Water Dispenser Reviews and Buying Guide:

I grew up with an Alhambra water dispenser in my kitchen. My parents spent quite a bit each month to have the big Alhambra water jugs delivered to our house and we placed them in the water dispenser. Today, water dispensers are becoming popular again as people realize the important of drinking clean, fresh water. You may have one of these at your workplace - commonly referred to as water cooler. There are 2 kinds of water dispensers - freestanding or floor standing and countertop models. The freestanding water coolers are more expensive than their tabletop counterparts, but you can get a larger jug on the floor standing models which means less jug changes overall. In recent years we have all become aware of the large waste associated with plastic water bottles that you see everywhere. You are much better off buying a travel water bottle that you fill up regularly at your water dispenser.

Who makes the best water dispenser? We found the most popular models come from Haier, Avanti, Primo, Whynter, New Wave, and Hamilton Beach. You can find them in stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Walmart, and most department stores. Amazon.com carries a nice selection online with owner reviews posted to help you make an informed buying decision. The modern water dispensers are capable of dispening out cold water, but some are also able to give you hot water. Another thing to consider are the bottled water dispensers versus bottle less dispensers. The bottle-less water dispensers use an existing water line in your house or office to send the water. A water filtration system in these models ensures that you get fresh, clean water. If you do go with the standard bottled type - expect them to hold 3 to 5 gallon jugs of water. The jugs are typically made of plastic or glass and get placed neck down on the water cooler. When you run out of water, either get a replacement water jug at a store or from a water delivery company. Gone are the days of plain white water coolers, now you can find stainless steel dispensers that match your other decor. Most are very basic to use, just pull the lever to get hold or cold water. The water dispensers with hot water will need to be plugged into a wall outlet. One feature that I like on the new water coolers is that the bottles are spill free which means less mess when changing out the bottles. We found several water delivery companies in our area that rent out the water cooler if you subscribe to their service. The cost varies on the contract, but we say buying a water dispenser is better than renting. The countertop water dispensers can be very convenient when living in an apartment or smaller dwelling were space is a premium. The tabletop water coolers are portable so you can take them to the office or workplace if you want. They are a great source of hot water for making tea or coffee when at work or home. How much do water dispensers cost? They range in price from $60 to $200. We found some excellent water dispenser reviews on websites like Epinions and Target. Amazon also carries dozens of consumer reviews for water coolers at their site and it's worth checking out. RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com since they carry all the leading brands and often have the lowest prices on the Internet. You can browse their top selling water dispensers online here.

Best Water Dispenser:
RECOMMENDED - It was hard to find any water coolers that didn't have a few negative reviews, but the Haier Water Dispenser - WDNSC145 had the fewest complaints out of them all. The Haier water system is a 2 piece full size dispenser that can also convert to a tabletop model. The bottom section offers a storage compartment with a removable shelf so all size items fit well. What most experts like is the compressor cooling method that features a stainless steel reservoir. Choose hot or cold water via the LED power indicator light and cleaning the drip tray is easy since it is removable. The one complaint on this unit is that it is made with a plastic base that supports the water jug and water filter machine. Perhaps long term the durability of the Haier water dispenser may be an issue, but reviews say the dispenser functions very well.

Tabletop Water Cooler:
When it comes to tabletop models, the top rated was the Whynter Tabletop Hot and Cold Water Dispenser - Stainless Steel/ White which is a bit pricey at $130 but reviews show that this tabletop dispenser of water is durable and well made. The Whynter X-3SB will handle 3 to 5 gallon water bottles and with just a 13" footprint the unit can fit almost anywhere. Owners say this space saving water cooler dispenses both hot and cold with no problems. The look and feel make it perfect for offices or homes. At half the cost is the Avanti Tabletop Water Dispenser which is worth considering if not just for the price alone. The Avanti is a thermoelectric water cooler that features normal and energy saver modes and it's quite ligthweight. You can use 2, 3, or 5 gallon water jugs on this model.

Water Dispenser with both Hot and Cold Water:

RECOMMENDED - We found the perfect dispenser in the Primo 900116 Hot & Cold Bottled Water Dispenser With High Flow Mechanism with near perfect reviews from customers and the free standing style is perfect for home use. The push button controls are easy to maneuver and adults like the child proof safety switch they have on the hot water dispensing part. Owners say the Primo is easy to set up and have working in minutes. Overall this is a well built water dispenser that fits well in small offices or in your home. Another excellent option would be the Whynter FX-7SW Free-Standing Hot & Cold Water Dispenser at over $200. This model is white versus the stainless steel from Primo, but still looks great in kitchens. The bottle capacity is setup for 3 or 5 gallon bottles. Chilled water capacity is 2 liters per hour and hot water capacity is 5 liters per hour.

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