6 Best Top Loading Water Dispensers 2023 Review: Value Buy

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In this article, I am going to show you the best top-loading water dispensers that are worth your money.

Here’s my promise, you won’t find any overpriced or low-quality water dispensers here, all the listed top-load water dispensers are great value, meaning they are offering great performance, features, and built quality at a reasonable price.

Table of Content show

The 6 Best Top-Loading Water Dispensers In 2023 (At A Glance)

  1. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser (Overall): Primo Deluxe Water Cooler Dispenser
  2. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser (Runner-up): Brio Limited Edition Top-Loading Water Cooler
  3. Best Top-Loading Water Cooler for Pet Owners: Primo Easy Top-Loading Water Cooler w/ Pet Station
  4. Best Countertop Top-Loading Water Dispenser: Brio Top-Loading Countertop Water Cooler
  5. Best Touchless Top-Loading Water Dispenser: Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Cooler
  6. Best Budget Top-Loading Water Dispenser: COSTWAY Top Loading Water Cooler

Why Use A Top-Loading Water Dispenser?

Top-loading water dispensers can provide instant access to clean drinking water at different temperatures at a lower price.

It is quick and easy to set up without the need for a water line, allowing you to place it anywhere in your home or office.

All these benefits make it a popular choice among households and offices.


The 6 Best Top Loading Water Dispensers Review

1. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser (Overall) – Primo Deluxe Water Cooler Dispenser [Review]

1. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser - Primo Deluxe Water Cooler Dispenser [Review] Image

Highlights:

  • Dispense hot, cold, and cool water
  • Child-lock safety feature
  • High-quality stainless steel body and reservoirs
  • Spill-proof bottle holder with Leak Guard to prevent spills
  • UL/Energy Star certified
  • A removable, stainless steel drip tray

Why Choose Primo Deluxe Top-Loading Water Dispenser

The Primo Deluxe Top-Loading Water Dispenser is a 3/5 gallons water cooler that comes with a Leak Guard feature that prevents accidental spills when replacing the water jugs.

The stainless steel body design improves the aesthetic of your house or office and fits nicely into a variety of interiors.

It comes with great features like tri-temperature water output, a safety child lock, and is UL/Energy Star certified.

It is one of the best top-loaded water dispensers in the market that give you great value at an affordable price tag.

Pros:

  • On-demand tri-temperature water output
  • Quiet and great water flow rate
  • Compact size
  • High-quality stainless steel body and reservoirs
  • Leak Guard feature
  • Safety child lock

Cons:

  • None so far

2. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser (Runner-up) – Brio Limited Edition Top-Loading Water Cooler [Review]

2. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser (Runner-Up) - Brio Limited Edition Top-Loading Water Cooler  [Review] Image

Highlights:

  • Triple faucet dispensing – hot, cold, and room-temperature water
  • Made of 304 stainless-steel
  • Thumbprint resistant splash plate
  • Dual temperature mode
  • Error notification light
  • Night light
  • Child-safety lock
  • Removable drip tray
  • UL/Energy Star Certified

Why Choose Brio Limited Edition Top-Loading Water Cooler CLTL520?

The Brio Limited Edition Top-Loading Water Cooler is a UL/Energy Star Certified water cooler that is compatible with 3 to 5 gallons water bottles.

It has triple faucet dispensing to dispense hot, cold, and room-temperature water instantly. Its dual temperature mode allows you to control when to heat up or cold down the water in the tank.

It has a sleek body design made of premium 304 stainless steel and a thumbprint-resistant splash plate, which allows it to fit into a variety of interiors and themes.

It’s packed with a great set of features such as a child-safety lock, error notification light, removable drip tray, and night light for your safety and convenience.

Pros:

  • Tri-temperature water
  • Sleek body design
  • Made of stainless steel
  • Hot and cold switches

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive than others

3. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser for Pet Owners – Primo Easy Top-Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station [Review]

3. Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser for Pet Owners - Primo Easy Top-Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station Image

Highlights:

  • Dispense hot & cold water instantly
  • With a flexible pet bowl
  • Spill-proof bottle holder with leak guard protection
  • Made of stainless steel and BPA-free material
  • Chrome finishing body
  • LED night light
  • Child safety lock

Why Choose Primo Easy Top-Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station B07BM8WBBX?

The Primo Easy Top-Loading Water Dispenser with Pet Station is a water dispenser with a flexible pet bowl, providing clean water for your family members including your lovely pets.

The innovative pet bowl is dishwasher-safe, removable, and can be placed on the front, left, or right side of the water dispenser. Just push the paw button to directly dispense water into the pet bowl.

The water dispenser is made of stainless steel and with chrome finishes to improve its aesthetic.

It has a spill-proof bottle holder with a leak guard to prevent water spills when loading bottles.

