Water coolers are so much more than the place where people go to gossip. Water disp
ensers have been around for many decades in businesses and homes.
Newer water cool dispensers provide much more than cold water. They can provide hot, cold, or even room-temperature water! The best part – you can also use a water dispenser at home.
Here are the best water cooler brands:
- Best Water Cooler: Avalon A1 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
- Best Countertop Water Cooler: Nutrichef Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser
- Best Cheap Water Cooler: Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser
- Best Water Cooler for Office: Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W Water Cooler
Best Water Cooler Center
| Image | Water Cooler | Rating |
|---|---|---|
 | #1 - Brio Essential Series Bottom Dispensing Cooler | 99.1% |
 | #2 - Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser | 98.4% |
 | #3 - Primo T250 Top Load Water Cooler | 97.2% |
 | #4 - Nutrichef Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser | 97.4% |
 | #5 - Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser | 95.5% |
 | #6 - Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W | 92.4% |
 | #7 - Whirlpool Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser | 89.2% |
 | #8 - Avalon Commercial Grade Water Dispenser | 86.8% |
 | #9 - Brio Essential Series Top Load Dispenser | 82.4% |
 | #10 - DRINKPOD USA 100 Series | 80.8% |
Want to learn more?
Now that you’ve seen the top-rated water dispensers, we’ll go into more detail on each of them. When you decide, which is best for you, click the yellow button to get the best price on Amazon.
#1 – Brio Essential Series Bottom Load Water Cooler/Dispenser
The Brio Essential Series Load Hot, Cold & Room Water Cooler Dispenser is one of the newer water coolers on the market.
We found that it was consistent and reliable but not as well made as some of the models we mentioned above.
For the price point, we think you’re better off with the Whirlpool or Avalon for your office.
#2 – Avalon A1 Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
We’ve spent much time reviewing dispensers that are great for cold water, but what about hot water? If you want a water cooler that focuses on hot water dispensing, then the Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser is what you’re looking for.
This child-safe water cooler has an easy-to-use top-loading system that is very efficient and time-saving. Hot water is dispensed at 167 degrees Fahrenheit, while cold water comes at 47 degrees Fahrenheit. We found that water is dispensed at a very nice flow. You’re going to have a hard time spilling water.
Both three and 5-gallon jugs fit this energy-star-rated water dispenser.
As we said before, this thing is good for hot water. If you need a dispenser perfect for oatmeal, coffee, tea, or whatever else requires hot water, then the Avalon Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser is for you.
Click the button to get the best Amazon price and read more customer reviews.
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#3 – Primo T250 Top Load Water Cooler
Our top choice is the Primo Hot, Cold, and Room Temperature Top Loading Water Dispenser.
We found that the Primo gave us the most consistent, best-tasting water out of all the models we reviewed. No matter the time of day, we could have relaxed, refreshing water and boiling water for our tea.
We love how the Primo has an instant hot water feature. No longer will you need to play a game of chance with your water cooler and hope that proper hot water comes out.
Each time we used the Primo, we were given perfectly heated water. The Primo heats water to a remarkable 98 degrees Celsius. If you have children, rest assured that they won’t be able to harm themselves. There’s a built-in child-safety lock that no child will figure out how to get around.
The same goes for cold water. Each time we used the Primo, we were given chilled water. Water is chilled perfectly at 4 degrees Celsius, which has been proven as the optimal drinking temperature. The cooling compressor is very powerful yet energy-efficient.
The room temperature setting does just what it says – it will dispense water at room temperature. This is perfect if you enjoy room-temperature water or want to use it to water your plants and fill your fish tank.
Not only does the Primo look great (seriously, any kitchen, home, or office would love to have this), but it’s also safe to use. It was designed and constructed to meet the highest quality standards. Any materials that touch your water are guaranteed to be BPA-free. The outer shell of the Primo is made of high-quality stainless steel.
The only downfall we found in the design is that there isn’t a spill probe. Water may go everywhere if you are filling up a container that doesn’t have a spill cap. Of course, this could have been a user error, but we recreated the issue several times.
The Primo T250 is also compatible with both 3 gallons and 5-gallon water jugs.
We think Primo T250 is the best water cooler for many reasons. You won’t be disappointed with it. Click the button below to head to Amazon to get the best price and read more reviews.
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#4 – Nutrichef Countertop Top Load Water Cooler
Our #2 choice is the Nutrichef Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser. This is for you if you’re looking for a top-rated countertop water dispenser. The Nutrichef Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser provides a high-quality, consistent, and well-made water dispenser for your home.
There are two nozzles – one for hot and one for cold. The cold water is kept around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the hot water is about 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Our testing found that these temperatures are held constant throughout the day, regardless of the surrounding temperature.
The water is dispensed evenly and with a good flow. This makes the risk of spilling minimally at best. We mentioned this might be an issue with our #1 choice, but I don’t think it’s an issue with the Nutrichef Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser.
This neat countertop water dispenser can accommodate both three and 5-gallon water jobs. The jugs are loaded on the top of the water dispenser, giving you easy access to remove and replace them when needed.
