Let's be honest, when you live in a country like the UK, for most of the year, hot drinks are a survival aid. For years, the standard way of getting hot water was to boil a kettle, first over a fire, then on a hob, then via electricity, but now instant hot water dispensers are taking over from standard kettles as being both convenient and environmentally friendly.

Reviewed by Carly James, Posh.co.uk Editor and former Which? magazine contributor. With years of hands-on testing experience, Carly specializes in evaluating kitchen appliances for real-world performance and durability.

Best Instant Hot Water Dispenser

The difference between an instant hot water dispenser and a standard kettle

An instant hot water dispenser consists of a main water tank and a smaller reservoir. When you want hot water, the instant hot water dispenser transfers the appropriate amount of water from the main tank into the reservoir and heats it there, before dispensing it into your cup or mug (or other container) without the need for you to pour. Instant hot water dispensers are not, therefore, quite instant, but they are very fast indeed, often much faster than a standard kettle.

Some people appreciate instant hot water dispensers for their convenience, in particular their speed. After all, if you're desperate for a hot drink to warm you up or help you settle down after a long day, you probably want it as quickly as possible.

Instant hot water dispensers can also be useful for other standard household tasks such as filling hot-water bottles or getting hot water for cleaning.

Read Our Best Instant Hot Water Taps UK HERE

Other people appreciate instant hot water dispensers for their economy and corresponding environmental benefits. When you use an instant hot water dispenser it's much easier to heat only what you need and thus reduce the amount of electricity you use.

Increasingly, however, instant hot water dispensers are bought for reasons of safety. They're great for both the elderly and older children, basically people who appreciate hot drinks but who may not have the strength to manage to pour a kettle safely. They can also be a benefit in houses with younger children, since it's much more difficult to have an accident when using them.

It's also worth noting that although our instant hot water dispenser review was created for people looking for instant hot water dispensers for their home, we think that the options we list would also be appropriate for small businesses and could have health-and-safety benefits as compared to standard kettles.

Overall, we have noticed that instant hot water dispensers have been improving significantly over recent years and we strongly believe that their convenience, economy and safety will see them replace standard kettles in the near future.

How We Evaluate Instant Hot Water Dispensers

Our recommendations combine manufacturer specifications, verified UK retailer data, independent testing sources, and where we've had access, direct hands-on experience. We focus on the factors that matter most for household efficiency, safety, and daily convenience.

What We Look For

• Performance & reliability: Heating speed, temperature accuracy, dispense consistency, and energy efficiency compared to traditional kettles
• Build quality: Tank durability, heating element longevity, filter quality, and expected lifespan in hard-water areas
• Ease of use: Tank refilling convenience, dispense control options, cleaning accessibility, and descaling requirements
• Value: Capacity, features, and energy savings relative to typical UK pricing
• Safety: Child lock protection, automatic shut-off, scalding prevention, and UK safety certifications

Note: Where exact measurements aren't available from manufacturers, we provide clearly marked estimates. We never list live prices, our focus is on function, features, and value.

Instant Hot Water Dispenser Review

Here is our pick of the best instant hot water dispensers currently available on the UK market based on capacity, functionality, reliability and general value for money.

Editors Pick

Bear 3L Hot Water Dispenser

Runner Up

CASO Hot Water Dispenser

Best Budget

Breville HotCup Hot Water Dispenser

VonShef Hot Water Dispenser Instant Kettle 2.5 Litre Review

Best for: Households needing high capacity with straightforward operation, available in multiple colours for aesthetic kitchen matching.

