8 Best Hot and Cold Water Dispensers (November 2026)

The best hot and cold water dispensers include the Avalon A4BLWTRCLR Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water for three temperature choices, the Brio Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser for a child-safety lock, and the Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser for a removable drip tray.

On this page (6 sections)

1. How we chose hot and cold water coolers
2. Best hot and cold water dispensers for different needs
3. Should you choose a bottom-load or top-load cooler?
4. Is a three-temperature cooler worth choosing?
5. What should you check before buying a 5 gallon water dispenser with hot and cold?
6. Which hot and cold water cooler should you choose?

The best hot and cold water cooler for most homes is the Avalon A4BLWTRCLR, with hot, cold and room-temperature water, bottom loading, a night light and an empty-bottle indicator. For a slim top loader, choose the Frigidaire EFWC498; for a two-temperature bottom loader, consider the Primo.

A 5 gallon water dispenser with hot and cold water can make cold drinks and hot beverages available from the same appliance. The main choice is whether you want room-temperature water too, and whether you prefer loading a bottle from the top or bottom.

If you prefer a glass vessel, see 5-gallon glass water dispensers.

For a cold-water-only machine, see our picks for the best cold only water cooler. If you want to understand how chilled water is made, read what happens in a cold water dispenser.

Our picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for three temperature choices

   Avalon A4BLWTRCLR Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a child-safety lock

   Brio Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a removable drip tray

   Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

   9.5/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

4. 4

   Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

   Best for a built-in night light
   Check it
5. 5

   Primo Water Dispenser for 5 Gallon Bottle

   Best for simple hot and cold dispensing
   Check it
6. 6

   Brio 130 Series Top-Load Water Cooler Dispenser

   Best for checking bottle level
   Check it
7. 7

   Igloo Top Loading Water Cooler with Removable

   Best for switching off either temperature
   Check it
8. 8

   Frigidaire EFWC498

   Best for a slim top-loading design
   Check it

How we chose hot and cold water coolers

We compared temperature options, bottle compatibility, loading style, safety features and practical details such as reminders and removable trays. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

A 5 gallon water dispenser hot and cold can be a good fit for shared spaces where people want cold water and quick hot water for tea, coffee or instant meals. For a separate faucet dedicated to hot water, compare InSinkErator hot water dispensers.

Check the listed bottle size, dimensions and hot-water safeguards against your room and household needs.

The eight picks below include three-temperature models and simpler hot-and-cold dispensers. If you also want ice from the unit, compare water coolers with ice makers.

For a closer look at cold-water-only designs, our guide explains what a cold water dispenser does.

Best hot and cold water dispensers for different needs

The right hot cold water dispenser 5 gallon depends on your bottle-changing preference and whether room-temperature water matters. For manual room-temperature dispensing, compare ceramic crock dispensers.

These picks are ordered by score, with a specific use in mind for each.

1

Avalon A4BLWTRCLR Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water: Best for three temperature choices

9.7/10Our score

• Hot, cold and room-temperature settings
• Bottom loading for 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• Night light and empty-bottle indicator

Three temperature settings cover hot drinks, cold drinks and room-temperature water. Bottom loading and an empty-bottle indicator simplify bottle changes.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Three temperature settings
• Night light
• Empty-bottle indicator

Cons

• Bottle not included
• No child-safety lock detail in the provided product facts

The Avalon A4BLWTRCLR is the most flexible choice here because it offers hot, cold and room-temperature water. For a separate source of near-boiling kitchen water, compare instant hot water dispensers.

That gives you a third option when chilled water feels too cold and heated water isn't needed.

Its bottom-loading cabinet accepts 3- or 5-gallon bottles, so you don't have to raise a full jug to the top of the cooler. Avalon also includes a night light to make the spouts easier to see and an empty-bottle indicator to flag a bottle change.

The stainless-steel cabinet has a freestanding design. Its stated dimensions are 12 in deep, 13 in wide and 41 in high, so measure the spot and leave room to open the lower bottle compartment.

Choose Avalon if you want three temperatures and a reminder for bottle replacement. It is a strong fit for kitchens or shared rooms where hot drinks and cold water both get regular use.

