Looking to update your hydration station at the office? Maybe you just like to drink bottled water but want to cut back on plastic. Whatever the reason, water coolers are sure to provide you with fresh, crisp, clean water whenever you need it. Some offer hot water right away in case you need to perk up with some tea or instant coffee.
No matter why you are here, keeping yourself hydrated is essential. These machines make it easy to get fresh, cold water while saving money.
We compared 100’s of coolers to try and satisfy all those pain points consumers are trying to figure out: price, hot and cold systems, installation, refilling, mobility, etc. We went in-depth and came up with a stellar list of water cooler magic just for you.
Product Comparison Chart
Water Coolers – 10 Hand Picked Reviews
1. Primo Bottom Loading
| Capacity: | 5 gallons |
| Weight: | 40.8 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 12.2 W x 14.2 D x 40.9 H |
| Water Temperature Settings: | 3 |
| Warranty: | 1-Year limited warranty |
The Primo Bottom Loader has a sleek aesthetic and features a water bottle-concealing cabinet at the bottom. Are you looking for different temps? It also offers a convenient 3-push-button control for dispensing room temperature, ice-cold, and hot water.
It is a bottom-loaded design with three temp settings that range from below or equal to 50°F up to 194°F. There is no plumbing required as it takes 3- to 5-gallon bottles with no lifting.
Additionally, cleanup is a breeze. All the parts are stainless steel to prevent corrosion and add durability. This includes the door panels, reservoirs, and the dishwasher safe, removable drip tray.
2. LeMuna Water Dispenser
| Weight: | 40.6 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 12.1 x 14.1 x 42.8 inches |
| Water temperature settings: | 3 |
| Capacity: | 4 liters per hour |
The LeMuna is great for a daycare or home with children. The child lock protects the buttons from being played with and spraying everywhere. This is also important for the hot water button to protect those little people from being burnt and, it is easy to use.
It is a bottom-loaded design – so no tipping – with three temp settings that range from below or equal to 50 ° F up to 194° F. There is no plumbing required as it takes 3- to 5-gallon water bottles with no lifting. Additionally, LeMuna offers a 1-year money-back guarantee and stellar customer service.
3. Clover D1 Hot and Cold Countertop Bottleless Water Dispenser
| Weight: | 31 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 10.7 x 16.8 x 17.2 inches |
| Water temperature settings: | 2 |
| Cold water rate: | 0.6GAL of 50 degrees F |
If you are looking for a countertop unit, you may have just found your match. The Clover D1 removes the bulkiness of a typical bottle feeding units and attaches to your existing plumbing. There are two easy push faucets that let cold and hot water come through. The hot water also has a hot water flow guard to prevent accidents.
It sits 17.5” tall and 10” wide. Therefore, it doesn’t take up too much space on top or under the counter for storage when you need that little bit of extra counter space. The outer material is metal and helps protect the internal components making this an extra durable option.
4. YETI Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler
| Weight: | 16.5 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 15 5/8″ — 18″ — 15 1/2″ |
| Water temperature settings: | 1 – only cooling |
| Capacity: | Up to 6 gallons |
YETI has a coveted line of some of the best on the planet. The Silo is the perfect goto for those on-the-go, making it a great option for those that like to travel, fish, camp, or do anything outdoors for days.
It holds six gallons with a fast, ergonomic-use SurePour spout and is proven to keep water ice-cold for up to four days. The Cold-lock gasket on the lid keeps and water from splashing out when you carry it while aiding in the Permafrost insulation process.
It has a Steady steel handle over the spout for rollover protection and easy carry. The outer material is alloy steel, giving the Yeti the most durable on the list. It is called Roto Moulding and it can withstand extreme weather and heat.
5. Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Cooler
| Weight: | 35 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 36.6″ x 10.8″ x 12.5″ |
| Water temperature settings: | 3 |
| Capacity: | Up to 5 gallon bottle |
Primo’s stainless steel water dispenser offers three different temperature settings: ice-cold, cold, and hot. Like most in this guide, the hot water setting is also protected by a child safety lock to prevent children from burning themselves.
The spill-proof bottle holder is compatible with all 5-gallon bottles and has a no-leak feature for the loading process. Additionally, it uses stainless steel throughout the cooler to provide a corrosion-free environment and add durability. With great features, high durability, and relatively low maintenance, the Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Top Load is an excellent choice.
6. Avalon Self Cleaning Bottleless Dispenser
| Weight: | 30 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 14.7 x 12 x 19 inches |
| Water temperature settings: | 2 |
| Capacity: | 3.6 liters |
The Avalon Self Cleaning Dispenser is the most impressive. That ozone auto cleaning mode takes it to another level of convenience and freshness. Not having to worry about gross things growing in your water cooler is priceless.
