To soak up as much information as we could, we reached out to Brian Campbell, a self-proclaimed water geek and founder of WaterFilterGuru.com, for his advice on selecting a water cooler for the home. “Water coolers are big and bulky and require a lot of space. Make sure you have sufficient room to accommodate a system before purchasing one,” he advises. Campbell also adds that it’s super-important to be aware of the extra maintenance tasks associated with water coolers. “You’ll need to frequently replace the jug or filters, as well as clean the internal components, including the water lines, reservoir, and spigots to prevent the growth of bacteria.” Along with Campbell’s expertise, we researched the best water coolers out there, evaluating their capacity, temperature options, load type, and overall appearance. Our top picks, the Glacier Bay Bottom Load Water Dispenser and Primo Top Load Water Dispenser, are both certified by Energy Star and have a 5-gallon capacity. Here are the best water coolers that make it easy to stay hydrated while cutting costs and reducing waste. This model instantly dispenses piping hot, room temperature, and ice cold water into a large fill area that fits most glasses and pitchers. With a press of a button, think how simple and mess-free it would be to make instant soup or a mug of Swiss Miss! While the water may have a slightly metallic taste on first use, expect that to disappear just after a few runs. The dispenser is certified by Energy Star and also has a UV sterilization system that keeps your machine—and, ultimately, your water—clean. This water cooler also has a built-in night light, which makes it convenient on those late nights when you wake up thirsty. Price at time of publish: $209 The stainless steel unit dispenses room temperature and hot water, too. The water bottle support collar utilizes leak guard technology to keep water flowing through the unit—without spilling on the sides. One thing to keep in mind is that the dispenser tray is lower to the ground than those on other coolers, but that’s an easy fix. You can set the cooler on a small crate or a stand to make it easier to access. Price at time of publish: $156 The water cooler can get a little loud when the hot water function is in use, but overall it’s a quiet machine. Although it can certainly work in any room, the cooler’s slim, free-standing design lends itself well to smaller kitchens. Price at time of publish: $173 The main appeal of the cooler, however, is that it sources its water from your home or office waterline—not heavy, plastic jugs. Though this feature makes it hard to move the cooler once installed, it ultimately reduces waste. In addition to being eco-friendly, the Brio Moderna water cooler is good for you. Using reverse osmosis filtration, this Energy Star-certified machine filters major contaminants to make sure your water looks and tastes good. Price at time of publish: $500 Perfect for a kitchen counter or office table, this water cooler has a compact base. Just keep in mind that adding a water jug will add another 19 inches to the cooler’s height, so you’ll want to make sure you have at least 38 inches of height clearance. Price at time of publish: $180 This machine is easy-to-install and even easier to maintain with a self-cleaning system. These features come with a higher price tag, but it’s worth it if you have a large family. Price at time of publish: $439 Transporting the cooler to your campground is mess-free. Yeti’s trademark Bearfoot non-slip feet prevent the cooler from slipping and sliding as you traverse rocky terrain in the car, while tie-down slots allow for extra security. When it’s time to carry the cooler, the Lipgrip handles are built right into the cooler’s frame, so you don’t have to worry about mastering an awkward grip. The cooler is heavy, though, weighing 17 pounds without water. Before purchasing, make sure you can transport it. Otherwise, consider it part of your workout. Price at time of publish: $300 Designed with everyday practicality and convenience in mind, this dispenser features an easy-to-clean drip tray, LED night light and indicators, and a quiet heating and cooling system. Though the machine dispenses hot and cold water, the cold water may be more room temperature than cold. Price at time of publish: $179 Another appealing feature: a bottom cabinet that conceals the unsightly water jug. This gives the dispenser a sleek look that is often only seen in expensive models. Price at time of publish: $250 You’ll also want to measure the allotted space, which Kourey says needs to be near an electrical outlet. Keep in mind that a cooler with a larger capacity will likely require more room. Compare the measurements of the space to those of the cooler, and decide whether you need to lower your capacity expectations or rearrange the area to make room for a larger dispenser.
