Can you remember the last time you drank a glass of tap water? We can’t either!
That’s because over the last decade or so more and more people have started using bottled water as their main source of safe drinking water.
And while bottled water was the best solution at the time, eventually people started to realize it wasn?t the best solution for the long term.
Not only can buying water bottles get expensive, but they are also heavy and take up a ton of space in your pantry and fridge.
Not to mention they are not eco friendly and can wreak havoc on the environment.
So what?s the next best solution you ask? Water Coolers!!! Continue reading to find a list fo the Best Water Cooler for your Home or Office.
Table of Contents
- 5 Reasons You Should Consider Investing In a Water Cooler
- Understanding The Different Types of Water Coolers
- 3 Health Benefits Associated With Having a Water CoolerIn Your Home
- 5 Key Features To Look For In a Water Cooler
- Top 8 Best Water Cooler For Homeowners
5 Reasons You Should Consider Investing In a Water Cooler
If you are stuck on the fence and aren?t sure if having a water cooler is worth it, check out these 5 reasons that just may change your mind.
So You Can Easily Stay Hydrated – This is by far the most well known reason for investing in a water cooler. According to some experts, our bodies are made up of as much as 90% water.
That means you literally need it to survive. That’s why from an early age we are taught to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. It’s just that important.
With a water cooler you will always have access to cold, filtered water which is 1000 times better than lukewarm tap water.
Its Convenient – I think it’s safe to say that most us live a pretty hectic lifestyle. We are constantly on the go and need things to be as quick and easy as possible.
Having your own water cooler in your home means you will have access to a cold glass of water, or a piping hot cup of water, whenever you need it.
To Protect The Environment – According to the U.S. National Park Service it takes over 400 years for a plastic bottle to decompose. Just think about that for a minute.
The bottles you are using right now will still be sitting in landfills somewhere a hundred years from now. Just imagine the impact those bottles are having on the environment.
If you are someone who wants to reduce your carbon footprint, using a water cooler is one of the best ways to do that.
To Save Money – According to some studies the average American family spends over $600 a year on bottled water. That’s a lot of money!
And while the initial cost of a water cooler may seem high to most, it will more than pay for itself in 2 to 3 years.
Just imagine being able to save an extra $600 a year. That’s plenty enough reason to invest in a water cooler.
To Free Up Space In The Fridge – Water bottles take up a ton of space in your fridge. Especially during the summer when people tend to drink way more water.
With a water cooler fridge space would not be an issue.
Understanding The Different Types of Water Coolers
Once you start searching for water coolers you will find that there are 4 different types you can choose from.
Each type of water cooler will fall into one of two categories. Countertop or freestanding. Both are very popular and in most cases offer many of the same exact features.
Countertop water coolers tend to be more affordable than freestanding ones. Some water coolers will require you purchase water bottles while others will require you purchase a special type of bottle that uses a filtration system and must be refilled.
Here are the 4 different types of water coolers:
Countertop – If you are looking to save a little money a countertop water cooler will be your best option. Not only are they portable, but they are also great for small apartments or situations where space is limited.
Point of Use – When it comes to price point of use units are without a doubt the most expensive. They are also the most convenient.
Point of use systems are bottleless which means there is no need to purchase one of those heavy 5 gallon jugs that are required with other types of water coolers.
As long as you have a water line you can easily access you will be good to go. Just hook up the unit and you will have access to an endless flow of water.
The great thing about this type of cooler is once you set it up you don’t have to do anything else.
Please note this type of unit will require plenty of space.
Top Load Unit – While top loading units tend to be the most affordable, they can also be a bit too much for most people to handle.
As the name implies, this unit must be loaded from the top. This means in order to have water you will need to lift a 5 gallon water bottle and connect it to the unit.
While the initial setup of this type of unit is quick and easy, having to constantly change out 5 gallon water bottles can get old pretty quickly.
Bottom Load Unit – As far as design goes bottom load coolers and top load coolers are very similar. The one big difference is how you load the unit.
With this type of unit there is a cabinet underneath that is designed to house the water bottle.
The great thing about this type of unit is the fact you don’t have to lift those heavy water bottles. Simply slide it into the bottom shelf and you are good to go.
3 Health Benefits Associated With Having a Water Cooler
In Your Home
I think it’s safe to say we all know the importance of drinking plenty of water on a regular basis. The problem is very few of us drink enough water.
That leads to us feeling lethargic, moody, mentally fatigued and stressed out. All of which are symptoms of dehydration.
Having a water cooler in your home makes it easy for you and your family to consume fresh water on a regular basis. Just grab your cup, fill it up, and drink.
