Sign In

Our recommendations are made independently. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$149.99 from Amazon(+2 more)

Avalon A5 Bottleless

$199.99 from Amazon(+2 more)
Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A4 and A5 are quite similar in a number of design details. Both have the same dispensing button, drip tray, and cabinet door design. The key difference is the A5 has a smart-looking stainless steel panel, and of course, it’s a bottleless dispenser with a POU filtration system.

The Avalon A5, however, has an overall performance edge over the A4. The Avalon A4 puts out 183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) of cold water per hour while the A5’s output is a top 200 fl.oz. (6 L) per hour—enough for 19 and 20 people respectively.

For hot water, the Avalon A5 achieved the optimal temperature of 198 ℉ (92.2 ℃), while the A4 is a constant of 199 ℉ (92.8 ℃). The Avalon A4 has a larger back-to-back draw—27.3 fl.oz. (807 ml) vs 23.05 fl.oz. (680 ml). However, it only produces 162.3 fl.oz. (4.8 L) per hour compared to 180 fl. oz. (5.3 L), largely due to its faster heating time.

The Avalon A5 is also a more premium-grade machine because it has additional ozone injection. Other than that, the other design features, such as the internals of the tanks are pretty much the same.

The Avalon A4 is a top choice for a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser, especially for an office, while the Avalon A5 is our top recommendation for a home kitchen.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Hot water temperature
  • Perfect flow rate score
  • Night light
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray level float
  • Stainless steel panel
  • Easy filter installation
  • Cold water performance capacity
  • Hot water temperature
  • Flow rate
  • Ozone sanitation
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
13 x 12 x 41 inches (33 x 30.5 x 104 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
35.0 lbs (15.9 kg)
Loading Type
Bottom Loading
Freestanding Bottleless
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Buttons
Cold Temperature
50-54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
Cold Water Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
200 fl.oz. (6 L) / hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$199.00
$249.99
$149.99 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart
$199.99 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.9
9.6

Hot Water Test

8.7
9.0
Water temperature being measured as hot water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser. submit
Water temperature being measured as hot water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
Single Draw Capacity
27.3 fl.oz. (807 ml)
23.05 fl.oz. (680 ml)
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
8.5 fl.oz. (250 ml) / 2 min 55 sec
Temperature
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
198 ℉ (92.2 ℃)
Flow Rate
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec
1.1 fl.oz. (33 ml) / sec

Cold Water Test

9.0
10
A paper cup filled with water resting on a drip tray below the cold water outlet on a water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup placed in the center on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
Serving Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
200 fl.oz. (6 L) / hr
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
50‒54℉ (10‒12°C)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
8.7

In the Box

The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.
A full view of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser, product box, and bundled items including the manual and leaflets.

Build Quality

8.5
9.0
Font and side view of the Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Font and side view of the Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Top view of a water cooler dispenser showing three dispensing buttons.
Rear view of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser with a full bottle of water seen inside.
Close up of the plastic base and a stub leg on the bottom of a water cooler dispenser.
In side the cold water tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the cabinet and drip tray of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the cabinet and drip tray of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Side and front view of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the cabinet interior of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser with a filtration system and unassembled parts.
Close up of the bottom of a water cooler dispenser with a plastic non-slip stopper.
Side Body
Black metal sheeting
Black metal sheeting
Front Panel
Bioguard™ plastic
Stainless steel
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
PVC plastic
PVC plastic
Extra Features
Rear carry handle
Rear carry handle

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
14.7" (37.3 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
13.0" (33.0 cm)
Height
41.3" (104.9 cm)
41.0" (104.1 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
35.0 lbs (15.9 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.0
9.0
Close up of the control panel and spouts on a water cooler dispenser with dispensing buttons seen on the top of the machine.
Stainless steel panel with working indicators shown on a water cooler dispenser.
Stainless steel panel with working indicators shown on a water cooler dispenser.
Side view of the display panel and dispensing booth of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Power Status
Far left
Far left
Hot Water Test
Second left
Second left
Cold Water Test
Second right
Second right
Bottle Or Filter
Far right
Far right
Others
None
Dual function indicators

Water Inlet Controls

8.0
8.0
Picture of a bended water probe or needle inside the cabinet of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Picture of a bended water probe or needle inside the cabinet of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the water pump of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser attached to a rubber bracket.
Close up of the pressure switch and piping seen in the cabinet of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
The water baffle and connecting parts seen in a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a water baffle removed from the cold water tank of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Filter head brackets on a POU water cooler dispenser already installed on a bracket.
Filter head brackets on a POU water cooler dispenser already installed on a bracket.
Close-up of the water line input valve for a POU water cooler dispenser.
The water baffle of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser displayed above the cold water tank.
Mechanism
Pump and water probe
Filter heads, baffle
Materials
Plastic, silicone, stainless steel
Plastic and metal
Extra Features
Rubber pump bracket
Water line inlet, filter drainage port

