Step 1: Bottom-load or top-load?
If anyone in the household or office cannot safely lift 42 lbs overhead, bottom-loading is the only viable choice. If everyone who will change bottles can do so safely, top-loading is a lower-cost option. The bottom-loading probe system is also cleaner from a sanitation standpoint -- the water path is sealed during bottle changes. For primary residences, bottom-loading is the recommended choice in all but the tightest budget scenarios.
Step 2: Do you need hot water dispensing?
Primo coolers with a hot tap are appropriate for: instant tea and coffee, instant soup, instant oatmeal, and infant formula preparation (at the correct temperature -- always verify formula temperature before use). If none of these use cases apply, a cold-and-room-temperature dispenser (like the 900114) is simpler, cheaper, and safer in households with young children who might access the hot tap.
Step 3: Bottle service or POU?
Primo's bottle exchange and delivery network is available in most US markets. For households near a retail Primo exchange location (Walmart, Sam's Club, Home Depot), the exchange model is cost-effective and convenient. For households in rural markets without nearby exchange access, a bottleless POU system (Brio CLPOU520UVV5, Waterdrop D6) that connects to the home's water line may be a better long-term choice despite the higher upfront cost.