Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Water Dispenser Review
The Avalon A12 is an Avalon countertop water dispenser that is bottleless, with cold, cool and hot taps fed by your water line. It suits a home or small office with a water line nearby that wants to skip bottles, but it needs planning for the install and filter changes.
On this page (14 sections)
- Who should buy the Avalon A12 countertop water dispenser?
- How the 8.0 score is set
- How does the A12 compare with Avalon's other bottleless units?
- What changes when you go bottleless?
- How does the A12 get and store its water?
- What comes in the installation kit?
- How does the A12 fit a kitchen or small office?
- Which features matter most on the A12?
- How do you set up and care for the A12?
- What should you check before buying the A12?
- Where does the A12 fall short?
- Who should skip the A12?
- Which Avalon alternatives make different trade-offs?
- Verdict: pick the Avalon A12 countertop water dispenser when a water line is close
In this Avalon countertop water dispenser review, the A12 stands out for skipping jugs: it draws from your water line and gives cold, cool and hot water.
It comes with two filters and a self-clean ozone switch, and it suits a home or small office with a water line close by. It's a poor fit if you can't reach one, since the unit can't run without it.
We research specs rather than run the unit ourselves, so this review sticks to what Avalon says and the specs we compared.
Who should buy the Avalon A12 countertop water dispenser?
The A12 suits a home or small office with a water line nearby that wants hot and cold water without bottles.
Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Dispenser
- Cold, cool and hot water from a water line
- Dual sediment and carbon block filters
- Self-clean ozone switch
- Installation kit with 20 feet of tubing
A countertop unit that draws water from a water line, with cold, cool and hot taps and two filters. It suits a buyer with a water line nearby who wants to skip bottles.
Pros
- No bottles to lift or swap, since it draws from a water line
- Three temperatures, including hot
- Filters and installation kit come with the unit
Cons
- It needs a water line and a nearby sink, so it is not a drop-in unit
- Filters are due every 6 months or 1,500 gallons, so plan for replacements
It sits on the counter, so it takes counter space instead of floor space. Skipping bottles means no lifting or swapping, but you take on a water-line install and a filter schedule.
If you're choosing between types, our bottleless vs bottled water coolers for home guide explains the trade-off. Best countertop water dispensers lists other countertop picks to compare.
How the 8.0 score is set
The A12 scores 8.0 out of 10 for three temperatures, two included filters and a full install kit, with points held back for the water-line requirement and the ongoing filter changes. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Here is what moved the number:
- Points earned: three temperatures, a child safety lock, a leak detector, a nightlight and an install kit with 20 feet of tubing.
- Points held back: a required water line, filters due every 6 months or 1,500 gallons and a 1-liter hot tank.
How does the A12 compare with Avalon's other bottleless units?
The A12 is the only one of the three that pairs three temperatures with a 19-inch countertop footprint. The table lines it up with the B8BLK and the freestanding model.
| Feature | Avalon A12 | Avalon B8BLK | Freestanding model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | Countertop | Countertop or under sink | Freestanding |
| Temperatures | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Self-clean | Ozone switch | None named | Yes |
| Child safety lock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Filters | Dual sediment and carbon | Dual sediment and carbon | Dual sediment and carbon |
| Height | 19 in | 19 in | 41 in |
| Weight | 37 lb | 37 lb | 44 lb |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
The B8BLK has two temperatures and an under-sink option. The freestanding model is the tallest at 41 inches and the heaviest at 44 pounds.
Against the Avalon A4 jug unit, the A12 is 22 inches shorter and 1.1 pounds lighter, but it needs a water line. Our Avalon A4 review covers the jug-fed option.
What changes when you go bottleless?
You stop carrying and storing jugs, and you take on a water-line connection and a filter schedule instead. Avalon says going bottleless reduces the constant purchases of bottled water.
There is no empty-bottle swap, so nobody has to remember to restock, but the filters become the regular chore.
It also means the A12 stays where the line reaches. If you might move it between rooms, a jug-fed unit gives you more freedom.
How does the A12 get and store its water?
The A12 takes water from your water line, runs it through two filters and stores it in hot and cold tanks. Avalon says the unit carries UL approval.
Filters in the Avalon countertop water dispenser
The A12 uses a sediment filter and a carbon block filter in two stages. Avalon says the carbon filter is NSF certified, and both filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons.
Avalon includes both filters with the unit, so the first set is in the box. Because Avalon gives both limits, a busy office should watch the gallon count as well as the calendar.
Hot and cold tanks
Avalon says the tanks hold 1 liter of hot water and 3.1 liters of cold water. That is about 4 cups of hot water and 13 cups of cold at a time.
One or two people won't notice the limit, but a break room where several people want hot water in a row might.
Avalon also says the dispensing area leaves 9 inches of space below the spouts, which fits most large cups or bottles.
The leak detector
Avalon says a built-in leak detector monitors the water flow from the line into the unit. It is one more feature to know about when you plan the install.
What comes in the installation kit?
