10 Best Water Cooler Reviews Consumer Ratings & Reports 2023

A water cooler is a must to deal with your everyday hydration needs. Filling the water bottle and keeping them in the fridge is old school.

It’s time to step into the 21st century where engineers offer premium-quality water dispensers completely designed to quench your thirst.

A classic top-loader is ideal for office space where everyone has ready access to water all the time. In addition, a bottom loader is the ultimate design of comfort for users who hate to lift the weight.

If you don’t like to pay monthly bills for filtered water, Go-Green with a bottleless water cooler that will filter your tap water and let you have a continuous water supply.

Whether you are into a contemporary built-in design or a space-saving countertop cooler, this guide will surely help you choose the right water cooler.

So without further ado, here are the top 10 best water coolers according to consumer ratings and reports 2023.

Best Water Cooler Consumer Ratings & Reports 2023

I have compiled a list of the top 10 best water coolers based on consumer ratings and reports in 2023.

1. Brio Moderna Bottom Load Water Cooler Dispenser

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Features at a glance
  • Personalized Water Temperature
  • Energy Star Approved
  • Bottom Loading Design
  • Digital Display

Ordinary water coolers won’t let you control the temperature of water you get from the machine.

It’s time to step forward to something extraordinary. Yes, I’m talking about the Brio Moderna Bottom Loader.

This gift of the modern era lets you personalize the temperature of your water. There is a user-friendly digital display so you can decide how cold or hot water you would like to drink. The blessings of this dispenser won’t end here.

It eliminates your worry about skyrocketing energy bills. Every product of Brio Store is Energy-Star Approved. What does it mean?

Well, this machine will use energy efficiently and won’t leave you in debt whatsoever.

The bottom-loading design adds a bit of comfort to your life. No more heavy lifting the bottles.

Getting a water cooler means keeping up with its maintenance every six months. But Brio got you covered.

It is designed with self-cleaning OZONE. When it’s time to clean, you need to touch its cleaning button.

This sleek water cooler is made of premium quality 304 stainless steel. It adores your kitchen and living room to a great extent.

It will activate the self-cleaning process and remove debris and biofilms from water tanks and lines.

Use this feature overnight for only 90minutes for perfect sanitization of this water dispenser.

LED lights to keep the display bright and let you do settings even when darkness is around. There is a light indicator that alerts you when it’s time to refill water bottles.

What We Like!

  • Illuminate Hydration
  • Made of 304 stainless steel
  • Child Lock/Digital Clock
  • Self-Cleaning Ozone removes bacteria

Things to Consider!

  • The operation is not quiet.

2.  Avalon A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser

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Features at a glance
  • Dual Filtration System
  • Built-in leak detector
  • Self Cleaning Water cooler
  • Energy Star approved

Do you hate it when you need to refill the water cooler all the time? Make your life super simple and easy with this bottle-less water cooler from Avalon?

It will eliminate the need for a bottle and help you go bottleless forever. You need to install it once and enjoy saving money for a lifetime. There is no need to buy bottles for refilling at all.

This bottleless water cooler brings two filters: one is a Carbon Block filter, and the second one is a Sediment Filter.

This dual filtration will remove 99.6% lead, 99.7% particulates, 99.9% Cysts, 97.4% Chlorine, 100% bad taste, and 99.9% visible objects from your water.

These dual filters are good enough to enjoy fresh and healthy water for six months or up to 1500 gallons of water consumption.

Whether you are in a mood to drink room water or cold water, it will provide you both alongside hot water for making instant tea or coffee.

Inside the pack, you will find a complete installation kit alongside instructions on how to set it all up in no time.

Thanks to its Self Cleaning Ozone system, you won’t have to do the cleaning by yourself. Touch the button, and it will activate the cleaning process for your ultimate convenience.

When you touch the button, it will introduce an injection of ozone in the water tank and start purifying it right away.

The whole cleanup will take less than two hours- so you better do it overnight.

It won’t let you face any health concerns because it will sanitize itself and prevent the growth of harmful biofilms, bacteria, or contaminants.

This Energy Star-approved machine is energy-efficient and won’t spike up your energy bills. The child safety lock is there to avoid any accidental hot water dispensing.

Manufacturers designed this water cooler with a built-in leak detector. It will automatically detect water leaks.

What We Like!

