How to Choose the Best Water Cooler in Australia: A Practical Buying Guide

Choosing a water cooler isn't complicated once you know what to look for. The right choice comes down to three things: where you'll use it, how much water you go through, and whether you want filtered water or not. Here's how to work it out.

For a full overview of all cooler types, see our Water Coolers Guide.

Step 1 — Work Out Where It's Going

The location determines the type. A busy office breakroom needs a freestanding unit with high capacity. A small apartment kitchen is better served by a compact benchtop model. A commercial space that can't manage bottle deliveries needs a plumbed-in unit.

• Kitchen bench or small office counter → benchtop water cooler
• Office, waiting room, or open floor space → freestanding water cooler
• High-volume or commercial space → plumbed-in bottleless cooler

Step 2 — Hot, Cold, or Both?

Most modern water coolers deliver both hot and cold water. Our models heat to 92°C (perfect for tea and coffee) and chill to 4°C, with a child-safe hot tap lock as standard. If you only need cold water, a cold-only model is available at a lower price point — but most people find the hot function gets used more than they expected.

Step 3 — Filtered or Unfiltered?

All our bottle-fed coolers are compatible with our 8-stage KDF filtration system, which removes chlorine, heavy metals, bacteria, and more. The filter sits inside the bottle and needs replacing every 6–12 months. Plumbed-in coolers filter inline from your mains supply. Either way, you're getting clean, great-tasting water — not just chilled tap water.

Step 4 — Consider the Ongoing Costs

Factor in the cost of replacement filter cartridges (every 6–12 months) and water bottles if you're going bottle-fed. Plumbed-in coolers have lower ongoing costs since you're using mains water, but require a one-off installation. Browse our replacement cartridge range to get a sense of ongoing costs.

Our Recommendation

For most Australian homes and small offices, a freestanding hot and cold water cooler with an 8-stage KDF filter is the sweet spot — great filtration, instant hot and cold, and no plumbing required. For larger offices, go plumbed-in and never worry about bottles again.

Still not sure? Call us on 1800 789 781 and we'll help you find the right fit.