Best Water Cooler Dispensers of 2024 | Reviews & Buying Guide

best water cooler dispenser reviews
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Are you tired of your normal water dispenser, which doesn’t bring your cold water or hot water instantly? Then it’s time to install a water cooler dispenser in your house or office and get hot or cold water anytime you want. Having a water cooler dispenser will minimize your expenses at a significant rate.

With having a water cooler dispenser installed, you will get hot water for your tea and coffee instantly. Have a drink of quick and crisp cold water without waiting directly from your dispenser. You can also choose to get a dispenser that dispenses water from your water bottles, or you can get a dispenser that does filtration to your water and gives you purified water at the temperature you want.

Best Water Cooler Dispenser
Avalon A1 (Best Top-loading Dispenser)
  • Type: Top Loading
  • Self-cleaning: No
  • Room temperature: No
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 40 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
Avalon A8 (Most High-end)
  • Type: Countertop Bottleless
  • Self-cleaning: Yes
  • Room temperature: No
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 30 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Special Feature: Dual filters, built-in nightlight, leak detector & replace filter indicator
Avalon A3 (Best Bottom-loading Dispenser)
  • Type: Bottom Loading
  • Self-cleaning: Yes
  • Room temperature: Yes
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 42 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
Brio CLBL520SC
  • Type: Bottom Loading
  • Self-cleaning: Yes
  • Room temperature: Yes
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 37°F / 198°F
  • Weight: 44.4 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
Avalon A5
  • Type: Bottleless
  • Self-cleaning: Yes
  • Room temperature: Yes
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 44 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
Primo BLZ-13898
  • Type: Bottom Loading
  • Self-cleaning: No
  • Room temperature: Yes
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 40.8 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year
Primo 900127
  • Type: Top Loading
  • Self-cleaning: No
  • Room temperature: Yes
  • Energy Star Certified: Yes
  • Cold/hot Water Temp. : 47°F / 185°F
  • Weight: 30 pounds
  • Warranty: 1 year

Best Water Cooler Dispenser

1. Avalon A1 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A1 Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A1 is one of the best water cooler dispensers in the market currently. You can easily get cold water for your hot chocolate and hot water for your tea with the push of a button.

Avalon’s innovative technology and perfect design make it a perfect choice for people who want a top-loading water dispenser. This machine gives you ice cold water at 47° F temperature eliminating the need to add ice to your drinks, and gives you hot water at 185° F temperature, providing you perfect hot water for your tea or coffee.

If you have kids at home, there’s no need to worry about them accidentally running into an accident because of hot water; Avalon A1 has a child lock for dispensing hot water. It is the most suitable for homes and offices, and it can easily be installed in your kitchen. The machine is UL listed and meets all the standards of Energy Star.

In the package, you will get the manual for installation instructions. Although the installation process is easy and quick, it might just take up to a few minutes to connect the water source with the dispenser and connecting filters.

After installation, it will take up to 15 minutes for the machine to dispense hot water and 1 hour to dispense the cold water. There will be a drip tray with the package for you to fit below the water taps. You can fit the standard water jugs of 3-5 gallons with this dispenser.

Read Full Review of Avalon A1 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

What we like
  • Hot water safety lock
  • Does not make much noise
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to clean
  • Touchless press peddles
What we don’t like
  • It is a top-loading dispenser, you will have to lift up the water gallon and set it on top
  • It does not have a self-cleaning mode
  • Does not give room temperature water

2. Avalon A3 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A3 Self Cleaning Water Cooler Dispenser

This water cooler dispenser from Avalon is a bottom loading dispenser and it is a very suitable choice for people who cannot lift up the heavy 3-5 gallons water bottle and set it up on the top shelf of the dispenser.

With this dispenser, you can get room temperature water with hot and cold water. The machine has a self-cleaning ozone function mode for long-lasting purification. Like almost all the dispensers, you get a child safety lock on hot water to avoid accidents.

In addition to that, there’s a built-in night light at the water sprouts, so now you don’t have to fumble in the kitchen at night or turn on your light to get water. Moreover, the dispenser is UL listed, and energy star approved, so you don’t have to contemplate the quality of the dispenser.

