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3 Best Water Bottle Filling Stations for School or Work

Best Touch-less
Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station with Integral SwirlFlo Features
4.5/5
Vandal Resistant
Halsey Taylor HTHB HydroBoost Bottle filler
4.5/5
Energy Saving
Elkay EZH20 Enhanced Bottle Filling Station
4/5

Water bottle filling stations come with lots of benefits. So if you’re deciding between the best water bottle filling stations for your school or your work setting, then you’re going to want to read about the advantages and different types of drinking fountains that we’ve evaluated:

First, they limit the usage of bottled water. Then they encourage better awareness of environmental issues our planet has.

Second, they’re a better source of clean water than water fountains. And their installation is easy.

So whether you’re planning on installing a water filler in schools, gyms, recreation areas, or industrial facilities, here are the 3 best water bottle filling stations we tried and tested that you should consider.

3 Best Water Bottle Filling Stations

1. Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station with Integral SwirlFlo

Features

It features two drinking fountains that make it suitable for busy environments like schools and offices. This Elkay unit is not only a bottle filler, but it’s also got coolers to give you a better economy of space.

 

Coming at the top of our list of the best bottle filling stations is this stainless steel unit from Elkay.

First, it’s easy to use. It’s activated by a sensor that fills your bottle with water so you can have a hands-free experience.

It features two drinking fountains that make it suitable for busy environments like schools and offices. This Elkay unit is not only a bottle filler, but it’s also got coolers to give you a better economy of space.

Then its exclusive green ticker shows you how you’ve impacted the environment with the number of plastic bottles you’ve saved.

With its 1.1 GPM flow rate, it seamlessly dispenses clean, healthier water with minimal splashing. And the plastic components of this unit have silver ion antimicrobial protection to resist the growth of mold.

And finally, as a mark of quality, it’s made in the USA as are other Elkay filling stations.

Comparing the Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station with Integral SwirlFlo option we tested with the Halsey Taylor HTHB HydroBoost Bottle filler, both offer touch-free operation and built-in filters, making them ideal for high-traffic areas such as schools, gyms, and airports.

Pros
Cons

2. Halsey Taylor HTHB HydroBoost Bottle filler

Features

The bottle filling station also features Halsey Taylor’s patented vandal-resistant bubbler that prevents splashing. We also like the stainless steel design with its stain-resistant chrome-plated trays.

 

With a fill rate of 1.5 GPM, the Halsey Taylor HTHB bottler filler is a unit that’ll quickly fill users’ bottles and save them time.

The bottle filling station we tried also features Halsey Taylor’s patented vandal-resistant bubbler that prevents splashing. We also like the stainless steel design with its stain-resistant chrome-plated trays.

It’s activated by sensors that respond to movement; once you take your bottle out of the sensor’s way, the water filler shuts off.

Looking at two of our top tried and tested picks, the Halsey Taylor HTHB HydroBoost Bottle filler is a more affordable option, but the Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station with Integral SwirlFlo and Enhanced versions offer more advanced features for a higher price point.

Pros
Cons

3. Elkay EZH20 Enhanced Bottle Filling Station

Features

This is an improved Elkay model we tried out that presents an exciting experience for both you and the facilities team. It features an advanced filtration system that reduces chemicals, minerals, and contaminants.

 

 

This is an improved Elkay model that presents an exciting experience for both you and the facilities team.

It features an advanced filtration system that reduces chemicals, minerals, and contaminants.

We also like that it’s great for both indoor and outdoor installations. And whether you install it in public spaces or recreation areas, it’s vandal-resistant.

How does it compare to another model we tested? The Enhanced model offers additional features such as real-time water monitoring, a visual user interface, and a customizable logo panel. The Integral SwirlFlo model, on the other hand, has a unique laminar flow that minimizes splashing and provides a more consistent water stream.

Pros
Cons

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider when Choosing The Best Water Bottle Filling Station

You should pay attention to the following factors when choosing the best water bottle filling stations for your facility.

Brand

While there are several water dispensing manufacturing brands with different features, not all of them design units with appealing features.

Both Halsey Taylor and Elkay bottle filling stations are two big brands known for manufacturing durable, high-performing products. Oasis is another big brand (unfortunately, it doesn’t feature among our top three). Their designs are also impressive and the water dispensers come at competitive prices.

They also promote sustainability by showing the number of shows plastic bottles saved with their “Green Ticker” feature.

Filtration

Water quality is a major concern when drinking water from public spaces.