Nutrichef did an excellent job at designing their water cooler. It fits perfectly on most countertops and operates silently. Remember how loud old-school water coolers used to be? That’s not the case anymore!
Also, with their patented automatic electric plug-in water dispenser system, water is quickly cooled and safely dispensed. Speaking of safety, there is a child safety lock on the hot water spout.
We noticed that this dispenser might be problematic if you were planning to put it under low-hanging cabinets. Remember, you need to consider the size of the machine as well as the size of the water jug. It’s also good to clean this machine with vinegar every few months. While the electric plug-in-water system is excellent, it can quickly get backed up with water sediments. Both are minor problems, in any case.
Listen: there isn’t a better countertop water cooler on the market than the Nutrichef Water Cooler Dispenser. It has the perfect combination of quality, consistency, price, and size that we love. Do yourself a favor and click the button below to see the best price and read more reviews on Amazon!
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#5 – Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser
If you want a water cooler but don’t want to break the bank, then the Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser is perfect! This affordable water dispenser is made by one of the leading water product manufacturers, Igloo, which has been a mainstay in the water industry for over 100 years.
They’ve used decades of experience to create the Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser. What you get is a reliable, consistent, and budget-friendly water cooler.
The Igloo Water Cooler/Dispenser stands at 38 inches and dispenses cold water at 47 degrees Fahrenheit and hot water at 147 degrees Fahrenheit.
The main advantage of this water cooler is in the same – cooling water. The cold compressor is very well-manufactured. We found that it held consistent temperatures throughout all of our tests.
On the other hand, the hot water was hit or miss. Sometimes it would work; sometimes, it wouldn’t.
Remember, problems like this will occur if you are looking for a cheap water dispenser. We recommend you spend the extra $30 and get either of our top 2 choices.
However, don’t just take our word for it. Click the button below to head to Amazon to read more reviews and check out the value price!
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#5 – Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W Water Cooler
If you came here looking for just the best water cooler for your home but now want one for your office, too, then you should look at the Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W Self Cleaning Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler.
The Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W Self Cleaning Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler is a top-rated commercial water cooler that will keep all your employees happy.
The most significant advantage is the patented 6th Sense Self-cleaning technology. This technology automatically uses unstable Oxygen to break down all bacteria and viruses in the water meticulously. Because of the easy-to-understand LED lighting system, you can tell when the self-cleaner is running.
The LED lighting system also lets you know when the water is at the optimal temperature.
Cold water is kept at a refreshing 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water is kept at a sizzling 194 degrees Fahrenheit. The water tasted perfect every time we used it. However, we have heard of a couple of complaints about drinking the water immediately after the self-cleaning system runs. Some people said they could taste chemicals, but we couldn’t, and we doubt that you will (since no chemicals are used).
Because this is a commercial-grade water cooler, it can dispense up to 1.32 gallons of cold water per hour. This is more than enough for most businesses.
Listen: this is an easy decision. If you have a business or office that needs a water cooler, go with the Whirlpool 8LIECH-SC-SSF-P5W Self Cleaning Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler. You will love it. Click the button to get the best price and learn more.
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#6 – Whirlpool Stainless Steel Top Load Water Cooler Dispenser
The Whirlpool Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser almost made it onto our list but was outclassed by our first two choices.
Don’t get us wrong; this is a great water cooler for your home. But we found that Primo and NutriChef were more consistent and reliable.
#7 – Avalon Commercial Grade Water Cooler
The Avalon Commercial Grade Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Water Dispenser is fantastic, but we could only have one water dispenser for the office on our list.
We think that Whirlpool is a better choice, but not by much.
We love Avalon’s self-cleaning feature and bottles loading system.
#9 – Brio Essential Series Top Load Water Cooler/Dispenser
The Brio Essential Series Top Load Hot, Cold & Room Water Cooler Dispenser is a home version of the one above.
It comes with robust features for a home unit but is slightly above the price point of our other home models. Also, there have been several complaints of the spouts leaking after some usage.
Given that this is one of the newer models, we couldn’t give it a full recommendation. You can judge for yourself, however.
#10 – DRINKPOD USA 100 Series Bottle Less Water Cooler
The DRINKPOD USA 100 Series Bottle Less WaterCooler is incredibly intriguing to us. We can see it is suitable for both home and office use.
However, while some may see that as an advantage, we don’t. We’re putting our name behind our recommendations and only want to give you the best for each sub-category.
Don’t get us wrong; this is an excellent water cooler – especially if you’re health-conscious. Decide for yourself by clicking the below link.
How we chose the best water cooler on our list?
When we were looking for the top 10 water coolers, we made sure that each met the following criteria:
- Solid, reputable brand (think Whirlpool, Igloo, etc.). These are going to be household brands that everyone knows for being quality.
- Price range. We wanted to ensure that these water coolers were affordable for home use. Many commercial options can run into thousands of dollars. We made sure to only include models under $300 in our list, with the majority of them falling under $200.
- Ease of use. Yes, water dispensers are inherently very easy to use. However, some newer, fancier (more expensive!) models come with too many electronic features. There are even some models that allow you to Tweet from! We thought that was unnecessary and chose to exclude those.
