Your kitchen tap gets used throughout the day, from filling the kettle to rinsing vegetables and washing up. Choosing one that suits your sink and is easy to use can make those everyday jobs a little easier, while bringing the look of your kitchen together.
We’ve compared six of the best kitchen taps, including simple single-lever mixers, pull-out sprays and traditional designs. We’ll help you compare useful features and styles, with advice on size, water pressure and fittings so you can find the right match for your kitchen.
Our top 6 kitchen taps
Kitchen taps compared
The tap’s shape and controls matter day to day; pressure, reach and connections decide whether it will work in your kitchen.
| Tap | Best for | Controls and finish | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| GROHE BauEdge 31367001 | Best everyday single-lever tap | High chrome spout; single lever | Check 3/8-inch tails against your pipework |
| hansgrohe Talis M54 72800000 | Best pull-out spray | Chrome; pull-out head; two sprays | At least 1 bar; 35mm tap hole |
| Franke Ascona twin-lever | Best steel-look twin-lever tap | SilkSteel finish; two levers | Manufacturer manual: at least 0.5 bar |
| Ideal Standard Cerabase BC844AA | Best water-saving control | Chrome; single lever; flow click | 194mm spout clearance; 3/8-inch tails |
| Bristan Echo Easyfit EC SNK EF C | Best easier-fit twin-lever option | Chrome; two levers; top-fix base | Manufacturer data: at least 0.4 bar |
| Bristan Renaissance Easyfit RS SNK EF C | Best traditional design | Chrome; traditional twin levers | Manufacturer data: at least 0.4 bar |
On a phone, swipe across the table. Pressure is the pressure available while water is flowing, not just a reading with every tap shut.
A closer look at each kitchen tap
Best everyday single-lever tap
1. GROHE BauEdge 31367001
The BauEdge is a sensible starting point if you want one lever and a high spout that leaves room for pans. Its spout turns through 360°, which is particularly handy on a double sink. The chrome finish keeps it easy to pair with most kitchen fittings.
At a glance: Single lever; high swivel spout; chrome; one tap hole.
What to check: The supplied connection tails are 3/8-inch. Some UK installations need suitable adaptors, so compare the fittings with your current pipework before ordering. Also measure beneath the window if the sink sits there.
Choose it if
You want a straightforward high-spout mixer for everyday washing up.
Skip it if
You need a pull-out spray or a confirmed low-pressure tap.
Best pull-out spray
2. hansgrohe Talis M54 72800000
A pull-out head is useful when you are rinsing a large roasting tray or cleaning the corners of the sink. This Talis M54 extends up to 50cm and switches between a normal stream and shower spray. The high arc gives you room to work without turning every large pan sideways.
At a glance: 210mm spout clearance; up to 50cm pull-out reach; adjustable swivel range.
What to check: hansgrohe specifies at least 1 bar operating pressure and a 35mm tap hole. Leave clear space in the cupboard for the pull-out hose to move. It costs more than a fixed-spout mixer.
Choose it if
You regularly rinse large cookware or want a flexible spray head.
Skip it if
Your supply is below 1 bar or the cupboard is crowded around the hose.
Best steel-look twin-lever tap
3. Franke Ascona twin-lever
The Ascona gives hot and cold water their own controls, with a tall U-shaped spout that can turn towards either side of a double sink. Its muted steel-look finish suits kitchens where bright chrome would feel too shiny. The aerator softens the stream for routine rinsing.
At a glance: Twin levers; swivel spout; SilkSteel finish on this Amazon variant.
What to check: Franke’s Ascona installation manual specifies a 0.5-bar minimum and shows the fitting parts. Confirm the exact finish and measure the spout against shelves or a window behind the sink.
Choose it if
You prefer separate hot and cold levers and a softer steel-look finish.
Skip it if
You want one-handed temperature control or a pull-out head.
Best water-saving control
4. Ideal Standard Cerabase BC844AA
The Cerabase has a click in the lever that lets you use a gentler flow for quick jobs, then move past the resistance when you need full flow to fill a pan. It also has 194mm of space beneath the outlet for everyday washing.
At a glance: Single lever; 360° swivel; 9 litres per minute maximum at 3 bar.
What to check: The click controls water flow at the lever; it does not mean this tap works with a low-pressure water supply. The manufacturer says BC844AA is not a low-pressure model. Check your water pressure, the 3/8-inch connections and the sink’s tap hole before ordering.