Here are some of the health benefits you stand to experience by having a water cooler in your home.
You Will Be Alot Less Stressed– It has been proven that drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day can lead to a less stressful life.
According to Amanda Carlson, RD, director of performance nutrition at Athletes? Performance, being the slightest bit dehydrated can lead to an increase in cortisol levels.
Cortisol is one of the main stress hormones in the body. And when you aren?t properly hydrated it will constantly be activated which means your body will always be in a high state of stress.
Being able to easily access water throughout the day is one of the best ways to combat stress.
You Will Have More Energy Throughout The Day – When most people lack energy they think they need to get more rest. In reality they are probably dehydrated and needing to drink more water.
The more water you drink throughout the day the more blood and oxygen that flows to your brain.
As a result you will have more energy and feel less fatigued. Your level of focus will also increase and you will avoid the afternoon energy crash that most people experience after drinking soda and coffee all day.
Your Brain Will Function Better – Yes, water plays a crucial role in how well your brain functions.
When you are dehydrated it takes your brain longer to process information. As a result you are usually always a step behind when it comes to getting things done.
By drinking the right amount of water you will have increased brain activity and increase your level of focus and attentiveness.
So now the question is how much is the right amount to drink? A simple rule to follow is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day.
For example, if you weigh 200 pounds you should try to drink at least 100 ounces of water every single day.
By doing so you will ensure that you are always properly hydrated.
Other health benefits associated with staying properly hydrated include better weight management, healthier skin, improved kidney function, improved bowel function, and balanced body fluid levels.
Now that you understand how having a water cooler can help you and your family stay hydrated all year long, let’s briefly discuss a few key features you should look for when investing in a water cooler.
5 Key Features To Look For In a Water Cooler
Once you start researching water coolers you will find there are a lot of options to choose from. And while many of them are great, very few will have the features you really need.
With that being said, here are the 5 key features you should look for in a water cooler:
Child Safety Feature – If you have small children this is the first feature you should look for. A child safety feature will ensure your children aren?t accidentally burned by hot water.
A Good Purification System – If you will be investing in a point of use water cooler having a good filtration system is an absolute must.
A good filtration system will remove chlorine, lead, sediment and a host of other particles from your drinking water.
Please note if you will be purchasing store bought water there will be no need for a purification system.
Hot and Cold Water Options – The great thing about water coolers is they can provide you with more than just cold water.
Most models now come with both hot and cold water options which makes them perfect for those days when you want a hot cup of tea or coffee.
Cup Holders – Some water coolers will come with either an external or internal area to store cups. Having cup holders makes it quick and easy to grab a glass of water.
Removable Drip Tray – Drip trays make clean up a breeze. They also prevent messes by ensuring water doesn’t overflow.
Top 8 Best Water Cooler For Homeowners
Whirlpool Self Cleaning, Hot and Cold, Stainless Bottom Load Water Cooler with LED Indicators
This stainless steel water cooler would make the perfect addition to any kitchen. It takes up very little space and has a very appealing design.
For those who don’t enjoy cleaning you will absolutely love the 6th sense self cleaning feature. It uses automatic injections of unstable oxygen to break down and destroy viruses and bacteria that are in the water.
When the self cleaning feature is running you will be alerted by an LED indicator light. The LED will also indicate when the hot and cold water has reached its optimum temperature.
Pros
Bottom loading
Stainless steel
Offers both hot and cold options
Comes with a 1 year manufacturers warranty
Affordable
Self cleaning
Cons
Some users have complained that this machine is noisy.
- 6th Sense Self Cleaning automatically technology uses unstable Oxygen to get rid of the stuff you don't want in your water. The LED indicator shows when the Self-Cleaning is running, as well as when the cold and hot water are at optimum temperature.
- Outlasts other brands as the compressor turns on less frequently because of the proprietary cooling system technology. The robust commercial design has unbreakable water faucets, a solid steel frame that can take over 300 lbs of top weight, and cold rolled steel sides
Avalon Countertop Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Water Dispenser
The Avalon Countertop Hot/Cold Water Cooler is perfect for your home or office. And though it is small it is very stylish and very innovative.
For your convenience the cooler features easy to use paddle spouts. Just press your cup against the paddle and you will instantly have access to fresh water.
The highly efficient compressor ensures the cold water is ice cold at a crisp 47? F. The hot water faucet can get to approximately 180? F which makes it perfect for hot tea and coffee.
Because the water is able to get so hot there is a child safety lock to ensure your child won’t get burned.
The built in night light makes it easy to get water no matter how dark it is outside. Just flip on the switch located at the back of the unit and you will be good to go.
