Types, Features & How to Choose the Right One

Kitchen taps are one of the most used fittings in any home, so choosing the right one is about more than just style. The ideal tap needs to balance functionality, durability, water pressure compatibility, and ease of use.

This guide explains the main types of kitchen taps and helps you decide what’s best for your kitchen.

What are the main types of kitchen taps?

Kitchen taps are typically divided into these key categories:

• Wall-mounted kitchen taps
• Deck-mounted kitchen taps
• Mixer taps
• Pillar taps
• Taps with handspray (pull-out or pull-down) attachments

Each type has its own strengths depending on your kitchen layout and plumbing.

Wall-Mounted vs Deck-Mounted Kitchen Taps

What are wall-mounted kitchen taps, and when should you choose them?

Wall-mounted kitchen taps are installed into the wall above the sink rather than onto the sink or worktop.

Advantages:

• Clean, minimalist appearance
• Frees up space around the sink
• Easier to wipe down surfaces

Drawbacks:

• Requires pipework inside the wall
• …Which means a more complex installation
• Less flexibility if you want to change taps later

Best for: contemporary kitchens or full renovations

What are deck mounted kitchen taps and why are they more popular?

Deck-mounted taps are installed onto the sink or worktop and are the most widely used option in UK kitchens.

Advantages:

• Easy to install and replace
• Compatible with most sinks
• Larger range of styles and price points

Drawbacks:

• Takes up space on the sink or worktop
• Slightly less minimal in appearance

Best for: most homes and straightforward upgrades

Which is better for a kitchen: wall-mounted or deck-mounted taps?
Deck-mounted taps are better for most kitchens due to easier installation and flexibility, while wall-mounted taps are ideal for minimalist designs and full kitchen renovations.

Kitchen Mixer Taps vs Pillar Taps

What are kitchen mixer taps and why are they so popular?

Mixer taps combine hot and cold water into a single spout, allowing you to control temperature with one lever or dual handles.

Advantages:

• Easy temperature control
• More convenient for washing dishes
• Modern and widely available

Best for: modern kitchens and everyday use

What are pillar taps, and are they still used in kitchens?

Pillar taps have separate hot and cold taps with individual spouts.

Advantages:

• Traditional appearance
• Simple internal design
• Can suit low-pressure systems

Drawbacks:

• Less convenient to adjust the temperature
• Less common in modern kitchens

Best for: traditional or period-style kitchens

Are mixer taps better than pillar taps for kitchen use?
Mixer taps are generally better for kitchen use because they allow precise temperature control and are more convenient for washing and cleaning, while pillar taps are mainly chosen for traditional styles.

Kitchen Taps With Handspray Attachments

What are handspray kitchen taps and how do they work?

A handspray (pull-out or pull-down) tap includes a detachable spray head connected by a flexible hose.

Advantages:

• Makes rinsing dishes easier
• Ideal for cleaning sinks and filling large pots
• Offers multiple spray settings (stream, spray, rinse)

Types:

• Pull-out spray: shorter hose, compact design
• Pull-down spray: longer hose, more flexibility

Are handspray kitchen taps worth it?

For many households, handspray taps significantly improve usability.

Considerations:

• Slightly more complex mechanism
• May require good water pressure for best performance
• Usually more expensive than standard taps

Best for: busy kitchens, home cooks, larger sinks

Is a pull-out or pull-down kitchen tap better for everyday use?
Both are effective, but pull-down taps are generally better for larger sinks and heavy use, while pull-out taps are more compact and suited to smaller kitchens.

How do you choose the right kitchen tap for your water pressure?

Water pressure affects performance more than most people realise.

General guidelines:

• Low pressure (0.1–0.3 bar): choose taps specifically designed for low pressure
• Medium pressure (0.5–1.0 bar): pillar taps and most mixer taps work well
• High pressure (1.0+ bar): ideal for handspray and modern features

What kitchen taps are best for low water pressure systems?
Kitchen taps designed for low-pressure systems, often with wider internal waterways and simpler mechanisms, perform best in gravity-fed setups commonly found in older UK homes. Pillar taps are often a suitable choice. It is important that your pipework does not have too many bends, as this reduces the flow to the kitchen taps.

Is Plumb-Warehouse a Good Place to Buy Kitchen Taps?

Plumb-Warehouse is a UK-based online retailer offering a wide range of kitchen and bathroom products, including kitchen taps across multiple price points.

Advantages:

• Competitive pricing compared to showrooms
• Excellent independent customer reviews on Google
• Broad product range, including traditional and modern taps
• Convenient online ordering

Things to consider:

• Always check minimum pressure requirements
• Confirm stock availability and lead times
• Contact Plumb-Warehouse if you have any questions – they pride themselves on customer support
• Review returns and warranty policies

Is Plumb-Warehouse reliable for buying kitchen taps online?
Plumb-Warehouse can be a reliable place to buy kitchen taps thanks to its pricing and product range, but customers should always verify specifications, delivery times, and return policies before purchasing.

Final Thoughts: What is the Best Kitchen Tap for Your Home?

The best kitchen tap depends on your layout, style, and how you use your kitchen daily.

Quick summary:

• Deck-mounted taps: best all-round choice
• Wall-mounted taps: ideal for minimalist kitchens
• Mixer taps: most practical and widely used
• Pillar taps: best for traditional designs
• Handspray taps: add flexibility and functionality

What is the best type of kitchen tap for a modern UK kitchen?
For most modern UK kitchens, a deck-mounted mixer tap with a pull-down or pull-out handspray offers the best combination of convenience, functionality, and compatibility with standard plumbing systems.

Buy Kitchen Taps Online from Plumb-Warehouse

At Plumb-Warehouse, we sell a wide variety of kitchen taps. You can browse our range and buy kitchen taps online here.