In one go, this model gives 4 cups of hot water for your tea but after 4 cups, the temperature drops until the water heats up again. There’s also a removable water drip tray you can take out and clean.

In addition to that, the dispenser has an indicator light that will let you know when the water bottle is empty and needs to be replaced. There’s 9 inches of space between the water drip and the drip tray, giving you enough space to even fill up your water bottle directly.

Read Full Review of Avalon A3 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

What we like
  • Self-cleaning mode
  • You don’t have to lift up the heavy water gallons
  • Easy installation
  • You can get a room temperature water
  • Night-light
What we don’t like
  • There are hardly any cons of this water dispenser except for sometimes some customers face support issues.

3. Avalon A8 Bottleless Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A8 Bottleless Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser

This model has to be one of the best countertop self-cleaning hot and cold water dispensers. Installing this dispenser is everyone’s cup of tea.

The machine can dispense hot and cold water but not room temperature water. With its self-cleaning mode, you just have to push a button, and your dispenser will clean itself. More on that, it comes with a built-in indicator for leaks, eliminating your worries about water-soaked countertops.

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The filtering system of this dispenser is a two-stage process; the first is a multi-layer sediment filter, and the second is a carbon block. These filters give you better tasting purified water from your dispenser, and they need to be replaced every 6 months to 1 year.

If we look at the design of this dispenser, it adds up beauty to your already beautiful kitchen. A water cooler that dispenses purified hot and cold water, which is excellent in quality and durability, all the while looking good on your countertop, what more can we expect from this amazing countertop water dispenser?

The machine eliminates your expenses of water bottles. You just have to connect the dispenser with your drinking water line, and it will give you perfectly purified water. There’s also a child lock for dispensing hot water, ensuring the safety of your child.

Avalon has a built-in night light in their several models, and this dispenser is one of them. Now, for the filter changes, Avalon has also added a filter change indicator, which will tell you when it’s time to change the filter cartridges of the dispenser. All in all, this is one of the best choices for countertop water dispensers.

What we like
  • 2 Stage filtration process
  • Self-cleaning feature
  • Eliminates expenses of bottled water
  • NSF certified carbon block filter
  • Built-in light, leak detector, and night light
  • Quick installation
  • No-touch press peddles
What we don’t like
  • Does not give you room temperature water
  • Requires timely filter cartridge change.

4. Avalon A5 Self-Cleaning Bottlesless Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A5 Self-Cleaning Bottlesless Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon’s A5 self-cleaning bottleless water cooler dispenser is the most suitable choice for homes and offices. This dispenser gives you the option to shut off cold water and hot water if you want to. You get an option for getting room temperature water from the dispenser.

It can be easily connected directly to your water supply line. Avalon’s dispenser has a 2-stage filtration system, so you will not have to worry about the chemicals and contaminants in the water you drink. These two filters consist of a multilayer sediment filter and carbon block filter.

The multilayer sediment filter removes all the large contaminants from the water, and the carbon block filter removes any foul odor or taste from the water.

It even removes lead, cysts, chlorine, or any other similar particulates, effectively, delivering you healthy water for tea, coffee, or to drink. These filters require replacement every 6 months or after purifying 1500 gallons of water. It minimizes your expenses of purchasing bottled water significantly.

The water cooler has different switches you will have to push to get the water from the particular dispenser. The hot water dispenser has a child lock to keep the safety of your kids a priority.

The size of the dispenser is very manageable, and it is even UL listed as well as Energy Star approved. The filters are certified by NSF, so you can rest easy about the purification quality of the water being dispensed from your water dispenser.

What we like
  • Eliminates expenses of bottled water
  • Easy installation
  • Can directly be connected to your water supply
  • Self-cleaning feature
  • Built-in night light
  • 2-stage filtration
  • You also get room temperature water
  • Certified by NSF
What we don’t like
  • It does not have a touchless peddle but has push buttons
  • The cost of maintenance might get a little high compared to other dispensers.

