Even if most Americans drink tap water, there is evidence pointing out that the water from all 50 states contains distressing levels of chromium-6. That’s not all though! Tap water may also contain other harmful contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. What does this mean, though? It means that we should be more mindful regarding the water we drink, as hydration plays a key role in our overall health and wellbeing.
This is where the best water cooler comes in. Not only that a water cooler makes it accessible for you to keep yourself hydrated, but it encourages you to use filtered water, which is safer and healthier for you. At the same time, such a unit is quite convenient: as you can use it for both cold and hot beverages. However, to ensure that you’ve made the right purchase, we encourage you to consider our water dispenser reviews.
Best Water Coolers Comparison Chart
| QUICK COMPARISON OF FEATURED PRODUCTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Brio Limited Edition Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser | You can choose between crisp cold, room-temperature, and piping hot output, making it ideal for cool refreshments | View on Amazon |
 | Avalon A5BOTTLELESS A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser | Depending on your needs, you can choose from crisp cold, cool, or piping hot water. | View on Amazon |
 | Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Touchless Bottleless Cooler Dispenser | This compact dispenser gives you hot and cold water instantly, reduces water bottles’ consumption to zero, and saves you space | View on Amazon |
 | Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler | It will provide you with cold and hot water as long as you remember to keep the buttons on. Otherwise, it takes a few minutes for the water to heat up or cool down. | View on Amazon |
 | Primo® Water Cooler Dispenser + Pet Station | It is surprisingly versatile, in the sense that it will keep the entire family hydrated – pets included. | View on Amazon |
 | Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser | Since the water bottle is located right on the top, you cannot miss but notice when you are running out of water. | View on Amazon |
 | Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser | The incorporated night light will help you find the dispenser on the spot, without the need to turn the lights on. | View on Amazon |
 | Primo Stainless Steel 1 Spout Self-Sanitizing Bottom Load Water Cooler Dispenser | You can use the unit to prepare cold beverages, preparing teas, warm meals such as oatmeal, and so on and so forth. | View on Amazon |
 | Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser | Save on energy consumption as this unit has a UL/energy star rating. | View on Amazon |
 | Costway 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser | Choose from cold, room-temperature, and hot water with the easy to use tri-temp push button faucet. | View on Amazon |
 | Primo White 2 Spout Bottom Load Hot and Cold Water Cooler Dispenser | Get ice cold or hot water, depending on your needs, with only a push of a button. | View on Amazon |
Best Water Dispenser Reviews – Editors’ Picks
1. Brio Limited Edition Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
Design, safety, and functionality have all been addressed when creating the Brio water cooler dispenser. Its style decision of stainless-steel elements and black parts finish anticipates a wide variety of interiors. Child safety button, Error notifications, and Night lights all contribute to a higher level of convenience.
Some like it hot, some cold, others prefer a balance. Therefore, everyone can enjoy the hot, cold, and room temperature water provided by the triple faucet dispensing feature. The temperature range is between 205° for hot water and 38° for cold.
Plug it into a regular 110 outlet, press the hot water button, and once it is ready, you can pour hot water instantly into your teacup. If the electricity is down, you can still have some water, but it won’t be cold or hot. The unit is UL/ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED.
There is no filter for you to replace, and the drip tray is easy to clean by lazy wiping, or if you are feeling adventurous, you can even wash it like a dish. 3lt to 5lt water gallon can be loaded on top into a tight seat, preventing contamination and leakages.
Pros:
- Good design
- Safety features
- Triple faucet
Cons:
- No storage cabinet
2. Avalon A5BOTTLELESS A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser
The Avalon A5BOTTLELESS A5 is a water dispenser that has three temperature settings. Depending on your needs, you can choose from crisp cold, cool, or piping hot water. Each switch works individually, and you can decide what temperature to stay on. One feature that makes this device valuable for the environment is the bottleless characteristic. The dispenser comes with a water line that you can hook to a sink. It has two stainless steel tanks – hot and cold.
The hot tank holds 1 liter and the cold tank holds 3.6 liters. Both tanks refill as you dispense water so they will generally always be full. The installation process is simple. Instructions, however, are not as clear and straightforward so you might need to figure out the process yourself. You will benefit from clean water thanks to the charcoal filter. This element will purify your water from the accumulated sediment.
