintenance job that used to eat an operator’s time. A non-stick shaping knife handles the 36+ shapes, and a 4-DOF robotic arm moves with enough control that the candy holds its form.
The cabinet is built for unattended sites. A magnetic door lock stops the window from being opened mid-batch, and the upgraded wheels have an easy-lock so one person can roll the machine into place and fix it there. The screen doubles as an advertising display that plays USB video in several languages, so the machine can sell ad space on top of cotton candy.
Models and wholesale pricing
Three versions share one core. The decision is mostly indoor versus outdoor, then budget. A cotton candy machine wholesaler buying ten units needs different answers than a first-time operator buying one, so the table shows per-unit prices and we quote the tiers separately.
| Model | What is different | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|
| WM980 | Indoor hot model. Four 2 kg sugar tanks standard, upgradeable to four 3 kg tanks (+US$200). | US$4,800 |
| WM980+ | Adds an ambient ring light and a heavier metal cabinet. Four 3 kg tanks standard. | US$4,999 |
| WM668 | Outdoor unit. High-brightness screen, raised rainproof roof, six 2 kg tanks. | US$5,299 |
Those are single-unit prices. From three units up we apply tier discounts, and the exact number depends on your model mix and destination, so send your quantities for a firm figure.
What sugar and paper sticks cost
The machine has two consumables: cotton-candy sugar and the paper stick the candy wraps around. Both come from us, and both get cheaper as you buy more.
Sugar:
| Quantity | Price per bag |
|---|---|
| 96 bags | US$3.25 |
| 480 bags | US$3.00 |
| 1,008 bags | US$2.85 |
| 2,004 bags | US$2.75 |
Grain size is 1.2 to 1.7 mm, six colors, no powder residue. Flavors are milk, banana, strawberry, blueberry, apple and grape.
Paper sticks:
| Quantity | Price per stick |
|---|---|
| 2,000 pcs | US$0.050 |
| 10,000 pcs | US$0.045 |
| 20,000 pcs | US$0.040 |
| 100,000+ pcs | US$0.038 |
Sticks are 10 mm wide and 300 mm long in the standard color. Custom printed sticks need a 10,000 piece minimum.
If you want the full per-serving math on sugar, sticks and margin, the fully automatic cotton candy vending machine cost and profit guide runs through it.
Remote management
Every machine connects to a cloud platform. You check sales, see which shapes are moving, and read alarms from your phone instead of driving to the site. Software updates arrive over the air, so most fixes never need a technician to open the cabinet. The interface is multilingual, and you can switch coin, cash, card and NFC payment on or off per machine.
Where these machines earn
The WM980 earns where people linger with time and spare change: cinemas, theme parks, amusement arcades, malls, playgrounds and event venues. The machine itself is the draw as much as the candy, which is why it works without staff. For a closer look at two of the stronger placements, we have a guide to automated cotton candy machines in theme parks and cinemas.
Sourcing direct or OEM from Wider Matrix
Wider Matrix manufactures these machines, so there is no middle layer between you and the factory on price, spare parts or support. We export regularly and run OEM and private label programs for operators who want their own brand on the cabinet and the software. The OEM cotton candy vending machines guide explains private label in detail, and if you are weighing suppliers, these are the questions worth asking a cotton candy machine distributor.
Ask us for the compliance and export documents your market requires. Certifications and shipping paperwork vary by country, so we send what applies to your destination rather than guessing.
Questions operators ask
How much does a cotton candy vending machine cost?
US$4,800 for the WM980, US$4,999 for the WM980+, and US$5,299 for the outdoor WM668. Those are single-unit prices. Tier discounts start at three units, and the exact figure depends on model mix and destination, so send your quantities for a firm quote.
Is it profitable?
The machine runs unattended, so the main costs are the machine, the spot rent and the sugar. Each candy uses 28 to 30 grams of sugar, and sugar runs US$2.75 to US$3.25 a bag at the quantities above. For a worked example of margin, read the cost and profit guide.
What are the running costs after I buy?
Sugar and paper sticks, both from us. Sugar costs US$2.75 to US$3.25 a bag depending on volume, and sticks run US$0.038 to US$0.050 each. There is no ink or dye to replace, and the burner self-cleans to cut maintenance.
Can I put my own brand on the machine?
Yes. We do OEM and private label work on the cabinet, the interface and the candy shapes. The OEM guide walks through what is involved.
Which model should I buy?
WM980 if the machine sits indoors and you want the standard unit. WM980+ if you want the ambient lighting and a heavier cabinet. WM668 if it runs outdoors and needs the high-brightness screen and rainproof roof.
Do you ship to my country, and what about parts and support?
We export, and lead time, shipping cost and local duties depend on the destination. After-sales support and spare parts come from the factory. Send your port and quantity and we will confirm shipping and warranty terms for your region.
Get a quote for your quantities
Send the model, quantity and destination port and we will come back with unit pricing, tier discounts, lead time and shipping. Not sure which model fits? Tell us the venue type and expected foot traffic and we will point you to the right one.
