4 in 1 Taps Showdown: comparing big names so you don’t have to.
4 in 1 Taps Showdown: comparing big names so you don’t have to.
When you are searching for a 4 in 1 tap, sometimes called a 4-in-1 boiling water tap, you want more than just boiling water. You want a single elegant fixture in your kitchen that provides hot, cold, filtered, chilled or drinking water and boiling water on demand. In this article, we compare a leading model from Hot Water Taps with comparable options from Fohen, Quooker and Aquataps. Our aim is honest, but you will see why Hot Water Taps products stand out in value, flexibility, performance and style.
For this comparison, we use the Hot Water Taps Quantum 4 in 1 as the baseline. We compare it against typical 4-in-1 taps from Fohen, Quooker and Aquataps.
What Hot Water Taps Offers: Quantum 4-in-1
Hot Water Taps’ Quantum 4-in-1 delivers the full suite of water options:
- Standard hot and cold mixer water
- Instant filtered boiling water (up to 98 °C)
- Optionally chilled, filtered water
Their Quantum 4-in-1 models use a 2.4-litre under-sink boiler tank by default, with an option to upgrade to a larger 4-litre tank for increased capacity.
Key strengths:
- Solid brass construction with a range of finishes (chrome, brushed nickel, brushed gold, gunmetal, copper, matt black), allowing the tap to match your kitchen aesthetic.
- 180° swivel spout or elegant swan-neck design for accessibility and convenience.
- A child-safe spring lock mechanism for boiling water delivery is important for family homes
- For those who want chilled filtered water (e.g., 4°C water for drinking), the Quantum Chilled 4-in-1 adds a chiller unit plus filter.
- Competitive pricing that makes premium 4 in 1 taps more accessible than many alternatives.
In short, Hot Water Taps combines practicality, safety, flexibility and style into a more affordable package.
How Fohen, Quooker and Aquataps Stack Up
Fohen
Fohen’s 4-in-1 taps are precision-engineered, with brassware and durable PVD-coated finishes. They include:
- Instant boiling and filtered water, plus hot and cold mixer water
- Boiler tank, filter housing, all pipes and fittings: a complete package.
They emphasise safety: the spout remains cool to the touch even when boiling water is dispensed; there is a double spring-loaded safety handle and a 360° swivel spout for flexibility.
They allow the boiling temperature to be adjustable between 75°C and 98°C.
However, Fohen’s site does not seem to list wide variant finishes or options for chilled water as a standard, and their style choices appear more limited than Hot Water Taps’.
Quooker
Quooker is perhaps the most recognised brand in boiling-water taps. A 4-in-1 Quooker tap offers:
- Domestic hot and cold water
- 100°C boiling water
- Filtered water (for cold/tepid water) when ordered with the cold water filter kit.
The activation mechanism typically is a “double push-and-turn” for boiling water and a “push-and-twist” for filtered water, intended for safety and to avoid accidental boiling water release.
Quooker taps are known for delivering true boiling water at 100 °C.
That said, the cost is considerably higher than many alternatives: depending on model and tank, Quooker 4 in 1 taps often fall in the upper price bracket.
Also, to enable filtered water, you may need to add the cold water filter kit, which may increase cost and installation complexity.
Aquataps
Aquataps offers 4-in-1 instant boiling water taps, such as the “Aquatap Classic”. These provide:
- Filtered boiling water (98°C)
- Filtered cold water
- Standard hot and cold mixer water via a single spout.
A typical model uses a 2.4-litre boiler, delivering several cups of boiling water on demand.
Spout features include a 180° swivel, an insulated/“cool-touch” spout for safety, and ceramic cartridges for long life.
