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Modern pet parents know that dogs need access to clean, fresh water available 24/7, but it’s not always the easiest thing to do. With busy schedules, an automatic dog water bowl would be ideal. Unfortunately, many automatic water dispensers run out of water or don’t completely remove all bacteria and debris, leaving your pup with less-than-fresh drinking water, until now.
We recently tested the Always Full Water Bowl, which features a laser detection refill system and continuous filtration, ensuring your dog always has fresh water. The company claims the bowl doesn’t spill, overflow, or stagnate, so we decided to put it to the test with our messy 3-year-old American Cocker Spaniel, Sir Alvin.
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Always Full is a “set it and forget it” smart bowl that combines auto-refilling with self-cleaning and hydration monitoring so pet parents aren’t worried about constant refills or bowl scrubbing.
We tried Always Full Pet Bowl for several weeks to thoroughly explore its features, ease of use, functionality, and our dog’s reaction. Our review focuses on the features, benefits, and trade-offs of the Always Full pet water bowl compared to a regular water bowl, so you can decide if it’s right for your pup.
What Is a Smart Water Bowl?
Modern technology is finally making its presence felt in the pet industry. Smart water bowls represent the latest evolution in pet care, providing the basic necessity of hydration with technology that works. Beyond simply holding and supplying water, a high-quality smart water bowl actively supports your dog’s health, allowing you to feel confident, too.
As part of their trendspotting, TrendHunter indicates smart pet accessories and laser-based systems are on the rise, which makes sense. Given that the American Pet Products Association estimates 94 million households in the United States own a pet, the demand for convenient, tech-driven solutions is expected to continue growing.
Automated hydration is appealing to modern pet parents because it:
- Provides always fresh, always filtered water
- Tracks hydration and may help catch problems early
- Means less maintenance and more convenience
For pet parents who want the best for their dogs without added hassle, automated hydration offers a practical solution that’s both innovative and genuinely useful.
Inside the Always Full Pet Bowl
When I’ve tried smart pet accessories with my dogs in the past, I’ve often been put off by complicated instructions or cumbersome setup processes. I was pleasantly surprised by the no-nonsense packaging and easy-to-follow instructions. Hallelujah that Always Full included a booklet with diagrams and details so pet parents can easily follow along.
The Always Full Pet Water Bowl is available with two installation styles, depending on your preferences and needs:
- Wall Unit: This Household Tap Kit is designed to be set up similarly to a water line, typically used with an ice maker or refrigerator. After installing the plumbing, the Always Full draws water continuously. This may require professional installation depending on your current plumbing setup.
- Bottle Pump Option: Allows you to connect a 2- to 5-gallon jump and “pump” the water in. This is the option we chose. No plumbing is required; simply set the jug in place, attach the tubing, and let the system do its work.
There are pros and cons to each setup, which we will discuss further down in this review.
Core features of the Always Full include:
- Laser-based refilling: Automatic water level detection that triggers only when needed with 1-mm accuracy. No need to worry about spilling or overflowing water that may cause a mess.
- Self-cleaning system: The Always Full features a self-cleaning system that flushes debris hourly into the filter basket.
- Triple filtration feature: The combination of cotton, carbon, and mechanical filtration ensures the water’s purity.
- App integration for hydration tracking: It pairs with a free app that monitors bowl status, tracks water intake with warnings for unusual changes, and provides access to tech support. Software updates ensure the system runs smoothly.
- There is an OPTIONAL annual subscription that comes with an extended warranty on all components for the life of the subscription. It also adds the ability to modify the “flush” schedule.
- Multiple options and bowl sizes: Choose from the wall unit or the bottle pump option, both featuring bowls in 7” for smaller dogs and cats, and 9” for larger pets.
- Low maintenance: Filter changes and periodic checks are all that pet parents need to watch. No more daily refilling in most cases.
Fun fact: At the 2025 Global Pet Expo’s New Products Showcase Awards, The Always Full Pet Water Bowl won Best in Show in the Cat Category.
How Did This Automatic Dog Water Bowl Perform?
I am very fussy about the water my dog drinks. We’ve been using filtered water for many years, and I had always hoped for a way to keep his water fresh and clean throughout the workday, especially when I tend to get busy. I am sure other dog parents can relate, as we love our dogs and want to ensure they are well-hydrated.
