Sign In

Our recommendations are made independently. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links.

Igloo Countertop vs Avalon A4 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Igloo Countertop Water Dispenser

Check Price on Amazon

Avalon A4 Bottom Loading

$177.05 from Amazon(+2 more)
Igloo Countertop vs Avalon A4 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Igloo is a small countertop water cooler dispenser and it’s also a top-loading machine. The Avalon A4 is a standard-sized bottom-loading dispenser, so there is not much similarity in terms of general needs and capacity.

The Igloo only puts out a chilled glass (8.5 fl. oz.) of water every 8 minutes. That's enough for 15 people or 78 fl. oz. (2.3 L) per hour. The Avalon A4 produces 5.4 L per hour and can serve up to 18 people or 5.4 L per hour.

Another major difference in terms of performance needs is hot water. The Igloo only heats up water to 185 ℉ (85℃), but you can get around 6.2 L per hour. The Avalon A4 temperature is 199 ℉ and does a corresponding 4.8 L per hour.

On a down note, the Igloo has a rather slow and tedious flow rate of 12 ml/sec while the Avalon matches the top benchmark of 34 ml/sec. Apart from that, the buttons on the Avalon A4 work very comfortably, while those on the Igloo are noisy and the hot water safety mechanism is cumbersome.

If you’re specifically needing a countertop water cooler dispenser, the Igloo is heavier than similar countertop machines and it’s also difficult to move because it has no side handles and the rear grate has sharp ends on the bottom.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Heating time
  • Simple panel design
  • Adjustable feet
  • Hot water temperature
  • Perfect flow rate score
  • Night light
  • Sanitary nozzle design
  • Drip tray level float
  • Slow flow rate
  • Hot water safety
  • Water baffle
  • Drip tray
  • No pocket handles
  • Drip tray attached to door
  • Cold water tank cleaning

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
31 x 38 x 52 inches
W12 x D14.7 x H41.3 inches
Weight
22.0 lbs (10.0 kg)
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)
Loading Type
Top Loading Countertop
Bottom Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Buttons
Cold Water Temperature
50‒54 ℉
50-54 ℉ (10‒12 ℃)
Cold Water Capacity
78 fl. oz. / Hr
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$124.73
$199.00
Check Price on Amazon
$177.05 at AmazonCheck Price on AvalonCheck 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
5.0
8.9

Hot Water Test

5.8
8.7
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. submit
Single Draw Capacity
21.5 fl. oz.
27.3 fl.oz. (807 ml)
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 1 min 57 sec
8.5 fl.oz.(250 ml) / 3.06 sec
Temperature
185 ℉
199 ℉ (92.8℃)
Flow Rate
0.4 fl.oz. / or 12 ml /sec
1.15 fl.oz. (34 ml) / sec

Cold Water Test

4.5
9.0
Cold water testing on the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser. A thermometer is measuring cold water flowing into a cup.
A paper cup filled with water resting on a drip tray below the cold water outlet on a water cooler dispenser.
Serving Capacity
78 fl. oz. / Hr
183 fl.oz. (5.4 L) / Hr
Temperature
50-54 ℉
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.2
8.5

In the Box

The unboxed Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser with the included drip tray and user manual shown on the far right.
The unboxed Avalon A4 bottom loading water cooler dispenser showing the included drip tray and bundled literature.

Build Quality

5.3
8.5
A close up side view of a countertop water cooler dispenser focuses on a poor joining seam.
A close up side view of a countertop water cooler dispenser focuses on a poor joining seam.
A front to angle view of the Igloo bottled water cooler dispenser showing side ventilation slats.
A gloved finger pointing to the sharp edges on the bottom of a heat exchange grid on a water cooler dispenser.
The underneath of a water cooler dispenser showing a metal plate, a stub leg, and a water drainage plug.
A gloved hand showing how to adjust a rubber stump leg on a water cooler dispenser.
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 Body
White metal sheeting
Black metal sheeting
Front Panel
White plastic
Bioguard™ plastic
Cabinet Door
No
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
Metal plate with rubber feet
PVC plastic
Extra Features
Adjustable feet
Rear carry handle

Dimensions

Annotated diagram showing the dimensions of the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A4 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
38.0" (96.5 cm)
14.7" (37.3 cm)
Width
31.0" (78.7 cm)
12.0" (30.5 cm)
Height
52.0" (132.1 cm)
41.3" (104.9 cm)
Weight
22.0 lbs (10.0 kg)
36.2 lbs (16.4 kg)

