The 10 Best Water Bottle Filling Stations
Updated by · How we research
Wall, retrofit, in-wall and outdoor water bottle fillers, compared by filter, chilling and install needs, with the chilled, filtered Elkay LZS8WSLP on top. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A bottle filler on its own doesn't meet ADA fountain rules, so most buildings pair one with an accessible drinking fountain or buy a combined unit. These plumbed dispensers have a tall alcove and a spout that fills a refillable bottle without splashing. Schools, offices, gyms and parks install them, and a few models suit homes.
From the manual
- It must be on a GFCI-protected outlet, and the cabinet louvers need at least 6 inches of clearance from the wall. p. 2
- Use a dielectric coupling and a plastic drain trap; building wiring grounded to water pipes can otherwise give the water a metallic taste. p. 2
- The five-year warranty covers only the refrigeration system; electrical parts and waterways get 12 months from installation. p. 1
- It spots a new filter and resets the filter light itself. Older stock ships with the 3,000-gallon 51300C cartridge. p. 1
Why the Elkay LZS8WSLP is our top pick
The deciding difference is the fountain and the chiller: our pick hangs a touchless filler over a push-bar drinking fountain built to ADA guidelines and chills 8 gallons of 50-degree water an hour, all in one wall unit.1 Our runner-up, the Elkay LZWSSM, is a filler only, with no fountain, and its water stays at tap temperature unless a separate chiller goes in within 15 feet.4
That matters because, where a building provides drinking fountains, the U.S. Access Board says a bottle filler can't stand in for one,5 so the runner-up usually goes in beside a fountain. Our pick also carries the longer filter. Its maker ships the enhanced unit with a 6,000-gallon cartridge certified for lead and microplastics,2,3 twice the runner-up's 3,000 gallons.4 Its refrigeration system is covered for five years, while the runner-up's coverage ends at 12 months for parts and waterways.1,4
The runner-up wins on simplicity. It fills faster, 1.5 gallons a minute against 1.1, draws 15 watts instead of 370, and ships at 18 pounds instead of 71.4,1 Our pick needs a GFCI-protected outlet, a drain and 6 inches of air behind its louvers.1 For a hallway that needs one cold, filtered station with a fountain, our pick covers it all in one unit; next to a fountain that stays, the runner-up does the job on far less power.
| Elkay LZS8WSLP | Elkay LZWSSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking fountain | Push-bar, built in | None |
| Chilled water | 8 gal/hr at 50 F | Only with a remote chiller |
| Filter life | 6,000 gal or 1 year | 3,000 gal |
| Fill rate | 1.1 gal/min | 1.5 gal/min |
| Warranty | 5 yr cooling, 1 yr parts | 1 yr parts and water |
Sources
- Elkay LZS8WSLP 1Specification sheet, 2015 (PDF), pp. 1, 2 2Enhanced stations ship the 6,000-gallon filter (2023 release) 351600C filter page
- Elkay LZWSSM 4Specification sheet, 2013 (PDF), p. 1
- 5U.S. Access Board: guide to the ADA standards, drinking fountains
From the manual
- A remote chiller can sit within 15 feet for cold water, but the fill rate then drops from 1.5 to 1.1 gallons a minute. p. 1
- It plugs into a 15-amp outlet with its own three-prong cord, and the wall must be sound enough to carry the hanging unit. p. 2
- Electrical parts and waterways are covered for 12 months from installation or 18 from shipment, whichever comes first. p. 1
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Chilled water (gal/hr at 50 F) | Filter life (gallons) | Fill rate (gal/min) | Drinking fountain | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elkay LZS8WSLP | 8 | 6,000 (older stock 3,000) | 1.1 | Yes, push-bar | 5 yr cooling, 1 yr parts |
| 2. Elkay LZWSSM | None (remote option) | 3,000 | 1.5 (1.1 with chiller) | No | 1 yr parts and water |
| 3. Elkay LZ8WSSSMC | 8 | 3,000 | 1.1 | No | 5 yr cooling, 1 yr parts |
| 4. Elkay LZWSRK | Same as host cooler | 3,000 | 1.5 | Yes, the cooler's | — |
| 5. Elkay Liv LBWD00WHC | None | 2,250 | — | No | — |
| 6. Sloan DropSpot DRS100 | None (remote option) | 3,000 | Up to 1.2 | No | — |
| 7. Avalon A50-SB | None | About 1,500 or 6 months | — | No | — |
| 8. Oasis PWSMEBF | None (remote option) | None (add-on kits) | — | No | 1 yr |
| 9. Global Industrial 761220BL | None | None | — | Yes, two heights | — |
| 10. Avalon A5 | 0.66, plus hot water | 6 months | 0.3 | No | 1 yr, register in 30 days |
Chilling is rated with 80 F supply water in a 90 F room. Filter life is gallons or the stated months, whichever comes first; the A50-SB's figure comes from the manual for its in-wall twin, the A50-S, and Elkay ships the LZS8WSLP's 6,000-gallon filter since 2023. The LZWSRK chills only if the cooler it sits on does. Warranty terms are the makers' stated ones; a dash means we found none published.
