We’ve all seen water coolers in various workplaces, waiting rooms and offices. It’s where all those “important” conversations with our colleagues are happening, right? But can water coolers effectively filter water? Can they truly deliver clean and high-quality water that you and your colleagues can rely on everyday? Let’s dive into it and find out.
Table of Contents
What Is a Water Cooler?
A water cooler is a large machine that dispenses drinking water, usually at a workplace or waiting room.
While some water coolers feature a water filter cartridge inside the machine to remove contaminants before drinking, most don’t.
So the most important question to ask is, where is this water coming from? You may see a sticker on the side of the big bottle sitting on top of the water cooler, in which case, you can just enter the name into Google and check out what water you’re drinking. Meanwhile, other water coolers are plumbed into the wall, giving you plain tap water.

Types of Water Coolers
There are many types of water coolers available on the market, and each has its own features.
Bottled Water Coolers
This is the most common form of water cooler you’ll see around, and many of the replacement water bottles are delivered to the door periodically, so you never run out of water.
Is it filtered? Sometimes. There are providers that fill those bottles with tap water too, so it’s worth checking out when you purchase.
Benchtop Water Coolers
These are common in offices and homes and sit on the countertop. They are designed to take up as little space as possible. They are ideal for homes, smaller offices or reception areas.
Is it filtered? Sometimes. Some of these countertop water coolers have a water filter built-in, and some will not. It's best to check before purchasing.

Plumbed-in Water Coolers (aka Mains-fed Water Coolers)
Plumbed in water coolers come in various sizes, colours and designs. They are plumbed into your water pipes, removing the need to order replacement water bottles or have one delivered each month.
Is it filtered? Sometimes. As you can guess, most plumbed-in water coolers will have water filter cartridges inside, and some won’t. The quality of these cartridges is also questionable in some cases, so as we always like to say, it’s best to check before going ahead.
Under Sink Chillers
Undersink chillers are installed underneath your kitchen sink. They are plumbed into your water pipe, so unless they feature filtration, your water is just chilled tap water.
Instant Hot Water Dispensers
Again, this is another very common item found in many office kitchens and workplaces. These deliver instant hot water to your faucet and are great for bustling environments where there is no time to wait for the kettle to boil.
Is it filtered? You guessed it; not always.
So, Does a Water Cooler Filter Water?
Generally speaking, no they don’t. It’s impossible to know if any specific type of water cooler filters water or not, so there's no simple yes or no answer. As we’ve seen, whether a water cooler filters your water really depends on the specific type of unit. Many common bottled water coolers, plumbed-in models and even benchtop dispensers don’t automatically come with a filter, often just chilling or heating regular tap water. The only way to be certain is to check the specifications of the particular model you’re using or purchasing. Because you can’t always rely on a water cooler to provide filtered water, it’s worth exploring other options to ensure you’re drinking the best quality water possible.
Our Recommendations
The best thing you can do is take control of your water. Most people start by taking their filtered water out with them every day with a water bottle, but if you’ve got a say in the office you work at, why not get an option that filters the water too?
Although the below options don't create chilled water, they are perfect for the office or other environments which call for a water cooler. Just fill up your water bottle, and pop it in the fridge.
Filteroo Blue
The Filteroo Blue comes with a massive 20L holding tank, and the great news is that the cartridge removes all of the nasty contaminants in your water source, including fluoride!
Phoenix Stainless Steel Gravity Water Filter or Filteroo Superoo
You may prefer the price tag of a Phoenix water filter, but both the Phoenix Stainless Gravity Water Filter and Filteroo Superoo are great options for bulk filtered water anywhere!
Ultrastream
Another solid option is the Ultrastream Hydrogen Rich Ioniser Water Filter System with Under Sink kit.
The Ultrastream delivers hydrogen-rich, ionised water straight from your tap with its world-class filtration system. It's designed to turn your ordinary water into an ocean of antioxidants.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for options for the office or other environments which require higher volumes, please feel free to contact us. We’d be delighted to help.

The main types of water coolers include bottled, benchtop and plumbed-in models, but none of these are guaranteed to have a built-in filter, making it crucial to check their specifications.
Whether a water cooler filters water is not a simple yes or no; it depends entirely on the specific model, as many common units only cool or heat tap water without filtration.
To ensure you are drinking high-quality water, it's recommended to verify a water cooler's filtration capabilities or consider alternative gravity-fed or under-sink filtration systems for your home or office.
Hear From Our Satisfied Customers
Do Plumbed-in Water Coolers Use a Filter?
Sometimes. While many plumbed-in (or mains-fed) water coolers have filter cartridges inside, some do not. It is important to confirm if a filter is included and to check the quality of the cartridge it uses.
How Can I Know if the Water from a Cooler Is Filtered?
For bottled water coolers, you can search for the brand name on the bottle to find out more about the water's source and treatment. For other types of coolers, you will need to check the specific product's features and specifications or ask the supplier directly.
Is the Water in Bottled Coolers Better than Tap Water?
Not always. Some suppliers provide high-quality filtered spring water, but others may simply be filling the bottles with regular tap water. It is always best to investigate the brand to understand what you are drinking.