Boiling hot water taps or kettle taps are becoming increasingly popular in UK kitchens. They come in a wide range of finishes and designs to suit any space making these the perfect purchase for your home.
From making a fresh cup of tea/coffee, filling up your hot water bottle, filling your pots with boiling water ready for cooking, or sterilizing baby bottles, the uses for kettle taps are endless.
We set out to show you our top ten favourite kettle taps from a range of different brands. We will discuss the specifications and the pros and cons and why we think they are worth it!
Why do I need a kettle tap?
We have a great article on the benefits and features of kettle taps which you can find here: should I get a kettle tap?
1. Astini Bollitore 3in1
Best value for money hot water tap: it does the job and doesn’t have a high price tag!
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Ease of use Tank capacity: 2.4 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Matt Black
REASONS TO BUY
+ Hot, cold and boiling water all in one + Built in 'child safe' safety release button + Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- Needs to be installed by a plumber - Filtration cartridges must be changed every 3- 6 months - Temperature doesn't quite reach boiling point
Why do we like it?
Safety first. This tap has an anti-splash fitted to the end of the spout to reduce water splashing when in use which is essential when you are working with boiling hot water. It has a child safety release button control which prevents accidental boiling hot water activation. It is also an extremely reasonable price for a boiling hot water tap as some of them can reach up to £1,500! Being the exclusive retailers of Astini we are able to get the best prices for our customers.
What does it do well?
The sleek heating tank fits nicely under the sink making it a subtle but effective statement piece in the kitchen.
The Astini Bollitore provides you with not only ambient hot and cold water but also, instant boiling hot water. Everything you need is there in one tap!
If you want to make even more of a statement, this tap comes in a number of different finishes to suit all styles: matt black, polished chrome, polished gold and satin copper. It also has a stylish single lever control for precise ambient hot and cold water supply ensuring that you only use the exact amount of boiling and ambient water that you need without waste.
What to watch for…
As with most boiling hot water taps, the cartridge needs replacing within 3-6 months of use, this can be less if you live in a hard water area. As well as this, the temperature doesn’t quite reach boiling point, it goes to 98ºC, this is still enough to make your all-important tea and coffee though!
2. Caple Joya 3in1
The showstopper: Go for gold
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: High volumes of water Tank capacity: 3.5 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Gold
REASONS TO BUY
+ Up to 120 cups of water per hour + WRAS approved + Cool touch spout
REASONS TO AVOID
- Doesn't quite reach boiling point - Expensive
Why do we like it?
This stunning kettle tap comes in a range of finishes: chrome, copper, gold, gunmetal and black. It supplies fresh cold water, regular hot water and filtered steaming water, this means you only need one tap and it provides all the functions you could need. The tank is 3.5L which means a lot of hot water can be used without needing the tank to refill all of the time.
What does it do well?
This tap comes with a cool touch spout ensuring safety for the user. As well as this, it has a safety mechanism to ensure you have control over the boiling hot water. Caple are also well known for their guarantees, they have a 5-year guarantee on items that have been used in a solely domestic application and fitted in accordance with the installation instructions they provide. Take a look a the details here.
This tap also includes a touch control pressurized boiler making it so much easier for the user.
What to watch for…
This shouldn’t necessarily deter you from purchasing, but this tap is quite expensive. Similar to the Astini, this doesn’t quite reach boiling point but does go up to 98 degrees.
3. Carron Phoenix Seraphina
Boiling point: The tap that reaches 100ºC
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Reaching boiling point Tank capacity: 4.7 litres Temperature range: Up to 100ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ Water conditioning filter + Holds a lot of water + Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks - Needs high pressure system
Why do we like it?
This tap reaches 100 degrees at the point of use which is higher than some of the kettle taps on the market. It also incorporates a water conditioning filter, ensuring that your boiling water is free of sediment, odour and any unwanted particles. Like some of the other taps, this also requires the activation of a safety button to operate the boiling water function ensuring safety for users.
What does it do well?
Can be fitted with boiling water control on the left or the right. As well as this it can be retrofitted making the fitting process easier for the customer. The unique tank can be situated horizontally behind a plinth filling up cabinet space underneath the sink for a practical solution. If you would like to read a bit more about the brand Carron Phoenix click here.
What to watch for…
Unlike some of the other taps, this tap only comes in one finish which is chrome. It also requires a minimum bar pressure of 1.5 Bar which is high meaning it wouldn’t be suitable for some customers.
4. Franke Omni
Bestseller: you can’t go wrong
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Ease of use Tank capacity: 4 litres Temperature range: Up to 100ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ 4-in-1, hot, cold and boiling filtered water + Reaches boiling point + Easy installation
REASONS TO AVOID
- High pressure required - Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks
Why do we like it?
The Omni comes as a complete system including the tap boiler and under-sink filter protecting the boiler from limescale buildup. This ensures that the filters last longer meaning replacing them doesn’t need to be as often. Most ‘boiling’ taps produce less than 98°C, this tap delivers fully boiling 100°C instantly.
What does it do well?
The lever of this tap is spring loaded to switch off instantly if any splashes occur as well as having a cool touch spout that stays cool even when producing boiling water. To ensure that your filtered water remains fresh and safe to drink at all times, the ‘tube within a tube’ design keeps the filtered supply entirely separate from normal mains water.
The tank uses very little power to keep the water at 100°C
What to watch for…
This tap is a little expensive, but it is definitely worth your money! Take a look at the full range and all of the colours available here.