5. Brio CLBL520SC Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser

Brio CLBL520SC Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser

Brio self-cleaning bottom loading water dispenser is ideal for people who want to get hot, cold, and room temperature water from their dispenser.

In the bottom loading dispenser, you just have to put your 3-5 gallon water bottle in place, insert the line into the bottle and start your dispenser. It’s a quick and hassle-free installation.

Dispenser’s Ozone self-cleaning mode frees you from the worry of cleaning it yourself and from the possible bacteria building up in your dispenser. It has a child lock on the push button for hot water, so you don’t have to constantly look out for your child when the child is around the water dispenser.

The dispenser has a large dispensing space, allowing you to directly pour a bottle from the dispenser. With its night light mode, you can pour water into your glass with perfect visibility even at night.

You can fill your mug for coffee and a glass of cold water to drink simultaneously from the dispenser. The water dispenser meets the NSF/ANSI 372 standards and is also UL listed.

You even get an option to shut the cooling or heating of the water just by flipping the switch off. LED light indicators of the dispenser tell when your water is heating up or being cooled and when it has completed the process for both.

Read Full Review of Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

What we like
  • Its bottom loading dispenser
  • Easy Installation
  • Meets the standard for NSF/ANSI 372 and UL listed as well as Energy Star approved.
  • Ozone self-cleaning mode
  • Can dispense water simultaneously
  • Removable drip tray
  • Indicator to show the need for bottle refill
What we don’t like
  • Push buttons instead of touchless peddles

6. Primo BLZ-13898 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Primo BLZ-13898 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Primo is one of the best brands offering affordable and quality water cooler dispensers. You can get hot, cold, and room temperature water from the dispenser, perfectly suitable for homes and offices.

You can install it easily in your kitchen by yourself, and there will be an installation instructional manual that comes with the package to help you install and guide.

After putting the water bottle in the dispenser, you just have to plug in the dispenser and turn on the dispenser and wait for 15-20 minutes for the hot water and about an hour for cold water.

When the system is done processing both water, the lights will turn themselves off. You just have to push the buttons for whatever kind of water you want to dispense from the water.

It gives a sleek and awesome look in your kitchen or your office, wherever you choose to install it. The dispenser is UL and Listed and rated by Energy Star, and Primo gives 1 year of limited warranty. The dispenser has a night light to provide you with visibility to dispense the water without spill in the night.

There’s also a water drip tray that can be removed and washed in the dishwasher. Overall, this dispenser does its work the way it’s supposed to do efficiently, and it can go on for a long period of time. It might make a little increment in your electricity bill as it works on electricity.

What we like
  • 3 types of water dispenser, hot, cold, and room temperature
  • Easy install & use
  • Night light
  • UL certified and Energy Star rated
  • Removable drip tray which can be washed in the dishwasher
  • Bottom loading water dispenser frees you from lifting up heavy water bottles
  • Child lock on hot water dispensing
What we don’t like
  • There are push buttons instead of touchless peddles
  • Increase on your electricity bill

7. Primo 900127 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Primo 900127 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Primo is well known for offering the best water cooler dispenser and water bottles. This dispenser is a top-loading water cooler dispenser and you have to load the water bottle on top of the dispenser.

It has 3 options for dispensing water, hot, cold, and room temperature. To dispense the water, you just have to push the buttons on the top of the dispenser to get the water. Like all the other water cooler dispensers, it also has a child lock on the hot water switch, making sure that it’s safe to be in the house with kids.

The dispenser is UL listed and Energy Star rated. It comes with a spill-proof bottle holder making sure that the water doesn’t spill while loading. The Primo suggests the best water to use with the dispenser is Primo purified water bottles enriched with minerals. You can even get water from several refill stations for the water bottles. This water by Primo is highly purified in the RO system.

If you don’t want the hot dispensing from the system, you can turn the switch off from behind the dispenser. This unit does not make a noise like a lot of other water cooler dispensers and that’s what makes it one of the best choices in top-loading water cooler dispensers.

This dispenser is the perfect choice for families and offices which prefer to use bottled water and needs an efficient dispenser for it.

