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Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$139.99 from Amazon(+2 more)

Frigidaire Stainless Steel

$110.99 from Amazon(+2 more)
Avalon A4 Bottom Loading vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A4 and the Frigidaire EFWC519 are two top-contending water cooler dispensers. The Avalon A4 was rated the best bottom-loading water cooler dispenser in our initial test series, while the Frigidaire ranked top of the top-loading category.

The Avalon A4 has a more modern design with buttons for dispensing while the Frigidaire is a more old-school stainless steel design with tap levers dispensers. Both have excellent build quality and a couple of features that stand out.

The Frigidaire has a mostly stainless steel body, is fairly lightweight, and runs very cool when working to capacity. The faucets and levers detach for cleaning and periodic descaling is much easier with a top-loader than a bottom-loader.

The button designs of the Avalon A4 are a lot more comfortable than the Frigidaire faucets and the drip tray is wider. You could easily rest a cup or tumbler on the drip tray while dispensing. 

The Frigidaire is a better machine for hot water. The back-to-back draw is only enough for two 7 oz cups, but reheating times are comparatively a little faster and the machine delivers 5 L an hour. The Avalon A4 does around 4.8 L.

The Frigidaire also outperforms the Avalon for cold water. It produces up to 6 L per hour at 52‒54 ℉ or enough for 30 people. The Avalon A4 is only 5.5 L or enough for 18 people. The only advantage the Avalon A4 has is its easier bottom loading plus the excellent flow rate and comfortable buttons.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Hot water temperature
  • Perfect flow rate score
  • Night light
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray level float
  • Cold water efficiency
  • Stainless steel body
  • Light weight
  • Cool to run
  • Easy to clean
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning
  • Cramped dispensing space
  • Awkward hot water lever
  • Old design

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
12.5 x 12.6 x 41.5 inches
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 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
202 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$199.00
$152.32
$139.99 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck Price on Walmart
$110.99 at AmazonCheck Price on HomedepotCheck 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
9.3

Hot Water Test

8.7
8.2
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)
14.5 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3.22 min
Temperature
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec
0.98 fl.oz. or 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.
Two small paper cups barely fitting completely on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser with a faucet design.
Serving Capacity
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
202 fl.oz./6L per hour
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
50-54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.5
8.4

In the Box

The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.
An unboxed Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser pictured next to the box, a detached drip tray, 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.
Side view of the stainless steel body of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Side view of the stainless steel body of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Close up view of the water dispensing faucets and control panel of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
A plastic cover over top top of a rear metal grate of a water cooler dispenser.
Side Body
Black metal sheeting
stainless steel
Front Panel
Bioguard™ plastic
stainless steel and plastic
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
None
Base
PVC plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Rear carry handle
None

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
14.7" (37.3 cm)
12.6" (32.0 cm)
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
12.5" (31.8 cm)
Height
41.3" (104.9 cm)
41.5" (105.4 cm)
Weight
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.0
8.5
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 control panel of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser showing Cooling, Heating, and Power indicators.
Power Status
Far left
bottom
Hot Water Test
Second left
middle
Cold Water Test
Second right
top
Bottle Or Filter
Far right
None
Others
None
None

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.
A finger pointing where to open the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A finger pointing where to open the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
The water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser being removed.
A top down view into the tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser showing the water baffle of the tank.
Mechanism
Pump and water probe
water guard and baffle
Materials
Plastic, silicone, stainless steel
plastic
Extra Features
Rubber pump bracket
slender bottle needle

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 hot and cold water cooler dispenser taps with faucet-type levers. The left tap is red and the right is blue.
Mechanism
3 buttons
Hot and Cold water lever taps
Outflow Points
3 panel nozzles
2 faucet nozzles
Material
Plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Hot Water safety mechanism

Drip Tray

8.3
6.5
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.
Close up front view of a drip tray positioned in a water cooler dispenser.
Close up front view of a drip tray positioned in a water cooler dispenser.
The cover to the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser being removed.
A bottom up view of two paper cups resting on the narrow drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
Material
plastic
plastic
Color
black
black
Length
10.5" (26.7 cm)
10.5" (26.7 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.
Close up of two color-coded buttons at the rear of a water cooler dispenser with clear labeling for operation.
Close up of two color-coded buttons at the rear of a water cooler dispenser with clear labeling for operation.
Close up of the rear of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler showing a temperature adjustment button on the bottom right.
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.
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 three pronged plug of a water cooler dispenser held in front of the machine's display panel.
A three pronged plug of a water cooler dispenser held in front of the machine's display panel.
Man holding an electric cord double-folded across the horizontal rear view of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Length
72.0" (182.9 cm)
70.0" (177.8 cm)
Position
Rear right, 25.1 in from ground
Rear right, 4 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
7.5

Dispensing Water

8.8
8.0
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
Close up view of the two faucets on a water cooler dispenser, the left is red and the right is blue.
Mechanism
Push button
Hand operated lever
Water Type
Hot, Cold, Normal
Hot and cold water
Spout Type
Molded into panel
Tap type
Dispensing Height
8.0" (20.3 cm)
8.0" (20.3 cm)

Hot Water Safety

8.0
6.0
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a hot water dispensing lever and safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a hot water dispensing lever and safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up on the hot water faucet removed from a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Button-mounted lever
Double push back lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.0
7.0
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 set up a bottle onto a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration on how to set up a bottle onto a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A water bottle set in place on a top loading water cooler dispenser.
Design
Bottom loading
Top loading
Feature
Pump, cabinet switch
Water guard and water needle

Cleaning

7.3
7.9
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.
Cleaning the stainless steel front of a water cooler dispenser.
Cleaning the stainless steel front of a water cooler dispenser.
Cleaning the inside of a water faucet of a water cooler dispenser with a cotton Q-tip.
Plug at the rear of a water cooler dispenser for draining water out the hot and cold water tanks.
The water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser being removed showing the tank with a baffle below.
Top down view of the inside of a cold water tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A close up view of two detached water faucets on a water cooler dispenser.
Self Cleaning
No
No
Drainage Plug
rear right, 21 in from ground
Rear rt, 21 in from ground