Are you looking to increase your water intake with a supply of clean and fresh water? If so, then a water cooler could be the answer! These can dispense both hot and cold water without the need for multiple plastic bottles. Plus, they're convenient to have in rooms without a sink or water fountain.
To help you find a water cooler that will meet your needs, we curated a list of the best options available. We chose the 3-Stage Point of Use Water Cooler by Brio as our favorite as it is bottle-less, contactless, Energy Star-approved, and it's ideal for the office. We have chosen another nine water coolers and have a buying guide to help you make your choice.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Table of Contents
Before buying a water cooler, consider where the water is loaded, the water temperatures, and any safety features. To help you with this, we’ve put together this buying guide!
The stereotypical image of a water cooler is a free-standing unit in the corner of a room, but this isn't the only option available.
You can find water coolers with bottles that sit on a counter, but freestanding versions are the most common. Both types allow you to place the water cooler wherever you have space, as they don't need to be connected to a water main. Some of the higher-end models might need an electrical supply for their features, however, so keep that in mind.
When the water bottle runs out, you simply replace it with a new one. This does come with a cost, both financial and environmental, as you will need to pay for the new bottles and also dispose of the empty plastic bottle.
One option is to buy a subscription to a bottle replacement service, and this may be included with some higher-end models. This ensures that you always have replacement bottles and the old ones are disposed of correctly.
If you're likely to need a steady stream of water or don't want to deal with the hassle of changing water bottles, then you can also opt for a bottleless cooler. Instead of using bottles to provide the water, these coolers use exiting water lines to deliver all the water you need.
Bottleless coolers need to be installed and hooked into a water line, so you will be more limited when it comes to placement. However, once installed, you won't need to worry about running out of water or replacing heavy bottles. As no subscription to a bottle service is required, in the long run, bottleless coolers are often more cost-effective.
This type of cooler typically has filters installed to ensure that the water is clean and pure for drinking, and these will need changing. An advantage of bottleless coolers is that they are a completely sealed system, unlike coolers with bottles. The water or inner workings of a cooler with bottles can get exposed to the air when the bottle is changed.
If you don't have open floor space, consider a countertop model. These can be bottleless, but it's more common for them to use bottles, and they're compatible with standard three- to five-gallon bottles. They will give you the most freedom when it comes to placement, as they can be placed on any stable table or counter.
Countertop water coolers have the advantage of being flexible in their height, unlike freestanding ones. They will be as low or high as the counter they’re placed on, so you can choose a counter that you can reach easily. They're generally lighter and easier to move than freestanding coolers, too.
When it comes to water coolers that use water bottles, they can be loaded from either the top or the bottom. Although countertop water coolers are only top-loading, freestanding ones can be either.
Top-loading water coolers make it easy to tell when a new water bottle is needed since you can easily see the water level. However, these water bottles can hold three to five gallons of water, making them quite heavy and awkward to change.
A bottom-loading water cooler will take away the stress and strain of changing the bottle since it doesn’t require any heavy lifting. Water coolers that load at the bottom usually have the bottle hidden away behind a cabinet door, but they normally have an indicator light to tell you when the water bottle needs changing.
However, top-loading water coolers often have additional storage. Instead of shutting away the bottle in the cabinet, you can use this empty space in the base of the unit to store disposable cups, teabags, or instant coffee packets.
Water coolers often come with the ability to dispense water at different temperatures. Typically, they have two temperatures in separate taps: hot and ice cold. With hot water on tap, you can instantly make coffee or tea whenever you want!
Some water coolers will also give you a third option of cool water. This is closer to room temperature and is better for your digestion than cold water. However, some water coolers will only dispense truly room temperature water if the cold water is switched off.
In fact, it’s wise to buy one that allows you to turn off the temperatures when needed. If you don’t need hot or ice-cold water all of the time, then try turning them off to save energy. Look for water coolers with independent switches that turn off the temperature options without turning off the entire cooler.
We recommend looking for ones that are Energy Star approved. This is a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to highlight appliances that are energy-efficient. A water cooler that conforms with Energy Star will cost you less to run and lessen the environmental impact.
Also, if the water cooler is placed in an area accessible to children, make sure the hot tap has a safety feature or child lock. This will protect small hands from getting burned by hot water.
