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Avalon A1 Top Loading vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

Avalon A1 top-loading water cooler dispenser vs Brio bottom-loading dispenser. Top build quality and performance outperforms a low ranker.

By , , and ·Updated

Avalon A1 Top Loading

Brio Bottom Load Water Dispenser

Avalon A1 Top Loading vs Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) Water Cooler Dispenser 

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance50% Design25% Ease of Use25% ScoreOverall 50%Performance 25%Design 25%Ease of Use Avalon A1 Top LoadingBrio Bottom Load Wa...8.58.98.67.64.83.25.96.8
Showing: 2/2 Items

The Avalon A1, like other Avalon machines, has excellent build quality. The only flaw is a difficult-to-remove water guard and the drip tray is a little flimsy. The Brio 400, however, has numerous design flaws, and this particular model—the CLB420V2—is not a machine we recommend.

For this particular Brio model, the flow rate is too fast and the buttons—hot water safety mechanism—are poorly designed. Additionally, the cabinet door is poorly aligned, while the panel and indicators are badly positioned.

The only comparatively good feature of the Brio was the hot water performance. The machine reaches the top benchmark of 198 ℉ and produces around 4.6 L of hot water per hour. The Avalon A1 only reaches a temperature of 192 ℉, although it produces 5.4 L per hour.

The cooling function of the Brio didn’t work at all, and considering other numerous design flaws, we didn’t bother with a warranty replacement.

Pros & Cons

  • Cold water performance
  • One-hand cold water dispensing
  • Color design
  • Hot water safety mechanism
  • Hot water temperature
  • Contrasting color scheme
  • Stiff water guard
  • Fixed nozzle design
  • Overall performance
  • Panel indicators
  • Buttons
  • General build quality

Key Specs

Dimensions
W 10.8 x D 12.2 x H 43 inches
W12.2 x D14.5 x H40.5 inches
Weight
30.9 lbs (14.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
Loading Type
Top loading
Bottom Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Padel levers
Buttons
Cold Water Temperature
50-54 ℉
Untested
Cold Water Capacity
193 fl.oz. (5.7 L) / Hr
Untested

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$149.00
$224.62

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
8.9
3.2

Hot Water Test

8.1
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
15.11 fl.oz. (447 ml)
23.29 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. (250 ml) / 2 min 20 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3 min 6 sec
Temperature
192 ℉ (88.8 ℃)
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.08 fl.oz. (32 ml) / sec
1.4 fl.oz. or 42 ml / sec

Cold Water Test

9.5
0.0
A paper cup filled with water resting on a drip tray below the cold water outlet on a water cooler dispenser.
A paper cup standing on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser below the cold water spout.
Serving Capacity
193 fl.oz. (5.7 L) / hr
Not recorded
Temperature
50‒54 ℉ (10‒12℃)
Not recorded

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.6
5.9

In the Box

Unboxed Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser showing the actual box, machine, detachable drip tray, and all bundled literature.
The unboxed Brio 400 water cooler dispenser with an open cabinet door, and the drip tray plus bundled literature to the side.

Build Quality

9.5
5.0
Close up of a detachable leg stopper on the base of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser clearly showing the screw.
Close up of a detachable leg stopper on the base of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser clearly showing the screw.
View of the underside of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser showing a metal base plate.
A full length angular view of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser showing the white side panel, and black rear metal grate.
Close up of the Avalon A1 water cooler side panel and rear plate with two ventilation holes visible on the bottom left.
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
Hard plastic molding
Gloss black stainless steel
Front Panel
Thick white plastic
Gray and black plastic
Cabinet Door
No door
Silver plastic, white inside
Base
Metal plate with 4 rubber leg stoppers
Plastic
Extra Features
None
Carry handle

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
12.2" (31.0 cm)
14.5" (36.8 cm)
Width
10.8" (27.4 cm)
12.2" (31.0 cm)
Height
43.0" (109.2 cm)
40.5" (102.9 cm)
Weight
30.9 lbs (14.0 kg)
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

