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A water cooler offers easy access to a plentiful supply of cold, refreshing water. This convenient appliance is useful in offices, kitchens, public businesses—anywhere there are people who appreciate liquid refreshment on demand.
We count ourselves among those who enjoy a glass of clean, cold water, so we recently tested some top-selling water coolers to find out if this extra appliance is worth it. After dozens of glasses of water and weeks of testing, we like the Brio CLBL520SC best for its quiet, self-cleaning convenience.However, we researched more than a dozen premium water coolers before rounding out this list with top picks, four of which we tested plus five more that we think are great options. Stay refreshed with the best water cooler options featured below and refer to our shopping tips to help choose the right one.
- BEST OVERALL: Brio 500 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Load Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Avalon A4 Bottom-Loading Bottled Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DESIGN: Primo Deluxe Hot/Cold Bottom-Loading Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST COUNTERTOP: Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Brio Moderna Self-Cleaning Bottom-Load Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: Brio 500 Series Countertop Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR PETS: Primo Deluxe Top-Loading Water Cooler With Pet Station
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR COFFEE: Primo hTRIO Bottom-Loading Water Cooler
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Myvision Water Bottle Pump
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested: | 4 |
| Time spent testing: | 2 weeks |
| Tests performed: | 3 |
| Price range: | $14 to $325 |
Our Top Picks
A water cooler is a convenient appliance to have at home or in the office—perfect for on-demand glasses of ice-cold water or hot mugs of tea. Our top picks are easy to use and provide instant access to cold or hot water.
Best Overall
Brio 500 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Load Water Cooler
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Temperature 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold, hot, and room temperature
What We Like
- Sleek design with stainless steel finish
- Very simple setup; easy to use
- Digital empty-bottle alert display
- Self-cleaning ozone feature simplifies interior cleaning
- Energy Star certified
What We Don’t Like
- Requires 8 inches of space behind the unit
With a bottom-loading design and a self-cleaning function, this Brio water cooler is as appropriate for home as it is for the workplace. It dispenses cold, room temperature, and hot water. Upon receiving this unit, we instantly liked its sleek look. Its modern stainless steel design easily complements stainless kitchen appliances, but it’s not all about the looks. The Brio is feature-rich.
The hot-water dispenser is outfitted with a child-safety lock to protect kids from accidental hot-water burns. Other than replacing the water bottle when it runs out, this model doesn’t require much maintenance. All we had to do was enjoy the instantly cold water the Brio dispensed—-at least until the water ran out.
Though the bottle is hidden in the cooler’s lower cabinet, a digital display will signal when the water bottle is almost empty and needs to be replaced. Despite their hefty size—the cooler accommodates 3- or 5-gallon bottles—we found that replacing them was a breeze.
Adding an appliance to your kitchen can add to energy costs, so we like that the Brio is Energy Star certified. For even more energy savings, the back panel has individual switches to control the hot water, cold water, and night-light feature. To save energy, just switch off the features that aren’t being used. It’s also fairly quiet, so it won’t disturb any household or business activities.
What our tester says: “I think this water dispenser is amazing. Hot water comes out steaming, perfect for steeping tea, and the cold water is incredibly refreshing—which I really appreciate down here in Florida.” —Paul Rankin, Product Reviews writer & tester
Get the Brio self-cleaning water cooler at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Bang For The Buck
Avalon A4 Bottom-Loading Bottled Water Cooler
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Temperature 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold, hot, and cool
What We Like
- 3 temperature settings
- Water heats and cools quickly after new bottle is installed
- Child-safety lock protects the hot water valve
- Built-in night-light and empty-bottle indicator
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed and Energy Star certified
What We Don’t Like
- Drip tray can overflow
Avalon’s tri-temperature water cooler features on/off switches on each temperature toggle to conserve energy if the machine is not heating or cooling water. Even at full capacity, though, this unit is Energy Star certified. The water cooler dispenses cold, cool, and hot water and has a child-safety lock on the hot-water button. When the container is running low, the empty-bottle indicator light will illuminate. It also has a built-in night-light, which comes in handy when dispensing middle-of-the-night glasses of water.
Its removable drip tray makes this cooler easy to keep clean, though we noticed it can overflow. But that was the only downside to this cooler that we found. The convenient bottom-loading design makes it easy to load standard 3- or 5-gallon jugs and that was just about the only setup that this water cooler required. Once we attached it, the Avalon took just 5 minutes to heat water to a tea-steeping temp. Overall, this is a great water cooler at an affordable price.
