Best Self-Cleaning Water Dispensers
The best self-cleaning water dispensers include the Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader for one-button UV self-cleaning, the Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Cooler for a countertop unit with an ozone cycle, and the Brio 520 UV Bottleless Cooler for UV-CARE and a spare filter set.
On this page (10 sections)
- The 7 best self-cleaning water dispensers in detail
- Compare the 7 self-cleaning units side by side
- How we picked these self-cleaning water dispensers
- What does a self-cleaning water dispenser cover?
- UV or ozone: which self-clean method suits you?
- Bottom-loader or bottleless: which suits a self-cleaning unit?
- What do the filters and install kits include?
- How heavy are these units, and what temperatures do they list?
- Who should pick a self-cleaning model?
- Which one to pick
The best self-cleaning water dispenser for most buyers is the Brio 520 Series bottom-loader, because Brio says its UV cycle starts from one button. For a countertop unit with a water line, the Avalon A12 is the strongest pick here.
Seven units made this list, four bottleless and three bottom-loading. Each maker describes its self-clean in its own words, and we pass on only the method it names, UV or ozone.
Treat a self-clean cycle as a helper, and keep following the cleaning steps in your manual. Read each pick with that in mind.
If you're new to bottom-loaders, start with our bottom-loading water dispensers guide before you compare self-clean features.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for one-button UV self-cleaningBrio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a countertop unit with an ozone cycleAvalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Cooler
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itBrio 4-Stage Bottleless Cooler
Best for four-stage filtering with an ozone cycle - 5
Check itEuhomy WC012 Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
Best for a light bottom-loader with a timed clean light - 6
Check itAvalon Self-Cleaning Bottleless Cooler
Best for a freestanding bottleless unit with dual filters - 7
Best for three outlets and an automatic UV lightCheck it
The 7 best self-cleaning water dispensers in detail
The Brio 520 Series is the top self-clean pick, and the Avalon A12 is the best countertop option. The other five mix bottleless and bottom-loading units, with different filters and cleaning methods.
Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
- UV self-cleaning from one button
- Three temperatures: hot, room and cold
- Two-step hot water child lock
- LED nightlight and lit spouts
The top pick here, with a UV cycle that starts from one button. It is a bottom-loader with three temperatures and no water line, and the manual's cleaning steps still apply.
Pros
- One-button UV self-cleaning, per Brio
- Three temperatures and a child lock
- Bottom-loading, so no water line
Cons
- It sits in the premium tier
- You still follow the manual's cleaning steps
The Brio 520 Series is a bottom-loader with a UV self-cleaning feature. Brio says you press one button to start it.
Keep following the cleaning steps in your manual anyway. Unplug the unit before you start, and use only the cleaning products your manual names.
It has three temperatures, a two-step child safety lock on the hot spout and an LED nightlight that lights the dispensing area. It takes a 5 gallon bottle, stands 41.4 inches tall and measures 15.6 inches deep.
At 39.6 pounds, it is lighter than the bottleless Brio units below, which helps when you move it to clean behind it.
It sits in the premium tier, so it suits a buyer who wants a UV button in a bottom-loader. The Brio 520 Series review has the full breakdown.
Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Cooler
- Ozone self-clean at the press of a switch
- Three temperatures: hot, cool and cold
- NSF-certified carbon filter, per Avalon
- Built-in leak detector
The countertop pick if you can run a water line and want an ozone cycle. Avalon says the self-clean runs at the press of a switch, and the unit has a built-in leak detector.
Pros
- Ozone self-clean at the press of a switch
- No jug to lift
- UL listed, with a child lock on hot, per Avalon
Cons
- Needs a water line and an under-sink install
- At 19 inches tall, it still takes counter space
The Avalon A12 is a countertop bottleless cooler with three temperatures: hot, cool and cold. Avalon says an ozone function cleans the water tank when you press a switch.
Bottleless means there's no jug to lift. The unit connects to a water line, and Avalon's installation kit includes 20 feet of tubing and an under-sink adapter with a shutoff valve.
Follow Avalon's install guide for the connection.
Avalon says the carbon filter is NSF certified, and the sediment and carbon filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons. A built-in leak detector watches the water flow, and the hot spout has a child safety lock.
