Tap Buying Guide

Mixer taps are a popular choice for modern kitchens. They combine hot and cold water through one spout, so you can easily get the perfect temperature for drinking or cleaning.

They come in a wide range of styles and price points, so they can match your kitchen's decor without breaking the bank.

You may find that mixer taps may be less suitable if you have very low hot water pressure, as many mixer taps need a minimum pressure to work properly. If this is the case, a compression valve may improve the pressure - or you could use a pump to increase the pressure of the entire system.

Pull out taps offer a modern twist on traditional kitchen taps. The spout can be pulled out to change the water direction, making deep cleaning easy and efficient. Pull out taps are a type of mixer tap that combines the hot and cold water to come out of one spout. 

If you often need to clean large saucepans or awkwardly shaped items like oven racks, a pull-out tap can be a game-changer in your kitchen because you have complete control over the direction of the water.

You may find that the price of pull out taps starts slightly higher than simpler alternatives such as standard mixers.

Pillar taps consist of two separate taps – one for controlling hot water and the other for cold water. They are a good option when you have low hot water pressure, as mixing with the cold water pressure may not be suitable.

You’ll find pillar taps are affordable and widely available, and are also easy to install and maintain – as you simply need to connect the cold feed to one tap, and the hot feed to the other tap. Pillar taps are also versatile, as they can compliment both traditional and modern styles.

The main consideration with pillar taps is that if you want to mix hot and cold water, you need to fill up the sink or a bowl – rather than letting the water run out at your desired temperature. Also, pillar taps need two holes in the sink instead of just one, meaning you’ll be limited to other pillar taps in the future if you want to replace them and your sink needs to be suitable.

Boiling water taps provide instant access to boiling hot water. They use a heated water tank to supply boiling water on demand, removing the need for a kettle. Boiling water taps are incredibly convenient for quickly making tea, filling up saucepans, and other tasks that require hot water. They also function as a normal mixer tap and you’ll also find 3-in-1 taps which have boiling water, hot water and cold water and 4-in-1 taps which provide boiling, hot, cold and filtered water.

These taps are a convenient time-saving alternative to a kettle, and may even use less energy compared to boiling a kettle – as you’re only boiling the amount of water you need. Boiling water taps have safety features to avoid accidental scalding.

The primary consideration with boiling water taps is the higher upfront cost to buy and install, especially compared to alternatives such as mixer taps and pillar taps. Boiling water taps also need a connection to an electric point as well as plenty of space under the sink.

Filter taps come equipped with a filtering system that removes impurities from the water, ensuring fresh-tasting water free from odour every time you use the tap. Filter taps are usually a type of mixer tap with a filter system, so you have complete control over the water temperature. 

They are a great option for improving the taste of water and keeping your kettle limescale-free, but leaving the healthy minerals in.

Filter taps have additional installation needs than simpler mixer taps, and will require periodic maintenance such as changing filter cartridges in order to keep them working effectively.

Similar to kitchen mixer taps, bathroom basin mixer taps combine hot and cold water through one spout. They are widely available and come in various styles to suit your bathroom decor. 

Basin mixer taps provide you with the perfect water temperature control and come at a range of price points for every budget. Basin mixer taps also only need one hole in the sink, meaning they save space and are suited to more modern basins.

If you have very low hot water pressure, you may find that a mixer tap won’t be suitable as you need a minimum pressure that some homes may not be able to achieve. 

Basin pillar taps are two separate taps—one for hot water and the other for cold. They are a good option when the hot water pressure is low, as they often have a lower minimum pressure required. 

You’ll find basin pillar taps are affordable and relatively easy to install – you’ll simply need to connect the hot and cold feeds to the respective taps. They’re also traditional but timeless, and a wide range of options are available to suit a number of styles. 

The main consideration when using a basin pillar tap, is that if you want a different water temperature than what's coming out of the tap, you'll need to fill up the basin and mix the water yourself. Basin pillar taps need two holes for the taps instead of one, which could limit your choice of basin.

Bath filler taps work similarly to basin mixer taps, combining hot and cold water through one spout, but they are specifically designed for use on a bath. They use a bridge to combine the water effectively, sourced from separate hot and cold supply pipes.

You’ll find bath filler taps are widely available and have a range of style options to choose from at a range of price points. They also allow you to perfectly control the temperature of the water so you don’t need to consistently check the bath as you’re filling it.

Bath filler taps are better suited if you have high hot water pressure, as it can be difficult to regulate the temperature and maintain a high flow rate if the hot water pressure is low.

Bath pillar taps, like basin pillar taps, consist of two separate taps—one for hot water and the other for cold. They are suitable for homes with low hot water pressure but are a common choice for all homes, no matter the water pressure. 

There are bath pillar taps at a range of price points and are widely available in a variety of styles – but most commonly suit traditional styles. Bath pillar taps are also relatively easy to install and maintain, as they are simply connected to the hot and cold water pipes. 

The primary consideration with bath filler taps is that they require regular monitoring of the bath water temperature to make sure it’s not too hot or cold.

Bath shower mixer taps come with a hose and a handset so are both a bath filler and a shower, with a diverter valve which changes where the water is directed. The shower hose and handset can be mounted on the wall with a riser rail if you’re after a classic shower look. They offer the convenience of easily switching between the bath and the shower – whether the shower head is wall mounted or handheld. 

One set of pipes for two outlets means bath shower mixer taps are ideal for saving space in small bathrooms. Bath shower mixers also mean the bathroom fixtures have a totally cohesive style – especially perfect for sleek, modern bathrooms. 

Bath shower mixers may be less suitable if you have low hot water pressure, as they often require a minimum pressure to work that some systems cannot reach. There are also additional installation requirements for the diverter valve – but nothing a qualified plumber couldn’t manage!