Factors to consider before buying a water cooler
The type of water cooler dispenser that you’re looking for:
Top-Load Water Dispenser
Several of the models we recommended above are your classic top-loading water cooler. These are what people generally think of when they picture a water cooler. They were made famous when they were first invented in the 1930s and are still popular today. Nowadays, they’re more practical for home use than commercial use due to their lack of aesthetic quality. However, they’re usually much cheaper than their bottom-loading counterparts. Also, they’re much easier to maintain. It’s as simple as plugging the top loading water cooler into an electrical socket, adding the three or 5-gallon water jug, and that’s it! You can now drink! We recommend going with one of these if you’re looking for an easy-to-use water cooler and don’t care about aesthetics.
Bottom Load Water Dispenser
The bottom-loading water cooler is what more offices are using. They allow the water jug to be hidden from view, giving it a more modern and professional look. I love these. The added benefit of loading the water jug at the bottom of the machine is that you don’t need to lift the heavy jug and turn it upside down! This is great if you’re looking to buy a water cooler for someone with back problems or who is elderly. There are more mechanical parts involved in the bottom-loading water cooler. More mechanical parts theoretically mean more things can break, or in other words, more maintenance. We made sure only to review reliable models. If you choose one from our list above, you won’t have a problem. Most water coolers come with an extended warranty anyway.
Countertop Water Cooler
Countertop water dispensers are a relatively recent invention and aren’t nearly as popular as the previous two types. That doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose! These are great for those who want a water cooler for their apartment but don’t have much space. They’re usually very compact and allow for one or 3-gallon jugs of water. You can find a 5-gallon countertop water dispenser if you search hard enough.
Space
Remember that the two most popular types of water coolers, the top-loading, and bottom-loading dispensers take up a significant amount of room. It’s always best to measure the area in which you want to keep the cooler before making the purchase. Luckily, Amazon lists all of the product dimensions on its website. Remember to measure twice before making your purchase! It’s also good to read customer reviews to ensure that there aren’t any sizing problems. However, remember that the product sizing dimensions aren’t going to consider the size of the three or five-gallon water jug. You’ll have to factor that in (add another 2 feet to be sure).
Price
Price is always a consideration when making a purchase. You don’t need to spend more on a water cooler to get a better model. The top 3 picks on our list are incredibly affordable and far from the most expensive models. As we mentioned, we like simple water coolers. They’re easier to use and maintain and much more affordable. We consider a quality water cooler to be a buy-it-for-life item. Any of the models on our list will fit that description.
Temperature
Hot and cold water coolers will vary in their water temperature output. What’s true for one model Igloo water cooler won’t be the same for another. It’s best to not only check what the manufacturer says it’s the range of temperature but also what customers are saying. Amazon reviews are a great resource, as are manufacturers’ websites. The models on our list have adequate temperature ranges for home and office use. If you’re looking for something commercial, you will want to do additional research.
When looking for temperature ranges, you don’t need to go with the one with the broadest range. What you want to look for is temperature consistency. There’s nothing more frustrating than inconsistent temperatures on your water cooler. The recommended water coolers on our list are all temperature consistent.
Material
We prefer stainless steel water coolers as opposed to plastic water coolers. Stainless steel is much more durable and easier to clean. As a result, you can expect to spend less money on maintenance and less time cleaning. However, plastic makes for slightly cheaper water coolers.
Cleaning and Maintenance
We’ve touched on maintenance a few times, but cleaning is something that you’ll also need to keep in mind. Even if you have a self-cleaning water cooler, you must clean it. Don’t worry; it’s easy to do.
Here are some easy-follow instructions on how to best clean your water cooler:
- Before you do anything, unplug your water cooler. You don’t want to be electrocuted.
- Remove the water guard (the thing that punctures your water bottle caps) – Not every model has this. It’s more common in top-loading water coolers.
- Clean the grime from where your water jug connects to the water cooler with a rag, warm water, and dish soap. This should clean up easily and quickly. Rinse off the soap and pay dry with a towel.
- You will rinse out the reservoir using a solution of baking soda and warm water (2 tbsp per 1 cup). Drain it and repeat this step a few more times.
- Put the water guard kit back in place.
That’s it! Nice and easy.
Now, you’re also going to need to sanitize your home water cooler now and then. Mix a solution of 1 gallon of water and vinegar (4 parts water to 1 part vinegar). Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the reservoir. Add the water/vinegar solution. Let sit for 10 minutes, then drain the water out. Once the water is drained, pour a couple of gallons into the reservoir to clean out any remaining remnants of the solution.
This video also explains the process:
One other thing that you should do is clean each water tap with warm water and dish soap. I like to do this every other week. It only takes a couple of minutes, but it makes all the difference in the world. If you live in a humid environment, your water cooler is more susceptible to grime buildup.
I hope you enjoyed our article on the top 10 water coolers for your home. All of the products on our list have been vetted and recommended. If you still don’t know which to choose, click on each of the top 3 and read their reviews. You really can’t go wrong with any of them. They’re all exceptional water coolers that provide consistent hot and cold water temperatures. Cleaning and maintenance are a breeze for them. Thanks for reading!
While you’re here, check out some of our other water products.