Are Water Coolers Worth It? An Honest Assessment

For most Australian households and offices, yes — a water cooler is worth it. Here’s an honest look at the benefits, costs, and who gets the most value.

Browse our water cooler range or see our Water Coolers Guide.

The Real Benefits

Filtered Hot and Cold Water on Demand

Our Awesome Water Coolers include a built-in 8-stage KDF filter bottle — so you’re getting filtered water, not just chilled tap water. That means no chlorine taste, no heavy metals, and genuinely better-tasting water every time. Hot water for tea and coffee is available instantly without a kettle.

Encourages More Water Drinking

Having cold, filtered water readily accessible genuinely increases how much water people drink — particularly children. If your household struggles to drink enough water, a cooler makes a noticeable difference.

Replaces Bottled Water

A household spending $30–$50/week on bottled water will recoup the cost of a water cooler within a few months. Filtered cooler water costs a fraction of a cent per litre vs $1–3+ per litre for bottled water.

Convenient for Offices

In an office environment, a water cooler eliminates the need for individual bottled water purchases, reduces plastic waste, and provides a central hydration point that’s easy to maintain.

The Costs

• Purchase price: $200–$600 depending on model
• Filter cartridge replacement: every 6–12 months — browse our replacement cartridges
• Electricity: cold-only models cost ~$0.05–0.08/day; hot & cold models ~$0.50–0.80/day
• Cleaning: 30 minutes every 3–6 months — see our cleaning guide

Who Gets the Most Value?

• Households currently buying bottled water — the payback period is typically 3–6 months
• Families with children — encourages hydration and provides safe hot water with a child safety lock
• Home offices — instant hot water for coffee/tea without a kettle; cold filtered water throughout the day
• Renters — no plumbing required for bottle-fed models; takes it with you when you move

Frequently Asked Questions