The 10 Best Water Bottle Filling Stations

Editor's Notes

July 08, 2020:

Water dispensers are common fixtures in many public spaces. They have even become synonymous with socializing in the workplace, as the water cooler is supposedly where chatter and gossip take place in offices, and are also popular in gyms, where water is an essential accompaniment to exercise. Bottle filling stations are similar to regular paper cup coolers, but they encourage re-use of water containers and require fewer trips back and forth.

With plastic waste being one of the most pressing issues threatening the environment, filling stations are becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, many of the models ranked here, including the Elkay LZWSSM, Halsey Taylor HTHB, Elkay EZH2O Built-In, and the Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo have digital counters that display the amount of liquid dispensed in terms of plastic bottles saved. Some, such as the Elkay Enhanced EZH2O, Oasis P8SBF, Halsey Taylor HTHB, and Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo incorporate regular drinking fountains into their design, so people have the option of quenching their thirst at the station or taking their water with them.

When it comes to installation, you have several options. The Avalon A5 and Brio Bottom Loading resemble office water coolers but have alcoves big enough to fill bottles of up to ten inches in height. These are free-standing and are relatively easy to install, especially in the case of the latter, as it uses regular water cooler jugs, and doesn't require a mains water feed. Other models, including the Elkay EMASMB, Elkay Enhanced EZH2O, Oasis P8SBF, and Halsey Taylor HTHB, st flush against a wall and are ideal for retrofitting in place of where a drinking water fountain once stood. The Elkay EZH2O Built-In and Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo are designed to be recessed into a wall between two studs, where there are dedicated power and water supplies. As such, these permanent fixtures are highly durable, multifunctional, and are more expensive than their counterparts.