15 Best Water Coolers

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15 Best Water Coolers Guide & Tips

While the water from all 50 states generally has less chromium, there is evidence indicating that the American tap water may contain an extraordinarily high amount of chromium-6. That doesn’t even take care of anything! There may be additional pollutants that include lead, arsenic, and mercury in the water served through the faucet. Despite this, in the face of this evidence, it stands to reason that One must take greater care of the water than ever about being hydrated, because it plays a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental health. The most luxurious of the business class has an onboard first-class water dispenser. Most vulnerable when you’re ill, a water cooler might cause you to become dehydrated, but it promotes the usage of filtered water for yourself when you’re sick, which is more safe and beneficial Some such units have additional functions: they are suitable for bloodless as well as for serving drinks such as coffee and tea. Here are the types that we consider the best in our expandable water cooler buy to be, analysis, so you know what you’ve gotten yourself.

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Costway 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser

Brio and Magic Mountain Water Products Black

Avalon A5BOTTLELESS A5 Self Cleaning

COSTWAY 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser with Built-in Ice Maker, Freestanding Hot Cold Top Loading Water Dispenser, 27Lbs/24H Ice Maker Machine with Child Safety Lock, Sliver Bottleless Countertop Water Dispenser w/ 2 stage EZ Change Filtration System by Brio and Magic Mountain Water Products Black Avalon A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser, UL/NSF/Energy star, Stainless Steel, full size
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Best Water Coolers Reviews

How many of us still drink bottled water, even though we’re all trying to do our part to protect the environment. Every day, an astonishing 60 million plastic bottles are thrown away, despite the fact that many people still prefer to bring bottled water to work or drink refrigerated bottled water at home. Fortunately, alternative solutions that significantly reduce plastic waste are becoming increasingly popular, and the water cooler dispenser is one of these solutions. Choosing the right dispenser for your home or business can be difficult, especially when there are so many options to choose from.   That’s where I can be of assistance. Since launching SaveOurWaterFrontNow, I’ve assisted tens of thousands of customers in finding the best water treatment solution for their needs. I’ve written for publications such as HowStuffWorks, Simply Recipes, and Sawyer Products, and I take pride in having the most up-to-date industry knowledge possible, especially as the market continues to grow.   For the purposes of this guide, I’ve ranked my top fifteen office water cooler dispensers according to a variety of criteria, including ease of installation and refilling the dispenser as well as capacity, construction quality, and useful additional features (such as self-cleaning).

1. Costway 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser

COSTWAY 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser with Built-in Ice Maker, Freestanding Hot Cold Top Loading Water Dispenser, 27Lbs/24H Ice Maker Machine with Child Safety Lock, Sliver This qualifies as a multi-purposeful water dispenser, differentiating itself from maximum units available on the market. That’s mainly because it effortlessly incorporates the features of a water dispenser and a filtered ice maker. What’s the result? An appliance that is practical and convenient to use. The tri-temp push button tap is easy to apply, permitting you to choose from bloodless, room-temperature, and warm water. It is going without announcing that the control panel is designed in a person-friendly way, even as the led indicator comes in on hand. If you are keen on ice, observe that the built-in ice maker can generate no much less than 9 bullet ice cubes in kind of seven minutes. It is compact, meaning that you received it and have trouble locating the proper spot for it, and it looks traditional and flexible. However, the ability drawback of this unit is its noise degree. This is to say, it’s far a tad noisy.   CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

2. Brio and Magic Mountain Water Products Black

Bottleless Countertop Water Dispenser w/ 2 stage EZ Change Filtration System by Brio and Magic Mountain Water Products Black This water dispenser is linked immediately to a water line. Preferably, you have to hyperlink it to a supply of filtered water, as this is more healthy for your entire family. As a consequence, you may benefit from a secure amount of water, whether you want to revel in a warm beverage or a chilly drink. You may regulate the bloodless water temperature by making the necessary modifications to the thermostat. That is without problems available to you from the rear of the unit. We agree that this is a reachable feature, as many human beings won’t be happy with the temperature of the water. A few human beings prefer consuming chillier water, while others opt for it higher closer to room temperature. Regarding the new water potential of this unit, it provides roughly 45 x 6-ounce cups of hot water each hour. Also, as it is the case with most gadgets from our list, this one is likewise electricity star listed. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