Pros:

  • Come with a flexible pet bowl for pets
  • Spill-proof bottle holder and leak guard protection
  • Made of stainless steel and BPA-free material
  • Good aesthetic with chrome finishing

Cons:

  • Only dispense hot & cold water

4. Best Countertop Top-Loading Water Dispenser – Brio Top-Loading Countertop Water Cooler [Review]

4. Best Countertop Top-Loading Water Dispenser - Brio Top-Loading Countertop Water Cooler [Review] Image

Highlights:

  • Dispense hot, cold, and room temperature water
  • Child safety lock feature
  • Hot & cold switches
  • Self-cleaning feature
  • UL/Energy Star approved
  • Made of stainless steel
  • BPA-free drip tray

Why Choose Brio Countertop Top-Loading Water Cooler CLCTTL520?

If you prefer to use a top-loading water cooler on a countertop, then this water cooler is a great choice.

It’s compact and can easily fit onto your kitchen countertop.

The water cooler has dual temperature mode to gives you full control over water temperature and can dispense hot, cold, and room-temperature water.

It features a safety-child lock on hot water output to prevent any accident from happening, giving you peace of mind at home.

Besides, it also has a self-cleaning function to sanitize the reservoirs to ensure a safe environment for the water.

It is one of the best countertop top-loading water coolers.

Pros:

  • Tri-temperature water output
  • Small size
  • Installation-free
  • Child safety lock
  • Self-cleaning function
  • Hot & cold switches

Cons:

  • Require countertop space

5. Best Touchless Top-Loading Water Dispenser – Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Cooler [Review]

5. Best Touchless Top-Loading Water Dispenser - Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Cooler [Review] Image

Highlights:

  • Dispense hot and cold water
  • Touchless paddle dispensing
  • Built-in puncture rod to prevent spills
  • Slim design
  • Child safety lock feature
  • UL/Energy Star approved
  • Made of stainless steel and high-density plastic

Why Buy Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Cooler?

The Avalon A1 Top-Loading Water Cooler is a touchless paddle dispenser that can dispense hot and cold water for your favorite beverages.

It has a slim design to save your floor space and is compatible with standard 3 to 5 gallons water jugs.

It is also UL-listed and Energy Star certified.

Pros:

  • Slim design
  • Affordable price
  • Built-in puncture rod to prevent spills
  • UL/Energy Star approved

Cons:

  • No self-cleaning feature
  • Can only dispense hot & cold water

6. Best Budget Top-Loading Water Dispenser – COSTWAY Top Loading Water Cooler [Review]

6. Best Budget Top-Loading Water Dispenser - COSTWAY Top Loading Water Cooler [Review] Image

Highlights:

  • Hot and cold water
  • Stop heating and cooling switches for energy saving
  • Safety child lock
  • Slim design
  • Storage cabinet at the bottom of the cooler
  • ABS body

Why Choose COSTWAY Top-Loading Water Cooler?

The COSTWAY top-loading water cooler is designed to provide you instant access to hot and cold water at an affordable price.

It’s ideal to use at houses, offices, short stays, and public rest areas.

The lower cabinet allows you to store things like instant coffee sachets, tea bags, sugar sachets, and paper cups.

If you don’t feel like spending too much on a top-loading water dispenser, then this model should fit your budget. It has most of the basic features of a water dispenser.

Pros:

  • Compact size
  • Installation-free
  • Safety child lock
  • Storage cabinet to store things

Cons:

  • Hot and cold water outputs only
  • ABS materials

Here’s What I Looks For In The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser

The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser Is Easy To Clean

Hygiene is important when comes to drinking water, hence, the best top-loading water dispenser should be easy to clean to ensure the water quality is good and safe to drink.

If you dislike manual cleaning, then a top-loading water dispenser with a self-cleaning feature is a perfect choice.

The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser Is Able To Dispense Different Temperature Water

As we need different temperature water for various purposes such as drinking, making hot beverages, and preparing cold drinks, the best top-loading water cooler should be able to dispense hot and cold water.

The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser Is Durable And Long-Lasting

The best top-loaded water dispenser should be made of high-quality material and can use for many years without breakdown.

The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser Is Affordable

The best top-loading water dispenser for your home shouldn’t be overly expensive. All the water dispensers listed in this article are priced reasonably and offer great value.

What Is A Top-Loading Water Dispenser?

A top-loading water dispenser is a water dispenser that accommodates a water jug on top of it in an upside-down position. It uses gravity to feed the water into the dispenser’s tank without the need for a water pump.

Top-loading water dispensers are popular and widely used in homes and offices due to their convenience,  affordability, and ability to dispense different temperature water such as hold, cold, and room-temperature water.

It is quick and easy to set up, all you need are free countertop or floor space, a power socket, and a 3 or 5 gallons water jug.

Type of Top-Loading Water Dispenser

Freestanding Top-Loading Water Dispenser

Freestanding top-loading water dispensers are more popular as they do not take up countertop space and can be put in more locations including the kitchen, living area, common area, and study room.

