Avalon A4 Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser Review
The Avalon A4 is a freestanding bottom-loading Avalon water dispenser with hot, room-temperature and cold taps for 3 or 5 gallon jugs. It suits a kitchen or small office that wants a plain stainless look and a simple three-temperature setup.
On this page (14 sections)
- Who should buy the Avalon A4 water dispenser?
- How the 8.1 score is set
- How does the Avalon A4 compare with other bottom-loaders?
- What does bottom loading change on the A4?
- How is the Avalon A4 built?
- What features matter most on the A4?
- What affects power use on the A4?
- How does the A4 differ from Avalon's bottleless units?
- Is the A4 a good fit for a kitchen, break room or small office?
- How do you set up and care for the A4?
- What should you check before buying the A4?
- Who should skip the Avalon A4?
- Which other bottom-loaders compare with the A4?
- Verdict: pick the Avalon A4 for a plain three-temperature setup
The Avalon A4 is a freestanding Avalon water dispenser that gives you hot, room-temperature and cold water from one 3 or 5 gallon jug.
It fits a kitchen, break room or small office that wants three temperatures without lifting a jug onto a top tray.
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 A4 water dispenser?
The A4 suits a buyer who already uses 3 or 5 gallon jugs and wants the jug kept in a cabinet below the spouts.
Avalon A4 Bottom-Loading Cooler
- Hot, room-temperature and cold water
- Bottom loading for 3 or 5 gallon jugs
- Built-in nightlight and empty-bottle indicator
- Stainless steel and black finish
A freestanding bottom-loader with three temperatures in a stainless cabinet. It suits a buyer who already uses 3 or 5 gallon jugs and wants the jug kept out of sight.
Pros
- Three temperatures, including hot, room and cold
- The jug slides in from the bottom
- Nightlight and empty-bottle indicator are built in
Cons
- Avalon names no child safety lock for the hot tap
- At 41 inches tall it needs a clear spot on the floor
You slide the bottle in from the bottom, so there's no lifting it overhead. The finish is stainless steel and black, which fits a kitchen corner or a break room wall without drawing much attention.
The A4 isn't bottleless, so keep a spare jug on hand. If you'd rather have a tap fed by your water line, our bottleless vs bottled water coolers for home guide explains the trade-off.
If you're still choosing a type, top-loading vs bottom-loading water dispensers covers the difference, and our bottom-loading water dispensers guide covers the whole category.
How the 8.1 score is set
The A4 scores 8.1 out of 10 for its three temperatures and clear specs, with points held back because Avalon names no child safety lock for the hot tap. 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 nightlight, an empty-bottle indicator, a stated 1-year warranty and a full set of dimensions.
- Points held back: no named child safety lock, no energy-saving mode and a 41-inch height that needs real floor space.
How does the Avalon A4 compare with other bottom-loaders?
The A4 is the shortest of the three bottom-loaders below and sits in the middle on weight. The table sets it beside the Brio 520 Series and the Igloo.
| Feature | Avalon A4 | Brio 520 Series | Igloo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Child safety lock | None named | Yes, two-step | Yes |
| UV self-clean | None named | Yes, button | None named |
| Cabinet | Stainless steel and black | Stainless steel | Black plastic |
| Height | 41 in | 41.4 in | 41.7 in |
| Weight | 38.1 lb | 39.6 lb | 36.4 lb |
The Brio adds a UV self-clean button and a lock, and the Igloo is the lightest at 36.4 lb. The A4 names neither extra, which keeps it the simplest unit in the table.
If a lock matters most, read our Igloo bottom-loading water cooler review. If you want the self-clean button, read the Brio 520 Series review.
What does bottom loading change on the A4?
Avalon says bottom loading removes the strain of lifting and reduces spills. The jug sits in the cabinet below the spouts, and you slide it in.
Top-loading units work the other way, with the jug flipped onto a tray at the top. Our guide to how a bottom-loading water dispenser works walks through the difference.
You still have to carry a full jug to the cabinet. The A4 saves the lift, not the walk.
How is the Avalon A4 built?
The A4 is freestanding, 12 inches deep, 13 inches wide and 41 inches tall, with a stainless steel cabinet and a corded electric plug. It weighs 38.1 pounds.
What comes in the box
The A4 ships with its Use and Care Guide, and the bottle isn't included. The model number is A4BLWTRCLR, which helps if you need to find a part or ask Avalon a question.
Which jug sizes fit this Avalon water dispenser?
Avalon says the cabinet suits 3 to 5 gallon bottles, so both common sizes work. A 3-gallon jug is shorter and lighter to carry, while a 5-gallon jug holds more water between swaps.
Choose by how much water you use and how heavy a jug you're comfortable moving.
Power rating and approvals
Avalon rates the hot side at 420 watts and the cold side at 100 watts. It also says the A4 is UL and ENERGY STAR approved, and ENERGY STAR explains what that program covers.
Who makes the A4
Avalon says it started in 2008 as an office product and breakroom distributor. It now builds its own water coolers, and the A4 is one of them.
What features matter most on the A4?
Three temperatures, a nightlight and an empty-bottle indicator are the features you'll use every day, so they count for more than the finish.