This system features a filtration system that helps remove odor, chlorine, rust and lead from the tap water.
The activated carbon filter is located in the cabinet of the unit. There is also a water line that can connect to the water source in your home.
The water will then be taken from the source, sent through the filter, and then pushed through the machines water tanks.
By the time the water reaches your cup it will have gone through a purification process making it safe to drink.
The built in leak detector will monitor the flow of water to ensure there are no leaks. There is also a self clean ozone function that automatically cleans the water tank with the press of a switch.
Running the self cleaning ozone function at least once a week will keep bacteria from building up in the tanks and extend the life of the machine by several years.
All parts needed to install this machine are included with the unit which means setup will be fairly easy.
Pros
Comes with hot and cold water spouts
Has a child safety lock
Has the ability to self clean
Built in night light
Bottleless
Cons
Hot water flow can be low
Water may taste like plastic
The price tag
- INSTALLATION KIT: Full installation kit consisting of 20' of 1/4" tubing, 3 way plastic 1/4" push connect adapter, under sink 3/8" adapter with shut off valve, filter flushing adapter, and detailed instructions with illustrations
- DUAL FILTRATION: Dual filters are included with the water cooler. This consists of a Sediment filter and a Carbon Block filter which will last 6 months or 1500 gallons
- HOT & COLD WATER SPOUTS: When you use our water cooler dispenser you can choose between a Crisp Cold & Piping Hot Output, making it ideal for cool refreshments or toasty beverages
- BOTTLELESS: Our water cooler is bottle less and will reduce the cost of constant purchases of water. The water is filtered with our dual filtration system consisting of a sediment filter and a carbon block filter
- SELF CLEANING FEATURE: The self cleaning feature sanitizes & purifies the dispenser.
Brio Essential Series Bottom Load Hot, Cold & Room Water Cooler Dispenser
Thanks to its innovative bottom loading design the Brio Essential Series eliminates the need to do any heavy lifting.
It features a tri temp push button faucet that can dispense cold water, hot water and room temperature water.
The cold water is crisp and clean and the hot water is steaming hot. It’s perfect for those mornings when you want a hot cup of tea or coffee.
The ensure your entire family is always safe the Brio Essential Series features a child safety lock on the hot water spout.
The 2 step handle operation makes it very difficult for children to dispense hot water. For extra protection you are able to shut off the hot water when not in use.
The indicator light will let you know when the water is ready to be used. It will also let you know when it’s time to replace the bottle.
The Brio Essential Series is built to last. It is designed using premium materials that are strong and stable.
Its sleek and innovative design gives it the ability to blend in and function seamlessly in your office or home.
This system also features an anti-bacterial shield coated splash plate to prevent bacteria from growing around the water dispensers.
Pros
Affordable
Bottom loading
Freestanding
Built in child safety lock
Food grade stainless steel
Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
Easy to maintain
Cons
Multiple users have complained about the dispense buttons being confusing.
- The innovative bottom-loading design of this cooler eliminates heavy lifting and flipping of water jugs required by top-load coolers.
- This cooler features a tri-temp push button faucet that makes it easy to dispense cold, hot and room-temperature water.
- The hot water spout is equipped with a child safety lock, so the entire family can use it worry free.
- An indicator light lets users know when hot and cold water is ready for use and when the bottle needs to be replaced.
- Cooler is compatible with 3 and 5-gallon bottles and is 41 inches tall and 2 and a half inches wide.
Magic Mountain’s POU Water Pyramid Series, Stainless Steel Room-Temp and Cold Bottleless Water Dispenser
If you are looking for a true 5 star dispenser that has it all, then look no further than the Magic Mountain’s POU Water Pyramid Series.
This bottleless dispenser can connect to and is compatible with all filtration systems. That includes single stage, multi stage, and reverse osmosis systems.
The cold water thermostat is adjustable and easy to access. Just flip on the switch and you can fill up as many cups as you want.
The exterior frame is stainless steel and fingerprint proof. That means keeping the machine looking nice will require very little effort.
The built in high quality mounted 1/4″ quick connect makes connecting the water line to the unit as simple as a push.
The indicator light lets you know when the cold water has reached the perfect temperature.
To prevent overflows there is an auto shut off backup float feature.
The compressor is highly efficient and has the lowest cycle rate currently available. This ensures your costs stay low and the machine lasts a long time.
Pros
10 year prorated warranty
Adjustable cold water thermostat so you can control the temperature of your water
Affordable
Easy installation
Cons
Not currently available on Amazon
- 10 YEAR PRORATED WARRANTY on dispenser (9 years longer than inferior look alike). Adjustable Cold Water Thermostat with On Off Switch.
