During our kitchen space planning process, my partner and I went back and forth with the idea of installing a permanent tankless water dispenser system. After much deliberation, largely due to the steep price point and a long-term commitment to repurchase expensive filter water refills, we decided that we will settle with the traditional ways of boiling water from an electric kettle instead.
Instant hot water dispensers
In my hot water dispenser shopping, I realised that tankless water dispensers are pretty popular amongst homeowners today – thanks to their benefits and attractive designs to choose from.
As we have to prepare baby formula milk for our newborn at unearthly hours in the middle of the night, we recently purchased an instant hot water dispenser for around $100 (it even comes with a filtration system). Convenience aside, we liked that we didn’t have to install nor drill a permanent hole in our kitchen countertop.
Electric Airport
In this article, we will not be listing any air pots due to their poor energy efficiency and poor heat dissipation. Furthermore, electrical thermal air pots are bulky and typically only dispense warm to hot water, and do not come with any pre-set temperatures to choose from.
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Here, the 10 best hot water dispensers in Singapore under $500 – relatively affordable ones to have in your home.
10 Best Hot Water Dispensers in Singapore
| Water dispenser | Price | Water capacity | Pipe installation | Water filter |
| Xiaomi Wifer Hot Water Dispenser | $52.38 | 3 L | Not required | – |
| BluePro Portable Water Dispenser | $63 | – | Not required | – |
| Youpin Drinking Water Dispenser | $75.49 | 2.8 L | Not required | – |
| Wall-Mounted Electric Water Dispenser | $80.89 | – | Required | – |
| Aerogaz Water Dispenser | $96.92 | 2.7 L | Not required | – |
| Toyomi Water Dispenser | $128 | 3.5 L | Not required | 4-stage water filtration, each filter costs $8. |
| Cornell Water Dispenser | $159 | 2.7 L | Not required | Aqua Optima Evolve+ filter, each filter costs $10.90. |
| Tecno Water Dispenser | $165 | 4 L | Not required | Strix Aqua Optima filter, each filter costs $20. |
| Bestar IonBot S50 Water Purifier | $299.90 | 5 L | Not required | Reverse Osmosis filtration, 1-year filter replacement set costs $79.90. |
| Sterra Y Tank Tabletop Hot & Cold Water Purifier | $399 | 3.5 L for cold water, and 1.1 L for hot water | Required | 4-stage filtration system, 1-year filter replacement set costs $160. |
Xiaomi Wifer Hot Water Dispenser, $52.38
Coming in first on the list is an instant hot water dispenser from Xiaomi, compactly sized with a regular 3-litre water tank capacity. You will be able to dispense water from over five preset temperatures in 160 or 260 ml, and an in-built keep warm function supplies you with warm water throughout the day. This Xiaomi hot water dispenser comes in two colourways: white, and green (pictured).
As this is a product from China, the water dispenser comes with buttons that are in Chinese and a China power plug, which requires an adapter to use.
- Water capacity: 3 L
- Product size: 27 x 14 x 26 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Room temperature, 45°C, 55°C, 85°C, 100°C
- Volume selection: 160 ml and 260 ml
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: –
Xiaomi Wifer Hot Water Dispenser is available at $52.38, and comes in 2 colours – white and green on Shopee.
BluePro Portable Water Dispenser, $63
A portable water dispenser that fits into your pocket? BluePro offers a range of water dispensers and purifiers, but this portable water dispenser truly stands out. Compact and lightweight at less than 1 kg, it is handy to bring along if you are travelling with your little ones.
The water source? You get to choose to plug in a bottle of water directly, or funnel water from a larger bottle or jug via a flexible water tube.
This portable water dispenser requires wall socket electricity access – a pretty neat addition to your office desk or bedroom.
- Water capacity: Up to the bottled water volume
- Product size: 6.3 x 14.2 x 20.1 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: 25°C, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, 85°C, 99°C
- Volume selection: –
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: –
BluePro Portable Water Dispenser is selling at $63 on Lazada.
Youpin Drinking Water Dispenser, $75.49
This tank water dispenser will make a great statement piece for your curvy minimalist kitchen interior design.
Nestled within the rounded and retro body of this water dispenser is a 2.8-litre water tank with fast heating nano-film technology. Water levels are conveniently visible via the small window on the side. Dispense pre-sets and keep warm functions are visible listed on buttons positioned at the top.
Select, wait for three seconds, and you get your hot water. Tea drinkers will also find the keep warm function handy.
As this is a product from China, the water dispenser comes with buttons that are in Chinese and a China power plug, which requires an adapter to use.
- Water capacity: 2.8 L
- Product size: 33.6 x 15.4 x 32 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Room temperature, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, 80°C, 90°C
- Volume selection: 200 ml and 300 ml
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: –
Youpin Water Dispenser is on sale at $75.49 on Shopee.
