18 Best Water Coolers On The Market – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide 2021

Keeping yourself hydrated at home or the office is essential, which is why you should invest in one of the best water coolers.

These machines make it easy to get fresh and cold water while saving the money you would otherwise spend on bottled water. Some of the details you should look for in the best water coolers include drip trays, hot and cold water availability, safety features, and purification systems.

Check Our Comparison Table

While reviewing all of the available features, we’ve picked out several types of the best water coolers to make your choice easier.

Here’s a glance at our choices for the best countertop water cooler, the best bottleless water cooler, and the best top-loading water cooler currently available.

Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Water Dispenser - NSF Certified Filter

LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser

Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Top Load Hot, Cold and Cool Water Cooler Dispenser

Capacity

3.6 liters

Up to 25 gallons

5 gallons

Highlight

Best countertop water cooler

Best portable water cooler options for traveling

Best top-loading water cooler

Star rating

Prime?

-

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Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Water Dispenser - NSF Certified Filter

Capacity

3.6 liters

Highlight

Best countertop water cooler

Star rating

Prime?

Check Price

LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser

Capacity

Up to 25 gallons

Highlight

Best portable water cooler options for traveling

Star rating

Prime?

Check Price

Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Top Load Hot, Cold and Cool Water Cooler Dispenser

Capacity

5 gallons

Highlight

Best top-loading water cooler

Star rating

Prime?

-

Check Price

Top 18 Best Water Coolers: Reviews

18. LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser, Automatic Drinking Water Bottle Pump for 5 Gallon Water Bottle

Starting off on our list is the highly portable cooler LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser.

This BPA-free drinking water bottle dispenser has food-grade silicone rubber tubing that guarantees no impurities will get into your drinking water.

The LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser is easy to use. Just fasten the small pump on the mouth of the bottle and press the switch to pump 0.16 gallons of water in your glass.

If you’re traveling a lot and want a convenient way to get fresh water from a dispenser bottle, the LECIEL Water Pump Dispenser is one of the best portable water cooler options.

It fits on any regular 5-gallon water container. And once you’ve charged the battery for six hours, it will last you enough to dispense up to 25 gallons of water. And on top of that, you get a lifetime warranty for this bargain-priced water dispenser.

17. Igloo 5 Gallon Orange Water Cooler With Seat Lid

Featuring UV inhibitors, the Igloo 5 Gallon Water Cooler can hold ice up to three days.

It has a recessed and angled spigot that makes it easy to dispense water no matter how high or low you place it.

The Igloo 5 Gallon Water Cooler’s reinforced handles make it easy to carry around even when filled to the brim. And its lid is strong enough to let a full-grown adult sit on it.

As you can see, the Igloo 5 Gallon Orange Water Cooler is one of the best cheap water coolers out there.

Its reinforced handles and body guarantee that it won’t take damage during transportation. You can take it anywhere with you – no matter if you’re camping, working on a construction site, or just driving in an RV.

16. Elkay EZS8L Non-Filtered Water Cooler Dispenser Fountain

As long as you already have a water filtration system in your home or office, the Elkay EZS8L Water Cooler Dispenser Fountain is a great choice.

This wall-mounted water cooler can chill water to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can activate it using the front or side push buttons, or by using the built-in sensor.

The Elkay EZS8L Water Cooler Dispenser Fountain provides chilled and convenient hydration in any interior environment. It also meets the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements when properly installed.

Made in the USA using high-quality materials, the Elkay EZS8L Water Cooler Dispenser Fountain does an excellent job of chilling water.

Installation is reasonably straightforward, and the instruction manual offers useful guidance overall. The water cooler fountain is silent and can do its job even in 120-degree environments.

15. Elkay LZS8WSLK EZH2O Bottle Filling Station Water Cooler Dispenser

Need something to fill your filtered water bottle? Try the Elkay LZS8WSLK EZH2O Bottle Filling Station Water Cooler Dispenser.

It uses a touchless sensor for activation, and it has an LED filter status indicator for when filter change is necessary.

The Elkay Bottle Filling Water Cooler Dispenser’s laminar flow provides clean fill with minimal splash. On top of that, it offers antimicrobial protection on key plastic components to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.