2

Brio Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser: Best for a child-safety lock

9.6/10Our score

• Hot, cold and room-temperature settings
• Fits 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• Two-step hot-water safety lock

This bottom-loading Brio provides three temperature choices and a two-step lock on the hot-water spout. A reminder indicates when the bottle needs replacing.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Three temperature settings
• Two-step hot-water lock
• Bottle replacement reminder

Cons

• Bottle not included
• Taller footprint than the Frigidaire

Brio suits homes and offices that want three temperature choices and a specific safeguard for the hot-water spout. Its two-step child-safety lock requires an extra action before dispensing hot water.

The bottom-loading cabinet fits either 3- or 5-gallon bottles. For a separate under-sink source of near-boiling water, see instant hot water dispensers.

A reminder lets you know when the bottle needs replacing, and the stainless-steel accents work in a kitchen or break room.

At 41.4 in high, it is slightly taller than some alternatives here. Check counter or shelf overhangs, and allow access to the bottom compartment for bottle changes.

Choose Brio if you want room-temperature water alongside hot and cold, plus a stated hot-water lock. For a deeper explanation of temperature options, see [What Is a Tri Temp Water Dispenser?

The Facts](/what-is-a-tri-temp-water-dispenser/).

3

Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser: Best for a removable drip tray

9.5/10Our score

• Hot, cold and room-temperature settings
• Bottom loading for 5-gallon bottles
• Detachable drip tray and bottle reminder

The black Tehanld combines three temperature options with a detachable drip tray and a child-safety lock. Its bottle reminder helps you know when to replace the jug.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Three temperature settings
• Detachable drip tray
• Child-safety lock

Cons

• Bottle size specified as 5 gallons
• No published dimensions in the provided product facts

The black Tehanld is a bottom loader with hot, cold and room-temperature spouts. Its detachable drip tray can be removed for cleaning, and the bottle reminder helps with refill timing.

A child-safety lock is included for hot water. The unit is 40.6 in high and is described for 5-gallon bottles, making it a focused option if your household already uses that jug size.

The controls are designed for standing use, and the stainless-steel accents give it a dark finish. The stated dimensions are 12.3 in deep and 13.02 in wide, so compare those measurements with the area where it will sit.

Choose this Tehanld if you want three water temperatures, a removable tray and a bottom-loading bottle compartment. Its feature mix suits a household that uses the hot spout but still wants a safety lock.

4

Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser: Best for a built-in night light

9.3/10Our score

• Hot, cold and room-temperature settings
• Fits 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• Night light and low-water reminder

This metallic-silver Tehanld offers three temperature choices, a low-water reminder and a built-in night light. Its 41 in height is useful to check against your available space.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Three temperature settings
• Night light
• Low-water reminder

Cons

• No published child-safety lock details in the provided product facts
• 41 in tall

This metallic-silver Tehanld is another three-temperature bottom loader, with a built-in night light and low-water reminder. It supports 3- or 5-gallon bottles and stands 41 in high.

The top-mounted buttons make the temperature choices accessible. Its bottle reminder is useful in a shared space where several people may use the cooler and no one person tracks the jug level.

The available product facts don't specify a child-safety lock, so households that need one should compare that feature carefully before choosing. Check the cabinet's 12.2 in depth and 13.2 in width against your intended location.

Choose this model if a night light and a reminder matter more to you than a stated safety lock. The three temperatures cover hot drinks, cold refreshment and room-temperature water.

5

Primo Water Dispenser for 5 Gallon Bottle: Best for simple hot and cold dispensing

9.2/10Our score

• Hot and cold water
• Bottom loading for 5-gallon bottles
• Two-step hot-water lock and night light

Primo keeps the choices simple with hot and cold water, push-button controls and a two-step hot-water lock. Its night light illuminates the spouts.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Bottom loading
• Two-step hot-water lock
• Removable dishwasher-safe drip tray

Cons

• No room-temperature setting
• Bottle size specified as 5 gallons

Primo is a straightforward choice for people who want hot and cold water without a room-temperature setting. Its bottom-loading design accepts a 5-gallon bottle and avoids lifting the jug onto the top of the appliance.

