What is the best brand of water cooler?

The Best Water Cooler Dispensers

One of the most convenient ways to access both cold and hot water at home or in an office is through a water cooler dispenser. Our team has extensively researched and analyzed various models from renowned brands such as Avalon, Brio, Igloo, and Frigidaire. We are delighted to share our findings to assist you in selecting the most suitable model for your needs.

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Among the models we reviewed, the Avalon A4 stands out as our Best Overall choice, thanks to its innovative bottom-loading design and efficient water output. If you prefer top-loading models, the Frigidaire EFWC519 is an excellent option that can handle heavy lifting. For those interested in advanced filtration, the Avalon A5 bottleless water cooler is another exceptional alternative worth considering.

It’s worth noting that bottleless water coolers come with a higher price tag due to their built-in filtration systems. Meanwhile, bottom-loading models remain popular in the market as they are affordably priced, combining the best features of top-loading coolers without the challenge of managing heavy bottles.

How We Test Our Cooler Dispensers

During our testing phase, we evaluate each model's cold water dispensing capabilities by measuring its output over one hour, aiming for an optimal temperature range of 50 to 54°F.

For the hot water functionality, we determine the highest stable temperature as well as the volume of water that can be dispensed at that temperature within a specific time frame. This helps us assess how quickly you can enjoy your favorite hot beverages, including the amount of water available for making drinks consecutively, as well as the machine's heating times and overall hourly capacity.

We meticulously analyze the dispensing mechanisms—whether buttons or levers—to evaluate their design and user-friendliness. We also place significant emphasis on safety mechanisms associated with hot water dispensing.

Ensuring daily maintenance and hygiene is crucial for the longevity of a water cooler. We inspect each unit, draining the water tanks, accessing the internal components, and evaluating how easy it is to clean all necessary parts.

For a deeper understanding of our testing methods and scoring criteria, refer to our detailed articles.

How We Choose the Best Machines

Our selection process encompasses testing a range of popular and highly-rated water cooler dispensers, including a variety of designs and functionalities. We evaluate whether well-known products truly deliver on their promises while also exploring unique options that offer specific value. This comprehensive approach ensures you are informed about the top choices available and the runner-ups.

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Best Overall

This selection is ideal for the average family, featuring a child safety lock, an empty bottle indicator, and a robust bottom-loading design. The dispenser's efficient water output and cost-effective pricing round off its attractive appeal.

Dimensions WDH

W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches

Weight

36.2 lbs (16 kg)

Loading Type

Bottom Loading

Dispensing Mechanisms

Buttons

Positive Aspects

• Hot water temperature
• Optimal flow rate
• Sanitary nozzle design
• Integrated night light

Drawbacks

• Drip tray attached to the door
• Cleaning the cold water tank

Bottom-loading dispensers are preferred for two primary reasons: they eliminate the need for heavy lifting and often incorporate sanitary features like ozone or UV light.

Although the Avalon A4 doesn't completely satisfy our cold water standard of 6 L per hour, it still manages to deliver approximately 183 fl. oz (5.4 L)—sufficient for serving around 18 glasses in an hour, or one 10 fl. oz. (300 ml) glass in about 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

The Avalon A4 also excels in delivering hot water, capable of serving three substantial cups or a total of 27.3 fl. oz. (807 ml) in rapid succession, making it an excellent choice for a home or small office during busy periods.

Despite a heating time of 9 minutes and 27 seconds to warm a full tank, it provides water at a robust temperature of 199°F (92.7°C) with an impressive flow rate of 34 ml/sec.

We found the overall build quality satisfactory, with comfortable buttons that are easy to clean. Although the spacious drip tray is connected to the door, care must be taken when accessing the cabinet from the base. This economical model lacks ozone or UV features, making it more affordable.

For more details, read our full Avalon A4 Water Cooler Dispenser in-depth review.

Best for Office

This dispenser boasts a sturdy build and is reasonably priced, making it suitable for small offices thanks to its efficient operation. Key features include a traditional top-loading design and a hot water safety lock.

Dimensions WDH

12.5 x 12.6 x 41.5 inches

Weight

28.7 lbs

Loading Type

Top Loading

Dispensing Mechanisms

Faucet levers

Positive Aspects

• Cold water efficiency
• Stainless steel construction
• Runs cool
• Simple to clean
• Lightweight

Drawbacks

• Cramped dispensing area
• Hot water safety clip
• Outdated design

The Frigidaire EFWC519 is the top contender for office water cooler dispensers. Its notable features include outstanding cold water performance, simple sanitary design, and efficient cooling during high-demand usage.