What our tester says: “I have three kids, so I appreciate that the hot water safety valve provides an extra layer of security and the night-light is bright enough to dispense water in the dark.” —Kara Illig, Product Reviews writer & tester
Get the Avalon bottom-loading water cooler at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.
Best Design
Primo Deluxe Hot/Cold Bottom-Loading Water Cooler
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Temperature 5/5; Noise 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold, hot, and room temperature
What We Like
- Bottom-load design hides water bottle
- Easy setup
- Streamlined, single-spout design for 3 temperatures
- Free 5-gallon bottle coupon plus 1 free refill
What We Don’t Like
- Noisy even when not used in a while
This water cooler from Primo strikes an excellent balance between a reasonable price and premium features. We especially like the single-spout design, so there’s no misplacing a cup or water bottle under the wrong dispenser. This deluxe cooler also boasts some functions that aren’t common for water coolers in this price range.
It has a convenient bottom-loading design (so almost anyone can load it) and dispenses ice-cold, hot, and room-temperature water. An internal stainless steel reservoir helps prevent bacteria growth and unpleasant tastes. Also included is a child-safety feature, LED night-light, and dishwasher-safe drip. Buyers receive a coupon for a free 5-gallon water bottle plus one free refill, which you can collect from most grocery stores that carry Primo water bottles.
Despite its great features, we did notice that it was quite noisy whenever it needed to heat up or cool down more water, though. We would not recommend having this model near a room where quiet is essential. Still, this Primo is reasonably priced and well designed.
Get the Primo Deluxe hot/cold/room temp water cooler at Lowe’s.
Best Countertop
Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler
Our Ratings: East of Use 4.5/5; Temperature 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Point of use
- Capacity: Unlimited
- Water temperatures: Cold, hot, and room temperature
What We Like
- Easy to install to any compatible sink waterline
- Bottleless; no lugging refills around
- Dual-filtration system
What We Don’t Like
- Requires replacement filters
To install this Avalon water cooler, all that’s needed is a compatible existing sink water line and a wrench to disconnect the water supply line. Since it supplies unlimited filtered water, it’s also an excellent choice for the home or office for those who want a bottleless water cooler with easy installation steps.
This water cooler dispenses cold, hot, and room-temperature water, all filtered through a dual-filtration system. The filters include a sediment filter and a carbon-block filter to remove contaminants like lead, particulates, chlorine, and unpleasant smells or tastes.
Since this water cooler attaches underneath a sink, the setup is a lot more involved than the other options on our list. It’s not too complicated, but it took about 30 minutes. Once installed, we liked not having to replace a large (and very heavy) water bottle and that we essentially had a never-ending supply of hot, cold, or room temperature water. It’s also filtered so it can even help improve the quality of your home’s water supply if it’s not great; you’ll just have to buy replacements every now and again.
Get the Avalon countertop water cooler at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Avalon.
Upgrade Pick
Brio Moderna Self-Cleaning Bottom-Load Water Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Adjustable temperature from 39 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit
What We Like
- Adjustable cold and hot water temperatures
- Self-cleaning ozone feature helps clear bacteria and biofilms
- Digital display and softly lit touch-sensitive buttons
What We Don’t Like
- Pricier than most water coolers
Adjustable temperature settings set the Brio Moderna bottom-load water cooler dispenser apart from other options on this list. With this upgraded bottom-loading water cooler, you can choose your temperature for the cold- and hot-water spouts. The temperature ranges from a chilly 39 degrees Fahrenheit to a piping-hot 194 degrees Fahrenheit to dispense water as cold or as hot as needed.
With water this hot, the dispenser has a child-safety lock on the hot-water spout. Like most standard water coolers, it fits a 3- or 5-gallon bottle. A low-bottle notification feature lets you know when it’s running low so you won’t be stuck without fresh water.
To ensure the unit stays clean, this water cooler has a self-cleaning ozone feature that sanitizes the water tank and lines. On top of all its convenient features, the Energy Star-certified unit is made of stainless steel for extra durability and a sleek look.
Get the Brio Moderna water cooler at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Brio.
