Boiling and chilled filtered water taps are ideal for those who want to avoid the hassle of boiling a kettle and have immediate access to boiled or ambient temperature filtered water. They’re also great for filling coffee machines for a purer tasting cup of joe and for sterilising baby bottles.
If you’re worried about your little ones reaching the hot water, there are options with a child lock that only allows you to select chilled or filtered water and requires an a button press to dispense boiling water (see our article on choosing a safe instant boiling tap). Some taps are also capable of producing fizzy, chilled and filtered bottled water (5 in 1 if you opt for an add-on) for those who like a bit of variety.
The best instant filtered taps have a high quality filter that reduces bacteria, cysts and heavy metals and has a micron rating between 10 and 5 which is ideal for home use. This prevents dirt, sediment and bad taste while also removing chlorine, and some have an option for extra filtration for the removal of limescale and odours as well.
Boiling and filtered water taps can save money in the long run as they use much less energy than boiling kettles and there’s no need to buy bottled water. They are rated A for efficiency thanks to their titanium boilers and insulation and they only use about 3-10p per day to keep the water at boiling temperature (depending on which brand you choose). You can also choose from a number of different design options depending on your needs and there’s even an option that looks just like a regular kitchen tap.