Some higher-end water coolers have a self-cleaning function. This will keep the water cooler sanitized during use, making it more hygienic. Many use an ozone feature, which regularly cleans the dispenser throughout the day to remove bacteria or germs. The ozone is generated by the cooler itself and will do this process automatically.
Another process uses hot water to sanitize the system. It turns off the cold water for a period and instead heats the water to just below boiling to kill any bacteria in the system. You can also find coolers that use UV-light to clean; however, make sure that these clean both the tank and tubes, as some will only clean the tank.
Another feature to look for is a removable drip tray. Drops of water will inevitably leak or be spilled as the water cooler is used, but a tray stops water from dripping onto the floor. If the tray is removable, you can easily empty and clean it as needed.
There are several other features you can look for that will make using a water cooler easier. Some water coolers with bottles have a light or digital display that will advise you if the water level is getting low and the bottle will need changing. You can find coolers with lights in the dispenser so you can more easily see how much water you're putting into your bottle or glass.
For freestanding models, you might want to check how tall the cooler is and where the dispenser is positioned. Many have the dispensers positioned at waist-level or below, which can be awkward to use for some. The tallest units are just over 40 inches, and if this seems too short, you may want to choose a countertop version instead.
Many coolers have buttons or taps to press to dispense the water, but others have paddles that can be pressed with your glass, reducing the amount of physical contact.
Some higher-end models might have sensors to automatically dispense the water when a glass is present. If you want to keep the cooler as contact-free as possible, a sensor or paddle is a good choice.
Pros:
Cons:
This small water cooler is designed to sit on a countertop and will easily fit into the home. It has three temperatures, and you can turn off the heating and cooling functions as needed. It has a removable drip tray and a child-safety lock on the hot button. It's also Energy Star approved, so it won't run up your energy bills.
Reviewers reported that the cooling feature was very noisy. However, they liked that this cooler was very easy to set up and use. They found its small size very convenient and said that it looked very sleek in their homes. They also note that it reaches the required temperatures quickly.
Pros:
Cons:
The various features of this water cooler make it a great choice for the office. It is bottleless, so the supply will never run out. It has three filtration stages to ensure the water is pure and is also self-cleaning. The temperature of the hot water can be adjusted as needed and the unit has an LED display to show the time and other warnings.
The reviews for this water cooler are overwhelmingly positive. The only minor criticism is how noisy it can be while heating the water. Reviewers praised the filtration system and said the water tastes clean and pure. They said it was easy to install and that the water reached the temperatures they needed.
Pros:
Cons:
This bottleless water cooler is approved by Energy Star, which means that it is certified to be energy-efficient. It has two filters to clean the water before dispensing it, and the system self-cleans using ozone. If the system does spring a leak, the unit will tell you so you can resolve it quickly.
A few reviewers pointed out that this cooler dispenses water more slowly than many other models and that hot water can especially be slow if frequently used. Overall though, reviewers were pleased with this cooler and said it was easy to install. They praised the different temperatures and how great the water tasted.
Pros:
Cons:
The water in this cooler is dispensed by two paddles that can easily be operated by pressing your cup against them, making the unit contactless. The hot paddle has a child-safety lock, and the unit has a nightlight so you can safely use it in the dark.
A few reviewers found that this cooler dispensed water slower than they expected. There were also reports that the unit was noisy. But, reviewers liked that they can get water without needing to touch the unit. They praised the heat of the hot water and said it heats up quickly. Reviewers also liked how easy it is to change the bottles.
Pros:
Cons:
The main highlight of this countertop water cooler is that the water is dispensed by pressing on a paddle. The paddles can easily be operated by your glass, reducing the need for anyone to physically touch the dispenser. The drip tray is removable for easy cleaning and the hot water paddle has a safety lock.
The main complaint of this cooler is that when it actively chilled or heated the water, it was very noisy. There were also a few comments regarding leaks. However, reviewers loved how compact it was and confirmed that hot water was very hot. There are also several compliments for Avalon's customer service as any issues were swiftly resolved.
Pros:
Cons:
This water cooler offers bottleless water in a compact, countertop unit. It comes with all of the equipment needed for installation and two sets of filters that should last for a year. You can choose from one of three temperatures and the hot option has a child-lock. The unit uses UV technology to clean, and this cleans both the tank and tubing.