7.8
5.5
Close up of the control panel indicators on the Avalon A1 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
Far left
None
Hot Water Test
Middle
Middle
Cold Water Test
Far right
Left
Bottle Or Filter
None
Right
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

8.3
7.5
The water baffle removed from its tank and resting on the partly detached water guard on a water cooler dispenser.
The water baffle removed from its tank and resting on the partly detached water guard on a water cooler dispenser.
A hand holding a water guard that has been removed from a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A top view of a water cooler dispensing showing the water guard and the water needle inside.
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 with needle, baffle
Pump, bottle probe, water baffle
Materials
Plastic
Stainless steel, plastic
Extra Features
None
None

Water Dispensers

Close up of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser. The left red lever dispensers hot water, and the blue one cold.
Close up of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser. The left red lever dispensers hot water, and the blue one cold.
Underview of two nozzles on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up view of the underneath of a hot water nozzle 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
2 press levers
3 buttons
Outflow Points
2 protruding nozzles
3 recessed panel nozzles
Material
Plastic
Plastic
Extra Features
Hot Water safety button
Hot water Safety

Drip Tray

7.5
7.3
A drip tray seen below a partial view of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser.
A drip tray seen below a partial view of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a hand holding a detached drip tray removed from its hold on a water cooler dispenser.
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
Gray and silver
Light gray
Length
9.2" (23.4 cm)
9.7" (24.6 cm)
Width
3.5" (8.9 cm)
2.9" (7.4 cm)
Depth
1.4" (3.6 cm)
1.4" (3.6 cm)
Level Float
No
No

Rear Switches

A rear view of a water cooler dispenser showing two switches, one red the other green, in the ‘off’ position.
A rear view of a water cooler dispenser showing two switches, one red the other green, in the ‘off’ position.
A close-up water cooler dispenser switches in the ‘off’ position. The red switch on the right is for the hot water tank, and the green on the left for the cold water tank.
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

Close up of a three-pronged plug for a water cooler dispenser against a faded background of the front control panel.
Close up of a three-pronged plug for a water cooler dispenser against a faded background of the front control panel.
Man holding a white electric cord of a water cooler dispenser doubled across the length of the horizontally resting machine.
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
6.5 ft (2.0 m)
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Position
rt side, 32 in. (81 cm) from ground
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
7.6
6.8

Dispensing Water

8.5
6.5
A close up of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser. The left red lever dispenses hot water and the blue cold.
A close up of two dispensing levers on a water cooler dispenser. The left red lever dispenses hot water and the blue cold.
Cold water being dispensed from a water cooler dispenser with a one-hand lever operation.
A paper cup resting on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser while hot water is being dispensed.
Mechanism
Push levers
Push button
Water Type
Hot and Cold
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Spout Type
Protruding
Recessed into panel
Dispensing Height
7 in. (17 cm)
7.5 in

Hot Water Safety

9.0
7.5
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
Push button
Mounted lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

6.0
8.0
The water needle inside the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
The water needle inside the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A water bottle being mounted onto the water needle of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
Bottle of water resting in place on 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 needle
Bottle probe, water baffle, door pump switch

Cleaning

6.4
6.3
A top view of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispensing showing the water guard and the grip at the rear to remove it.
A top view of the Avalon A1 water cooler dispensing showing the water guard and the grip at the rear to remove it.
A water baffle inside the cold water tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A view of the inside of the cold water tank on a top loading water cooler dispenser with the water baffle removed.
A close up showing how to clean inside the water nozzle of a water cooler dispenser using a cotton Q-tip.
Close up of a red colored drainage plug with a protective screw cap at the rear 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 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
18 in. (46 cm) from ground
Rear rt., 21 in from ground

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Roger Shitaki
Roger ShitakiReviewer

Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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