Top-Loading vs. Bottom-Loading
With top-loading bottled water coolers, the water jug goes on top of the unit, and gravity sends water toward the dispensers. With bottom-loading coolers, a water pump draws water up from the jug at the bottom of the unit. This placement is only a slight functional difference, so deciding between the two loading types will come down to personal preference. “With a top-loading cooler, you can see when water is running low, and make sure you’re prepared with a new bottle,” says Campbell. “You don’t have this perk with bottom-loading coolers, but these coolers tend to have a more attractive design, because the water bottle isn’t on display.” In addition to a more appealing appearance, Campbell says the bottom-loading coolers are easier to load, since they do not require the lifting and flipping of a heavy jug. People with physical limitations may prefer this style. Bottom-loading machines are often shorter than top-loading machines, which may work better with your space. That’s why we selected the Glacier Bay Matte Black and Stainless Steel Bottom Load Water Dispenser, a bottom-loading water cooler that instantly dispenses piping hot, room temperature and ice cold water into a large fill area. Kourey says that bottom-loading dispensers are often more expensive than top-loading ones because of the additional parts required to pump water. Generally, top-loading coolers are more budget-friendly, but bottom-loading coolers are more aesthetically pleasing.
Temperature and Fill Settings
Most water dispensers have hot water and cold water spouts with pre-programmed temperatures. Though the temperatures may vary slightly among coolers, Campbell says that hot water is typically between 170 to 197 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold water is around 39 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Your water cooler may also have a third spout for room-temperature water, which is roughly 78 degrees Fahrenheit. More expensive water dispensers allow you to adjust the temperature to your liking, which may be ideal for households with multiple people with different preferences.
Standout Features
Safety Lock
If you have young children at home or want an extra security measure for yourself, consider a water cooler that has a safety lock. That may seem unnecessary, but when you consider how easy water coolers are to operate and how much younger children like to touch things, this feature could become a necessity. Most water coolers have a latch attached to the hot water spout that prevents water from dispensing when twisted, pushed, or pulled. Digital water coolers may have a button that activates a lock function when pressed.
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights help in the use and care of your water cooler, though they will vary among units. Common indicator lights include:
Heating Indicator Light: Tells you when water is heated. Cooling Indicator Light: Tells you when the water is cooling from the heat function. Empty Bottle Indicator Light: Informs you when the water jug needs replacing. This light is usually found on bottom-loading machines, as the jug is not visible. Filter Change Indicator Light: Lets you know when it’s time to switch out filters. This indicator is most common on bottleless water dispensers. Night Light: Helps make the water cooler visible at night.
Pet Station
A pet station delivers water directly to your pet’s bowl, eliminating the bending, carrying, and potential spilling that often comes with filling it yourself. With pet stations, the water bowl is often installed in the front, left, or right side of the water cooler’s base, making for a little less clutter in your home. For extra safety, look for a pet station that won’t dispense water unless the bowl is in place. For our pick, we chose Primo’s Deluxe Top Loading Dispenser with Pet Station, which allows you to place a removable, dishwasher-safe pet bowl in front or on either side of Primo’s dispenser for instant, fresh water delivery.
Self-Cleaning Feature
Although cleaning a water cooler is relatively simple, it can be a time-consuming process. Self-cleaning coolers give you that time back and maintain the dispenser, which increases its longevity. The self-clean feature most often utilizes a powerful UV light to disinfect and sanitize the cooler.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Leah Rocketto, a lifestyle writer and editor for The Spruce. To select the best water coolers, she sorted through dozens of customer and third-party website reviews. Try using a long-handled cleaning brush to scrub the inside of the water reservoir, and then drain the solution from the hot and cold spigots into a bucket. Fill the reservoir with clean, cold tap water and drain the water from the spigots into a bucket. Repeat again but with warm tap water. Repeat this one more time. Then, replace any removed drip trays and filters, and put a new bottle on the cooler. You’ll want to press the spigots until water flows out. The timeline for when to clean your appliance varies. Campbell says it’s best to err on the side of caution, and clean it every six weeks. Bucur, on the other hand, says it’s okay to do it every three months. Both, however, tell The Spruce that it may be easiest to clean the cooler whenever you change your water jug, since that is part of the process. She also spoke with Rachel Kourey, Brian Campbell, and Stefan Bucur to gain a better sense of the features that make for a must-have water cooler. Kourey is The Home Depot’s Merchant of Pumps and Water and is responsible for staying up-to-date on all devices in these categories. As founder of WaterFilterGuru.com, Campbell is a water treatment expert who has provided water-quality analysis tools, instrumentation, and services to companies around the world. Bucur is a home-improvement specialist, with a focus on kitchen appliances.