5. Grohe Red
Undecided? Check out the 2 different sizes of boiling unit
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: High end look Tank capacity: 5.5 / 3 litres Temperature range: Up to 99ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ Two different boiler sizes + Holiday mode + Two step child safe touch activation
REASONS TO AVOID
- Needs to be installed by a plumber - Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks - Some spitting when running the tap
Why do we like it?
This tap comes with an optional pot filler function to make it easier for the user without the need to constantly hold down the boiling hot water button. It creates warm and cold tap water for daily use as well as the boiling hot water function. This tap comes in a range of different styles (L-DOU, C-DOU, L-MONO and C-MONO).
What it does it do well?
We love that this tap comes with the option of two different sizes of boiler to suit anyone’s needs, whether you are looking to use more boiling water (5.5L) or a little less (3L). As well as this, it has a holiday mode to keep running costs to a minimum.
What to watch for…
This tap doesn’t quite reach boiling point but is very close, it reaches 99ºC. This video will show you all you need to know about the tap, including all of the different styles that it comes in. Click here to watch.
6. Insinkerator Kettle Taps
The classic: You know what you are getting and it is reliable!
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Simplicity Tank capacity: 2.5 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ Only need a small amount of space under sink + Separate to tap + Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- Boiler doesn't hold as much water - Some spitting when running the tap
Why do we like it?
This kettle tap has been around for a while, you can’t go wrong with the design which is a swivel spout for single and multiple bowls. This premium Italian-designed instant hot water tap is simple to use as well as safe and easy to install. They come with a locking safety lever for peace of mind and can be installed by any competent DIY-er.
What does it do well?
If you are looking for a smaller addition to your kitchen and don’t want to replace your whole tap, this is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds. You have your hot and cold tap and then the kettle tap on the side! Insinkerator is also very well known for its call-out service, if anything is amiss just give them a call and everything will be swiftly sorted for you! Find out more information here.
What to watch for…
The filter can need changing every 4-6 months if you live in a hard water area. There is also no safety lock on this which may be an important factor for some!
7. Insinkerator 3in1
Space saver
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Reliability Tank capacity: 2.5 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ You wont lose space under the sink + Child safety lock fitted + Long-life filter with two stage filtration
REASONS TO AVOID
- Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks - Doesn't reach boiling point
Why do we like it?
Designed to sit conveniently alongside your main mixer tap or over a separate sink, the dedicated hot water-only side tap dispenses instant steaming hot water. It provides instant boiling hot water and the 3in1 makes this tap super practical and convenient.
What does it do well?
The water gets passed through a calcium filter to remove any calcium or limescale before it enters the tank. Once the water is inside the take, it goes through a carbon filter which gets rid of 99% of natural waterborne contaminants such a bacteria, micro debris contaminants, and chlorine!
What to watch for…
The tap doesn’t quite reach boiling point and it holds a little less water than the others.
8. Perrin and Rowe Phoenix
Full of finishes
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Ease of use Tank capacity: 2.4 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Aged Brass
REASONS TO BUY
+ Operates from as low as 1.5 bar + Rapid reheat with zero run off and spit free + State of the art digital touch screen display
REASONS TO AVOID
- Needs to be installed by a plumber - Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks
Why do we like it?
These taps are handcrafted in the UK, plated to a thickness that exceeds the industry standards, and produced from quality low-lead brass. It only needs 1.5 bar pressure to operate when many of the other ones need a lot higher water pressure. To avoid the dreaded limescale it has the latest filtration technology to reduce limescale and increase the product lifespan. Take a look at all of the finishes here.
What it does it do well?
This stunning tap comes in 8 different finishes including nickel, gold, polished brass, and English bronze meaning it will suit any kitchen. It also comes with a state-of-the-art digital touchscreen display where you can control the temperature which is accurate to 0.5ºC.
What to watch for…
This is a little more expensive than the other taps on offer, but it does come with a 5-year manufacturer guarantee and a 1-year finish guarantee.
9. Vibrance Wisteria 4in1
Switch up the colours
SPECIFICATIONS
Best for: Traditional look Tank capacity: 4 litres Temperature range: Up to 98ºC Finish: Chrome
REASONS TO BUY
+ WRAS approved + Tank reheats in just 10 mins + Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
- 13A plug socket required - Harder water areas may see froth on top of hot drinks
Why do we like it?
If you are looking for a traditional 4-way kitchen tap this one is for you, there aren’t many that have this look on the market at the moment. The K2H20 water filter combined with the instant boiling water tap delivers drinkable instant boiling water as well as filtered drinking water.
What does it do well?
You are able to choose when you engage your K2H20 filter at the flick of a switch. The degrees Celsius can be adjusted down to 75ºC if required.
It also offers a safety push-down control mechanism. This tap comes with a range of different coloured handles including pink, purple, blue, red, and green to make a unique statement in your home!
What to watch for…
A 13A plug socket is required to work the tank that this comes with so this may be one to consider!
Our top pick!
Franke Omni
The winner here has to be the Franke Omni, it reaches 100ºC, which is quite rare with boiling hot water taps with most of them reaching 98ºC. It also holds a lot of water (4L) meaning you get more out of it. If you are looking for an all-rounder boiling hot water tap ticking all the boxes this one is perfect! If you would like to know a bit more about the brand and the tap click here.