Remember to replace it every six months. A filter replacement indicator will notify you as well. If you want to remove other harmful particles as well, you will need a pre-filter. It can connect the line before the distiller to deliver already purified water. The dispenser itself provides enough space for big jugs and bottles to fit.
Read More: Avalon A5BOTTLELESS A5
3. Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Touchless Bottleless Cooler Dispenser
Going to the store to buy water and then drag it in or waiting for the water delivery guy is over. This smart looking, smart being and compact dispenser gives you hot and cold water instantly, reduces water bottles’ consumption to zero, and saves you space.
Assemble it, hook it up to the pipeline then spend an hour doing your chores because it needs that time to start functioning to its full potential. After that first initial start period, you can have hot and cold, clean water instantly.
Ensure all necessary information on the fittings because they might differ from what you have at home. You can easily find adapting parts and fittings for everything nowadays, and if you are nifty, you won’t have a problem. If not, then here’s an opportunity to get to know the good-looking neighbor.
The dispenser comes with filters, has a 30 days guarantee, and a heating capacity of 4 liters per hour.
Pros:
- No bottle needed
- Convenient small size
- Easy installation
- Filtered water
Cons:
- Recovery time for hot water
4. Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler
Here we present to you the Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler. This device will provide you with cold and hot water as long as you remember to keep the buttons on. Otherwise, it takes a few minutes for the water to heat up or cool down. This machine is compatible with any 5-gallon jugs and bottles. Buy your first one and slide it in the lower compartment of the cabinet. Both the door panel and the water reservoir are made of stainless steel to withstand long-term abuse.
The machine has a night light. Thus, it prevents stumbling and any other obstacles in the darkness. As for the noise, the unit does produce some sounds, but they are not too disruptive. The flow of water is relatively strong. You can wash the drip tray with excessive water in the dishwasher.
Although the device plugs into a power socket to function, it should not be a burden to your electricity bill. There is a metal cylinder at the top which is covered in Styrofoam. This plastic component is not securely screwed. As the water heats, the piece twists and moves, preventing the lid from remaining stable. Overall, the unit does what it has to do to provide you with the desired water temperature.
Read More: Primo Bottom Loading
5. Primo® Water Cooler Dispenser + Pet Station
As a pet owner, you know how important it is to ensure that your furry companion stays hydrated throughout the day. But this can be difficult, if not impossible, considering that, most of the day, you aren’t even home.
Knowing that your furry friend drinks stale water isn’t reassuring either, is it? This is where this cooler dispenser comes in. It is surprisingly versatile, in the sense that it will keep the entire family hydrated – pets included.
The water cooler doesn’t dispense water unless your pet’s bowl is placed correctly.
We also like the flexibility of this characteristic. More specifically, you can install the pet bowl depending on the layout of the house: in the front, in the right, in the left.
Moving on, durability is a given with this item, being made from premium stainless steel. The chrome accents are also nice additions, design-wise.
The included led night light is useful. If you get thirsty at night every now and then, this will come in handy for children, as well.
6. Avalon Premium Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser
If you don’t have a lot of space at your disposal, then this countertop water cooler might be a sensible alternative for you. It dispenses cool water so that you can refresh yourself on a hot summer day, as well as hot water, which means you can prep your favorite tea assortment whenever you want.
Of course, this means you’ll end up saving a lot of time you would otherwise spend with heating water.
The entire family can use this water cooler, stress-free, thanks to the child safety lock situated on the hot water spout. Since the water bottle is located right on the top, you cannot miss but notice when you are running out of the water, so that you can replace the bottle right away.
This is a handy characteristic, especially for offices, as the number of people using the water dispenser is bigger. Therefore, it is likely to run out sooner. At the same time, the flow of water is slow, which can be quite inconvenient.
7. Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
If you want to invest in a state-of-the-art type of water dispenser, then this would be a top pick. We could say that its design is a major draw for people that are keen on modern pieces.
It really looks interesting, with the clean, clear-cut design lines and the silver accents. The stainless-steel material will make this easily fitted into your kitchen or office space.