Push-button controls handle dispensing, while a two-step child-safety lock protects the hot-water control. A built-in night light illuminates the spouts, and the drip tray is removable and dishwasher-safe.

The model is described as quiet during heating and cooling, but the available facts don't give a measured sound level. It is freestanding and needs no plumbing or tools for setup.

Choose Primo if you want a two-temperature cooler with a bottom cabinet, hot-water lock and easy-to-clean tray. Look at a tri-temp model if room-temperature water is important in your routine.

6

Brio 130 Series Top-Load Water Cooler Dispenser: Best for checking bottle level

9.1/10Our score

• Hot and cold water
• Top loading for 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• Ready indicator lights and two-step lock

The top-loading Brio lets you see the water level at a glance and supports both 3- and 5-gallon bottles. Indicator lights show when hot and cold water are ready.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Bottle level visible
• Two-step hot-water lock
• Ready indicator lights

Cons

• Bottle must be lifted to the top
• No room-temperature setting

The Brio 130 Series is a top loader for households that want to see the bottle level without opening a cabinet. It supports 3- and 5-gallon bottles and provides hot and cold water.

Indicator lights show when each temperature is ready. The hot spout uses a two-step child-safety process and relocks after dispensing, which helps prevent an accidental pour.

Because the bottle sits on top, consider whether lifting a full jug is comfortable for you. The design also includes a spill-proof collar and requires no plumbing or tools.

Choose this Brio if visibility of the remaining water matters more than avoiding a lift. Its hot and cold setup keeps the controls simple for kitchens, offices or dorm rooms.

7

Igloo Top Loading Water Cooler with Removable: Best for switching off either temperature

8.8/10Our score

• Hot and cold water
• Fits 3- or 5-gallon jugs
• Separate energy-saving switches and removable drip tray

Igloo provides hot and cold water with separate switches, so you can turn off either temperature function when you don't need it. The removable tray helps with cleanup.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Separate temperature switches
• Removable drip tray
• Child-safety lock

Cons

• Bottle must be lifted to the top
• No room-temperature setting

Igloo's top-loading cooler offers hot and cold water and separate switches for the heating and cooling functions. You can turn off either temperature function when you don't need it, which gives you control over which features run.

It fits 3- and 5-gallon jugs and includes a removable drip tray for cleanup. A child-safety lock is provided for the hot-water spout.

The top-loading format makes the bottle level visible, but changing a full jug means lifting it onto the cooler. If you need a smaller counter unit, compare countertop water coolers.

Its compact design is described for countertop or freestanding use, so check dimensions and placement needs before deciding where it belongs.

Choose Igloo if you want separate switches and a removable tray. For a cold-only alternative, compare it with the best cold only water coolers.

8

Frigidaire EFWC498: Best for a slim top-loading design

8.5/10Our score

• Hot and cold water
• Fits 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• 11.5 in wide with a hot-water safety lock

The Frigidaire's 11.5 in width suits buyers who want a slim top-loading cooler. It offers hot and cold water, with a child-safety lock on the hot spigot.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Slim 11.5 in width
• Fits 3- or 5-gallon bottles
• Removable drip tray

Cons

• Bottle must be lifted to the top
• No room-temperature setting

The Frigidaire EFWC498 is the narrowest stated option in this group at 11.5 in wide. It uses a top-loading bottle and has separate hot and cold spigots, with a child-safety lock on the hot side.

The design supports 3- or 5-gallon bottles. A removable drip tray makes cleanup easier, and the stated dimensions are 11 in deep by 11.5 in wide by 36 in high.

This is a two-temperature cooler, so it doesn't provide a room-temperature option. As with other top loaders, check whether lifting a full bottle works for you before settling on this design.

Choose Frigidaire if floor or counter width is tight and you want both hot and cold water. If you only need chilled water, our guide to [What Is a Cold Water Dispenser?

What Really Happens](/what-is-a-cold-water-dispenser/) explains the simpler type.

