With new streamlined designs and innovative features, the water cooler reigns supreme now more than ever. Whether you want filtered water on command without needing to go out and buy a whole new refrigerator with a built-in dispenser, or you've decided to save the tap water for dish-washing, water coolers have slowly moved from the office into the home for easy access to clean and refreshing H20 every day.

But first, what is a water cooler? And what kinds of options do you have if you’re looking to buy one? Read below to refresh your memory on water coolers or skip ahead for specific information in our water cooler guide to help you choose the right water cooler for you:

Water Cooler Temperature Options
Water Cooler Loading Styles
Types of Water Coolers
Water Cooler Features

What Is a Water Cooler?

A water cooler is an electric appliance that operates when plugged into an outlet to dispense cold water, hot water, or both. This is made possible through an internal electric heating and cooling system that connects to taps on the outside of the water cooler. When you press the tap, water releases from the attached water jug and instantly cools or heats up depending on the appliance's temperature settings to dispense hot water for your next cup of tea or ice cold water for an after-workout drink.

Water Coolers vs. Water Dispensers: What Is the Difference?

The terms "water cooler" and "water dispenser" are often used interchangeably because they do the same thing: dispense water into your cup for instant refreshment. But the difference in names refers to the temperature of the water you get.

As mentioned above, water coolers dispense cold water or both hot and cold water. They usually have two dispenser taps: a cold water tap colored blue and a hot water tap colored red. A water cooler is the way to go if you want hot or cold water instantly without waiting on the tea kettle to heat up or the ice trays to freeze.

In contrast, water dispensers simply dispense room temperature water. They don't have the internal heating and cooling system that water coolers do. They usually have a single tap that, when pressed, releases water from the connected water jug at room temperature. Their simplistic design makes them less expensive compared to water coolers, so they’re great for budget-conscious buyers. You may also prefer a water dispenser over a water cooler if your teeth are sensitive to cold.

For more on water cooler temperature options, keep reading below.

Water Cooler Temperature Options

It’s important to consider your temperature needs when choosing between water coolers. Figure out which option you need, below:

Cold-Only: Cold-only water coolers dispense cold, chilled water, which is great for anyone who doesn't like ice but wants a refreshing, ice-cold drink. These water coolers have an internal cooling system that chills the room temperature water from the water jug before dispensing cold water into your cup.

Hot and Cold: Hot and cold water coolers are a must for anyone who enjoys a chilled glass of water as much as a hot cup of tea, cocoa, or instant noodles. These water coolers have two separate buttons or taps with corresponding labels or color-indicators to denote hot from cold. Two separate tanks allow for separate heating and cooling systems, so you can dispense hot water while someone else dispenses cold water simultaneously.

Hot, Cold, and Room Temperature: Accommodate everyone's water preferences with a water cooler that has three separate temperature settings: hot, cold, and room temperature water. These water coolers have three corresponding taps or buttons to help you select the right temperature option.

Water Cooler Loading Styles

When deciding on a water cooler, choosing the right loading style is of the utmost importance to meet your home aesthetic, your physical capabilities, and your budget. Look over these loading styles to help with your decision:

Top-Loading Water Coolers: Top-loading water coolers have the classic look we associate with water coolers and workplace break rooms – water cooler chat, anyone? But they have also gained popularity as an addition to home kitchens, laundry rooms, and spare family room corners. With top-loading water coolers, you remove the water jug's cap, pick it up from its base, and then flip it upside down so that the narrow side fits into the top of the water cooler and locks it into place. Gravity then does the work of filling up the internal reservoir with water. When you press the water tap, water releases from the reservoir through the tap and into your cup.

Because of their simple design, this loading style is the most inexpensive.

Bottom-Loading Water Coolers: Don't like the look of a bulky water jug? Conceal it with a bottom-loading water cooler. Unlike top-loading varieties, these keep water jugs hidden from view, which works well for aesthetic purposes or if you want to fit a water cooler in a space with overhead shelving. This is also a win-win situation because you don't have to lift water jugs into position. Simply open the compartment on the bottom-half of the water cooler and position the water jug inside. Then place the pump mechanism over the top of the water jug, allowing the pump's tube to sit inside the water jug. Then close the compartment, and you're good to go.

Bottom-loading water coolers are typically more expensive than top-loading because of the additional parts required to pump water from the bottom up.

Bottleless Water Coolers: If you don't want the hassle of ordering water jugs and replacing them on the regular — go bottleless. Bottleless water coolers and water dispensers take the concept of a water cooler and make it a permanent fixture in your home's kitchen. These water cooler designs require professional installation to properly connect to your home's water line and some are configured to mount to the wall — hurray for more floor space! Even though you can't just plug in bottleless water coolers and start making use of them, if you choose this option, you’ll get a consistent water supply without worrying about it running out.

