Best Water Dispenser
Staying hydrated is essential but you can’t always just reach for a glass and fill it from the tap. In an office setting, there may not be a sink nearby and you don’t always have time to make a trip to the cafeteria or the vending machine. Even if you have access to a sink, the tap water in some areas contains harmful contaminants like lead and mercury which makes it unsafe to drink. When you need a steady source of fresh, drinkable water on-hand, a water dispenser is the way to go.
The Top Water Dispensers
Water dispensers are a modern convenience both at home and in the workplace. When it comes to choosing a water dispenser, there are certain factors to consider.
The dispenser needs to be easy to use and simple to maintain – it also needs to be appropriately sized for the application. You’ll need to decide between a standing unit and a countertop unit, and between a top-loading model and a bottom-loading model. Each has its benefits, so it really depends on your preferences for the specific application you have in mind.
There are plenty of water dispensers to choose from, but they aren’t all created equal. We’ve assembled a list of the top water dispensers on the market to help you choose.
Here are the best water dispensers on the market:
Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Dispenser
Award: Best Overall
With its low-profile design, this water dispenser takes up less than a single square foot of floor space which makes it perfect for any application.
Enjoy cool, refreshing water or fill your mug for a steaming up of tea all at the press of a button with the Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Dispenser. This water dispenser is uniquely designed to fit into tight spaces, taking up no more than 1 square-foot of floor space. Whether you’re looking for a smaller unit to keep in your home or you don’t want to waste space in a crowded office, this water dispenser is ideal.
This water dispenser features a top-loading design which makes it easy to see when the water bottle needs to be replaced. With easy-to-use paddle spouts, filling your cup is quick and easy but child-lock protection is in place to keep children safe. The Avalon A1 heats hot water to 185°F and features a compressor to produce cold water as well. The unit is Energy Star Certified as well, so it doesn’t consume as much energy as other models.
Pros:
- Low-profile design, takes up less than 1 square foot floor space
- Hot water setting is very hot (about 185°F)
- Easy-to-use paddle spouts with hot water child lock
Cons:
- Can be tricky to replace the water bottle (especially 5-gallon)
- Cold setting is more cool than cold (around 47°F)
Specs:
- Type: Top-loading
- Capacity: 3-gallon, 5-gallon
- Water Temp: Hot, cold
- Filter: No
Brio Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser
Award: Best Bottom-Loading
With a sleek, modern-looking design, this water dispenser offers three temperature settings: cold, cool, and hot.
The Brio Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser is a sleek, modern-looking appliance that offers three different water temperatures. Whether you need hot water for tea, cold water for refreshment, or room-temperature water, this dispenser has it all. The unit accommodates both 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles and the bottom-loading design makes it easy to remove and replace the bottles as needed.
This bottom-loading water dispenser makes maintenance easy with a self-cleaning feature. Simply press a button and the unit does all the work for you. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of a nightlight for visibility and an LED indicator light that tells you when the bottle is nearing empty. For safety, this unit features a child lock on the hot water button as well.
Pros:
- Sleek design, stainless-steel and black
- Three temperature settings (hot, cool, cold)
- LED indicator light and child safety lock
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a filtration system
- Compressor can be a little noisy
Specs:
- Type: Bottom-loading
- Capacity: 3-gallon, 5-gallon
- Water Temp: hot, cold, room temp
- Filter: No
Primo Top-Loading Water Dispenser
Award: Best Top-Loading
This top-loading water dispenser is Energy Star rated for efficiency and designed with black and stainless-steel accents for a stylish, modern appearance.
Purchasing a water dispenser is an investment and the Primo Top-Loading Water Dispenser is worth making that investment. This water dispenser is designed for quality and durability with an attractive appearance featuring black and stainless-steel accents. It is compatible with both 3-gallon and 5-gallon jugs, intended to be used with Primo water bottles which are treated using an advanced filtration system for the highest quality and cleanest taste.
The Primo Top-Loading Water Dispenser is Energy Star rated and UL Certified. It features a spill-proof bottle holder and leak guard to prevent spills, and it has a child-resistant safety feature on the hot water tap. Hot water comes out very hot and cold water comes out refreshingly cold. For the best taste, use this unit with Primo bottled water. Primo offers bottle exchanges as well as self-serve filling stations where you can refill your empty bottle yourself.
Pros:
- Hot water around 180°F, cold water cooler than room temperature
- Leak-guard system to prevent spills and leaks when changing bottle
- Attractive black and stainless-steel accents
Cons:
- Should be used with Primo bottles for the best results
- Top-loading design can be tricky to refill
Specs:
- Type: Top-loading
- Capacity: 3-gallon, 5-gallon
- Water Temp: Hot, cold
- Filter: No
Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser
Award: Best Bottleless
Skip the hassle of replacing heavy water bottles with this bottleless water dispenser that connects directly to your water line.
