I still have a soft spot for a traditional kettle, but after testing a range of hot water dispensers in my own kitchen, I can see why they’re becoming such a popular alternative. The best ones delivered near boiling water in seconds, whether I wanted a single mug of tea or enough to fill a bowl for oats or noodles. Crucially, I didn’t have to lift or tip a heavy kettle of boiling water, which makes these a particularly good option for anyone with limited strength, joint pain or mobility issues.
To separate the genuinely useful from the gimmicky, I tested everything from simple single temperature machines to feature heavy designs. I measured how quickly they dispensed water, checked temperature and volume accuracy across settings and used them daily to see how intuitive they felt. I paid close attention to tank weight, how easy each one was to refill and whether safety features like child locks and boil dry protection worked reliably.
The Brita Cube came out on top in my tests, thanks to its generous four-litre tank, limescale filter and UVC light, but it earned that spot through consistent, everyday performance.
Elaine’s Top Tip
As the author of The Great Book of Tea, I’m particular about water temperature. While testing, I noticed a simple trick improved flavour: I warmed the cup first with a splash of hot water, emptied it, then added the teabag and dispensed fresh water. Very hot water hitting a cold mug cools faster than you think, which can dull the brew. It’s the same logic as warming a teapot, and it really does make a difference.
How we tested hot water dispensers
I tested each hot water dispenser in my own kitchen, using it as I would day to day for tea, coffee and quick cooking tasks. I assessed them across the following areas:
- Looks, size and set up: From unboxing, I checked how straightforward the instructions were, how long it took me to get it running and how much counter space it occupied. I also considered whether it felt bulky or neatly designed for a smaller kitchen.
- Build quality and durability: This is an appliance I’d expect to use every day, so examined how solid it felt. I looked at the materials, how responsive the buttons or touchscreen were and how sturdy the water tank felt when full and when empty.
- Accuracy and speed: I tested different temperature and volume settings to see if each machine delivered the promised heat levels and cup sizes. I also noted how quickly it dispensed hot water and whether temperatures felt consistent.
- Ease of use: I checked how intuitive the controls were, how easy it was to refill the tank and how heavy it felt to lift. I paid particular attention to whether it would suit someone who might struggle with heavier lifting.
- Safety features: I tested child locks, dry boil protection and descaling alerts to make sure they worked reliably.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
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Best hot water dispensers at a glance
- Best overall hot water dispenser: Brita Cube, £249.99
- Best compact hot water dispenser: CASO Design HW770 Turbo hot water dispenser, £149.99
- Best compact, easy to use dispenser: Tefal Instant Hot Water – 2L, £99.99
- Best hot water dispenser for new parents: CASO HW 660 Turbo hot water dispenser, £129.99
- Best single-temperature dispenser with filter: Breville Hot Cup – VKJ318, £74.99
- Best single-temperature dispenser: Breville Hot Cup with variable dispense VKJ367, £77
- Best budget single-temperature dispenser: Salter Instant hot water dispenser, £67.99
Best hot water dispensers 2026
Brita Cube
Available from Amazon (£169.99), Robert Dyas (£169.99), Currys (£249)
Best overall hot water dispenser
Pros
- Generous four-litre tank
- Maxtra Pro Filtration
- UVC (ultraviolet C light to eliminate bacteria)
- Magnetic adjustable height drip tray
- Dispenses in five seconds
Cons
- Bulky
- Only five temperatures
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 2050 – 2150W
Straight from the box, it’s apparent that the Brita Cube is out to impress. It is a simple, clear design that will look at home anywhere. The footprint of the dispenser and a generous four litre tank made this the largest in my test; once assembled and filled with water, it is heavy, but as it is easy to fill using a jug directly into a sliding opening in the lid, this isn’t a problem.
I found assembling the Brita super easy, and the touchscreen intuitive to use. The Brita comes with some excellent extras, such as a limescale and chlorine filter and a UV-C light to eliminate bacteria. My favourite features, however, were having both filtered ambient and fast-heated water (up to 95 C), and a clever magnetic, adjustable height drip tray that takes everything from a small cup to a full water bottle. It is no wonder this was my favourite hot water dispenser in the test.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: ambient to 95C
Volume range: 150-450 ml
Tank capacity: 4 litres
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CASO Design HW 770 Turbo hot water dispenser
Available from Amazon (£105), CASO Design (£109.99)
Best compact dispenser with a filter
Pros
- Cleaning and descaling alarm
- Water filter included
- 13 temperature settings
- Memory button
- Continuous flow option
- Suitable for extra-tall travel mugs
Cons
- Temperatures slightly out
- Slow dispense
Star rating: 5/5
Wattage: 2600W
German brand CASO’s Turbo hot water dispenser 770 is its latest model and a good-looking black and silver compact machine which will sit beautifully in any kitchen or office without taking up too much room. Though made of plastic, the CASO feels sturdy yet light and I liked the integrated water filter to help reduce limescale. The removable 2.7-litre tank was easy to fill either from the tap or in situ using a jug.
