There was a time when if I’d heard the words best water cooler, I would have immediately thought of the water cooler at the office.
That was before I moved to the other side of Florida and experienced the worst tap water ever! I kid you not; there was white stuff floating in the water. And if there was stuff I could see, what was in that water that I couldn’t see?
The morning after we moved into that house, I was on the phone ordering a water cooler and water service. Thankfully, before that day was over, a water cooler was in my kitchen, and five jugs of water were in the garage. That water cooler was the best water cooler!
I have to admit it did take me some time to learn how to flip that bottle over without spilling a lot of it all over me, the wall, and the floor.
Fortunately, they improved the caps on those heavy bottles of water so you can flip them without spilling it.
And a lot more has been improved since those first days on the east coast of Florida. With all the improvements, there’s a lot to know about today’s best water cooler.
Comparison Table
What to Know
Image Source: Pixabay.com
We all know we need to keep our bodies hydrated and that we should drink at least 50 to 60 ounces of water every day.
But here’s a health issue that may surprise you. Did you know that kidney stones are on the rise and that staying well-hydrated can help prevent the formation of kidney stones?
Water dilutes the salts and minerals that concentrate in the kidneys, and that can turn into stones. So drinking more water will help dilute and flush those salts and minerals out before they turn into kidney stones.
Another interesting fact is that there are studies that show even mild dehydration can impair many of the brains functions and increase the frequency of headaches.
Drinking more water can help with weight loss, help keep you “regular,” and even help prevent hangovers. So saunter over to that water dispenser, drink a large glass of water, and cleanse your body of all those toxins.
Many say water consumption is higher when there is a water dispenser available. And that children, especially, drink even more when they can push a button and fill their glass with water.
But there are things to know and considerations to weigh when it comes to the best water cooler.
Do I need one?
The benefits
Space required
Desired Features
Maintenance
Cost
Different Types
Image: CC BY 2.0, John Brooks, via Flickr
There are five major types of water dispensers. All of them will require electricity, and some of them require plumbing.
Countertop
Countertop water dispensers sit on a table or your kitchen counter and come in either bottle or bottleless (point-of-use) types.
Most top-loading countertop models can accommodate most bottle sizes, including the 5-gallon bottles.
While countertop dispensers have a relatively small footprint, about 11 inches wide by 16 inches deep, you have to factor in its height as well. When you add the height of the bottle to the height of the unit, it may not fit under upper cabinets.
Another thing to factor in with a bottle type of dispenser sitting under upper cabinets is the extra 4 to 6 inches you will need to transfer bottles onto and off of the unit.
The significant advantage of this type of water dispenser is that it is relatively small and doesn’t take up any floor space.
Point of use or bottleless
This type of water dispenser connects directly to the water supply. If you have filtered water, you will want to connect to the water supply between the filter connection and your unit.
The homeowner can install some units, but some will require a plumber. And while this type of dispenser may be more challenging than a bottle dispenser to set up, you will have an endless supply of water without the effort of changing bottles.
This type of dispenser is available in countertop and free-standing models.
The significant advantage of this type of water dispenser is you never have to purchase or lift bottles of water.
Top load
These are the water dispensers that we are most familiar with; they’ve been in our offices for years. These water dispensers have a bottle of water on top.
Not all that long ago you had to have those 5-gallon jugs of water delivered, and you had to find a place to store them. And the biggest challenge was lifting and flipping that opened jug onto the cooler. Lifting and flipping without splashing water all over the place.
Fortunately, they redesigned those bottle caps, came out with 3-gallon jugs, and now you can purchase 3- and 5-gallon bottles of water just about everywhere.
You can get this type of dispenser in a countertop or freestanding model.
The most significant advantage of this type of dispenser is cost.
Bottom load
Image: CC BY-SA 4.0, Clarevoyance, via Wikimedia Commons
This type of water dispenser is freestanding, and the water jug slides into the bottom cabinet of the unit. There is no more struggle to lift a heavy bottle and flip it onto the top of the unit.
You slide the jug of water into the cabinet, take the seal off of the water bottle, then place the tube into the bottle, put the lid on, then close the cabinet door. The pump will deliver water up as needed.
The bottom load dispensers are more expensive, but you will no longer have to lift massive jugs of water, and your back will be appreciative.
The most significant advantage of this type of water dispenser is you don’t have to lift and flip heavy bottles of water.
Reverse osmosis
With this type of water dispenser, the water goes through a multi-stage filtration system that removes bacteria, virus, and pollutants, which purifies the water.
These are the most expensive dispensers to purchase and maintain. You can get reverse osmosis dispensers in countertop, top-loading, bottom-loading, and point of use dispensers.
The most significant advantage of this type of water dispenser is the quality and taste of water.
How We Picked the Best Water Cooler Dispensers
This best water cooler review is an independent analysis of the different types of water coolers available for home and small business use.