Pros

• Large 2.5-litre capacity serves 8–10 cups without refilling
• Powerful 2600-watt heating element boils water to at least 95°C in seconds
• Includes 1-litre filling jug for convenient refilling
• Removable drip tray prevents countertop mess and empties easily
• Available in red and black to coordinate with kitchen decor; 86/100 score from Good Housekeeping Institute

Cons

• Water dispensing starts automatically upon boiling; requires manual stop button press to halt flow
• No temperature control; only heats to ~95°C
• Manual operation requires active attention to prevent overflow

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	2.5 litres
Power	2600 watts
Temperature Range	~95°C (fixed)
Dispense Volume	Continuous flow; manual stop button
Boil Time	5–10 seconds
Water Filter	No (external filter recommended)
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	10
Weight	2.0 kg
Dimensions	Standard compact design

Energy efficiency rated as good – rapid heating. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 based on UK electricity rates.

The VonShef Hot Water Dispenser Instant Kettle is currently offered in two colours, which could be handy if you're struggling to find a larger instant hot water dispenser, which also fits with your kitchen style. It has a capacious 2.5L water tank, which can be removed for cleaning or filling, although we would suggest that you'd probably find it easier to fill it with a jug or bottle. The opening is wide enough for this to be done easily.

You will, however, have to remove the water tank at least once as there is a drain plug there (basically a screw which is currently grey) and you need to tighten this before first use to create a good seal and hence avoid water leakage. We didn't see this mentioned in the manual (although we admit we could have missed it, even after double-checking), so please take note.

Another important point is that the VonShef Hot Water Dispenser Instant Kettle starts to dispense as soon as it boils and only stops when you press the stop button. It boils very quickly so you need to have a cup ready under it and be nearby to stop the dispense before it overflows. Having said that, even though the 2.6 kW element isn't the very fastest there is, it still heats up to 500 ml of water in under a minute so in practical terms we doubt very much that this is going to be an issue.

Addis Thermo Pot Instant Thermal Hot Water Boiler Dispenser

Best for: Offices, conference venues, commercial catering, and high-volume users requiring continuous hot water retention with minimal daily reheating.

Pros

• Largest capacity in the roundup: available in 3.5L or 5L for high-demand environments
• Exceptionally economical: boils at only 680W and retains heat using just 2W per hour (less than a light bulb)
• Three-way dispensing (manual, cup mode, auto) offers flexibility for varied uses
• Dispenses up to 600ml in one go, sufficient for mugs and cooking applications
• Variable temperature control enables economical operation at desired heat level

Cons

• Integrated water tank requires moving entire unit to sink for filling; impractical for frequent refills
• Very high purchase cost (£180–400) limits suitability for home budgets
• Urn-style appearance may clash with modern kitchen aesthetics
• Best suited for commercial/office use rather than residential kitchens

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	3.5 or 5.0 litres (two models)
Power	680 watts
Temperature Range	Variable temperature control (adjustable)
Dispense Volume	Up to 600ml single dispense
Boil Time	Initial boil ~8–10 min; maintains heat thereafter
Water Filter	No (external filter recommended)
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	No
Cups per Tank	14–20 depending on size
Weight	6.5 kg
Dimensions	5L model: 400 x 300 x 233mm

Energy efficiency rated as exceptional – uses 2W/hour to maintain temperature after initial boil. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.01–0.02 (lowest operational cost) based on UK electricity rates.

The Addis Thermo Pot comes in 3.5L and 5L versions, which makes it by far the biggest instant hot water dispenser in our list. It also has a very different appearance than the other instant hot water dispensers on our list, in fact it looks like a rather high-tech urn, which is fair enough because that's essentially what it is.

As with urns in general, the water tank is integrated into the body, which means that you would have to move the whole unit to a sink to fill it. While this is theoretically possible, the smaller of the two sizes holds 3.5 litres of water and the larger holds 5 litres and that would be a lot of weight to carry so filling the tank with a jug or bottle would probably be a better idea.

In addition to being the biggest option on our list, the Addis Thermo Pot also offers the most functionality. We really like the fact that it can dispense up to 600ml of water in one go, as that is not only enough to fill up mugs (as opposed to cups) but is also more convenient for cooking, e.g. making gravy. We also like the fact that this is the only instant hot water dispenser we've found which offers variable temperature, making it potentially even more economical to run.