Arrival and Packaging
When the Always Full Pet Water Bowl arrived, the first thing I noticed was how securely it was packaged. Each component was carefully placed into its designated box, with the bowl in box A and the bottle pump in box B. I appreciate when a product arrives intact and organized, especially at a higher price point.
The instructions were clear and well laid out, unlike those frustrating one-sheet diagrams that tend to frustrate me. Instead, the manual provided a straightforward step-by-step overview with visuals. My first impression of the build quality is that it is of a premium standard. The stainless bowl feels solid, the control module is sleek, and nothing about it feels flimsy or cheap. The packaging is recyclable, so bonus points for that feature.
In our two boxes, we received:
7-inch bowl
- Bowl base (with cleaning brush)
- Bowl (with circulation plumbing already installed)
- Wireless control module
- Filters (cotton and carbon)
- Instruction manual
Bottle Pump
- Bottle Pump
- Power and water line
- Water siphon tubing (to draw from a jug)
- AC Power adapter
- 90º and straight water line couplers
- Instruction manual
Setting It Up: What to Expect
Nod in silent agreement if you get frustrated when a new product arrives and it’s a nightmare to assemble. Not the case with the Always Full Pet Water Bowl.
I didn’t want to worry about drilling a hole or calling a plumber based on my home’s layout, so we opted for the Bottle Pump configuration. I was concerned about hooking up wires or tubing, but was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get started. It took me about 10 minutes from unpackaging to pairing with the app. No leaking, no confusion, no problems.
Bonus for the laser feature calibrating itself! I can personally attest to the 1-mm precision of water detection. Talk about high tech being put to good use for pets!
I allowed Sir Alvin to explore the bowl first without any setup. I placed a treat in the bowl so he knew it was a “good experience” and then filled the bowl with water before hooking it to the pump. He drank like a champ, so we were off to a good start.
Convenience
This is the most important feature for me, in addition to peace of mind. I refilled Sir Alvin’s jug every few days, and the auto-refill system worked like a charm. No spills, overflows, or underfills.
Notably, the filters need to be replaced every four months or so, which is more ideal than the frequency required for other automatic water systems I’ve tried in the past. I’m a type A personality, so I did wipe the bowl and unit down weeky, but it’s less cumbersome than a traditional water bowl.
Aesthetics and Practicality
I like the sleek, simple design. It blended well with our office decor, but it can also blend nicely with any kitchen, living room, den, mudroom, or other space. You need access to an electrical outlet to plug the pump in, but aside from that, there are no limitations on its placement.
Cord management is fine, as the cable can be tucked along a wall or desk, as we did; however, a more discreet option would be appreciated.
Health Monitoring App
Once you follow the booklets and have everything set up, you can set the app to display a lot of information or just the bare minimum; the choice is yours. You can opt for push notifications on various features, including filter replacement reminders (which I love), failed fill warnings, low water or overfill conditions, daily “normal operation” notices, and a few others.
I like that the app tracks daily water intake so you can determine if your pet is drinking too much, too little, or is right on track. As a lifelong dog mom, I appreciate this information so I can report it to my veterinarian if needed.
There are add-ons available for the free app, allowing you to opt for an annual subscription that includes an extended warranty and the ability to customize water height settings and flushing schedules:
- Flush only after filling
- Flush every 20, 40, or 60 minutes
- Sleep mode, do not flush between user-defined hours.
The annual subscription is $30 per year.
We used the bowl without the app because I work from home, and the core automatic features still work. I just didn’t receive the monitoring or alerts. I can see how the app would be super handy if you leave the home, have a sitter, or want to check your dog’s water intake anytime, anywhere.
Splash Reduction and Noise
For a little dog, Sir Alvin makes a mighty mess when drinking. The Always Full design addresses this issue like a boss. The bowl has slightly taller, curved sides compared to traditional bowls, which helps keep water from splashing out. Combined with the laser-based refill system, which adds water gently instead of in a sudden gush, the result is a calmer drinking experience, free from the mini “waterfalls” often seen in other fountains or auto-fill systems.
As a bonus, my funny little pooch tends to bark at new things as if they don’t belong or if it is something noisy. I am not a fan of anything loud, either, unless it’s basic white noise. During normal use, it’s completely silent. However, when the auto-refill activates, there’s a faint hum from the pump and a gentle water trickle, so soft that my dog didn’t flinch and I barely noticed it unless standing right beside it.
