Primo Water Dispenser Review: Everything You Need to Know
Are you tired of constantly buying cases of bottled water or dealing with the hassle of filling up pitchers with tap water to keep in your fridge? A water dispenser could be the convenient solution you‘ve been looking for. Primo is one of the top brands of water dispensers on the market, providing easy access to clean, filtered water right in your home or office.
In this comprehensive review, we‘ll take a close look at Primo water dispensers – how they work, the different models available, and the pros and cons according to real customer reviews. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide if a Primo dispenser is the right choice for your hydration needs. Let‘s dive in!
About the Primo Water Company
Before we get into the details of the dispensers themselves, let‘s start with some background on the Primo water company. Primo was founded in 2004 with the mission of providing a better alternative to wasteful single-use water bottles and making clean drinking water more accessible.
The company started out by placing multi-gallon water dispensers in grocery stores and other retail locations. Customers could bring their own bottles to refill with Primo‘s purified water for a fraction of the cost of buying individual bottles. This refill service was a hit and Primo quickly expanded across the United States and Canada.
In addition to the refill stations, Primo also offers delivery of its large water jugs directly to homes and offices. But the real game-changer was when Primo started selling its own brand of sleek and convenient water dispensers, allowing customers to have purified Primo water on tap 24/7 right where they live and work.
Today, Primo is a leading force in the water dispenser market, with over 900 million gallons of water sold annually. The company continues to innovate with new dispenser models and expand its reach, while staying true to its original goal of reducing waste and making clean water more accessible to all.
How Primo Water Dispensers Work
Primo water dispensers hook up to a 3-5 gallon jug of Primo‘s purified water and allow you to easily dispense it as needed, similar to a water cooler you‘d see in an office breakroom. The jugs can be purchased separately and used with any Primo dispenser. When the jug is empty, simply replace it with a new one – no plumbing or water line hookup required.
All Primo dispensers have two temperature settings – you can get your water chilled or piping hot at the push of a button. So in addition to providing easy access to your drinking water, a Primo dispenser can also quickly supply you with hot water for things like oatmeal, tea, instant coffee, and more.
One of the biggest appeals of Primo dispensers is their "bottom loading" design. This means the water jug is stored in a cabinet at the bottom of the dispenser, rather than having to be lifted and flipped on top like with traditional top-loading water coolers. The bottom loading feature makes replacing the jugs much easier and reduces the risk of spills and strain.
Primo Water Purification Process
But convenience is only part of the equation – the quality of the water itself is just as important. So how does Primo ensure its water is clean and free from contaminants? The company uses a thorough 5-step purification process for all the water sold through its dispensers and refill stations. Here‘s how it works:
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Water Sourcing – Primo sources its water from municipal water supplies and springs. It then puts the water through the following purification steps.
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Particle Filtration – First the water passes through a particle filter to remove any sediment, rust, or dirt.
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Activated Carbon Filtration – Next, the water is treated with an activated carbon filter which removes chlorine, odors, and other chemical contaminants.
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Reverse Osmosis – The water then undergoes reverse osmosis, a process that removes dissolved solids like sodium, lead, chromium and more.
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UV Light Sanitation – Finally, the water is disinfected with powerful UV lights to eliminate any microorganisms and bacteria.
This rigorous purification process ensures you‘re getting high-quality, great-tasting water from every Primo dispenser and refill station. The company is committed to meeting or exceeding all state and federal safe water standards.
Top Primo Water Dispenser Models Reviewed
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of how Primo dispensers work and the company‘s water purification process, let‘s take a look at some of the top Primo dispenser models. Primo offers a variety of dispensers with different features and designs to suit your needs and preferences.
Primo Bottom Load Hot/Cool Water Dispenser
The Primo Bottom Load Hot/Cool Water Dispenser is one of the brand‘s most popular and affordable models. As the name suggests, this is a bottom-loading unit, so no heavy lifting is required to replace the water jugs. It has a sleek, black and stainless steel design that looks great in any kitchen or office.
