Water cooler rating: models for office and home

What is a floor cooler

A floor cooler is a device that heats or cools water and allows the consumer to use cool or hot liquid at any time.
The multifunctional device was invented at the beginning of the last century by Halsey Taylor. Since then, a huge number of manufacturers and models of the unit have appeared. The advantage of a floor-standing device is that it has expanded functionality: it not only supplies water at the right time, but also hides dishes and household items behind the doors of the built-in cabinet. There are also types of appliances equipped with a refrigerator. There are accessories that can make the cooler even more functional. And the modern design of many models ensures an organic combination with other interior items. The device operates quietly. Ideal for offices and public institutions.

Types of floor-standing appliances

The question about what types of units there are can be answered as follows: with different types of loading, cooling and additional equipment.

Let's take a closer look at each type:

• A plastic bottle can be loaded both from below and from above. Located downstairs, it is hidden in a special closet. The cost of a bottom-loading device will be higher. But this type is more practical.
• There are also flow-through coolers, the source of water for which is tap water.
• Cooling option. If this process occurs due to the compressor, the device should be transported and maintained exclusively in a vertical position. A standard unit can cool about three liters of water in one hour. The electronic type is less powerful and has lower performance. Less cost too. The temperature of the air in which the device heats and cools the liquid should not exceed 28 ℃. There are no restrictions on the method of transportation.
• Additional equipment may include refrigerators and storage cabinets. Their cost is higher than the price of a model without related functions, but the benefits of such a purchase are greater.

Coolers can also be multifunctional and have the following options:

• Fridge. An excellent solution for containing milk, cream, sandwiches and other snacks.
• Built-in cup holder.
• Kettle. The liquid cannot be heated to a boil. The manufacturer Ecotronic has taken care of those who are used to brewing tea or instant meals with boiling water.
• Ice maker.

The appliance can also have a carbonation function. It will give a lot of pleasant sensations to those who love carbonated drinks. A device with a cabinet will conveniently place all the tea accessories.

Characteristics

In order for comparison of one model with another to be effective, you need to understand what properties the device has and how they affect its performance.

The technology has the following characteristics:

NumberCharacteristicsExplanation

Advantages and disadvantages

The home cooler has a number of functions that make life more comfortable. To make the right choice, it is important to analyze its positive and negative sides before purchasing.

Advantages:

• Preservation of the beneficial properties of water, because the cooler does not bring it to a boil.
• Unlimited access to cold and hot life-giving moisture.
• Saving on energy consumption. Most models consume no more than one kilowatt.
• Easy and quick installation. Its installation will not require any furniture or equipped area.
• Design. A huge selection of models makes it possible to select a device of any color, shape and design.
• Compactness. The equipment is small in size and does not take up much space.
• Additional features: water carbonation, filtration. Availability of an ozonizer, minibar, refrigerator, cupboard for dishes or tea and coffee.

Flaws:

• Flow-through models or units with a large range of additional functions can be expensive.
• If the floor cooler is top loading, not every woman will be able to replace the bottle.

The best floor models:

HotFrost V127S

An excellent device with a modern appearance, customers like it for its accelerated operation, the ability to heat and cool water, and the presence of neon lighting.

Also in the comments of owners there are often indications of convenient and easy control.

The only drawback is the lack of a separate cabinet for storing glasses and other things.

Ecotronic H1-LC

The cooler has a very original design that fits into any room.

It is famous for its efficient operation, reliable protection against leaks and a cabinet that perfectly fits not only glasses, but also plates.

At the same time, the owners highlight the lack of a tap for uncooled liquid as a disadvantage.

HotFrost 350ANET

This option primarily attracts the attention of buyers because it is sold in several color variations - this is very convenient for placement in designer premises.

People also note other advantages: efficient energy consumption, silent heating and cooling, built-in kettle, touch control, hidden bottle at the bottom.

The downside is the lack of ability to set the temperature of the liquid.

