Water fountains may have a reputation for being the place where co-workers stop to chat, but many people have one at home, as dispensers can be useful in a garage, play area, or any other place where there is no available tap.
Most water fountains are extremely easy to use, and they usually use the large 3- or 5-gallon jugs you can buy at any large retail store. (Or, if you don’t want to buy water jugs, they connect some models to your home’s water line.)
There are several styles of water coolers available today, including freestanding units, countertop models and even wall-mounted models. You can choose from chillers that only offer room temperature water or that can dispense water at different temperatures. Plus, many of them come with additional features, such as self-cleaning, built-in storage or touchless models.
The best water coolers
What to consider?
Water coolers may seem simple enough, but there are a few things to consider when shopping. Most water fountains dispense water from 3- or 5-gallon jugs, and I usually load these containers either from the top or bottom of the fountain. Bottom-loading fountains are much easier to use, but top-loading fountains are more affordable because of their simpler design. There are also point-of-use water fountains that connect to the building’s water supply, so you don’t have to replace the water jugs. The downside is that installation is much more complicated.
Other factors to consider include whether you want a fountain that dispenses room temperature water, cold water or hot water (or a combination of all three), and whether it should have a filtration system or other features, such as a child lock or self-cleaning mechanism.
How we chose
To help you find the right water cooler for your needs, we researched top-rated models from top brands like Avalon and Brio. We selected a variety of different styles and sizes for this list to provide options for both home and office. Most of the fountains selected offer useful features and cover a wide price range, so you can find one that fits your budget.
1. Bottom-loading water cooler
The Avalon bottom-loading water cooler has a sleek, easy-to-use design and can dispense cold, room temperature and hot water. It can accommodate 3 and 5 gallon jugs, which are loaded into the stainless steel cabinet at the bottom of the unit, and it has an empty bottle indicator light that lets you know when to change the jug.
BioGuard antimicrobial coating prevents bacteria from growing on the unit’s high-contact surfaces. In addition, the cooler features a nightlight that makes the spouts visible in low light and a child lock on the hot water button.
Buy: Bottom-loading water cooler
2. Bottom-loading water dispenser
If you’re looking for a water cooler that isn’t an eyesore for your home or office, this model from Primo is as stylish as it gets. It’s available in stainless steel or black stainless steel, and its bottom-loading design keeps the water carafe hidden.
The water cooler dispenses cold, room temperature and hot water, the latter with a child safety lock in case you have young children in the house. The unit’s stainless steel drip tray is dishwasher safe, and there’s even a nightlight for easy visibility in the dark.
Buy: Bottom-loading water dispenser
3. Top Loading Water Cooler
One drawback of top-loading water coolers is that it can be difficult and messy to change the water bottle. But this option features a spill-proof design that makes the task much easier. A built-in stem allows you to pierce the top of an extra water bottle, so you don’t have to cause a flood (or the laughter of your co-workers).
The fountain dispenses hot or cold water and fits 3 and 5 gallon water bottles. It’s operated with push paddles, which is convenient and hygienic, and its overall design is slim, allowing it to fit in small spaces.
The major drawback is that you will have to stand in front of the machine for a while to fill your coffee cup, as it dispenses water slowly.
4. Self-cleaning bottom-loading water cooler
This water cooler has a self-cleaning function and uses ozone (an odorless gas) to disinfect the valves. It also has an attractive stainless steel finish and conceals the water carafe in its base.
Push buttons activate cold, hot, and room temperature water valves, while switches on the back of the unit allow you to turn off the hot or cold water. The unit has a removable drip tray, a night light and a child lock. It is also Energy Star certified.
Buy: Self-cleaning bottom-loading water cooler
5. Bottleless Countertop Water Cooler
The Avalon countertop water cooler has a compact design - it’s only 19 inches tall - that you can easily place on a countertop. However, its small size is partly because of its bottle less operation. (With the fountain, you will find all the parts you need for installation.)
Besides dispensing cold water and hot water with paddles, it also contains a multi-layer sediment filter, and an activated carbon filter that eliminates chlorine, lead, odors, and unpleasant tastes. It also has a built-in child lock and night light, as well as a leak detector that monitors the flow of the water source into the machine.
Buy: Bottleless Countertop Water Cooler
6. 5-Gallon Portable Sports Water Cooler
For something you can take camping or tailgating, consider the Igloo beverage cooler, which has a compact, no-frills design. It can hold up to 5 gallons of liquid, and we can fill its insulated form of ice to keep your drink cool for up to three days.
The bright orange cooler has a push-button faucet on the bottom to dispense water, and it’s angled to prevent drips. There’s also a snap-on lid, and it can even double as a stool if needed. A drawstring secures the lid in place, and reinforced handles prevent dirt from getting in.
Buy: 5-Gallon Portable Sports Water Cooler
7. 2-in-1 water cooler with built-in ice maker
You can get freshly made ice and clean water in one place with this water cooler from the Antarctic Star. The top-loading design dispenses cold water, room temperature water and hot water, and there’s a small ice maker in the base that can hold up to 4.4 pounds of bullet-shaped cubes at a time.
The ice maker comes in either a white or black finish, and it can produce up to 27 pounds of ice per day (Although there is no refrigeration in the bin).
It also has indicator lights that let you know when the capacity is low, and there’s even a two-step child lock that prevents hot water from being dispensed easily.
Buy: 2-in-1 water cooler with built-in ice maker
8. Self-Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler
If you’re looking for a freestanding water cooler that connects to your home’s water line, the Avalon A5 is easy to install. It comes with all the components to connect, and they equipped the unit with two filters to help purify your water.
The bottle less water cooler dispenses cold, room temperature or hot water, and has a built-in pilot light and self-cleaning feature to minimize maintenance. It is also Energy Star certified.
Buy: Self-Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler
9. Freestanding hot and cold water cooler
This Farberware model may look like a regular top-loading water cooler, but it has a hidden storage compartment in the base where you can store cups, beverages and more. The storage area does not have a refrigerator, but it has two shelves to store kitchen supplies.
We can use the cooler with 3 or 5 gallon jugs and has two hot and cold water dispensers. It’s available in white or black finish, and the design is simple and easy to use. But if you’re picky about aesthetics, this may not be the best choice.
Buy: Freestanding hot and cold water cooler
10. Water cooler/dispenser
Instead of attaching a cup dispenser to the side of your water cooler, you can get this model from Frigidaire, which incorporates one. The cooler has both hot and cold water dispensers, and its bottom-loading design hides the water carafe.
Highlights include an eye-catching stainless steel finish and self-cleaning ozone technology that helps eliminate germs and bacteria. There’s also a built-in nightlight and a child lock on the hot water dispenser.