Bottom line: the Elkay LZS8WSLK EZH2O Bottle Filling Station Water Cooler Dispenser does a good job overall. It’s a convenient way of filling up reusable water bottles.

It works both as a filter and as a water cooler, which makes it great if you don’t already have a water filter inside your house or office. The filters are designed to remove lead particles and chlorine – two of the most dangerous water pollutants in the US.

14. LeMuna Water Dispenser- Bottom Loading Water Cooler for 3 or 5 Gallon Bottle

The new 2020 model from LeMuna is one of the most promising and affordable water coolers on the market right now.

It features a convenient bottom-loading design and three temperature settings. The LeMuna Bottom Loading Water Cooler can cool water to ≤50 ° F or heat it up to 194° F.

The child safety lock is an easy-to-use feature that prevents water from spraying all over the place in case your kids tend to play with buttons. The LeMuna Bottom Loading Water Cooler comes with a one-year warranty and a moneyback guarantee.

The impressive features and capabilities of the LeMuna Bottom Loading Water Cooler give it an honorific place on our list.

With an outstanding number of positive reviews all around, this model shows a lot of promise. It’s affordable and you can even consider it cheap when compared to the other best water coolers on the market.

13. AQUAWELL Top-Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Perfect for home and office, the AQUAWELL Top-Loading Water Cooler Dispenser provides an elegant design and energy-saving features.

It can hold 3 or 5-gallon bottles of water, so you won’t have trouble finding replacement bottles for it.

The two hot and cold stop switches on the back allow you to save electricity if you only need one of the modes. The water cooler runs quietly when it’s not in use, so you won’t be bothered by the excess sound.

With its removable drip tray, the AQUAWELL Top-Loading Water Cooler Dispenser makes for an easy to clean machine.

The free-standing format favors easy transportation and setup. Its bottom storage fridge is good for keeping things handy, such as yogurt, juice, and ice cream.

12. Clover B7A Hot and Cold Bottled Water Cooler

One of the best water coolers that have been on the market for a few years is the Clover B7A Hot and Cold Bottled Water Cooler.

The UV-protected, high-density polyethylene construction and the hygienic stainless steel water tank make this a desirable water cooler for anyone who wants to keep water fresh and handy.

The Clover B7A Hot and Cold Bottled Water Cooler’s one-piece ABS drip tray is removable and easily cleanable. This hot and cold water dispenser has a highly efficient convection cooled condenser that operates quietly.

The Clover B7A Hot and Cold Bottled Water Cooler has impressed many users worldwide so far.

It’s reliable and it will last you for years to come. One user even claimed that they have owned the same unit for 6 years and it still ran like it was brand new.

11. Clover D1 Hot and Cold Countertop Bottleless Water Dispenser

If you want a bottleless and compact solution, one of the best water coolers you’ll find is the Clover D1 Hot and Cold Countertop Bottleless Water Dispenser.

This is is one of the best water coolers that can fit under all standard cabinets. The heavy-duty hardware and encased metal external construction make the unit rugged and durable.

What is so special about the Clover D1 Hot and Cold Countertop Bottleless Water Dispenser?

It manages to be both small and rugged. The chances of it being damaged through shipping are minimal at best. And its overall features make it convenient, easy to use, and reliable.

10. Amay Countertop Hot and Cold Water Cooler Dispenser, 3 to 5 Gallons

Ultra-lightweight and practical, the Amay Countertop Hot and Cold Water Cooler Dispenser is one of the best value water coolers out there.

It features an easily cleanable water holder and a child safety lock, as well as electronic cooling technology for added efficiency during hot summer days.

You also get a small storage area for cups with the Amay Countertop Hot and Cold Water Cooler Dispenser, so you’ll be saving even more space than with other models.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your apartment, you can’t go wrong with the Amay Countertop Hot and Cold Water Cooler Dispenser.

So far there have been no reports of leakage or other major problems like rust and mold. And because it’s so easy to clean, you’ll most likely never have to deal with impurities in your drinking water.

