Installing a water dispenser in your home or office is a fantastic way to promote drinking more healthy, clean water. However, the vast majority of water dispensers have traditionally been the top loading water cooler design and these can be difficult and heavy to work with.
With the increasing availability of bottom loading water dispensers, we thought it a good idea to review the top 5 best bottom loading water dispensers on the market right now, along with some of the important information you should consider before making a purchase.
Our Top Picks
Best Bottom Loading Water Dispensers of 2021:
![Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler - 2 Temperature Settings, Hot & Cold - Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser with Child-Resistant Safety Feature Supports 3 or 5 Gallon Water Jugs [Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31M9+kvXx6L._SL160_.jpg)

![Primo Bottom Loading Water Cooler - 2 Temperature Settings, Hot & Cold - Energy Star Rated Water Dispenser with Child-Resistant Safety Feature Supports 3 or 5 Gallon Water Jugs [Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31M9+kvXx6L._SL160_.jpg)

Bottom Loading Water Dispensers that are worth mentioning:


We’ve put together the top 5 bottom loading water dispensers on the market right now. For each one, we have reviewed the main features and functions, designs and the pros and cons with each. It is very important to make an informed decision and we hope the information provided below allows you to be confident that you have chosen the right dispenser for your individual needs.
1. Whirlpool Self Cleaning
This stainless-steel dispenser from the world-renowned manufacturer Whirlpool stands out from the crowd in many ways.
Cleaning:
Firstly, as the name suggests, this fantastic unit will actually clean itself using unstable oxygen to remove any bacteria and viruses that may be in the water.
Design:
This cost-effective water dispenser has been designed to look modern and stylish, not out of place in both the office and home. Hidden away from view are the water jugs and you can choose from three or five-gallon options depending on your specific requirements.
Features:
Whilst it doesn’t offer a room temperature option, you get to choose from ice cold refreshing water or hot water that is perfect for a cup of tea or coffee. It’s LED lights will tell you when the water is either the coldest or hottest, ready for you to use.
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2. Primo Bottom Load Water Dispenser
The next on our list of bottom loading water dispensers is this system from Primo, who has delivered a compact, smart black dispenser.
Design:
Firstly, it is only 41 inches tall and then add in a weight of only 16lbs and you can see why we love this system. You will easily fit this dispenser in even the smallest rooms and can move it around if you need to.
Features:
You have the option of cold and hot water and following tests, it delivers water warm enough for a cup of tea and certainly cold enough for an enjoyable, refreshing drink. We also love the fact that you can actually use different brands of water bottles with this system, as long as it is a three or five-gallon water bottle.
Maintenance:
There have been some great reports and reviews with this model but it is important to note that some have reported issues with Primo machines leaking, which does waste the water. You are also limited to the standard temperatures and so those that wish to adjust the thermostat will be out of luck.
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3. Avalon Bottom Loading
We love the combination of black and chrome on this water dispenser, as well as standing at only 45 inches. It will fit perfectly into almost any home and office and at the right height for people to use without having to bend down or reach up to change the water.
Temperature:
An important feature of this model from Avalon is that it offers three different temperature choices: cold, hot and room temperature. The majority of water cooler dispensers will offer hot and cold water but the addition of a standard room temperature choice is a great feature.
Features:
It has some great extra features that you may not have thought of before, including a built-in night light to make it easier to use in the nighttime and a child safety feature to stop them from using the hot water dispenser without supervision.
Cleaning:
Whilst these features are great and overall, it is one of the best bottom loading water dispensers, you should be aware that it needs regular cleaning otherwise the water may start to taste funny.
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4. Honeywell HWB1033W Cabinet
We appreciate that this model isn’t one of the most attractive bottom loading water dispensers on the market right now but it certainly delivers in other ways.
Design:
It’s simple, clean design will fit into most rooms and at only 40 inches, it is one of the smaller dispensers available, making it a great choice for small flats or offices.
