Instant hot water taps: a buyer’s guide
With prices ranging from £500 to upwards of £3,000, it's worth doing your research
An instant hot water tap provides water at temperatures up to 100°C.
They are a significant investment, so it’s worth doing your research before parting with your cash.
There are many benefits to these taps.
Not only will you waste less water by using only what you need, it’s also more energy efficient than boiling the kettle.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the UK wastes £68 million a year in electricity boiling more water than is needed.
Ditching the kettle also means more counter space, so it’s an ideal solution for minimalists, or those with small kitchens.
Instant hot water tap prices range from £400 to upwards of £5,000, and each model has its own USP.
For many, instant boiling water is the priority, but some five-in-one taps offer boiling, hot, cold, filtered and sparkling water.
How do instant hot water taps work?
Instant hot water taps take water from your property’s mains supply, and then rapidly heat it using an electrical element within a heavily insulated storage tank.
Then, using a heat exchanger (a coiled pipe heated by gas flame or electricity) it heats the water as it flows through.
You could also have a boiler tank installed under your sink to keep a supply of water at boiling hot temperature.
This will then deliver boiling water immediately when you turn the tap on.
Are instant hot water taps safe?
On the whole, yes, instant hot water taps are safe to have in the home.
However, if you have children it’s best to ensure you buy one which has safety buttons that make it difficult to turn on by accident.
You should also make sure they are heavily supervised in the kitchen area as scalding-hot water in an instant could be very dangerous for them, especially if it’s new and they are used to getting cold water when they use the tap.
Are instant hot water taps energy efficient?
In comparison to the kettle, yes. In 2025 the average UK household boils their kitchen kettle four times a day.
As a result, this means it is more energy efficient to have an instant hot water tap installed, because they use less energy than kettles on a standard cup for cup basis.
Instant hot water taps have had a surge in popularity over the last five years, with working from home and smart tech in kitchens becoming more commonplace.
They can also be easily retro-fitted into your existing kitchen design, thus creating a more eco-friendly kitchen space.
It’s also worth noting that not all instant hot water taps operate at boiling.
There are boiling hot water taps out there, which are the most recommended because many hot drinks need boiling water.
However, you can also get ‘hot water taps’ which heat to 96°C -98°C and ‘Instant hot water taps’ which heat to the same.
So, if you want one that performs the 100°C specification, make sure you’re ordering a ‘boiling water tap’ as the different names are thrown around a lot.
Here, Jamie Blake, creative director and owner of Blakes London, offers his advice on the main factors to consider when ordering an instant hot water tap.
Instant hot water tap in a copper finish from Qettle
Check the temperature
It is worth spending as much as you can on a boiling water tap. Opt for a reputable brand to ensure quality and reliability.
Not all hot water taps deliver water at 100°C, which is the ideal temperature for brewing black and herbal teas. So, check before you buy if that is what you want. Quooker, Franke and Qettle all deliver water at this temperature.
Space for the water tank
The water tank is fitted in the cabinet underneath the sink.
Depending on the brand you choose, you might lose a quarter of your cupboard space or more.
The size of the tank will affect how much water is dispensed in one go.
So check the capacity of the instant hot water tap you’re considering, as this varies in different models and ranges from 2-11 litres.
A typical three-bedroom household should be fine with a 3-4 litre tank. The unit will also need a power supply.
Quooker Flex in black. Photo: Quooker
Safety measures
All boiling water taps should have some form of lock or safety button to prevent scalding while using normal functions.
Many designs also include thermally sealed and anti-splatter spouts.
Pay special attention to these features if you have young children.
Limescale control
Though an instant hot water tap is fairly maintenance-free, you will need to invest in a limescale-control unit.
Otherwise, you’ll occasionally have to remove the limescale residue. Lemon juice or white vinegar is effective at removing the deposits.
Gold instant hot water tap from Caple
Changing the filters
The filters will also need changing at regular intervals.
This may depend on water usage, and some taps indicate when it is necessary, but otherwise aim to do it every six to 12 months.