Aqua Work 833-SB

The cooler connected to the refrigerator is famous for its high-quality materials, heating the liquid with little energy consumption and the presence of separate taps for water of different temperatures.

As for the negative qualities, buyers most often point to unnecessary sounds during operation, although they are not too loud.

VATTEN V45QKB

The chic cooler, equipped with three taps, additionally has a refrigerator, which is located quite conveniently - in the lower part.

There are keys here to adjust the fluid supply. The tanks in this model are made of stainless materials.

The downside is that there is no handle on the refrigerator door, which makes it difficult to open.

Ecotronic H1-L

People like the classic design option for its minimal energy consumption, the ability to press the tap with a mug, and excellent protection against leaks.

Speaking about the negative aspects, consumers most often point to the lack of buttons for changing the temperature of the liquid and blocking the hot water tap.

Vatten V41WE

A high-quality floor cooler with reliable protection from small children is famous for its excellent design and material, which is durable plastic that is impervious to ultraviolet rays.

Another advantage is clear and convenient control.

Aqua Work 0.7-LK/B

A top-loading bottle model is often purchased for office use, although it is also suitable for home use.

It is capable of quickly heating liquid up to 96 degrees.

The only drawback is the lack of cold water.

Ecotronic H1-LE Black v.2

The high-quality and efficient design operates at good power and has an attractive appearance.

But it does not have a locker, which is a significant disadvantage.

HotFrost V115CE

A cooler with a built-in cabinet is actively purchased by people due to the mechanical type of taps, the ability to press them with a plastic cup and functionality.

The only drawback is that it is too heavy.

HotFrost V118

A budget model with decent specifications is considered an excellent option for people who want to find a cooler whose quality matches the price.

There is a folding cabinet and the possibility of uninterrupted cooling of the liquid, which the owners really like.

Aqua work 16LD/EN

A high-quality cooler at a competitive price is quite practical and versatile. It can heat or cool water, doing it quickly and efficiently.

The power here is decent, and the performance is at the highest level. As for the water supply, it is carried out after pressing the tap with a mug or glass.

That is why it is very difficult to detect shortcomings in such a device.

LC-AEL-810a

LC-AEL-810a
The excellent touch control option additionally features an LCD display and a convenient cabinet.

Another advantage is the backlighting of the screen, making the cooler convenient to use at night.

How does a floor-standing water cooler work?

A floor cooler is a fairly large device in the form of a parallelepiped, less often a cylinder, up to 120 cm high, if you do not take into account the size of the bottle. Installation of a conventional device is quite simple. He needs to allocate a space of approximately 45x45 cm and provide access to the outlet. You can see how to install the dispenser in the instructions. To understand which unit is better to buy, you need to understand how it works and what to pay attention to.

If you start examining the cooler from the top, you will notice that it is equipped with one, two or three taps. One of them is installed for hot water, the second for cold water, and the third for room temperature water. The liquid is supplied by pressing the petal with a mug or the touch button with your finger. Premium models are most often equipped with touch buttons. Budgetary ones supply water using the first method.

If the appliance is top-loading, the bottle must be turned over and placed in the recess with the pin. The force of gravity acts on the water and forces it to flow into the glass. The dispenser can work without electricity. When loading is bottom, an electric pump is needed to supply liquid to the tanks. Accordingly, without an outlet the device is useless.

On the back side, the cooler can be smooth or have a built-in fan. Visually, this is what distinguishes the compressor type of device from an electronic one. The first type contains a compressor inside that pumps refrigerant (freon R134a). The device operates on the principle of a conventional household refrigerator. Its main features are that the water in it cools down to 8 ℃, has a significant weight (up to thirty kilograms), and is not as quiet in operation as its electronic counterpart.

The second type is equipped with an electronic board. It works due to the property of materials of different conductivity to change temperature under the influence of current. These devices are inexpensive. The water temperature in them does not drop below 12 ℃.