So make sure the best water bottle filling stations have filtration systems in place to reduce bad taste, odor, chlorine, lead, etc. In essence, it should be NSF 42 and 53-certified.

Refrigeration

Since it’s a great idea to provide users of your bottle filling station with both warm and chilled water, you’ll want to be sure your bottle filler has a chiller.

However, depending on your country, the climate, the water source, and the distribution system over there, you may not need a chiller to keep the water cold. This is because the country’s cool temperature will be enough.

Vandal resistance

If vandalism occasionally happens in your school, you’ll need to get vandal-resistant models.

Brands like Elkay and Halsey Taylor offer vandal-resistant options for the bubbler piece (spout), push-button, or the entire station (including water filler).

Retrofit or Swap-out

If you’re on a tight budget, retrofits are usually the best options as they’re budget-friendly.

However, the best option remains to swap out your drinking fountain with a new bottle-filling station. While this lasts longer, a retrofitted option doesn’t last long and doesn’t come with an impressive warranty.

Best Water Bottle Filling Stations Brand Filtration Refrigeration Vandal resistance Retrofit or Swap-out
Elkay EZH20 Bottle Filling Station with Integral SwirlFlo 4/5 5/5 4/5 4/5 5/5
Halsey Taylor HTHB HydroBoost Bottle filler 3/5 4/5 3/5 3/5 4/5
Elkay EZH20 Enhanced Bottle Filling Station 4/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5

Advantages of A Bottle Filling Station

Bottled water is ecologically unsound. And there are issues with the quality of water that water fountains squirt for us to drink.

A bottle-filling station will make a practical addition to your school or office. And here are the top 4 benefits of having one.

Environmentally-friendly

Using bottle filling stations is an eco-friendly way of reducing plastic waste (one of the biggest threats to our planet) since you and other users will be using reusable bottles.

Saves money

Washing and reusing a plastic bottle instead of buying bottled water often saves people money in the long run.

Quick and easy access

Installation is easy for bottle-filling stations. You can also easily change the water filter or swap water fountains for filling stations. However, you’ll need to contact a plumber.

Healthy choice

Water fountains breed lots of bacteria while water fillers are cleaner options for reducing water-borne diseases. Water hydration stations also come with high-performance filters to reduce contaminants, minerals, and chemicals. You can also easily change the filters and cut down on contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Bottle Filling Stations

Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding the best water bottle filling stations:

Are bottle-filling stations safe?

Bottle-filling stations are not only safe, but they are often a safer alternative to unfiltered tap water, and in some cases, bottled water. Bottled water is subject to fewer regulations than when compared to tap water.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does recommend frequent cleaning and sanitation of filling stations. However, overall, they tend to be a safe, healthy choice for drinking water.

How do you use a water bottle filling station?

Using a water bottle filling station is easy. They are designed to be used by consumers of all ages. All you have to do is place your water bottle under the faucet and push the button and the water will begin flowing.

Are drink fountains required on every floor in schools?

Drink fountains are usually a requirement in most U.S. schools. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), schools must provide potable water to children with no restrictions and at no charge during meals if a school is enrolled in a National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Whereas the law requires schools to only have access to water in places where students eat meals, most schools choose to also place them in other areas. Freshwater is important to the overall health of children, making access to them in multiple areas of schools an important thing to consider.

How much does a water bottle filling station cost?

Water bottle filling stations cost, on average, between $500-$1,200. The more features that a station costs, the more likely it will be on the higher end of the range.

Does a bottle filler count as a water fountain?

A water bottle filler can serve the same purpose as a water fountain. It not only provides students or visitors with access to fresh water but also allows them to fill up their water bottles.

Conclusion: The Best Water Bottle Filling Stations

Saving the planet and having clean potable water are just a few of the benefits of installing water dispensers in schools or offices, etc.

And the best model to ensure you have a safe and sustainable drinking experience is Elkay.

Why Trust Kitchen Infinity?

Our writers and reviewers thoroughly research every aspect of kitchen appliances or home improvement products so you can make a well-informed decision when investing in these products. We evaluate top quality products from several brands within budget friendly price ranges and contrast consumer reviews, surveys, satisfaction forms, brand performance, and annual appliance rankings. We go to great lengths to ensure that your next buy is worth every penny!

Dino Paccino

Dino Paccino

Dino is a lifelong writer and home improvement specialist. He enjoys bringing cutting-edge information on home renovation and remodeling to Kitchen Infinity.

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