Breville HotCup Hot Water Dispenser VKJ142

Best for: First-time buyers on tight budgets seeking a no-frills, reliable dispenser that 'just works' without complex features.

Pros

• Breville's first-generation model at an attractive entry-level price point (from £32–50)
• 1.5-litre tank holds 5–7 cups; 3kW fast-boil concealed element
• Dispenses 250ml portions (one cup = one helping, two helpings = one mug)
• Limescale filter included; removable drip tray is dishwasher-safe
• Simple operation with minimal buttons; robust build praised for longevity and replacement capability

Cons

• First-generation technology; lacks modern conveniences like variable volume or temperature control
• 250ml fixed dispense means multi-helping requirement for large mugs
• Less accessible interior for deep cleaning compared to newer models

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	1.5 litres
Power	3000 watts
Temperature Range	100°C (boiling only)
Dispense Volume	250ml per dispense (fixed)
Boil Time	40–50 seconds
Water Filter	Limescale filter
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	6
Weight	1.99 kg
Dimensions	16.3 x 28.6 x 27.5cm

Energy efficiency rated as good – boils only what's needed. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 based on UK electricity rates.

We think that the shaping of the Breville VKJ142 gives it a bit of a "space age" look, which we rather like. It does have to be said that its functionality is very definitely not space age, the Breville VKJ142 is Breville's first-generation instant hot water dispenser and it shows, but on the other hand, the reason it's still for sale is because there are a lot of people who want an instant hot-water dispenser which "just does the job" and comes at an affordable price. What the Breville VKJ142 does it does very well, hence its place on our list.

The water tank holds 1.5L of water plus a limescale filter. It comes away from the body for filling and has a nice, wide opening to fit under any tap. The Breville VKJ142 dispenses 250ml at a time, so one helping will fill the average cup and two helpings will fill the average mug. Any drips go straight into the dishwasher-proof drip tray. You're not going to be waiting long for your water as the 3 kW concealed element makes for fast heading (and easy cleaning).

Breville HotCup Hot Water Dispenser with Adjustable Cup Height VKT124

Best for: Users seeking flexible cup accommodation and modern industrial or minimalist kitchen aesthetics.

Pros

• Magnetically adjustable drip tray accommodates various cup and mug heights without spilling
• Drip tray removable entirely for oversized mugs; dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance
• 1.7-litre capacity holds 7–8 cups; permanent anti-limescale filter ideal for hard-water areas
• 3kW fast-boil element heats rapidly with easy cleaning
• Modern, contemporary design suits minimalist or industrial kitchen styles

Cons

• Only dispenses in 250ml servings, requiring multiple presses for large mugs
• Manual stop button allows mid-cycle halting but adds operational complexity
• Tank opening narrow; requires filling via jug or bottle rather than direct tap
• Lid reported as less sturdy than desired

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	1.7 litres
Power	3000 watts
Temperature Range	100°C (boiling only)
Dispense Volume	250ml (fixed), manual stop for adjustment
Boil Time	40–50 seconds
Water Filter	Permanent anti-limescale filter
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	7
Weight	1.65 kg
Dimensions	H24.5 x W24.5 x D17.8cm

Energy efficiency rated as good – boils on-demand. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 based on UK electricity rates.

The Breville VKT124 has the sort of appearance you're either going to love or hate. Stylistically it could look rather out of place in a traditional or rustic kitchen, but could be absolutely great in a minimalist or industrial one. Its headline feature is the fact that the drip tray moves up and down on a magnet so as to make it easier to fill cups and mugs of different sizes without creating drips. In fact the drip tray can be removed completely for the very largest mugs (or to clean it, it's dishwasher-safe).

Notwithstanding this, and perhaps rather surprisingly given its headline selling point, the Breville VKT124 only dispenses water in 250 ml servings, which means that if you want to fill up a large mug you will need more than one serving. If you have an "in between" mug, then there is also a manual stop button. On the plus side, however, you're not going to be waiting long for your hot water as the Breville VKT124 has a 3 kW flat element for fast boil times and easy cleaning.