Water Dispensers

White cup logos on black panel of a water cooler dispenser clearly showing where to position the cup.
White cup logos on black panel of a water cooler dispenser clearly showing where to position the cup.
Close up under view of three water spouts and the panel icons and operational displays in the background.
A close up of three dispensing buttons found on the top of a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of three dispensing buttons found on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of three dispensing buttons found on a water cooler dispenser.
Finger indicating a hot water safety mechanism and a hot water dispensing button on a water cooler dispenser.
Three water spout nozzles found on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
3 buttons
3 buttons
Outflow Points
3 panel nozzles
3 panel nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Hot water safety

Drip Tray

8.3
8.3
A hand holding a drip tray tray removed from its position in a water cooler dispenser.
A hand holding a drip tray tray removed from its position in a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a red water float in the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
Hand holding up the cover to a water cooler dispenser drip tray with the tray positioned in its slot.
A black colored drip tray with a red bobble float found on a water cooler dispenser.
A black colored drip tray with a red bobble float found on a water cooler dispenser.
A water cooler dispenser drip tray removed from its bracket.
Material
plastic
Plastic
Color
black
Black
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
3.8" (9.7 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Depth
2.1" (5.3 cm)
2.1" (5.3 cm)
Level Float
Yes
Yes

Rear Switches

Three switches found on the back of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser. The night lights switch is on the left side.
Three switches found on the back of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser. The night lights switch is on the left side.
Color coded hot and cold water switches with relief script on the rear of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser.
All the switches found on the rear of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Hot Water Test
Yes
Far right
Cold Water Test
Yes
Middle
Others
Night Light
Night Light and Ozone

Door and Cabinet

A bottle cap of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser changing on the cabinet door hook during a bottle change.
A bottle cap of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser changing on the cabinet door hook during a bottle change.
Door operated pressure switch inside a bottom loading water cooler dispenser. The switch operates the pump.
The door cabinet of a water cooler dispenser being opened from the bottom and not the side.
Close up of a cabinet door locking mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a cabinet door locking mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Opening the cabinet of a water cooler dispenser from below and not from the side.
Inside the cabinet of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Has Door
Yes
Yes
Internal WxDxH
10.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches
11.5 x 20 x 10 in
Material
Silver plastic, white interior
Silver (or black) plastic
Extra Features
Hook, pump switch
Hook for PE tubing

Cord and Plug

Close up of the three-pronged plug found on the Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the three-pronged plug found on the Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
Man holding the electric cord across the body of a water cooler dispenser mounted sideways on a table.
Close up of the three-pronged plug found on the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the three-pronged plug found on the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Man holding the electric cord across the body of a water cooler dispenser mounted sideways on a table.
Length
72.0" (182.9 cm)
76.0" (193.0 cm)
Position
Rear right, 25.1 in from ground
Rear right, 21 in from ground
Plug Type
Type B - two flat pins, one grounding pin
Type B — two flat pins, one grounding pin

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.0
8.3

Dispensing Water

8.8
9.0
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
A top view of a water cooler dispenser showing three dispensing buttons.
A top view of a water cooler dispenser showing three dispensing buttons.
A close-up view of three water nozzles on a water cooler dispenser molded into the panel roof.
Three paper cups lined up on the drip tray of the Avalon A5 water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Push button
Push button
Water Type
Hot, Cold, Normal
Hot, Cold, Normal
Spout Type
Molded into panel
Molded into panel
Dispensing Height
8.0" (20.3 cm)
9.0" (22.9 cm)

Hot Water Safety

8.0
8.0
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
How to operate a hot water safety switch on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Button-mounted lever
Button-mounted lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.0
8.0
A water probe or water needle being inserted into a bottle standing in front of a water cooler dispenser.
A water probe or water needle being inserted into a bottle standing in front of a water cooler dispenser.
A cap being placed onto the top of a bottle standing in front of a water cooler dispenser.
An open cabinet door of a water cooler dispenser with a bottle positioned inside.
A demonstration on how to insert a water filter into the bracket of a water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration on how to insert a water filter into the bracket of a water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration of where to insert the water line into a bottleless water cooler dispenser using POU filters.
A hand pressing a filter reset button on a water cooler dispenser.
Design
Bottom loading
POU filters
Feature
Pump, cabinet switch
Attached filter bracket

Cleaning

7.3
7.7
A Q-tip cotton swab being used to clean inside the water spout of a water cooler dispenser.
A Q-tip cotton swab being used to clean inside the water spout of a water cooler dispenser.
The water drainage plug with a protective plastic screw cap at the back of a water cooler dispenser.
A flat screwdriver being used to loosen the clip on the lid of a cold water tank inside a water cooler dispenser.
Inside the cold water tank of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser with the connecting funnel to the baffle clearly seen.
Using a flat screwdriver to open the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
Using a flat screwdriver to open the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
The inside of a cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser showing the connecting tube to the water baffle.
A close up image of a water cooler dispenser’s water nozzle revealing the ease of cleaning and sanitation.
A close up image of a safety screw cap covering the drainage outlet for a water cooler dispenser.
Self Cleaning
No
Ozone
Drainage Plug
rear right, 21 in from ground
21 in from ground