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Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$177.05 from Amazon(+2 more)

Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser

$104.99 from Amazon
Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A4 and the Costway 5 Gallon are both freestanding water cooler dispensers. The Avalon is a full-sized bottom-loader while the Costway is a smaller and inexpensive type of ‘personal’ dispenser.

The Costway was good enough to dispense a 300 ml cup of chilled water every 7 minutes, or about 2.7 L per hour. This is good enough for 9 people while the Avalon A4 can serve up to 18 people or 5.5 L per hour.

For hot water, both the Costway and Avalon A4 reach a high temperature of 199 ℉. With the Costway, you can get around 560 ml (19 fl. oz) back-to-back and 5 L per hour. The Avalon A4 dispenses 807 ml (27.3 fl. oz.) in a single draw and only 4.8 L per hour.

The Costway is quite a good machine for hot water. However, the drip tray can easily fall out, the flow rate is very slow, and the rear drainage port is not so well-designed. It is a very light machine, while the Avalon A4 is heavier and the overall build quality is good.

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
  • Detachable faucets
  • Light weight
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning
  • Slow flow rate
  • Loose drip tray
  • Shoddy drainage plug
  • Poor build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
W11.3 x D11.3. x H33.5 inches
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
Loading Type
Bottom Loading
Top Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Faucet levers
Cold Temperature
50-54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
50‒54 ℉
Cold Water Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
91.3 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$199.00
$112.68
$177.05 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart
$104.99 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
5.9

Hot Water Test

8.7
7.2
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)
19 fl. oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 48 sec
Temperature
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
199 ℉
Flow Rate
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec
0.5 fl.oz. or 15 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.
A gloved hand dispensing old water from the Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser
Serving Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
91.3 fl.oz. / Hr
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
50-54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
5.1

In the Box

The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.
The Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser standing next to its box with the drip tray and included literature to one side

Build Quality

8.5
4.9
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 close up of the bottom of a small water cooler dispenser showing a plastic base and plastic stub feet.
A close up of the bottom of a small water cooler dispenser showing a plastic base and plastic stub feet.
A close up of a plastic stub foot on the bottom of a small freestanding water cooler dispenser.
The rear of a water cooler dispenser showing the quality of joining and workmanship.
Close up of the rear of a water cooler dispenser showing the quality of joining and workmanship.
Side Body
Black metal sheeting
White plastic
Front Panel
Bioguard™ plastic
White plastic
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
Yes
Base
PVC plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Rear carry handle
Storage cabinet

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Costway Water Cooler Dispenser Dimensions
Depth
14.7" (37.3 cm)
11.3" (28.7 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
11.3" (28.7 cm)
Height
41.3" (104.9 cm)
33.5" (85.1 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
19.8 lbs (9.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.0
6.0
Close up of the control panel and spouts on a water cooler dispenser with dispensing buttons seen on the top of the machine.
A close up of the control panel of costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser.
A close up of the control panel of costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser.
The faucets and control panel of the Costway freestanding water cooler dispenser pictured together.
Power Status
Far left
Middle
Hot Water Test
Second left
Top left
Cold Water Test
Second right
Top right
Bottle Or Filter
Far right
No
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.0
6.0
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.
Close up of a water needle of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a water needle of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
The baffle removed from a cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Pump and water probe
Water guard, water baffle
Materials
Plastic, silicone, 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.
A close up to two lever type dispensing faucets on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
3 buttons
2 faucets
Outflow Points
3 panel nozzles
2 tap nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Nozzles detachable

Drip Tray

8.3
2.0
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 top down view of a drip tray on a small water cooler dispenser.
A top down view of a drip tray on a small water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand showing how the cover on a water cooler dispenser drip tray can be removed.
Costway 5 Gallon Water Bottle Dispenser Drip Tray 2
A gloved hand removing a drip tray from a water cooler dispenser.
Material
plastic
Plastic
Color
black
White
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
8.2" (20.8 cm)
Width
3.8" (9.7 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
2.1" (5.3 cm)
1.3" (3.3 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.
Two color coded tank switches seen on the rear of a water cooler dispenser. The left one is green and the right is red.
Hot Water Test
Yes
Yes
Cold Water Test
Yes
Yes
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.
A gloved hand opening a small storage cabinet door of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand opening a small storage cabinet door of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
A small storage cabinet on a water cooler dispenser with two paper cups and plastic jar demonstrating the size.
The storage cabinet of a small top loading water cooler dispenser with the door open.
Has Door
Yes
Yes
Internal WxDxH
10.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches
5.6 x 5.4 x 6 in
Material
Silver plastic, white interior
Plastic
Extra Features
Hook, pump switch
Magnetic lock

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 man holding the electric cord of the Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser doubled over the horizontal length of the machine.
A man holding the electric cord of the Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser doubled over the horizontal length of the machine.
A gloved hand showing the plug of the Costway freestanding water cooler dispenser with the panel faded into the background.
Length
72.0" (182.9 cm)
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Position
Rear right, 25.1 in from ground
Rear rt., 2.7 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
6.0

Dispensing Water

8.8
5.0
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from the faucet of a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from the faucet of a water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup resting on a small drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
A water bottle loaded onto the Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Push button
Tap lever
Water Type
Hot, Cold, Normal
Hot and cold water
Spout Type
Molded into panel
Tap type
Dispensing Height
8.0" (20.3 cm)
5.7 in

Hot Water Safety

8.0
5.5
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
A close up of a hot water faucet with a safety clip on a water cooler dispenser.
A close up of a hot water faucet with a safety clip on a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand lifting up the lever of a hot water faucet to demonstrate that water doesn’t flow.
Mechanism
Button-mounted lever
Clip faucet

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.0
7.5
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 bottle being loaded onto a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
A bottle being loaded onto a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
The water needle and water guard of a top-loading water cooler dispenser seen from above.
Close-up of a water needle of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
Design
Bottom loading
Top-loading
Feature
Pump, cabinet switch
Water needle, water baffle

Cleaning

7.3
6.8
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.
Drainage plug cover on the rear of a budget water cooler dispenser.
Drainage plug cover on the rear of a budget water cooler dispenser.
A plastic screw cap removed from a rear drainage port on a water cooler dispenser
A cold water faucet which has been unscrewed from its connection to a water cooler dispenser.
The disassembled hot water faucet of a water cooler dispenser resting on the drip tray below.
The empty cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser needing to be cleaned.
Self Cleaning
No
No
Drainage Plug
rear right, 21 in from ground
Rear rt., 13.3 in from ground