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Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless

Check Price on Avalon(+1 more)

Brio Bottom Load Water Dispenser

$139 from Amazon
Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A8 is a small countertop water cooler dispenser with a filter. It dispenses hot and cold water and this A8 model comes with an ozone cleansing function and a night light. It uses paddle levers to dispense water. 

The Brio CLB420V2 is a freestanding bottom-loading water cooler dispenser. It uses buttons to dispenser hot, cold, and ambient temperature water and has no additional sanitary features or a night light. 

They both reach a top temperature of 198 ℉, but the Avalon A8 has faster heating times because it has a smaller capacity producing 4 L per hour while the Brio does 4.8 L. 

The A8, however, outperformed the Brio in cold water testing. The Brio actually failed to cool water and there were numerous faults with the machine and design. 

These included a poorly fitted cabinet door, clunky buttons and a cumbersome hot water safety mechanism, and panel indicators illogically positioned. The Avalond A has overall good build quality, except that the rear heat exchanger can get quite without long periods of down time.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Color design
  • Hot water heating time
  • Filter attachment design
  • Side pocket handles
  • Hot water safety mechanism
  • Ozone self-cleaning
  • Hot water temperature
  • Contrasting color scheme
  • Cold water performance
  • Fixed nozzle design
  • Narrow drip tray
  • Overall performance
  • Panel indicators
  • Buttons
  • General build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions
W12.5 x D14.2 x H19.3 inches
W12.2 x D14.5 x H40.5 inches
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
Loading Type
Bottleless countertop
Bottom Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Paddle levers
Buttons
Cold Water Temperature
50‒54 ℉
Untested
Cold Water Capacity
91.2 fl.oz. / Hr
Untested

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$250.56
$224.62
Check Price on AvalonCheck Price on Amazon
$139 at Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
6.6
3.2

Hot Water Test

9.0
8.0
Water temperature being measured as hot water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
Water temperature being measured as hot water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
Single Draw Capacity
22.76 fl.oz.
23.29 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 35 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3 min 6 sec
Temperature
198 ℉ (92.2 ℃)
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.0 fl.oz or 31 ml / sec
1.4 fl.oz. or 42 ml / sec

Cold Water Test

5.0
0.0
Water temperature being measured as cold water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup standing on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser below the cold water spout.
Serving Capacity
91.2 fl.oz. / hour
Not recorded
Temperature
50‒54 ℉
Not recorded

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.9
5.9

In the Box

Unboxed Avalon A8 bottleless water dispenser displayed alongside included filters, attachment parts, 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

9.0
5.0
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 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
Black plastic
Gray and black plastic
Cabinet Door
No door
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Side pocket handles
Carry handle

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A8 countertop 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
14.2" (36.1 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
12.5" (31.8 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Height
19.3" (49.0 cm)
40.5" (102.9 cm)
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.5
5.5
Three multi-functional indicators found on the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
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
Middle
Middle
Cold Water Test
Far right
Left
Bottle Or Filter
Dual function feature
Right
Others
Leak detection
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.5
7.5
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.
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
Filter network
Pump, bottle probe, water baffle
Materials
Metal and plastic
Stainless steel, plastic
Extra Features
Filter reset switch, leak detection
None

Water Dispensers

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

Drip Tray

7.8
7.3
A gloved hand showing a small drip tray removed from its holding in a countertop water cooler dispenser.
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
10.0" (25.4 cm)
9.7" (24.6 cm)
Width
2.5" (6.4 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Depth
1.6" (4.1 cm)
1.4" (3.6 cm)
Level Float
No
No

Rear Switches

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.
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, Ozone
None

Door and Cabinet

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
No
Yes
Internal WxDxH
N/A
10.5 x 11.5 x 18.5 in
Material
N/A
Silver plastic, white inside
Extra Features
N/A
Bracket hook, pump switch

Cord and Plug

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.
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
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Position
Rear right, 3 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
8.8
6.8

Dispensing Water

8.5
6.5
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from a water cooler dispenser into a part cup by pushing a blue lever.
A paper cup resting on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser while hot water is being dispensed.
Mechanism
Push lever
Push button
Water Type
Hot and Cold
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Spout Type
Protruding spout
Recessed into panel
Dispensing Height
7 in
7.5 in

Hot Water Safety

9.0
7.5
A gloved hand dispensing hot water from a water cooler dispenser by operating the hot water safety switch.
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
Push button
Mounted lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

9.5
8.0
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.
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
POU filter
Bottom loading
Feature
Filter heads, water lines
Bottle probe, water baffle, door pump switch

Cleaning

8.8
6.3
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.
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
Ozone
None
Drainage Plug
Rear rt, 1.5 inches from ground
Rear rt., 21 in from ground