The Avalon bottom-loading water cooler has a sleek, easy-to-use design, and it dispenses cold, room-temperature, and hot water. It accommodates three- and five-gallon water jugs, which load into the stainless steel cabinet at the bottom of the unit, and an empty bottle indicator light lets you know when to change the jug.

The unit is Energy Star-approved, and its high-contact surfaces are treated with an antimicrobial coating to prevent bacterial growth, though it’s not self-cleaning. Plus, the cooler has a night light that makes the spouts visible in low lighting and a child lock on the hot-water button.

If not for this water cooler’s noise when its cold tap is engaged, this bottom-loading unit from Brio might have earned our Best Overall title. Unlike the Avalon above, this one has a self-cleaning feature and uses ozone (an odorless gas) to disinfect the valves. It also has an attractive stainless steel finish, and it conceals the water jug in its base.

There are spouts for cold, hot, and room-temperature water, which are activated by push buttons, and switches on the back of the unit allow you to turn off the hot or cold water if desired. The unit has a removable drip tray, a night light, and a child-safety lock, and it’s Energy Star-certified as well. It's pricier than the Avalon, also, but the included features are worth the extra cost.

This water cooler fits right on your counter but still holds three-to five-gallon bottles of water, which makes it perfect for dorms or smaller apartments.

Similar to the full-size Brio model above, this unit dispenses cold, hot, and room-temperature water with the simple push of a button, and it includes a hot-water lock in case you have children around.

It doesn’t self-clean, and while it ultimately saves you space in your kitchen, it requires a lot of countertop or tabletop space. That said, it’s a reliable, UL/Energy Star-certified water dispenser that’s well-designed and attractive with a black finish and stainless steel accents.

For a lower-priced option, this Frigidaire water cooler is nonetheless well-constructed and stylish, thanks to its stainless steel design. Its tank also prevents overheating, ensuring it lasts a long time.

While it promises energy-saving features, it’s the only model on our list that’s not Energy Star certified. However, its low-noise dispensing at all temperatures is a welcome touch (especially for that thirst-quenching glass of water at 2 a.m.)

As you might expect from a Best Budget pick, it doesn’t self-clean, but it dispenses clean water with ease and looks great in the process.