Features:
You can choose from three temperatures: hot, cold and room temperature and each one is a quick push of the tap. They have also put a child-lock on the hot water option to protect from harm and a drip tray that can be removed, to help minimise the chances of spillages happening.
Maintenance:
This water dispenser accommodates both three and five-gallon water jugs, with lights to show when the water is ready at the relevant temperatures. It is important to follow the installation and usage instructions with this model otherwise you could find the water tasting funny or you may void the one-year limited warranty that is provided.
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5. Hamilton Beach BL 1 4A
Another fantastic bottom loading water dispenser that has made it onto our list, this Hamilton Beach dispenser will provide clean, safe drinking water at a range of temperatures.
Features:
You can choose from cold water for a refreshing drink, hot water for coffee or soup and a standard room temperature option for somewhere in between. It is very easy to use, with an LED light system to support you and also tell you when the water jug needs replacing, without having to open the base unit and check.
Safety:
It is an energy-efficient system with some added extras that make it a great purchase. Firstly, it has the usual safety locks to prevent children from using the hot water and secondly, removable trays that can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Installation:
It is very easy to install and replace the water jugs but be warned that if you don’t follow the instructions when replacing jugs, it can cause leaks.
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6. Brio Moderna Bottom Loading Water Cooler
A sleek, stylish bottom loading water dispenser that is full of fantastic features including self-cleaning, making it one of the best water cooler dispenser systems on the market right now.
Design:
This bottom load water dispenser has been made from stainless-steel, elegantly designed so that it will fit in most modern kitchens and offices. With the water bottle hidden and clever lights, you won’t mind this being in your home.
Features:
One of the standout features is its self-cleaning feature that will remove bacteria and biofilm. It also includes a child safety lock and LED nightlight. So many fantastic features that you will definitely be happy with this model.
Temperature:
You can manually select your favourite water temperatures using simple touch controls. This is great for those not wanting to gamble or settle for the standard settings. Just like most of the high-end models, you can choose from hot and cold, as well as room temperature water.
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7. Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler
Another Brio cooler water dispenser makes it onto our best water dispenser list and once more, it is a Brio self-cleaning system.
Temperature:
You can choose from three temperature settings with this model, including hot and cold, as well as room temperature. What we found impressive here is that they are truly hot and cold, not some lukewarm type temperature water you get with some systems.
Features:
You get the standard child safety feature to protect children from getting burnt, a removable drip tray, night light and self-cleaning. These are the minimal that is expected nowadays when choosing the best water cooler dispenser on the market to buy.
Installation:
It is easy to install and get set up, with its stainless-steel frame easy to manoeuvre. Furthermore, no plumbing is required which is a big plus for any water dispenser.
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8. Rinkmo Bottom Load Water Dispenser
The Rinkmo bottom loading water dispenser makes it onto our list in part thanks to its level of self-cleaning, as well as an impressive set of features.
Cleaning:
This bottom load water dispenser has a built-in UV cleaning system, adding extra peace of mind and safety to the water that you drink. This UV light will disinfect the water and ensure that no microorganisms will get into the water.
Features:
It has three paddles to activate the water supplies, an interesting difference compared to the normal buttons or sensors. It is compatible with both 3 and 5-gallon bottles of water has all the usual nightlight and a child safety lock, as well as a removable drip tray.
Design:
Rinkmo has chosen a steel design and structure that gives it a modern look and feel, fitting perfectly into most kitchen and offices.
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9. hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser
If you want a bottom loading water dispenser that is compatible with any standard water bottles and has all the usual features, then look no further.
Features:
The hOmeLabs bottom loading water dispenser has a useful hot water safety shut off feature to stop anyone getting burnt, as well as an empty bottle indicator to remind you to change the water bottle. It also has a helpful LED night light for when you need a drink in the night.