It measures 14.75 inches deep, 12 inches wide and 19 inches tall, so it takes counter space rather than floor space. Avalon calls it UL listed, and the limit is the install, since it needs a water line and a connection under the sink.
For more detail, read the Avalon A12 review.
Brio 520 UV Bottleless Cooler
- UV-CARE automated self-cleaning
- Two-stage filtration with a 5-micron pre-filter
- Filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons
- UL certified, per Brio
A bottleless cooler with UV-CARE and a spare filter set. Brio calls UV-CARE an automated self-cleaning device, and the box includes an extra set of filters.
Pros
- UV-CARE self-cleaning, per Brio
- An extra set of filters in the box
- Installation kit with instructions
Cons
- Needs a water line
- At 45.9 pounds, it is one of the heaviest units here
The Brio 520 UV is a bottleless cooler with two-stage filtration and UV-CARE self-cleaning. Brio calls UV-CARE an automated self-cleaning device for the cooler.
The filter set is a 5-micron pre-carbon and sediment combination, which Brio says lasts 6 months or 1,500 gallons. The box includes an extra set of filters, and Brio says the two sets give you a year of filtration.
It has three temperatures, and the installation kit includes 1/4-inch tubing and an under-sink adapter with a shutoff valve. Brio calls the unit UL certified.
It stands 41.4 inches tall and weighs 45.9 pounds, so it is one of the heaviest units here, and it needs a water line. Brio names the MIB200PKF as the replacement kit for the two-stage filters, so you know what to order when it's time.
It suits a buyer who wants UV-CARE and a spare filter set and already has a water line in place.
Brio 4-Stage Bottleless Cooler
- Ozone self-clean at the touch of a button
- Four-stage ultrafiltration, per Brio
- Digital controls with child lock and nightlight
- Four filters and an installation kit included
A four-stage bottleless unit with an ozone self-clean that starts at a button press. It comes with four filters and an installation kit, and it has digital controls.
Pros
- Ozone self-clean at the touch of a button
- Four filters in the box
- Digital controls with a child lock
Cons
- Needs a water line
- At 46.1 pounds, it is the heaviest unit here
The Brio four-stage bottleless cooler has an ozone self-clean and four-stage ultrafiltration. Brio says you start the self-clean with a touch of a button.
The box includes four filters and an installation kit with 6 feet of 1/4-inch tubing. Brio names the MIB400PKUF as the replacement kit, so you can plan refills.
A digital panel shows the child lock and a clock, and the unit has a nightlight. The three temperatures are hot, room and cold, and the body is stainless steel.
It measures 13.5 inches deep, 12 inches wide and 40.5 inches tall. At 46.1 pounds, it is the heaviest unit in this group, and it needs a water line.
It suits a buyer who wants four stages and an ozone cycle, with an under-sink install already planned. Brio calls it UL approved.
Euhomy WC012 Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
- Self-clean light runs every 2 hours, per Euhomy
- Three temperatures: hot, room and cold
- Child safety lock and night light
- Removable drip tray and adjustable feet
A bottom-loader with a self-clean light that runs every 2 hours. Euhomy says the light runs automatically once the unit is plugged in, and at 30.2 pounds it is the lightest bottom-loader here.
Pros
- Self-clean light every 2 hours, per Euhomy
- Lightest bottom-loader here at 30.2 pounds
- Night light and LED display
Cons
- Euhomy shares few details on what the cycle covers
- The hot side holds only 0.68 gallon
This Euhomy is a bottom-loader for 5 gallon bottles, with three temperatures and a built-in night light. Euhomy says it has a UV self-cleaning system, and a self-cleaning light runs automatically every 2 hours once you plug it in.
The hot side holds 0.68 gallon, which is small if you fill several pots at once. The hot spout has a child safety lock, and the unit has a removable drip tray, a top cover and adjustable feet.
At 30.2 pounds, it is the lightest bottom-loader here, so it is easier to slide in and out of its spot. It stands 42.1 inches tall and measures 14.7 inches deep.
Euhomy shares few details on what its cycle covers, so the manual is where you learn what you still clean by hand.
Euhomy offers a 1-year warranty. The unit suits a buyer who wants a light bottom-loader with a timed self-clean light.
Avalon Self-Cleaning Bottleless Cooler
- Built-in self-clean feature
- Sediment and carbon block filters
- Filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons
- Three temperatures, UL listed per Avalon
A freestanding bottleless cooler with a built-in self-clean and dual filters. Avalon says the filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons, and the cabinet is stainless steel.
