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Igloo Countertop vs Avalon A4 Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser Side-by-Side Comparison
Igloo countertop water cooler dispenser vs Avalon A4 bottom-loading. Different designs for different needs. Igloo has more cons than pros.
Igloo Countertop Water Dispenser
Tested Using Methodology v1.0Avalon A4 Bottom Loading
Tested Using Methodology v1.0
Overall Verdict
The Igloo is a small countertop water cooler dispenser and it’s also a top-loading machine. The Avalon A4 is a standard-sized bottom-loading dispenser, so there is not much similarity in terms of general needs and capacity.
The Igloo only puts out a chilled glass (8.5 fl. oz.) of water every 8 minutes. That's enough for 15 people or 78 fl. oz. (2.3 L) per hour. The Avalon A4 produces 5.4 L per hour and can serve up to 18 people or 5.4 L per hour.
Another major difference in terms of performance needs is hot water. The Igloo only heats up water to 185 ℉ (85℃), but you can get around 6.2 L per hour. The Avalon A4 temperature is 199 ℉ and does a corresponding 4.8 L per hour.
On a down note, the Igloo has a rather slow and tedious flow rate of 12 ml/sec while the Avalon matches the top benchmark of 34 ml/sec. Apart from that, the buttons on the Avalon A4 work very comfortably, while those on the Igloo are noisy and the hot water safety mechanism is cumbersome.
If you’re specifically needing a countertop water cooler dispenser, the Igloo is heavier than similar countertop machines and it’s also difficult to move because it has no side handles and the rear grate has sharp ends on the bottom.
Pros & Cons
- Heating time
- Simple panel design
- Adjustable feet
- Hot water temperature
- Perfect flow rate score
- Night light
- Sanitary nozzle design
- Drip tray level float
- Slow flow rate
- Hot water safety
- Water baffle
- Drip tray
- No pocket handles
- Drip tray attached to door
- Cold water tank cleaning
Key Specs
Where to Buy
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Analysis and Test Results
Performance
Hot Water Test
Cold Water Test
Design
In the Box
Build Quality
Dimensions
Panel & Indicators
Water Inlet Controls
Water Dispensers
Drip Tray
Rear Switches
Door and Cabinet
Cord and Plug
Usability
Dispensing Water
Hot Water Safety
Bottle / Filter Changing
Cleaning
Behind the Comparison
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.
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.
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.