3. Avalon A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser, UL/NSF/Energy star, Stainless Steel, full size

The Avalon a5 bottleless a5 is a water dispenser that has three temperature settings. Depending on your desires, you could pick from crisp bloodless, fresh, or piping warm water. Every transfer works personally, and you could decide what temperature to stay on. One function that makes this tool precious for the surroundings is the bottleless function. The dispenser comes with a water line that you could hook to a sink. It has two stainless steel tanks – warm and bloodless. The hot tub holds 1 liter, and the cold tank holds three.6 liters. Both tanks refill as you dispense water, so they’ll typically always be full. The setup manner is natural. Instructions, but aren’t as clean and comfortable, so that you may need to discern out the process yourself. You’ll benefit from a natural waterway to clear out the charcoal. This element will purify your water from the gathered sediment. Do not forget to replace it every six months. A clear-out replacement indicator will notify you as nicely. In case you want to cast off different dangerous particles as well, you will want a pre-clear out. It can join the line before the distiller to supply already purified water. The dispenser itself affords sufficient space for big jugs and bottles to be in shape. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

4. Primo White 2 Spout Bottom Load Cooler Dispenser

Primo Compatible Energy Star Certified - Easy Bottom Loading Water Dispenser - For 3 or 5 Gallon Jugs - Instant Cold and Hot Water That is a top-of-the-line water cooler as a way to most likely deal with your individual specs. Most importantly, though, you’ll discover that using it is quite clean – with the simplest push of a button, you may get ice bloodless or warm water, relying on your desires. At the same time, when you have youngsters, and you’re worried that the hot water would possibly finally become harming your toddlers, you can relax. The new water feature includes a unique toddler-resistant protection feature. Moreover, the loading layout is smooth and easy. We also like that the design is neat, meaning that it conceals the bottles within the cabinet. At the same time, the water reservoirs are made from chrome steel, which interprets into foremost sturdiness. In the meantime, you can area the detachable drip tray within the dishwasher for ease of cleaning. On top of that, the unit is power celebrity rated and ul certified. However, a few human beings encountered some troubles with getting the nightlight to feature. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

5. Brio CL520 Commercial Grade Top-load Water Dispenser

Brio CL520 Commercial Grade Hot and Cold Top Load Water Dispenser Cooler - Essential Series Yet again, we’re focusing our attention on a water cooler presenting a revolutionary design. Not simplest that it looks present-day and sleek, but it is also long-lasting and robust. Simultaneously, a baby protection lock is blanketed, which certainly comes in handy for households with youngsters, and now not best. This is to say, your little ones gained it to be capable of dispelling hot water and burning themselves. Moreover, while no longer in use, you could pick out to shut off the new pool. Also, you have to recognize how traumatic and frustrating it may be to drop water after filling your glass. This is in which the removable drip tray is available. It is genuinely sensible, preventing this type of ugly incident. Most importantly, even though the drip tray is crafted from an anti-rust BPA-free material, which means that it is sanitary and smooth to smooth. However, perhaps our favorite feature is the non-spill pinnacle. This removes the trouble related to putting a water bottle on the cooler. Way to the nozzle, the cooler will fit securely. Though, in line with some users, the freshwater isn’t hot enough to prepare tea. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

6. Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler

Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler - 3 Temperature Settings, Hot, Cold, Cool - Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser w/Child-Resistant Safety Feature Supports 3 or 5 Gallon Water Jugs [Black w/Stainless] Here we give you the primo back side loading water cooler. This device will provide you with bloodless and hot water so long as you remember to keep the buttons on. In any other case, it takes a couple of minutes for the water to heat up or quiet down. This system is well-matched with any five-gallon jugs and bottles. Purchase your first one and slide it within the lower compartment of the cupboard. Each door panel and the water reservoir are fabricated from chrome steel to face up to lengthy-term abuse. The machine has mild night time. Consequently, it prevents stumbling and every other boundary inside the darkness. As for the noise, the unit does produce some sounds; however, they may be now not too disruptive. The glide of water is exceptionally durable. You could wash the drip tray with immoderate water inside the dishwasher. Even though the device plugs into an electrical socket to function, it must now not be a burden for your power bill. There may be a metal cylinder at the pinnacle, which is included in styrofoam. This plastic component is not securely screwed. Because of the water heats, the piece twists, and movements, preventing the lid from the final solid. Overall, the unit does what it has to do to offer you with the favored water temperature. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