  • Temperature Remain Consistent
  • Easy to Install
  • Taste fresh and clean water
  • Safe to use

Things to Consider!

  • The manual fill button is not convenient.

3. Avalon A9 Electric Touch Countertop Bottleless Cooler Water

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Features at a glance
  • Countertop Bottleless design
  • Filter Provide Purified water
  • Easy to Set up
  • Offer Three Temperature Water

Do you need the best water cooler to keep on the kitchen countertop? The best option comes from Avalon.

This water dispenser is compact and has a modern black finish to amplify the aesthetic of your black or white kitchen right away.

Since all the parts required for installation are included in the kit, you won’t have to get anything from outside.

Try the DIY technique and follow instructions to complete the installation. This bottleless water dispenser lets you get the water for your hydration needs.

Are you in the mood to make coffee? Its hot spout will pour hot water to help you make instant coffee without much hassle.

The temperature for hot beverages is approximately 185° F, while you can enjoy sparkling cold water at approximately 47° F – No need to use ice cubes at all.

This tank holds 1 liter of hot water and 1. 5 liters of cold water. The dispensing area has a large space, so you can fill water bottles and glass easily. If a cup is large, remove the drip tray for easy filling.

This water dispenser has a filter that will purify tap water and eliminate harmful contaminants from your water. This UL-listed cooler meets the highest standard of Energy Star.

Buying this cooler means having an energy-efficient device at home for everyone to use. The filter will have chlorine and other tap water smell and taste.

Set up is quick and simple. You need to connect it with a direct water line. The adapter is super compatible with all standard supply lines.

Thanks to its built-in leak detector, you won’t have to worry about water leaks since the machine monitor the water flow and ensure the best user experience.

What We Like!

  • Sleek Black Look and Finish
  • Built-in Leak Detector
  • Money-Saving Option
  • Energy-Efficient Dispenser

Things to Consider!

  • Filters are expensive.

4. Euhomy Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Features at a glance
  • Prevent dry burning
  • UV LIGHT Self Cleaning water cooler
  • Easy to Dispense, LED night light
  • Removable drip tray

Don’t like to clean a water cooler? You should think of getting a low-maintenance water cooler for your home. This self-cleaning dispenser makes your life super comfortable.

Automatic cleaning activates after every 20 minutes and ensures that your family only drinks healthy and free of harmful chemical water.

This dispenser will suit the all-weather needs of your home. In winter, you can dispense very hot water as and when you need it.

In summer, you don’t have to rely on ice cubes since they will bring fresh cold water for you all the time. Isn’t it the comfort you were looking for?

Three temperature options let you personalize your water dispensing needs. The water tank has a 5-gallon capacity, and it will heat your water up to 185-194 degrees F.

If you have kids around the dispenser, turn on the safety lock. No need to worry that kids will accidentally drop hot water on them.

There is an LED nightlight that will help you check the position of the cup and water filling late at night.

The door of the UL/Energy Star certified water cooler is stainless steel, which will stay long-lasting and look super adorable in an office and home space.

When there is a need to refill the water, the heating and cooling light will flash at the same time to remind you.

This cooler will cut off the main circuit board automatically to prevent dry burning and to ensure the safety of your family.

What We Like!

  • Stainless Steel door
  • Safety feature included
  • Suitable for office and home use
  • Provide Three Temperature Water

Things to Consider!

  • Button on top, you need two hands to fill a water cup.

5. Kismile 2-in-1 Water Cooler Dispenser with Built-in Ice Maker

Features at a glance
  • Large capacity water reception area
  • Quiet Operation
  • Three water temperature options
  • Built-in Ice Maker

Do you need a versatile water dispenser for your home? Get this 2-in-1 water cooler with an ice maker.

This highly functional cooler lets you get as many ice cubes as you like while enjoying fresh and healthy water all the time.

You can enjoy a batch of ice cubes within only 20 minutes. From making hot beverages to getting chilled water, you can do it all with this 2-in-1 water dispenser.

It is designed with a smart LED control panel from where you can decide whether you need cold water, hot water, or ice cubes.

If you need a cooler that doesn’t produce an annoyingly loud noise, this one will fit the description quite well.

It will make ice cubes and keep your water hot or super cold without making any noise. The whole operation runs at less than 40 decibels.