Although, in principle, the 1.7L water tank on the Breville VKT124 can be filled like a kettle, the combination of its shape and the fact that the tank opening is on the narrower side, means that we'd suggest filling it with a jug or even a bottle. We'd also suggest making a point of treating the lid gently as it's the one part of the Breville VKT124 which we think could do with being a bit sturdier. On the plus side, the Breville VKT124 comes with a permanent anti-limescale filter, which is good news for those in hard-water areas.

Breville BRITA HotCup Hot Water Dispenser with Variable Dispense VKJ367-01

Best for: Quality-focused households in hard-water areas needing premium filtration, flexible dispensing, and sophisticated aesthetics.

Pros

• Third-generation Breville model; premium polished stainless steel design adds kitchen elegance
• BRITA MAXTRA filtration removes hardness, chlorine, heavy metals, and organic impurities for superior taste
• Nine variable cup size selections plus manual stop button ensure precise water control
• 1.8-litre tank; boils 250ml in under 50 seconds
• 3kW fast-boil element with large illuminated water window; removable dishwasher-safe drip tray

Cons

• Premium pricing (£66–70) reflects advanced features but limits budget buyers
• BRITA filter replacement cartridges require ongoing purchase
• 1.8L capacity smaller than some competitors

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	1.8 litres
Power	3000 watts
Temperature Range	100°C (boiling only)
Dispense Volume	9 pre-set sizes, manual stop button
Boil Time	40–50 seconds
Water Filter	BRITA MAXTRA (replaceable cartridge)
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	7
Weight	2.64 kg
Dimensions	H29.6 x W28.6 x D17.5cm

Energy efficiency rated as very good – variable dispense minimises waste. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 (plus filter replacement ~£6–8 every 2–3 months) based on UK electricity rates.

In terms of appearance, the Breville VKJ367-01 definitely has a lot going for it, in fact it's one of the swishest kitchen appliances we've seen not just one of the swishest instant hot water dispensers. It's also one of Breville's third-generation instant hot water dispensers so it has a lot of functionality.

The water tank holds 1.8 litres and has a generous opening for easy filling. The body can be detached from the base, so, in principle, you can fill the Breville VKJ367-01 in the same way as a kettle but 1.8L of water does weigh quite a bit so in practice you might want to use a jug or bottle.

As its full name suggests, the Breville VKJ367-01 has variable dispense, which basically means that there are nine serving sizes to choose from with a manual stop button for those "between size" cups and mugs.

Like most Breville instant hot water dispensers, the Breville VKJ367-01 has a 3 kW flat element, so it does a super-speedy job of heating up water (and it's easy to clean) plus a limescale filter to ensure that you can still enjoy delicate-flavoured drinks even in hard-water areas.

Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser D8961

Best for: Retro enthusiasts and commercial/office environments needing large capacity with intuitive continuous-flow operation.

Pros

• Distinctive 1960s vintage aesthetic with modern functionality appeals to retro kitchen designs
• Generously sized 2.5-litre 'bucket' tank with integrated carry handle for easy refilling
• 2.6kW heating element provides rapid continuous flow (press button to start and stop)
• No preset dispense amounts; manual control over water volume
• Maximum water level sits comfortably below bucket rim for safety; 88cm power cord offers placement flexibility

Cons

• Lacks temperature control; dispenses only at boiling (100°C)
• No integrated cord storage, requires a separate cord tidy purchase
• Continuous-flow operation requires active button management unlike preset models
• Vintage design may clash with contemporary kitchen styles

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	2.5 litres
Power	2600 watts
Temperature Range	100°C (boiling only)
Dispense Volume	Continuous flow; manual start/stop
Boil Time	8–10 seconds
Water Filter	No (external filter recommended)
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	10
Weight	1.83 kg
Dimensions	L27.2 x W18.5 x H30.6cm

Energy efficiency rated as good – rapid heating. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 based on UK electricity rates.