Water:
As it works with most standard water bottles, you can get pretty much any 3 or 5-gallon water bottle from the shop. Easy to install and hidden away thanks to its design, it looks nicer than some water coolers out there.
Temperatures:
Just like most other systems, you can choose from three settings for the temperature. Water can be hot and cold water, as well as room temperature which should cover all eventualities.
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10. Vitapur VWD1006BLP Bottom Load Water Dispenser
One of the main manufacturers of water products, Vitapur have delivered a bottom loading water dispenser with all of the usual features that any home or office would want.
Temperature:
You will get the standard hot or cold temperature option, as well as room temperature depending on the kind of drink you are wanting. There isn’t a personalised temperature mode but not many have this added extra.
Installation:
Easy to get set up and install, it will be compatible with both 3 and 5-gallon water bottles, but there have been some reports of leaking when using the larger 5-gallon water bottles.
Features:
It has useful indicator lights and a safety lock to shut off the hot water, preventing harm. Whilst there have been some reports of leaking, it does have a float switch system that is designed to stop water overflowing.
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Summary
Choosing a bottom loading water dispenser is one of the best choices you can make if you’ve been considering buying a water dispenser for the home or office. It makes life so much easier thanks to no longer having to lift those heavy, messy water jugs up and over the top of the unit. With the majority of water cooler dispensers offering a range of temperatures and extra features, you can’t go far wrong with any of the systems that made it onto our list.
It is always important to make an informed decision and we hope that this article has provided you with all the information you need to buy with confidence and start enjoying clean, safe, refreshing water at home or in the office.
Why you should choose a water cooler dispenser
The biggest reason given by anyone who chooses a bottom loading water dispenser is that they no longer have to try and lift up a heavy water bottle and place them on the top of the top loading water unit.
These water bottles are heavy, difficult to carry, slippery and very prone to spillage – all things that you avoid by buying a bottom loading system. This is particularly important for those households or offices with children or the elderly.
Furthermore, you will often find that these bottom loading water dispensers are more stylish and don’t look out of place in a home. This is because the water bottles are hidden within the unit itself, allowing the manufacturers to put more effort into the design, features and materials used.
For anyone choosing a bottom loading water dispenser, there are two main options available: standard dispensers that simply deliver water at room temperature, and dispensers that both heat and cool water at various temperatures.
Key considerations
It is important to be aware of the key considerations and potential options available to you before buying a bottom loading water dispenser. We have put some of the most important factors to think about below, to allow you to make a decision with confidence and clarity.
Price
This may not be the most interesting factor to consider but it is possibly the most important one. You need to think about your budget and then look at your options from there, as there is such a wide range to choose from, that even those on a smaller budget will likely find a high-quality system. As you increase the price, then you will get more features, functions and build quality.
Size
Have you already thought about where you want the water dispenser to go? Is it in the corner of a room or in a tight space between two desks? Whatever you’ve chosen, remember to look at the size of each dispenser and make sure that it fits in properly. Fortunately, with it being bottom loading, they don’t require the same height as traditional water coolers and so this will help you find a place to keep it.
Temperature
As mentioned earlier in this article, you get bottom loading water dispensers that offer different temperature options for you to choose from. The standard ones will simply dispense water at room temperature without any kind of heating or cooling being involved.
Then you get the more advanced systems that provide you with water at a range of temperatures including ice-cold, room temperature and then hot water. These dispensers are perfect for people who want a refreshing drink or use it for making tea and coffee.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
All bottom loading water dispensers come with some kind of manufacturer’s warranty but it is important to look at what these warranties involve. How long are they and do you cover everything or only certain parts of the machine. One important consideration linked to this topic is how good their customer service and after-sales care is.
Extra features
It is also important to consider whether you want any extra features, such as a filtration system built-in, child safety features to prevent kids from being burnt or anti-leak features. There are many to choose from but in most cases, the ones with more features will cost more than the budget dispensers. This makes it an important trade-off between budget and desired features.
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