Words: Francesca Seden | Featured Image: Blanco LUNEOO S.

Since the first Quooker tap was introduced to the world in 1992, the market for taps that deliver boiling, or almost boiling, water has evolved significantly into fully integrated drinks systems. These handy appliances are now a must-have for many looking to update their kitchens.

Now, Quooker may have been the originator, but many respected brands have since also entered this space with their own models. So competition is fierce, with development of better technology, greater functionality and improved design happening at pace.

In terms of innovation, these taps now go far beyond boiling water, offering filtered, sparkling and chilled water too. “Consumers are increasingly looking for products that simplify the kitchen,” notes Quooker UK managing director, Stephen Johnson. “They want fewer appliances on the worktop, less clutter, reduced bottled water usage and products that genuinely improve daily life.”

So, a key driver for innovation is convenience and a desire for greater control over water quality in the home, with some consumers not trusting tap water to drink. Franke UK sales director, Chris Gallagher notes how “market feedback tells us that consumers are increasingly aware and concerned about water quality, driven by the media coverage on sewage spills and industrial and agricultural pollutants seeping into rivers. 

“We developed our premium Pro M filter cartridge with leading edge technology that combines active carbon with ion-selective filtration to improve clarity and deliver cleaner drinking water without affecting flow or usability. 

“The filter does far more than prevent limescale build-up, which protects the performance and longevity of the tank, it removes hormones, metals, microplastics, pesticides and chlorine while preserving natural minerals thanks to a patented technology.”

Another concern for consumers in the market for one of these taps is safety, and this is where Quooker believes it really differentiates itself from newcomers. Johnson says: “As the original inventor, our focus has always been on genuine engineering innovation rather than simply adding features. Patented technologies around safety, insulation, operating controls and water delivery continue to play a major role in differentiating premium systems from newer entrants into the market.”

He adds: “Delivering true 100°C boiling water safely and consistently requires significant technical expertise. Features such as insulated tanks, child-safe operating mechanisms and precise temperature control are critical areas where engineering quality matters enormously.”

Innovation

Aside from the taps themselves, much of the innovation for these appliances is happening “under the hood”, or perhaps under the sink, is a better way of putting it. 

Caple offers a steaming water tap with a larger 3.5-litre boiler capacity, as well as smarter maintenance solutions, including digital filter meters that alert users when filters need replacing, “which are also playing a key role by improving reliability, ease of ownership, and overall user confidence,” comments Luke Shipway, head of product for the brand.

BLANCO CHOICE, meanwhile, measures the actual volume of water passing through the filtration system, with data visible via the under-sink control unit. This ensures filter changes are prompted based on real usage, rather than a fixed time period.

“This is particularly relevant in hard water areas, where limescale presents an ongoing challenge,” says Tamsin Mills, brand communications manager at Blanco. “A usage-based system helps maintain consistent filtration performance, rather than relying on assumptions about how frequently the system is used. By contrast, time-based systems can prompt filter changes too early or too late depending on household usage, which can impact both efficiency and performance.”

InSinkErator has put its focus into creating a tank which is easy to fit and install in the smallest of kitchens cabinets, taking up very little valuable cupboard space. The space-saving 2.5 litre NeoTank also features a digital adjustable dial, plus dry start protection, allowing the user to set the water temperature between 88°C and 99°C with ease.

Ultimately, it provides the customer with water at the right temperature for the task, be that brewing the perfect cup of tea, preparing a coffee, or for cooking and cleaning.

As well as convenience, safety and purer water quality, consumers are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and multifunctional taps do away with the need for bottled water, thereby saving plastic waste, and boiling water taps are also generally cheaper to run, even if the initial outlay is significantly higher. 

According to consumer advice website isitworthwhile.co.uk, hot water taps typically use about 40% less energy than kettles because they only heat the water you need and maintain temperature more efficiently. Additionally, a quality hot water tap can last 10-15 years with proper maintenance, while kettles typically need replacing every 4-6 years. However, hot water taps require annual filter changes to maintain performance.

Quooker’s Johnson adds: “Products such as our COMBI reservoir are designed to provide instant hot and boiling water from a single system while reducing unnecessary water wastage and energy consumption. The COMBI is also currently the world’s only boiling water tank with an A-rated energy classification, reflecting the level of engineering focus now being applied within the category.”

PWS tap category manager, Ryan Gillham, sums up the development of this market, stating that progression is being driven by a convergence of lifestyle trends: a heightened awareness of water quality, a desire for convenience, and a move towards more sustainable living. 

“Functionality and design are no longer separate considerations,” he says. “They are intrinsically linked. Few products illustrate this shift more clearly than the multifunctional tap, which has rapidly evolved from a niche innovation into a defining feature of contemporary kitchen design.”

Showroom show-and-tell

In the showroom, retailers can best showcase the benefits primarily through live demonstration. They should ideally be shown in a within a fully working kitchen display to give customers a proper understanding of how they will work in their own home. Once they experience the convenience these appliances offer, they are a relatively easy sell.

Blanco’s Mills adds that the opportunity lies in reframing how the category is presented in-store. “Success depends on shifting the conversation from individual taps to complete drinking water systems that replace multiple appliances and routines.

“The strongest way to communicate this is through demonstration, showing ease of use, explaining the technology and highlighting the tangible difference in water quality and consistency.”

Finally, we give a last word on this to Hayley Bowman, marketing manager at Harrison Bathrooms, which has very recently entered this market with its KoGE boiling and filtered water taps. 

She summarises: “Instant hot water taps offer convenience, energy efficiency and space-saving benefits, making them an increasingly popular choice for modern homes. Alongside instant filtered and boiling water functionality, they can remove the need for a kettle and streamline everyday routines.

“For retailers, hands-on demonstrations are the best way to showcase these benefits, allowing customers to experience the product firsthand and understand its everyday value.”