It comes with a user-friendly manual that even beginners can comprehend. Additionally, it offers a night light and child safety lock. Many users have praised it for its low maintenance, quietness, and filtration capabilities.
It uses A4 activated carbon and A5 sediment NSF certified filters, which removes lead, chlorine, rust, and bacteria. It also offers a leak detector that monitors flow. There is also a built-in leak detector to monitor the water flow automatically.
7. Elkay LZS8WSLK EZH2O Bottle Filling Station Water Cooler
| Weight: | 50 pounds |
| Dimensions: | 18.4 x 19 x 39.1 inches |
| Fill rate: | 1.1 GPM/8 GPH |
| Capacity: | 3,000-gallon filter |
The Elkay is the type of water cooler that helps you stay on top of your sustainability accountability. It offers a fill rate of 1.1 gallons per minute (GPM, too. Add touchless sensor water bottle fillers, you get a rapid, germ-free refill that lets you know how many bottles you kept from landfills, rivers, or wherever all this single-use plastic accumulates.
It also keeps filters out of the landfills with a 3,000-gallon filtration. These filters are certified NSF 42 and 53, which cleans lead and chlorine and enhances the taste. The silver ion lining also serves as an antimicrobial protector, which also helps the life of those filters.
Elkay also claims a vandal-free stainless steel cover that adds to durability for busy areas. While this may be a great option for large family homes, it is more geared for high traffic areas such as colleges and hospitals where people can refill and grab a drink when they need it.
8. Primo – Easy Top Loading Dispenser
| Capacity: | 5 gallons |
| Weight: | 30.2 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 10.8 W x 11.3 D x 35.9 H |
| Water Temperature Settings: | 3 |
| Warranty: | 1-Year limited warranty |
Primo offers quality and provides features that people prefer. This dispenser also uses a 2.0 compression cooling system, enabling it to rapidly and efficiently produce ice-cold water. However, if you don’t want the current ice-cold temperature, you can rework the setting by accessing the back of your cooling unit.
This Primo requires very little to set up and fits most any dispenser water bottle. You can also stick to using Primo bottles. Additionally, this cooler unit has a spill-proof holder that delivers a leak guard preventing irritating water spills during replacement.
9. KUPPET Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser
| Capacity: | 5 gallons |
| Weight: | 7.7 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 11.03 W x 10 D x 16.5 H |
| Water Temperature Settings: | 2 |
| Warranty: | check with company support |
Kuppet countertop water dispenser doesn’t need much space and it is lightweight. It is perfect for small offices or kitchen counters. It fits 3- and 5- gallon bottles and cools to temperatures of 50° F to 59° F (10° C to 15° C).
It also heats water from 185° F to 203° F (85° C to 95° C). However, it will take a moment for the cooler to reach those temperatures after you turn it on — approximately 2-minutes. This little table buddy runs on 110 volts and offers an anti-dust mite water barrel seat and anti-leakage system.
10. Brio Moderna Self Cleaning Bottom Load
| Capacity: | 5 gallons |
| Weight: | 45.8 lbs |
| Dimensions: | 17.5 W x 14 D x 44.75 H |
| Water Temperature Settings: | 3 |
| Warranty: | 1-Year limited warranty |
Bria Maderna is an elegantly designed water dispenser. It has a stainless steel finish that adds aesthetic and durability to keep away corrosion. The modern digital features are in the touch dispenser and touch temperature control. This easily cools the water down to 39 ° F (3.89° C) or heats it to 174° F (78.89° C).
The Moderna is a UL certified, and Energy Star approved water dispenser, assuring quality and efficiency. Another push button feature is the self-cleaning feature, which we love, offering regular maintenance and cleanliness. This is an ozone-sanitizing feature that takes about 1.5 hours to complete
This bottom loader offers top-of-the-line features at a price most can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Water Cooler Work?
Water coolers come in both electric and non-electric designs. Electric versions work similar to a fridge, consuming electricity cool and heat the unit. The non-electric ones are usually thermo-insulated barrels or bottles that prevent heat from getting in or the cold from escaping.
Are Water Coolers Sanitary?
They are as long as you clean them properly. Like you would do with other appliances, you need to wash and wipe their interior from time to time to prevent bacteria formation. Otherwise, you can get a self-cleaning coolers from our list that will do the job for you.
How Long Can You Keep Water in a Cooler?
Refrigerated water can stay in a container for a week or even more, depending on the model you have. You should always check the reference manual to see how much the manufacturer guarantees that their cooler will keep your water fresh.
Final Thoughts
Water coolers are for those that are looking to get past the use of single-use plastics. They are often used in offices and larger public areas where hydration stations should be put in place. Some of the features you should look for when choosing are capacity, dimensions, and where it will be used.
Also, if you are using it for a public space, self-cleaning options are probably the best options since they need less attention and care. However you plan on using your new water cooler, the ones above are proven to fit most any need.