In terms of appearance, the Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser strikes us as having a bit of a 1960s vibe but even if you're not into the vintage look we think most people will still be happy enough to have it on their counter.

For us, the key selling point of the Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser is the generously-sized 2.5L water tank or, more accurately, water bucket. We mean that literally, you flip up the lid to uncover the entirety of the top and then you see that there's a miniature bucket handle lying flush with the main body of the container. This makes it super easy to refill the Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser and we particularly like the fact that the maximum level is still comfortably below the top of the bucket.

The Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser heats the water as it goes through the machine, which means there is no preset dispense amount. You just press a button to start and stop the flow. While the 2.6 kW isn't the most powerful element there is, it still heats up water very quickly and certainly compares favourably to a kettle.

Our one slight gripe about the Cooks Professional Electric Instant Hot Water Dispenser is that it doesn't have cord storage, however you can get around this by just buying a separate cord tidy.

Emperial Instant Hot Water Dispenser Kettle, 2.2L

Best for: Minimalist kitchen environments; elderly users and people with mobility issues seeking simple, safe single-button operation.

Pros

• Industrial-minimalist black finish suits contemporary kitchen aesthetics
• 2.2-litre tank detaches from main body for easy filling and cleaning
• Wide tank opening simplifies refilling via jug without splashing
• 2.6kW heating element delivers 500ml of hot water in under one minute
• Removable adjustable-height drip tray prevents spills and empties conveniently; simple single-button multi-function operation

Cons

• Auto-dispenses upon boiling; requires manual stop button press to halt flow
• No temperature control; only heats to ~95°C
• Industrial-minimalist design may not suit traditional or rustic kitchens
• Limited to simple operation without advanced features

Specifications

Specification	Value
Capacity	2.2 litres
Power	2600 watts
Temperature Range	~95°C (fixed)
Dispense Volume	Continuous; manual stop button
Boil Time	10–15 seconds
Water Filter	No (external filter recommended)
Child Lock	No
Removable Tank	Yes
Cups per Tank	8
Weight	2.0 kg
Dimensions	Standard compact design

Energy efficiency rated as good – rapid heating. Estimated cost per use approximately £0.03–0.05 based on UK electricity rates.

It has to be said that the Emperial Instant Hot Water Dispenser Kettle has a very distinct, industrial-minimalist appearance, which may be out of place in certain kitchens, although the flip side of this fact is, of course, that it will look perfect in others.

On the practical side, there is a 2.2L water tank, which detaches from the main body for filling or cleaning. Alternatively, you can fill it using a jug or bottle as the wide opening makes it easy to get the water where it should be without splashing. Speaking of splashing, the drip tray can also be removed for quick emptying and cleaning.

Although the 2.6 kW heating element isn't the most powerful out there, it is still enough to deliver up to 500ml of hot water in under a minute, which is plenty for a quick mug of tea. One quirk of this instant hot water dispenser is the fact that it starts to pour as soon as it boils but only stops when you press the manual stop button. While some people may find this limiting, our view is that the water is ready so quickly it's irrelevant.

Best instant hot water kettle overall

As always, there is no one "best instant hot water kettle" for everyone, the best instant hot water kettle for you is the one which best suits your situation. People who live in hard-water areas might want to head to the Breville instant hot water kettles as their first choices, since the Breville options on our list all come with integrated filters.

The Breville instant hot water kettles are still a good option for people in soft-water areas, or who do their filtering in other ways and likewise the other instant hot water kettles on our list can be used in harder-water areas although it's generally advisable to filter the water first to reduce limescale.

We suspect that for many people the choice of instant hot water kettle will essentially come down to capacity and price as well as availability at time of purchase.

Read Our Best Instant Hot Water Taps UK HERE