Water coolers are a standard fixture in most offices.

So which one should you buy?

Here are my personal recommendations for which coolers to buy and also some advice on what you need to consider.

Best Water Cooler

Avalon Temperature Top Loading Countertop Water Cooler

The Avalon Countertop Water Cooler offers incredible versatility and time-saving benefits. It has three temperature selections, making it perfect for any type of beverage.

Your employees can enjoy a refreshing cold/cool glass of water or use its scorching hot water to make their instant soup, coffee, or a delicious cup of hot cocoa.

The unit has an attractive slim design and water can be refilled from the top.

Additional features include its UL energy star certification and a hot water tap safety lock that protects kids and employees from burning themselves.

This model received only 5-star ratings. There were no negative reviews and for that reason, the Avalon gets our vote for the best water cooler on the market.

Best Bottleless Dispenser

Avalon A5 Self Cleaning Bottleless Water Dispenser

The Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler has everything one would want in a water cooler at the office.

It features a self-cleaning function, a stainless steel enclosure, dual filters, and three water temperature adjustments.

The unit is incredibly simple to use with push-button nozzles and its safety lock on the hot water nozzle to prevent any burn accidents.

NSF accredited

You can rest assured that your water is thoroughly filtered through both sediment and carbon filters that are NSF accredited.

The 1st set of filters are free with your purchase and will only need replacement after 6 months.

An added bonus is that all the necessary parts for installing the cooler are also included in your purchase. All in all, it’s a solid investment.

What customers are saying

People who bought this cooler gave it plenty of 5-star reviews.

They were mostly satisfied with its great tasting water, its safety lock for protection and sufficient space to place a cup without having to hold it.

However, some people had issues with the slow water flow and the taste of the water.

Best Bottom Loading Cooler

Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler

The Brio Water Cooler features a high-quality stainless steel design that will look aesthetically pleasing in almost any office.

It has a super convenient bottom loading function which means no more spilling or dripping while trying to lift those heavy water-filled bottles.

All you’ll have to do is insert the bottle into the lower chamber and attach it to the pump. This unit also has a detachable drip tray and a self-cleaning feature.

Other convenient features include its versatile temperature adjustment settings, LED light, and safety lock on the hot water nozzle.

This water cooler gets our vote for the best bottom loading cooler for the office.

What customers are saying

Most customers gave this water cooler excellent reviews.

They loved the good water flow from the spouts as well as its quiet operation, attractive appearance, and incredibly convenient bottom loading feature.

Others had issues with the cold water dispenser not working after a few months and some complained about it being noisy.

Best For Countertops

Brio Limited Edition Countertop Water Cooler

We love the stylish and modern look of the Brio Limited Edition Water Cooler with three water dispensers.

The tri-temp feature gives your office workers complete control and immediate access to hot, room temperature, or cold water. The unit is energy-efficient and super easy to use.

Other standout features include a safety lock, detachable drip tray, and a thumbprint resilient splash plate.

We love the look of this water cooler and when it comes to the best countertop water cooler for the office, it ticks all the boxes.

What customers are saying

Most customers were incredibly happy with their purchase and had a lot of good things to say about this model.

The majority of them commended its easy installation, user-friendliness, water temperature, and overall quality.

However, some customers had issues with the water temperature, they complained that the room temperature was not working and the hot water was not hot enough.

Best Cheap Cooler

Giantex Top Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

The beautiful, modern, and sleek design of the Giantex Top Loading Water Dispenser has left us in awe.

The unit comes complete with a hot water safety lock and two hot and cold-water switches on the rear for added convenience.

You have the option of telling the cooler to stop heating or cooling, this promotes healthier water drinking customs.

You can store accessories like plastic or styrofoam cups in its handy storage cabinet to further promote hygiene.

The standout features on this one are its height which promotes ergonomics as well as the detachable water barrel seat that is easy to remove, clean, and reinstall.

What customers are saying

The majority of customers who bought this model were happy with their purchase.

Many reported that it works well, it’s easy to set up, the small design makes it easy to fit in most offices, and it dispenses water at a reasonable rate.

Everyone agreed it provides great value for the price. Still, some customers had issues with the unit leaking.

Other Recommended Coolers

Brio Moderna Hot, Cold & Room Water Dispenser

The Brio Moderna Water Dispenser comes with three temperature settings and is made from durable and superior stainless steel to ensure it will last for years to come.