Best For Small Spaces
Brio 500 Series Countertop Water Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Countertop
- Capacity: 3 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold, hot, and room temperature
What We Like
- Compact size and small footprint
- Large dispensing area comparable to full-size water coolers
- Fits 3-gallon water bottles
What We Don’t Like
- Some users complain of leaking
For rooms with limited floor space, consider a compact countertop water cooler. The Brio top-loading countertop water cooler is an excellent choice for small break rooms, dorm rooms, and offices. Measuring only 20.5 tall by 12 inches wide by 15.5 inches deep, it has a small enough footprint to fit most spaces.
Even though it’s small, this water cooler doesn’t lack in features. It dispenses cold, hot, and room-temperature water on demand. To fit most cups, mugs, and water bottles, this countertop dispenser features a large dispensing area, similar to that of most full-size coolers. A removable tray makes this unit easier to clean, and a child-safety lock prevents kids from playing with the hot-water spout.
Get the Brio top-loading water cooler at Amazon, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Brio.
Best for Pets
Primo Deluxe Top-Loading Water Cooler With Pet Station
Product Specs
- Type: Top-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold or hot (room-temperature water for pet dispenser only)
What We Like
- Includes removable, dishwasher-safe pet bowl
- Pet bowl can be mounted in front or sides
- Features a bottle holder with a leak guard
What We Don’t Like
- Room-temperature only in pet station
Cat and dog parents will love the Primo top-loading water dispenser with a pet station. It comes with a built-in pet bowl (which can be installed on the front or either side of the dispenser) that fills at the press of a button. For those who don’t have pets at home (but might have the occasional furry guest), the dishwasher-safe pet bowl is removable.
Besides its pet-bowl feature, this water dispenser is just as practical for people. It provides cold or hot water at the press of a button (with a child-resistant safety latch for the hot water). A removable dishwasher-safe drip tray makes cleaning spills easy, but spills will hopefully be few and far between since this dispenser has a spill-proof bottle-holder feature and an LED night-light.
Get the Primo Deluxe top-loading water cooler at Walmart, Target, or Primo.
Best For Coffee
Primo hTRIO Bottom-Loading Water Cooler
Product Specs
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3 or 5 gallons
- Water temperatures: Cold or hot
What We Like
- Built-in single-serve coffee maker
- 3 cup size options for coffee
- Built-in storage for coffee pods
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks a room-temperature water option
Cold water, hot water, and piping-hot coffee is just a press of a button away with this water dispenser from Primo. Its standout feature is its single-serve coffee machine, which is built right into the cooler.
This hot and cold water dispenser can brew K-Cup and other single-use coffee pods as well as coffee grounds using the included reusable coffee filter. You can choose from 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce beverage sizes. Nestled between the cold and hot water spouts, the coffee maker looks unassuming, but is an excellent choice for coffee lovers at home or in the office. As a bonus, this unit has a storage section that fits 20 single-serve coffee pods.
Like many other Primo water dispensers, the hTRIO can take 3- or 5-gallon water bottles. It has a fast dispensing rate to fill jugs and pitchers quickly, an LED night-light, and, of course, a child-resistant hot-water feature.
Get the Primo hTRIO water cooler at Walmart, Target, or Primo.
Best Portable
Myvision Smart Electric Water Bottle Pump
Product Specs
- Type: Water pump
- Capacity: N/A
- Water temperatures: N/A
What We Like
- Easy to assemble and use
- Compact and easily portable
- Long battery life
What We Don’t Like
- Some users note that flow rate is slow
It doesn’t make sense to take a whole water cooler on the go, so for camping and other situations away from home, consider a portable water bottle pump. The Myvision water bottle pump attaches right to the top of a gallon water barrel. As long as the bottle has a 2.16-inch neck (a standard size), it can suit bottles ranging from 1 to 5 gallons.
Using this bottle pump is straightforward. Just put it in the top of the gallon bottle, press the top button, and the pump sucks up water and disperses it through its spout. The pump is rechargeable, with a battery life long enough to pump through up to six 5-gallon water jugs. In between camping trips, just recharge the pump with the included USB cable.
Get the Myvision water cooler at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Water Coolers
We targeted our search for the best water coolers to products that have already garnered rave reviews from users. We further narrowed our search to products that offered a combination of desirable features, such as dispensing multiple water temperatures, easy bottle loading, clean look and design, and hot water safety, to name a few. In general, we gave preference to bottom-loading water coolers because they are easier to load and are more aesthetically appealing.