To narrow our best water cooler list to 10, we researched and compared over 75 different water dispensers, including customer reviews and comments.
We have no business or financial ties to any of the manufacturers we mentioned in our best water cooler review.
The purpose of this review is to give you sufficient factual, unbiased information. So that you can make a confident, informed, and easier decision when purchasing the best water cooler for your home or small business.
The Best Water Cooler
To find the best water cooler, we looked at a lot of them. Here are the 10 we think are best. OK, one of the 10 is just for pets. And while I don’t drink from ours, there are benefits that I enjoy.
1. Clover B9A
- STAINLESS STEEL TANKS: Both the hot and cold water tanks are…
- TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT: Controlled by an adjustable thermostat, the…
- ENERGY STAR Rated: This countertop water cooler has earned an Energy…
The Clover B9A is a two-spout countertop, hot and cold water dispenser. Both hot and cold water tanks are hygienic stainless steel, designed so that they are contaminant-resistant and able to maintain temperatures.
You control the cold water temperature with an adjustable thermostat, and you can choose to set the temperature from 35.6 degrees to 53.6 degrees. However, they pre-set the hot water temperature at nearly 185 degrees.
This ENERGY STAR-rated water dispenser has an ultra-efficient condenser that’s cooled via convection and operates quietly.
This water dispenser has the flexibility to convert to a bottle-free, point-of-use dispenser. While there is a conversion kit to change this unit to a point-of-use dispenser, I couldn’t find any reviews on this kit. So it would appear caveat emptor applies to the conversion kit.
Without a bottle on top, this dispenser measures 11.4 by 15.9 by 18.1 inches and weighs 30 pounds. You will want to add 4 inches if this unit is going to be under a cabinet, so you have room to put the bottles on and off.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Customer service
- Looks nice sitting on the counter
- Hot water is hot, and cold water is cold
- Great value
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Poor instruction manual
- Website lacking
Amazon customers rated this hot and cold dispenser 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. An impressive 83 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
2. DRINKPOD Series 100
- VARIETY OF TEMPERATURE MODES: Feel free to enjoy a hot cup of coffee…
- ENJOY PURE, PERFECTLY FILTERED WATER: This is the ultimate water…
- VERY EASY TO INSTALL AND USE: Forget about water purification…
DRINKPOD Series 100 is a bottleless (point-of-use) water cooler that dispenses three different temperatures of water.
The three buttons on the top of the cooler let you select room-temperature water, cold water, or hot water. The cold water is 40 degrees, and the hot water is 185 degrees, and room temperature is the temperature of the water in your water supply.
There are three red/green lights on the top front of this dispenser. They let you know if the water is cooling, heating, or if any water is going into the machine. Green lights are good, and red lights let you know things aren’t working as they should.
This dispenser comes with a four-filter system that cleans and purifies your water. And with the purchase of this dispenser, you will receive two sets of filters.
The four filters consist of a particulate scrub that removes sediment and elements like lead. Then there’s a chemical scrub, with compressed free carbons that absorb pollutants like chlorine and benzene.
Then there’s the ultra scrub that forces water through the pores of the 0.01-micron membrane that removes contaminants like bacteria and viruses.
And finally, the polishing scrub, which is an activated carbon block, provides a final polishing sweep to eliminate odors or discoloration.
According to the owner’s manual, a family of four should replace the particulate scrub filter every 6 months and 12 months on the other three filters. However, the actual lifespan of each filter will vary depending on the usage and local water quality.
The DRINKPOD Series 100 water dispenser comes with a one-year guarantee.
This unit measures 12.25 by 14.17 by 40.94 inches and weighs 51.42 pounds.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Easy installation
- Water tastes good
- It’s attractive
- Customer service
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Can’t put tall cups on the fill ledge
- Customer service
- Room temperature water leaked
Amazon customers rated this point of use water dispenser 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. An incredible 80 percent rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
3. Clover SD19
- ECONOMICAL: Without the use of plastic bottles, this Clover D1…
- EASE OF USE: Simple and easy to use push faucets with Hot Water Guard
- FAST FILL RATE: 16 oz in under 8 seconds! It also has a deep fill area…
Clover’s SD19 (referred to as D1 on Amazon) is a countertop model, featuring two spouts for hot and cold water. And it has a hot water guard, making it more difficult for children to press the hot water accidentally. Clover also has childproof faucets available for purchase.
This dispenser has high-volume, 304 electro polished stainless steel hot and cold tanks with internal heating coils and copper refrigerant lines. But this unit doesn’t include a filter or installation kit. Amazon sells the installation kit, and there are several different filters available for this unit from independent sellers.
An adjustable thermostat controls the cold water, and you can get water at temperatures from 32 degrees to 50 degrees. The pre-set hot water is at 185 degrees.