Wall-Mounted Electric Water Dispenser, $80.89
At 2000 W, this wall-mounted water dispenser gives you both cold and boiling hot water. This is a tankless water dispenser, meaning you’ll need to get the water pipe installed and connected to your apartment’s water source.
Choose to leave the water dispenser unit on your kitchen countertop, or mount the water dispenser on the wall to free up more space.
As this water dispenser requires water pipe installation, you may require additional professional services. Do note that this machine does not have any child-safety lock.
As this is a product from China, the water dispenser comes with buttons that are in Chinese and a China power plug, which requires an adapter to use.
- Water capacity: –
- Product size: 30 x 6.5 x 40 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Hot or cold water only
- Volume selection: –
- Pipe installation: Required
- Water filter: –
Wall-mounted Electric Water Dispenser is selling at $80.89 on Shopee.
Aerogaz Water Dispenser AZ-289IB, $96.92
If you’re looking for a tank water dispenser for your bachelor’s pad, look no further. This water dispenser by Aerogaz has got the perfect one decked in stainless steel housing and a large digital touchscreen LED display.
The water tank capacity stands at a decent 2.7 litres – more than eight cups of drinking water. The entire machine comes with a self-cleaning function, great if you don’t like the washing and drying.
- Water capacity: 2.7 L
- Product size: 31 x 19.8 x 34.8 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Room temperature, 45°C, 55°C, 65°C, 75°C, 85°C, 100°C
- Volume selection: 100, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, and continuous flow
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: No
Aerogaz Water Dispenser AZ 288IB is retailing at $96.92 on Shopee.
Toyomi Water Dispenser FB 7735F, $128
Another water dispenser that will sit well in Japandi and minimalist homes, this Toyomi machine comes in two colours: matte white, and matte peach. Aesthetics aside, this water dispenser also features a 4-stage water filtration system that can remove microplastics, chlorine, pesticides, and more.
The four pre-set temperature buttons are conveniently located at the top, though households with children may not be able get exacting temperatures for baby formula milk.
This water dispenser comes with a blue LED light indicator that flashes when water is dispensing, and the water capacity of 3.5 litres is also a good size for small families.
- Water capacity: 3.5 L
- Product size: 15 x 21 x 27.6 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Room temperature, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C
- Volume selection: 250ml and continuous flow
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: 4-stage water filtration, each filter costs $8.
Toyomi Water Filter FB 7735F is retailing at $128 and comes in matte white and matte peach from Toyomi.
Cornell Water Dispenser CWDS270DS, $159
Here’s a sleek water dispenser clad in stainless steel and fronted by a touchscreen panel. This Cornell water dispenser comes with a 2.7 litres water tank capacity and self-cleaning function (perhaps best for a single’s kitchen). The water level reminder function will notify you to fill up the water tank when it’s running low.
Cornell’s water dispenser comes with an Aqua Optima Evolve+ filter – a 5-step filtration system that comes with activated carbon which absorbs chlorine and filters out impurities. However, do take note that the filter may contain small black carbon particles on the cartridge or in the water, but it is normal and harmless.
- Water capacity: 2.7 L
- Product size: 15 x 26.8 x 31.1 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Room temperature, 60°C, 80°C, 100°C
- Volume selection: 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, 400 ml, and continuous flow
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: Aqua Optima Evolve+ filter, each filter costs $10.90.
Cornell Water Dispenser CWDS270DS is on sale at $159 on Shopee.
Tecno Water Dispenser TID2208-V2, $165
Decked in stainless steel for extra durability, this water dispenser by Tecno features a LED display that shows the temperature and volume of the water as it dispenses. For those of you who don’t like the multitude of buttons, Tecno kept it clean with just four buttons indicating lock, temperature, volume, and on/off switch right below the LED display. No decision fatigue!
For a peace of mind, the Techno water dispenser also comes with Strix Aqua Optima water filtration technology from the UK, as well as boil-dry protection safety feature.
- Water capacity: 4 L
- Product size: 19 x 28 x 24 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: 45°C, 55°C, 65°C, 75°C, 85°C, 100°C
- Volume selection: 100 ml, 200 ml, 300 ml, continuous flow
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: Strix Aqua Optima filter, each filter costs $20.
Tecno Water Dispenser TID2208-V2 is available at $165 on Shopee.
Bestar IonBot S50 Water Purifier, $299.90
Featuring a smart LED display with touchscreen buttons, the Bestar IonBot S50 water purifier comes with a large 5-litre water tank capacity, good for bigger household sizes. It is the only water dispenser in this list that will alert you when your machine needs a filter change.
If you want a tankless water dispenser with advanced filtration technology without permanent pipe installation, then this is the water dispenser for you. The IonBot S50 water purifier comes with a 4-stage filtration with reverse osmosis and removes up to 99% of impurities in your tap water. Furthermore, the water purifier also comes with a filter alert change function that will notify you whenever it is time to change the filters.
