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The best boiling water taps, according to the GHI
We tested the leading models to see if they're worth the investment
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
We love a cup of tea here at Good Housekeeping, so we’re always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy a faster brew.
We're also always keen to review the latest kitchen innovations at the GHI, so we excited to test some of the market-leading boiling water taps. Sleek and stylish, they deliver hot water (as well as cold) at the touch of a button, which means your morning cuppa is literally seconds away. How dreamy...
They can even help save water, as you’re only dispensing what you need. But, living such a life of luxury comes with a price; boiling water taps can set you back hundreds of pounds (although they do mean you can dispense with the humble kettle).
Are they worth it? Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of their pros and cons, but if you're already sold, these are the GHI’s best boiling water taps to buy now:
Best value hot water tap and best for filtered cold water
InSinkErator 4N1 Touch Steaming Hot Water Tap
Read review
How do boiling water taps work?
Typically, boiling water taps come with a boiler tank that is fitted underneath your kitchen sink. This heats and stores water, then delivers it to your mug or pan as soon as you turn the tap on.
The tank connects to your mains electricity (so you’ll need a plug nearby) and to your water supply. Given their high price tag, we’d recommend using the manufacturer's installation service (if one exists) or arranging for a plumber to fit your new tap, to ensure everything is running smoothly straightaway.
All the taps on our list below deliver cold water as well, and there are some on the market that can also carbonate water for you, so you can enjoy a steady flow of sparkling, too.
Are boiling water taps worth it?
At first glance, boiling water taps are convenient but expensive, so it really comes down to what your priorities are. These are the pros and considerations to bear in mind before shopping.
Pros
- Energy-saving: There’s no escaping the fact that boiling a kettle uses energy, particularly if you boil more water than you actually need. Switching to a boiling water tap is one way to tackle this – as you can pour the exact amount of hot water required. Quooker claims that keeping its instant boiling water tap on standby would cost around three pence a day; while a kettle can cost between two and six pence every time you boil them, depending on the model.
- Water-saving: Filling your mug, pan or jug directly from the tap is a simple way to ensure you only use the water you need.
- Safety: Most taps have child-proof features to prevent any accidents.
- Easy to use: There’s no filling, lifting, or carrying needed with a boiling water tap, making them a more accessible choice than a kettle.
- Appearance: They look just like a classic tap and often come in a range of shapes and finishes, so you can tie it in with the rest of your kitchen. Plus, they free-up space on your counter.
- Integrated filters: Some boiling water taps also feature built-in filters that remove impurities from your water supply.
Take note
- Tank size: These can take up quite a bit of space so make sure you check the dimensions of the boiling water tap you’re purchasing and compare these to the cupboard space underneath your sink.
- Installation: While you could try and install the tap yourself, they are more complex than a traditional one, which means it’s safer to get help. Most brands offer professional installation with purchase, or as an add-on at checkout.
- Maintenance: As with a normal tap, you’ll need to keep up with general cleaning. However, if you notice any water leaking from the boiler, problems with pressure, or damage to the water tank itself then it's worth arranging for a professional to come and check your set-up.
- Extra filters and limescale removal: Most brands recommend changing the water filter every six months. However, others state that filters can last much longer, so check the recommendations before you buy to avoid any surprises. If you live in a hard water area, changing the filter more regularly will help limit the build-up of limescale.
How we test boiling water taps
To find the best boiling water tap at the GHI, we start by looking at the average flow rate. Our experts pour one litre of water into a container and time how long it takes to fill up – the quicker the better.
Then, we place a temperature reader under the tap while the boiling water is flowing and measure the highest average temperature the tap reaches. We also check to see how safe the tap is to use by noting how much the water splashes when we fill a mug with a tea bag, a mug with coffee granules, a travel mug and a saucepan, all from a set distance.
And because no one wants to be drinking water that doesn’t taste quite right, we also conduct a panel taste test – everyone drinks cups of tea and coffee and votes on its flavour.
Finally, our experts also assess the design, instructions and ease of use. Here's how the leading models performed.
Pros
- Consistently responsive controls
- Continuous flow means there’s no need to hold down a button while pouring
- Relatively compact boiler requires less cupboard space
Cons
- While activating the boiling water is simple, it’s not immediately obvious at first
- No temperature warning display
- A little splashing when filling a saucepan
Score: 92/100
Easy and intuitive to use, this Quooker all-in-one tap has a flexible pull-out hose and dispenses cold, hot and boiling water. You can even buy an add-on – called a CUBE – which provides filtered, chilled still and sparkling water.