7. Primo – Easy Top Loading Water Dispenser – Stainless Steel – Pet Station

Primo - Easy Top Loading Water Dispenser - Stainless Steel - Pet Station As a pet owner, you know how important it is to make sure that your bushy accomplice stays hydrated for the day. However, this may be difficult, if not impossible, considering that, maximum of the day, you aren’t even domestic. And knowing that your bushy pal beverages stale water isn’t reassuring either, is it? That is in which this cooler dispenser is available in. It is exceptionally versatile within the feel that it will maintain the entire own family hydrated – pets blanketed. The water cooler doesn’t dispense water unless your pet’s bowl is located successfully. We additionally like the flexibility of this feature. More particularly, you can set up the puppy bowl depending on the layout of the residence: within the front, inside the proper, inside the left. Moving on, durability is a given with this item being crafted from top-rated stainless steel. The chrome accents also are quality additions, design-sensible. The included led night light is useful. In case you get thirsty at night time now and again, this may come inaccessible – for kids, as well. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

8. Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser With Child Safety Lock. UL/Energy Star Approved- Black - A1CTWTRCLRBLK If you don’t have quite a few spaces at your disposal, then this countertop water cooler is probably a realistic opportunity for you. It dispenses cold water so you can refresh yourself on a warm summertime day, as well as hot water, because of this you could prep your favorite tea collection each time you need. Of the route, this indicates you’ll emerge as saving a variety of time you would otherwise spend with heating water. The complete circle of relatives can use this water cooler, pressure-free, way to the kid protection lock situated on the new water spout. For the reason that the water bottle is positioned right on the pinnacle, you can not omit but note when you are strolling out of the water, so you can update the bottle right away. That is an available function, particularly for offices, because the variety of humans the usage of the water dispenser is greater. Therefore, it’s miles likely to run out quicker. At the same time, they go with the flow of water which is sluggish, which can be pretty inconvenient. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

9. Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser with BioGuard

Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser with BioGuard- 3 Temperature Settings - Hot, Cold & Room Water, Durable Stainless Steel Construction, Anti-Microbial Coating- UL/Energy Star Approved If you want to spend money on a contemporary form of water dispenser, then this would be a pinnacle pick. Let’s imagine that its design is a primary draw for people who are eager for modern portions. It looks exciting, with the clean, straightforward design strains and the silver accents. The chrome steel material will make this effortlessly outfitted into your kitchen or office area. There are 3 water temperatures to pick from, of course: bloodless, room temperature and hot. This means you could rely upon this dispenser spherical-the-year to prep your liquids and each day beverages, and no longer handiest. The incorporated night time milk is social inclusion, as nicely. Each time you experience thirsty at night time, you’ll locate the dispenser on the spot, without the need to show the lighting on. Additionally, to take away the trouble related to the act of refilling a water cooler, this one is designed otherwise. Extra notably, this eliminates the need to boost it, because of its hundreds from the lowest. Say goodbye to spilling accidents. However, some people determined that the cold water wasn’t as cold as they predicted. This will be a remember of preference, although. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!! 

10. Primo Stainless Steel 1 Spout Self-Sanitizing

Primo Stainless Steel 1 Spout Self-Sanitizing Bottom Load Hot, Cold and Cool Water Cooler Dispenser This cooler dispenser comes with a beautiful array of traits. One in all its many blessings is convenience. At the same time, it’s worth stating that it’s clean to use. All you have to do to revel in sparkling, cold water is to position the drip tray and load the bottle. Don’t worry about any complicated plumping procedure by any means. When it comes to primo water, you have two alternatives. You can both purchase a 3- or 5-gallon bottle of primo purified water with minerals. Additionally, you may select to fill up the bottle at a primo-service top off station. In this way, you can be one hundred percent sure which you’re using cold, purified water. The cooler dispenses ice-cold water, cold and hot water. Consequently, you can use the unit to put together cold drinks, preparing teas, warm meals inclusive of oatmeal, and so on, and so on. At the equal time, primo encourages customers to bring their empty bottles to the replenish station, to be able to protect the surroundings. Even if this isn’t a chief distinction, it’s far the little matters that add up and count, ultimately. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!! 

11. Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Avalon A10 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser, 3 Temperature, Child Safety Lock, UL/Energy Star- Stainless Steel With this water cooler, you could select from crisp cold and hot water. Consequently, this may provide you with fresh beverages at some point in the summer season and comforting tea or warm chocolate all through the wintry weather. It’s worth outlining that this unit has a ul/power star rating, that means that it won’t consume a variety of electricity. At the same time, this is certain for the entire circle of relatives to use – way to the available infant safety lock. Manifestly, who would like to purchase a water cooler that looks bulky and takes a whole lot of area? The first element of approximately this unique unit is that its miles exceedingly narrow. Consequently, it gained a variety of rooms. In truth, it can without difficulty fit even in smaller spaces. Shifting on, since you load the water cooler from the top, you could determine if the dispenser has run out of water. This is truly beneficial, specifically about office environments. Additionally, endure in thoughts that the tank fabric for the water cooler is stainless-steel. But, a drawback might be that loading the water is pretty tricky and messy. Hence, you might be required to shop for separate unique caps for the water packing containers. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

12. OASIS Premium Bottom Loading Water Cooler

Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler - 3 Temperature Settings, Hot, Cold, Cool - Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser w/Child-Resistant Safety Feature Supports 3 or 5 Gallon Water Jugs [Black w/Stainless] his is every other water dispenser that functions as a backside load layout. This is the right news as the manner you received it stresses you again lifting heavy water bottles, no longer to mention that spilling is quite a good deal prevented in this way. This water cooler is well-matched with five-gallon water bottles, which aren’t included with the water cooler, even though. Possibly an utterly unique characteristic of this water dispenser is the fact that you could convert it to a bottle-much less one. This is to mention, you may link it to your house or workplace water supply if that’s an option for you. On top of that, it’s far characterized through self-cleaning belongings. Expressly, it uses ozone, which will cast off harmful microorganisms that can exist in the water tank and within the waterways. This feature operates on an everyday basis, every time the water cooler isn’t in use. But, while it preps hot water, it’s far too noisy. So, in case you’re a mild sleeper, you might hear it make hot water at night time, which will be annoying. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

13. Whirlpool Self Cleaning, Hot and Cold, Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler

Whirlpool Self Cleaning, Hot and Cold, Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler If you’ve been looking for a pinnacle rated water dispenser, this is the only one for you. Whirlpool is an enterprise chief and this version stands as much as its reputation. This self-cleaning water dispenser is suitable to your office or place of a job; definitely, this sophisticated product is the soft self-cleansing water cooler available on the market – and it’s effortlessly the maximum aesthetically alluring water cooler available. Whirlpool’s self-cleaning bottom load water dispenser has been a reliance on water coolers for upward of a decade. While maximum water dispensers are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, this version units itself other than others with its sixth feel generation that uses risky oxygen to kill microorganisms and another water-contaminating virus. The whirlpool stainless is also particularly long-lasting with a smooth stainless-steel outside, making it first-rate funding for either your office or home. Complete with a nickel-plated front and facets, and chrome steel 1 spout, it’s a state-of-the-art, edgy design is built to outlive other brands. This model comes with 3 temperature settings so you can enjoy hot, bloodless & room temperature water. That being stated, the whirlpool stainless water dispenser is drastically higher highly-priced than less durable models. If you are making plans to use this model domestically, remember that this version no longer comes with a hot water baby safety lock. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

14. hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser

hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser for 3 or 5 Gallon Bottle Say goodbye to buying water bottles and what’s up to this tall, dark, and handsome water dispenser from home labs. Stylish, person-pleasant, and efficient, the home labs’ bottom loading water dispenser is any other splendid option for accessing easily filtered water on demand. Warm or bloodless, your own family can experience the benefit of this child-friendly backside loading water dispenser for making hot oatmeal, your favorite emblem of espresso, or a cold, clean glass of h2o! At just over 3 feet in peak, the bottom loading dispenser can accommodate three or 5-gallon water bottles for fewer refills over the year. The mixture of stainless-steel and black offers the home labs water dispenser an appealing look, suitable for a dwelling room, office area, health club, foyer, or foyer. Typical, the home labs back side loading water dispenser is a worthy addition to our excellent water dispenser critiques. Admittedly, it’s miles greater high-priced than some of our different top picks, the ease of use, its attractive look, however, and length make it a profitable investment. Your own home or office will continually have on hand ingesting water in your favorite warm or cold beverages all 12 months spherical. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!

15. Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water Dispenser with BioGuard

Farberware FW29919 Freestanding Hot and Cool Water Cooler Dispenser, Black A compact water dispenser like this model is ideal for workplace areas. The farberware fw299189 water cooler dispenser holds 5-gallon water bottles, meaning it will want to be refilled less often, making it best for commercial settings. That stated, the product does now not include a water tank. That is an electricity green version that runs on strength-saving mode to lessen your charges. That said, it does use higher electricity to dispense warm water. Primarily, it makes use of 550 watts of heating power to warm water to `94f and 75 watts of cooling energy to chill water to 59f. The water cooler is capable of preserving water temperature thanks to its thermoelectric cooling. There is a lot to love about dispenser’s strength, dynamic capabilities, and compact nature.. It’s miles sleek in layout and way to its sublime black exterior to fit the aesthetic of any workplace space. Our favorite feature of this version, however, is its storage room under. It is a little shallow; however, it’s ideal for storing additional liquids. Now note that this isn’t a fridge and is strictly a storage area. CHECK THE CHEAPEST PRICE ON AMAZON!!   

Benefits of Water Coolers & Dispensers

Having an office water cooler or a water cooler for home can help you to save money and enjoy clean water at your preferred temperature throughout the day. Some of the advantages of a water cooler dispenser are:

Convenience

When you want to drink clean, filtered water, in both your hot and cold drinks, a water dispenser gives you immediate access. There’s no need to make a trip to the supermarket to pick up a crate of water bottles. Water coolers give you access to clean water in your own home or workplace.

Environmentally Friendly

Bottleless water coolers eliminate the need for buying bottled water, which means you can do your bit for the environment and massively cut down on plastic waste. As water filter dispensers essentially give water the same treatment that bottled water receives, you can enjoy a near-identical taste without having to stock up on water bottles.

Temperature Options

Most water coolers have a cold water spout as well as an option for filtered boiling water, which you can use for your hot drinks. This gives you more flexibility than most water filters, which don’t work with hot water. In this case, water dispenser coolers heat water to boiling after filtering it, so the hot water won’t cause any damage to the filters.

Ease of Refill

You don’t need to constantly refill a water cooler, which is one of its biggest conveniences. If you get a countertop water dispenser, you can usually just connect it up to your main water line and use water from your plumbing. Top-loading and bottom-loading water dispensers require more work – they contain a large water bottle (around 3 to 5 gallons in size), which you’ll need to take out and refill when empty. This job is easiest in bottom-loading water dispensers, which allow you to put the bottle inside the unit with no lifting. Top-loading water coolers require a bit more strength and precision, as you’ll have to flip a heavy water bottle upside down, attach it to the dispenser’s cap, and slide it in place.

Cost Savings

The biggest cost saving of owning an own at-home water dispenser is that you’ll no longer need to buy bottled water. Though water coolers are a bigger up-front investment at around $150 to $400, if you spend $30 to $50 on water bottles each week, you’ll quickly earn back that initial spend.

Types of Water Dispensers

Although other common appliances like a kitchen faucet or water filter pitcher are technically also water dispensers, there are three types of water dispensers that are popular today which we will cover: countertop, top-loading and bottom-loading.

Top-Loading

Top-loading water dispensers, as the name suggests, have an upside-down water bottle that connects up to the cooler from the top. The bottle has a cap and hose connected to it, which fits it properly into the water cooler when it’s slid in place.

Bottom-Loading

Bottom-loading water dispensers have an opening at the bottom of the unit for water bottles. Bottles sit upright on the base of the unit, and connect up to the system via a water probe inserted into the bottletop.