The black body of this water cooler looks super stylish. You can proudly keep it in your living room where guests can self-serve themselves as and when they like. It’s a luxury addition to your space, indeed.

When it comes to cleaning, remove its drip tray and use a cloth to wipe clean its body. The whole cleaning process won’t take much time.

It is designed to keep your child safe with a lock feature. Turn this lock on to avoid any misfortunate burn incidents.

What We Like!

  • Beautiful Look for Indoor use
  • Durable Stainless Interior
  • No power consumption during standby
  • Automatic shut-off, overheat protection.

Things to Consider!

  • Cold water spouts often leak.

6. Avalon Bottom Loading Water Cooler with BioGuard

Features at a glance
  • Anti-microbial coating, Biogaurd
  • Stainless Steel Cabinet
  • Empty bottle light indicator
  • 3 Temperature Setting

There is no need to lift a full water bottle as Avalon has brought a unique bottom-loading design for your ultimate convenience.

This water cooler has a bottom loading design that makes using the dispenser super comfortable for the user.

Older people can’t lift heavy bottles, and girls often drop heavy water bottles during the refill process.

Eliminate this hassle of loading and let this latest design drop your burden right away.

It brings three temperature settings, so you can get either crispy cold water or have sparkling freshwater or hot water to make quick green tea.

The stylish black stainless steel body complements your kitchen and living space.

There is a nightlight built in the design, so you can easily find where water spouts during dark times when lights are off.

It supports 3-5 gallons of water, good enough to handle family needs. The anti-microbial coating ensures that you have safe and clean water to drink all time. Besides, this coating will prevent bacterial growth and maintain hygiene.

Since it provides both hot and cold water, it’s normal to have some concerns about the child’s safety.

Worry not. This UL/Energy Star Approved water cooler has a child lock for hot water access.

Thanks to its empty bottle indicator, you would know when it’s time to refill the bottle again.

What We Like!

  • Bottom Loading Design
  • Built-in Night Light
  • Quiet Operation
  • Child Safety Lock

Things to Consider!

  • Difficult to Clean

7. Elkay LBWD06WHK ezH2O Liv Built-in Filtered Water Dispenser

Features at a glance
  • Backlit LED Green Ticker
  • NSF-certified filter
  • Self-serve design
  • Filter Status Indicator

In a modern kitchen, you may not like to set up a freestanding water cooler. In that scenario, you should look for a built-in water dispenser offered by Elkay Store.

You can find it in either luxury white shade or blackest black tone. Choose a color that blends beautifully with your kitchen or living space interior.

Every homeowner will feel relaxed after installing this built-in dispenser in the walls.

The self-serve design eliminates the needs of any person who will run into the kitchen every time a guest asks for water.

You can make this dispenser a part of your life during remodeling and new home construction. It will fit perfectly between two wall studs near water and electricity availability.

Since you get bottles, it will save your monthly cost and prevent a bad impact on the environment.

It is designed with an NSF-certified filter that will offer you great-tasting water free of harmful contaminants all the time.

The manufacturer designed this dispenser with a filter status light. It will light up to tell you when it’s time to replace your filter.

Another good thing is Green Tick counts that tell you how many water bottles you didn’t use to save the plant. Go-Green with Elkay Built-in water cooler.

There is a safety lock that will prevent unsupervised use. When you have pets and kids around, this feature feels like a blessing in disguise.

You will enjoy hands-free filling—no need to worry about spilling as it is designed with timed automatic shut-off.

The machine will turn off automatically after some time to prevent an accidental spill and mess. There is a drip tray that makes the cleaning process simple.

What We Like!

  • Safety Lock
  • Modern Design and Outlook
  • Easy Maintenance
  • Automatic Shut off

Things to Consider!

  • It requires professional installation.

8. Brio Limited Edition Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Features at a glance
  • Triple Faucet Dispensing
  • Stainless Steel Tank
  • Dual Temp Mode
  • Error Notification Light

Do you like to have a water dispenser that offers both hot and cold water? You should grab one from Brio Limited Edition.

This water cooler satisfies all your hydration needs by offering you both hot and cold water in one place.

When you are in a mood for a warm-up drink or need refreshing cool water, it will become your ultimate dispense point.

It has a top-loading design that helps you keep an eye on the bottle and readily refill the tank when it’s getting low.

Brio cares about its customers and always offers what’s best for them. This water dispenser has a safety lock, which you turn on for hot water.