This dispenser has two temperature settings – hot and cool. The hot water is perfect for instant soups, oatmeal, tea, and more. And the crisp cold water is refreshing and delicious. The hot water spout has a child safety lock to prevent accidental burns.
The LED nightlight makes the dispenser easy to use even in low lighting conditions. It also has a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. This Primo dispenser is Energy Star rated and uses up to 30% less energy than similar models. Customers love the attractive design, ease of use, and consistent water quality.
Primo Deluxe Bottom Load Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
If you‘re looking for a dispenser with all the bells and whistles, check out the Primo Deluxe Bottom Load Hot/Cold Water Dispenser. This premium model has a sleek, stainless steel design with a bottom-loading cabinet for the water jugs.
You get three water temperature settings with the deluxe model – hot, cold, and cool. The digital display shows you the exact temperature of the hot and cold water. The hot water spout has a child safety lock, and the removable drip tray makes for easy cleaning.
One of the standout features of the deluxe dispenser is the self-cleaning function. It uses ozone to sanitize the water tanks and lines, ensuring your water is always fresh and clean. The dispenser also has a built-in nightlight and a empty-bottle indicator that lets you know when it‘s time to replace the jug.
Primo Top Load Hot/Cold Water Dispenser
For a more traditional water cooler design, consider the Primo Top Load Hot/Cold Water Dispenser. This model loads the water jug on top of the unit, rather than in a bottom cabinet. It has a classic white color that fits in with any decor.
The top-loading Primo dispenser has two temperature settings – hot and cold. It has push-button controls and a removable drip tray. The stainless steel water reservoirs help keep the water fresh and cool.
While a top-loading dispenser does require some heavy lifting to replace the water jug, it‘s a reliable and affordable option. And the simple, classic design is a plus for those who prefer a more traditional water cooler look.
Primo Water Refill and Delivery Services
In addition to offering water dispensers for purchase, Primo also has a couple convenient ways to keep your dispenser stocked with water – refill stations and delivery services. Here‘s how they work:
Refill Stations
You can refill your own bottles or Primo water jugs at one of 25,000 Primo refill stations across the US and Canada. Just bring your bottles to a station at a participating retailer, like Walmart, Lowe‘s or Kroger. You pay by the gallon to refill from Primo‘s purified water supply.
Delivery Service
Don‘t want to deal with hauling heavy water jugs yourself? Primo also offers a water delivery service in many areas. You can set up recurring deliveries of 3 or 5 gallon Primo water jugs right to your home or office. When you run out, just place the empty jugs out and Primo will pick them up and leave fresh ones at your next delivery. So convenient!
Primo Water Dispenser Pros and Cons
Now that we‘ve gone over the key features and options Primo water dispensers offer, let‘s summarize some of the main advantages and drawbacks to consider:
Pros
- Convenient access to clean, purified water
- Reduces plastic waste vs single-use water bottles
- More affordable than buying bottled water
- Hot water on demand for cooking/beverages
- Bottom-loading design makes replacing jugs easy
- Attractive, modern designs
- Refill and delivery options available
- Thorough 5-step water purification process
- Energy efficient models
Cons
- Requires ongoing purchase of water jugs
- Higher upfront cost than pitcher filters
- Takes up counter/floor space
- Noisy when heating/cooling water
- Some models are prone to leaking
- Hot water spout is a safety concern for children
Overall, if you want the convenience of clean water on demand and can commit to buying Primo‘s water jugs on an ongoing basis, a Primo dispenser could be a great option for your home or office. But it‘s not the most affordable or environmentally friendly option out there.
