Avalon A51 vs A52: which hydration station should you buy?
The Avalon A51 is a wall-mounted drinking fountain and bottle filler with a chiller. The Avalon A52 is a freestanding, WiFi-enabled bottle filler with UV sterilization. Pick on layout first: wall space and a fountain spout point to the A51, an open floor point to the A52. Both sit in the Avalon collection.
- Choose the Avalon A51 for a wall-mounted fountain and bottle filler with a chiller and NSF certified filtration.
- Choose the Avalon A52 when you have no wall to mount on and want a freestanding, WiFi-enabled bottle filler with UV sterilization.
- The A52 ships non-refrigerated; the A52-C adds a chiller if cold water matters.
- Decide by where it is installed, not by features: mounting type is the real split in the Avalon A51 vs A52 choice.
Why this choice matters in 2026
The A51 and A52 look like siblings in a catalog, but they solve different installation problems. One needs a wall. The other does not. Getting that wrong means re-planning plumbing and framing after the order is placed.
Buyers here are typically schools, offices, gyms, and public facilities. In those spaces the mounting decision usually gets made by the floor plan before anyone compares features.
At a glance
| Dimension | Avalon A51 | Avalon A52 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Walls with room for a combined fountain and filler | Open floor areas with no wall to mount on |
| Mounting | Wall-mounted | Freestanding |
| Dispensing | Water fountain and bottle filler | Bottle filler |
| Chilling | Chiller included | Non-refrigerated (A52-C is the refrigerated version) |
| Filtration | NSF certified filtration | NSF certified filtration listed on the A52-C; UV sterilization on the A52 |
| Connectivity | WiFi not listed in the product title | WiFi enabled |
| Standout feature | Fountain and filler in one wall unit | Freestanding placement with UV sterilization |
The A51 wins on dispensing options
The A51 combines a drinking fountain and a bottle filler in one wall unit. That means one fixture serves people who want a quick drink and people who want to fill a bottle. The A52 is listed as a bottle filler, so the A51 is the pick when you want both functions from a single install.
The A51 listing describes it as a heavy-duty wall-mounted hydration station, with a chiller and NSF certified filtration. Check the product page for exact dimensions and ADA clearances before you commit to a wall location.
Verdict: A51 for combined fountain and filler duty.
The A52 wins on placement flexibility
A freestanding unit goes where a wall does not exist: open lobbies, gym floors, corridors with glass walls. The A52 is built for offices, gyms, and other high-demand spaces, per its listing.
That flexibility is the main reason to choose it. The A51 cannot go on an open floor.
Verdict: A52 for any space without a suitable wall.
Cold water: A51 has it built in, A52 needs the C version
The A51 includes a chiller. The standard A52 is non-refrigerated. If you want a freestanding unit with chilled water, the A52-C is the refrigerated model, WiFi enabled and NSF certified.
So cold water is not a tiebreaker between the A51 and the A52-C. It only separates the A51 from the standard A52.
Verdict: A51 over the standard A52 on cold water; tie against the A52-C.
Connected features: A52 leads
The A52 and A52-C are both WiFi enabled. The A51 listing does not mention WiFi. If remote monitoring or connected features are part of your facility spec, the A52 family is the one that lists them.
The A52 also lists UV sterilization. The A51 title lists NSF certified filtration instead. Confirm filter and sanitation details on each product page against your facility requirements.
Verdict: A52 is the better connected tool.
Where the two are equal
Both are commercial-grade Avalon units aimed at high-traffic public and workplace settings. Both are bottle-filling stations. Neither is a residential countertop product. For countertop and home-scale options, see the Avalon bottleless cooler comparison.
Scorecard
| Dimension | Winner |
|---|---|
| Fountain plus filler in one unit | A51 |
| Placement without a wall | A52 |
| Built-in chiller | A51 (A52-C matches it) |
| WiFi | A52 |
| Commercial build | Tie |
Which should you buy?
Choose the Avalon A51 if you have wall space, want a drinking fountain and bottle filler in one fixture, and want a chiller included. Typical fit: school corridors, office hallways, gym walls.
Choose the Avalon A52 if you have no wall to mount on or want WiFi and UV sterilization on a freestanding unit. Step up to the A52-C when you also need chilled water.
If your project is a wall-mounted ADA fountain without a bottle filler, the Avalon A51-OFNC is a separate model to review. To see other Avalon options, browse the bottle fillers collection, then order the unit that matches your install location.
FAQ
What is the main difference between the Avalon A51 and A52?
The A51 is wall-mounted and combines a drinking fountain with a bottle filler. The A52 is freestanding and listed as a bottle filler. Mounting type is the deciding difference.
Does the Avalon A51 have a chiller?
Yes. The A51 listing includes a chiller and cold water with NSF certified filtration.
Is the Avalon A52 refrigerated?
The standard A52 is non-refrigerated. The A52-C is the refrigerated version with a chiller.
Is the Avalon A52 WiFi enabled?
Yes. The A52 and A52-C are both listed as WiFi enabled. The A51 title does not list WiFi.
Can the Avalon A52 be installed without a wall?
Yes. The A52 is a freestanding bottle filler, so it does not require a wall mount.
Which is better for a school, the A51 or the A52?
The A51 suits school corridors with wall space because it gives students a fountain and a bottle filler in one unit. Choose the A52 where there is no suitable wall.
One last thing
Decide the install location before you pick a model. Mark the wall or floor spot, then choose: wall means A51, floor means A52 or A52-C. The model follows the location.