The kit has everything Avalon says you need to connect the unit to an existing sink water line:
- 20 feet of 1/4-inch tubing
- a 3-way 1/4-inch push-connect adapter
- an under-sink 3/8-inch adapter with a shut-off valve
- a filter flushing adapter
- detailed instructions with illustrations
Avalon says the 3/8-inch adapter fits most standard water supply lines. We don't cover the connection steps here, so follow Avalon's illustrated instructions and check Avalon's website for support.
How does the A12 fit a kitchen or small office?
The A12 fits a counter with room for a unit about 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall, with a water line within reach. It is much shorter than the 41-inch freestanding models in this group.
In a kitchen, the counter unit saves floor space, which matters in a small room. In a small office, the no-bottles setup removes one regular task, the jug swap.
The A12 is corded electric, so plan its counter spot near an outlet as well as the water line.
Which features matter most on the A12?
Three temperatures, the dual filters and the self-clean ozone switch are the features to compare, because they set it apart from a plain jug cooler.
Cold, cool and hot taps
Avalon says the cold output runs about 47°F and the hot output reaches about 185°F. Avalon also offers a cool setting, which suits drinks that don't need ice.
A child safety lock on the hot spout
The hot spout has a child safety lock. Avalon says the hot faucet is hot enough for tea or coffee, and hot water can burn, so take care at the spout.
A nightlight for the spouts
Avalon says a built-in nightlight makes the spouts clear in the dark. The taps are push buttons, so you press the temperature you want and let the water flow.
The self-clean ozone switch
Avalon says a press of a switch starts an ozone function that cleans the water tank. Keep to the manual for the self-clean steps, and keep your normal cleaning routine alongside it.
For other units with a self-clean feature, see our best self-cleaning water dispensers.
How do you set up and care for the A12?
Plan the water line and the install before anything else, since the A12 can't run without one. Avalon includes an installation kit with tubing, adapters and illustrated instructions.
Avalon calls setup easy and says the unit connects directly to an existing sink water line. We can't judge how easy the install is, so look at Avalon's install instructions first to see whether the job suits you.
Unplug the unit and check your manual before any cleaning.
Filter changes on a set schedule
Avalon says the filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons, so set a reminder for the six-month mark. Avalon's model numbers are A5FILTER for the sediment filter and A4FILTER for the carbon block filter.
Use the manual for the change steps.
Cleaning and care
For the general routine, see our Avalon cleaning guide. Use only the cleaners your manual names, never use bleach, and never mix cleaners.
What should you check before buying the A12?
Five checks decide whether the A12 fits your kitchen: counter space, the water line, the filter plan, an outlet and the warranty.
- Space and weight: about 12 inches wide, 19 inches tall and 37 pounds, with 9 inches under the spouts.
- Water line: required, with the installation kit included.
- Filters: 6 months or 1,500 gallons, according to Avalon.
- Power: corded electric, so a nearby outlet.
- Warranty: 1 year.
Avalon's depth figures run from about 13 to 14.75 inches, so check the larger one against your counter before you order. Our water dispenser buying guide for home lists the same checks for any type.
Where does the A12 fall short?
The water-line requirement and the filter schedule are the two trade-offs. A water line is required, and the kit's 20 feet of tubing limits how far from the line the unit can sit.
The filter changes are an ongoing schedule you have to keep. The hot tank holds only 1 liter, so a run of hot drinks in a row may need a pause.
Avalon's 1-year warranty is the only coverage term named, so read the terms on Avalon's website before you buy.
Who should skip the A12?
Skip the A12 if you can't reach a water line or if you want a unit you can move between rooms.
If you'd rather use bottles, our bottom-loading water dispensers guide covers that type. If you want two temperatures and an under-sink option, the B8BLK below is the closer fit.
Which Avalon alternatives make different trade-offs?
The B8BLK gives two temperatures and an under-sink option. The freestanding bottleless model is taller and includes a self-cleaning feature.
Verdict: pick the Avalon A12 countertop water dispenser when a water line is close
Pick the Avalon A12 countertop water dispenser if a water line is close, you want three temperatures on the counter and you're ready to plan filter changes.
Pick the B8BLK if two temperatures and an under-sink install suit your kitchen better. Pick the freestanding bottleless model if you have floor space and want a self-clean feature.
Before you decide, compare Avalon vs Brio self-cleaning water dispenser to see how Avalon's self-clean approach stacks up against Brio's.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Avalon A12 need a water line?
Yes, the A12 is bottleless and draws from a water line, so it can't run from a jug. Avalon includes an installation kit with illustrated instructions, and if a line isn't close to your counter, a bottle-based model is the simpler choice.
How often do the A12 filters need changing?
Avalon says the two filters, a sediment filter and a carbon block filter, last 6 months or 1,500 gallons. Follow your manual for the change steps, and note the date you install them so the six-month mark is easy to track.
Does the Avalon A12 have a self-clean feature?
Yes, Avalon says a press of a switch starts an ozone function that cleans the water tank. It doesn't replace the cleaning steps in your manual, so unplug the unit and check the manual before any cleaning, and keep your normal routine too.
What temperatures does the Avalon A12 give?
The A12 gives cold, cool and hot water. Avalon says the cold output runs about 47°F and the hot output reaches about 185°F, and the hot spout has a child safety lock, so take care there because hot water can burn.