Sources
- Elkay LZS8WSLP spec sheet (PDF) 6,000-gallon filter for enhanced stations (2023 release) LZWSSM spec sheet (PDF) LZ8WSSSMC spec sheet (PDF) LZ8WSSSMC product page LZWSRK product page LZWSRK installation manual (PDF) Liv LBWD00WHC product page
- Sloan DropSpot DRS100 product page
- Avalon A50-SB product page A50-S use and care manual, p. 24 A5 use and care guide
- Oasis PWSMEBF spec sheet (PDF)
- Global Industrial 761220BL product page
From the manual
- The included filter is certified for lead and microplastics and is rated for 3,000 gallons or one year. p. 1
- The refrigeration system has a five-year warranty and other parts 12 months; non-drinking-water uses aren't covered. p. 1
- The thermostat comes factory set and needs no adjustment except at high altitude. p. 2
From the manual
- Every single-level EZ cooler needs a plumbing change to pressurize it, or the filler won't work properly. p. 2
- Coolers whose model numbers end in 1, 1A, 2 or 3 must come off the wall to remove the basin. p. 2
- The existing bubbler moves to the new basin, so the cooler keeps its drinking spout. p. 7
- A control-board setting tells the bottle counter whether the cooler is refrigerated, since it estimates flow at 1.0 or 1.5 gallons a minute. p. 12
From the manual
- It needs a 15-amp GFCI breaker, and the power is wired into the unit's own gang box rather than plugged in. p. 8
- No drain is required, since the catch basin holds normal overflow, though some local codes call for a drain hookup. p. 10
- Each fill stops after 16 ounces, so flushing a new filter's first gallon takes several activations. p. 14
- A blue light at 66 percent filter use says to order a replacement; red means change it now. p. 14
From the manual
- Sloan rates the DropSpot for indoor use only, not where it can freeze or meet saltwater. p. 2
- Filtered units need 6.25 gallons run through a new filter before anyone drinks from it. p. 9
- Harsh, abrasive or petroleum-based cleaners void the warranty; Sloan calls for mild detergent and water. p. 9
Sloan DropSpot DRS-100 installation instructions, chilled version
From the manual
- It isn't designed for outdoor use or closed-in spaces, and installing it there may void the warranty. p. 8
- Plan for a drain line as well as water and power; all three connect once the case is secured. p. 8
- Each fill stops after 30 seconds, and new filters need about a minute of flushing. p. 26
- After a filter change, hold the reset button behind the lower filter for 5 seconds to clear the red light. p. 25
From the manual
- Only a strainer comes fitted. Oasis' add-on filter kits are rated from 4,750 gallons for lead down to 1,100 for PFAS. pp. 1-2
- A chiller won't fit inside the housing or a typical stud wall, so it has to be mounted remotely. p. 1
- The stop valve, drain trap and waste connector aren't included. p. 3
- The warranty is one year on the filler and its electrical parts, in the U.S. and Canada. p. 1
From the manual
- It bolts to a concrete slab with supplied stainless anchors; the installer runs a 1-1/2-inch PVC drain and the water line. p. 1
- The mounting surface must hold 400 pounds, and the maker calls for two people to lift it. p. 1
- Before freezing weather, shut off the water, disconnect the supply and blow out the lines; freeze cracks aren't covered. p. 12
- Supply pressure must stay between 20 and 105 psi; outside that range voids the warranty, so fit a regulator if needed. p. 12
From the manual
- Register within 30 days of purchase to activate the one-year warranty. registration page
- Leave about 4 inches of clearance behind it and on both sides. p. 9
- Cold water takes about an hour after the first switch-on, hot water about 15 minutes. p. 17
- Overflow collects in a drip tray with a red float that rises when it needs emptying; there's no drain hookup. p. 18
Editor's Notes
November 5, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
This November pass read the makers' manuals or spec sheets for all ten picks, added a spec table, notes from those manuals and a section on why the LZS8WSLP leads. It fixed five errors: the LZ8WSSSMC does list its filter life, the LZWSRK keeps its drinking spout, the Oasis warranty is one year rather than five, the Avalon A50-SB's filters are certified, and the outdoor pedestal must be drained before a freeze. Oasis has replaced the original PWSMEBF with a stainless-alcove version under the same name.