A couple of reviewers reported drips from the nozzle and there were also a handful of comments regarding how noisy the unit can be when it dispensed water. However, reviewers liked the taste of the water and praised the unit for being made of steel instead of plastic. They also liked the variety of temperatures available.
Pros:
Cons:
If you're looking for a small and portable water cooler, this unit by Primo might fit the bill. It only dispenses room temperature water, but this means that it doesn't need any electricity to work. The main body of the cooler is made from ceramic and this is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.
There are reports from a few reviewers that the nozzle on this water cooler can leak. It also dispenses water relatively slowly. Most reviewers praised this cooler, however, both for its portability and that it doesn't need electricity. They also confirm that it is easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Pros:
Cons:
This water cooler has three temperatures and a child-safety lock on the hot setting. It has a light to indicate when the bottle needs replacing and also has a night-light setting. The areas of the unit that are likely to be frequently touched have an anti-microbial coating so that bacteria growth will be limited.
Some reviewers said that this water cooler is very loud. There were also reports that the buttons for dispensing the water were hard to push. However, reviewers said that it's easy to both set up the cooler and replace bottles. They like that it loads from the bottom and quickly dispenses water of all temperatures. Plus, they note that it's durable and long-lasting.
Pros:
Cons:
This top-loading water cooler has a storage cabinet in the base that is large enough to hold some soda cans or disposable cups. The cooler dispenses both cold and hot water, and you can turn off these temperatures when not in use to save energy. The drip tray and barrel seat can both be removed for easy cleaning.
Some reviewers reported that their cooler leaked, especially when changing the water bottle. There are also a few comments stating the cold water wasn't cold enough. However, the majority of reviewers liked this unit for being slim and for the hot water being truly hot. The storage compartment was also a big hit with buyers.
Pros:
Cons:
If cold water isn't quite cold enough for your tastes, then this water cooler will also offer a steady production of ice cubes. It has three water temperatures and has a child safety lock on the hot water. A series of LED lights will tell you if the unit is currently heating water or making ice, and will also warn you of a malfunction.
A few reviewers commented that the unit is noisy while it heats or freezes. They liked that it produces ice cubes quickly, but said the cubes can melt if left in the unit for too long. They praised the cooler for being easy to set up and for the convenience of having a water cooler and ice maker in one.
We have some more recommendations for products that will help you increase your daily water intake, whether you like it hot, icy cool, or bubbly!
If you're still looking for that perfect water cooler, then why not check out Amazon's bestsellers for some more ideas?
No. 1: Brio | Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler Dispenser
No. 2: Brio | Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser
No. 3: Avalon | Innovative Ultra Slim Design Water Cooler | A5BLK
No. 4: Avalon | Touchless Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser | A6
No. 5: Avalon | Easy Bottom Loading Water Dispenser | A1CTWTRCLRBLK
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Apps
Business apps, Cooking apps, Dating appsHome goods
Bath supplies, Ceremonial occasion supplies, Cleaning suppliesHome electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, AV accessories, Blenders and food processorsPC
Computer supplies, Desktop computers, TabletsCamera
Camera bags and backpacks, Camera supplies, Digital single lens camerasBeauty
Blushes, Bronzers, CleansersHealth
Body care products, Health accessories, Health foods and supplementsFood and drinks
Alcohol, Breads and jams, Cocktails and ready-to-drink alcoholic beveragesKitchen
Coffee and tea products, Cooking utensils, CupsFashion
Footwear products, Men's shoes, SandalsShoes
Accessories
Wristwatches, Accessories and jewelry, Umbrellas and parasolsKids and baby
Baby carriers, Baby food, Baby formulaInterior
Beds, Beds and bedding, ChairsHobbies
Aromatherapy products, Art supplies, Arts and collectiblesOutdoor
Barbecue grills and fire pits, Camping beds and cots, Camping gearHome, garden, and tools
Agricultural materials and gardening supplies, Exterior and garden furniture, Materials and repairing agentsSports and fitness
Sports shoes, Surfing supplies, Badminton suppliesPets
Bird and small animal supplies, Cat supplies, Dog suppliesMedia
Books and magazines, CD, Children's books, picture books and illustrated encyclopediasGames
Gaming accessories, Nintendo Switch games, PC gamesAutomotive
Car accessories, Car navigation systemsGifts
Christmas gifts, Father's Day gifts, Gifts for childrenMobile devices
Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watches