The rear or side panels can also be equipped with toggle switches. If they are not there, then the device will only be able to provide a drink at room temperature; it does not need a connection to the electrical network. If there is only one toggle switch, the cooler is heating only. If there are two of them - with heating and cooling. Features that are currently unnecessary can be disabled.

A light indication indicates that the device is plugged in and ready for use. The simplest option is two or three LED lamps. There may be an LCD monitor indicating active modes. It also allows you to set the mode, configure energy saving, and set the water temperature.

Refrigerated coolers have lower cooling capacity. Conventional ones cool on average 2.5 liters per hour, a device with a refrigerator - no more than 2 liters. If the team is small, this will be enough. You can safely choose a kitchen cooler with this option; it will easily provide drinks for all family members. A small puddle of liquid may sometimes accumulate under the device. It does not have a No Frost system. When opened, warm air enters and condensation forms.

How does a flow cooler work?

A flow-through dispenser or purifier is quite simple. For it to work, it must be connected to a water supply. The equipment does an excellent job of purifying water from:

• mechanical impurities,
• heavy metals,
• organic compounds,
• chlorine,
• magnesium and calcium salts.

Advantages:

• no need to order bottles and look for a place to store them;
• the mug contains relatively inexpensive mineralized clean water;
• saving money;
• Ease of use.

Flaws:

• the need to periodically change filters;
• high price;
• cannot be transferred from one place to another;
• If there is an emergency shutdown of the water supply, the purifier will not be able to be used.

How to choose a water cooler

Choosing a good water cooler is quite simple if you know the main parameters. After studying the reviews, our experts were able to identify the main criteria. You need to consider the following features before purchasing.

1. Decide which installation method you require: floor or tabletop.
2. Productivity plays an important role. You need to consider how much the device can heat and cool liquids in one hour.
3. A floor cooler with heating and cooling of water must have sufficient tank capacity.
4. If a device is selected for a large office, it is necessary to consider how many people it is designed for.
5. It is important to choose a model that has a cabinet for storing cups and other necessary small items.

These are some of the main criteria by which you should choose a dispenser.

Performance

A variety of selection criteria are described above. One important one is performance. In the technical description you can find indicators of heating power, hot water output (liters per hour) and the volume of the heating tank.

If the equipment is designed for maximum heating of water to a temperature of 95 ℃, then the liquid in the mug will be 5-6 ℃ lower. It is also worth remembering that the cooler does not allow you to drain all the hot water. If the tank holds one liter of liquid, after two cups of hot drink you will have to wait a few minutes until the newly received cold water heats up to the desired temperature.

Below are the characteristics that, according to buyers, are the most successful:

1. liter hot water tank, heating power: five hundred or seven hundred watts, productivity: five or seven liters per hour;
2. three-liter hot water tank, heating power: five hundred or one thousand watts, productivity: seven or ten liters per hour.

With a larger tank volume, you can brew more mugs of coffee or tea at a time. And the heating power is responsible for the number of heated liters in one hour.

Service

The fact that the cooler uses bottled water may lead you to believe that it does not need cleaning. But this judgment is wrong. The visible parts of the dispenser become covered with dust, the taps become dirty, and the drip tray fills up. Scale accumulates in the hot water tank. You should contact technical support once a year. A specialist will come to your home or office and carry out a complete cleaning of the internal system, rinse the equipment outside, taps and carry out antibacterial cleaning. The water will always be clean and the cooler will have a long service life.

Best Floor Standing Top Loading Water Coolers

HotFrost V900CS

A floor cooler with a single tap through which heated, chilled or room temperature water is supplied. Turn on the filling using the corresponding button. This is a cooler with a heater power of 600 W with an upper, inverted bottle arrangement. The model uses more efficient (compared to electronic) compressor cooling technology. The power consumed by the compressor is 120 W. Capacity for hot water (90-95°C) – 5 l/h, for cold water (5-10°C) – 2 l/h. Device dimensions: 31x32x97 cm. Manufactured in China, cooler warranty - 2 years, compressor warranty - 5 years.

