Which Is Better For Home Use: A Plastic Water Cooler Or An Electric Dispenser?

On a hot summer's day, you've got everyone in the house wanting a glass of cold water. Some will have it at room temperature, some will have it chilled, and some will have it hot for their tea and coffee.

That's the issue with the plastic water cooler versus the electric dispenser. The plastic cooler is very cheap, is portable, and requires no power. The electric dispenser is far more convenient in that it can give you both hot and cold water.

So which option makes more sense for your home? The answer depends on your budget, whether you need hot or chilled water, how much water your family uses, and how much maintenance you're comfortable with. This guide explains the key differences to help you choose the water dispenser or cooler for your needs.

What Is a Plastic Water Cooler?

A plastic water cooler is just a container for holding and dispensing water. It'll normally have a tap at the bottom so you can fill a glass without having to lift a heavy bottle.

One major advantage is that it requires no electricity. Just pop it into the kitchen, dining room, or living room, and you can have water whenever you want.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends storing safe drinking water in clean, durable containers with secure covers to help prevent recontamination. When choosing a plastic water cooler, look for a tightly fitting lid and a design that minimizes direct contact with the stored water.

A portable plastic water cooler is also easy to move. It's a very sensible solution for a family who wants an affordable and practical way of having access to drinking water all day.

What Is an Electric Water Dispenser?

An electric water dispenser will dispense water from either a bottle or from an internal water supply. Electric water dispensers can provide hot, cold, or room temperature water, depending on the model.

It's perfect for families who are going to be drawing out cold or hot water all the time for their tea and coffee, etc. The cooling and heating will, of course, use electricity, so they will add to your energy bill.

Electric dispensers may also end up requiring more cleaning and maintenance as a result of their internal components.

Plastic Water Cooler vs. Electric Dispenser: Which Is Better?

Let's look at the key differences to help you decide which one is right for your home.

Which Option Is Best for Your Home?

The answer is down to your own household requirements. If you're after a simple, cheap solution, then a plastic water cooler is ideal. It allows you to store your drinking water and dispense it when you want it, with no electricity required. It's a very simple way of storing and dispensing drinking water at home.

If you're after cold water on demand or you're the type of person who regularly needs hot water for their tea and coffee then an electric water dispenser might be the better proposition for your house.

It's just a way of storing and dispensing drinking water. If you're after some degree of temperature control and the convenience of having it all in one place then an electric dispenser may be worth considering.

Why Should Every Home Have a Plastic Water Cooler?

A plastic water cooler keeps the drinking water within easy reach for the whole family. Very simple to use, with a tap that's easy to operate so everyone can fill their glass as and when they need to.

The CDC recommends cleaning water-storage containers regularly, washing them with soap and water, then sanitizing and refilling them. For home use, clean the cooler's container and tap according to the manufacturer's instructions, and keep the lid securely closed between uses.

Here are a few reasons to consider one:

• Budget-friendly: It is generally cheaper than an electric dispenser.
• No electricity needed: A plastic water cooler does not need electricity, so you can serve water without using power.
• Easy to use: The built-in tap lets you fill a glass quickly.
• Portable design: You can move it when you're cleaning or reconfiguring your space.
• Simple maintenance: Just wash it regularly and dry it properly to keep it clean.
  

When you're looking at a cooler, look at the capacity, the quality of the material, the tap design, and how easy it is to clean. Use only water-safe materials and, of course, keep the cooler covered at all times to protect the water from dust and all the other sorts of crud that's out there.

Want to learn more about using a water cooler at home? Read Why Should Every Home Have a Plastic Water Cooler?

How to Choose the Right Water Cooler for Your Family

Think about your family's actual water consumption before you go shopping for a cooler. A small family may be perfectly happy with a small cooler, whereas a bigger family may find they need a much greater water cooler capacity in order to avoid having to keep refilling it so often.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains that materials intended to come into contact with food must meet applicable safety requirements for their intended use. For a plastic water cooler, check the manufacturer's product information to confirm the container and tap are suitable for drinking-water contact, rather than assuming all plastics are appropriate.

Also remember where you're going to put it. A lightweight unit is perfect for a small kitchen; a larger unit may be more appropriate for a shared dining area.

Choose a durable plastic water cooler that is easy to clean and suitable for your family's daily needs.

What to Check Before Buying a Plastic Water Cooler

• Material: Confirm the reservoir is intended for contact with drinking water.
  
• Capacity: State the actual capacity of each model under consideration.
  
• Tap design: How does the tap work? Can you remove the parts for cleaning, and are they easy to wash according to the manufacturer's instructions?
  
• Cleaning access: Does the opening provide easy access to the reservoir?
  
• Dimensions and weight: Give the customer verified dimensions to help them work out where they're going to put the cooler.

How We Evaluated Plastic Water Coolers

The Apple Homeware team assesses plastic water coolers on the basis of practicality, capacity, how easy it is to get water out of it, how easy it is to clean, what it's made from, and whether it's a product you'd actually use in your house. The specific observations are from the products we've tested, and we'll check other specs against the manufacturer's spec sheet where possible.

Why Shop for Plastic Water Coolers at Apple Homeware?

A water cooler is a lot easier to select if you can compare capacity, material, tap design and cleaning requirements beforehand. Consider your household's actual daily water consumption and where you plan to place the unit.

Visit Apple Homeware to see the range of plastic water coolers, compare the specs of the various models, current prices, and delivery options in Pakistan.

Shop plastic water coolers at Apple Homeware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a plastic water cooler suitable for everyday home use?

Yes, a plastic water cooler is absolutely fine for day-to-day use, provided it's made from drinking water-safe materials, of course. It's a perfectly valid way of storing and dispensing water without the need for electricity.

How do I choose the right water cooler capacity for my family?

Think about your family size, your daily water consumption, and how often you're going to be refilling the cooler. The bigger your family, the more likely you are to see the benefits of a higher capacity unit.

How often should I clean a plastic water cooler?

Clean the cooler in line with the manufacturer's instructions. Wash the container, tap it well, rinse it well, and allow it to dry before refilling.

Can a plastic water cooler keep water cold?

A standard plastic water cooler just stores the water; it doesn't actually chill the water at all. The water will remain at the temperature you put it in.

Where can I buy a plastic water cooler online in Pakistan?

Visit Apple Homeware to explore available water coolers, compare features and capacities, and check current prices and delivery options.

References:

• CDC – Safe Water Storage
• FDA – Food Packaging and Other Substances That Come into Contact with Food

About the Editorial Team

The Apple Homeware Editorial Team publishes practical buying guides to help customers compare household products and understand the features to consider before purchasing. Product-specific information should be checked against manufacturer specifications and available product documentation.