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Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison

Brio Bottom Load CLBL420V2 vs Firgidair EFWC519 top-loading water cooler dispenser. Find out why the Frigidair is by far the better machine.

By , , and ·Updated

Brio Bottom Load Water Dispenser

Frigidaire Stainless Steel

Brio Bottom Load (CLBL420V2) vs Frigidaire Stainless Steel Water Cooler Dispenser

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance50% Design25% Ease of Use25% ScoreOverall 50%Performance 25%Design 25%Ease of Use Frigidaire Stainles...Brio Bottom Load Wa...8.69.38.47.54.83.25.96.8
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The Brio CLB420V is a bottom loading water cooler dispenser and the Firgidair EFWC519 is a top-loading machine. Despite the obvious design differences, the Frigidair is one of our top recommended water cooler dispensers, while the Brio400 is a machine we do not recommend.

The Frigidaire ranks as one of the best water cooler dispensers for cold water performance and a good fit for an office. It remains very cool while working under pressure even though the hot water performance is not the absolute best.

The Brio failed to cool water properly and there are other quality and design flaws. The Frigidair has all round excellent build quality except that the faucet design and the look is a little old-school. 

The only advantage of the Brio is wider drip tray and extra dispensing height. The Frigidair requires in-hand dispensing for the most part.

Pros & Cons

  • Hot water temperature
  • Contrasting color scheme
  • Cold water efficiency
  • Stainless steel body
  • Light weight
  • Cool to run
  • Easy to clean
  • Overall performance
  • Panel indicators
  • Buttons
  • General build quality
  • Cramped dispensing space
  • Awkward hot water lever
  • Old design

Key Specs

Dimensions
W12.2 x D14.5 x H40.5 inches
12.5 x 12.6 x 41.5 inches
Weight
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 kg)
Loading Type
Bottom Loading
Top Loading
Dispensing Mechanisms
Buttons
Faucet levers
Cold Water Temperature
Untested
50‒54 ℉
Cold Water Capacity
Untested
202 fl.oz. / Hr

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$224.62
$152.32

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

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
3.2
9.3

Hot Water Test

8.0
8.2
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
23.29 fl.oz.
14.5 fl.oz.
Heating Time
8.5 fl.oz. / 3 min 6 sec
8.5 fl.oz. / 3.22 min
Temperature
198 ℉
198 ℉
Flow Rate
1.4 fl.oz. or 42 ml / sec
0.98 fl.oz. or 33 ml /sec

Cold Water Test

0.0
10
A paper cup standing on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser below the cold water spout.
Two small paper cups barely fitting completely on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser with a faucet design.
Serving Capacity
Not recorded
202 fl.oz./6L per hour
Temperature
Not recorded
50-54 ℉

Design

Overall Design Scoring
5.9
8.4

In the Box

The unboxed Brio 400 water cooler dispenser with an open cabinet door, and the drip tray plus bundled literature to the side.
An unboxed Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser pictured next to the box, a detached drip tray, and bundled literature.

Build Quality

5.0
9.0
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 view of the stainless steel body of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Side view of the stainless steel body of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Close up view of the water dispensing faucets and control panel of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
A plastic cover over top top of a rear metal grate of a water cooler dispenser.
Side Body
Gloss black stainless steel
stainless steel
Front Panel
Gray and black plastic
stainless steel and plastic
Cabinet Door
Silver plastic, white inside
None
Base
Plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Carry handle
None

Dimensions

Illustrated dimensions of the Brio 400 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Illustrated dimensions of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser showing the height, depth, and width across in inches.
Depth
14.5" (36.8 cm)
12.6" (32.0 cm)
Width
12.2" (31.0 cm)
12.5" (31.8 cm)
Height
40.5" (102.9 cm)
41.5" (105.4 cm)
Weight
33.0 lbs (15.0 kg)
28.7 lbs (13.0 kg)

Panel & Indicators

5.5
8.5
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.
Close up view of the control panel of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser showing Cooling, Heating, and Power indicators.
Power Status
None
bottom
Hot Water Test
Middle
middle
Cold Water Test
Left
top
Bottle Or Filter
Right
None
Others
None
None