The front-facing touchscreen was bright and easy to read, especially in poor light, and includes not only temperature and volume settings, but also a cleaning button, a descaling alarm and a memory function to store your favourite drink setting, making it even quicker and easier to use. A welcome touch I really liked was that, as well as volume settings from 100-400 ml, there is also a continuous setting.
Water temperatures range from ambient up to 100C in five-degree increments, though they did fluctuate slightly as the temperature rose, which was our only niggle with this otherwise lovely, efficient dispenser.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 40-100C, 5º increments plus ambient
Volume range: 100-400ml plus continuous
Tank capacity: 2.7 litres
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Tefal Instant hot water dispenser
Available from Amazon (£99.97), Tefal (£99.99), Currys (£99.99)
Best compact, easy-to-use dispenser
Pros
- Intuitive touch panel
- Easy to remove the water tank
- 15-year repair at a fair price
- Four adjustable cup heights
Cons
- No ambient
- Not for baby food
Star rating: 4.5/5
Wattage: 1400W
The Tefal Instant hot water dispenser is a compact two-litre machine that is unfussy yet stylish. I appreciated that straight out of the box, setting it up was remarkably easy and required no instructions and only needed cleaning, filling and plugging in. The Tefal has a small footprint, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
There are six temperature settings and I found them all to be close, if not spot on, though there is no ambient option, which was disappointing.
The dispenser performed well throughout my test, delivering hot water quickly via a clear, simple touchscreen and a light, easy-to-fill two-litre tank. A couple of my favourite touches were the four adjustable cup heights – created by simply moving the drip tray up or down – and the automatic descaling function, which makes cleaning easy, all at a very competitive price for the quality.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 70-95C
Volume range: 150-500ml
Tank capacity: 2 litres
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CASO Design HW 660 Turbo hot water dispenser
Available from Amazon (£127.99), CASO Design (£129.99), Argos (£130)
Best hot water dispenser for new parents
Pros:
- Water filters available to buy via CASO
- Accessible alternative to a kettle
- Baby food mode
Cons:
- The water tank isn’t the easiest to carry
- The display screen gets steamed up very easily
- Doesn’t get to 90 or 100C on those settings
- A small area under the spout – not multifunctional
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 2600W
Setting the HW 660 up is straightforward – the manual is clear, with both text and diagrams, and I had the tank, filter and drip tray slotted in within minutes. The first thing that struck me was how much more compact it is than I’d expected; it’s a bit taller and wider than a standard kettle, but doesn’t dominate my worktop.
Actually using it is intuitive after a short learning curve. The touchscreen controls are easy to use, although having to unlock it every time gets a bit tedious. I liked being able to select temperatures in 10C increments, but the water never quite reached boiling – even on the 100C setting, my thermometer read just over 90C, after multiple attempts. That’s fine for most drinks, but if you’re fussy about a proper rolling boil, you might be disappointed.
The build is very plasticky, which surprised me for the price, but it feels sturdy enough. The water tank is easy to remove, though I found myself wishing for a proper handle as it’s a bit awkward when full. Cleaning is simple, with a removable drip tray and a clear descaling reminder, which I appreciated.
Noise-wise, it’s relatively quiet, but does beep a lot, particularly when the tank’s removed. I also noticed the display steams up quickly, making it hard to read after a few uses. In terms of speed, it’s not instant: a 350ml mug took around a minute to fill, which is slower than I’d hoped, but still faster than boiling a full kettle.
This model is best suited to those who only ever needs one or two cups at a time. However, if you regularly need boiling water or want something that feels premium, you might find it lacking. Overall, it’s a practical, if slightly underwhelming, alternative to a traditional kettle.
Photography: Lydia Anderson/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 40-100C
Volume range: 100-400ml
Tank capacity: 2.7 litres
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Breville Hot Cup water dispenser with Variable Dispense VKJ318
Available from Amazon (£59.99), Currys (£59.99), Argos (£65)
Best single-temperature dispenser with filter
Pros
- Nine variable cup sizes
- Includes Brita filter
- Fast boil 3KW element
Cons
- Heavy
- Hard to fill the reservoir from the tap
- Only one temperature
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
The Breville Hot Cup is a slightly different style of dispenser to the four above, more kettle-like in some ways, yet with all the features of a classic hot water dispenser. I immediately noticed this with the separate round electric base, typical of kettles, rather than being wired directly from the dispenser.