Main advantages:

• Tanks for heating and cooling are made of stainless steel.
• Separate switches for heating and cooling.
• Child protection.
• Heating/cooling indication.
• Built-in cabinet for dishes (volume 15 liters).
• Removable drip tray.
• The case is made of dense glossy plastic, elegant appearance.

Minuses:

• The package does not include a bracket for disposable cups; it must be purchased separately.

9.7 / 10Rating Reviews Quite a reliable and functional cooler. We bought it for our office and can serve 8-10 people. There is an additional fixation to the floor against tipping over. Read more Read more

Ecotronic H1-LC

A classic floor-standing dispenser with a top-mounted bottle at a very reasonable price. The design of the model is quite laconic and stylish, and depending on the interior or individual preferences, the consumer is given the opportunity to choose from several body color options, where only the silver insert remains unchanged.

Ecotronic H1-LC is equipped with two convenient water supply taps in the “Mug Press” format, and it is convenient to store these same mugs in a special 16-liter cupboard. The type of cooling is compressor, and hence the good cold water capacity - 2 l/h. Despite the fact that for heating this parameter remains almost standard - 5 l/h.

If someone is more interested in a cheaper, more mobile (lighter in weight) and quieter model, there is an analogue with electronic cooling H1-LCE. But you need to understand that in this case the cooler will produce cold water much slower (0.6 l/h).

Main advantages:

• Exterior design;
• Effective work;
• Leak protection.

Minuses:

• There is no third tap for uncooled water;
• The warranty is only 12 months.

Models in the line:

• Ecotronic H1-LCE

9.4 / 10Rating Reviews Very good cooler, has been working in an office with 5 employees for a year now. Looks good, heats and cools water quickly. The cabinet really helps to avoid cluttering tables and shelves with dishes. The price is quite normal for a decent compressor cooler.

Aqua Work 16-L/EN

Floor-standing cooler for distributing hot and cold water, stable, easy to operate, with a heating power of 700 W, and a compressor cooling power of 90 W. The location of the bottle is top, inverted. Hot water capacity is up to 7 l/h, cold water capacity is at least 2 liters per hour. Pouring occurs by pressing the glass on the lever of the hot or cold water spout. Dimensions of the device: 31x31x96cm. Made in China, 2 year warranty.

Main advantages:

• Separate buttons for heating and cooling.
• Light indication of processes.
• Possibility to choose from several color solutions for the case (photo print on the front panel).

Minuses:

• No child protection.
• The lower part of the base is not used, but it would be possible to make a cabinet for glasses.
• Coolers with a compressor require correct installation on a hard surface, otherwise they can be quite loud during operation (according to customer reviews).

Models in the line:

• Aqua Work 16-L/EN-ST
  – version with compressor cooling and turbo heating
• Aqua Work 16-LD/EN – electronic cooling, simple heating

9.3 / 10Rating Reviews An impressive cooler that can handle a flow of 30 people a day in an office. The cup holder was purchased separately. Read more Read more

Rating TOP 10 best water coolers

Having processed a huge amount of information on this topic, we have created a list of the ten most popular models.

1. Aqua Work 0.7-LKR.
2. ABC V170.
3. Smixx 16LD/E.
4. Aqua Work 16-TD/EN.
5. Ecocenter G-F4EC.
6. Vatten L45WE/L45SE/L45NE.
7. Vatten L49QEAT.
8. Vatten V45WE/V45SE/V45QE/V45RE/V45NE.
9. HotFrost V400BS.
10. HotFrost 350ANET.

Below we will look at each of the presented options in detail.

Aqua Work 0.7-LKR

The cute floor-standing dispenser model has miniature dimensions. In the lower half of the case there is a cabinet with a capacity of ten liters, where you can put tea utensils and food. Water cooling is not provided here, but there is heating up to 96°C and water supply at room temperature. Perfect for home use.

Price: from 3,700 to 4,450 rubles.

Aqua Work 0.7-LKR

Advantages

• compact dimensions of the device;
• there is a narrow cabinet with a transparent door;
• heats up to 7 liters per hour.