This countertop, point of use dispenser measures 10.7 by 16.8 by 17.2 inches and weighs 31 pounds. This unit will fit on the counter and under most upper cabinets.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- It fits on the counter
- Attractive
- No bottles of water
- Instant hot water
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Could include a filter
- They could include an installation kit
- Supply hose too short
Amazon customers rated this countertop, point-of-use dispenser a 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. A respectable 70 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. It’s worth mentioning that the rest of the reviewers (30 percent) rated this product 4.0 out of 5.0 stars.
4. Primo Deluxe Top Loading Water Dispenser
- Dispenses ice-cold, cool, and piping-hot water with the push of a…
- Hot water includes child-resistant safety feature
- Spill-proof bottle holder with Leak Guard prevents spills while…
The Primo Deluxe Top Loading Water Dispenser dispenses hot, cold and room-temperature water. It also includes a child-resistant safety feature.
The three buttons, with indicator lights, on the top of the dispenser, let you choose hot water up to 175 degrees, cold water at 37 degrees, and room-temperature water.
The stainless steel reservoirs provide durability, and the removable, stainless steel drip tray is dishwasher safe. Most 3- and 5-gallon water bottles fit this dispenser.
This attractive and quiet dispenser measures 36.6 by 10.8 by 12.5 inches. And this dispenser has a soft white LED nightlight so you can quickly get an ice-cold glass of water in the middle of the night.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- You can set a glass on the drip tray
- Solid and well balanced
- Quiet
- Good value
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Takes 35+ gallons of water to get rid of plastic taste
- Didn’t heat reliably
- Water isn’t cold
Amazon customers rated this top-loading dispenser 4.4 out of 5.0 stars. A favorable 76 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
5. Giantex Top Loading Water Cooler
- 【This Product Is Not for Sale in California】- You don’t have to…
- 【Anti-Dust Mite Water Barrel Seat】- The water barrel seat is…
- 【Considerate Stop Heating and Cooling Switches】- At the back of…
Giantex’s Top Loading Water Cooler dispenses cold and hot water and has a user-friendly child safety lock.
The cold water is pre-set at between 42.8 degrees to 50 degrees. The hot water settings range between 190.4 degrees to 203 degrees.
The anti-dust mite water barrel seat is detachable and easy to clean. Most 3- and 5-gallon water bottles fit this unit, and it has a storage cabinet to hold supplies.
This affordable and attractive water dispenser is an excellent entry-level water cooler that measures 36 by 10.5 by 10.5 inches.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Customer service
- The hot water is hot, and the cold is cold
- Attractive
- Great value
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Leaks
- It has no room-temperature water
Amazon customers rated this top-loading dispenser 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. A respectable 70 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
6. hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser
- EASY BOTTOM LOADING DESIGN – Now it’s easy to keep yourself hydrated…
- FOR 3 TO 5 GALLON JUGS & FITS ANY SPACE – Stylish water cooler…
- INTUITIVE CONTROL PANEL WITH NIGHT LIGHT- Features an LED night light…
hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser features hot, cold, and room-temperature water.
There are three tabs on the top of the unit that let you choose water temperature. One button is for room-temperature water, another button for cold water, at 49 degrees. And one for hot water, that is at 185 degrees.
The intuitive control panel features a night light allowing you to get a glass of water during the night without turning on lights. This unit also has a refill bottle alert that lets you know when you need to replenish the water bottle.
hOmeLabs says gone are the days of “flip and drip” as you try to lift a heavy bottle onto a dispenser. This bottom load, three temperature water dispenser is compatible with most 3- and 5-gallon water bottles.
This attractive unit measures 40.9 by 14.2 by 12.2 inches.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- No more lifting heavy bottles
- Hot water is hot, and cold water cold
- Easy setup
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Water tastes like plastic
- Loud
Amazon customers rated this bottom loading dispenser 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. An extraordinary 94 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
7. Avalon A3
- THREE TEMPERATURES: Three temperature settings allow you to customize…
- SELF CLEANING FEATURE: The self cleaning ozone feature sanitizes &…
- LIGHT THE WAY: Our built-in nightlight makes the water spouts clearly…
The Avalon A3 is a self-cleaning, three-temperature, bottom-loading water dispenser.
There are three buttons on top of the unit to press for consistent temperature water. One button for hot water, set at 185 degrees, has a child safety feature. The other buttons dispense room-temperature water and cold water, set at 47 degrees.
The dispensing area is 12 inches by 10 inches by 3 inches with 9 inches below the spouts, which will accommodate most cups and glasses.
There is a nightlight that can you can turn on and off within easy reach on the back of the unit. You can get a drink in the middle of the night without turning on all of the lights.
This bottom loading water dispenser removes the struggle of changing a bottle, and it has an empty bottle indicator to let you know when to put in a new bottle of water.
