Water refill guide
Water store vs. refill machine vs. delivery: which one fits you?
Short answer: a self-serve refill machine is usually the cheapest and quickest if one is nearby and working. A water store is better if you want staff, more water options, or help with containers. Delivery costs more but saves the trip and the lifting.
Our pick: a self-serve refill machine for most people. They're the only option here with listed prices in our directory ($0.45 to $0.70 a gallon at the big grocery chains), and most stations we list are chain refill machines. Water store and delivery prices are set locally, so we can't compare them like for like. Choose a water store if you want spring or mineral water or help with containers. Choose delivery only if lifting 5-gallon jugs isn't realistic for you, or you're stocking an office.
At a glance
| Self-serve refill machine | Water store | Jug delivery | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Inside or outside grocery and big-box stores, or drive-up kiosks | Standalone shop | Your door |
| Water options | Usually filtered (reverse osmosis), sometimes alkaline | Often several: filtered options like reverse osmosis or alkaline, sometimes spring or mineral | Depends on the provider (spring, purified, etc.) |
| Cost | Listed prices at stations on PureWaterFinder mostly run $0.45 to $0.70 a gallon | Varies by store | Quoted by ZIP and provider. Check before you sign up |
| Effort | You haul and fill | You haul, staff may help | Lowest |
| Hours | Store hours for indoor machines. Some outdoor kiosks list 24-hour access, so check the listing | Shop hours | On a schedule |
| Good for | Quick, low-cost refills | Choice and advice | Heavy jugs, offices, limited mobility |
Listed prices are set chain-wide and can change, so check the machine.
Self-serve refill machines
These are the kiosks inside or outside grocery stores, plus drive-up stations like Watermill Express. Most dispense filtered water treated with reverse osmosis. Outdoor and drive-up machines usually take cash, coins or cards at the machine. Indoor ones are often paid at the register. Watch for: a machine that's out of order or a dirty fill area. Recent reviews on the station page can help. Use our 30-second machine check.
Comparing the two big machine brands? See Primo vs. Watermill Express.
Water stores
Independent shops that fill your jugs, and often sell bottles, dispensers and sometimes ice. They may offer more water types than a machine. Watch for: shorter hours. Call or check the listing before you go.
What water stores often offer besides refills
Many water stores also sell ice, empty bottles and dispensers, and some sell or service home filtration and reverse osmosis systems or offer water testing. It varies by store, so check the listing or call. Some also run their own delivery.
Delivery
A provider brings sealed jugs on a schedule and picks up empties. Prices depend on your ZIP code and plan, so get a quote. See delivery options in Colorado, Texas, Florida and California.
Finding one near you
Map results for "water store near me" mix grocery machines, drive-up kiosks and standalone shops, and often don't say which water each one sells. On PureWaterFinder, each station page lists its water types and whether the machine is inside or outside, where we have that.
How to choose
- Known, low cost per gallon: a refill machine, filling your own clean jug. Listed prices at the big chains run $0.45 to $0.70 a gallon. Check a water store's or delivery service's price before you compare.
- Most water choices: a water store.
- Least effort: delivery.
- Natural spring water: none of the above. See spring water and check posted signs at open springs.
Find refill machines, stores and springs near you: all cities.
Been to a station? Leave a review or add a photo on its page to help the next person.