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Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless

$199.99 from Amazon(+1 more)

Frigidaire Stainless Steel

$110.99 from Amazon(+2 more)
Avalon A8 Countertop Bottleless vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Avalon A8 and Frigidaire EFWC519 are two different classes of water cooler dispensers. The Avalon is a small countertop machine with a water filter, and the Frigidaire is a top-loading water cooler dispenser. 

There are, however, some similarities. Both dispense only hot and cold water and use levers for dispensing. The Avalon A8 uses push-back paddle levers while the Frigidaire uses faucet-type levers. For the Avalon, you can easily dispense water with one hand and its flow rate is better than the Frigidaire. 

A major difference, however, is dispensing cold water. The Avalon can only dispense an 8.5 fl. oz. (300 ml) cup of water every 7 minutes and the rear heat exchanger gets very hot working under constant pressure. On the other hand, the Frigidaire is one of the best water cooler dispensers for cold water and it works very cool in comparison.

The Avalon is the better machine for hot water performance and hot water capacity. It’s a good choice for a small home kitchen, especially an apartment with no elevator, while the Frigidaire is our top choice for an office water cooler dispenser.

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
  • Cold water efficiency
  • Stainless steel body
  • Light weight
  • Cool to run
  • Easy to clean
  • Cold water performance
  • Fixed nozzle design
  • Narrow drip tray
  • Cramped dispensing space
  • Awkward hot water lever
  • Old design

Key Specs

Dimensions
W12.5 x D14.2 x H19.3 inches
12.5 x 12.6 x 41.5 inches
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 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
202 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$250.56
$152.32
$199.99 at AmazonCheck Price on Avalon
$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
6.6
9.3

Hot Water Test

9.0
8.2
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.
14.5 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 2 min 35 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3.22 min
Temperature
198 ℉ (92.2 ℃)
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.0 fl.oz or 31 ml / sec
0.98 fl.oz. or 33 ml /sec

Cold Water Test

5.0
10
Water temperature being measured as cold water flows out the nozzle of 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
91.2 fl.oz. / hour
202 fl.oz./6L per hour
Temperature
50‒54 ℉
50-54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.9
8.4

In the Box

Unboxed Avalon A8 bottleless water dispenser displayed alongside included filters, attachment parts, and bundled literature.
An unboxed Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser pictured next to the box, a detached drip tray, and bundled literature.

Build Quality

9.0
9.0
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 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
Black plastic
stainless steel and plastic
Cabinet Door
No door
None
Base
Plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Side pocket handles
None

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A8 countertop 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
14.2" (36.1 cm)
12.6" (32.0 cm)
Width
12.5" (31.8 cm)
12.5" (31.8 cm)
Height
19.3" (49.0 cm)
41.5" (105.4 cm)
Weight
39.7 lbs (18.0 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

9.5
8.5
Three multi-functional indicators found on the Avalon A8 countertop bottleless water cooler dispenser.
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
Middle
middle
Cold Water Test
Far right
top
Bottle Or Filter
Dual function feature
None
Others
Leak detection
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.5
8.0
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.
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
Filter network
water guard and baffle
Materials
Metal and plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Filter reset switch, leak detection
slender bottle needle

Water Dispensers

Two lever paddle water dispensers of a countertop water cooler dispenser and the control panel above.
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
2 press paddle levers
Hot and Cold water lever taps
Outflow Points
2 protruding nozzles
2 faucet nozzles
Material
Plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Hot water safety
Hot Water safety mechanism

Drip Tray

7.8
6.5
A gloved hand showing a small drip tray removed from its holding in a countertop water cooler dispenser.
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
10.0" (25.4 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
2.5" (6.4 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
1.6" (4.1 cm)
1.6" (4.1 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 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, Ozone
None

Door and Cabinet

Has Door
No
No
Internal WxDxH
N/A
N/A
Material
N/A
N/A
Extra Features
N/A
N/A

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 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
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
70.0" (177.8 cm)
Position
Rear right, 3 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
8.8
7.5

Dispensing Water

8.5
8.0
A gloved hand dispensing cold water from a water cooler dispenser into a part cup by pushing a blue lever.
Close up view of the two faucets on a water cooler dispenser, the left is red and the right is blue.
Mechanism
Push lever
Hand operated lever
Water Type
Hot and Cold
Hot and cold water
Spout Type
Protruding spout
Tap type
Dispensing Height
7 in
8.0" (20.3 cm)

Hot Water Safety

9.0
6.0
A gloved hand dispensing hot water from a water cooler dispenser by operating the hot water safety switch.
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
Push button
Double push back lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

9.5
7.0
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.
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
POU filter
Top loading
Feature
Filter heads, water lines
Water guard and water needle

Cleaning

8.8
7.9
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.
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
Ozone
No
Drainage Plug
Rear rt, 1.5 inches from ground
Rear rt, 21 in from ground