What Customers Are Saying
To give you a better idea of how Primo water dispensers perform in real-world use, we combed through dozens of customer reviews on Amazon, Lowe‘s and other retailer websites. Here are some of the key things customers liked and disliked about Primo dispensers:
Common Positives
- Water tastes clean and fresh
- Sleek and attractive designs
- Easy to use and replace jugs
- Convenient access to hot and cold water
- Refill and delivery options are great
Common Negatives
- Some units stopped cooling/heating
- Prone to leaking
- Noisy operation
- Poor customer service from Primo
- Had to replace it after about a year of use
Primo water dispensers earned an average of 4 out of 5 stars across multiple retailer sites. Thе majority of customers were very satisfied with the taste of the water and thе convenience the dispensers provide. Reliability seems to be an issue for some, with reports of malfunctions after a year or so of use. But many customers have had their Primo dispensers for several years with no major issues.
How Primo Compares to Other Water Dispenser Brands
Primo is a leading brand in the water dispenser market, but it‘s certainly not the only option out there. Other top brands to consider include:
- Avalon
- Brio
- Whirlpool
- Honeywell
- Igloo
So how does Primo stack up against these competitors? In terms of price, Primo falls in the middle of the pack. You can find some cheaper options from brands like Igloo and Avalon, but Primo‘s prices are reasonable for the quality and features offered.
Primo stands out for its attractive, bottom-loading designs. Many other brands only offer top-loading dispensers. Primo also has a leg up in terms of water quality, as not all brands have such a thorough purification process.
One area where Primo falls a bit short is in customer service. Many customers have reported difficulty getting in touch with Primo‘s support team when issues arise. Brands like Honeywell and Whirlpool tend to have better reputations for responsive customer service.
Bottom Line: Is a Primo Water Dispenser Worth It?
So is a Primo water dispenser worth buying? The answer depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here‘s our take:
A Primo dispenser is worth considering if you:
- Want convenient access to clean, purified water
- Prefer a sleek, bottom-loading design
- Need a reliable source of hot water on demand
- Want the option to buy refills or set up delivery
However, you may want to consider other options if you:
- Are on a tight budget
- Don‘t have the space for a full-size dispenser
- Want the most environmentally-friendly option
- Don‘t want to commit to buying Primo‘s water jugs
Overall, we think Primo water dispensers offer great value and performance for the price. The water quality is excellent and the bottom-loading designs offer unbeatable convenience. Just be aware that you‘ll need to factor in the ongoing cost of Primo‘s water jugs or refills. If you can make that commitment, a Primo dispenser is a solid choice for your home or office hydration needs.
Where to Buy a Primo Water Dispenser
If you‘re interested in purchasing a Primo water dispenser, you have a few different options:
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Primo‘s website – Primo offers its full selection of dispensers on its website at www.primowater.com. You can often find discounts and promotions here as well.
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Amazon – Many of Primo‘s dispensers are available on Amazon, often with Prime shipping options.
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Home improvement stores – Retailers like Lowe‘s and Home Depot typically stock a couple Primo dispenser models in store and online.
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Walmart – Walmart sells some of Primo‘s most popular dispenser models at competitive prices.
Be sure to compare prices and read customer reviews before making your purchase. And don‘t forget to factor in the cost of Primo‘s water jugs or refill service in addition to the upfront cost of the dispenser.
Primo Water Dispenser FAQs
To wrap up this comprehensive review, let‘s answer some of the most common questions about Primo water dispensers:
How much do Primo water jugs cost?
The cost of Primo‘s water jugs varies by location, but you can typically expect to pay around $7 for a 5-gallon jug or $6 for a 3-gallon jug.
How long do Primo water jugs last?
Primo‘s water jugs are made of durable plastic and can be sanitized and reused up to 40 times before needing to be recycled. So one jug could last several months or more with regular use.
Do I have to use Primo brand water jugs with a Primo dispenser?
Primo recommends using its own brand of water jugs for optimal performance, but most standard 3 or 5 gallon water jugs will fit in Primo dispensers.
How do I clean my Primo water dispenser?
Primo recommends cleaning your dispenser every time you replace the water jug. Use a mild soap and water solution to wipe down the cabinet, drip tray, and spouts. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach which could leave a residue or damage the components.
What is Primo‘s warranty?
New Primo dispensers come with a 1-year limited warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship. You can also add on an extended warranty at the time of purchase for added peace of mind.