Countertop Water Cooler

Countertop water coolers sit on a kitchen countertop and are usually connected up to a kitchen sink cold water line. These coolers are smaller and more compact but don’t have limited storage space, as they take their water straight from your plumbing. Water dispensers are ideal for those who want access to clean, filtered water without the need to install an expensive whole house filtration system. They offer a nice alternative to other was of getting filtered water such as a refrigerator water filter or countertop filtration system.

Considerations When Buying a Home Water Dispenser

There are a number of considerations you should make when deciding on a home water dispenser for you, including:

Capacity

Most top-loading and bottom-loading home water dispensers are designed to hold water bottles of up to 5 gallons in size. You should expect a unit to hold a 3 gallon water bottle at the very least – this will reduce the number of times you have to refill the bottle during use. Bottleless drinking water dispensers have the advantage of having no maximum capacity, as they’re connected up to your home’s water line.

Ease of Use

There’s no complex science to using any type of filtered water cooler – you just press the hot or cold water button depending on what you want – but some do require a bit of extra maintenance. Top and bottom-loading water dispensers need to be refilled every 2 to 4 days, depending on the size of your household and how much water you use. If mobility is an issue for you, you might struggle with a top-loading cooler in particular, which requires lifting a heavy water bottle up high.

Energy Efficiency

Most water coolers are constantly switched on, which allows you access to hot and cold water all the time. If you don’t want to wait around for your water to heat up or cool down, look for a water cooler dispenser that has an Energy Star rating, which means it’s been designed to be energy conscious and won’t waste energy while switched on. You might not want to use your machine for hot or cold water all the time. If, for instance, you wanted hot water for cups of tea or coffee only in the morning, there are plenty of machines that allow you to turn off the heating function in the afternoon and only have the refrigerator running, which would help you to cut down on energy-wasting. The same also goes for the cooling function.

Temperature Features

The basic expectation for a water dispenser, whether it’s a countertop, top-loading or bottom-loading unit, is that it’ll have both hot and cold temperature options. The hot should be near-boiling, hot enough to use in hot beverages and instant foods. The cold is usually around 50°F, or 10 degrees cooler than room temperature. Some water coolers also have a room temperature water option, but this isn’t common.

Safety Features

If you’re planning to have your whole family use your water cooler, you’ll want to look for one that has a safety lock on the hot water spout. Accidents can happen, and you don’t want your young children to scald themselves by switching the hot water on when you’re not around. Luckily, almost every water dispenser we’ve come across has some sort of hot water locking feature, so you’re not limited for choice.

Bottleless Countertop Water Dispenser w/ 2 stage EZ Change Filtration System by Brio and Magic Mountain Water Products Black

Material It’s Made Of

Some water cooler dispensers have a plastic exterior, which can make them look a little clinical and practical. The more expensive water dispensers have a chrome or stainless steel exterior, which tends to look a lot more natural and attractive in a modern kitchen. Plastic may not be as durable as stainless steel, but, for the most part, you shouldn’t experience any issues with opting for plastic instead of metal. The inside components of a water cooler dispenser are generally made up of stainless steel. There may also be plastic involved, though the majority of manufacturers use food-grade plastic that won’t leach chemicals into your water. If this is important to you, look for “food-grade”, “BPA-free” or “BPS-free” in a product’s marketing material.

Household Size

If you have a big, thirsty family, it’s worth considering carefully whether you would fare better paying slightly more upfront for a countertop water dispenser that connects straight to your plumbing. The setback of a top-loading or bottom-loading water cooler dispenser is that both need their water bottles refilled or replaced when the water is used up. Most dispensers can hold a water bottle of 3 to 5 gallons, and with the rule of thumb being that 1 person drinks 1 gallon of water per day, a family of 4 will use roughly a whole water bottle in one day. Smaller households, on the other hand, wouldn’t have to change or refill their water bottles quite as regularly, because they’d naturally consume less water per day.