Pricing for Aquatap Classic taps tends to be more moderate, sometimes lower than premium options, but finish choices appear more limited, and there is less emphasis on chiller-based chilled water compared to the Hot Water Taps offering.
| Brand & Model | Approx. Price / Notes | Functions (4 in 1) | Finish & Design Options | Strengths | Limitations |
| Hot Water Taps - Quantum Chilled 4-in-1 | From ~£759 (depending on finish) | Hot, Cold, Filtered Boiling (98 °C), Filtered Chilled (with chiller unit) | Multiple finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, brushed gold, gunmetal, copper, matt black; also swan-neck or D-shape spout | Excellent value; wide range of finishes; compact tank; child-safe lock; optional chilled water | Tank is 2.4 L standard (though 4 L upgrade available) |
| Fohen - typical 4-in-1 | Price varies; package includes boiler, fittings, filter | Hot, Cold, Instant Boiling, Filtered Water | Brassware with PVD-coated finishes (limited palette) | Good build quality; safe spout and double spring handle; adjustable boiling temp (75-98 °C) | Fewer finish/ style options; no explicit chilled-water/chiller unit offering |
| Quooker - Fusion / Flex 4 in 1 | Often in premium price range (~£1,000+ depending on tank/kit) | Hot, Cold, 100 °C Boiling, Filtered Cold Water (requires filter kit) | Chrome, stainless steel, gold, black etc; U-spout or C-spout; some models with pull-out hose (Flex) | Delivers true 100 °C boiling water; established brand; elegant design; safety double push-turn mechanism | High cost; additional filter kit needed for 4-in-1; under-sink tank may take significant space; less competitive value-for-money |
| Aquataps - Aquatap Classic 4-in-1 | Some models ~£499.99–£699.99 depending on finish/variant | Hot, Cold, Filtered Boiling (98 °C), Filtered Cold Water | Chrome, brushed finishes, rose-gold, matt black, gunmetal etc; D-shape or C-shape spout styles | Affordable; decent design options; compact boiler; complete kit with fittings and filter | Finishes and design choices more limited versus Hot Water Taps; not marketed with chilled-water chiller option |
Why Hot Water Taps Still Makes the Strongest Case
- Balanced value and quality
Hot Water Taps hit the sweet spot between price and performance. Quooker demands a premium, and budget options risk compromising style or flexibility. Hot Water Taps offers robust brass construction, wide finishes and full 4 in 1 functionality at an accessible price. - Design flexibility for real kitchens
The range of finishes, like brushed gold, gunmetal or matt black helps the Quantum tap blend seamlessly into diverse interiors. - All-in-one convenience:
Availability of chilled filtered water makes the tap a complete solution for drinking water, cooking and cleaning. - Compact and practical under-sink installation
The 2.4 litre boiler is sufficient for most households. The 4-litre upgrade adds capacity without taking up more cabinet space. - Safety and everyday usability
Child safe spring lock mechanisms, insulated spout 180 degree swivel and simple mixer controls balance functionality and safety.
While Fohen Quooker and Aquataps all offer viable 4 in 1 taps, each has trade-offs. Fohen is limited in design and lacks chilled water options. Quooker comes at a high price. Aquataps is functional and affordable but less flexible in finishes and optional extras.
When Might Someone Still Choose Quooker or Aquataps (or Fohen) over Hot Water Taps?
- If 100 °C water is a top priority, Quooker delivers genuine boiling water (100 °C), which may matter for those who want a full rolling boil for certain cooking tasks.
- If your kitchen aesthetic or brand loyalty prioritises the “household name” behind the tap, Quooker remains a high-end, established brand.
- If you are working on a tight budget and are willing to compromise on style or extras, Aquataps may meet basic needs affordably.
- If you prefer a lightweight boiler-only solution with adjustable temperature ranges and robust safety features, and you don’t require a wide selection of finishes, Fohen might suffice.
Our Verdict
If you are investing in a 4 in 1 boiling water tap for your kitchen, for daily convenience, cooking, tea/coffee, and drinking water, the Quantum 4-in-1 from Hot Water Taps represents the strongest all-round value. It combines quality construction, stylish design options, safety features, and flexibility (including chilled water) in a way that outperforms many rivals, especially when balancing price and performance.
Fohen, Quooker, and Aquataps each offer merits, but for most homeowners seeking a dependable, stylish, versatile 4-in-1 boiling water tap that does not break the bank, Hot Water Taps is hard to beat.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 4 in 1 boiling water tap is not just about price or brand. It is about how the tap integrates into your everyday life, how it looks in your kitchen, how often you use boiling or chilled water, how much space you have under the sink, and how safe and easy it is for all household members to use.
If you value design, flexibility, safety, and practicality, all without paying a premium price, then Hot Water Taps gives you a compelling, well-rounded solution.