To activate the boiling water, you simply push the handle down twice and turn it once. This process means there’s an in-built safety mechanism, so small prying hands can’t turn on the boiling water by mistake. And the cool-touch outer casing (which stayed that way on test even after running for 30 seconds), makes Quooker a great pick for family homes.
While it’s slated to heat up to 100C, on test the water reached 98C consistently – which is more than hot enough for a quick cup of tea. To reduce the risk of splashing, the water flows finely rather than as a solid jet – our testers praised its steady and accurate pour. It took an average of 22 seconds to collect a litre of hot water, and our panel said it made a lovely tasting cuppa. What more could you need?
Key specifications
| Dimensions of tank | 55 cm x 15 cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity of tank | 3L |
| Tap functions | Boiling, hot and cold water, plus filtered chilled and sparkling water when purchased with a CUBE |
| Maximum temperature | 100C |
| Professional installation | Add-on at checkout for £99 |
| Filter cost | CUBE filter add on = £1150, plus new filter cartridge every 12 months at £70 each |
| Safety features | Maximum temperature fuse, 8 bar overpressure protection, electric water shut off valve |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Pros
- Continuous water flow without holding a button
- Safe to use thanks to lock for boiling water – just press and hold for three seconds to release
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Buttons were occasionally slow to respond
- Tank took up quite a bit of space
- When used lots in quick succession, you must wait for the tank to refill
Score: 84/100
This also has cold, hot and boiling water functions and impressed testers with its easy-to-use controls and design. The tap has a good 150-degree swivel range, and filling up saucepans, mugs and containers on test was fuss-free, with only minor splashing when water bounced off our teabag.
Once again, the tap failed to reach the claimed temperature of 99C, ranging between 92C and 95C across our testing. As tea is best brewed between 90-98C, however, that's still high enough to make a good cuppa. And our taste tests were a resounding success, with most panelists liking the taste of the boiling water in their tea or coffee and preferring the cold tap water over normal bottled water.
It poured a litre in 24 seconds, but the tank struggled to build up enough hot water when used more than five times in quick succession. However, you're unlikely to do this often at home, making it another worthy buy.
Key specifications
| Dimensions of tank | 37 cm x 21 cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity of tank | 3L |
| Tap functions | Boiling, hot, and cold water |
| Maximum temperature | 100C |
| Professional installation | Installation for one tap is £250 |
| Filter cost | Once a year, filters cost £249.02 for M-size |
| Safety features | Child lock, cool touch technology |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
InSinkErator 4N1 Touch Steaming Hot Water Tap
Pros
- Quiet in use
- Splashing of hot water was minimal
- Convenient 180-degree swivel head design
Cons
- No continuous flow option so you have to hold down a lever for steaming water
- Limited information on how to change filters
- Takes a while to warm up
Score: 78/100
As the most affordable option on this list, InSinkErator’s steaming water tap is a good option if you want convenience for less (depending on the design and configuration you go for). And it didn’t disappoint; our panelists loved the taste of this water – both in tea and on its own – and testers appreciated how easy it was to use.
Accessing hot water is simple – just press and hold the lever to dispense – and a safety spring lock makes it difficult for children to operate. The brand claims that the lack of a continuous flow adds an extra element of safety too – as soon as you release the lever, the flow is immediately shut off, so hot water never runs unattended. Filling a heavy saucepan might be more difficult, though.
While the water tank has a small capacity, it was bulky, taking up quite a bit of space in the cupboard. And it struggled to build temperature, only reaching 90C in testing (as opposed to the max 98C claimed). However, this is the only one that also boasts a filtered cold water function, without any add-ons.
Key specifications
| Dimensions of tank | 31cm x 21cm x 16cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity of tank | 2.5L |
| Tap functions | Filtered steaming hot water, hot, cold, and filtered cold water |
| Maximum temperature | 99C |
| Professional installation | Add-on at checkout for £85.80 |
| Filter cost | Every six months at £78 for a twin pack of filters |
| Safety features | Safety lever, finer flow for hot water to prevent water splashing |
| Guarantee | 5 years for tap parts and 2 years for NeoTank parts |
9 April 2025: Article headlines and introduction have been revised, and stock levels and prices have been updated to reflect the most competitive deals.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
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