Having a water dispenser is great except for the hassle of having to lug around heavy water bottles. If you’re looking for a convenient alternative, consider the Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser. This unit connects directly to your main water line, so you’ll never have to change a bottle again. It features an included dual filtration system consisting of a sediment filter and carbon block rated to last 6 months or 1500 gallons. The dispenser also comes with a self-cleaning feature that sanitizes and purifies the dispenser with the touch of a button.
The Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser comes with three temperature settings – hot, cool, and cold. Simply press the button for the temperature of your choice and rest easy knowing there is a child safety lock on the hot water spout. This water dispenser also has a built-in nightlight for easy visibility as well as a replace filter indicator for convenience.
Pros:
- Built-in dual filtration system for a clean taste
- Three temperature settings (hot, cool, and cold)
- Self-cleaning ozone feature sanitizes and purifies
Cons:
- Needs to be installed near the main water line
- Installation requires more time/effort than a bottle unit
Specs:
- Type: Bottleless
- Capacity: N/A
- Water Temp: Hot, cool, cold
- Filter: Yes
Avalon Premium Countertop Water Dispenser
Award: Best Countertop
Slim and compact for small spaces, this countertop water dispenser serves up piping hot and refreshingly chilled water in an instant.
Floor space is precious in a crowded office or small home, which is what makes the Avalon Premium Countertop Water Dispenser such a great pick. This water dispenser features a top-loading design that accommodates both 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles, but it is made to be set on a counter instead of on the floor. It is slim, and compact but offers all the benefits of a larger floor unit. At the press of a button you’ll enjoy piping hot water at 180°F or refreshingly cool water chilled to 47°F.
The Avalon Premium Countertop Water Dispenser is designed to deliver superior quality with enhanced usability features without making things overly complicated. The top-loading design saves time, making it easy to see when you need to refill the bottle and the Energy Star rating saves money on energy costs. This model has a child safety lock on the hot water spout and it comes in two colors: black and white.
Pros:
- Slim, stylish design saves valuable floor space
- Accommodates 3-gallon and 5-gallon bottles
- Simple operation with child safety lock on hot water
Cons:
- Water flow may be a little slow
- Cold water setting could be cooler
Specs:
- Type: Top-loading, countertop
- Capacity: 3-gallon, 5-gallon
- Water Temp: Hot, cold
- Filter: No
Do You Need a Water Dispenser?
Nothing is more refreshing than a cool glass of water. If you’re thinking about getting a water dispenser, you may be wondering if it’s worth the cost. A water dispenser certainly isn’t an insignificant investment, but it is just that – an investment.
With a water dispenser, you will always have access to cool, clean water. In an office setting, having a water dispenser saves your employees a trip to the kitchen or vending machine. At home, it saves you the hassle of having to heat water for beverages and filtered water certainly tastes better than tap. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing the water you’re drinking is free from contaminants.
If you drink a lot of bottled water, or if you’re simply wanting to drink more water to improve your health, a water dispenser is definitely worth considering.
Tips for Cleaning Your Water Dispenser
Having a water dispenser is a major convenience, but it does require some maintenance. Without proper cleaning, the dispenser may not last as long as you like, and contaminants could change the way the water tastes. Fortunately, cleaning the dispenser is fairly easy.
Here are some tips for cleaning your water dispenser:
- Unplug the power cord and remove the water bottle and the water guard from the unit.
- Wipe the valve and the area where the bottle meets the dispenser with a sponge and your preferred cleaning solution.
- Make a gentle bleach solution using 1 gallon of tap water and 1 tablespoon unscented chlorine bleach – you can also use 1 quart of vinegar with 3 quarts warm water.
- Stir the mixture well then pour it into the water reservoir and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain the cleaning solution through the spigots, alternating to make sure they are both cleaned thoroughly.
- Pour two gallons of clean water into the reservoir and drain through both spigots to rinse the reservoir out completely.
- Fill the reservoir with another gallon of water and taste it – if you detect any bleach, repeat the rinsing process with another two gallons of water and test again.
- Replace all of the parts and plug the unit back in.
- Clean the drip tray and wipe down the unit as a final touch.
Cleaning a top-loading water dispenser is fairly straightforward but a bottom-loading machine might be a little tricky. You’ll use the same cleaning solution and you’ll need a funnel to perform the task. Instead of simply pouring the cleaning solution in, you’ll need to pour it into an empty water bottle and hook it up to fill the reservoir for both cleaning and rinsing.
After cleaning your water dispenser once, you’ll get the hang of it and future maintenance will be much quicker. It’s a good idea to perform maintenance regularly, so mark it on our calendar to clean the unit every six weeks or every time you change the bottle – whichever comes first.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re at home or in the office, staying hydrated is essential for good health. It can be difficult to remember to drink water throughout the day, however, unless you have it readily available. A water dispenser makes it easy to keep up with your daily hydration needs and it’s a great alternative to having to keep refilling a refrigerator water pitcher.
When choosing a water dispenser, your first step is deciding between a standing unit and a countertop unit. From there, you’ll need to decide if you want a top-loading or bottom-loading model. If you’re not quite sure what might work best, check out the recommendations above to narrow down the options. You’re sure to find a water dispenser that fits your needs.