Heating the water also felt more kettle-like. Despite its 3000-watt rating, it took around 40 seconds for the water to heat, as it warms in the base before being forced up through the spout. Though slightly slower than most other dispensers, the water reached almost exactly the expected temperature and poured out in a strong stream.
The Breville includes a filter for limescale and chlorine. The tank is small at 1.8 litres and, with the filter in place, is a little heavy to fill. There is only one temperature, which is fine if you just want hot drinks, but the dispenser does offer an impressive nine cup sizes to choose from.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 100C only
Volume range: 175-350 ml
Tank capacity: 1.8 litres
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Breville Hot Cup water dispenser with Variable Dispense VKJ367
Available from Amazon (£66.99), Very (£79), Robert Dyas (£79.99)
Best single-temperature dispenser
Pros
- Good temperature
- Light, easy to fill
- Nine variable cup sizes
- Small footprint
Cons
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 3000W
The Breville Hot Cup is another hot water dispenser from the renowned brand. It is similar to the Breville Brita, but without a filter, and has its own advantages: it is lighter, easier to fill and has a small footprint that some users will appreciate.
The dispenser has a separate round electric base, typical of kettles, rather than being wired directly. Continuing its kettle-like features, it offers a single temperature of 100C. Water from the two-litre tank heats in the base and takes around 40 seconds – longer than most other dispensers – but when it reaches temperature, it gushes out close to 100C. Volumes range from 175ml to 350ml, with nine cup sizes available.
I found this model light and easy to use, though it looked and felt less robust than others. This is reflected in its price: lower than most in the test, though not the cheapest, but still a solid piece of kit.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 100C only
Volume range: 175-350 ml
Tank capacity: 2.3 litres
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Salter Instant hot water dispenser
Available from Salter (£67.99), Amazon (£67.99), Currys (£89.99)
Best budget single-temperature dispenser
Pros
- Budget price
- Built-in water filter for limescale
- Boil dry sensor
- Continuous water when needed
Cons
- A little light and flimsy
- Only 200ml at a time or continuous
Star rating: 4/5
Wattage: 2600W
Straight from the box, I liked the Salter Instant for its unfussy good looks and immediate ease of use. Surprisingly, it was the cheapest dispenser in my test, yet it comes with some useful features. I appreciated that it includes a filter for cleaner, better-tasting water. The water tank is a generous 2.3 litres, even with the filter in place and there is a boil-dry sensor for safety.
For those who like simplicity, there is only one button to dispense water, with two volume options: 200ml (one press) or continuous (press twice). I found 200ml quite small – fine for a small cup – but continuous dispensing is much more flexible, though it lacks automation.
Don’t be put off by the budget price; the Salter Instant may be the cheapest in my test, but it’s certainly a dispenser worth considering if cost is a priority.
Photography: Elaine Lemm/Good Food
Specifications:
Temperature range: 100C only
Volume range: 200 ml or continuous
Tank capacity: 2.3 litres
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What is a hot water dispenser?
A hot water dispenser is a worktop appliance that delivers hot water on demand, typically up to 95C, with some models heating to 100C. Most dispensers allow measured amounts of water, starting from as little as 100ml, and some provide a continuous flow.
Hot water dispensers have grown in popularity due to their convenience, ease of use, energy efficiency and safety features. They are particularly useful for anyone who finds lifting a heavy kettle difficult.
Key features to consider when choosing a dispenser
- Single temperature: usually 95C to 100C, suitable for hot drinks.
- Variable temperature: allows water from ambient temperature up to 100C.
- Variable water amounts: dispense as little as 100 ml, or continuous flow on some models.
- Water filters: provide cleaner water; filters need periodic replacement, adding to cost.
- UV light: kills bacteria for safer water.
- Alarms: dry boil alerts and/or descaling alerts.
- Child locks: prevent accidental dispensing.
- Water tanks: can be fixed (filled with a jug) or removable (filled directly from the tap), though removable tanks can be heavy when full.
How to descale a hot water dispenser
Always refer to your dispenser’s brand instructions for any specific method they recommend using.
Check water hardness and machine instructions
- The harder your water, the more often descaling is needed. Some machines have a useful descaling alert.
Prepare the dispenser
- Dispensers with filters usually need less frequent cleaning. If your machine has a water filter, remove it before descaling.
Choose your descaling solution
- Use equal parts white vinegar and water. Descaling products also work, but vinegar is cheaper and effective.
Descale the machine
- Fill the tank with your chosen solution. Let it sit for at least one hour.
Flush the dispenser
- Run the solution through the machine and discard it. Refill the tank with fresh water and flush two to three times, discarding the water each time, and you are ready to go.
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