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Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless

$199.99 from Amazon(+1 more)

Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser

$104.99 from Amazon
Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Costway 5 Gallon Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A8 is a small countertop water cooler dispenser with a filter so it needs to connect to a water main. The Costway 5-gallon is a comparatively small and light top-loading water cooler dispenser. 

The key difference between these machines is the build quality. The Avalon A8 has excellent build quality while the Costway is an all-plastic budget water cooler dispenser. Quality shortcuts include the drip tray which falls off very easily and the hot water safety clip design makes hot water dispensing cumbersome. 

The Costway does slightly better with hot water. It has a high temperature of  199 ℉ while the Avalon is 198 ℉. The Costway also puts out 5 L of hot water per hour compared to the Avalon’s 4 L. The key difference is the Avalon A8 does 22.7 fl. oz. on back-to-back draws, but the Costway does only 19 fl.oz.

The cold water capacity and performance is pretty much the same. Both can put out an 8.5 fl. oz. (300ml) cup of cold water every 7 minutes or 2.7 L per hour which is enough for nine people. The rear heat exchange of the Avalon, however, gets much hotter if working under constant pressure. 

Overall, the Avalon A8 has much better build quality, while the main drawback of the Costway is its very slow flow rate and use of poor quality materials. The Avalons A8 looks good in a family kitchen and has ozone sanitation.

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
  • Detachable faucets
  • Light weight
  • Cold water performance
  • Fixed nozzle design
  • Narrow drip tray
  • Slow flow rate
  • Loose drip tray
  • Shoddy drainage plug
  • Poor build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions
W12.5 x D14.2 x H19.3 inches
W11.3 x D11.3. x H33.5 inches
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
9.0 lbs (4.1 kg)
Loading Type
Bottleless countertop
Top Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Paddle levers
Faucet levers
Cold Water Temperature
50‒54 ℉
50‒54 ℉
Cold Water Capacity
91.2 fl.oz. / Hr
91.3 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$250.56
$112.68
$199.99 at AmazonCheck Price on Avalon
$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
6.6
5.9

Hot Water Test

9.0
7.2
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.
19 fl. oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 35 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 48 sec
Temperature
198 ℉ (92.2 ℃)
199 ℉
Flow Rate
1.0 fl.oz or 31 ml / sec
0.5 fl.oz. or 15 ml /sec

Cold Water Test

5.0
5.0
Water temperature being measured as cold water flows out the nozzle of a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand dispensing old water from the Costway 5-gallon water cooler dispenser
Serving Capacity
91.2 fl.oz. / hour
91.3 fl.oz. / Hr
Temperature
50‒54 ℉
50-54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.9
5.1

In the Box

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

9.0
4.9
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.
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
Black plastic
White plastic
Cabinet Door
No door
Yes
Base
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Side pocket handles
Storage cabinet

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A8 countertop water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Costway Water Cooler Dispenser Dimensions
Depth
14.2" (36.1 cm)
11.3" (28.7 cm)
Width
12.5" (31.8 cm)
11.3" (28.7 cm)
Height
19.3" (49.0 cm)
33.5" (85.1 cm)
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
19.8 lbs (9.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.5
6.0
Three multi-functional indicators found on the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
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
Middle
Top left
Cold Water Test
Far right
Top right
Bottle Or Filter
Dual function feature
No
Others
Leak detection
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.5
6.0
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.
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
Filter network
Water guard, water baffle
Materials
Metal and plastic
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.
A close up to two lever type dispensing faucets on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
2 press paddle levers
2 faucets
Outflow Points
2 protruding nozzles
2 tap nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Nozzles detachable

Drip Tray

7.8
2.0
A gloved hand showing a small drip tray removed from its holding in a countertop water cooler dispenser.
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
10.0" (25.4 cm)
8.2" (20.8 cm)
Width
2.5" (6.4 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
1.6" (4.1 cm)
1.3" (3.3 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.
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, Ozone
None

Door and Cabinet

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
No
Yes
Internal WxDxH
N/A
5.6 x 5.4 x 6 in
Material
N/A
Plastic
Extra Features
N/A
Magnetic lock

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 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
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Position
Rear right, 3 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
8.8
6.0

Dispensing Water

8.5
5.0
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from a water cooler dispenser into a part cup by pushing a blue lever.
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 lever
Tap lever
Water Type
Hot and Cold
Hot and cold water
Spout Type
Protruding spout
Tap type
Dispensing Height
7 in
5.7 in

Hot Water Safety

9.0
5.5
A gloved hand dispensing hot water from a water cooler dispenser by operating the hot water safety switch.
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
Push button
Clip faucet

Bottle / Filter Changing

9.5
7.5
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.
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
POU filter
Top-loading
Feature
Filter heads, water lines
Water needle, water baffle

Cleaning

8.8
6.8
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.
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
Ozone
No
Drainage Plug
Rear rt, 1.5 inches from ground
Rear rt., 13.3 in from ground