Best kitchen taps in the UK | Compared for 2022

What is the best kitchen tap? When choosing a tap for your kitchen, consider the type, finish, extra features, and installation method. Kitchen taps that are mounted straight to the sink are more budget-friendly, while wall-mounted taps are a more space-saving option. 

Kitchen taps also differ by the shape of their spout, which is a matter of both aesthetic appearance and functionality. For instance, high C-shape taps are more suitable for washing large dishes and trays, while L-spout models are recommended for wide sinks.

Some models have a feature allowing you to regulate the flow of water, something that is very helpful in households with low water pressure. There are also options with advanced features, such as 360-degree rotating taps, sensor-based app-controlled taps, and models with unusual finishes. 

Another difference lies in the material used in the design of kitchen taps. The most durable taps are made from satin nickel, bronze, or polished chrome. The latter is more expensive but easier to clean, nickel taps boast are very robust but prone to fingerprints, while bronze taps have a traditional appearance and are more affordable.

Trusted Manufacturers

Among manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom taps, you can trust the British brand Bristan, German brands Grohe and Hansgrohe, and international groups like Spanish Roca or Belgium-based Ideal Standard, which has engineering centers and factories all around the world: Germany, the UK, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Bulgaria, Egypt.

If you have problems with water pressure,  the Bristan taps are suitable for both low and high-pressure systems. It requires pressurised supplies of between 0.5bar and 5.0bar, while for other brands, a minimum of 1.0 bar of pressure is needed.

Double Handle or Single-Handle Kitchen Tap?

Kitchen taps are categorized into single-handle and double-handle models. Single-handle kitchen taps are more practical and allow for choosing the preferred water temperature. They work by combining the hot and cold water through one lever.

• Single-handle kitchen taps are faster to install as you will need to drill only one hole. We recommend this option for those who prefer modern designs and prioritizes convenience, as well as for the elderly and people with arthritis. 

You can even turn the tap on with your wrist or elbow if your hands are dirty or full. Additionally, single-handle kitchen taps are ideal for small sinks as they occupy little space. The downside to this option is that single-handle taps are more likely to leak after many uses. 

• Double-handle kitchen taps have two separate handles for hot and cold water. Such taps take more time to install and require you to balance between the two handles to set the preferred temperature. This is a more traditional choice. In case of a leak, you will only need to turn off one valve until the plumber’s arrival, meaning you will still have water.

Best Kitchen Taps in the UK Compared

We have compared six different kitchen taps L and U-shaped with a 360-degree swivel, with a pull-out spout, one with an outlet for drinking water, and an under-window kitchen tap.

GROHE 30274000 | Best L-Spout Kitchen Tap

This single-handle tap is mounted on the work surface and requires one hole for installation. The unit is made with a button that switches the water between a single stream flow and a spray pattern. It also comes with an adjustable flow rate limiter.

The tap features a contemporary design and is flexible in use, with the L-shaped high spout being able to turn 360 degrees. This useful feature makes the product an ideal choice for a double sink. The GROHE SilkMove feature ensures accurate and smooth temperature and water control.

Differences between traditional, pull-down, and pull-out kitchen taps

The main reason people choose a pull-out tap is its flexibility. The ability to adjust its position makes reaching every part of the sink or basin easy by moving hands closer or further. They are helpful for people with certain conditions that make bending or stretching challenging, such as arthritis, back pain, or muscle fatigue.

The spray wand on a pull-down tap is like an extra arm for the sink. The spray wand is often bigger when comparing pull-out and pull-down taps. A pull-out tap has a longer spout that makes filling up large saucepans, pots, and kettles easier and reduces the amount of splashing. Professional-style taps with pull-out spouts are used in commercial kitchens, so they are best for homes with a large-sized sink.

GROHE 30361000 GET | Best Professional Kitchen Tap

Like the above-described product from the Grohe brand, this kitchen tap has one handle and smooth 360-degree swivel action. You can lower your energy consumption thanks to a temperature limiter integrated into the tap.

The difference is that this tap has a spring-mounted Professional Spray feature that allows you to switch between a powerful jet and a fine spray quickly. The GROHE SilkMove ceramic cartridge accurately regulates water temperature and flow. 

180° Rotatable Wall Kitchen Tap | Best Wall-Mounted Kitchen Tap

Suitable for both a single sink and a double sink, this wall-mounted kitchen tap has a 180-degree swiveling water outlet pipe. This fixture reduces splashes and has no smell or blockage issues.

You can arbitrarily deform the black elbow for more freedom of movement and easier cleaning. The tap comes with a corrosion-resistant ceramic lever and a Spanish Sedal cartridge with wear resistance properties. Additionally, it has a removable aerator that mixes the water with airflow to create a foaming effect.

Hansgrohe Talis | Best Powerful Kitchen Tap

This kitchen tap with a high U-shaped spout features a powerful spray of up to 8 litres per minute at 3 bar pressure. The fixture is mounted on the sink or kitchen countertop and has a single handle made from ceramic material.

Another advantage of this model is that it offers greater freedom of movement as the spout can be rotated in four positions: 60, 110, 150, and 360 degrees. The silicone mouthpiece is easy to clean from limescale, while the high-quality ceramic cartridge accurately controls the flow and temperature of the water. 

Franke | Best Versatile Kitchen Tap

What makes this product different from the above-mentioned products is its pull-out spout. This makes it a great space-saving option ideal for small to medium-sized sinks.

Also, pull-out spouts do not cause much splashing due to their flexible designs. The spout has a range of 212 mm, while the total height of the tap is 344 mm. This single-handle kitchen tap is made from ceramic and has an anti-slip finish. Note that the device requires 1 to 6 bar pressure of water.

Foldable Mixer | Best Under-Window Kitchen Tap

If you have a window right above the sink, this kitchen tap will solve the problem of opening the window. You can safely mount the tap in front of the window as it can be easily folded down by 90%.

Made with brushed stainless steel and brass, the fixture is resistant to scratches and corrosion. Besides, it can rotate 360 degrees and comes with a removable aerator. Suitable for all sinks, it is easy to install and requires a hole with a diameter of 32 mm. 

3-Way Water Filter Kitchen Tap 

This advanced kitchen tap works with under-sink water filter systems and delivers drinking water in a matter of seconds. The device is made with two independent outlets, one for drinking water and the other for hot and cold water.

Additionally, the device features a pull-out spout sprayer with two modes: stream and spray. The spout rotates 360 degrees and has an integrated retractable hose with a counterweight. This water filter kitchen tap is easy to manipulate and has an elegant design.