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Choosing the Best Water Dispenser for Your Home

Valerie Albarda

By Valerie Albarda
Published June 26, 2021

Water dispensers are handy appliances to have in the kitchen. They’re point-of-use appliances that dispense on-demand cold water, hot water or both. We’ll show you different types of water dispensers and help you choose the best one for your home.

A woman using an InSinkErator satin nickel instant hot-water dispenser to make a cup of tea.

The Convenience of Water Dispensers

Water dispensers offer convenience and functionality. They easily connect to your existing plumping and allow you to customize your drinking water. Dispensers include a refillable water tank, and many include a filtration system that removes contaminants from your water. They’re designed to quickly give you access to clean, filtered water at the temperature that’s right for you. Water dispensers take up very little space, and you can choose from models that dispense hot water, cold water or both.

Water Dispenser Mounting Types

Water dispensers are generally available in two types: countertop or deck mount models and freestanding models.

Deck Mount/Countertop

A glass of water and a brushed nickel deck mount water dispenser.

Countertop or deck mount water dispensers connect to existing plumbing but contain separate tanks for dispensing. Many water dispensers include a filtration system that removes unhealthy contaminants from your water.

Water tanks come in various sizes, including 2/3-gallon, 1/3-gallon and 5/8-gallon tanks.

Freestanding

A kitchen with a freestanding hot and cold water dispenser, white cabinets, and hardwood flooring.

Unlike a countertop water dispenser, a freestanding water dispenser is a top- or bottom-load, standalone unit that runs off of electricity and uses a replaceable water bottle. Some units dispense just cold water, while others dispense both hot and cold water. Cold-water dispensers feature thermostats that allow you to choose between chilled or room-temperature water. Hot- and cold-water dispensers, which also have thermostats, allow you to get everything from room-temperature water to near-boiling water from the same faucet.

Cold-Water Dispenser

A woman standing at a sink holding a glass of water in front of a cold-water dispenser.

A cold-water dispenser is a helpful appliance to have in the kitchen. It provides clean, cold water that’s connected to the same water supply as your faucet, except there’s a separate line between the tank and the dispenser. The tank, which is a small refrigeration unit, is usually located under the sink.

Instant Hot-Water Dispenser

A hi-arc goose neck hot-water dispenser.

An instant hot-water dispenser is a kitchen essential if you regularly boil water for cooking, hot beverages and more. The tank is connected to a cold-water pipe, and an electric coil heats the water. When you turn the faucet on, cold water is released into the bottom of the tank, forcing the hot water up through the faucet.

Instant hot-water dispensers have adjustable temperature ranges so you can set how hot you want your water. The water temperature is hotter than that of water from a typical faucet.

Hot-water dispensers work independently from your home’s water heater, allowing you to control the temperature. You can easily fill pitchers, pots and more with help from a water dispenser.

Tip

Look for hot-water dispensers that have a self-resetting fuse to prevent tank burnout in case there’s an accidental dry startup. If the water temperature is too hot, the water can boil away, causing the tank to overheat and become damaged.

Hot- and Cold-Water Dispenser

A woman holding a colander of food under a chrome hot and cold water dispenser with hi-arc spout.

Do you want the flexibility to have hot water on demand and fresh, cold water on a hot day? A hot- and cold-water dispenser gives you both in one faucet. It’s a space-saving feature that provides an alternative to regular tap water. Faucet levers are available as a rotating single-lever handle or dual levers.

Water Dispenser Features

  • Finishes: Water dispensers are available in a variety of finishes so you can blend them in with your kitchen and other fixtures. Finishes include polished, satin, brushed, oil rubbed and more.
  • Fixture Colors: Choose from a variety of fixture colors to fit in with your kitchen, from classic chrome and contemporary brass to dramatic black and more.
  • Swivel: A swivel spout allows you to direct the water where you need it.
  • Hi-Arc Spout: This feature makes it easy to fill large pots with cold or hot water.
  • Fingerprint-Resistant: Ease of cleaning makes fingerprint-resistant finishes an attractive option. 
  • Temperature Control: Temperature control allows you to choose how hot or cold you want your water.
  • Rust-Resistant: This feature prevents the breakdown of metals, protecting them from corrosion, rust, tarnish and fading.

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