In some cases, failure to change the filter can nullify the manufacturer’s warranty.
A carbon filter removes impurities and the chlorine taste from tap water, and stops calcium sticking to the element, so it’s well worth making sure these are changed at the required intervals.
Let’s shop for: instant hot water taps
Which instant hot water tap will best suit your needs, and your kitchen design?
We’ve saved you the work and weighed up the different options on the market, from well-known DIY brands to the more niche options available.
1. Qettle Signature Modern
This beautiful piece of engineering is made from marine grade stainless steel in the UK, with a robust finish.
Quettle’s Signature Modern design offers a four-in-one functionality so will certainly make a statement at your sink.
The Quettle offering offers boiling water at 100°C – so every brew is a proper one.
As well as the boiling, you’ve also got filtered drinking water and both hot and cold flowing water.
It also has a two-stage safety switch on and a cool-touch spout, which is a huge plus, especially if you have children using it.
Photo: Qettle
- Qettle Signature Modern 4-in-1 boiling water tap, from £795 – buy here
2. The Tap Factory Milo filtered cold and instant boiling tap
This boiling tap is unique in that it’s slightly more purse-friendly than others on the market, but it also holds a UK WRAS approval for its quality boiling tank design.
The three-in-one tap dispenses instant hot water, as well as ordinary hot and cold water, and has a brushed steel finish and a modern U-shaped spout.
The conventional mixer handles allow for mixed hot and filtered cold water, while the boiling function is controlled the opposite side.
It also has a child safety button which allows the handle to be rotated so it’s unlikely children will accidentally burn themselves or put it on by accident when washing hands.
Photo: The Tap Factory
- The Tap Factory Milo Filtered Cold & Instant Boiling Water Tap with WRAS-Approved Boiler & Filter – Brushed Steel, £499.99 – buy here
3. GoodHome Aji Matt Black Boiling water tap
We can always rely on trust B&Q to help us out with our DIY needs, and it seems boiling water taps are no different.
Promising to reduce chlorine, copper and turbidity to improve the taste and odour of your water, as well as providing instant boiling water, at a bargain price point, this is definitely one to consider.
It comes with a filter, tank, tap and hose set and offers boiling water up to 98°C. It also has an anti limescale spout which is easier to maintain, as well as a children safety lock.
All of B&Q’s GoodHome kitchen taps are guaranteed for 10 years, and the tank for two years so you have some assurances.
Photo: B&Q
- GoodHome Aji Matt Black Boiling water tap, £350 from B&Q – buy here
4. Quooker Flex Stainless Steel
Most people have heard of Quooker by now – they were one of the leading pioneers behind the original boiling water tap – and they continue to have a lot of popularity as a standout, top quality brand.
The Quooker Flex offers cold, hot and boiling water with a flexible pull out hose for extra reach within the sink.
You can also go the extra mile with Quooker to get chilled sparkling water when you combine your Quooker with a CUBE.
This boiling water tap is available in polished chrome, stainless steel, black, gunmetal and rose copper.
Photo: Quooker
- Quooker Flex, from £1,400 – buy here
5. Pull Out Spray 4 in 1 Instant Boiling Water Tap Aquatap Ultra
This convenient hot water tap is complete with a 2.4 litre boiler, pull-out spray and luxurious polished chrome colour.
It offers instant access to both boiling and cold filtered water, which is ideal for making quick drinks or using for cooking.
The pull out spray adds flexibility, helping you to clean tricky dishes and pans easily.
The 2.4 litre boiler unit promises 13 litres of boiling water per hour (which equates to a whopping 54 cups of tea!).
It has four-in-one functionality, providing filtered boiling water at 98°C – plus filtered cold water, and standard hot and cold water with a mixer function.
It also has a digital touch screen for easy control, with pre-set temperatures ranging from 55°C to 98°C.
Photo: AquaTaps
- Pull Out Spray | 4 in 1 Instant Boiling Water Tap | Aquatap Ultra | Polished Chrome, £549.99 from AquaTap – buy here