October 18, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Filter life helped decide the top spot: the enhanced Elkay LZS8WSLP now ships with a filter that lasts twice as long as Elkay's original cartridge. Most of this list needed work. Two Oasis fillers had no current listing, the Halsey Taylor HTHB showed no price, and the Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo had become a floor-standing unit costing several times what most buildings spend. The Brio cooler runs on 5-gallon jugs, so it never belonged here. We also dropped the Elkay EMASMB, a push-button filler with no filter.
The Elkay LZS8WSLP, the Elkay LZWSSM and the Avalon A5 stay. New picks answer what readers search for: an outdoor pedestal, a retrofit kit, a home unit that hides in the wall, and a non-Elkay option in the Sloan DropSpot DRS100.
We found no lab tests of bottle fillers, so we worked from makers' flow, chiller and NSF filter ratings, retailer buying guides, the ADA standards, EPA and CDC guidance, owner feedback and recall records.
Earlier notes
July 8, 2020, by Luke Mitchell:
Water dispensers are common fixtures in many public spaces. They have even become synonymous with socializing in the workplace, as the water cooler is supposedly where chatter and gossip take place in offices, and are also popular in gyms, where water is an essential accompaniment to exercise. Bottle filling stations are similar to regular paper cup coolers, but they encourage re-use of water containers and require fewer trips back and forth.
With plastic waste being one of the most pressing issues threatening the environment, filling stations are becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, many of the models ranked here, including the Elkay LZWSSM, Halsey Taylor HTHB, Elkay EZH2O Built-In, and the Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo have digital counters that display the amount of liquid dispensed in terms of plastic bottles saved. Some, such as the Elkay Enhanced EZH2O, Oasis P8SBF, Halsey Taylor HTHB, and Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo incorporate regular drinking fountains into their design, so people have the option of quenching their thirst at the station or taking their water with them.
When it comes to installation, you have several options. The Avalon A5 and Brio Bottom Loading resemble office water coolers but have alcoves big enough to fill bottles of up to ten inches in height. These are free-standing and are relatively easy to install, especially in the case of the latter, as it uses regular water cooler jugs, and doesn't require a mains water feed. Other models, including the Elkay EMASMB, Elkay Enhanced EZH2O, Oasis P8SBF, and Halsey Taylor HTHB, st flush against a wall and are ideal for retrofitting in place of where a drinking water fountain once stood. The Elkay EZH2O Built-In and Elkay EZH2O SwirlFlo are designed to be recessed into a wall between two studs, where there are dedicated power and water supplies. As such, these permanent fixtures are highly durable, multifunctional, and are more expensive than their counterparts.
Special Honors
Halsey Taylor Halsey Taylor is Elkay's sister brand, and it sells HydroBoost bottle fillers through plumbing distributors, including outdoor-rated, vandal-resistant models such as the wall-mounted HTHBHVR-NF. Ask about freeze-resistant options and lead times before ordering. halseytaylor.com
Combo, Filler-Only Or Retrofit
A combo unit, a filler stacked over a chilled drinking fountain, is the usual choice for a new hallway or a full replacement.
Start with what's on the wall now. A combo unit, a filler stacked over a chilled drinking fountain, is the usual choice for a new hallway or a full replacement. A filler-only unit hangs next to a fountain that stays. A retrofit kit swaps the top of an existing cooler for a filler alcove, which costs less but only fits the maker's own models: the Elkay LZWSRK fits Elkay EZ coolers that run on 115 volts.
The fountain matters for more than drinking. The 2010 ADA Standards ask for at least two drinking fountains where fountains are provided, one at wheelchair height with its spout no higher than 36 inches and one for standing people with the spout 38 to 43 inches up, and a single bi-level unit can count as both. A bottle filler by itself doesn't replace those. ProDrinkingFountains points out that rough-in positions for supply, drain, power and mounting vary by brand and even by model, so measure the old unit before ordering a new one.
For homes, the choices narrow to an in-wall dispenser such as the Elkay Liv, a surface-mount filler such as the Avalon A50-SB, or a bottleless cooler that plugs into a cold line.
Chilling, Fill Speed And Outdoor Units
A chiller adds cost, a 115-volt outlet and a compressor that needs airflow. Sealed chillers on wall units are commonly rated at 8 gallons per hour; Sloan rates its chilled DropSpot at that figure for 50-degree water from an 80-degree supply in a 90-degree room. That's fine for bursts in a school hallway but can fall behind a line at a big event. Non-chilled units pour water at whatever temperature the pipe delivers.