Hot, room-temperature and cold from one jug
All three outputs come from the same jug, so you don't need a second bottle for hot drinks. Avalon describes the hot output as piping hot, which suits tea, coffee and instant soup.
The room-temperature tap gives water that's neither chilled nor heated, a fit for everyday drinking when you don't want ice-cold water.
On the cold side, Avalon gives a lower temperature rating of 8.3 °C, about 47 °F. Hot water can burn, so take care at the hot tap.
A nightlight and an empty-bottle indicator
The built-in nightlight lights the spouts after dark, so you can fill a cup without fumbling. The indicator lights up when the bottle needs replacing, so you know a new jug is due.
What affects power use on the A4?
The hot side is the bigger draw on paper, at 420 watts against 100 watts for cold. How much power the A4 actually uses depends on how often you draw hot water and how warm the room is.
Avalon doesn't mention an energy-saving mode for the A4, and a warm room makes the cold side work harder. For the wider picture, read how much electricity a hot and cold dispenser uses.
How does the A4 differ from Avalon's bottleless units?
The A4 uses jugs, while Avalon's other coolers draw from a water line and need an install. Avalon's A12 sits on the counter at 19 inches tall and weighs 37 pounds, and Avalon's freestanding bottleless model stands 41 inches tall and weighs 44 pounds.
Both bottleless units use two filters, so they come with a filter schedule that a jug-fed unit like the A4 doesn't. Our Avalon A12 review covers the countertop one in detail.
If you want to compare Avalon with a self-cleaning rival, read Avalon vs Brio self-cleaning water dispenser.
Is the A4 a good fit for a kitchen, break room or small office?
Yes, if you have floor space for a 41-inch unit and an outlet nearby. The 13-inch width keeps it compact beside other appliances.
In a kitchen, the stainless and black finish sits quietly next to the fridge or stove.
In a break room, three temperatures let different people make tea, coffee or a cold drink from one jug. In a small office, the empty-bottle indicator tells whoever restocks when a new jug is due.
How do you set up and care for the A4?
Start with the Use and Care Guide that ships with the unit, since it holds the setup and cleaning steps for this model. Unplug the unit and check your manual before any cleaning.
Cleaning the A4: follow the manual
Rinse well, then let the unit dry before you use it again. Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, so use only what your manual names.
Never use bleach, and never mix cleaners.
Our guide to cleaning a bottom-loading water dispenser covers the general steps. Avalon owners often search for cleaning and fix help, so we also keep a separate Avalon cleaning guide.
If the A4 leaks or stops pouring
Unplug the unit before you look into any problem, and check your manual for anything specific to the A4. For drips at the base, our water cooler leaking checklist lists what to check first.
If the problem is a spout that won't run, the empty-bottle indicator is worth a look, since it lights up when the bottle needs replacing.
What should you check before buying the A4?
Four checks cover the decision: floor space, jug size, warranty and the hot tap, plus the model number for support.
- Floor space: 12 inches deep, 13 inches wide and 41 inches tall, plus a spot near an outlet.
- Jug size: 3 or 5 gallon bottles, sold separately.
- Model number: A4BLWTRCLR, which you'll want when you ask Avalon about parts or support.
- Warranty: Avalon gives a 1-year warranty, and its website has the terms.
- Hot tap: Hot water can burn, and Avalon names no child safety lock for the A4.
Check the floor space and your jug's height before you order.
Who should skip the Avalon A4?
Skip the A4 if you need a tap fed by a water line, a named child safety lock or a unit that fits under a counter.
Skip it too if you want a self-clean button, since Avalon doesn't name one for the A4.
At 38.1 pounds, it's also a unit you'll set up once and leave in place.
Which other bottom-loaders compare with the A4?
Brio's Essential model and Primo's two-temperature unit are the closest rivals, and both load from the bottom like the A4.
Verdict: pick the Avalon A4 for a plain three-temperature setup
If you want an Avalon water dispenser that keeps things plain, pick the A4 for hot, room and cold water from a 5-gallon jug in a stainless and black cabinet. It needs floor space for a 41-inch unit.
Pick a Brio if an LED display and a named child safety lock matter most. Pick a Primo if you only need hot and cold water.
For the full field, start with our best bottom-loading water dispensers roundup.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Avalon A4 fit 3 and 5 gallon jugs?
Yes, Avalon says the A4 suits 3 to 5 gallon bottles, and the bottle isn't included. The jug slides in from the bottom, so choose the size that matches how much water your home or office uses and how heavy a jug you can handle.
How heavy is the Avalon A4?
The A4 weighs 38.1 pounds and stands 41 inches tall, 13 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Pick its spot on a level floor before you load a jug, since you'll want to move it as little as possible once it's in place.
Does the Avalon A4 come with a warranty?
Avalon gives the A4 a 1-year warranty. Keep your proof of purchase and the use and care guide, and read the full terms on Avalon's website before you need them, so you know what the coverage includes and how to make a claim.
What temperatures does the Avalon A4 give?
The A4 gives hot, room-temperature and cold water from the same jug. Avalon rates the hot side at 420 watts and the cold side at 100 watts, and it describes the hot output as piping hot, so take care at the hot tap.
