10 Best Automatic Dog Water Dispensers in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

When looking for a high-quality automatic dog water dispenser, it can be challenging to sort through all of the different brands. You might also find that you have more questions than you thought you would. Questions like how much capacity you need are common, but now they might also have filters multiple settings, low light indicators, and more.

We’ve done plenty of automatic water dispenser reviews for our many pets, and we have chosen ten different models designed for dogs to review for you to help you get a better idea about what you like and need in these devices.

We’ve also included an automatic dog water dispenser buyer’s guide where we look under the hood of these devices and answer some critical questions about what to look for while shopping around. Keep reading for our detailed reviews of each brand of water dispenser, where we compare capacity, filters, durability, and ease of cleaning, to help you make an educated purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022:

The 10 Best Automatic Dog Water Dispensers

1. Drinkwell Dog Water Fountain – Best Overall

The Drinkwell Multi-Tier Dog Water Fountain is our choice for the best overall automatic dog water dispensers. This model features a two-tier system and a sizeable 100-ounce capacity. The water pours from the top tier to the bottom tier in a free-falling stream, which adds oxygen to the water. We found the engine to be quiet, and the only real noise it produces is from the water running.

The biggest downside to this brand is that it is easy to spill the water if you try to move it or clean it while it’s full.

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2. Bergan 11790 Pet Waterer – Best Value

The Bergan 11790 Pet Waterer is our best value brand, and we believe it is the best automatic dog water dispenser for the money. This low-cost brand of water dispenser is for outdoor use, and it allows you to hook up a hose for automatic filling. Is has a stable, durable plastic housing, and features mounting holes for a more secure and permanent installation.

The primary downside to this model is that it is hard to prevent leaves and other debris from falling into the reservoir, so it requires frequent cleaning.

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3. Critter Concepts Dog Water Dispenser – Premium Choice

The Critter Concepts Dog Water Dispenser is our premium choice automatic dog water dispenser. This model is massive and can hold up to five gallons of water at a time. The machine uses a gravity flow technology to fill the reservoir automatically. The wide base is on wheels and is easy to move, but sturdy enough that it won’t tip over. The water remains fresh and clean in the BPA-free food-grade plastic housing container.

We found it easy to fill, and it has a top, so it doesn’t spill, and our dogs enjoyed it. The only thing negative to say about the Critter Concepts Dog Water Dispenser is that it’s costly.

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4. Petmate Replendish Gravity Waterer

The Petmate 24538 Replendish Gravity Waterer is a large four-gallon automatic dog water dispenser. The bowl and reservoir prevent any microbial build-up, and it features a charcoal filter to help purify the water as it enters the dish.

We like the size of this waterer and it was just about perfect for our pets,  but there were a few problems we had as well. There is no real grip on the bottom, so if your dogs are rambunctious like ours are, you can find that they move it around a lot. It doesn’t knock over, but water does come out of the bowl and can lead to a big mess. We didn’t notice a problem with mold grown in the bowl or the reservoir, but in the area where the two meet, we found some mold growing around the grooves that was hard to clean.

The biggest problem was the smooth four-gallon reservoir that is very slippery and clumsy to fill and install.

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5. AmazonBasics Self-Dispensing Pet Waterer

The AmazonBasics 11020 Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Waterer is a smaller sized automatic dog water dispenser that features no-skid feet to help keep the unit in place while your pets are using it. There are also handles around the base to help move it if you need to. You can also purchase a matching food dispenser.

We have a lot of dogs, so the smaller one-gallon size caused us to refill it often and our larger dogs like to play and were able to knock model over. After being knocked over a few times, the reservoir cracked and would no longer hold water. One other problem we had with this model is that the front lip is quite low and if you try to move the machine it will leak.

• Related Read: BestDispensing Treat Toys

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6. Veken VK072 Pet Fountain

The Veken VK072 Pet Fountain is an automatic dispenser that can accommodate several pets at the same time. It has three different flow designs to encourage your pet to drink more water. Switch between a bubbling fountain to a four spout-waterfall by changing a centerpiece. We found it to be tranquil and only heard it when using the four spouts. It also features a replaceable filter to help keep the water free of debris.

What we didn’t like about this model was that it was hard to clean, especially around the centerpiece with the four spouts. It was also a little on the smaller size for our dogs, but if you have one or two smaller dogs or cats, this might be the right choice.

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7. Dogit Elevated Dog Water Dispenser

The Dogit 73651 Elevated Dog Water Dispenser is a larger-sized dispenser with a 10-liter capacity that was more than enough for our pets. The elevated basin made it easier for our pets to get a drink and helps keep some of the dirt out. It also features a carbon filter as well as a mechanical filter to help keep the water clean. Very little water got on the floor while we used this brand.

The downside is that it’s hard to clean and mold and algae tend to grow if your pets are slow drinkers. The foam filters don’t last long, and the cost of replacing will add up quickly.

• Pair your water station with one of our favorite: Automatic Dog Feeder

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8. Flexzion Pet Water Dispenser Station

The Flexzion Pet Water Dispenser Station uses an antimicrobial material in its construction to help prevent the growth of bacteria that causes stains and odors. It comes in two sizes, one size holds one gallon of water, and the other holds three. The refill cap has a no-spill mechanism that makes it a lot easier to change water without making a mess. It also has rubber feet that help prevent it from sliding around while your pets are using it.

We didn’t like the flimsy jug. It’s thin and will break if you drop it. Ours arrived deformed, but it still worked. We also didn’t like that we couldn’t clean inside the jug, and the bowl fill right to the top with water, so the pets do get quite a bit on the floor.

