These editor-approved models feature multiple water temperatures, touchless controls, and other advanced features.
        Every product we review is chosen by gear-obsessed editors. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Why do they trust us?
        If you’re tired of constantly refilling .css-ez006a{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline – offset: 0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s smoothly in and out;transition:all 0.3s smoothly in and out;word-break:break-word;}.css-ez006a:hover {color: #595959 ;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;} Keeping a filtered water pitcher or water dispenser in your refrigerator can be a worthwhile investment. While they are most often found in offices or waiting rooms, they can be especially useful in larger homes or come in handy in garages, play areas, or other places where faucets are not available. Some households use them as drinking water to avoid drinking poor quality tap water.
        Most water dispensers are freestanding units with 5-gallon top- or bottom-loading jugs, and there are some compact countertop models. The simplest devices supply only water at room temperature; modernized models are equipped with heating and cooling elements for hot or cold water. Additional features to look for include bottle-free design, self-cleaning and touchless controls, as well as add-ons like water filtration or a built-in ice maker.
        But there are many factors to consider when choosing the right water dispenser for your home, which is why we’ve put together this buying guide. Read on to find out everything you need to consider when choosing, plus how we researched and selected the best water dispensers we recommend.
        Looking for more food and drink storage products outside the kitchen? Check out our stories on the best freezers, best mini-fridges, and best upright freezers.
        Most water dispensers draw water from a 3 or 5 gallon jug, which can usually be found at the grocery store. You can usually return empty jars to the same location and they will be reused to prevent plastic waste. These containers are usually loaded into the top or bottom of the refrigerator. Bottom-load coolers are easier to use, but top-load coolers tend to be more affordable because they have a simpler design.
        Alternatively, there are point-of-use water coolers, also known as bottleless coolers, that connect to your building’s water supply so you don’t have to replace water bottles. The downside here is that the installation is much more complicated and may require a plumber.
        Basic water coolers typically supply water at room temperature, but more advanced models have built-in water heating and cooling systems. Hot water models are great for making tea or even instant soup, while cold water dispensers may not require an ice maker nearby. Some water dispensers even allow you to adjust the water temperature to suit your needs.
       We only recommend machines with hot water dispensers that have a safety lock to prevent children (or unsuspecting users) from accidentally spilling hot water on themselves.
        Because water dispensers tend to accumulate excess moisture, they need to be cleaned regularly to prevent mold. To make maintenance easier, some have an antimicrobial coating, and others have self-cleaning systems that use ultraviolet light or ozone to sanitize the inside. If you choose a simpler model that does not have these features, keep in mind that you will have to clean its surface more often.
        If you choose a water cooler with a built-in water filter, another factor is the cost of replacing the filter. Filters are most often found in bottleless designs and usually need to be replaced every six months for best results.
        To help you find the water dispenser that suits your needs, we searched for the best models from top brands like Avalon, Frigidaire, and Brio. For this list, we’ve selected a variety of different styles and sizes designed for both home and office use. Many featured water coolers have useful features like self-cleaning design and spill-free loading, and they come in a wide price range to help you find the water cooler that fits your needs and budget.
        The Avalon Bottom Load Water Dispenser is stylish, easy to use and dispenses cold, room temperature and hot water. It can accommodate 3-gallon and 5-gallon water jugs that fit into the stainless steel cabinet at the base of the unit, and also has an empty bottle indicator to let you know when the jug needs to be replaced.
        The device is Energy Star certified and features BioGuard antimicrobial coating on high-touch surfaces to prevent bacterial growth. In addition, the cooler is equipped with a night light, so the nozzle can be seen in dim light, and the hot water button is equipped with a child lock.
        The dispenser is self-cleaning and uses ozone, an odorless gas, to disinfect the valve. It also has an attractive stainless steel finish and hides the kettle in the base.
        There are cold, hot and room temperature water jets that can be activated with a button, and a switch on the back of the unit allows you to turn off hot or cold water if necessary. The unit comes with a removable drip tray, night light and child safety lock, and is Energy Star certified.
        If you’re looking for a water dispenser that won’t be an eyesore in your home or office, this model from Primo is very stylish. It’s available in stainless steel or black stainless steel finishes, and the bottom-loading design keeps the pitcher hidden from view.
        The water dispenser offers cold, room and hot water, with the latter equipped with a child safety lock in case you have small children at home. The stainless steel drip tray is dishwasher safe and even has a night light to make it easy to see in the dark.
        Don’t have room for a freestanding water cooler? With its stylish design and practical functionality, this worktop model is a high-tech addition to any kitchen. It has a bottleless design that connects directly to water pipes and delivers cold, room temperature, or hot water when you wave your hand in front of the sensor.
        A distinctive feature of this model is the ability to adjust the water temperature. The cooler can be adjusted from 39 to 59 degrees, and the hot water temperature can be adjusted from 174 to 194 degrees.
        The device also features a three-stage filtration system that removes impurities as well as chemical odors such as chlorine. However, replacing the filter costs over $100, and the brand recommends replacing it every six months.
        One of the disadvantages of top-loading water dispensers is that replacing water bottles can be cumbersome and messy. But this option has a sealed design, which simplifies the task. There’s a built-in rod that pokes through the lid of your new kettle so you don’t cause a flood (and make your co-workers laugh).
        This cooler supplies hot or cold water and fits 3 and 5 gallon water bottles. It is operated by pressing the paddle, which is convenient and hygienic. The overall design is slim and can be squeezed into a small space.
       The main disadvantage is that you have to stand in front of it for a while to fill your cup of coffee because it dispenses very slowly.
        A common complaint about some water dispensers is that they dispense water very slowly. But this top-loading water dispenser from GE has a flow rate of up to 3.5 liters per hour of cold water and up to 5 liters of hot water per hour. The dispenser is also taller than most, with 13 inches of clearance at the bottom, making it easier to fill a travel mug or even a pitcher.
        This water dispenser provides both hot and cold water, and the hot water button has a safety lock to prevent accidental water dispensing. This unit is Energy Star certified and is designed to reduce spillage when loading bottles from the top, but keep in mind that it is on the taller side—the base is over 40 inches high, which can make lifting difficult. Loading a full bottle onto the unit.
        For those concerned about the quality of their tap water, the Brio bottleless water dispenser features a four-stage reverse osmosis filtration system that the brand claims can remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, fluoride, heavy metals and more. It also has a self-cleaning function that can disinfect the water dispenser.
        The cooler connects to the water supply and supplies hot, cold and room temperature water at the touch of a button. You can turn off hot and cold water using a switch on the back of the unit, and the user-friendly design makes it easy to change the filter as needed.
        Instead of installing a water dispenser on the side of the dispenser, you can buy a built-in water dispenser from Frigidaire. This water dispenser comes with hot and cold water dispensers, and the bottom-loading design hides the kettle. Sight.
        Features include an attractive stainless steel finish and ozone self-cleaning technology that helps kill bacteria. The water heater also has a built-in night light and a child lock.
        Many full-size water coolers cost $200 or more, but if you’re on a budget, this simple model offers unbeatable value for money. The freestanding design holds up to 5-gallon water bottles and delivers room temperature hot water using a base lever. There is also a small cabinet underneath the water dispenser to store drinks, cups and other accessories.
        While this water cooler offers reliable functionality at a low price, the downside is that it is not as aesthetically pleasing as some higher-end models. The outside of the device is made of plain white plastic, which looks a little cheap.
        Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and columnist specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. During her four years as a product tester, she has personally tested hundreds of products and her work has been published in Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52 and other publications.
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