There are three water temperatures to choose from, of course: cold, room temperature, and hot. This means you can depend on this dispenser round-the-year to prep your beverages and daily drinks, and not only. The incorporated night light is a nice inclusion, as well. Whenever you feel thirsty at night, you’ll find the dispenser on the spot, without the need to turn the lights on.
Also, in order to eliminate the hassle linked with the act of refilling a water cooler, this one is designed differently. More specifically, this eliminates the need to lift it, as it loads from the bottom. Say goodbye to spilling accidents. Nonetheless, some people found that the cold water wasn’t as cold as they expected. This could be a matter of preference, though.
8. Primo Stainless Steel 1 Spout Water Cooler Dispenser
This cooler dispenser comes with a nice array of characteristics. One of its many benefits is convenience. At the same time, it’s worth pointing out that it’s easy to use.
All you have to do to enjoy fresh, cool water is to position the drip tray and load the bottle. You don’t have to worry about any complicated plumping process whatsoever.
When it comes to Primo water, you have two options. You can either purchase a 3- or 5-gallon bottle of Primo purified water with minerals. Also, you can choose to refill the bottle at a Primo-Service refill station. In this way, you can be 100 percent certain that you’re using high-quality, purified water.
The cooler dispenses ice-cold water, cool and hot water. Therefore, you can use the unit to prepare cold beverages, preparing teas, warm meals such as oatmeal, and so on and so forth. At the same time, Primo encourages customers to bring their empty bottles to the refill station, in order to protect the environment. Even if this isn’t a major difference, it is the little things that add up and count, in the long run.
9. Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
With this water cooler, you can choose from crisp cold and hot water. Therefore, this will provide you with refreshing beverages during the summer and comforting tea or hot chocolate during the winter.
It’s worth mentioning that this unit has a UL/energy star rating, meaning that it won’t eat a lot of energy. At the same time, this is designated for the entire family to use – thanks to the handy child safety lock.
Obviously, who would like to purchase a water cooler that looks bulky and takes a lot of space? The good thing about this particular unit is that it is surprisingly slim. Therefore, it won’t take a lot of room. In fact, it can easily fit even in narrower spaces.
Moving on, since you load the water cooler from the top, you can determine if the dispenser has run out of water. This is definitely useful, especially when it comes to office environments. Also, bear in mind that the tank material for the water cooler is stainless steel. However, a downside would be that loading the water is quite difficult and messy. Thus, you might be required to buy separate special caps for the water containers.
10. COSTWAY Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
Space used for convenience is always a well-used space. You can make your tea instantly without having to wait for the water to get hot or quench your thirst without looking for ice during hot summer days.
This freestanding water cooler dispenser of 12x11x32 inches holds 3 to 5-gallon bottles and is equipped with a storage cabinet for all the additional accessories that might be needed, like cups, straws, etc.
If used in an office, that would mean that many hands test their strength on all the handles, switches, and other such parts, which of course, leads to breaking them. Don’t worry about it, though, because you can just go online where spare parts are available.
This water dispenser has a security lock on the hot water tap, making it safe for tiny fingers not to get burned. Hygiene is considered by an anti-dust mite water barrel, removable drip tray, and ABS body, all effortless to clean.
Stays in the corner and works very quietly until it is time for a refill when you would only hear the sound of water pouring into your cup.
Pros:
- Spare parts available
- Security lock on hot water
Cons:
- Parts not durable
11. Costway 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser
This qualifies as a multi-functional water dispenser, differentiating itself from most units on the market. That’s mainly because it effortlessly incorporates the functions of a water dispenser and a filtered ice maker.
What is the result? An appliance that is practical and convenient to use. The tri-temp push button faucet is easy to use, enabling you to choose from cold, room-temperature, and hot water.
It goes without saying that the control panel is designed in a user-friendly manner, while the LED indicator comes in handy.
If you are fond of ice, note that the built-in ice maker is capable of generating no less than nine bullet ice cubes in roughly seven minutes. It is compact, meaning that you won’t have trouble finding the right spot for it, and it looks classic and versatile.
Nevertheless, the potential drawback of this unit is its noise level. That is to say, it is a tad noisy.