Should you choose a bottom-load or top-load cooler?

Choose a bottom-loading cooler if lifting a heavy bottle onto the top would be inconvenient. Choose a top loader if seeing the remaining water level at a glance is more useful to you.

A bottom loader hides the bottle inside the lower cabinet, so the room looks tidier and bottle changes happen near floor level. The Avalon, Brio, both Tehanld options and Primo use this style.

A top loader places the jug above the cooler, where you can see how much water remains. The Frigidaire, Igloo and Brio 130 Series use top loading and support 3- or 5-gallon bottles.

If you're still comparing cooler designs, our guide to what a hot water dispenser does covers how hot-water models differ from cold-only dispensers.

Is a three-temperature cooler worth choosing?

A three-temperature cooler is useful if you want room-temperature water as well as hot and cold. It adds a middle option for people who don't always want chilled water or a heated drink.

The Avalon, Brio Bottom Loading and both Tehanld models offer hot, cold and room-temperature settings. The Primo, Brio 130 Series, Igloo and Frigidaire are described as hot-and-cold models.

Think about the drinks and cooking tasks you handle each day. If room-temperature water rarely matters, a two-temperature machine may be simpler; if you often avoid cold water, the extra setting can earn its space.

What should you check before buying a 5 gallon water dispenser with hot and cold?

Check bottle compatibility, loading style, hot-water safety and the cooler's footprint before buying. These practical details affect daily use more than decorative trim.

Confirm whether your bottle supplier uses 3- or 5-gallon bottles and whether the model accepts that size. Measure depth, width and height, then leave space to load the bottle or remove the drip tray.

For households with children, look for a stated hot-water lock and understand how it works. The Brio models, Primo, Igloo, Frigidaire and black Tehanld specify a safety lock; the Avalon and metallic-silver Tehanld facts here don't specify one.

Finally, decide whether you need room-temperature water. The cold-only cooler guide can help if you don't need a hot spout at all.

Which hot and cold water cooler should you choose?

Pick the Avalon if you want three temperatures, bottom loading and a night light. Choose the Frigidaire if a slim top-loading footprint is the priority, or the Primo for a simple hot-and-cold bottom loader with a safety lock.

If bottle changes are your main concern, favor a bottom loader and compare cabinet dimensions with your available floor space. If you want to see water levels, a top loader makes that easy.

For plumbed-in options and the work they involve, read What Is an In-House Water Dispenser? What’s Involved.

For a bottled model that keeps only the cold-water function, start with our best cold only water cooler picks.

Our top 3 picks at a glance

1. 1
   Best for three temperature choices

   Avalon A4BLWTRCLR Bottom Loading Water Cooler Water

   9.7/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
2. 2
   Best for a child-safety lock

   Brio Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

   9.6/10 our score

   See it on Amazon
3. 3
   Best for a removable drip tray

   Tehanld Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

   9.5/10 our score

   See it on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

Can a 5-gallon water dispenser provide both hot and cold water?

Yes. Many bottled coolers support 5-gallon jugs and dispense both hot and cold water.

Some also provide room-temperature water, while two-temperature models keep the choices to hot and cold.

Check the loading style and bottle compatibility before buying, since lifting a full jug onto a top loader takes more effort than sliding one into a bottom loader.

What is the difference between hot and cold and tri-temp water coolers?

A hot and cold cooler provides heated water and chilled water. A tri-temp cooler adds a room-temperature option, which can be useful when you want water without heating or cooling it.

See our guide to what a tri-temp water dispenser does for more detail.

Are bottom-loading water dispensers easier to refill?

Bottom-loading dispensers let you slide the bottle into a lower cabinet instead of lifting it onto the top of the cooler. That can make bottle changes easier, though you still need to handle and position the jug.

Top loaders let you see the water level in the bottle at a glance.

Do hot and cold water coolers need a water line?

The bottled coolers in this guide use freestanding bottle loading, so they don't require a home water line. Setup details can vary by model, so check the included instructions before use.

For a cooler connected to household plumbing, start with our guide to in-house water dispensers.