This model provided an impressive 202 fl. oz. (6 L) of chilled water per hour, sufficient to serve one large glass every 20 minutes to approximately 20 individuals.

The hot water temperature registers at an industry-standard 198°F (92.2°C), offering practicality for two back-to-back drinks of around 7.5–8 fl. oz. (220–240 ml). Despite requiring 5 mins 37 secs to reheat a full tank—which is considered somewhat slow—it still delivers around 169 fl. oz. (5 L) of hot water each hour.

The stainless steel body enhances its appearance, providing a quality look. However, while the hot water safety mechanism may present challenges, the faucets are disassemblable for easier cleaning. The design may be traditional, but it remains highly functional.

Push back levers often prove to be more convenient within an office context, yet the cold faucet design accommodates a lifting mechanism, providing versatility. Although the flow rate may not match that of button-operated machines, it remains sufficient for the faucet design.

Generally speaking, top-loading units tend to be easier to clean and maintain compared to bottom-loading models, and the Frigidaire EFWC519 also features a temperature-adjustable cold water setting reachable through a knob located at the back of the machine.

Read our complete Frigidaire EFWC519 Water Cooler Dispenser in-depth review.

Best Bottleless

This standalone bottleless dispenser integrates filtration and self-cleaning features, making it pricier compared to traditional models. Nevertheless, its provision of pure filtered drinking water, child safety lock, and smart design that reduces the need for daily bottle replacements make it incredibly appealing, especially for modern families.

Dimensions WxDxH

13 x 12 x 41 inches (33 x 30.5 x 104 cm)

Weight

35 lbs (15.9 kg)

Loading Type

Freestanding Bottleless

Dispensing Mechanisms

Buttons

Positive Aspects

• Outstanding performance
• Straightforward filter set-up
• Stainless steel panel
• Ozone sanitation

Drawbacks

• Drip tray attachment issues
• Inside tank cleaning

The Avalon A5 bottleless water cooler dispenser earns top marks for its functional design and overall performance. It’s perfect for both residential and office environments, assuming you have easy access to a water line for installation.

Through testing, the Avalon A5 successfully provided 202 fl. oz. (6 L) of chilled water per hour, effectively meeting hydration needs for up to 20 individuals or accommodating one large glass per hour taken at three-minute intervals.

For hot water, it maintained an optimal temperature of 198°F (92.2°F), enabling dispensing of up to three 7.4 fl. oz. (220 ml) cups or two sizeable mugs at once. The tank reheating requires approximately 7 min 40 secs, while the hourly capacity for hot water reaches a respectable 179 fl. oz. (5.3 L).

The flow rate remained consistent at 33 ml/sec (1.1 fl. oz.), slightly below the benchmark of 34 ml/sec. The buttons offer comfortable traction, spacing them for straightforward maintenance.

Noteworthy features include ozone injection, a convenient night light, and filters that can last up to six months without a change.

Its stainless steel front control panel gives it a sophisticated appearance, while the dispensing area is coated with a bacteria-resistant finish, ensuring hygiene during use.

We found the filter setup process to be surprisingly simple, as the brackets come pre-installed for convenient connection to the water source beneath your sink. A separate filter head facilitates flushing the initial set of filters, enhancing ease of use.

On the downside, the drip tray is attached to the cabinet door and may come loose if not handled carefully. Be sure to grip the cabinet door securely at the base when accessing it.

Explore our full Avalon A5 Self-Cleaning Water Dispenser in-depth review.

Best Value, Top Loading

This affordable dispenser offers solid build quality and essential features. Its touchless paddle design and hot water lock minimize the spread of germs while ensuring safety during use. Its compact size is well-suited for confined spaces.

Dimensions

W 10.8 x D 12.2 x H 43 inches

Weight

30.9 lbs

Loading Type

Top loading

Dispensing Mechanisms

Paddle levers

Positive Aspects

• Exceptional cold water performance
• One-handed dispensing
• Modern color design

Negative Aspects

• Stiff lever action
• Fixed nozzle design

The aesthetically pleasing Avalon A1 features large paddle levers in vivid red and blue contrasted against a sleek white body. Given its sound construction and commendable performance ratings, it remains competitively priced.