Because they require installation and a water-line hook-up, bottleless water coolers can be more expensive upfront, but you save on future costs since you won’t need to purchase water jugs on a consistent basis.

Types of Water Coolers

Water coolers have a few different orientations, so it's important to consider the best water coolers for the size of your space, the amount of water you drink, and your budget.

Freestanding: Freestanding water coolers usually have the capacity for 4- or 5-gallon water jugs, making freestanding models the ideal choice for large households with a love for staying hydrated. Freestanding water coolers come in top- or bottom-loading styles and work when plugged into an outlet. Their size means plenty of space for internal water tanks to dispense cold water, hot water, or room-temperature water.

Position freestanding water coolers next to your kitchen counter, in the corner of the dining room, or even in large pantries, as long as you have an outlet nearby. As a general rule of thumb, make sure to leave about ¼" of space on all sides so your water cooler can properly vent. When you want to find another home for a freestanding model, simply remove the water jug and then carry the cooler to another area of your home near an outlet, then replace the jug.

Countertop: Countertop water coolers offer space-saving solutions to your filtered water needs. Because of their compact size, they fit well on kitchen countertops, side tables, and kitchen islands, which saves you more open floor space in your home than freestanding options. They usually work with 1- or 2-gallon water jugs, but some have the capacity for larger water jugs. Despite the compactness of their size, countertop water coolers typically have a range of temperature options from cold to hot to room temperature.

Countertop water coolers come in top-loading, bottom-loading, and bottleless configurations. All three need to be plugged into the wall to operate, but bottleless countertop water coolers also need to connect to a water line. Bottom-loading and bottleless countertop water coolers fit beneath overhead cabinets, while top-loading water coolers need a spot with enough overhead clearance for a 2-, 3-, or 5- gallon water jug. Regardless of which countertop configuration you choose, make sure to leave ¼" of space on all sides for ventilation.

Portable: Spare water jugs but no water cooler? Or just don't have the space or budget for a water cooler? Portable water coolers provide a quick, inexpensive solution. These water cooler types are almost always bottom-loading and range under $100. Because of their simplistic design, they usually only dispense room temperature water straight from the water jug. Many portable water coolers work on different gallon sizes but you can find specific details about compatibility on the product pages themselves.

Portable water coolers have a pump tube attached to a faucet-shaped dispenser. Remove the water jug's cap, attach the pump to the dispenser and lower the dispenser over the top of the water jug, locking it in place. Some portable water coolers receive power when connected to a nearby outlet, but others are USB-chargeable and can run without being plugged into a power outlet. USB-chargeable models have a long lifespan and make it possible for you to take your water cooler with you on a picnic or camping excursion.

Portable water coolers have a similar design to bottom-loading water coolers, as water pumps up from the water jug and the water jug sits in an upright position. You can find portable water coolers by filtering for bottom-loading styles.

Water Cooler Features

Check out these beneficial water cooler features to consider in your search:

Safety Lock: Safety locks are designed to prevent people, especially children, from burning themselves when the water coolers have a hot water dispenser option. In order to dispense hot water, you need to press down a button while pressing on the water tap at the same time. More high tech models may have a lock-unlock button higher up on the water cooler that you need to press before using the hot water dispenser.

Water Filtration: Water filters not only ensure clean drinking water but also ensure an odorless, high-quality taste. Normal water coolers don't need water filters because the water jugs already have filtered water in them. However, bottleless water coolers usually have a water filtration feature built-in since they get water from an unfiltered water-line. You will need to reorder new filters as instructed by the product seller.

Removable Drip Tray: Many water coolers have a drip tray below the dispenser tap that not only creates a convenient place to set your glass as it fills with water, but also catches any spills in an open tray design. This is especially helpful if you want to keep your wood floors looking pristine and free of water damage. If the tray does catch water, simply remove it and dump the contents in the sink before returning it to its spot. You can determine if a water cooler has a removable drip tray by reviewing the specifications tab on the product page.

Stainless-Steel Finish: As the name implies, stainless steel water coolers are super easy to clean and won't leave unwanted marks from water drops or spillage. Water coolers with interior stainless steel water tanks require minimal maintenance, heat and cool water faster, and keep water reservoirs from rusting or developing bacteria — a must for clean, healthy drinking water. This means you won't have to clean the interior of your water cooler as often. Be sure to reference the product manual for specific instructions on when and how to properly clean your model. Look for products labeled stainless steel when browsing to narrow your search.

Ready to stay hydrated?