Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Water Dispenser Review
The Brio 520 Series is a self-cleaning Brio water dispenser for 5-gallon bottles, with three temperatures and a UV self-cleaning feature you start with a button press. The manual still sets the cleaning steps, so follow it even with the self-clean feature.
On this page (13 sections)
- Who should buy the Brio 520 Series?
- How the 8.3 score is set
- Is the Brio self-cleaning water dispenser really self-cleaning?
- How is the Brio 520 Series built?
- Which features matter most on the 520?
- How does the 520 compare with the Brio Essential and the Euhomy?
- How does the 520 fit a home or small office?
- How do you set up and clean the 520?
- What should you check before buying the 520?
- Where does the 520 fall short?
- Who should skip the 520 Series?
- Which alternatives should you compare with the 520?
- Verdict: pick the Brio 520 Series if self-clean comes first
The Brio 520 Series is a self-cleaning water dispenser for 5-gallon bottles, with hot, room-temperature and cold water and a UV self-cleaning feature that you start with a button press.
The self-clean feature is the main reason to pick it, and it doesn't replace the cleaning steps in your manual.
We research specs rather than run the unit ourselves, so this review sticks to what Brio says and the specs we compared.
Who should buy the Brio 520 Series?
The 520 suits a home or small office that wants a bottom-loader with a self-clean feature and has room for a 41-inch unit.
Brio 520 Series Self-Cleaning Bottom-Loader
- UV self-cleaning, started with a button press
- Hot, room-temperature and cold water
- Bottom loading for 5-gallon bottles
- LED night light and two-step child safety lock
A 5-gallon bottom-loader with hot, room and cold water and a UV self-cleaning feature. It suits a buyer who wants that feature and will still follow the manual for cleaning.
Pros
- Brio's UV self-cleaning feature starts with a button press
- Three temperatures, with a two-step child safety lock on hot
- Bottom loading keeps the 5-gallon jug in the cabinet
Cons
- The manual's cleaning steps still apply
- At 41.4 inches tall and 39.6 lb it needs a set spot
Brio says the lower cabinet makes bottle changes easier and helps reduce lifting strain. You slide a 5-gallon jug in from the bottom instead of lifting it onto a top tray.
If you're still choosing a type, top-loading vs bottom-loading water dispensers covers the trade-offs. Our bottom-loading water dispensers guide explains the category as a whole.
How the 8.3 score is set
The 520 scores 8.3 out of 10 for a named self-clean feature, three temperatures and a two-step lock on the hot spout. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
Here is what moved the number:
- Points earned: a self-clean button, a night light, an empty-bottle alert, a hot-water lock and a full set of dimensions.
- Points held back: a cabinet named for 5-gallon bottles only, a 41.4-inch height and cleaning steps that stay in the manual.
Is the Brio self-cleaning water dispenser really self-cleaning?
Brio calls it a UV self-cleaning feature, and you start it by pressing a button. We can't say how well it works in a real kitchen, since we research specs rather than run the unit.
For the bigger question, do self-cleaning water dispensers really work walks through what to expect.
How the Brio self-cleaning water dispenser starts
Brio names the feature UV Self-Cleaning and says you press a button to start it. How long it runs and how often to use it are questions for the manual, not for us.
What to look up in the manual
Four questions are worth answering before you rely on the button:
- How long does the UV feature run once you press it?
- How often should you use it?
- Does it change how often you clean the unit by hand?
- Which parts of the unit does it cover?
What the UV feature doesn't replace
Treat the button as an addition to the manual's cleaning steps, not a replacement for them.
If you're weighing self-cleaning against a plain unit, self-cleaning vs regular water dispensers lays out the trade-offs.
How is the Brio 520 Series built?
The 520 is a freestanding unit with a stainless steel finish, 15.6 inches deep, 12.2 inches wide and 41.4 inches tall. It weighs 39.6 pounds, runs on a corded electric plug, and its model number is CLBL520SC.
Materials and finish
The 520 combines plastic and stainless steel parts in a stainless steel finish. Brio says its water reservoirs are food-grade 304 stainless steel.
Cabinet and bottle fit
Brio says the bottom-load design avoids heavy lifting and awkward bottle flipping, so you simply slide the jug in. Brio describes the cabinet for 5-gallon bottles, so check your manual before you try another size.
Hot water range
Brio rates the hot side up to 200 °F and describes it for hot beverages. Hot water can burn, so take care at the hot spout.
Who makes it
Brio says it is based in Southern California and makes coolers as well as residential, commercial and industrial filtration systems. The 520 is one of its bottom-loading coolers.
Which features matter most on the 520?
The UV self-clean button, the three temperatures and the hot-water lock are the features to compare, because you'll use each one regularly.
Three temperatures with a two-step hot lock
The 520 gives hot, room-temperature and cold water. The hot spout uses a two-step child safety lock: you release it, then press for hot water.
Brio says the hot button relocks after each dispense.
A night light and an illuminated dispensing area
The LED night light lights the dispensing area, so you can see what you're pouring, pick the spout you want and watch the drip tray. It helps most in a dim kitchen or break room.
An empty-bottle alert
Brio names an empty-bottle alert among the 520's highlights. It tells you when the jug runs low, so a new one is ready before the water stops.
How does the 520 compare with the Brio Essential and the Euhomy?
