Best hot water dispenser: hot tea and coffee in no time at home

The best hot water dispenser is a great replacement for your slow kettle – and can be more energy efficient too. See our top picks

one of the best hot water dispensers being used in a kitchen to make coffee with a white brick wall in the background

Kettles are so last year, but the best hot water dispenser will help you make that brew in seconds. They boil water faster, more efficiently, and in larger quantities. So whether it's for that morning cup of coffee, miso soup or a baby bottle, there are endless reasons why you will find one handy in the home.

Need more convincing on why you should buy a hot water dispenser? For some sufferers of chronic pain, or those with mobility issues, filling, carrying, lifting and pouring a kettle can prove difficult, an issue that hot water dispensers solve with their easy push-button controls and static vertical spouts.

The other big bonus of a hot water dispenser is the speed at which you can have a perfectly boiled cup of water – in many cases, up to four times faster than a conventional kettle. And, as they only boil as much as they need at a time, they can prove much more energy efficient too. 

So read on to shop our pick of the best hot water dispenser options – or if you have the budget, check out the best boiling water taps and hot water taps if you want a serious upgrade.

Which is the best hot water dispenser?

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We think the best hot water dispenser you can buy is the Breville VKJ142. It's affordable, easy to clean and stylish to name but a few features in its favour. 

The best hot water dispenser options

Breville VKJ142 Hot Cup hot water dispenser

(Image credit: Breville/Argos)

1. Breville VKJ142 Hot Cup

Best hot water dispenser you can buy: affordable, easy to clean and stylish; this is our best buy hot water dispenser

Specifications

Best for: Overall best
Capacity: 1.5ltr

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to fill
+
Easy to clean
+
Looks simple and stylish

Reasons to avoid

-
No variable temperature 

Perfectly balanced between value and performance, the Breville VKJ142 is the best hot water dispenser on our list.

Easy to fill
The extra-large window on the water reservoir makes it easy to keep an eye on levels, the included Hot Cup makes measuring even easier.

Safe to use
The smooth continuous flow technology reduces splashing to minimise the risk of burns.

Great design
This slender water dispenser looks neat on most modern worktops with its gloss black finish and stainless steel trim, while the drip tray catches any excess for less mess. 

Andrew James Purify Dispenser with a mug and water dispensing

2. Andrew James Purify Dispenser

Best hot water dispenser for settings: choose exact amounts and temperatures with this full-featured dispenser

Specifications

Best for: Choice of settings
Capacity: 4ltrs

Reasons to buy

+
Set exact temperature
+
Choose cup size in millilitres

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be noisy at lower temperatures 

This clever digital hot water dispenser has advanced settings for precision boiling.

Variable temperature settings
This water filtering dispenser is the best choice for tea lovers, with its variable temperature settings from 55°C to 100°C making it easy to create the perfect cup of green tea without the bitterness that boiling brings – or a good old cup of builder’s. 

Precision dispensing
You can also set the exact amount to be dispensed in millilitres, so it’s ideal as a helping hand while cooking, too, and means you'll never dispense more than you need. 

Sturdy build
The stainless steel body is hardwearing and sure to last a long time.

Breville VKJ367 Brita Filter – the best hot water dispenser for hard water areas

3. Breville VKJ367 Brita Filter

Best hot water dispenser if you have hard water: for a clean taste and a clear cup, this dispenser has a built-in filter

Specifications

Best for: Hard water
Capacity: 1.8ltrs

Reasons to buy

+
Good for hard water areas
+
Nine cup settings

Reasons to avoid

-
No option for non-boiling filtered water 

If you live in a hard water area and are frequently put off by that tell-tale film on your cup of tea, this is the water dispenser for you. 

Built-in Brita filter
With its in-built Brita filter, it eliminates the need for a separate filter jug and kettle, saving expense and faff, and improving the taste of your brew.

Nine different cup sizes
The filter lets you choose from nine different vessel sizes, or use the manual stop button if you prefer a more customised cup.

the Morphy Richards Redefine Hot Water Dispenser

4. Morphy Richards Redefine Hot Water Dispenser

Best hot water dispenser for style: a sleek and stylish antidote to corporate-looking dispensers

Specifications

Best for: Style
Capacity: 3ltrs

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish matte finish
+
Built-in Brita filter

Reasons to avoid

-
None!

Like our previous pick, the Morphy Richards Redefine has an integrated Brita filter to keep your cuppa clear and tasting good, but it has other valuable features. too.

Choose how much water you want
Choose how much water you want each time, from 150ml to three litres.

Easy to operate
The button operation is very straightforward and is particularly often praised by people with reduced mobility.

Temperature control
Choose between 85°C, 95°C and 100°C, depending on how hot your need your water.

electriQ 4L Instant Hot Water Dispenser, the best hot water dispenser for fast-boiling

5. electriQ 4L Instant Hot Water Dispenser

Best hot water dispenser for fast boiling: looking to boil a lot of water quickly? There's none better.

Specifications

Best for: Fast-boiling
Capacity: 4ltrs

Reasons to buy

+
Boils in seconds
+
Large capacity

Reasons to avoid

-
We can't find any cons...

If time is of essence in the mornings, this is the hot water dispenser for you.

Hot water ready in seconds
This is the fastest hot water dispenser on our list, which is especially impressive given its large size of four litres.

Control the flow speed
If you're worried about splashes, you can set the device to continuous flow – it's really useful when filling up cups. 

Six temperature settings
If you like herbal teas, you'll like this – it can do 45°C as its lowest temperature, all the way up to boiling hot water. 

How to buy the best hot water dispenser

Whether you're after something that'll look stylish on your worktop, something that delivers fast results, or one with a filter included because you've hard water, we've listed what each machine is best for. But, you should also consider capacity, too, to ensure your hot water dispenser is right for your home.

While you can get water dispensers with generous capacities which are ideal for big households, there are also more compact models that won’t take up too much space on the counter. If you live in a couple or on your own, it's best to opt for a smaller machine.

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.