Igloo Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser Review
The Igloo water dispenser is a freestanding black bottom-loader with hot, cold and room-temperature water for 3 or 5 gallon jugs. It suits a kitchen, dorm or office that wants a basic unit with a child safety lock on the hot tap.
On this page (15 sections)
- Who should buy this Igloo water dispenser?
- How the 7.6 score is set
- How is the Igloo water dispenser built?
- What do the hot, cold and room-temperature taps do?
- How does the Igloo compare with the Avalon A4 and the Brio 130 Series?
- Which features matter most on the Igloo?
- Where does the Igloo fall short?
- What does the 1-year limited warranty mean?
- What affects power use on this Igloo?
- How does the Igloo fit a kitchen, dorm or office?
- How do you set up and clean it?
- What should you check before buying this Igloo?
- Who should skip the Igloo?
- Which alternatives compare with the Igloo?
- Verdict: pick the Igloo water dispenser for a basic hot, cold and room setup
This Igloo water dispenser is a freestanding, black bottom-loader that gives hot, cold and room-temperature water from a 3 or 5 gallon jug.
It suits a kitchen, dorm or office that wants a basic unit, and its limits are a plastic cabinet and a 1-year limited warranty.
We research specs rather than run the unit ourselves, so this review sticks to what Igloo says and the specs we compared.
Who should buy this Igloo water dispenser?
It suits a buyer who wants a basic bottom-loader with three temperatures and a small footprint in a kitchen, dorm or office.
Igloo Bottom-Loading Hot and Cold Cooler
- Hot, cold and room-temperature water
- Bottom loading for 3 or 5 gallon jugs
- Child safety lock on the hot water
- Indicator for bottle changes
A freestanding bottom-loader in black plastic with hot, cold and room-temperature water. It suits a buyer who wants a basic unit with a child safety lock and a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Three temperatures, including room-temperature water
- Bottom loading keeps the jug hidden in the cabinet
- Child safety lock on the hot water
Cons
- The cabinet is plastic, not stainless steel
- The warranty is 1 year and limited
Igloo says the compact design is meant for tight spaces. You slide the jug in from the bottom, so the bottle stays hidden in the cabinet.
It also suits a buyer who wants hot water for tea or instant soup and room-temperature water for everyday drinks, all from one unit. Igloo says the controls are simple enough for first-time users.
If you're still choosing a type, our top-loading vs bottom-loading water dispensers comparison explains the difference. The bottom-loading water dispensers guide covers the category as a whole.
How the 7.6 score is set
The Igloo scores 7.6 out of 10 for its three temperatures, its hot-water lock and a low weight, with points held back for a plastic cabinet and a 1-year limited warranty. 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 on the hot water, a bottle-change indicator and the lightest weight in our comparison.
- Points held back: a plastic cabinet, a limited warranty and no energy-saving mode mentioned for this model.
How is the Igloo water dispenser built?
It is a freestanding unit with a black plastic cabinet, about 12 inches deep, 15 inches wide and 41.7 inches tall. Igloo rates it at 580 watts, and the model number is IWCBL353CRHBK.
Igloo water dispenser cabinet and jug fit
The cabinet is black plastic, which is the main difference from stainless steel models like the Avalon A4. Igloo says it fits 3- and 5-gallon jugs, so the jug size is your call.
Weight and footprint
The unit weighs 36.4 pounds, about 1.7 pounds less than the Avalon A4. Its 15-inch width is wider than the A4's 13 inches, so it needs more floor width as well as a little more height.
What do the hot, cold and room-temperature taps do?
The hot tap suits tea, coffee and instant soup, the cold tap suits chilled drinks, and the room-temperature tap covers everyday drinks that need neither.
Having all three from one jug means you don't need a second bottle for hot drinks. Igloo says you get each temperature at the push of a button.
Igloo also describes the heating and cooling as fast, though we can't say how fast.
How does the Igloo compare with the Avalon A4 and the Brio 130 Series?
The Igloo is the lightest of the three and shares its black plastic cabinet with the Brio 130 Series. The table sets the three side by side.
| Feature | Igloo | Avalon A4 | Brio 130 Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperatures | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Child safety lock | Yes | None named | Yes, two-step |
| Empty-bottle indicator | Yes | Yes | Yes, LED |
| ENERGY STAR | None named | Yes | Yes, 3.0 |
| Cabinet | Black plastic | Stainless steel and black | Black plastic |
| Height | 41.7 in | 41 in | 41.7 in |
| Weight | 36.4 lb | 38.1 lb | 39.2 lb |
| Bottle sizes | 3 or 5 gallon | 3 or 5 gallon | 5 gallon |
The Brio 130 Series is the heaviest of the three, and the Igloo is the only one that names no ENERGY STAR approval. The Brio also fits 5-gallon bottles only.
Against the Avalon A4, the Igloo stands 0.7 inches taller and about 2 inches wider, but weighs 1.7 pounds less. Against the Brio 130 Series, it weighs 2.8 pounds less and is about 3 inches wider, but 2.4 inches shallower.
Which features matter most on the Igloo?
The three temperatures, the child safety lock and the bottle indicator are the features to check, because they shape daily use.
Hot, cold and room-temperature water
The unit gives hot, cold and room-temperature water from one jug. The room-temperature setting covers everyday drinks that don't need chilling or heating.