9. Best Portable Water Cooler: YETI Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler

Perfect to carry in many places, the YETI Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler is an excellent choice for travelers.

It has an ergonomic spigot that flows water fast, so you don’t have to wait much to fill your cup or your water bottle.

Furthermore, the YETI Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler has top-notch insulation and a well-fastening gasket to ensure your water stays ice cold no matter what.

The YETI Silo 6 Gallon Water Cooler keeps water cold for up to four days without any electricity.

This is one of the best water coolers for traveling purposes. Its spigot fills cups fast, and you only need ice for it to operate appropriately. The handle on top of the spigot is solid and sturdy, and it gives you extra equilibrium when carrying this water cooler around.

8. Best Versatile Water Cooler: Kenmore Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser With Multi-Stage Filter

Acting as a 3-in-1 water hub, the Kenmore Bottleless Water Cooler optimizes temperature, purifies, and dispenses water.

It has three temperature modes, which allow you to select between room-temperature, hot, and cold water.

The Kenmore Bottleless Water Cooler and filter also has a port that connects it to ice makers and coffee machines, so you won’t need to filter water separately for those appliances anymore.

The Kenmore Bottleless Water Cooler is an outstanding 3-in-1 water cooler, dispenser, and filter.

It stands out from the other best water coolers on this list because of its highly-capable filter that blocks all common water pollutants, and for the fact that you can connect it to other appliances as well.

7. Best Top-Loading Water Cooler: Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Water Cooler Dispenser

Primo’s stainless steel water dispenser is our choice for the best top-loading water cooler.

It has three different temperature settings: ice-cold, cold, and hot. The hot water setting is protected by a child safety lock to prevent children from burning themselves.

The spill-proof bottle holder guarantees no leaks during the process of loading and unloading bottles onto the Primo Stainless Steel Water Cooler. It’s compatible with all 5-gallon water bottles that are designed for dispensers.

With great features, high durability, and relatively low maintenance, the Primo Stainless Steel 3 Spout Top Load Hot, Cold and Cool Water Cooler Dispenser is an excellent choice.

You’ll find the unit easy to install, and it dispenses water at appropriate temperatures for every separate setting. Since it requires no plumbing and it comes with an easy-to-read manual, you’ll have no trouble setting this best water cooler up.

6. Best Bottleless Water Cooler: Brio Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser With Filtration

If you’re looking for a bottleless solution, look no further than the Brio Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler.

It’s energy-efficient, eliminates the need of purchasing water bottles, and it has three separate temperature settings. The Brio Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler also comes with two replacement filters that normally cost extra.

It also features an automated self-cleaning process that disinfects the entirety of the device’s interior. With less manual maintenance on your part, you further save time and effort that you wouldn’t be able to with the other best water coolers on this list.

Brio’s offering is one of the best full-fledged water coolers out there. It comes with all the features you could ask for in such a device and much more.

The Brio Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler features a sturdy construction, child safety lock, LED night light, and a top-notch UV protection system. And best of all, the three temperature settings work just as advertised.

5. Best Countertop Water Cooler: Avalon Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser

Out of all the countertop water coolers we’ve seen, the Avalon Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser is the most impressive overall.

It comes with an explicit manual that even beginners can comprehend with ease. And it also has some of the features from the previous water cooler on our list: self-cleaning system, night light, child safety lock, and two filters that work in tandem.

All of these make the Avalon Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser an excellent choice.

The Avalon Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser is easy to install, efficient, and reliable.

Its features and compact size make it an impressive water cooler. Many users have praised it for its low maintenance, quietness, and filtration capabilities.

4. Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler

This water dispenser indeed has a sleek look and also an aesthetic-friendly design. It also features a water bottle-concealing cabinet at the bottom. It further has 3 convenient push-button controls. Additionally, push them for dispensing of cool, ice-cold, and boiling hot water.

Besides room temperature water, you can dispense ice-cold and hot water. Note that varying temperatures are also ready in some minutes after you turn on the cooler unit.

Other Features

Moreover, you can load this water dispenser with water bottles in 3 gallons or 5 gallons of weight. Also, it doesn’t require any plumbing installation and it’s very easy to set up. Plus, it has a UL certification tag and also an Energy Star label for rating.