Pros
- Built-in self-clean feature
- Dual filters last 6 months or 1,500 gallons
- Child lock on the hot spout
Cons
- At 44 pounds, it is heavy to move
- Avalon doesn't name its self-clean method
The Avalon bottleless cooler is a freestanding stainless steel unit with a built-in self-clean feature, three temperatures and a child safety lock on the hot spout. Avalon doesn't name the method behind the self-clean, so the manual is where you learn what the cycle covers.
Its filters are a sediment filter and a carbon block filter, which Avalon says last 6 months or 1,500 gallons. A nightlight lights the spouts, and an indicator lights up when a filter needs replacing.
The installation kit has 20 feet of 1/4-inch tubing, a three-way push connect adapter and an under-sink adapter with a shutoff valve. Follow Avalon's install guide for each connection, since the unit needs a water line.
Avalon calls the unit UL listed. At 44 pounds and 41 inches tall, it is heavy to move.
It suits a buyer who wants dual filters and a built-in self-clean in a freestanding bottleless cooler.
Euhomy WC003 UV Bottom-Loader
- UV light runs automatically, per Euhomy
- Three outlets with front-facing LED lights
- Two-step child lock on hot water
- Freestanding, 41.1 inches tall
A freestanding bottom-loader with three outlets and an automatic UV light. Euhomy says the light runs automatically to support routine tank care, and it has a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- UV light runs automatically, per Euhomy
- Three outlets with front-facing LED lights
- Two-step child lock on the hot water
Cons
- Euhomy gives few details on the UV cycle
- At 36 pounds, it is heavier than the other Euhomy bottom-loader
The Euhomy UV bottom-loader is freestanding, with three outlets for hot, room and cold water. The outlets have front-facing LED indicators, which help you pick the right one.
Euhomy says the built-in UV light runs automatically to support routine internal tank care, and that this reduces the upkeep you do yourself. Euhomy doesn't say how often the light runs, so your manual sets the cleaning steps.
The hot water has a two-step child safety lock, and the cabinet takes 3 and 5 gallon bottles. The unit stands 41.1 inches tall.
At 36 pounds, it is heavier than the other Euhomy bottom-loader. Euhomy lists hot water up to 203 °F and cold water down to 41 °F, and it backs the unit with a 1-year warranty.
It suits a buyer who wants three separate outlets and an automatic UV light.
Compare the 7 self-cleaning units side by side
Start with the self-clean method, since it is what sets these units apart. Then compare the unit type, because a bottleless unit needs a water line and a bottom-loader does not.
The table shows the three fields that differ most, and the write-ups above explain the limits.
| Product | Best for | Type | Self-clean | Temperatures | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader | one-button UV self-cleaning | Bottom-loader | UV, one button | 3 (hot, room, cold) | 8.8 |
| Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Cooler | a countertop unit with an ozone cycle | Countertop, bottleless | Ozone, one switch | 3 (hot, cool, cold) | 8.6 |
| Brio 520 UV Bottleless Cooler | UV-CARE and a spare filter set | Bottleless, under-sink line | UV-CARE, automatic | 3 (hot, room, cold) | 8.3 |
| Brio 4-Stage Bottleless Cooler | four-stage filtering with an ozone cycle | Bottleless | Ozone, one button | 3 (hot, room, cold) | 8.0 |
| Euhomy WC012 Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader | a light bottom-loader with a timed clean light | Bottom-loader | UV, light every 2 hours | 3 (hot, room, cold) | 7.8 |
| Avalon Self-Cleaning Bottleless Cooler | a freestanding bottleless unit with dual filters | Bottleless | Built in, method not named | 3 (hot, cool, cold) | 7.7 |
| Euhomy WC003 UV Bottom-Loader | three outlets and an automatic UV light | Bottom-loader | UV, automatic | 3 (hot, room, cold) | 7.4 |
How we picked these self-cleaning water dispensers
We compared how each maker describes its self-clean, along with filters, temperatures, child locks and build. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
A named method, such as UV or ozone, ranks above an unnamed one, which is why the Avalon bottleless unit sits below the Brio units. A stated filter life earns credit too, since it tells you how often to plan a change.