It also means you aren't stuck with ice-cold water for every glass, which suits anyone who likes water that isn't chilled.
Bottom loading and bottle swaps
Igloo says bottom loading removes the need to lift heavy jugs and cuts down on spills. The jug stays hidden in the cabinet, which keeps the front of the unit tidy.
For the mechanics, see how a bottom-loading water dispenser works.
A child safety lock on the hot water
Igloo gives the hot water a child safety lock to keep little hands away from it. Hot water can burn, so take care at the hot tap either way.
An indicator for bottle changes
Igloo says an indicator alerts you when it is time to change the bottle. You get a signal before the jug runs out.
Where does the Igloo fall short?
The Igloo's limits are its plastic cabinet and its 1-year limited warranty. It also names no ENERGY STAR approval, while the Avalon A4 and the Brio 130 Series both do.
The Igloo weighs 1.7 pounds less than the A4, but the saving is small. If you want a metal look in a visible spot, the plastic cabinet may matter more than the weight.
What does the 1-year limited warranty mean?
Igloo gives this unit a 1-year limited warranty, and the terms decide what a claim covers. A limited warranty sets conditions for claims, so keep your receipt and the manual with the unit.
For the full terms, check Igloo's website before you rely on the coverage.
What affects power use on this Igloo?
Igloo rates the unit at 580 watts, and power use depends on how often you draw water, whether the hot side is on and how warm the room is.
Igloo's top-loading cooler has energy-saving switches for each temperature, but Igloo doesn't mention them for this bottom-loader.
Brio rates its 130 Series at 300 watts, while Avalon splits its rating into 420 watts for hot and 100 watts for cold. The three ratings aren't a like-for-like comparison of running use, so treat them as clues rather than answers.
Our guide to how much electricity a hot and cold dispenser uses covers the wider picture.
How does the Igloo fit a kitchen, dorm or office?
It fits a space with floor room for a unit about 15 inches wide and a clear spot for a 3 or 5 gallon jug.
At 41.7 inches tall, it needs the floor rather than a counter.
In a kitchen, the black plastic cabinet is the main visual difference from the stainless models in this group. In a dorm, the compact design and the three temperatures are the points to weigh.
In a small office, the bottle indicator helps whoever restocks the jug know when to swap it.
How do you set up and clean it?
Unplug the unit and check your manual before any cleaning, since the manual sets the steps for this model.
Cleaning without guesswork
Rinse well, then let the unit dry before using 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.
What should you check before buying this Igloo?
Check the size, the jug, the weight, the warranty and the hot-water lock. Those points cover the main decision.
- Size: 12 inches deep, about 15 inches wide and 41.7 inches tall.
- Jug: 3 or 5 gallon, bought separately.
- Weight: 36.4 pounds.
- Power: corded electric, rated at 580 watts.
- Warranty: 1-year limited.
- Hot water: a child safety lock, and hot water can burn.
Igloo also sells a stainless bottom-loader with a similar footprint, so match the model number IWCBL353CRHBK, the black plastic one, before you order.
Our water dispenser buying guide for home lists the same checks in a short checklist.
Who should skip the Igloo?
Skip the Igloo if you want stainless steel, a bottleless tap, a self-clean feature or a top-loading unit. For a bottleless unit, our bottleless vs bottled water coolers for home guide explains the trade-off.
If you want stainless steel, the Avalon A4 below is the closer match, and our Avalon A4 review covers it in depth. If you want a self-clean button, read the Brio 520 Series review.
Which alternatives compare with the Igloo?
The Avalon A4 and the Brio 130 Series are the closest bottom-loading matches. Igloo's own top-loading cooler is a different type, 36.5 inches tall, where you lift the jug on at the top.
Verdict: pick the Igloo water dispenser for a basic hot, cold and room setup
Pick the Igloo water dispenser if you want a black, freestanding bottom-loader with three temperatures and a child safety lock on the hot side.
- Pick the Avalon A4 if a stainless cabinet and a nightlight matter more.
- Pick the Brio 130 Series if an LED empty-bottle alert and a named ENERGY STAR approval matter most.
- Pick the Brio 520 Series if you want a self-clean button.
For a wider set of picks, start with the best bottom-loading water dispensers roundup, or the best hot and cold water dispensers for home.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Igloo water dispenser fit 3 and 5 gallon jugs?
Yes, Igloo says the unit fits 3- and 5-gallon jugs, and the jug slides into the cabinet from the bottom. A 5-gallon jug holds more between swaps, while a 3-gallon jug is lighter to carry, so choose by how much water you use.
How heavy is the Igloo water dispenser?
The unit weighs 36.4 pounds, about 1.7 pounds less than the Avalon A4. It stands 41.7 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and 12 inches deep, so set it on a level floor with clear space around the cabinet before you load a jug.
What is the Igloo warranty?
Igloo gives this unit a 1-year limited warranty. A limited warranty covers specific problems under set conditions, so keep your receipt and read the full terms on Igloo's website to learn which problems are covered and how a claim works.
Does the Igloo have a child safety lock?
Yes, Igloo gives the hot water a child safety lock, and the unit also dispenses cold and room-temperature water. Hot water can burn, so take care at the hot tap, and compare the lock with other models before you decide.