Available Space to Put It

The majority of water dispensers are designed to be space-saving, at around 10-12 inches wide and 10-12 inches deep, but if you don’t have any floor-to-mid-wall space available, a full-size dispenser (at around 35 to 40 inches high) might not be the best option for you. Countertop water dispensers are designed to fit on kitchen counter space, so if you’ve got plenty of that free, opt for a countertop system instead. Most people choose to store their water dispensers in the kitchen, but you could also put yours in your study or your dining room if those rooms had more available space.

Maintenance

No matter what type of water dispenser cooler you buy, maintenance is a must. Your water cooler will have specific cleaning instructions, which will probably include draining your system from time to time and filling it with a cleaning solution, then scrubbing the inside to get rid of any scale or contaminants. Water coolers also have drip trays, most of which can be removed for easy cleaning in your sink. Another maintenance job for some water cooler owners is replacing or refilling the water bottle.This is only applicable if you opt for a top-loading or bottom-loading water dispenser cooler, which refrigerates or heats water from an attached bottle. The regularity of this maintenance task depends on how much water you use on a daily basis, and, therefore, how quickly your water bottle runs out. For water dispensers with filters, changing these filters as advised by the manufacturer is an unavoidable maintenance requirement. Water filters only last for so long – in the case of water dispenser filters, around 1,500 gallons or 6 months – before they need changing. Failing to change the filters will result in unclean water, which devalues the whole point in having a filter in your machine. It will also slow down your water flow, which would result in waiting a lot longer than necessary for your glass to fill.

Associated Costs

It is possible to buy a water dispenser cooler and pay nothing (aside from the odd repair) after your initial purchase. But it would mean buying a countertop water dispenser that doesn’t contain filters, which would limit your selection somewhat. In most cases, you should expect to pay one of several associated costs when buying a water dispenser. If you buy a bottom or top-loading dispenser that doesn’t contain a filter, it might be important to you that you only use bottled mineral water in your machine. If you need to replace your bottle every 1 to 3 days, at a price of $5 per 5-litre bottle, that cost will add up over time. With that said, if you buy bottled water  for your family anyway, the cost will be no different from usual. Another associated cost to be aware of is the cost of replacement filters. If your water dispenser cooler filters water, it probably has two filters: a sediment pre-filter and an activated carbon filter. Universal filter replacement kits for water coolers, which include the sediment-pre filter and the activated carbon filter, cost anything between $40 and $60, depending on the brand. It’s quite a high cost, but you’ll only need to pay it once every 6 months, which isn’t too bad.

Primo Compatible Energy Star Certified - Easy Bottom Loading Water Dispenser - For 3 or 5 Gallon Jugs - Instant Cold and Hot Water Best Water Coolers

Water Dispenser Cleaning And Maintenance

Unfortunately, even so-called self-cleaning water cooler dispensers require some manual cleaning from time to time. Cleaning your system prevents harmful microbes from accumulating inside your water tank, so it’s important that you do it as often as your cooler’s manufacturer recommends.

How to Clean a Water Cooler system (step by step)

To clean your drinking water dispenser, here’s what to do:

Water Hoses

  1. Remove your hoses

Take your water hoses out of your water cooler system, being careful not to damage them in the process.

  1. Make a white distilled vinegar solution

White distilled vinegar is a great natural cleaner, owing to the fact that it has a high acidity that cakes it capable of lifting hard-to-reach stains. To clean your hoses, you just need to fill a small bowl (big enough to fit your hoses) with distilled vinegar. Make sure the vinegar is white and not colored, so that it won’t stain your hoses.

  1. Add your hoses to the solution

Put your hoses into the vinegar solution, making sure it’s fully submerged, and leave it for 10 minutes for the acid to get to work.

  1. Remove the hoses and re-attach them to your cooler

Once the 10 minutes is up, remove your hoses and run them under your kitchen faucet to clear out the vinegar from their insides. Then re-attach them to your water dispenser unit and continue to use as normal.

Sanitizing

  1. Make your cleaning (sanitizing) solution

Before you get started on sanitizing the inside of your water cooler, you will need to make the solution for the job. (Note that you can also buy a cleaning solution specifically for water coolers online, but it’ll do no better of a job than you can with your own products). Take 15 ml of 5%, unscented bleach, and combine it with 5 liters of warm, clean water. Make sure that your bleach is approved for use on food contact surfaces before you use it in your cooler.

