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Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$177.05 from Amazon(+2 more)

Brio Bottom Load Water Dispenser

$139 from Amazon
Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A4 and the Brio CLBL420V2 are both bottom-loading water cooler dispensers. Whereas the Avalon A4 comes well recommended for both the home and the office, the Brio 400 is not really a machine we recommended.

Even though the Brio measured up to standard at least for hot water, we did discover performance and design flaws. For one, when dispensing back-to-back, the second draw of hot water was a few degrees cooler than the first.

Other flaws in the Brio include an overly-fast flow rate, poor cabinet door alignment, and incorrect icon positioning. The build quality of the Avalon A4 is generally good. The only issue is with the drip tray which is attached to the cabinet door—so you have to be careful when opening it.

The cold water performance of the Avalond A4 is close to the top standard. The Brio arrived at our test lab in faulty condition so we were unable to test the cold water. Considering its other faults, we chose not to test it any further.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Hot water temperature
  • Perfect flow rate score
  • Night light
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray level float
  • Hot water temperature
  • Contrasting color scheme
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning
  • Overall performance
  • Panel indicators
  • Buttons
  • General build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
W12.2 x D14.5 x H40.5 inches
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
Loading Type
Bottom Loading
Bottom Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Buttons
Cold Temperature
50-54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
Untested
Cold Water Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
Untested

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$199.00
$224.62
$177.05 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart
$139 at Amazon

*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
3.2

Hot Water Test

8.7
8.0
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)
23.29 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3 min 6 sec
Temperature
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec
1.4 fl.oz. or 42 ml / sec

Cold Water Test

9.0
0.0
A paper cup filled with water resting on a drip tray below the cold water outlet on a water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup standing on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser below the cold water spout.
Serving Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
Not recorded
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
Not recorded

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
5.9

In the Box

The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.
The unboxed Brio 400 water cooler dispenser with an open cabinet door, and the drip tray plus bundled literature to the side.

Build Quality

8.5
5.0
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.
Side view of the body of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser.
Side view of the body of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser.
Ventilation slats on the side body of a freestanding water cooler dispenser.
A pump attached to the cabinet ceiling of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser.
View of the plastic base of a freestanding water cooler dispenser.
Close up of plastic stopper feet on the bottom of a water cooler dispenser.
Side Body
Black metal sheeting
Gloss black stainless steel
Front Panel
Bioguard™ plastic
Gray and black plastic
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
PVC plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Rear carry handle
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 Brio 400 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
14.7" (37.3 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Height
41.3" (104.9 cm)
40.5" (102.9 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.0
5.5
Close up of the control panel and spouts on a water cooler dispenser with dispensing buttons seen on the top of the machine.
Close up view of the working panel indicators and buttons of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser.
Close up view of the working panel indicators and buttons of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the bottle indicator lit up and working on the display panel of a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser.
Power Status
Far left
None
Hot Water Test
Second left
Middle
Cold Water Test
Second right
Left
Bottle Or Filter
Far right
Right
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.0
7.5
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.
A water baffle removed from inside the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser and displayed above the tank.
A water baffle removed from inside the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser and displayed above the tank.
Inside a cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser showing how a pipe connects to the top of a water baffle.
The perfectly straight water straw of a water cooler dispenser resting against the inside of the cabinet door.
Mechanism
Pump and water probe
Pump, bottle probe, water baffle
Materials
Plastic, silicone, stainless steel
Stainless steel, plastic
Extra Features
Rubber pump bracket
None

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.
Top down view of three dispensing buttons of a freestanding water cooler dispenser.
Top down view of three dispensing buttons of a freestanding water cooler dispenser.
A hand holding down the middle button on a water cooler dispenser to demonstrate the space between the buttons.
A view from beneath looking up at the detail of three water spouts on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
3 buttons
3 buttons
Outflow Points
3 panel nozzles
3 recessed panel nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Hot water Safety

Drip Tray

8.3
7.3
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 close up of a drip tray found on a water cooler dispenser.
A close up of a drip tray found on a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand removing the cover from the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand showing a drip tray of a water cooler dispenser removed from its slot and the cover slightly removed.
Material
plastic
Plastic
Color
black
Light gray
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
9.7" (24.6 cm)
Width
3.8" (9.7 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Depth
2.1" (5.3 cm)
1.4" (3.6 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.
Close up of two switches at the rear of a water cooler dispenser - green for the cold water tank and red for the hot.
Hot Water Test
Yes
Rear top right
Cold Water Test
Yes
Rear top left
Others
Night Light
None

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.
Water straw hanging on the hook of the cabinet door of a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser while switching bottles.
Water straw hanging on the hook of the cabinet door of a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser while switching bottles.
Bottle cap and water probe of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser hanging from a cabinet door bracket.
The door safety pump switch of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser. The pump is seen in the background.
Close up of the door pump switch on a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser. The pump switches off if the door opens.
Has Door
Yes
Yes
Internal WxDxH
10.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches
10.5 x 11.5 x 18.5 in
Material
Silver plastic, white interior
Silver plastic, white inside
Extra Features
Hook, pump switch
Bracket hook, pump switch

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 Brio 400 water cooler dispenser up against the front control panel.
A gloved hand holding the three pronged plug of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser up against the front control panel.
A man holding the electric cord of a water cooler dispenser double folded across the body in a horizontal position.
Length
72.0" (182.9 cm)
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Position
Rear right, 25.1 in from ground
Rear rt., 25.5 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
6.8

Dispensing Water

8.8
6.5
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup resting on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser while hot water is being dispensed.
Mechanism
Push button
Push button
Water Type
Hot, Cold, Normal
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Spout Type
Molded into panel
Recessed into panel
Dispensing Height
8.0" (20.3 cm)
7.5 in

Hot Water Safety

8.0
7.5
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up top view of three dispensing buttons on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up top view of three dispensing buttons on a water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration of how to operate a hot water safety mechanism mounted on the button of a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Button-mounted lever
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.
The inside of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser with the water straw with a bottle cap resting against the side.
The inside of a bottom loading water cooler dispenser with the water straw with a bottle cap resting against the side.
A water straw being placed into a 5-gallon water bottle in front of a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a plastic bottle cap being placed onto a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a bottle cap on a 5-gallon water jug of a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser.
Design
Bottom loading
Bottom loading
Feature
Pump, cabinet switch
Bottle probe, water baffle, door pump switch

Cleaning

7.3
6.3
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.
A hand holding a spray-bottle with cleaning liquid and another a cloth wiping the front panel of a water cooler dispenser.
A hand holding a spray-bottle with cleaning liquid and another a cloth wiping the front panel of a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand using a screwdriver to open the hood of a water cooler dispenser.
The opened hood of a water cooler dispenser with wires attached to an installation point.
Demonstration of how to open the lid on the cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
A close up of the internal design for water dispensing pipes in a bottom-loading water cooler dispenser.
The water drainage plug with a protective screw cap found on the rear of a water cooler dispenser.
Self Cleaning
No
None
Drainage Plug
rear right, 21 in from ground
Rear rt., 21 in from ground