Unit type and install come next, since they decide the upkeep you'll face. Weight and footprint count after that, because a heavy unit is harder to move when you clean behind it.
The Brio 520 Series ranks first because it pairs a one-button UV cycle with a bottom-loading cabinet that needs no water line. The Euhomy UV bottom-loader ranks last because Euhomy gives the fewest details about its cycle.
What does a self-cleaning water dispenser cover?
A self-cleaning feature runs a cycle the maker defines, and each maker describes its own cycle in its own words. Keep up the cleaning and filter steps in your manual either way.
For the longer answer, read do self-cleaning water dispensers really work.
Cleaning methods in the best self-cleaning water dispensers
Brio uses UV on the 520 Series and the 520 UV bottleless, and ozone on its four-stage bottleless unit. Avalon says the A12 uses ozone, and Euhomy describes a UV light that runs automatically.
A maker that names its method gives you more to check than one that doesn't. A maker that also names the start control or the schedule gives you the most to plan around.
Avalon's other bottleless unit doesn't name its method.
What to look for in a self-clean cycle
Before you buy, find the answers to these four points in the maker's material or manual:
- The method, such as UV or ozone.
- What the cycle covers, such as the tank, the lines or the spouts.
- How the cycle starts, by button, by switch or on a timer.
- What you still clean by hand.
What you still clean by hand
Unplug the unit and check your manual before you clean. Clean the spouts, tank, drip tray and any filter housing as the manual says, then rinse well and let everything dry.
Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, but use only what your manual names. For a step-by-step guide, read how to clean a water dispenser.
Plan those steps on a schedule and write the schedule down, so they don't wait for a problem.
UV or ozone: which self-clean method suits you?
UV and ozone are the two methods these makers name, and neither choice removes the need for the steps in your manual. How the cycle starts matters as much as the method behind it.
UV cycles in this group
The Brio 520 Series and the Brio 520 UV bottleless use UV, and so do both Euhomy bottom-loaders. The Euhomy lights run automatically, the Brio 520 Series starts with a button, and Brio calls the 520 UV's cycle automated.
Ozone cycles in this group
The Avalon A12 and the Brio four-stage bottleless unit use ozone. Avalon says a switch starts the cycle on the A12, and Brio says a touch of a button starts it on its unit.
We haven't seen independent results that compare the two methods, so treat each one as the maker's description of its own feature.
Bottom-loader or bottleless: which suits a self-cleaning unit?
A bottom-loader needs no water line, while a bottleless unit does, and that is the main trade-off. With a bottom-loader you slide a jug into the cabinet, and with a bottleless unit you connect a line and skip the jug.
For the bottom-loader lineup beyond self-cleaning, see our best bottom-loading water dispensers.
A bottleless unit filters the water inside the cabinet and needs an under-sink or counter install, so follow the maker's install guide for each connection.
If you're choosing between two brands, see Avalon vs Brio for self-cleaning. If you're still deciding whether a self-clean is worth it, read self-cleaning vs regular water dispensers.
On water quality, follow the maker's guidance and ask your local water utility about your tap water.
What a water line means for your kitchen
A bottleless unit needs a water line under the sink, plus a shutoff valve to connect to. Plan time for the install, and follow the maker's guide for each step.
A bottom-loader skips that step. You set the unit on the floor, slide a jug into the base and start dispensing.
If your kitchen has no water line under the sink, a bottom-loader is the simpler route to a self-clean.
What do the filters and install kits include?
The four bottleless units each ship with filters and an installation kit, and the kits differ in tubing length. Avalon includes 20 feet of 1/4-inch tubing, while Brio's four-stage unit includes 6 feet.
Here is what each bottleless unit uses for filters:
- Avalon A12 and Avalon bottleless cooler: a sediment filter (A5FILTER) and a carbon block filter (A4FILTER), each rated for 6 months or 1,500 gallons.
- Brio 520 UV: a two-stage set with a 5-micron pre-carbon and sediment filter, the same 6 month or 1,500 gallon life, an extra set in the box and the MIB200PKF replacement kit.
- Brio four-stage unit: four-stage ultrafiltration with four filters in the box and the MIB400PKUF replacement kit.
The three bottom-loaders list no filters, so their upkeep is the tank, spouts and drip tray.
Track both the date and the gallons, since heavy use wears through a filter faster than light use. UL is a safety certification company, and Avalon and Brio each cite it for some of these units.