The 520 and the Brio Essential share the same cabinet size, while the Euhomy is a little shorter. The table sets the three side by side.
| Feature | Brio 520 Series | Brio Essential | Euhomy |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV self-clean | Yes, button | None named | Yes, automatic |
| Temperatures | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Child safety lock | Yes, two-step | Yes, two-step | Yes, two-step |
| Empty-bottle alert | Yes | Yes, LED display | Yes |
| Bottle sizes | 5 gallon | 3 or 5 gallon | 3 or 5 gallon |
| Hot water up to | 200 °F | 198 °F | 203 °F |
| Height | 41.4 in | 41.4 in | 41.1 in |
| Weight | 39.6 lb | 40.6 lb | 36 lb |
The Essential is the closer match if you want the same cabinet without the UV feature, and it adds an LED display for the empty-bottle alert. It also takes 3-gallon jugs.
The Euhomy is the lightest of the three, and Euhomy says its UV light runs automatically and its hot water reaches 203 °F. For a wider field, see our best self-cleaning water dispensers.
Against the Avalon A4, the 520 stands 0.4 inches taller and weighs 1.5 pounds more. It adds the UV button and a named two-step lock.
How does the 520 fit a home or small office?
The 520 fits a space with floor room for a 41-inch unit and a clear spot for a 5-gallon jug. The unit needs 15.6 inches of depth.
At 12.2 inches wide, it is a little slimmer than the Avalon A4's 13 inches, but it runs deeper than the A4's 12 inches. Where the unit sits against a wall or between cabinets, the depth matters more than the width.
In a kitchen, the self-clean button is one more reason to look at the 520, but the cleaning steps still come from the manual.
In a small office, the empty-bottle alert and the hot-water lock are the two features to point out to whoever refills the unit. The 520 is a corded electric model, so plan its spot near an outlet.
How do you set up and clean the 520?
Unplug the unit and check your manual before any cleaning. Brio includes a manual and a care guide with the 520, and Brio's website is the place to look if you lose them.
Cleaning steps without guesswork
Rinse well, then let the unit dry before you use it again. Some manuals allow a mild vinegar solution, so use only the cleaners your manual names.
Never use bleach, and never mix cleaners.
For the general steps, see how to clean a bottom-loading water dispenser. For the wider schedule, how often to clean a water dispenser helps.
If your Brio stops pouring
Unplug the unit first, then check your manual. Our Brio water dispenser not dispensing water fixes guide lists what to try.
What should you check before buying the 520?
Check the model number, the floor space, the bottle size and the warranty. Those four points cover most of the decision.
- Model: CLBL520SC is the model number for this unit.
- Size: 15.6 inches deep, 12.2 inches wide and 41.4 inches tall.
- Weight: 39.6 pounds.
- Bottle: 5-gallon bottles, sold separately.
- In the box: the cooler, a manual and a care guide.
- Warranty: check Brio's website for the term that comes with this model.
Brio sells more than one 520 Series model, so match the model number CLBL520SC before you order.
Where does the 520 fall short?
The 520's limits are a cabinet named for 5-gallon bottles only, a 41.4-inch height and a few points we couldn't confirm: the UV run time, the warranty term and the power rating.
Ask Brio or check the manual before you count on any of them. Until you have those answers, treat the self-clean button as a feature, not a guarantee.
Who should skip the 520 Series?
Skip the 520 if you want a unit shorter than 41 inches, use 3-gallon jugs or would rather skip the UV feature.
The button adds one more thing to read about in the manual, and a plain bottom-loader doesn't have it. Our Avalon A4 review covers a three-temperature model without a self-clean feature.
For a side-by-side look at Avalon's self-clean option, read Avalon vs Brio self-cleaning water dispenser.
Which alternatives should you compare with the 520?
The Brio Essential names no UV feature and takes 3-gallon jugs, while the Euhomy adds an automatic UV system. Both are bottom-loaders of a similar size to the 520.
Verdict: pick the Brio 520 Series if self-clean comes first
If you want a Brio self-cleaning water dispenser with hot, room and cold water, pick the 520 Series when a UV self-clean button is high on your list. You also need room for a 41-inch unit.
Pick Brio's Essential model if you want the LED display and lock without the self-clean feature, or if you use 3-gallon jugs. Pick the Euhomy if you want an automatic UV system and three outlets.
Before you decide, read best self-cleaning water dispensers for the full field.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Brio 520 Series really self-cleaning?
Brio calls it a UV self-cleaning feature, and you start it with a button press. We research specs and don't run the unit ourselves, so we can't say how well it works, and you should follow your manual for the cleaning steps either way.
Does the Brio 520 fit 3 gallon bottles?
Brio describes the 520 Series for 5-gallon bottles and names no 3-gallon fit, unlike the Brio Essential, which takes 3 or 5 gallon jugs. If you use 3-gallon jugs, check your manual first, or pick a model that names that size.
How heavy is the Brio 520?
The 520 weighs 39.6 pounds and stands 41.4 inches tall, 15.6 inches deep and 12.2 inches wide. Pick a level spot with clear floor space before you fill the first jug, since the cabinet is easier to place while it is empty.
Does the Brio 520 have a child safety lock?
Yes, Brio gives the hot spout a two-step child safety lock, and the hot button relocks after each use. Hot water can burn, so release the lock only when you are ready to pour and take care at the hot spout.