Its hot water will dispense in two steps. The first step is to release the lock, and the second is to start filling the glass with water.

There won’t be any unfortunate hot water spill and burn situation. Thank GOD.

This water cooler is independently tested for its energy use. So, you don’t need to rely on brand claims of energy efficiency as Energy Star Certification comes with a pack to offer you peace of mind.

Its built-in LED light makes the dispenser visible at night. You can dispense water in the middle of the night without facing any hassle.

This water cooler is built to last for years with its stainless steel water tank and thumbprint resistant shield.

When it comes to cleaning, you can remove its drip tray and put it in the dishwasher—no need to struggle with it all day.

What We Like!

  • Child Safety Feature
  • Easy Top load access
  • Illuminate at night
  • Removable drip tray for easy cleaning

Things to Consider!

  • The unit is very loud when running.

9. Royal Sovereign Water Dispenser, 3/5 Gallon Bottles

Features at a glance
  • Compact Design
  • Compatible with 3 or 5 gallons bottle
  • Dual-Purpose Water cooler
  • Removable Drip Tray

Are you looking for a compact water cooler to set on your kitchen countertop? You can find the best one from the Royal Sovereign store.

This classic design has a dual purpose. You can find hot water at a temperature range of 190°F-203°F while cold water temperature remains less than ≤ 59°F.

You won’t have to worry about hot water burn issues since the manufacturer made this cooler with a child safety lock.

There is a removable drip tray that makes the cleaning process simple. You can put it in the dishwasher for hassle-free cleanup.

You can use either three or 5-gallon water bottles with this classic water dispenser. Thanks to its compact shape, it won’t take much time on your countertop.

Don’t worry about energy bills as this machine is energy-efficient and cETLus certified. It consumes 420 Watts of heating power and 65 Watts for cooling water.

On the back of the units, you can find separate buttons for cooling and heating and do the settings as per your requirements.

What We Like!

  • Energy Efficient
  • Child Lock Safety
  • Stainless steel water tank
  • Dishwasher safe tray

Things to Consider!

  • Hot water is not very hot.

10. Frigidaire EFWC498 Water Cooler in White

Features at a glance
  • Stainless steel weld tank
  • Adjustable front leveling legs
  • Compatible with 3 or 5-gallon bottles
  • Removable drip tray for simple cleaning

Is your dispenser making loud noises? I know it’s pretty annoying. Bring this white Frigidaire water cooler at home and get rid of that sound forever.

It is designed with a stainless steel water tank that is highly durable and prevents overheating. Low breakdown means machines remain in operation for years.

This top-load dispenser lets you see when it’s time to refill your water bottle. You can dispense hot and cold water easily. There are adjustable front leveling legs for simple setup and adjustment.

You can fill a glass easily from the dispenser; however, when the cup is big, or you plan to fill the jug, then you should remove its drip tray.

This water cooler fits standard three and 5-gallon water bottles. You need to do its maintenance after six months.

For daily cleaning, simply remove its drip tray and put it in the dishwasher for cleanup. On the front panel, you can see an indicator light for power on hot and cold water.

Thanks to its powerful compressor, you will always get nice cold or hot water. There is a safety lock for the hot button to ensure safe use by a child.

When you are not using a hot or cold button, you can turn it off to save energy and water the tank.

What We Like!

  • Safety lock
  • Low Noise
  • Shock-proof design
  • Save Power
  • Stylish look and design

Things to Consider!

  • It is taller than expected.

Water Cooler Buying Guide

Water coolers come in varied styles and capacities. Therefore, you need to opt for one that fits your needs well. The point is how you will make a comparison between different models.

Let me give you some factors to consider while shopping for the best water cooler.

Also Read: Best Water Ionizers

Type of Water Cooler

First of all, decide about the type of dispenser you need to buy. Here are some options:

Bottle Vs. Bottleless

If you like filtered water taste, you can go for a bottled water dispenser. It has two different options:

  • Bottom Load –It’s not convenient for older people and girls to handle the top load. Lifting a 5-gallon bottle means causing muscle stretch. At home, it’s good to keep a low load. It looks clean and hides the bottle in the bottom. It’s easy to refill the bottle and set it in the bottom cabinet
  • Top Load – It is a classic design of dispenser that lets you keep an eye on the water bottle. So you would know when it’s time to refill a bottle. It is used commonly in office space and commercial areas.