And alternatively, you may instead go with Primo for your purified water supply. You may then choose between its purified water with minerals or regular purified water. Also know that Primo uses a multi-step reverse osmosis process. So it’s one good choice too if you’re picky with the water you drink. You can buy Primo pre-filled water bottles though. Alternatively, you can instead get some supply at a Primo Self-Service Refill Station.

3. Primo – Easy Top Loading Water Dispenser

And to continue with the product listing, this is another sleek-looking, beautifully designed Primo water dispenser. Now, this dispenser also uses a 2.0 compression cooling system. This enables the unit to speedily and also efficiently produce ice-cold water.

So if you don’t want the current ice-cold temperature, you can rework the setting by accessing the back of your cooling unit.

In like manner, this water dispenser requires very little to set up. Furthermore, it is compatible with other regular water bottles that can fit water dispensers. You can also stick to using Primo water bottles. Additionally, this cooler unit has a spill-proof holder for your bottles and delivers a leak guard. So this prevents those irritating water spills whenever you’re replacing the water bottle.

2. KUPPET Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser

In the same way, Kuppet countertop water dispenser doesn’t need much space. So you can locate the cooler on any of your home tables. Or you could position it at your small coffee station within your office instead. It also makes for a convenient setup in a small kitchen at home. Furthermore, the cooler is light. So you can move this cooler unit with ease. You’ll also have little problems making rearrangements in the area where you have it.

This water cooler can fit bottles with 3 gallons as well as 5 gallons of drinking water. So it cools water to temperatures of 50F to 59F (10C to 1s5C). It also heats water from 185F to 203F (85C to 95C). These are good figures for cold and also hot water temperatures. But it will take time for the cooler to reach those temperatures after you turn it on.

Hence, expect the same case when the reservoir runs out of cold or hot water and you have to refill. If the waiting time isn’t much of a fuss for you, this is a reliable cold and hot water dispenser that is easy on the budget.

1. Brio Moderna Self Cleaning Bottom Load Hot, Cold & Room Water Cooler

Similarly, this is an elegantly designed water dispenser. Now, it likewise sports a sleek premium quality stainless steel finish. Indeed, the aesthetics scream of superiority and durability. So it’s one appliance you would likely want on display at home or in your office.

Moreover, operating the unit is easy with its touch dispensing feature. You can also personalize your preferred hot or cold water temperature. And similarly, you do this at a touch of the temperature control. Know that it can also easily cool water down to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3.89 C). And it can further heat water to 174 degrees Fahrenheit (78.89 C).

Other Features

This is a UL certified and Energy Star approved water dispenser. So the rating assures quality and efficiency. Additionally, it is bottom loading. Even more, it gives you a push-button self-cleaning feature. This appeals also to those who want regular maintenance and cleanliness of their coolers.

Equally important to mention, the ozone sanitizing procedure can raise concern. However, the manufacturer ensures its safety. Furthermore, All traces of gas should be gone by the end of the 90-minute cleaning process, they say.

In closing, it’s a water dispenser that has some of the best overall features you can buy. So it can be expensive. But it’s worth its price if the features appeal to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does a Water Cooler Work?

Water coolers come in both electric and non-electric formats. The electric ones work similar to a fridge, in the sense that they consume electricity to power up a cooling unit. The non-electric ones are usually thermo-insulated barrels or bottles that prevent heat from getting in.

Are Water Coolers Sanitary?

They are as long as you clean them properly. Just like you would do with other appliances, you need to wash and wipe their interior from time to time to prevent the formation of bacteria. Otherwise, you can get a self-cleaning water cooler 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 of water cooler that 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

The features you should look for most when choosing the best water cooler are capacity, dimensions, and the method employed for cooling water.

If you don’t already have a water filtration system in your home, consider getting the filtered water coolers that we mentioned above. From our list of insightful water cooler reviews, you can now see which ones are best suited for your needs.

Pat Daniels

Pat is an accomplished writer and technical expert in water systems and the effects on our environment. He has a wealth of knowledge and is one of our strongest technical writers when it comes to water systems.

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