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Best Hot Water Dispensers

Updated May 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
InSinkErator Invite Push Button Instant Hot Water Dispenser System
InSinkErator
Invite Push Button Instant Hot Water Dispenser System
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Worth considering for all you get at a reasonable price, especially if you're looking for an alternative to lever-operated models.

Pros

A complete system that's easy to install and stands out for its push-button dispensing unit. Produces very hot water in seconds. Mid-range price. Comes from a long-standing, trusted brand in kitchen appliances.

Cons

Occasional leaks have been reported, and it's noisier than some of its competitors.

Best Bang for the Buck
NutriChef Electric Hot Water Kettle
NutriChef
Electric Hot Water Kettle
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Child Safety Lock
Bottom Line

Offers 3 specialty modes for auto, button, and pump dispensing; our cooking expert loves the reliable brand.

Pros

High-capacity model holds 3.38 quarts of water. Multi-dispense ability makes the device versatile and popular for self-service. Sleek tabletop design. Equipped with child-safe locks.

Cons

A few consumers feel indicator lights are hard to see. No on/off button.

Ready Hot Stainless Steel Dispenser System
Ready Hot
Stainless Steel Dispenser System
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A hit among customers for its reliable quality and performance; a hit with our expert for its large capacity.

Pros

Inexpensive maintenance. Boasts the ability to produce large amounts of hot water—60 cups per hour. Has both hot and cold water levers. Features a 2.5-quart, stainless steel tank.

Cons

More expensive than similar units.

Zojirushi Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer
Zojirushi
Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This hot water dispenser comes with plenty of features that simplify any water heating needs.

Pros

Hybrid boiler and warmer for an all-in-one product. Is vacuum-insulated and has a quick temp mode that rapidly heats water without boiling. Other convenient amenities include a steam reduce feature, non-stick interior, detachable lid, and swivel base.

Cons

Some of the reviews reported that they had a rusting interior within a year of use.

Panasonic Electric Thermo Pot Water Boiler Dispenser
Panasonic
Electric Thermo Pot Water Boiler Dispenser
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Popular for Tea
Bottom Line

Ideal for tea, instant coffee, and instant soup, and its portability earns it our expert's praise.

Pros

Has a slow-drip mode that is popular for brewing coffee. Pot is coated with bincho-tan charcoal, which purifies and alkalizes the pH of hot water to extract better flavor. Energy-saving features are nice touch.

Cons

Some reports that rust appears on the device after a few months of use.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
88
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best hot water dispensers

In today's world, time is at a premium and convenience is king. If the average kettle takes two to four minutes to boil a quart of water, how many hours of your life have you spent standing around waiting for water to boil? An instant hot water dispenser can save you time.

With all kinds of makes and models on the market, how do you select the right hot water dispenser for you? If you’d like to learn about hot water dispensers and how owning one could save you time and simplify your life, you've come to the right place.

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Hot water dispensers allow you to instantly make hot drinks, soups, oatmeal, and more. Some hot water dispensers can produce cold water as well as hot. Theoretically, you could use a product like this as your only kitchen faucet.

What can you do with a hot water dispenser?

If you're still wondering whether you really need a hot water dispenser, consider a few of the things you can do with these handy kitchen helpers.

  • You can quickly make hot drinks, such as tea and coffee.

  • You can fill pots with near-boiling water to cook pasta or rice faster.

  • You can get instant hot water for foods like packet soup and oatmeal.

  • You can warm baby bottles quickly and easily.

  • You can produce very hot water for soaking dishes with stuck-on food.

  • You can remove stains from clothing and kitchen linens.

Expert Tip
Unless you use distilled water, mineral deposits can build up. Be sure to clean your machine regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Hot water dispenser vs. kettle

You might be wondering why you'd choose a hot water dispenser over a kettle. Let's look at some of the areas where a hot water dispenser is superior to a kettle.

  • Hot water dispensers are instant, so you can save yourself a lot of time.