What we like
  • 3 dispensing options; hot, cold, and room temperature
  • UL listed and Energy Star rated
  • Child lock on dispensing hot water
  • Spill-proof bottle holder with a leak guard for spill-free Primo water bottle installation.
  • There’s a light indicator to show when the water is being cooled or heated
What we don’t like
  • You have to lift up the 3-5 gallons of a water bottle and set it on the dispenser
  • There might be some issue of spilling

Difference between the water cooler and water dispenser

Before distinguishing the difference between the water cooler and water cooler dispenser, it is necessary to know what makes these two different from each other; let’s see. The water cooler processes the water and provides your water at different temperatures, whereas The water dispenser gives your normal tap water or the water from your waterline.

Let us show you the difference between the water cooler and the water dispenser.

  • The Water cooler gives you water in different temperatures including, hot, cold, and normal, whereas a Water dispenser just provides you normal water; even your kitchen tap can be called a water dispenser.
  • The water cooler is more efficient and useful for people who need instant hot water for tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. In comparison, a Water dispenser gives you the regular water from the waterline and can be idle for offices or public places to make the water easily available for use.
  • The water cooler costs you more money than the water dispenser.

Despite their differences, water cooler and water dispenser have certain similarities,

  • Both deliver filtered water for you to drink
  • Both can use municipal or bottled water for dispensing
  • Depending on the water source availability, both can be installed in the house and in the office.
  • Installing them both is an easy task.

Types of Water Cooler Dispenser

Like we learned earlier, a water cooler dispenser is a machine that gives you water at different temperatures. There are mainly 3 types of water cooler dispenser you can choose from.

1. Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

In this type of water cooler dispenser, you have to load the water bottle upside down on top of the dispenser. This kind of water cooler dispenser comes at the lowest cost compared to other types of dispensers. Generally, a top-loading water cooler doesn’t require any electricity if it doesn’t have different temperature modes, and the dispensers with different temperature modes need to be connected to the electricity.

2. Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

The bottom-loading water cooler dispenser requires you to install the water bottle in the below compartment, and you just have to put the bottle where it is supposed to be and put the line which takes the water up to the dispenser. This kind of dispenser is good for people who are not comfortable with lifting 3-5 gallons of bottles. Like top loading water dispensers, bottom loading water cooler dispensers also deliver you water at different temperatures.

3. Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser

Countertop Water Cooler Dispensers are most suitable for installation in homes. It requires very little space, easy to install, and can be connected to your main drinking water line. Like all the cooler dispensers, it gives you hot and cold water. In the more advanced models, there’s also an option available for room temperature water. The capacity of these dispensers is low when compared with the other large dispensers. These kinds of dispensers might have a certain filtering system in them too.

Things to Look For When Buying a Water Cooler Dispenser

Water cooler dispenser guide

There are certain features that some dispensers have, and some don’t. Based on your needs for these features, you can choose the exact dispenser for your house or office.

  • With and without the Water bottle– There are dispensers available that require you to install a water bottle, and there are others that don’t require water bottles. Now you have to decide your needs or your preference for water bottles or water from the waterline. The dispenser without the bottle might have some filters in them.
  • With or without Filter– If you already have a filter system installed in your house, you probably don’t need a system with the filters; you just need a dispenser that gives you water at different temperatures. In case you are directly using the water line or you are not sure about the quality of water and want to save on buying water bottles, a dispenser with a filter will be the perfect choice for you.
  • Different temperatures– With a water cooler dispenser, you can get your water at different temperatures. However, you get an option for room temperature water in some dispensers, and in some, you don’t. Another thing to keep in mind is the temperature of hot and cold water that comes out of the dispenser. Usually, the manufacturer will tell you about the temperature level of the water.
  • Safety features– Some water cooler dispensers have a child lock safety in them, whereas some don’t. This kind of safety is generally in hot water peddles or buttons. If you have any kids at home, then you should always opt for a dispenser that has a child lock feature.
  • Night light– If you are a person with a habit to drink water frequently at night, there are dispensers, which make it easy for you with their night light. Although, there are models available without the night light too. Night light in a dispenser just makes it easier for you to fill your cup in the night without turning your lights on and without worrying about spills.
  • The Material of the Dispensers– Mainly, the dispenser comes in two kinds of materials, plastic and stainless steel. The stainless steel dispenser costs higher than the plastic dispenser. Besides that, the inner parts of the dispenser can be made of either of these materials. Usually, the plastic used in the dispenser is food grade plastic. You can look for tags like BPA free, Food-grade, and BPS free if you choose to purchase a dispenser with a plastic finish.
  • Number of Users– You can choose the size and capacity of your dispenser based on your family member, and if you want to install it in your office, you need to keep in mind the approx number of people who will be using the water dispenser. You can get a countertop dispenser if you have a small family. Usually, the provider will tell you the capacity of the dispenser to deliver hot and cold water; based on that you can choose an ideal dispenser for yourself.
  • The size of Dispenser– Based on the need for hot, cold, or room temperature water, you can opt for a size that is more suitable for you. The smallest dispenser will probably be the countertop dispensers. You can choose the size of the dispenser according to your water supply needs.

