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Igloo Countertop vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

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Igloo Countertop Water Dispenser

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Brio Bottom Load Water Dispenser

$193.99 from Amazon
Igloo Countertop vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

The Igloo is a countertop water cooler dispenser and the Brio is a bottom-loading dispenser, but they do have a few things in common.

For one, Both machines use buttons and also dispense ambient or room-temperature water. The other commonality is poor design quality.

Neither machine has the best kinds of dispensing buttons. The buttons on the Igloo are comparatively loud and stiff, while the hot water safety mechanism is cumbersome on both. The Brio buttons are somewhat loose-fitting.

The Igloo has poor joinings along the sides, and the same can be said for the cabinet door of the Brio. Additionally, the Igloo has no side pocket handles for easy lifting and the machine is heavier compared to other countertops.

Performance-wise, the Igloss has the edge largely because the Brio cooling mechanism failed in our tests. The Brio also had an exceedingly fast flow rate (42 ml/sec), whereas the Igloo was well below the typical benchmark of 34 ml/sec.

Hot water provided the only real performance comparison between the two. The Brio heats water up to 198 ℉ and can produce 4.6 L per hour. The Igloo only heats up water to 185 ℉ and, therefore, manages a higher output of 6.2 L per hour.

The Brio 400 is not a machine we recommend. As for the Igloo, it’s not too bad for a budget-priced machine if you are happy with the lower hot water temperature.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Heating time
  • Simple panel design
  • Adjustable feet
  • Hot water temperature
  • Contrasting color scheme
  • Slow flow rate
  • Hot water safety
  • Water baffle
  • Drip tray
  • No pocket handles
  • Overall performance
  • Panel indicators
  • Buttons
  • General build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions WDH
31 x 38 x 52 inches
W12.2 x D14.5 x H40.5 inches
Weight
22.0 lbs (10.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
Loading Type
Top Loading Countertop
Bottom Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Buttons
Cold Water Temperature
50‒54 ℉
Untested
Cold Water Capacity
78 fl. oz. / Hr
Untested

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$124.73
$224.62
Check Price on Amazon
$193.99 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
5.0
3.2

Hot Water Test

5.8
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
21.5 fl. oz.
23.29 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 1 min 57 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3 min 6 sec
Temperature
185 ℉
198 ℉
Flow Rate
0.4 fl.oz. / or 12 ml /sec
1.4 fl.oz. or 42 ml / sec

Cold Water Test

4.5
0.0
Cold water testing on the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser. A thermometer is measuring cold water flowing into a cup.
A paper cup standing on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser below the cold water spout.
Serving Capacity
78 fl. oz. / Hr
Not recorded
Temperature
50-54 ℉
Not recorded

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.2
5.9

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 Brio 400 water cooler dispenser with an open cabinet door, and the drip tray plus bundled literature to the side.

Build Quality

5.3
5.0
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.
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
White metal sheeting
Gloss black stainless steel
Front Panel
White plastic
Gray and black plastic
Cabinet Door
No
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
Metal plate with rubber feet
Plastic
Extra Features
Adjustable feet
Carry handle

Dimensions

Annotated diagram showing the dimensions of the Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
38.0" (96.5 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
31.0" (78.7 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Height
52.0" (132.1 cm)
40.5" (102.9 cm)
Weight
22.0 lbs (10.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

7.2
5.5
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 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
None
None
Hot Water Test
Top left
Middle
Cold Water Test
Top right
Left
Bottle Or Filter
No
Right
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

6.5
7.5
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.
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
Water guard, water baffle
Pump, bottle probe, water baffle
Materials
Plastic
Stainless steel, plastic
Extra Features
None
None

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.
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
3 buttons
3 buttons
Outflow Points
3 recessed panel nozzles
3 recessed panel nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Original icon designs
Hot water Safety

Drip Tray

7.0
7.3
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 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
White
Light gray
Length
21.1" (53.6 cm)
9.7" (24.6 cm)
Width
2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Depth
1.6" (4.1 cm)
1.4" (3.6 cm)
Level Float
No
No

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.
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
None
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 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.
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
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Position
Rear rt., 4.3 in
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
6.1
6.8

Dispensing Water

5.5
6.5
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.
A paper cup resting on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser while hot water is being dispensed.
Mechanism
Push button
Push button
Water Type
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Spout Type
Recessed panel type
Recessed into panel
Dispensing Height
9 in
7.5 in

Hot Water Safety

6.0
7.5
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.
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
Mounted lever
Mounted lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

7.5
8.0
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.
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
Top loading
Bottom loading
Feature
Water guard and needle
Bottle probe, water baffle, door pump switch

Cleaning

6.2
6.3
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 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
No
None
Drainage Plug
Rear rt., 2 in from ground
Rear rt., 21 in from ground