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Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$177.05 from Amazon(+2 more)

Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless

$199.99 from Amazon(+1 more)
Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A4, as a freestanding water cooler dispenser, is also quite suited for both the office and the home. The A8, due to its lower serving capacity, is more for the home than even a drink station despite its smaller size.

The main performance difference between the two is the cold water function. The Avalon A8 only produces around 2.7 L per hour at an average temperature of 54 ℉. In practical terms, that’s an 8.5-fl. oz. (300 ml) glass of chilled water every 7 minutes or enough water for nine people.

Working at this maximum capacity, the rear heat exchanger gets quite hot and the machine requires long periods of downtime. It’s, therefore, only really suited to a home kitchen, particularly a small city or studio apartment where there is no elevator.

The Avalon A4 benchmark hot water temperature of 199 ℉, slightly above the standard of 198 ℉. It also puts out 4.8 L per hour (compared to 4.0 L) and has the perfect flow rate of 34 ml / sec while the A8 is 31 ml / sec.

For dispensing, the Avalon A4 can take a jug or tall flask up to 8 inches and its button dispensing is more convenient for kitchen use. The Avalon A8 has paddle levers which limit dispensing height to basically cups and mugs. The A8 does, however, have ozone injection.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Hot water temperature
  • Perfect flow rate score
  • Night light
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray level float
  • Color design
  • Hot water heating time
  • Filter attachment design
  • Side pocket handles
  • Hot water safety mechanism
  • Ozone self-cleaning
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning
  • Cold water performance
  • Fixed nozzle design
  • Narrow drip tray

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
W12.5 x D14.2 x H19.3 inches
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
Loading Type
Bottom Loading
Bottleless countertop
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Paddle levers
Cold Temperature
50-54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
50‒54 ℉
Cold Water Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
91.2 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$199.00
$250.56
$177.05 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart
$199.99 at AmazonCheck Price on Avalon

*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
6.6

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)
22.76 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 35 sec
Temperature
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
198 ℉ (92.2 ℃)
Flow Rate
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec
1.0 fl.oz or 31 ml / sec

Cold Water Test

9.0
5.0
A paper cup filled with water resting on a drip tray below the cold water outlet on a water cooler dispenser.
Water temperature being measured as cold water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
Serving Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
91.2 fl.oz. / hour
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
50‒54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
8.9

In the Box

The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.
Unboxed Avalon A8 bottleless water dispenser displayed alongside included filters, attachment parts, and bundled literature.

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.
A side angle view of the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
A side angle view of the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
The bottom of a water cooler dispenser showing the plastic base and plastic stub leg.
The filter reset button on the left side of a small countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
Side Body
Black metal sheeting
Black metal sheeting
Front Panel
Bioguard™ plastic
Black plastic
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
No door
Base
PVC plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Rear carry handle
Side pocket handles

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A8 countertop water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
14.7" (37.3 cm)
14.2" (36.1 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.5" (31.8 cm)
Height
41.3" (104.9 cm)
19.3" (49.0 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.0
9.5
Close up of the control panel and spouts on a water cooler dispenser with dispensing buttons seen on the top of the machine.
Three multi-functional indicators found on the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
Power Status
Far left
Far left
Hot Water Test
Second left
Middle
Cold Water Test
Second right
Far right
Bottle Or Filter
Far right
Dual function feature
Others
None
Leak detection

Water Inlet Controls

8.0
8.5
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.
From left to right: Two filter attachment brackets, two filter heads, and two filters for a small water cooler dispenser.
From left to right: Two filter attachment brackets, two filter heads, and two filters for a small water cooler dispenser.
Parts for connecting water lines to the filters of a water cooler dispenser: 4 pressure clips and 3 PE line adaptors.
The filter reset button on the left side of the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Pump and water probe
Filter network
Materials
Plastic, silicone, stainless steel
Metal and plastic
Extra Features
Rubber pump bracket
Filter reset switch, leak detection

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.
Two lever paddle water dispensers of a countertop water cooler dispenser and the control panel above.
Mechanism
3 buttons
2 press paddle levers
Outflow Points
3 panel nozzles
2 protruding nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Hot water safety

Drip Tray

8.3
7.8
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 gloved hand showing a small drip tray removed from its holding in a countertop water cooler dispenser.
Material
plastic
Plastic
Color
black
Black
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
10.0" (25.4 cm)
Width
3.8" (9.7 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
2.1" (5.3 cm)
1.6" (4.1 cm)
Level Float
Yes
No

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.
Rear switches on a water cooler dispenser. Far left : ozone. Right side: Night light, hot and cold water switches.
Rear switches on a water cooler dispenser. Far left : ozone. Right side: Night light, hot and cold water switches.
Night light, hot and cold water switches on the rear right side of a water cooler dispenser.
Hot Water Test
Yes
Yes
Cold Water Test
Yes
Yes
Others
Night Light
Night light, 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.
Has Door
Yes
No
Internal WxDxH
10.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches
N/A
Material
Silver plastic, white interior
N/A
Extra Features
Hook, pump switch
N/A

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.
A gloved hand holding the three pronged plug of the Avalon A8 water cooler dispenser pictured against the control panel.
A gloved hand holding the three pronged plug of the Avalon A8 water cooler dispenser pictured against the control panel.
A man holding the cord of a small countertop water cooler dispenser wrapped twice along its horizontal length.
Length
72.0" (182.9 cm)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Position
Rear right, 25.1 in from ground
Rear right, 3 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
8.8

Dispensing Water

8.8
8.5
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from a water cooler dispenser into a part cup by pushing a blue lever.
Mechanism
Push button
Push lever
Water Type
Hot, Cold, Normal
Hot and Cold
Spout Type
Molded into panel
Protruding spout
Dispensing Height
8.0" (20.3 cm)
7 in

Hot Water Safety

8.0
9.0
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand dispensing hot water from a water cooler dispenser by operating the hot water safety switch.
Mechanism
Button-mounted lever
Push button

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.0
9.5
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 Gloved hand holding a water filter removed from its bracket at the rear of a bottleless countertop water cooler dispenser.
A Gloved hand holding a water filter removed from its bracket at the rear of a bottleless countertop water cooler dispenser.
A hand showing where to insert and remove the main water line into the filter head of a bottleless water cooler dispenser.
A picture showing how two water filters at the rear of a bottleless water cooler dispenser are connected.
Design
Bottom loading
POU filter
Feature
Pump, cabinet switch
Filter heads, water lines

Cleaning

7.3
8.8
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.
How to unscrew the safety cap on the drainage port of a small countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
How to unscrew the safety cap on the drainage port of a small countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration on how to remove the cover on a water cooler dispenser in order to access the cold water tank inside.
A gloved hand lifting the unscrewed top off a water cooler dispenser partly revealing the tank and wiring inside.
A gloved hand holding up the cover of a water cooler dispenser revealing the tank and wiring inside.
A close up of the water baffle found in the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
A close up of the working attachments found on the underneath of the lid of the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
Self Cleaning
No
Ozone
Drainage Plug
rear right, 21 in from ground
Rear rt, 1.5 inches from ground