Best Water Cooler Dispenser
Most of us get our drinking water from the kitchen faucet. However, if you live in a city, town or rural area where the tap water is below par, you may be using bottled spring or distilled water to meet your daily needs. This can be costly and result in a lot of plastic waste. Having a water cooler dispenser in your home or office instead is an economical and environmentally friendly way to have access to fresh water any time you want.
You don’t have to prefer bottled water to seek the benefits of a water cooler, although many models are designed specifically to accommodate large five-gallon containers. Other models are continuous flow dispensers that you attach to your main water supply. These often have built-in filters to get rid of impurities.
Whether you live in a small space, a mansion, an RV or a campground, there is a model out there for you.
We feature five water cooler dispensers you can buy online. Read on to find the one that best suits your needs.
1) Top Pick Best Portable: Myvision Water Bottle Pump 5 Gallon Dispenser USB Charging
You really enjoy the water cooler dispenser you have at home, but when it comes to your camping trips, you’re still using small water bottles. These are costly and when empty, end up in the trash. What you’d really like is an easy way to access water from a five-gallon reusable container.
If you are looking for a portable method of pumping water out from a large container of water, we recommend you consider this portable electric water bottle dispenser that attaches to most gallon-sized, reusable water bottles.
We love this handy gadget that fits onto standard water bottles from two to five gallons in size, the perfect solution for picnics, camping, the cottage, the boat and the dorm. Totally portable, it fits into a purse, bag or the glove compartment of your car. So easy to use, just attach it to gallon containers with a 2.16-inch neck and start pumping clean, delicious water.
With a BPA-free water pump and food-grade silicone hose, this water cooler dispenser is non-toxic and odor-free. The built-in rechargeable 1200mAh battery, when fully charged, provides enough power to pump water from four to six, five-gallon bottles of water before needing a recharge. It doesn’t get more convenient than that.
Pros:
- BPA-free, food-grade silicone hose, 304-stainless steel outlet pipe and high-density ABS plastic shell.
- Portable
- USB powered with a rechargeable battery, can be used to pump out four to six water jugs when fully charged.
- Fits all standard-sized two, three, four, and five-gallon bottles with a 2.16-inch neck size
Cons:
- Not recommended for screw tops or bottles without a cap
Top Pick Best Floor Model: Vitapur Top Load Floor Standing Room Cold Standard Taps
It’s time to think about a water cooler dispenser for your home and at work. At home, your large and busy family drinks a lot of water. Plus, you prefer bottled water for cooking. You’re also the owner of a small business and want to provide clean, bottled water for your office staff. If you’re looking for a floor-style water cooler dispenser that top-loads large reusable water containers, then you may want to consider this model from Vitapur.
While its sleek design will go well with any décor, the real attraction are its features like dual dispensing taps for cold and room-temperature water and the stainless steel reservoir for superior long-lasting reliability. This Energy Star compliant water cooler dispenser has a high-efficiency compressor to supply ice-cold water on demand, and if it’s too cold for your taste, you can adjust it with the water thermostat.
Equipped with a bottle support collar designed to prevent leaks and a spill-free experience, this water cooler dispenser can accommodate three and five-gallon water bottles and has a large fill area roomy enough to fill tall containers. With one of these at home and one at work, you’ll have everyone’s drinking needs taken care of.
Pros:
- Sleek floor design
- Top load model
- Two tap dispensers
- Dispenses cold and room-temperature water
- Energy Star compliant
- Accommodates three and five gallon containers
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
- Floor model may be too large for some spaces
Top Pick Best Compact: New Wave Enviro Products Blue Striped Porcelain Dispenser with Wood Counter Stand
You live in a small rental apartment that you love. With all the cooking and exercise you do, you drink a fair amount of water and would prefer a good bottled water source. A water cooler dispenser appeals to you but you don’t have a big space. For a compact water cooler dispenser that really delivers, we recommend this porcelain model.
This 2.5-gallon blue striped water dispenser is made of high quality lead-free porcelain and comes with a lever faucet and a BPA-free crock ring and spigot. Also included is a convenient solid wood counter stand that doesn’t take up too much space, yet elevates the dispenser to easily fill cups and bottles. The crock and stand take up approximately 11 inches by 11 inches of counter space and can support a five-gallon bottle.
Pros:
- Compact
- Water dispenser is made from high-quality porcelain
- BPA-free crock ring and spigot
- Comes with a wood counter stand
Cons:
- Only dispenses room-temperature water
Top Pick Best Versatile: Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser With Child Safety Lock
You drink a lot of tea throughout the day, your kids love instant oatmeal, hot chocolate and instant soup and noodle cups, and you use a lot of water for cooking. You’ve been wanting a water cooler dispenser for a long time, but you want one that gives the option of hot or cold water.
