The water refill station in my grocery store is a paradox. While I love the potential of cheap purified water refills cutting back on bottled water purchases, I can't get over the chore of lugging many small jugs around on my grocery trips. I would invest in a massive five-gallon jug, but it's too big to use without a dispenser.
Until recently, I believed that traditional water coolers -- typically found in office buildings -- were the best options. But I'm changing my tune with cheap portable water dispensers.
Let's explore three reasons why a $15 water dispenser might be worth your money. (For more clean water tips, see how to make distilled water at home and find out how much you'll can save by switching from bottled water to filtered tap).
Desktop water dispensers are handy for places without a faucet
keweis water dispenser filling cup on bamboo desk with water jug below
Even if you don't buy purified water, a large jug is a great way to provide a ready supply of water in places without a faucet. John Carlsen/CNET
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As a person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), I sometimes experience a mental state called hyperfocus, where I lose track of time while working. I really like the $16 Keweis Desktop Water Bottle Dispenser for staying hydrated as I work since I can place it on my desk and extend the 4-foot hose into a water jug on the floor. This means I can hide the jug under a table where floor space is plentiful. It's also great for shielding the bottle from sunlight, which can degrade the plastic over time and lead to microorganism growth.
My favorite features of this desktop dispenser are six presets from 100ml to 1L, so I can get the right amount of water for my cup every time. While these presets aren't very precise, my quick tests with a scale and measuring cup revealed that they're reasonably accurate to within 15 to 40 milliliters (1 to 2.7 tablespoons). Oddly enough, the lowest settings tended to overfill the cup by a few milliliters, while the highest presets underfilled. The 500ml middle setting is pretty close to exact.
keweis water dispenser on bamboo desk with usb charging cable
Keweis has a USB-C port for charging. John Carlsen/CNET
This level of accuracy is OK for beverages and some recipes, but double-checking the water amount with a liquid measuring cup is always a good idea. I don't recommend using it with dry measuring cups unless you want spills. You can also hit the power button anytime to stop the filling process.
My main complaint about Keweis is the compact size. The faucet isn't tall enough for most water bottles, and having to hold them at an angle while filling reduces the usefulness of the presets. Plus, the base is too narrow to hold a standard 4-cup measuring cup or even small mixing bowls. At least it's a good fit for coffee mugs and party cups. My next desktop water dispenser will have an adjustable height or rotating faucet.
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Portable faucets for camping
myvision water dispenser outside with grass and fence in background
Myvision rests directly on a silicone cap that slips over a 5-gallon jug's opening. It's not as useful indoors, but it's a great option for the campground or a remote cabin. John Carlsen/CNET
I first heard about portable water dispensers like the $15 Myvision Automatic Drinking Water Pump from camping channels on YouTube. It's fitting that it rounds out my thoughts on water dispensers as solid options for traveling. Unlike the Keweis, Myvsion doesn't have presets so you'll tap the button on the top to start and stop the pump. It fills containers about as fast as Keweis, but the stainless steel spout is easier to use and produces fewer splashes when filling. The spout is also the right angle and length to fill many kinds of containers.
While I like that Myvision includes a silicone lid, it's a little loose for my taste. I prefer the tighter fit of these water jug caps I found for $9. I think the manual controls are especially well-suited for washing hands and dishes since it functions more or less like a regular faucet. As great as these portable water dispensers are, you should be careful not to put them too close to electronic devices. Likewise, keep them out of reach of young children to prevent messes.
A cheap alternative to single-use water bottles
grocery store water refill station filling five gallon water jug
While the jug costs $13 outright, it takes only a few refills to offset the cost of my usual bottled water. John Carlsen/CNET
It's no secret that bottled water is a significant source of plastic waste, with the majority ending up in landfills worldwide. But it's not just a problem of waste. Single-use bottled water is expensive compared to tap water. Still, people at all income levels can benefit from reduced reliance on single-use water bottles.
Although I've cut back on bottled water purchases over the last few years, I still grab a $5 case of 16.9-ounce bottles every few months. The case holds 40 bottles with a total volume of 5.3 gallons (20 liters), so I'm spending nearly $1 per gallon. By comparison, I can fill an entire five-gallon jug at the water refill station for $2, or $0.40 per gallon.
grocery cart holding full five gallon water jug
I'll continue to refill this jug until it breaks, and I like that it encourages me to use my collection of reusable water bottles. John Carlsen/CNET
I realize that purified water from my grocery store is far and away more expensive than tap water, which costs only $0.84 for the first 1,000 gallons in my city. Still, the consistent flavor is ideal for times when sensory overload holds me back from drinking tap water.
Purified water is also perfect for emergency water storage in any household. The CDC recommends storing at least a three-day water supply for each person in your home, but preferably two weeks' worth. At one gallon per day, this works out to around 3 to 14 gallons of water per person. Large jugs are more efficient than smaller containers when storing a lot of water.
And if you're just not a jughead, here are CNET's top-rated water filter pitchers and travel water bottles to buy.