Flaws

• no water cooling.

Bought for home in case of water outage. We chose the small one because we have two small children at home and it will be more convenient for them to collect water. The cooler is excellent, sometimes it replaces a kettle for us, and in general it’s a convenient thing. It stood up in the kitchen as if it had always been there, it looks harmonious. We are very pleased.

ABC V170

The ABC V170 floor cooler is capable of meeting the water needs of a mid-sized office team. The device operates in cooling and heating modes. Indicator lights indicate the active mode.

The hot water tank is made of stainless steel and is therefore resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. The cold liquid reservoir is made of durable, hygienic plastic. Operating efficiency is ensured by the compressor type of cooling.

Approximate price: from 4,690 to 9,410 rubles.

ABC V170

Advantages

• capable of cooling and heating liquid;
• equipped with protection against accidental activation;
• stainless steel hot water tank.

Flaws

• not found.

It’s not a bad thing, it’s been in our office for about six months now. Whether you want to quench your thirst with cold water or want to pour some hot water for tea, everything is very convenient. There are no problems, it’s easy and simple to use. I’m already thinking about buying one for myself, it’s a useful thing.

Smixx 16LD/E

The classic, no-frills cooler is installed on the floor with the bottle placed on top. The hot water container with a volume of one and a half liters is made of stainless steel, which indicates the durability of the design.

The cold water tank is slightly smaller, but no less reliable, although it is made of plastic. The body of the device itself is metal, which allows the use of glass holders with screws or magnetic ones.

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Price: 4,980 rubles.

Smixx 16LD/E

Advantages

• makes hot and cold water;
• you can install any glass holders;
• There are operation indicators on the front panel.

Flaws

• The lower part of the device is not used in any way, there is no cabinet.

I used this model at home for quite a long time. There’s nothing special to admire, but there’s nothing to criticize either. A good, reliable model performs its functions with a plus. I haven’t found any shortcomings in a couple of years, and it still works regularly at my brother’s house. Nice model, I recommend it!

Aqua Work 16-TD/EN

The compact dispenser can be used in the office and at home thanks to the ability to install it both on the floor and on a table. The thoughtful design allows you to get hot and cold water.

It can heat up to six liters in an hour. Water flows through two taps, color-coded at the touch of a mug. The steel body of the device ensures reliable fixation of magnetic cup holders or screws.

Price range: from 5,470 to 6,000 rubles.

Aqua Work 16-TD/EN

Advantages

• produces cold and hot water;
• at the back of the case there are switches for both types of water;
• There is a possibility of installation on a table.

Flaws

• not found.

It’s the simplest device, which is why I chose it; by the way, the design is also beautiful, it fits perfectly in my kitchen. I've been using it for six months without any problems or complaints. We quickly figured out the functions, even the children learned in a couple of minutes. There is nothing to break there, I think it will last for a long time.

Ecocenter G-F4EC

A standard set of functions and several color options at a fairly affordable price make this device very attractive. The stylish design of the device will look equally good both at home and in the office. In addition to heating and cooling, which can be turned off using buttons on the back wall, it also has a 16-liter cabinet that can easily accommodate tea accessories.

Price tag: 5,841 rubles.

Ecocenter G-F4EC

Advantages

• there is a light indication of operation;
• There is a storage cabinet at the bottom of the case;
• stylish design and four color options;
• Water is supplied by pressing the corresponding button.

Flaws

• not detected.

We bought it just for water, hot or cold doesn’t matter to me, but we tried everything, it seems to work properly. It heats even faster than a kettle. From the very beginning there was no strong smell of plastic, and what smell there was quickly dissipated. The unit is decent and well deserves its price.

Vatten L45WE/L45SE/L45NE

Large cooler with bottom bottle connection, designed for installation in offices and other public places. The design provides three taps: hot, cold and room temperature water.

Each mode has its own operation indicator. Water tanks are made of stainless steel. There is an accidental switching lock; the push-button control is located on the top of the device.