If you’re looking for a versatile large-capacity hot and cold water dispenser that can accommodate large reusable water containers so you don’t have to use tap water or small plastic water bottles, then you may want to consider this model from Avalon.
This top-loading countertop water dispenser measures 12 inches x12 inches x19 inches, a slim design that fits on any tabletop and won’t look bulky, even in small spaces. This convenient dispenser has two easy-to-use paddle spouts, one for crisp, cold water set at a temperature of 47 degrees Fahrenheit and one that dispenses hot water at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. With two options, it’s ideal for everyone’s drinking and water-usage needs.
This hot and cold-water dispenser is UL/Energy Star approved and features a child safety lock on the hot water spout so there is no worry that little fingers will get scalded. Suitable for three and five-gallon water bottles, there is also a large removable drip tray to catch any spills.
Pros:
- Compact large capacity water dispenser
- Dispenses hot and cold water
- Can accommodate three or five-gallon water bottles
- UL/Energy Star approved
- Hot water spout has a child safety lock
Cons:
- More expensive than other water cooler dispensers
Top Pick Best Overall: DRINKPOD Bottleless Countertop Water Dispenser Hot & Cold Modes For Offices and Homes
You’d like something environmentally smart and easy to use so everyone in your household can quickly and easily access water whenever they want. If you want to never have to buy bottled water again and still have filtered water at the touch of a switch, then consider this bottleless water cooler dispenser.
This hot and cold water cooler dispenser is capable of providing a steady stream of deliciously fresh water whenever you need it, since you connect it to an existing water line through a standardized ¼-inch quick-connect port. Concealed within the water dispenser cabinet are four powerful cartridge pods and two independent temperature modes, making this bottleless water cooler dispenser properly outfitted to meet and exceed all your drinking needs. Say goodbye to plastic water bottles and disposable water filters.
The dispenser also features mechanical control paddles for both cold and hot temperature modes (the hot paddle has a child safety lock), so the user can just push the lever with a cup for a hands-free experience. The dispenser also comes with a bonus Ice/Café connect that can be attached to two additional appliances such as the ice-maker on your fridge and a coffee maker. Measures 10.24 inches wide x 17.72 inches long x 43.7 inches high.
Pros:
- Bottleless hot water dispenser
- Connects to an existing water supply
- Dispenses hot and cold water
- Child safety lock on hot water tap
- Filters water before it is dispensed
Cons:
- Quite large
- Very expensive
Things to look out for:
Consider these things when looking for a water cooler dispenser so you will choose one that works best for you:
Capacity:
Before purchasing a water cooler dispenser, it’s a good idea to consider how much water you and your family use every day. If you are on your own, or live in a small space, then a compact model may work best. These can accommodate smaller water bottles under five-gallons in capacity. If you consume a lot of water, then consider a top-load model that can handle large, reusable water bottles. However, if you don’t want the expense of buying water bottles, even reusable ones, then you may want a water cooler dispenser that attaches to your main water supply to provide a continuous water supply. These models usually come with a built-in system to filter out impurities to provide a clean, refreshing taste. Some of these models also have hoses that you can attach to other appliances like your fridge or coffee maker to provide clean water to make ice cubes and coffee.
Design:
Which design you choose can be dependent upon purely aesthetic reasons, practicality, or a combination of both. Luckily, water cooler dispensers are available in a wide variety of designs to meet any of those needs. Floor models are often sleek and add a dash of panache to a kitchen space, satisfying that home décor aesthetic. But when space is an issue, a countertop model might make more sense. These also come in attractive designs but the most important aspect is to make sure they fit the space that you have. If you are looking at a top-load countertop model, make sure there is enough space between the counter and the bottom of your cabinets to accommodate the water cooler dispenser. With limited clearance, you may want to consider a model that doesn’t use bottled water but instead connects through a hose to your main water supply.
Finally, when you want to create a water cooler dispenser wherever you go, consider an electronic pump dispenser that attaches to gallon-sized water bottles. These convenient devices fit easily into a handbag or the glove compartment of your car, and are a great take-along for camping trips and to the cottage or on the boat, turning large water bottles into an instant water cooler dispenser.
Cost:
Water cooler dispensers come in a wide range of prices. Like most items, more expensive models will offer up more features and conveniences. But that doesn’t mean a less expensive model won’t do a good job. Decide which features are important to you before your purchase. If you want a water cooler that dispenses hot and cold water then it may be more expensive than a model that only provides room-temperature water. It’s never a good idea to spend more than you can afford. Luckily, with so many price points, it won’t be difficult to find one within your budget.