- SOLID Quick pour faucets, Hot Tank On Off Switch, Hot and Cold Indicator Lights (195 degree hot and adjustable cold thermostat for any desired temp) REAL QUALITY!
- Connects to 1/4" water line and Compatible with; All Single Stage, Multi Stage, or Reverse Osmosis Filtration Systems.
- Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Exterior and Stainless Steel Interior: Reservoir, Hot Tank, Frame, Shelves, Bottom, and Faucet Lines, SUPERIOR QUALITY
Brio Professional Commercial/Residential 500 Series Bottleless Water Dispenser
When you think of the Brio Professional Commercial/Residential 500 Series Bottleless Water Dispenser there are two words that come to mind?
Energy Efficient!
Being that the unit is bottleless you will never have to worry about spending money on water bottles every month.
And the best part is you and your family will have access to more cold water per hour than coolers that use water bottles.
The water dispenser is very versatile and has the ability to go from slow to quick pour faucets within a matter a seconds.
This makes filling up things such as coffee pots, sports bottles and juice containers quick and easy.
This water cooler can dispense chilly refreshing drinks as well as room temperature drinks.
Please note this particular unit does not include a filtration system.
Pros
5 year warranty
Adjustable cold water thermostat so you can decide how cold your water is
Hygienic stainless steel for easy cleaning
Quick pour durable faucets so you can easily fill up containers
Overflow backup shut off protection
Cons
No built in filtration system
Price is a little high for a unit that doesn’t filter the water
- PRODUCT FEATURES; Room Temperature & Cold Bottleless Water Dispenser w/ overflow backup shut off protection (Dual back-up shut-off floats), removable dishwasher safe components, i.e. drip tray, faucets, baffle, float assembly.
- ADJUSTABLE COLD WATER THERMOSTAT; Adjustable Cold Water Thermostat You Decide How Cold You'd Like It. ALSO; has on/off Feature to save money on electricity when away.
- FAUCETS; Quick Pour Durable Spring Back Tomlinson Faucets, POUR FROM SLOW TO FAST; Like a sink no waiting around for sport bottles, juice containers, coffee pots, powdered drink mix containers to fill, fills in seconds.
- STAINLESS STEEL; Hygienic 304 Stainless Steel Reservoir, Faucet Lines, Frame, and Components. Why Stainless Steel. RESERVOIR: Protects the delicate taste and pH of your delicious filtered water. (Protects against that refrigerator water kind of taste). FAUCET LINES; Heavy gage 304 stainless steel protects the delicate taste and pH of your delicious filtered water from acquiring a plastic funny taste (like may refrigerators or other less expensive water cooler models).
- 2 YEAR WARRANTY; 2 year Mfg Warranty.
5 Stage EZ Change R/O System and Bottleless Water Dispenser Package
The 5 Stage EZ Change R/O System and Bottleless Water Dispenser is probably one of the most well thought out dispensers on the market.
To say it’s beautiful is an understatement. Its superior construction is the perfect compliment to its red hot color.
And thanks to a 10 year warranty you will be covered if anything should happen during that time frame.
This bottleless water cooler comes with everything you need to start enjoying pure, delicious water the moment you set it up.
Included with this cooler is the installation kit, set-up instructions, a 4-gallon storage tank, a commercial-grade 5 stage reverse osmosis filtration system and a 50GPD membrane.
The way this unit is designed makes it the perfect fit for any home or office space. Not only is it elegant, but it is able to provide fresh water for up to 50 people.
The system can dispense both hot and cold water and features a child resistant hot water faucet to ensure small children aren?t accidentally burned.
The reservoir, which is made using protected stainless steel, is capable of holding up to 1 gallon of ice cold water.
And thanks to the adjustable thermostat you are able to set the perfect temperature for the water.
The hot tanks can hold up to 1.2 liters of steaming hot water. Note that the water is dispensed at a very hot 180 degrees.
The cabinet on this bottleless dispenser is UV-resistant, durable and very easy to clean. The drip tray is easy to lift out and is dishwasher safe.
This 5 Stage EZ Change R/O System and Bottleless Water Dispenser is equipped with a 1.7 compressor that is top quality and very quiet.
All components used on this system are lead free and fall in line with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Lead-Free Contamination Control Act.
The cooler is CSA and Energy Star Certified and is sanitized and sealed before it leaves the factory.
The purification cartridges are twist off easy making them some of the most user friendly in the industry. You can literally replace them within a matter of seconds.
The great thing about the Twist Off system is that it automatically turns off the water supply when the cartridge is turned.
That means you never have to worry about water dripping all over the floor.