Once we had our list of nine water coolers, we then chose four to test based on their broad appeal for their capacity, features, and price point. We then set up each water cooler and used all available features for several days. At the end of the test period, we assessed each water cooler for ease of use, the quality of the water temperature, noise, and overall value.
What to Consider When Choosing a Water Cooler
There are several other features to consider when choosing a water cooler. The best water coolers share a few traits: They’re easy to use, easy to clean, and dispense water at the preferred temperature, whether cold or hot. The best coolers should also look nice and be the right size for the intended space—whether it’s a water dispenser for home or office. Here are some features to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.
Types of Water Coolers
There are two main types of water coolers: point-of-use and bottled coolers. Point-of-use water cooler dispensers connect directly to a building’s water supply and dispense tap water, which is often filtered by the cooler. Bottled water coolers dispense from a large water bottle, which is either top loading or bottom loading.
Point of Use
Point-of-use water coolers connect directly to a city’s water supply. They dispense tap water and thus do not require a water bottle, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “bottleless” water coolers.
Many point-of-use water coolers have a filtration mechanism to remove substances or improve the taste of water. The main advantage of this type of water cooler is that it has access to a continuous supply of water (barring any issues with the main water line, of course). These coolers can be wall-mounted or freestanding, upright units.
A point-of-use water cooler needs access to the building’s main water line. Some also require professional installation, which is an extra cost to consider. Although they may be pricier to buy and install, bottleless water coolers can save money in the long run because they don’t require regular deliveries of bottled water refills. They also tend to be much cheaper than a whole-home water filtration system. A point-of-use water cooler’s convenience is its major selling point: Users get a constant supply of water without lugging and replacing heavy water jugs.
Bottom Loading
Bottom-loading water coolers get their water supply from a water bottle. The water bottle mounts in the bottom half of the cooler in a covered compartment. The bottom-loading design makes unloading and loading bottles much easier. Rather than having to pick up and flip over a heavy bottle (as is the case with top-loading coolers), simply shimmy the water jug into the compartment and connect it to the pump.
Since bottom-loading coolers use bottled water, they can dispense other types of water—like mineral, distilled, and spring waters—in addition to tap water. The other nice thing about bottom-loading water coolers is they’re more aesthetically pleasing than top-loading coolers because the plastic refill jug is hidden from view in the lower compartment. For the same reason, consider a bottom-loading water dispenser that has a water-level notifier, which will make it easier to check for when it’s time for a new bottle.
Top Loading
Top-loading water coolers are a popular option because they’re so affordable. As their name suggests, water bottles are inserted spout down into the top of the water cooler. Because the cooler’s water comes from a jug, it can also dispense distilled, mineral, and spring water.
A top-loading water cooler’s biggest drawback is unloading and loading the water bottle, which can be a cumbersome process for some. Though some people may not like looking at a top-loading water cooler’s exposed jug, the jug’s water level is at least easy to monitor.
Countertop
A countertop water dispenser is a miniature version of a standard water cooler that’s small enough to fit on a countertop. Like standard water coolers, countertop units can be point-of-use models or source their water from bottles.
Countertop water coolers are portable and ideal for kitchen counters, break rooms, office waiting rooms, and other locations with limited floor space. However, they can take up a good deal of counter space, which may be an issue in rooms where tabletop real estate is limited.
Capacity
Point-of-use water coolers do not have a capacity limit—as long as water is flowing, these coolers will dispense it. Capacity is a factor to consider with bottled water coolers. Most of these coolers accommodate jugs that hold 2 to 5 gallons of water (3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles are the most common sizes).
Consider how often the water cooler will be used when choosing the right capacity. If the cooler will get a lot of use, get one with a larger capacity so it doesn’t run low too quickly. If the cooler will be used less frequently, choose a small water dispenser. It’s best to avoid letting water sit for long because stagnant water can be a breeding ground for bacteria. (If you don’t consume enough water for a full water dispenser, a water distiller may be a better option.)
Energy Efficiency
The amount of energy a water dispenser uses depends on the model. Water coolers with on-demand cooling or heating tend to use less energy than those with hot and cold water storage tanks. Coolers with storage usually use more standby energy to maintain the tank’s water temperature.
Energy Star-certified water tanks are the most energy-efficient options. On average, an Energy Star-certified water cooler uses 30 percent less energy than one without that designation, which will save energy—and lower the electric bill—over the long term.