  1. Prepare your water cooler

To ensure your water gallon dispenser is safe and ready for cleaning, unplug it from its power socket and remove the empty water bottle. There may still be some water inside the cooler, which needs to be drained from the system’s plug, known as the spigot. Remove the baffle and the drip tray, and leave them on the side for washing in your sink or dishwasher.

  1. Fill the cooler reservoir with your cleaning solution

Carefully pour the cleaning solution into the water reservoir inside the cooler. Take a long-handed brush with bristles, such as a scrub brush, and use it to scrub the inside walls and base of the reservoir. Opt for a brush with softer bristles, so you don’t damage the reservoir during cleaning.

  1. Drain the cleaning solution

Drain some of the cleaning solution out of the spigot, then leave it for 2 minutes to allow the solution to clean the inside of the spigot. Don’t leave the solution in your machine for any longer than 5 minutes, as corrosion could occur. Drain the rest of the solution into a bucket and tip it into your toilet.

  1. Fill the reservoir with clean tap or bottled water

To properly rinse away your cleaning solution, fill your reservoir three times with clean tap or bottled water, draining the water through the spigot each time. Once you’ve finished draining the last of your water, you can wash and replace the components you removed, then add a new water bottle to the unit.

External Cleaning

  1. Make a cleaning solution

For cleaning the outside of your cooler, you only need a mild cleaning solution. Mix 5 parts water to 1 part dish soap, and you have a solution that should remove any dust or dirt build-up from your surfaces.

  1. Dip a cloth in your cleaning solution and dab it on your cooler

Turn your cooler off or unplug it from the wall, then rub it with your damp cloth to clean away the stains. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, including around your machine’s water spouts (if it has them) and its buttons.

  1. Finish off with a dry clean

To wipe your cooler dry, take a paper towel and rub it around the areas you’ve cleaned. Once you’re done, switch your cooler back on, or plug it back in, making sure there is no leftover water on your surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are water gallon dispensers noisy?

It depends on the product, but you will hear some noise from your machine’s refrigeration unit. Many people prefer to keep their water coolers in the kitchen, alongside other appliances that are known for “humming” while they’re switched on. The noise shouldn’t be overwhelming, but you might not be able to sleep with it.

How fast does water come out of the spouts?

Again, it depends on the product. If you buy a water dispenser cooler with a filter, it may take slightly longer – nothing more than a couple of seconds – for water to start flowing out of the spouts. In all cases, the water should come out fast enough to fill a tall glass of water in less than 10 seconds.

Do I have to use branded water for my dispenser?

No. There’s no obligation for you to use the manufacturer’s own water for your dispenser. Just make sure that if you buy unbranded, the bottle is designed to fit in your unit.

Where can I buy replacement filters?

For water dispensers with filters, you can find replacement filters online, in both independent stores and on online marketplaces like Amazon. You don’t necessarily need to buy your manufacturer’s own filter, either – there are plenty of off-brand filters that are made to fit the majority of water dispensers. Just be sure to double-check before you make a purchase, and read customer reviews to ensure a filter is good quality.

How long do water dispensers last?

To determine how long a water dispenser cooler will last, check out the manufacturer’s product warranty. Most offer a 5-year warranty, but if you look after it well, you can expect your gallon water cooler to last up to 10 years. You may need to carry out the odd small repair every now and then, but nothing too major. Electric faults are more difficult to deal with yourself, and it’s at this point that it’s probably wise to buy another system.

Should I clean a dispenser before I first use it?

Yes, you’ll be instructed to do this by the manufacturer in your dispenser’s user manual. Cleaning your dispenser before use will help rid it of any contaminants or chemicals that may have entered into the system while it was in storage. You can clean the dispenser as per your manufacturer’s instructions or by following our own cleaning tips mentioned earlier in this guide.

Are there any advantages to buying a water cooler dispenser instead of renting?

You might have previously rented a water cooler, or you might be renting one currently. Though the monthly payments feel smaller and more manageable than splashing out on your very own water cooler, those “small” fees soon add up. By the time you’ve rented a water cooler for a year, you’ve paid the rental company more than what it would cost to own one. It’s worth putting the cash aside to buy instead of rent.

Jhon Lawrence