Bottles Version

If you want to save money, then a bottle-less version seems like a good choice. It lets you avoid the cost of frequent bottle replacement.

It is designed with filters that filter your home water and give you a constant supply of water.

Placement Style

Here are some styles you can opt for based on your needs.

  • Countertop – It is a small version and lets you have a bottled cooler on your countertop. The compact design saves your space.
  • Freestanding – This one is pretty common for a big family where everyone needs quick access to water. It is a standalone version that is suitable for busy areas.
  • Built-in – It is the modern version of a water cooler that you set inside a wall. This version brings a luxury touch to your space and offers self-serve opting. The only problem is that you need to remodel your area or set a water cooler during construction. It’s because the installation required the fitting of underground water and electric supply.
  • 2-in-1 – Some people like multi-functional units in their homes. So, they should opt for a 2-in-1 version. It includes an ice maker, a tiny fridge, or any other appliance alongside a water cooler.

Noise

Once you decide about type and style, please check whether a water cooler is noisy or not. It would be best if you went for one that is quiet.

If it produces loud noises, it will cause disturbance and unnecessary distractions. Read reviews to find out about noise levels.

Cleaning

Standard models have a removable drip tray that lets you clean it up quickly. Advanced versions have self-cleaning options such as Self-Cleaning OZONE or UV light or auto mode.

If you want to feel at ease, please go with the advanced version. Keep in mind advanced versions with self-cleaning mode come at a higher price.

This extra money is worth it, given that you don’t need to go for frequent maintenance and cleaning.

Exterior look

Don’t go with a boring design. Get something elegant such as a stainless model. They look super stunning and blend beautifully with your living space interior.

You can easily find something that can match your kitchen’s theme. Black and white look great, but silver is also there as an elegant option.

Temperature Settings

You can find two or three different temperature settings for water.

Top brands let you have custom water temperature, while others have an auto mode where you get consistent hot and cold water temperatures. You can also get room-temperature water as a third option.

Safety Features

Always look for safety features as they prevent accidents and give you the best value for money.

  • Auto Shut Off: When a water bottle is empty, and the machine isn’t in use, a water cooler should shut off automatically to prevent dry burning.
  • Refill Indicator: If you forget to fill a water bottle, your machine must send you an alert with an indicator light right away.
  • Safety Lock: Get a dispenser with a safety lock on hot water to avoid an accidental hot spill.
  • Water leak: Consider buying a water cooler designed with a built-in leak that monitors water flow and ensures that you won’t face any bad scenarios.

Energy Efficient

Every water cooler runs on a powerful compressor to provide you with hot and cold water. Therefore, it’s essential to have a unit that doesn’t consume too much energy.

Energy STAR-approved machines are the best to keep at home as they won’t let your energy bills go up at all.

Final Verdict

Proper body hydration keeps your focus well-maintained on the task at hand. Therefore, a water cooler is an essential appliance for everyone.

Whether you have an official space, school, or home, you need to keep one to meet the everyday hydration needs.

This versatile model lets you have chilled water whenever you need it, you won’t have to rely on ice cubes all the time.

It also offers hot water to easily make instant coffee or tea whenever you are in the mood. Adjusting the temperature of your water as per weather seems like a great option.

Based on your needs, you can get either a 5 or 3 gallons capacity machine. Since there are tons of options here, it will be overwhelming to make the right choice, and I don’t want to choose the wrong one.

So, I reviewed tons of models and carefully picked only ten models that can offer you the best value for your money.

Also, don’t forget to read my detailed buying guide that makes the shopping and comparison of water coolers make a breeze.

FAQs Water Cooler

Bottles Vs. Bottle Water cooler: Which one is affordable?

When comparing the cost of both options, you should know that a bottle water cooler is affordable upfront. However, it requires frequent replacement of water bottles every day.

On the flip side, a bottle-less water cooler is expensive at first, but you can enjoy saving water as you don’t need to buy a water supply. It connects with your home supply, and you only need to replace its filter twice a year.

When to Deep clean a water cooler?

You need to do the cleaning of a standard water cooler after two months. Make sure your water cooler doesn’t have microfilms and other build-ups around bottles- else, it will lead to serious health concerns.

Ellen Thomas

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