Choose it if
You want a high-spout mixer with a click that helps you limit the flow.
Skip it if
Your home needs a specifically rated low-pressure mixer.
Best easier-fit twin-lever option
5. Bristan Echo Easyfit EC SNK EF C
Bristan’s top-fix base lets the installer secure this tap from above the sink, which can be welcome in a cramped cupboard. The two levers keep the controls familiar and the spout swivels for a double bowl. It is a practical replacement when your priority is familiar controls and access for fitting.
At a glance: Twin levers; swivel spout; top-fix installation; chrome.
What to check: The technical sheet gives a 0.4-bar minimum and includes isolation valves and flexible tails. Have the installer check your existing tap hole and pipe connections before assuming it is a direct swap.
Choose it if
You want a traditional twin-control feel with a modern, simple shape.
Skip it if
You want a pull-out spray or a single lever you can use with one hand.
Best traditional design
6. Bristan Renaissance Easyfit RS SNK EF C
The Renaissance is for a kitchen where a contemporary cylinder would look out of place. Its curved spout and separate levers give it a more traditional character, while the top-fix base and isolation valves make future maintenance less awkward.
At a glance: Twin levers; swivel spout; top-fix installation; chrome.
What to check: This is a taller, more decorative tap than a compact mixer, so check the space behind the sink and beneath any shelf. Bristan specifies a 0.4-bar minimum for the exact RS SNK EF C model.
Choose it if
You want a traditional-looking tap without giving up a swivel spout.
Skip it if
You prefer a slim modern outline or need a pull-out spray.
Which kitchen tap should you choose?
For a familiar one-lever tap, start with the GROHE BauEdge and compare its connections with your pipework. The Ideal Standard Cerabase adds a lower-flow click if you want more deliberate control. If you often rinse large trays or clean around a deep sink, the hansgrohe Talis M54 pull-out head is the more flexible choice, provided your pressure and cupboard space suit it.
The Franke Ascona and Bristan Echo both have separate hot and cold levers; choose the Ascona for its softer steel-look finish, or the Echo if top-fix access matters. For a traditional kitchen, the Bristan Renaissance has the most fitting look of the six.
What to check before buying a kitchen tap
Water pressure and the right system
Some taps need more pressure to work properly, particularly pull-out designs. Check the manufacturer’s minimum dynamic pressure for the exact model and ask your installer what your system can supply. Do not assume a tall spout or a familiar brand makes a tap suitable for a gravity-fed supply.
Height, reach and clearance
Measure from the tap hole to the centre of each sink bowl. Check the spout reaches where you need water, then measure the space above the sink if there is a window, shelf or cabinet. A tall arch may leave more room for pans but can be awkward beside a low windowsill.
Tap hole, tails and cupboard space
These six are single-hole mixers, but their connection tails are not all the same size. Check the hole diameter, sink thickness and the fittings under the worktop; an installer can advise whether adaptors are needed. A pull-out hose also needs a clear path inside the cupboard. Confirm what comes in the exact box before booking fitting.
Finish and upkeep
Chrome is easy to match with other fittings, while steel-look finishes can sit more quietly against a stainless sink. Black and brass finishes are worth considering if they suit the wider kitchen, but check the care instructions and whether the exact finish is available on the model you want. Our guide to instant hot-water taps covers a separate, more involved decision if you are considering a boiling-water system.
How we chose
We compared six exact UK tap variants across everyday handling, spout reach, pressure requirements, finish, installation and current availability. We checked product details against manufacturer information and the exact Amazon offers. These are researched recommendations, not hands-on tests: we have not fitted the taps or measured their flow ourselves. Check the current manual, fittings and stock before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Are pull-out kitchen taps worth it?
A pull-out head helps with large pans and rinsing the sides of a sink. Check that your water pressure meets the exact model’s requirement and that the hose has room to move inside the cupboard.
Do I need a high-pressure kitchen tap?
It depends on your water system and the exact tap. Compare the manufacturer’s minimum dynamic pressure with your supply; ask a plumber if you are unsure, particularly with a gravity-fed system.
Will a new kitchen tap fit my existing sink?
Check the number and diameter of tap holes, the worktop or sink thickness, the spout reach and the connection tails. A one-hole mixer is not necessarily a direct swap for another one-hole mixer.
Should I choose chrome, steel-look, black or brass?
Choose a finish that works with the sink and other hardware, then check the care instructions for that exact tap. Finish alone does not tell you whether the tap fits or works with your water pressure.
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