Ritchie OmniFount 1
A single-sided heated automatic waterer for a stall, small pen or paddock of up to 20 horses or beef cattle. It is the lowest-cost Ritchie here.
Amazon $729.99$729.99
The Ritchie OmniFount 1 rates 2.7 among automatic waterers heated waterers; the API 9HB 9 Quart Heated Bucket rates 2.3 among heated buckets ones. The API 9HB 9 Quart Heated Bucket costs $674.68 less ($55.31 vs $729.99).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
API 9HB 9 Quart Heated Bucket
A small heated bucket for a dog, goats or a few hens kept outdoors. It costs the most per gallon of the heated buckets here.
Amazon $55.31$55.31
Scores side by side
These two sit in different type classes (automatic waterers and heated buckets), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Ritchie OmniFount 1 | API 9HB 9 Quart Heated Bucket |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.7/5 | 2.3/5 |
| Value 30% | 1 $486.66 per gallon ($729.99, 1.5 gal) | 12 $24.58 per gallon ($55.31, 2.2 gal) |
| Capacity 15% | 0 1.5 gal | 2 2.2 gal |
| Cold rating 20% | 0 cold rating not published, scored as none | 0 cold rating not published, scored as none |
| Features 20% | 100 thermostat, insulated, hardwired, no cord | 80 thermostat, protected cord, cord of 6 ft or more |
| Warranty 15% | 100 10 years warranty | 20 1 year warranty |
Specifications
| Ritchie OmniFount 1 | API 9HB 9 Quart Heated Bucket | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | ||
| Type | Automatic waterer | Heated bucket |
| Capacity | 1.5 gal | 2.2 gal |
| Price per gallon | $486.66 | $24.58 |
| Drinker | Trough | Open top |
| Animals served | 20 beef cattle or horses, 10 dairy | - |
| Heating | ||
| Heater power | 173 W | 50 W |
| Thermostat | Yes | Yes |
| Insulated | Yes | No |
| Power cord | ||
| Cord | Hardwired | 6 ft |
| Chew protection | Yes | Yes |
| Build | ||
| Material | Polyethylene body, 304 stainless steel trough | Plastic |
| Warranty | 10 years | 1 year |