Benefits of Water Cooler Dispenser

Having a water cooler installed not only gives you filtered water but also gives you water with temperature. Let’s see what are the benefits of the water cooler dispenser.

  • Environment friendly– Having a water dispenser installed in your office and your house can help you save expenses of purchasing the water bottles and thereby creating waste in the environment. Not only that it minimizes the use of water bottles, but it also helps you save on your tea kettle.
  • Easy access to water with different temperatures– Need a hot cup of tea, but too tired to hit up your kettle? Your water dispenser got you. With the help of a water dispenser, you will just have to push a button or press a peddle to get your hot water ready for tea. The same goes for the cold water. You do not have to wait for your water to get hot or cold for whatever drink you want with having a water cooler dispenser installed.
  • Easy refill– The water cooler dispenser with bottles is very easy to refill. You just have to install your bottle in the dispenser depending on the type of dispenser, and you will get your choice of water at the desired temperature in no time. Based on your needs, you can get a bottom loading or top loading water cooler dispenser.
  • Money-saving– It cuts off your expenses in so many ways. It cuts of expenses of water bottles with the dispenser, which can be directly installed with your water line, and it minimizes your electricity bill by giving you hot and cold water at the same place. Although the cost of the dispenser is quite expensive, it starts saving your money in one week. The best part is that it lasts a lifetime.

Cleaning and Maintenance tips

Cleaning and maintenance is the easiest part of having a water cooler dispenser installed in your home or office. Let us see the steps of cleaning it.

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  • Unplug your cooler from the electric socket and drain the remaining water from the outlet
  • Make your cleaning solution, it can be bleach mixed in water, or it can be baking soda mixed with water.
  • Pour the water solution into the water holder of the dispenser.
  • After you pour your water solution into the dispenser, open the taps or outlets of your machine. let it drain all the way.
  • Once the water is drained, you can fit your bottle in on it again and let half a pitcher of water drain.
  • Your dispenser is ready as new and germs free to get you your water
  • You can use a clean cloth or tissue to clean the outside of your dispenser.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Can I control the temperature of hot and cold water coming out of the water cooler dispenser?

Ans. Yes, you can. But only in certain types of dispensers, which lets you change the temperature manually. It depends solely on what kind of water cooler dispenser you purchase,

Q. What’s the lifespan of the water cooler after purchase?

Ans. If you maintain your system properly, it should last up to 5-10 years. Some manufacturers even provide a 5-year limited warranty on their water dispensers. You might need to repair or set your dispenser every now and there in-between years, but it should last up to years with proper care.

Q. Which is the best water cooler dispenser?

Ans. There is no definitive answer to this question. Based on your needs and the number of people in your house and office, as well as the preferences, you can choose the best available and suitable water cooler dispenser.

Q. How frequently do I need to clean my water cooler dispenser?

Ans. The cleaning of the system depends on the usage of the water dispenser. Although you can clean your dispenser in 3 to 6 months to avoid jamming up any bacteria or germs, there are systems available that have self-cleaning ozone modes. If you don’t want to clean your system, you can always get a dispenser like that for your home or office.

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