This model produced 193 fl. oz (5.7 L) of chilled water per hour, slightly below the top standard of 6 L. It serves 19 cups of water per hour at a typical 8.5 fl. oz. serving every 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

While the hot water temperature reaches merely 192°F (88.8°C), it is adequate for instant coffee or green tea but not optimal for English tea or traditional coffee bags—making it more suitable for home or office use.

The touchless cold water dispensing feature makes the Avalon A1 ideal for smaller offices. That said, the stiff lever action may prove cumbersome when using paper cups as they require a grip adjustment to effectively engage the lever with knuckles.

Comparing the Avalon A1 to the Frigidaire EFWC519, both exhibit similar hot water capacities, but the Avalon A1 boasts faster heating times and better flow rates. However, the Avalon A1 does tend to generate some heat at the back.

Since the levers cannot be detached for thorough cleaning, periodic flushing with a citric acid solution is necessary for effective descaling and maintaining hygiene.

For more details, consider our full Avalon A1 Water Cooler Dispenser in-depth review.

Best for Home, Countertop

If you have limited space, this compact bottleless dispenser is designed for convenient placement on a countertop or desk. It provides a built-in filtration system, self-cleaning features, and safety locks, making it an excellent choice for smaller households.

Dimensions

W12.5 x D14.2 x H19.3 inches

Weight

39.7 lbs

Loading Type

Bottleless countertop

Dispensing Mechanisms

Paddle levers

Positive Aspects

• Rapid heating time
• Straightforward setup
• Handy side pocket handles
• Ozone self-cleaning

Negative Aspects

• Fixed nozzle design
• Narrow drip tray

The Avalon A8 is an efficient countertop water cooler dispenser featuring a two-stage filtration setup. It is well-suited for couples or families with older children, as its height makes it less accessible for small children.

This model excels in hot water dispensing, achieving an optimal temperature of 198°F (92.2°F) with fast heating times. It can serve two large mugs back-to-back before needing to refill and reheat, taking around 7 minutes and 22 seconds.

In our cold water tests, we found that the dispenser provides cold water at a rate of 8.5 fl. oz. (300 ml) every 7 minutes, corresponding to roughly 2.7 liters per hour.

However, during extended use, the rear heat exchanger can become quite hot, necessitating an hour or more for stabilization and cooling—making this machine unsuitable for high-volume drink dispensing in an office environment.

Notable features of this model include handy pocket handles, ozone cleaning, and a user-friendly filter installation process. The paddle levers and attractive color design are added bonuses, although the size restricts dispensing into larger tumblers or jugs.

For an extensive overview, refer to our Avalon A8 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser in-depth review.

Water Coolers That Didn’t Make Our List

We evaluated a broader range of water cooler dispensers for our analysis; however, not all models were deemed suitable. Here are a couple to consider:

Costway: This lightweight option is a third smaller than a conventional free-standing water cooler, but it sacrifices build quality for performance.

Igloo: With average performance and a lack of a power indicator, it might serve better in a studio apartment or a dormitory setup.

Tips for Buying a Water Cooler Dispenser

When considering the purchase of a water cooler dispenser, here are seven important guidelines to keep in mind:

• Focus on a good design: Strong performance doesn’t compensate for poorly designed buttons or levers, and vice versa.
• Select the right dispensing mechanism: Choose between buttons, levers, faucets, and sensors wisely as they can significantly impact user experience.
• Pay attention to drip trays: Not all drip trays accommodate cups or larger tumblers; ensure they fit securely.
• Determine if you need a home or office model: Prioritize cold water capacity for offices, while hot water capacity may hold more significance for home use.
• Verify hot water temperature: Certain machines are calibrated for lower temperatures—check this detail before committing.
• Consider touchless options: Touchless cold water dispensers offer added sanitation; however, push-back levers also maintain hygiene.
• The easier, the better: Sanitary features such as ozone injection or UV technology reduce maintenance requirements.

Our Expertise

We dedicated several hours to rigorous testing methodology to familiarize ourselves with different dispensing mechanisms, water pumping processes, bottle changes, and indicator functionalities. This led to over eight hours of consistent testing for each machine, resulting in more than 2,250 cups of water dispensed in total!

This product guide was developed by Roger Shitaki, who played an active role in both designing the test procedure and collecting the data. He has authored many comprehensive articles and buying guides focusing on mini fridges, refrigerator water filters, ice makers, and various kitchen appliances.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art- water: how much should you drink every day?