Read More: COSTWAY 2-in-1
12. Primo White 2 Spout Bottom Load Cooler Dispenser
Without a doubt, this is a top-of-the-line water cooler that will most likely address your individual specifications. Most importantly, though, you’ll find that using it is quite easy – with only a push of a button, you can get ice-cold or hot water, depending on your needs.
At the same time, if you have children, and you’re worried that the hot water might eventually end up harming your little ones, you can rest assured. The hot water characteristic incorporates a special child-resistant safety characteristic.
Furthermore, the loading design is straightforward and simple. We also like that the design is neat, meaning that it conceals the bottles inside the cabinet.
Moreover, the water reservoirs are made from stainless steel, which translates into optimal durability. Meanwhile, you can place the removable drip tray in the dishwasher, for ease of cleaning. On top of that, the unit is energy star rated and UL certified.
On the other hand, some people encountered some issues with getting the nightlight to function.
Read More: Primo – Easy Bottom Loading Dispenser
Water Dispenser Buying Guide
To ensure that you’ve made the right purchase, you cannot simply buy the first water dispenser that crosses your path. This requires careful consideration, as you want to get a unit that provides you good value for the money.
The same can be said about refrigerator water filters; there are many products to choose from, which is why reading plenty of reviews beforehand is highly advisable. This also applies to portable water filters.
With that in mind, what should you know before getting a water dispenser?
Different Types of Water Dispensers to Choose From
Perhaps the first thing you should pay attention to when shopping for water dispensers is the types of units you can choose from. There are three major categories: each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Bottom-Load Dispenser
Many people prefer this type of water dispenser because it is believed to be one of the most practical ones. Expressly, this type of dispenser usually conceals the water storage container. Hence, it is often chosen for office or more professional environments. Plus, since the jug is situated at the bottom of the unit, you won’t have to worry about lifting the water bottle and turning it upside down. This can be quite inconvenient, especially for elderly people. Not to mention that this type of dispenser is usually the best in terms of water spillage incidents. This means that the likelihood of spillage is reduced, if not eliminated altogether.
You may also be interested in our reviews on the best water jug coolers.
Top-Load Dispenser
Distinct from the bottom-loading water dispenser, a top-loading water dispenser requires you to lift the water bottle. Concurrently, you’ll have to turn it upside down. In general, for this kind of unit, the bottle isn’t concealed, which might not be quite aesthetically pleasing. Still, as you might expect, the advantage is that these units are on the affordable side, in contrast with their counterparts. At the same time, they are easy to operate. Meanwhile, depending on the design of the item, you might have spilling incidents or not.
Countertop Water Dispenser
If your kitchen is quite small, then investing in a countertop water dispenser is a must. This way, you’ll maximize the space you have at your disposal while enjoying the benefits of owning such a unit. Of course, it doesn’t look as neat and stylish as the other options, but it’s still practical and handy.
Compelling Benefits of Investing in a Water Dispenser
We’ve briefly outlined the reasons why it would make sense to invest in a water dispenser. At first glance, some people might see this as an unnecessary purchase. But just as there are many unmatched benefits to acquiring a top-quality countertop water filter, the same goes for water dispensers.
Let’s have a look at a bunch of compelling reasons for getting one, shall we? Here are the benefits of water coolers;
Better Tasting Water
Many times, we fail to hydrate ourselves because we don’t like the taste of the water. Even if the water is tasteless, it can still have traces of components that alter its taste. It is preferable to use filtered water when it comes to water coolers, to ensure that you don’t ingest unwanted metals and other potentially harmful components.
Accessible
Sometimes, you might forget to drink water? Also, in some cases, the feeling of hunger might actually be caused by thirst?
Therefore, by investing in a water dispenser, you have a constant reminder in your face that you have to drink water and stay hydrated. This will boost your general well-being over time – even if you might fail to notice the immediate improvements right away.Convenient to Use
Children also find it difficult to stay hydrated during the day. This is where a water cooler/dispenser comes in. Children, in particular, seem to be attracted by this sort of unit. Hence, if you’ve had trouble with convincing your little ones to drink water, perhaps a water dispenser/cooler will address the issue.
Other Important Things to Keep in Mind 
Capacity
Each household has different needs when it comes to a water cooler’s capacity. Of course, the most convenient option is picking out a unit whose capacity is high. This way, you won’t have to replace the water bottle very often, which can be a drag.