Water Filtration
Water coolers with filters can remove contaminants and improve the taste of the water. Depending on the filter, they can remove particles and contaminants like dirt, heavy metals, chemicals, bacteria, and more. Coolers can filter water via ion exchange, reverse osmosis, or activated-carbon filters. Don’t forget that these types of water filters will need to be replaced every so often, which is another expense to factor in when choosing a water cooler.
Water filtration is a common feature on point-of-use filters because these coolers dispense municipal tap water. Filtration is less of a concern with bottled water coolers because most water bottles contain filtered water. (If you’re unsure of the quality of your home’s tap water, a water test kit can help you figure that out.)
Water Temperature Settings
Most coolers, whether bottled or point-of-use coolers, can dispense cold water. Other units can also provide cool, room-temperature, and/or piping-hot water at the push of a button. Most cooler manufacturers will specify their products’ peak temperatures, and others may have adjustable temperature settings.
A water cooler that dispenses both cold and hot water is a wise purchase. Having hot water on demand is handy for those who regularly consume tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and instant foods, or for those who entertain guests or clients who do. When shopping for a cooler with a hot-water spigot, look for a unit equipped with a safety lock that prevents accidental use of the hot-water tap.
Noise Level
The amount of noise a water cooler makes is another factor to consider. Water coolers have a water pump to move water around and electrical elements to cool or heat the water, so they will all generate some level of noise.
How important noise level is depends on where the cooler will be situated in the home or office. Noise level might be low on the list of concerns if the cooler will be in an office break room or in a home’s garage. In high-traffic living areas or near desks in the workplace, a quieter water cooler is ideal. Water coolers don’t often share a noise level rating, so check shopper reviews to get an idea of its noise level.
Ease of Use
A good water cooler should be easy to use. Some units have buttons or spigots to activate pouring, while others are touchless. A cooler with enough area below the spout to fill water pitchers and reusable water bottles is especially useful in public spaces like gyms and restaurants.
Whether a cooler is easy to install is another important consideration, and one that might involve an extra expense on the owner’s part. Bottled water coolers are typically easier to install than point-of-use units, which usually require professional plumbing. Those shopping for bottled water coolers should bear in mind that bottom-loading units are much easier to load.
Water coolers need occasional cleaning to prevent buildup of mineral deposits and to keep germs from thriving. Proper cleaning maintains the quality and taste of the water. Though it takes just a little time, elbow grease and some vinegar or bleach will clean most coolers; however, not everyone will want the bother. In that case, self-cleaning water coolers may be a worthy investment.
Additional Features
Water coolers can be simple and straightforward but more often than not, they boast at least a few bells and whistles. One important feature to look for is safety locks. Child-safety locks can prevent little ones from playing with water spouts and wasting water. This is especially important for coolers that dispense hot water: A hot-water safety lock that prevents accidental burns is a good safety feature for both children and adults.
Other useful features found on some water-cooler models are night-lights, empty-bottle alerts, and leak-detection alarms. For busy homes or offices, water coolers that are self-cleaning may be worth the extra cost. Refrigerated compartments, coffee dispensers, and carbonation options are other convenient features to consider.
FAQs
Whether it’s for daily use or a temporary measure (like providing drinking water when your tap water is cloudy), water coolers are just plain convenient. Once installed, a water cooler is easy to use and requires some simple maintenance like refilling and cleaning. Proper maintenance will keep a water cooler dispensing for years to come. Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing and maintaining a water cooler.
Electricity usage will depend on the model. A water dispensing machine that is Energy Star certified will help cut back on the electric bill.
For fresh and clean water, it’s best to replace the water bottle every month or so.
Yes, it is important to clean a water cooler according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent bacteria, dirt, and mineral buildup.
With proper maintenance and cleaning, a water cooler can last upwards of a decade.
Yes, mold can grow in a water cooler. To help prevent this, it’s important to properly clean and maintain the water cooler according to manufacturer directions.
Meet the Testers
Kara Illig is passionate about online shopping, lifestyle hacks, product research, and sharing the best of everything in shoppable guides. When she’s not editing and researching buyer’s guides, she’s finding clever ways to stay organized (read: sane) in her own home, which is an ongoing project.
Paul Rankin is a writer and product tester who has written for BobVila.com since 2021. He focuses on buyer’s guides for the full range of tools, furniture, DIY supplies, and home and garden products.
Additional research provided by Jasmine Harding.