Every hour, the bowl “flushes” and debris is collected into an active carbon/cotton filter that fits inside a stainless steel basket. This noise is very faint. The Always Full Smart Bowl isn’t 100 percent silent, but it is significantly smoother and quieter than cheaper pumps in other pet fountains I’ve used in the past. Unless your dog is very skittish around soft mechanical sounds, the operation shouldn’t pose any major issues.
Is the Always Full Bowl Safe for Pets?
I never felt unsafe when my dog was drinking from the Always Full, nor did I feel worried about the cable and electrical outlet attachment. Some things to be aware of:
- For pets that tend to knock over their bowls, safeguards are in place to catch any overflow if the sensor or pump fails.
- If your power fails, overflow protection won’t be a concern because the system will stop working entirely.
- Be sure to keep the sensor area clear, as malfunctions, such as dust, may occur.
- You still need to schedule deep cleaning of the unit, including the filter basket, tubing, and interior bowl, which means disassembling.
- Installation can be challenging for some pet parents who opt for the wall unit, but a plumber can help if needed.
- I checked the tubing and connection points periodically to ensure there were no kinks or cracks.
Pro Tip: Place a bowl of clean, fresh water elsewhere in your residence as a backup in case you become concerned about power outages. This is not needed, but as I mentioned, I am a type A pet parent.
Where to Buy & Pricing
The Always Full products are available directly through the Always Full website, where pet parents can take advantage of pre-order discounts and other early adopter specials as they become available.
Choose between the 7” or 9” bowl size depending on your dog’s needs and drinking habits. If you choose the wall unit, it will connect directly to your home’s plumbing system for hands-free hydration.
The initial investment is going to be higher than a basic water bowl from a pet supply store, but the peace of mind is priceless. I tend to look at the long-term picture, so the Always Full helps reduce water waste, tracks consumption, features a precision refill system, and alleviates the worry of “empty bowl syndrome” that dog and cat parents experience.
You can purchase the jugs of water at any home improvement store or supermarket, where they are typically available.
Would We Recommend the Always Full Pet Bowl?
After several weeks of testing, I can confidently say the Always Full Pet Water Bowl is worth the investment for many pet parents. It is ideal for:
- Busy working moms and dads
- Pet parents with senior dogs who need health monitoring
- Owners of diabetic dogs or those with health concerns
- People who enjoy the latest technology in the pet space
If you value data-driven water consumption via an app coupled with peace of mind that your dog or cat has access to highly filtered, fresh water at all times, consider investing in the Always Full pet water bowl.
Pros:
- Fully automated hydration with self-cleansing and filtration eliminates the need for daily bowl maintenance.
- Health insights provided through the app offer valuable monitoring for pets, which is especially helpful for senior pets or those with existing health concerns, as well as for identifying potential issues (e.g., kidney problems) earlier.
- Convenient setup with reduced manual labor, especially with the bottle pump unit.
- Premium design with a sleek, modern appearance that blends into most home decor.
- Flexibility in bowl size for different pets and breeds.
- Reduced sloppy ears for dogs like Cockers or Bassets whose ears tend to slosh around a regular water bowl.
- Durability is at a premium with a stainless steel filter basket.
- Encourages hydration, as pets are more likely to drink when water is fresh, filtered, and at the right level. (Yes, my dog is a water snob)
Cons:
- A higher upfront cost means pet parents need to consider this an investment.
- If the power goes out, the system will not refill automatically.
- The wall unit system may require the assistance of a plumber.
- Pet parents must purchase jugs of water if they opt for this option instead of the wall unit.
- Jug refills are needed, even if you opt for a 5-gallon jug.
- No individual tracking at this point in multi-pet homes.
- Filters must be replaced every few months.
Our Verdict on Always Full
The combination of smart features and the app makes the Always Full an ideal choice for proactive pet parents who want the convenience of a full bowl coupled with the peace of mind that their dog or cat is properly hydrated.
We like to travel with our dog, so I would take the Always Full with us on road trips and get it set up at hotels in no time. I like the idea of catching a health issue early before it becomes something concerning. My second Cocker Spaniel, Dexter, was dehydrated, and we had no idea. Some dogs are really good at hiding their health issues. The Always Full would have been a welcome addition to our family.
This is a logical and welcome addition to our dog-first household, where we like to stay connected from head to tail. I plan to mention the Always Full to our veterinarian during Sir Alvin’s next visit so she is aware of its awesomeness and effectiveness.
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