Most notably, though, in an office space, getting a water dispenser whose capacity is sufficient becomes mandatory. Otherwise, the bottle will have to be replaced every day, if not more often. Meanwhile, the capacity of the water dispenser shouldn’t be greater than what you need, so that you’ll wait a lot of time to deplete the amount of water.
Ease of Use
Another must-have characteristic of a water dispenser is the ease of use. That is to say, you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to determine how the unit works. It should be designed in a user-friendly way so that everyone could figure out how it works.
A water cooler’s ease of use also entails how easy it is to maintain. Ideally, the unit you pick shouldn’t require too much maintenance. For example, most of the products mentioned in our guide allow you to place the drip tray in the dishwasher. Obviously, this significantly eases the cleaning process.
Safety Feature
Moving on, most dispensers on the market come with this characteristic, as you’ve seen in our reviews. Why is this important? It’s crystal clear that children are attracted to lights and any other unit that comes with buttons. Therefore, if you have children or regular children visitors – such as grandchildren or nephews – this characteristic is primordial as it prevents them from getting hurt by turning on the hot water feature.
Construction
Regardless of the type of unit you’re shopping for, its construction matters. The same goes for water dispensers. Durability is closely connected with the construction of a unit, the material used in the manufacturing process, as well as the company’s attention to detail.
FAQs
1. How do bottom load dispensers work?
Many people are curious regarding the way in which water coolers work. This applies, in particular, in the case of bottom load dispensers. So, how do they work in order to provide you with fresh water round the clock? As you might expect, the bottom load dispensers feature a different design. Usually, they incorporate a probe assembly.
This is situated inside the cabinet. This is what links the bottle to the pump, facilitating transportation to the hot or cold water tanks. Concurrently, a hanger is usually included in the construction of the units, as well. This maintains the probe assembly clean during the process of changing bottles. Most importantly, though, the key lies in the effectiveness of the pump, which is responsible for the actual transfer of water.
2. How do you clean a water dispenser?
To ensure that you enjoy good-tasting, healthy water, then you should always clean your water dispenser. This makes sense, doesn’t it? This will prevent unwanted bacteria buildup. What you have to do in this respect is to follow a range of guidelines. First of all, you should unplug the cooler and remove the empty bottle. You have to remove the baffle and lid from the reservoir and add roughly 3 cups of hot water and one cup of vinegar. In addition, you should wipe the inner surface of the reservoir by using a clean cloth.
At the same time, you should drain the reservoir through the taps. Usually, you can place the taps inside the dishwasher, which is time-efficient and practical. Afterward, you should rinse the reservoir at least twice, by filling it with water and draining it through the taps. It is recommended to sanitize your water dispenser every six months – or depending on the individual specifications of the manufacturer. Also, it is a good idea to check the manufacturer’s guidelines on this issue.
3. Does a water dispenser filter the water?
This might be one of the most frequently asked questions on the topic of water coolers. Do they also filter the water or not? As the name clearly states, a water cooler or an instant hot water dispenser is utilized in order to provide easy access to drinking water.
Nevertheless, they don’t have the function of filtering the water. In this direction, you’ll have to purchase filtered water, or simply consider investing in a filter – which is, without a doubt, a sensible investment.
Depending on the unit you purchase, you can connect your water dispenser directly to a water line, for instance. Preferably, you might consider getting a top-notch water filter to ensure that the water you drink is free from contaminants and other similar components. Meanwhile, if you were to choose bottled water, then you are sure that the water inside is filtered and purified.
Wrap Up
This concludes our buying guide. We hope that we’ve answered the most common question: what are the features of the best water dispenser? As you’ve seen from the points covered above, there are several characteristics that you should consider during the shopping process. Expressly, you should ensure that the type of unit you purchase addresses your needs – space and capacity wise.
At the same time, it should be practical. So, if you find it inconvenient to lift the water bottle upside down every time you have to replace it, then it would make more sense to get a bottom load unit. We wanted our water cooler reviews to be insightful and useful, and we hope that they’ve reached this purpose. If you have other questions on the topic, make sure you address them in the designated comment section!
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