How heavy are these units, and what temperatures do they list?
Weights run from 30.2 to 46.1 pounds, and the makers that publish hot and cold ranges list hot water from about 185 to 203 °F. Hot water at those temperatures can burn.
Here are the weights, heaviest first:
- Brio four-stage bottleless: 46.1 pounds
- Brio 520 UV bottleless: 45.9 pounds
- Avalon bottleless cooler: 44 pounds
- Brio 520 Series: 39.6 pounds
- Avalon A12: 37 pounds
- Euhomy WC003: 36 pounds
- Euhomy WC012: 30.2 pounds
Here are the temperatures and wattage the makers publish:
- Avalon A12: hot at about 185 °F, cold at about 47 °F
- Euhomy WC012: hot at 194 to 203 °F, cold at 39 to 50 °F
- Euhomy WC003: hot up to 203 °F, cold down to 41 °F, 550 watts
- Brio 520 Series: top hot temperature of 200 °F
- Brio four-stage unit: top hot temperature of 194 °F, 410 watts
- Brio 520 UV: 410 watts
Real power use also depends on how often you draw hot water, whether the hot side stays on and the room temperature. For more on that, read how much electricity a hot and cold dispenser uses.
Who should pick a self-cleaning model?
Pick a self-cleaning model if you want an automatic cycle on top of your regular cleaning and can handle the install or the higher price tier. The cycle is a helper, so you still plan the manual's steps.
A home without a water line under the sink fits a bottom-loader with a UV cycle, such as the Brio 520 Series or either Euhomy. A kitchen with a line already in place fits a bottleless unit with a UV or ozone cycle.
Skip the self-clean premium if a plain bottom-loader and a regular cleaning routine work for you. The cycle is an extra, not a shortcut past the manual.
Which one to pick
Start with the Brio 520 Series for one-button UV self-cleaning in a bottom-loader, or the Avalon A12 if you can run a water line and want an ozone cycle.
- Pick the Brio 520 Series if you want a bottom-loader with a UV button and a child lock.
- Pick the Avalon A12 if you have a water line and want ozone self-cleaning on a countertop.
- Pick the Brio 520 UV if you want UV-CARE and a spare filter set.
- Pick the Brio four-stage unit if four-stage filtering and an ozone cycle are your priorities.
- Pick the Euhomy with the timed light if you want a light bottom-loader with three temperatures.
- Pick the Avalon bottleless unit if you want dual filters and a built-in self-clean in a freestanding cooler.
- Pick the Euhomy UV bottom-loader if you want three outlets and an automatic UV light.
Whichever you choose, keep following the cleaning and filter steps in your manual.
If you're weighing a self-cleaning model against a plain one, read self-cleaning vs regular water dispensers next. The best self-cleaning water dispenser for you is the one whose cleaning method and install fit your home.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for one-button UV self-cleaning
Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
8.8/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a countertop unit with an ozone cycle
Avalon A12 Countertop Bottleless Cooler
8.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best self-cleaning water dispenser?
The Brio 520 Series bottom-loader is the best pick here, because Brio says its UV cycle starts from one button and it has three temperatures and a child safety lock. If you can run a water line, the Avalon A12 is the best countertop option, with an ozone cycle and a leak detector.
Does a self-cleaning water dispenser still need manual cleaning?
Yes, keep following the cleaning steps in your manual, even when the unit has a built-in cycle. Unplug the unit first, clean the parts the manual names, rinse well and let everything dry, using only the products your manual lists.
What is the difference between UV and ozone self-cleaning?
UV and ozone are two different methods that the makers describe. Brio uses UV on the 520 Series and Avalon uses ozone on the A12, so read each manual for what its cycle covers and what it leaves for you to clean by hand.
Are bottleless self-cleaning units hard to install?
Bottleless units need a water line, usually under the sink, so they take more setup than a bottom-loader, and each maker includes an installation kit with instructions. Our self-cleaning vs regular water dispensers guide helps you weigh that trade-off before you buy.
Do bottom-loaders self-clean?
Some do: the Brio 520 Series and both Euhomy bottom-loaders have built-in UV cycles, and one Euhomy runs a self-clean light every 2 hours. Keep up the cleaning steps in your manual either way, since each maker describes its own cycle.
