What Are The Top Things To Consider When Buying A Water Dispenser in 2025?

As we move through 2025 towards another warm summer (fingers crossed), the demand for high-quality, reliable water dispensers is stepping up a gear. Whether for your home or workplace, having easy access to great-tasting, fully filtered drinking water is more important than ever. But with so many models to choose from, how do you know what to look for when renting or buying a water dispenser?

At Thirsty Work, we’re specialists in supplying both bottled and mains-fed water dispensers, and even hot water dispensers. So we know a thing or two about the key considerations that make all the difference to our customers. We’ll cover the top things to keep in mind and look out for when choosing the best water dispenser 2025 has to offer, and show how our dispensers could be the right fit for you.

A bottled or mains-fed dispenser?

Your first decision is whether to choose a mains-fed water dispenser or a bottled water dispenser. This choice can depend on how many people are in your team at work, how large your office is, or whether you have the space to store full and empty water bottles. So, what are the key differences between these two models?

Bottled water dispensers are ideal for office or living spaces where plumbing isn’t available or where more flexibility is needed in where they’re placed – think reception areas, temporary offices, event spaces, or factory floors. These dispensers are easy to install – they just need mains power to plug into – and move around when needed. But they offer naturally filtered, spring water in bottles delivered straight to your door.

On the other hand, a mains-fed water dispenser connects directly to your existing mains water supply. Using an advanced filtration system, the unit filters the water as it goes through to deliver even better-tasting water. They’re a more permanent installation, but perfect for busy, high-traffic spaces like office kitchens and break rooms, schools, and gyms.

Choosing the right model means you’re buying a water dispenser that matches your space and any sustainability goals. And for the ultimate in hygiene, certain models can be upgraded to become touchless water dispensers that eliminate the spread of germs and bacteria on high-touch taps and touch panels.

Hot water or cold water – or both?

Another major decision factor when buying a water dispenser is the temperature options available. Many units offer hot and cold water from the same water dispenser, giving you instant near-boiling water for tea, coffee, or hot snacks, together with ambient or chilled water for cool, refreshing hydration. And, depending on the model, you can even get sparkling water, too.

This dual (or triple) functionality means you reduce the use of many single-use plastic bottles. But it could also reduce the need for a separate kettle, saving you space and time while giving you the convenience and efficiency of an all-in-one system.

However, if you have a larger office space with a lot of people needing hot water for those office tea and coffee rounds, why not consider a separate hot water dispenser? Delivering near-boiling water of up to 98ºC on demand, a dedicated hot water dispenser is a great way to save time, maximise efficiency – and reduce your energy costs. If hot drinks are always in favour, take a look at some of the biggest reasons why your office needs a hot water dispenser.

Tank capacity to meet your usage demands

A really common thing people overlook when they’re buying a water dispenser is its internal tank capacity and what it can hold and dispense at any one time. While a larger tank means less waiting for it to refill, it might be too much for a home or smaller office where your water dispenser will only have light use.

For larger offices and commercial spaces with high foot traffic, a high-capacity mains-fed model with efficient cooling and a capability of dispensing up to 50 litres an hour is essential. These models have no problem keeping a high number of people hydrated throughout the day. However, residential users or offices with smaller teams and fewer people may prefer an energy-efficient bottled water dispenser with a 13 or 18.9-litre water bottle.

Matching tank capacity to usage demand will give you better efficiency, fewer interruptions, and more consistent hydration. From light domestic use to heavy-duty office demand, the right tank capacity means never running out of chilled or hot water when you need it most.

Water filtration and great-tasting water

Everyone loves the taste of pure filtered water. And when you’re buying either a mains-fed or bottled water dispenser, this is exactly what you get. Proper filtration is crucial to the taste, smell, and safety of your water, and people are more aware of this than ever.

If you’re considering a mains-fed water dispenser, these can be fitted with an advanced filtration system that removes impurities, bad tastes, iffy smells, and leftover contaminants from your mains water. Depending on the model, systems can include carbon filters, sediment filters, and ultrafiltration, each targeting different types of pollutants such as chlorine, microplastics, and bacteria.

And even bottled water dispensers come with built-in hygiene defence. Each bottle is filled with naturally filtered spring water before being factory-sealed to prevent contamination. And dispensers are fitted with protective no-spill caps and enclosed systems so the water remains untouched by air or hands until it comes out from the taps so every glass of water you drink is fresh, pure, and enjoyable.

Energy efficiency and eco-friendly credentials

With more and more companies looking to meet sustainability goals across their business, water dispensers offer a way to stay hydrated while also ticking those all-important environmental and eco-friendly boxes. But, understanding how energy-efficient a water dispenser is is usually high up on people’s question lists. So, what does that look like for you? 

Whether bottled or mains-fed, water dispensers are notoriously energy-efficient. While circumstances can affect the amount of electricity it might use, such as using its heating or chilling elements or even whether it’s positioned in direct sunlight, the average electricity cost of running a bottled water cooler can be as low as 16p per day.

Many of us are still buying bottled water from supermarkets, which is only increasing the amount of plastic getting into our ecosystem. So, installing a mains-fed water dispenser can help you take a big step towards reducing single-use plastic, at home or in the office – especially if you use a refillable water bottle throughout the day.

In-built installation, service, and maintenance

If you’re buying your water dispenser, one of the key considerations should be its installation. With a bottled water dispenser, installation is as easy as adding a water bottle, plugging the unit in, and switching it on. But a mains-fed dispenser is a little more complicated and involves adapting your mains supply pipework for use with the unit.

Beyond the dispenser’s installation, another top consideration is its service and maintenance routine. Whether mains-fed or bottled, the dispenser’s hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitation are crucial to the health and well-being of everyone using it, so they shouldn’t be overlooked. If you’re buying your dispenser, regular servicing and maintenance will be down to you.

If you’re thinking of renting your dispenser from Thirsty Work, you can take advantage of the comprehensive support on offer. From free professional installation to ongoing servicing, maintenance, and sanitisation, everything is included in our rental packages. We also offer regular bottled water delivery if you’re using a bottled dispenser, so you never run dry.

Trust Thirsty Work for the best water dispenser in 2025

The best water dispensers in 2025 will give you more than just water – they all deliver convenience, sustainability, hygiene, and value. So, whether you choose a bottled or mains-fed model, the right cooler will meet the needs of you and your team, improving the way you work, live, and stay hydrated.

At Thirsty Work, we’re here to help you make the best choice for your space and your people. Contact the team on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today to get all the information you need, start your 10-day free trial, or get your free quote.