Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a bottled water dispenser, you still have a couple of choices to make. Will you need hot and cold water, or is room temperature okay? Do you have room for a countertop design or do you prefer the free standing option? These are questions of both style and comfort.

With a countertop dispenser, you don’t need to worry about finding another outlet to plug in an appliance. Countertop units are typically a crock-style unit and naturally cool water to just below room temperature. Ceramic pots are also very attractive and can blend very well with kitchen décor. If you’re worried about having a massive five-gallon water bottle sitting on your counter, there’s a solution. You don’t have to worry about such a big eyesore. You can find smaller pitchers to fit these crocks.

Of course, the downside to a countertop unit is that it takes up counter space. While space in most kitchens is at a premium, you can usually find a small nook to place something like a water dispenser. You can even get a countertop unit and set it in an attractive wooden frame. You can get all the benefits of the clay countertop style without sacrificing counter space.

If you want all the bells and whistles, you could go for something like a stainless steel floor dispenser that has hot and cold water. These will be a bit more expensive, but they may be best combined in a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances. You can even get this type of dispenser that hides the water bottle at the bottom of the unit.

So it all comes down to a couple of factors. If you want something understated and don’t mind leaving space on your kitchen counter, then a countertop crock would be a great option. But if you want a larger capacity with more features, a standalone drive would be the way to go. You can even get the best of both worlds with a small crock on an attractive stand.