- Water capacity: 5 L
- Product size: 19 x 41 x 39 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: 45°C, 55°C, 75°C, 85°C, 90°C and 100°C
- Volume selection: 150 ml, 300 ml, 500 ml
- Pipe installation: Not required
- Water filter: Reverse Osmosis filtration, 1-year filter replacement set costs $79.90.
Bestar IonBot S50 Water Purifier is available at $299 on Shopee.
Sterra Y Tank Tabletop Hot & Cold Water Purifier, $399
A new and cost-effective water dispenser model by Sterra, this tabletop water purifier is unlike Sterra’s older tankless water dispensers.
This new Sterra Y Tank comes with separate water tanks for both hot and cold water. It’s also the simplest to use – push any one of the three levers to dispense and stop the water flow manually. You won’t have to meddle with any buttons, except a child-proof slide lock for the hot-water lever.
With its in-built dual tank design, this bulky dispenser machine will take up a significant amount of countertop space. Regardless, Sterra’s tabletop purifier does not require you to manually fill in the tank, as it still requires water pipe, hence drilling may be required.
- Water capacity: 3.5 L for cold water, and 1.1 L for hot water
- Product size: 31 x 43 x 48 cm
- Pre-set temperatures: Cold, room temperature, and boiling hot water
- Volume selection: –
- Pipe installation: Required
- Water filter: 4-stage filtration system, 1-year filter replacement set costs $160.
Sterra Tabletop Hot & Cold Water Purifier is retailing at $399, and comes in cool metallic, snow white, and space black from Sterra.
Water dispenser with removable tank
What is your first impression of water dispensers with removable tanks? Did an image of a gallon industrial water dispenser flash across your mind? While those water dispensers are great for commercial use, it is not feasible for residential use.
Today, there is a wide range of water dispensers that come with a water tank capacity of 2 to 5 litres, suitable for homes. The standard “8 glasses a day” would equate to about 2 litres of water, and the amount of water in the storage tank would suffice. The idea behind using a water dispenser is so that you can dispense water at various pre-set temperatures, from hot to cold.
While it is true that we can drink water directly from taps in Singapore, some of the water dispensers with removable tanks come with an added option to include removable filters. Additionally, you can also choose to add a tap water purifier system, should you decide on a water dispenser that comes without.
Do note that it is essential to remove the water tank to wash it regularly, so as to ensure safe and clean drinking water.
Water purifier vs tankless water dispenser
Better known as water purifiers, tankless water dispensers come with advanced filtration technology providing clean, sterilised drinking water straight from a button. The best part about tankless water dispensers is that you do not have to risk secondary contamination, as there is no storage tank involved.
However, permanent installation of the tankless water dispenser is required, as the water tubing will need to be attached to your water source. If you are renovating your kitchen, it is essential for you to inform your interior designer in advance so that the water pipes can be installed and concealed accordingly.
Some of the premium tankless water dispensers also come with ice-maker function, auto UV sterilisation, and filter change indicators too.
2 Types of water dispensers
| Water dispenser | Pipe installation | Water capacity | Water filtration | How it works | Filter consumables |
| With removable tank | No | From 2-litre. Requires manual water top-up. | Yes and no. Some water dispensers come with removable filters. | Drinking water comes from the tank, which you have to fill regularly. | From $8 |
| Tankless | Yes | Unlimited. Water source is straight from the tap. | Yes. Water filters are tucked away in the machine or under the sink. | Drinking water gets filtered straight from the pipe or the machine. | From $249 per set |
Water dispenser with removable tank
What is your first impression of water dispensers with removable tanks? Did an image of a gallon industrial water dispenser flash across your mind? While those water dispensers are great for commercial use, it is not feasible for residential use.
Today, there is a wide range of water dispensers that come with a water tank capacity of 2 to 5 litres, suitable for homes. The standard “8 glasses a day” would equate to about 2 litres of water, and the amount of water in the storage tank would suffice. The idea behind using a water dispenser is so that you can dispense water at various pre-set temperatures, from hot to cold.
While it is true that we can drink water directly from taps in Singapore, some of the water dispensers with removable tanks come with an added option to include removable filters. Additionally, you can also choose to add a tap water purifier system, should you decide on a water dispenser that comes without.
Do note that it is essential to remove the water tank to wash it regularly, so as to ensure safe and clean drinking water.
Tankless water dispenser vs Water Purifier
Better known as water purifiers, tankless water dispensers come with advanced filtration technology providing clean, sterilised drinking water straight from a button. The best part about tankless water dispensers is that you do not have to risk secondary contamination, as there is no storage tank involved.
However, permanent installation of the tankless water dispenser is required, as the water tubing will need to be attached to your water source. If you are renovating your kitchen, it is essential for you to inform your interior designer in advance so that the water pipes can be installed and concealed accordingly.
Some of the premium tankless water dispensers also come with ice-maker function, auto UV sterilisation, and filter change indicators too.