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Price range: from 8,498 to 15,336 rubles.

Vatten L45WE/L45SE/L45NE

Advantages

• built-in child protection;
• there is an indication of operation;
• safe push-button water start.

Flaws

• not detected.

An easy-to-use cooler that does its job well. I bought it for a private home because I constantly need clean water. I am very pleased with the child protection feature, because the child often uses it and I am always sure that the cooler is safe. It takes up very little space in the kitchen and makes virtually no noise.

Vatten L49QEAT

An original model with a compartment for a bottle in the lower part of the body. Above the compartment there is a cabinet for cups, mugs and other paraphernalia. The peculiarity is that the cooler comes with a teapot and a kettle for hot water, and the liquid is supplied through a faucet similar to a sink faucet. Moreover, the infuser has a bed with a temperature maintenance function, and the second kettle is heated after double pressing the hot water button.

Estimated cost: from 10,973 to 15,800 rubles.

Vatten L49QEAT

Advantages

• The unit comes with two kettles;
• capable of heating ten liters in an hour;
• the ability to constantly maintain the temperature of the teapot.

Flaws

• not found.

I use it at the dacha, my family is delighted. Fits perfectly in the kitchen, the water bottle no longer gets in the way and extra kettles are no longer needed. Cups, sugar and cookies fit perfectly in the cabinet. Even granny figured out the clear and convenient controls. I strongly recommend buying.

Vatten V45WE/V45SE/V45QE/V45RE/V45NE

A floor cooler can provide you with hot, cold and room temperature water. This functionality will be useful both for domestic use and in operation at various enterprises.

The operation of the device is accompanied by an indication of switching on, heating and cooling. The water container is placed on top, and the lower part is without a cabinet. The heated water start-up is equipped with child protection.

Cost range: from 6,000 to 15,000 rubles.

Vatten V45WE/V45SE/V45QE/V45RE/V45NE

Advantages

• The hot water tap has a child lock;
• built-in operation indication;
• Storage tanks made of stainless steel are installed.

Flaws

• not found.

Excellent cooler, I bought it for home, I chose the black one. All my household appliances are like this. It turned out great, fit into the interior like a glove. It also works like an A, there is always the water you want. Very comfortably! Beautiful, functional and useful thing. I recommend it.

HotFrost V400BS

The body of the model is made in a strict, laconic gray design. The liquid is supplied by pressing the desired button on the top panel of the device. The bottle is installed on top, and a refrigerator compartment for drinks is equipped at the bottom. Three taps are installed; the hot one is blocked from accidental activation.

Approximate prices: from 17,550 to 24,263 rubles.

HotFrost V400BS

Advantages

• the device is equipped with a refrigerator;
• there is a removable tray for collecting drops;
• safe push-button filling control.

Flaws

• not detected.

It took me a long time to choose a cooler for my new apartment! I immediately decided that I needed to take the bottom loading one - it makes life incredibly easier. This cooler heats up great! Guests are on the doorstep - I turn on the kettle, while the table is set, the water has already boiled! By the way, the volume of the tanks is also good. I really like that the hot key has child protection.

HotFrost 350ANET

A high-tech device with a champagne-colored body combined with black. Control takes place on a waterproof touch panel. Water containers are installed in a box at the bottom of the case, thereby protecting them from mechanical stress and ultraviolet rays. A liter teapot is supplied with the device. Cooling is carried out thermoelectrically and is almost silent.

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Variety of prices: from 21,990 to 26,370 rubles.

HotFrost 350ANET

Advantages

• a kettle is included in the kit;
• simple touch panel controls;
• equipped with child protection;
• Built-in removable tray for drops.

Flaws

• not found.

Cool cooler, very convenient, we use it in the office. There is a kettle in the cooler, which is always warmed up, which is very convenient, and if you need to pour water for someone, you don’t have to go with each mug, you just take the kettle and pour it. And bottom loading - no need to lift the bottles up. Cool stuff.