Fill rates run from about 1 to 1.5 gallons per minute. At 1.1 gallons per minute, a 20-ounce bottle takes about eight seconds and a 32-ounce bottle about 14. Most units stop on their own after about 20 seconds.
Outdoor stations skip power and run on push buttons, but freezing is the big risk. ProDrinkingFountains notes that only some outdoor models are designated freeze-resistant, so check before buying for a cold climate. A unit without that rating has to be shut off and drained each winter. Plan for the drain too: outdoor pedestals still need somewhere for overflow and basin water to go.
Filters, Lead And Keeping It Clean
Filters are rated by gallons, months and standards. NSF/ANSI 42 covers taste and odor such as chlorine, NSF 53 covers health contaminants including lead, and NSF 401 covers a set of emerging contaminants; some makers also claim PFAS reduction under their certifications. On the filters that ship with the units here, life runs from about 1,500 gallons on Avalon's cartridges to 6,000 on Elkay's high-capacity one. Change on schedule, because an overdue filter can slow the flow and stops doing its job.
Old fountains are worth a look before a retrofit. The EPA's 3Ts toolkit notes that lead-lined water coolers were banned in 1988, and modern units are built with low-lead waterways. A lead filter doesn't fix lead in the building's pipes before the unit.
In offices and gyms that sit empty for weeks, stagnant water is the concern. The CDC calls a water management program the main defense against Legionella, which includes flushing little-used fixtures. Finally, check the serial number on older Elkay and Halsey Taylor units: a 2018 recall covered about 31,600 coolers and bottle fillers with serials starting 1704, 1705 or 1706 because a grounding screw could break and pose a shock hazard.
How we researched this
We compared 22 bottle fillers, combo units, in-wall dispensers and bottleless coolers. For the ten picks we read Elkay's spec sheets for the LZS8WSLP, LZWSSM and LZ8WSSSMC, its LZWSRK retrofit and Liv installation manuals, Sloan's DropSpot installation guide, Avalon's A50-SB and A5 use-and-care guides, Oasis' PWSMEBF spec sheet and Global Industrial's 761220 pedestal manual, along with the 2010 ADA Standards and EPA and CDC guidance. Elkay's 2023 and 2025 filter announcements settled the top pick's filter life, and the winterizing page in Global Industrial's manual overrode its listing's frost-resistant claim. A web search of CPSC recall notices turned up one hit, Elkay's 2018 shock-hazard recall of about 31,600 coolers and fillers with serials starting 1704 to 1706, and nothing for Sloan, Avalon, Oasis or Global Industrial.
Sources (9)
- Sloan: DropSpot DRS100 bottle filler
- U.S. Access Board: 2010 ADA Standards, sections 211 and 602
- ProDrinkingFountains: 2026 guide to drinking fountains and bottle filling stations
- Engimarket: best bottle filling stations
- EPA: 3Ts for reducing lead in drinking water
- CDC: Legionella control toolkit
- CPSC: Elkay recalls water coolers and bottle filling stations (2018)
- Elkay: enhanced ezH2O stations and the 6,000-gallon filter (2023)
- Elkay: updated filtered bottle filling stations (2025)
Frequently asked questions
Does a water bottle filling station need a drain?
Almost always. Wall units connect to a cold supply line and a drain, and chilled or sensor models also need a 115-volt outlet. A few home units, such as the Elkay Liv, use a drip tray that can be emptied by hand instead.
How fast does a bottle filler fill a bottle?
Most are rated at 1 to 1.5 gallons per minute. At 1.1 gallons per minute, a 20-ounce bottle fills in about eight seconds and a 32-ounce bottle in about 14.
Can a bottle filling station replace a drinking fountain?
Not under the 2010 ADA Standards. Buildings that provide fountains still need one at wheelchair height and one at standing height, which is why combo units are common.
Can I install a bottle filling station outdoors?
Yes, but choose a model built for outdoor use and check whether it's freeze-resistant. Units without that rating have to be shut off and drained in winter.
How often should the filter be changed?
Follow the unit's rating, usually between 1,500 and 6,000 gallons or 6 to 12 months, whichever comes first. Most commercial units have a light that turns red when the filter is due.
Can I put a bottle filling station in my home?
Yes. An in-wall dispenser fits between studs in a remodel, a surface-mount filler hangs on the wall, and a bottleless cooler only needs a cold line and an outlet.