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9. CLEEBOURG Pet Water Fountain

The CLEEBOURG Pet Water Fountain features three flow settings that change the strength of the fountain to maximize the oxygen it the water and to help entice your pet to drink more. There’s a three-ply replaceable filter with an activated carbon center to remove chlorine and other minerals from the water. It also has a allow water detection feature that turns off the pump and presents you with a red LED to prevent you from damaging the pump if the water runs out.

What we didn’t like about this model is its small size. Our pets were regularly emptying this dispenser of water. It would probably be an excellent choice for cats, but it was too small for us. It also tended to get water on the floor, and ours developed a crack in the side after a few weeks.

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10. PUPTECK Pet Fountain

The PUPTECK Pet Fountain is the final automatic water dispenser on our list. This model features an activated carbon filter and water baffle to help catch and contain foreign materials, and provide your pets with fresh water. It features adjustable settings allowing you to set the perfect flow, and its design allows for more oxygen to enter the water.

While we used this water dispenser, it was very noisy, so we had to keep it at a low setting. There is a little spout on it, and after a few days, our pet broke it off. Once the spout broke off the water didn’t make a fountain anymore, but it did still fill the bowl. Lastly, it’s not big enough for more than a couple of cats unless you don’t mind filling it as much as you would an ordinary dog bowl.

• These two complicated? You could consider a Spill Proof Bowl instead!

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Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Automatic Dog Water Dispensers

Let’s look at a few of the things that might be important to look for while you shop for the best automatic dog water dispensers. We’ll also see if we can answer a few questions you might have.

Benefits

There are some benefits to using an automatic dog water dispenser instead of an ordinary dog bowl. Running water will attract your pet’s attention, and they are likely to drink more water more often. Constant circulation prevents bacteria growth while it increases the amount of oxygen in the water.

Automatic water dispensers have a large tank that keeps your pet’s bowl full. You will not need to refill the bowl very often, and there will be less chance that your pet will run out of water.

Spill

One of your primary concerns is going to be how much water the device will get on the floor. No matter which model you get, there will always be water around the fountain because that’s how dogs drink, but some fountains can contribute significantly to the mess. Bowls that are too low are a culprit, as are automatic feeders that get the bowl too full.

Stability

Another factor that will determine how much water gets on the floor is stability. Some devices can be top-heavy and knock over easily. Others may lack rubber feet and slide while your pet is using it. If the device is too thin and flimsy, it will spill water when you try to clean it.

Noise

The noise that the electric motor makes doesn’t often bother your pet, but it can certainly keep you up at night if you get a loud one. Some motors are quiet when they are new but get noisy in a week or two. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if it will make noise, but sometimes you can check reviews to see if a brand is prone to noisy motors.

• Sometimes, hair or other particles can get stuck in the motor and cause the noise.
• Sometimes the motor doesn’t sit right in the base, which can cause a vibration that results in significant noise.

Capacity

Free-falling water encourages pets to drink and increases the oxygen in the water, but what size water dispenser you need? You can find some models that hold only a few ounces, while others can hold up to ten gallons or more.

You should strive to get your pet to drink about one ounce of water per pound per day. If your puppy weighs 50-pounds, we recommend getting an automatic water dispenser that holds at least 64 ounces. You never want the pump to go dry.

If you have more than one dog or you want to have enough water for more than one day, you will need to increase the size accordingly.

Filling

There are three main types of reservoirs.

Under Fountain

A common way to fill smaller water dispensers is to fill the base with water. The fountain then goes on top to circulate the water. There is usually a filter of some type to catch dirt and other debris as it passes from the top back into the reservoir. The primary downside to these fountains is that they are only big enough for cats or small dogs.

Jug

Most automatic dog water dispensers have a large jug that sits on top. The best way to describe it is to say it looks like a standard water cooler, though most of them are smaller. These jugs can be slippery and hard to manage, and they can also get some water on the floor until you practice using them.

When shopping for one of these brands, make sure the jug is textured or has handles to help you with refills. Make sure the plastic isn’t so thin that it breaks if you drop it once or twice and make sure you can manage the weight. One gallon of water weighs just over 8.3 pounds so the weight can add up quickly.

Hose

Another way automatic feeders work is to use a hose attached to the device, but this presents a few problems and should only use this system with care. This design keeps your hose on at all times, which can damage it, especially if you have a high water pressure or a weak hose.

Another problem with using a hose is that it can leach harmful chemicals into your pet’s water supply. To avoid this, you will need to make sure your hose uses BPA free rubber. You will also need to make sure that you keep the hose out of direct sunlight.

Easy to clean

No matter which type of automatic dog water dispenser you choose, cleaning it will be a top priority. Some devices may contain hoses or multiple spouts, and while the things might look great, they will also need regular cleaning.

We recommend paying particular attention to how the machine is cleaned before purchase, especially if it’s an intricate fountain.

Conclusion

We hope you have enjoyed reading over our automatic dog water reviews and buyer’s guide. The Drinkwell Multi-Tier Dog Water Fountain is our choice for the best overall, and it’s a great place to start if you’re new to choosing water dispensers. This model features a 100-ounce reservoir, which is big enough for most dogs without being overly cumbersome to refill. If you have the extra cash, The Critter Concepts Dog Water Dispenser is our premium choice and it holds up to six gallons. Plenty of water for multiple pets or to hold them over when your away for a day or two. It also has a solid base that won’t tip over while your pets are using it.

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