The .022 micron filtration system has been independently certified and has a 1,500 gallon use rate.
Pros
Infection control faucets
10 year prorated warranty
Easy twist off purification cartridges
Child resistant hot water faucet
Removes chlorine, lead, cysts, bad taste and odor
Cons
Price is on the high side,
Oasis PSWSA1SHS Artesian Pou Hot N’ Cold Bottleless Water Cooler
The two words that best describe the Oasis PSWSA1SHS Artesian Pou Hot N’ Cold Bottleless Water Cooler are stylish and sturdy.
Its energy star rated and has a high dispense point which makes it easy to refill large water bottles.
The stainless steel panels are smudge free and make fingerprints a thing of the past. Both the reservoir and hot tank are also stainless steel.
For easy clean up the unit comes with a very large and durable drip tray that is dishwasher safe.
For easy transport and set up the unit features two handles on the back.
You can control the temperature of the cold water using the adjustable thermostat that is conveniently located at the rear of the unit.
For safety reasons the hot water thermostat is fixed and has a safety limiter. The hot water safety faucet has a self closing activation that requires two steps in order to open it.
This is in place to ensure children aren?t able to turn on the hot water.
The unit has been certified as having a low lead content and is UL listed.
Pros
Adjustable cold water thermostat
Easy transport handle
Fingerprint and smudge proof
Able to operate even when power is out
Energy star rated
3 year limited warranty
Affordable
Cons
No cons found
- Stainless steel reservoir and hot tank. Cold water temperature is controlled by an adjustable thermostat - hot water has fixed thermostat with safety limiter
- Handle for easy transport/placement, coated stainless steel panels resist fingerprints and smudges
- Dual mechanical float system with back-up safety operates even when the power is out
- Drip receptor: durable dishwasher safe drip tray lifts out for easy cleaning
- Energy Star rated, Certified to NSF/ANSI 372 for low lead content, UL listed
Avalon Limited Edition Self Cleaning Water Cooler Water Dispenser – 3 Temperature Settings – Hot, Cold & Room Water, Durable Stainless Steel Construction, Bottom Loading (B01J1W7S34)
With the Avalon Limited Edition Self Cleaning Water Cooler Water Dispenser you will get perfect water every time.
The unit is designed using a stainless steel body and will look great in any home. Its elegant and will add a touch of class to your kitchen.
The unit comes with 3 different water spouts and is able to dispense water at 3 different temperatures. Ice cold, hot and room temperature.
The spouts are easy to use and require nothing more than the push of a button to access fresh drinking water.
Simply press the temperature you want and like magic water will start to flow from the appropriate spout.
Thanks to the highly efficient compressor the cold water will be a crisp 47? F.
The hot water faucet dispenses piping hot water at approximately 180? F. That’s hot enough to prepare a cup of tea or coffee.
Due to the extremely hot water that can be dispensed from the hot water faucet there is child safety lock on the dispensing button.
There is also a nightlight that can be switched on at any time. This makes getting a fresh cup of water at night quick and easy.
The dispensing area is 12x3x10 inches and there is 9 inches of space right below the spouts which gives you plenty of space for your large bottles and cups.
The drip tray is located right below the dispensing area ensuring drips and spills don’t make their way onto the floor.
The tray is also removable which makes cleaning up quick and easy.
This bottom loading cooler has a cabinet that can hold a 3 or 5 gallon water bottle. Once installed the water will be pumped from the bottle, through the machine, and into your cup.
For your convenience this unit features a self clean ozone function that will automatically clean the water tank. Just press the switch and the function will kick in.
When your water bottle needs to be replaced the empty bottle indicator will let you know.
This water cooler complies with all Energy Star standards and is UL listed.
Pros
Three temperature settings
Self cleaning ozone feature
Bottom loading
Nightlight for clear visibility at night
Child safety lock on hot water spout
Cons
Some have complained the cold water isn?t very cold.
Not cheap. Will cost you close to $300. But you get what you pay for.
- THREE TEMPERATURES: Three temperature settings allow you to customize your drinking experience. This dispenser features a crisp cold, cool, or piping hot output
- Country of origin : China
- LIGHT THE WAY: Our built-in nightlight makes the water spouts clearly visible at night & has an empty-bottle indicator that lights up when the bottle needs to be replaced
- BOTTOM LOADING: Our water cooler is bottom loading to eliminate the strain of lifting, reduce spills and is suitable for 3-5 gallon water bottles (BOTTLE NOT INCLUDED)
- Self-cleaning ozone function for longer water purification
I have a Brio water cooler for 5 years now and after reading your guide I will get one more. Thank you! Great source of information about water cooler.