Bear with the analogy here, because it really is true: When I was assigned to research and find the best drink dispenser, I quickly learned that search is a lot like trying to reenter the dating world in your 40’s (which I am also doing). Sure, you can set specific search filters, which produce hundreds of options that technically meet your criteria, but most of them aren’t very attractive. And when you start to click around for more information on the actually-good-looking ones, you’ll probably find a fatal flaw (leaky spout, bad seal, still lives with his ex).
All that said, while I don’t love the idea of a beverage dispenser taking up space in my home, a good one is really handy for serving cold drinks when hosting (or hydrating) a crowd. A pre-batched cocktail and a drink dispenser is easier and less messy than using pitchers for a dinner party. And it’s nice to have a dispenser full of ice water during holiday dinners so you don’t have to refill everyone’s glass all night.
In my testing they weren’t all winners. But that’s dating—I mean, product testing—for you! The priciest drink dispenser I ordered—a nearly 4-gallon enamelware model—came chipped in a way that looks like it could be a recurring defect. But I did find four drink dispensers that pleasantly surprised me in a few different ways.
A great, small glass drink dispenser: Fureey 1-Gallon Glass Beverage Dispenser
This clear glass beverage dispenser comes on a stand so people can fit their glasses under it without having to tuck right up on the edge of your counter or tabletop. It’s tall and slender and the glass is sturdy and thick. It requires minimal assembly to attach the stainless steel spigot, but it’s very easy and it even comes with a little chalkboard and chalk marker so nobody thinks your sangria is just fancy juice. The style is slightly dated, but overall, this is a high-quality glass drink dispenser, and the 1-gallon size is perfect for small gatherings.
A great, bigger glass drink dispenser: Threshold 2-Gallon Glass Modern Beverage Dispenser
This 2-gallon beverage dispenser from one of Target’s house brands is the most stylish option I ordered and it’s fine, but it’s not perfect. I like the straight-sided clear glass and the metal spout feels nice and sturdy and doesn’t leak. I also really like the look of the wood lid, but there’s no gasket on it, so it just rests loosely on top of the glass. Customers have complained that the lid warps over time, too, though I haven’t experienced that issue. The glass is also fairly thin, which is probably why this can be ordered for Target pickup, but not for shipping. No one wants a box full of broken glass.
A shatterproof drink dispenser: Threshold Lancashire Plastic Beverage Dispenser
Another 2-gallon drink dispenser from Target’s Threshold brand, this one is made of BPA-free clear plastic. It’s lightweight and looks like glass from a distance. It’s a good option for serving cold drinks if you want a water or juice dispenser that won’t shatter. And, while I didn’t experience any leaking or other issues with the plastic spigot, it feels cheap and I don’t expect that part to last very long. Luckily, it’s easy and affordable to replace the spigot on a drink dispenser (more on that below).
An affordable, effective insulated drink dispenser RTIC Halftime Water Cooler
My drink dispenser quest taught me that you can have a pretty drink dispenser or you can have an insulated drink dispenser but you can’t have both. But you also don’t have to be stuck with a round orange jug with a super-slow spout. I don’t know how many times I’ve stood in the heat at one of those things, holding my thumb on a button while water slowly trickled into my cup. This 3-gallon insulated water dispenser from RTIC provides the opposite experience with not one but two fast-fill taps. They can even be propped open with a latch so water pours out like a faucet. Insulation-wise, it’s no Yeti, but it does keep drinks cold. I filled it with ice water and let it sit in my apartment for 24 hours and though the ice had melted, the water was still very cold the next day. A strap with a padded handle makes it easy to carry even when full, and it’s very light when empty. I wouldn’t necessarily want it as the centerpiece at my next cocktail party, but it’s great for taking to my kids’ soccer games and to just have plenty of cold water handy in the summer—especially when other kids come over to play.
How to make a drink dispenser more functional
Replace the spigot
If you find a drink dispenser that appeals to you aesthetically but has a broken, leaky, or ugly spigot, you can replace that part. Even spigots that look like metal are often made of coated plastic (especially on acrylic dispensers) but you can get a good stainless steel spigot on Amazon for about $10.
Elevate it on a stand or table
If a drink dispenser isn’t elevated, it needs to sit at the edge of the counter or table so cups and glasses will fit underneath the spout. But you can make it more versatile by elevating it on a stylish stand.