Should I Purchase Or Rent A Water Dispenser?

If you’re thinking of installing a water dispenser at your office or in your home, you’re definitely in good company. In 2023, the number of bottled and mains-fed water dispensers in homes and offices across the UK reached over 780,000 [via WHA]  – and demand is growing. But if you’re still deciding whether or not to take the plunge, the first question to answer is whether you should purchase your water dispenser upfront or rent it.

It’s a choice worth thinking about as it can affect your upfront costs, plus any ongoing costs, maintenance, flexibility, and long-term support. Whether you’re looking to keep your staff refreshed at work or want a more cost-effective way to get chilled or boiling water at home, weighing up the pros and cons can help you find the right option. 

We look at each option for you so you can pick the water dispenser that suits your space, usage, and budget best.

Buying vs renting – the pros and the cons

To start off, let’s point out that renting or buying a water dispenser is no different from renting or buying anything else, whether that’s a kayak, a car, or a tuxedo. When you buy water coolers online, it means you pay a one-off cost for the unit and own it outright. However, renting means you pay a regular monthly charge to cover the cost of the unit, plus ongoing servicing, maintenance, and deliveries.

When you’re deciding between renting or purchasing a bottled water cooler or a mains-fed water cooler, looking at the pros and cons can help you understand your short and long-term choices. But whether buying or renting, the best choice for you will often depend on your circumstances, while thinking about things like budget, usage, dispenser features, and how much control you want over maintenance and support. So, let’s get into the pro and the cons of buying and renting.

Renting a water cooler - the pros

For many commercial customers, and increasingly, residential customers, renting a water cooler is the most convenient, flexible, and hassle-free option, with no hidden costs and complete peace of mind. Here’s why:

1. Lower upfront costs
When you rent water coolers, you avoid the large initial investment needed to buy one outright and instead pay a lower monthly fee. These costs make it easier for businesses to manage cash flow, or homeowners who want to try a unit without a long-term commitment.

2. Regular servicing and maintenance
With a rental agreement, all servicing is usually handled by your supplier. That includes all filter replacements, sanitisation, and technical maintenance so your water stays fresh, safe, and tasting great. And your bottled water is delivered when you need it.

3. Upgrade flexibility
Renting your water dispenser often includes the option to upgrade your model as and when your needs change. Whether you move office, grow your team, or just want a more advanced unit, you’re not locked out of options.

4. Installation, support, and repairs
Whether you choose a mains-fed or a bottled dispenser, it will be professionally installed for you. And if something goes wrong, you’ll usually receive same-day or next-day support. Plus, replacement units can often be provided free of charge under your agreement.

Renting a water cooler - the cons

For many, renting water coolers has no real cons. Giving you flexibility and cost-effectiveness, renting seems to tick all the boxes, allowing you to focus on doing what you do without any hassle. 

However, if you’re renting for the long haul over many years, you’ll never actually own the unit. And while you’d be dependent on your supplier for the duration, over time, your monthly costs will likely come in higher than if you’d bought the unit outright in the first place. 

Purchasing a water cooler - the pros

While renting a water dispenser is an undeniably popular option, buying the unit upfront and owning it outright can be a more attractive alternative for many commercial or residential customers who know they want a water dispenser for the long term. Here’s why:

1. One-time cost
When you buy water coolers online, it means making a single upfront payment. Though that can be more than if you rent, it can work out more cost-effective over the long term. This can be logical, particularly if you don’t need regular servicing or already have in-house facilities teams.

2. Complete ownership
When you purchase a water dispenser, it’s yours to use as you like, whenever you need it. There are no contracts, no renewal clauses, and no ongoing monthly commitments, so you have the freedom to choose the model you want.

3. Greater customisation
You get to choose the exact model and brand you want, and install it where you like while creating your own maintenance schedule. This level of control suits homeowners or small businesses who prefer a no-ties DIY approach.

4. Better for low-usage
In homes or smaller offices and workplaces where the dispenser is used only a few times a day, the service and maintenance demands are lower, making water cooler ownership a much more favourable option.

Purchasing a water cooler - the cons

While purchasing a water dispenser certainly fulfils the needs of low-use homes and offices that have the means to buy upfront, there may well be some downsides to consider beforehand.

Owning a unit means taking full responsibility for hygiene, filter changes, repairs, and regular maintenance. All these things are essential, especially if you have a mains-fed dispenser or it’s used in a shared space. And if you choose a bottled water dispenser, you’ll need to source your own water refills and accessories, which can add to your costs.

Which water dispenser is right for you?

Choosing the best water cooler for your office or home is a big decision. If you’re running a larger business, especially in a fast-paced or high-traffic environment with a high volume of users, renting a water dispenser is probably the smartest choice. It gives you and your teams a hassle-free way to stay hydrated with none of the maintenance worries if anything goes wrong. Like Thirsty Work, many suppliers offer regular maintenance and service programmes, support, and even free trial periods, so you can test your water dispenser before committing.

For micro businesses and home users with low-use, the decision depends on how much you value convenience vs control. If you’re confident about handling the installation, maintenance, and water refills and prefer a one-off, up-front cost, purchasing your water dispenser might suit you better. That said, many people in the decision phase still choose to rent because of the ease of having professional support at the end of the phone.

Rent or purchase your water cooler from Thirsty Work

At the end of the day, choosing whether to buy or rent a water cooler comes down to your needs and those around you. If you want hassle-free convenience, support, and long-term flexibility, renting delivers excellent value, particularly for busy offices. If you’re looking for a simple, one-time investment and don’t mind handling upkeep yourself, buying could be a cost-effective long-term alternative.

At Thirsty Work, we specialise in both renting and buying options. Whether you want to buy water coolers online for home or office use or rent a water cooler for your office, we have a great selection of premium units, expert support, and straightforward guidance to help you make the right choice.

Get in touch with the Thirsty Work team today to get your free quote and find out more about your 10-day free trial with installation and servicing included. Call the team on 01392 877 172 or emai hello@thirstywork.com today to discover the best option for you.