Water Inlet Controls

7.5
8.0
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.
A finger pointing where to open the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A finger pointing where to open the water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
The water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser being removed.
A top down view into the tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser showing the water baffle of the tank.
Mechanism
Pump, bottle probe, water baffle
water guard and baffle
Materials
Stainless steel, plastic
plastic
Extra Features
None
slender bottle needle

Water Dispensers

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.
Close up of hot and cold water cooler dispenser taps with faucet-type levers. The left tap is red and the right is blue.
Mechanism
3 buttons
Hot and Cold water lever taps
Outflow Points
3 recessed panel nozzles
2 faucet nozzles
Material
Plastic
plastic
Extra Features
Hot water Safety
Hot Water safety mechanism

Drip Tray

7.3
6.5
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.
Close up front view of a drip tray positioned in a water cooler dispenser.
Close up front view of a drip tray positioned in a water cooler dispenser.
The cover to the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser being removed.
A bottom up view of two paper cups resting on the narrow drip tray of a water cooler dispenser.
Material
Plastic
plastic
Color
Light gray
black
Length
9.7" (24.6 cm)
10.5" (26.7 cm)
Width
2.9" (7.4 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
1.4" (3.6 cm)
1.6" (4.1 cm)
Level Float
No
No

Rear Switches

Close up of two switches at the rear of a water cooler dispenser - green for the cold water tank and red for the hot.
Close up of two color-coded buttons at the rear of a water cooler dispenser with clear labeling for operation.
Close up of two color-coded buttons at the rear of a water cooler dispenser with clear labeling for operation.
Close up of the rear of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler showing a temperature adjustment button on the bottom right.
Hot Water Test
Rear top right
Yes
Cold Water Test
Rear top left
Yes
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
Yes
No
Internal WxDxH
10.5 x 11.5 x 18.5 in
N/A
Material
Silver plastic, white inside
N/A
Extra Features
Bracket hook, pump switch
N/A

Cord and Plug

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.
A three pronged plug of a water cooler dispenser held in front of the machine's display panel.
A three pronged plug of a water cooler dispenser held in front of the machine's display panel.
Man holding an electric cord double-folded across the horizontal rear view of the Frigidaire EFWC519 water cooler dispenser.
Length
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
70.0" (177.8 cm)
Position
Rear rt., 25.5 in from ground
Rear right, 4 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
6.8
7.5

Dispensing Water

6.5
8.0
A paper cup resting on the drip tray of a water cooler dispenser while hot water is being dispensed.
Close up view of the two faucets on a water cooler dispenser, the left is red and the right is blue.
Mechanism
Push button
Hand operated lever
Water Type
Hot, cold, normal temperature
Hot and cold water
Spout Type
Recessed into panel
Tap type
Dispensing Height
7.5 in
8.0" (20.3 cm)

Hot Water Safety

7.5
6.0
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.
Close up of a hot water dispensing lever and safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up of a hot water dispensing lever and safety mechanism on a water cooler dispenser.
Close up on the hot water faucet removed from a water cooler dispenser.
Mechanism
Mounted lever
Double push back lever

Bottle / Filter Changing

8.0
7.0
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.
A demonstration on how to set up a bottle onto a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A demonstration on how to set up a bottle onto a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A water bottle set in place on a top loading water cooler dispenser.
Design
Bottom loading
Top loading
Feature
Bottle probe, water baffle, door pump switch
Water guard and water needle

Cleaning

6.3
7.9
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.
Cleaning the stainless steel front of a water cooler dispenser.
Cleaning the stainless steel front of a water cooler dispenser.
Cleaning the inside of a water faucet of a water cooler dispenser with a cotton Q-tip.
Plug at the rear of a water cooler dispenser for draining water out the hot and cold water tanks.
The water guard of a top loading water cooler dispenser being removed showing the tank with a baffle below.
Top down view of the inside of a cold water tank of a top loading water cooler dispenser.
A close up view of two detached water faucets on a water cooler dispenser.
Self Cleaning
None
No
Drainage Plug
Rear rt., 21 in 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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