Countertop Top-Loading Water Dispenser

If there’s no available floor space or you prefer to put the water dispenser on top of your kitchen countertop, then a countertop top-loading water dispenser is more suitable for you.

The Benefits of Using A Top-Loading Water Dispenser

On-Demand Clean Drinking Water

Having a top-loading water dispenser in your home or office is convenient as it gives you, your family members, guests, or staff instant access to clean drinking water at any time.

It is a great appliance for places without access to clean water.

Lower Cost Compared To Other Types of Water Cooler And Bottled Water

Top-loading water cooler dispensers are cheaper than bottom loading and bottleless water coolers.

If you just need a water cooler dispenser and don’t feel like spending too much, then a top-loading water cooler is worth considering.

Using a top-loaded water dispenser is also a lot cheaper than buying bottled water in the long run.

Instant Access to Different Temperature Water

A top-loading water cooler gives you instant access to hot and cold water, allowing you to prepare hot and cold beverages quickly without the trouble to boil water or adding ice cubes.

Environmentally Friendly

Using a top-loading water dispenser is good for our environment as the water jug is reusable and will not contribute to plastic wastes.

Drawbacks of Top-Loading Water Dispensers

Troublesome Water Jug Loading Process

The main drawback of using a top-loading water dispenser is the troublesome loading process where you need to lift a 5-gallon water jug to install on top of the water dispenser, each time the water runs out.

While it shouldn’t be a problem for men, it could bring a challenge to women.

If you don’t feel like lifting a 5-gallon water jug every few days, then you may consider a 3-gallon water dispenser or other types of water dispenser.

Storing of Large Water Jugs

Using a top-loaded water cooler requires you to store a few 3 or 5 gallons water jugs in your home, which could be an issue for homes with limited space.

Exposed Water Jug

The exposed plastic water jug may impact the aesthetic of your kitchen or office.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser

Here are the important factors that you need to consider when choosing the best top-loading water dispenser for your home or office.

The Capacity of Water Jug The Top-Loaded Water Cooler Can Use

The common size of water jugs for top-loaded water coolers is 3 and 5 gallons. The 3-gallon water jug is easier to load but it needs to be done more frequently as the water runs out faster. The 5-gallon water jug is heavier to load but can last longer.

If the water consumption is high, then you should go for a top-loading water dispenser that can accommodate a large-capacity water jug.

Water Temperature Option

Most top-loading water coolers can dispense two different temperatures of water, which are cold and hot, and some have three water temperature options, which are cold, hot, and room temperature.

Self-cleaning Feature

Routine cleaning is important for a water dispenser to make sure the dispensed water is clean and safe to drink, however, the troublesome of manual cleaning usually turn people away.

That’s the reason why choosing a top-loading water dispenser with a self-cleaning feature is highly recommended as it can make the cleaning process a breeze and ultimately provide your family or staff clean drinking water that’s free from harmful bacteria and germs.

Is The Top-Loading Water Cooler Energy-Efficient?

To reduce your electricity bills and protect our earth, it’s recommended to use a top-loaded water cooler that is UL-listed and Energy Star certified for energy efficiency and safety.

Other Features to Consider

Here are some good features that can make a top-loading water cooler a better choice:

  • Child safety lock – to prevent hot water accidents
  • Night light – to fill the cup in a dark and dim environment
  • Leak detector – to prevent water leaking incident
  • Low water alert – to notify you when water is running out

Comparison of the Best Top-Loading Water Dispensers (Table)

ModelWater OutputDimensionBest forPrice
Primo DeluxeHot, Cold, Room36″ x 11″ x 11″Overall$$
Brio Limited EditionHot, Cold, Room43″ x 17.5″ x 13.9″Runner-up$$$
Primo EasyHot, Cold41.1″ x 11.8″ x 11.8″Pet Owners$$$
Brio CountertopHot, Cold, Room20.5″ x 17.5″ x 15″Countertop$$
Avalon A1Hot, Cold46.5″ x 14.5″ x 14.3″Touchless$$
COSTWAYHot, Cold32″ x 11″ x 12″Budget$

FAQ for the Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser

1. How long can I leave the water sit in a water dispenser?

It is recommended to not let the water sit for more than 2 months to prevent the taste go stale, it is still drinkable though.

2. How long can I keep the unopened water jugs?

An unopened water jug can last between 1.5 to 2 years.

3. How long can a top-loading water dispenser last?

A good quality top load water dispenser should be able to last more than 10 years with proper use and maintenance.

4. How to store large water bottles?

Keep the water bottles at the place at room temperature with no direct exposure to sunlight. If possible, store in a covered area.

Conclusion: The Best Top-Loading Water Dispenser Is Dispenser That Offers The Best Value For Your Home or Office

The best top-loading water dispenser doesn’t necessarily need to be the most featureful one, but the one that fits your needs the most at a fair price.

It should be of great value in terms of design, type, features, product quality, and price.

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