The unit comes with an energy star accreditation and is easy to maintain thanks to its Ozone self-cleaning function.

What makes this water cooler one of our top choices, is that you can select a personalized temperature setting for the hot and cold outputs.

The bottom load feature makes it comfortable to change out water bottles and the hot water dispenser is equipped with a safety lock to protect people from burning accidents.

Costway Water Cooler Dispenser With Built-In Ice Maker

The Costway Water Cooler will give any business a classy look with its luxurious and sleek appearance.

The unit is built for longevity and includes a built-in icemaker with 4lbs ice capacity. No more struggling with refiling and emptying ice trays.

Added features include its user-friendly control panel with LED lights that indicates different settings, tri temperature push-button taps, and hot water dispenser with a safety lock.

Artist Hand 5 Gallon Top Load Water Cooler

We chose the Artist Hand Water Cooler due to its superior quality, its energy saving compressor, and its water dispenser capacity of three to five gallons.

With this unit, you will have immediate access to scorching hot or refreshing cold water with a simple push of a button.

The warming and cooling switches at the back prevent water from being heated repeatedly and the security lock prevents any hot water burn accidents from happening.

Not only will you benefit aesthetically from the classy and modern designed water cooler, but you also have a one-year warranty included.

Avalon A9 Electric Touch Countertop Bottleless Cooler

The Avalon A9 has a unique and stylish design unlike any other water cooler on the market.

This one is bottleless which eliminates the cost of constantly purchasing bottled water. The unit is equipped with an NSF accredited carbon filter.

It also has a filter for sediment which ensures your employees have access to tap water that is free from any nasty contaminants that could compromise their health.

This water cooler has a UL energy star certification and comes with three temperature control settings, room temperature, cold, or scorching hot.

Plus, a complete installation kit and detailed instructional manual with illustrations are included in your purchase.

LeMuna Water Dispenser

You cannot go wrong with choosing the LeMuna Water Dispenser. It has a gorgeous slim black design and a 3-5 gallon water bottle dispenser.

Your employees will be able to easily change out the water bottles thanks to its convenient bottom load design. Plus they can immediately access room temperature, hot or cold water.

The child security lock feature offers added safety against burn accidents and the unit doesn’t take up a lot of floor space.

The drip tray helps to capture any water spillage and is detachable for easy cleaning. All in all, this water is a worthy investment and comes with a one-year warranty.

Avalon Premium Hot/Cold Water Cooler Dispenser

The Avalon Premium Water Cooler comes at a pocket-friendly price tag and is perfect for businesses that want a tabletop unit that does not take up too much room.

The unit has two water dispensers one for cool beverages and the other for piping hot drinks.

Its hot water child lock is handy for avoiding nasty hot water burns and the unit dispenses water from the top which makes it easy to notice when the water bottle needs replacing.

We love its inventive and classy design that will complement any small office setting.

Things To Consider

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best water cooler for the office.

Hot & cold water

Some people prefer crisp cool water with a pleasant taste, while others prefer chilled water, especially on warm days.

Most water cooler models have an added hot water feature, which allows employees to have instant access to boiling water without the need to boil a kettle.

However, when you choose one with a hot water feature, make sure it has a child safety lock that prevents water burn incidents.

Model type

There are typically two primary types of water coolers, countertop, and free-standing.

The free-standing types are usually placed in corners and have an attractive appearance. They are perfect for brightening up any unused area at home or the office.

They do not take up a lot of floor space which makes them ideal for small offices with restricted floor space.

Countertop models are the desired choice for people who prefer to place them on a table or work surface.

Design and style

The design of your water cooler can make a substantial difference to the aesthetic of your office. Make sure you decide on a style that matches your existing interior style.

You will also be able to choose a personalized water dispenser according to the color and design of your liking.

Water dispenser vs. water cooler

Water dispenser

A water dispenser is basically any container that derives water from a tank and delivers it through a dispenser.

Common examples of water dispensers are kitchen or bathroom faucets, water jugs with a tap, or a device with a large water-filled bottle on top that dispenses water through the tap.

A separate installed tap or water faucet filter (with a unique separate tap) is another example of a water dispenser.

Water cooler

Water coolers just like water dispensers are units that have a large bottle filled with water and dispense water through a faucet.

What makes it different is its added compressor that cools the water. These are also referred to as bottled water coolers.