Panel & Indicators

7.2
9.0
A close up of the working panel of the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser.
A close up of the working panel of the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser.
A close up of the icons of a small water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the control panel and spouts on a water cooler dispenser with dispensing buttons seen on the top of the machine.
Power Status
None
Far left
Hot Water Test
Top left
Second left
Cold Water Test
Top right
Second right
Bottle Or Filter
No
Far right
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

6.5
8.0
Close of a detachable water needle found on a small countertop top-loading water cooler dispenser.
Close of a detachable water needle found on a small countertop top-loading water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand showing a partly removed water guard from a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A top down view of a typical water baffle found in the tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand holding a water baffle removed from a cold water tank of a water cooler dispenser.
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.
Mechanism
Water guard, water baffle
Pump and water probe
Materials
Plastic
Plastic, silicone, stainless steel
Extra Features
None
Rubber pump bracket

Water Dispensers

A close up top down view of three white buttons of a water cooler dispenser.
A close up top down view of three white buttons of a water cooler dispenser.
A bottom up view of three water nozzles found on a water cooler dispenser.
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.
Mechanism
3 buttons
3 buttons
Outflow Points
3 recessed panel nozzles
3 panel nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Original icon designs
Hot water safety

Drip Tray

7.0
8.3
A top down view of a white colored drip tray of a small countertop water cooler dispenser.
A top down view of a white colored drip tray of a small countertop water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand showing holding up the cover of a drip tray found on a water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand holding a drip tray of a water cooler dispenser with the cover askew and removed from its holding.
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.
Material
Plastic
plastic
Color
White
black
Length
21.1" (53.6 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
2.9" (7.4 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Depth
1.6" (4.1 cm)
2.1" (5.3 cm)
Level Float
No
Yes

Rear Switches

Two tank switches found on the rear of a water cooler dispenser. The right is red and the left green, both with on/off labels.
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.
Hot Water Test
Yes
Yes
Cold Water Test
Yes
Yes
Others
None
Night Light

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
No
Yes
Internal WxDxH
N/A
10.5 x 18.5 x 12 inches
Material
N/A
Silver plastic, white interior
Extra Features
N/A
Hook, pump switch

Cord and Plug

A man holding the electric cable of a small water cooler dispenser double folded across its horizontal length.
A man holding the electric cable of a small water cooler dispenser double folded across its horizontal length.
A gloved hand showing the plug of the Igloo water cooler dispenser against the front panel background.
A close up of the position of the electric cord in close proximity to the water drainage port of a water cooler dispenser.
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.
Length
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
72.0" (182.9 cm)
Position
Rear rt., 4.3 in
Rear right, 25.1 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
6.1
8.0

Dispensing Water

5.5
8.8
A person dispensing hot water from the Igloo hot and cold water cooler dispenser.
A person dispensing hot water from the Igloo hot and cold water cooler dispenser.
A person dispensing cold water from the Igloo bottled water cooler dispenser.
Display panel, spouts, and buttons clearly shown in a close up of an Avalon water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Push button
Push button
Water Type
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Hot, Cold, Normal
Spout Type
Recessed panel type
Molded into panel
Dispensing Height
9 in
8.0" (20.3 cm)

Hot Water Safety

6.0
8.0
Close up of the hot water button on a countertop water cooler dispenser.
Close up of the hot water button on a countertop water cooler dispenser.
A gloved finger showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on the button of a hot water cooler dispenser.
Hand showing how to operate a hot water safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Mounted lever
Button-mounted lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.5
7.0
A water bottle loaded onto the Igloo hot and cold water cooler dispenser.
A water bottle loaded onto the Igloo hot and cold water cooler dispenser.
Top down view of a countertop water cooler dispenser showing the water guard and water needle.
A close up of the water guard and water needle of a top-loading water cooler dispenser.
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.
Design
Top loading
Bottom loading
Feature
Water guard and needle
Pump, cabinet switch

Cleaning

6.2
7.3
A gloved hand holding a waterguard removed from a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A gloved hand holding a waterguard removed from a top loading water cooler dispenser.
The inside of a cold water tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser showing the water baffle.
The rear water drainage plug on a small countertop water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration of how to move the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser with no side handles.
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.
Self Cleaning
No
No
Drainage Plug
Rear rt., 2 in from ground
rear right, 21 in from ground