Avalon has incorporated a self-clean ozone function that will automatically clean the machine’s water tank with an injection of ozone by the press of a switch.
This handsome unit measures 41 by 13 by 12 inches.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- It looks nice
- Hot water is hot, and cold is cold
- Quiet
- Nice looking machine
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Leaked
- Self-cleaning takes 90 minutes
- Noisy
Amazon customer rated this bottom load dispenser 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. A notable 62 percent rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
8. Global Water G3 Floor Mounted Water Cooler
- 4-stage Reverse Osmosis filtration
- Hot and Cold dispensers
- Sanitary Push Button type operation with scald guard on hot dispenser
Global’s Water G3 Floor Mounted Water Cooler is a point of use, reverse osmosis, two temperature water dispenser.
There are two tabs on the front of this adjustable-temperature dispenser. One is for hot water up to 180 degrees and has a child safety lock. The other for cold water ranges from 37 degrees to 50 degrees.
This unit is equipped with an electric shut-off valve to prevent overflows and stainless steel reservoirs that keep the water safe and clean.
Global’s G3 also has a four-stage reverse osmosis purification system, assembled in the U.S.
This sleekly designed water dispenser measures 42 by 13 by 15 inches and weighs 58 pounds.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Easy to use
- Easy to maintain
- Good value
- excellent water quality
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Installation isn’t quick
- Need a professional to install
- No temperature controls
Amazon customers rated this reverse osmosis dispenser 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. A favorable 60 percent rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
9. Primo Deluxe Top Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station
- Innovative pet bowl can be placed on front or either side Removable…
Primo’s Deluxe Top Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station is just what the vet ordered. This hot and cold water dispenser even dispenses into your pet’s dish.
There are three buttons on the top of this dispenser. One is for hot water, set at 185 degrees, that also has a child safety lock. It also has another button for cold water, set at 40 degrees, and another just for your pet.
The pet station at the bottom of the unit features Primo’s innovative flex design. This design allows you to install the pet bowl on the front, the right, or the left side of your cooler. And it’s designed so that the water won’t flow if the dog’s water bowl is not in position.
This unit has a spill-proof bottle holder with a leak guard that makes loading bottles easier. And it comes with a dishwasher-safe drip tray and pet bowl. It also features an LED nightlight, so you don’t have to turn on lights to get a cold drink during the night.
This very pet-friendly water dispenser measures 41.1 by 11.8 by 11.8 inches and weighs 32 pounds.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Dogs love it
- Sleek and quiet
- Hot water is hot, and cold is cold
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Customer service
- Chilling stopped on cold water
- Leaked
Only one eBay customer reviewed this top-loading dispenser, and they gave it a rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. However, the customer rating (over 200 reviews) from several other retailers averaged 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. An impressive 81 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
10. PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
- LARGE WATER CAPACITY: 168 oz. water capacity is great for pets of all…
- Features capacity of approximately 1.3 gallons
- FILTERED WATER: Includes replaceable carbon water filter that removes…
This one is just for our pets. The PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain has a 168-ounce filtered water capacity.
The falling stream of water will entice your pet to drink more water. And the activated carbon filter removes bad tastes and odors from the water.
The under-water pump recirculates the water, helping to keep the water fresh. And the water flow is adjustable, which is a key feature, mainly when you first introduce this fountain to your pet.
We have this fountain for our dogs, and I had to lower the flow until they got used to the water falling from the fountain. And I have to admit; when all is quiet in our house, I enjoy the gentle sound from this fountain. I think this is the best water cooler, and I think our dogs think so too.
All parts of this fountain are BPA-free plastic and are dishwasher safe. I can attest it’s easy to take apart to clean and easy to put back together.
PetSafe recommends cleaning the pump every two to four weeks to keep the fountain running optimally.
This assembled fountain measures 15.75 by 10.5 by 10 inches and weighs 4 pounds.
Pros and cons
What reviewers liked about this dispenser:
- Pets love it
- Reliable and long-lasting
- Customer service
What reviewers thought could be better:
- Difficult to clean
- Water splashes everywhere
Amazon customers rated this pet fountain 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. A notable 77 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
Grab a Glass, Mug, or Bowl
Image Source: Unsplash.com
Well, that was a lot of information to digest so that you can pick the best water cooler. But your health, as well as convenience, is worth a bit of consideration.
With the fast-paced, social-media, screen-time lives we all live these days, maybe having the best water cooler in your kitchen is a good idea. You gather around the water cooler for gossip and news at the office, don’t you?
Well, now you can gather around the best water cooler at home and find out what’s going on with your loved ones. Make it a screen-free zone. But have some good gossip the first few times so that everyone wants to gather around. That would surely make it the best water cooler!
Let us know in the comments below which best water cooler you selected. And just out of curiosity, what has been the best gossip you’ve heard at the water cooler?
Featured Image Source: Pixabay.com