  • They're great in offices where people would otherwise have to boil water in a kettle over their break or lunchtime.

  • Hot water dispensers are great for elderly people and those with reduced grip strength, as the risk of dropping a full kettle (and suffering a burn) is decreased.

  • Kettles usually won't let you boil less than a pint of water at a time. If you require only a small amount of hot water — for a single cup of tea, for instance — a hot water dispenser can be more energy-efficient.

  • Some hot water dispensers allow you to adjust the water temperature, which makes them more versatile than kettles.

Expert Tip
If you choose a countertop model, make sure it has a healthy amount of countertop around it for you to set coffee cups, pots, and pans nearby during use.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Considerations

Tank size

The tank of a hot water dispenser goes beneath your sink, where it's connected to the cold water supply. When choosing a hot water dispenser, it’s important to look at the external dimensions of the tank portion, as you must have enough space for it in your under-sink area.

As for the internal capacity, the majority of tanks hold somewhere between one-half and two-thirds of a gallon. A tank with a larger capacity can heat more water in an hour. Unless you want to make more than 60 cups of coffee in an hour, however, a tank with a standard internal capacity is all you need.

Wattage

A watt is a unit of power, so the higher the wattage, the more powerful the hot water dispenser.

A hot water dispenser with higher wattage will usually heat water faster and in larger amounts.

Faucet

The hot water is dispensed from a faucet.

But unless you already have the right type of faucet installed on your sink, you may need to buy one separately.

Finish

Presumably, you'll want the finish on the faucet of your hot water dispenser to match your other taps and kitchen hardware.

Most hot water dispensers only have faucets that come in chrome, which is a drawback if you have a different finish on your other taps. However, you can find faucets in finishes other than chrome if you do a bit of digging.

Heat settings

Hot water dispensers offer a variety of heat settings. There's usually a dial on the outside of the tank that lets you adjust the heat.

The exact temperature of each setting varies with different models.

Cups per hour

You can look at a product’s wattage to ascertain its power, but it's also useful to know what that means in real terms.

If you read the product descriptions or manufacturer specifications, most will tell you how many cups of hot water the unit can dispense in an hour.

Filtration system

Some hot water dispensers also come with filtration systems.

The water comes out of your tap pre-filtered, which is handy if you're concerned about the quality of your tap water or if you live in a hard water area.

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Expert Tip
A temperature-control feature is key when you’re cooking with hot water. Some hot water dispensers can dispense up to 200° F water, and the boiling point is 212 F, so you’ll save a bit of time bringing water up to boil.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert

Price

Lower-end hot water dispensers start at around $125 to $150. The most expensive units on the market can cost upwards of $600.

With the most expensive options, you're often paying more for a trusted brand name. A decent mid-range option of $200 to $300 is usually just as long-lasting.

While the cheaper models (under $200) work just fine in the short term, they may break down after only two or three years of use.

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If you spend four minutes a day waiting for a kettle to boil, that works out to roughly 24 hours a year.

FAQ

Q. Are hot water dispensers safe?

A. For the most part, yes, hot water dispensers are perfectly safe. That said, there is a risk that young children could scald themselves. If you can't keep your kids away from the sink — and they're too young to understand not to touch — look for a model with a child lock on the faucet.

Q. How do I install my hot water dispenser?

A. Installing a hot water dispenser isn't exactly straightforward. Unless you're particularly handy, we advise calling a plumber.

The tank needs to be positioned under the sink so it can be connected to your main water supply. It also needs to either be plugged into a power outlet or hardwired into your electrical system. You also need to have a hole in your sink to fit the faucet — or you need to make a hole if there isn't one.

Q. Can my hot water dispenser be installed at any time?

A. Because you require a hole in your sink for the faucet to come through, most people install a hot water dispenser when refitting their kitchen. It is possible to fit a hot water dispenser with an existing sink, but you'll need to get a professional to make a hole for the faucet. And if you have a porcelain sink, you risk cracking it.

Get to know Andrea Boudewijn, our cooking and baking expert.