A 3-way water filter tap combines hot, cold and filtered drinking water in a single kitchen tap, so you can avoid fitting a separate filtered-water faucet or using a clip-on attachment.
The filtered water runs through a dedicated internal channel, helping keep it separate from the normal hot and cold mains supply. This makes 3-way taps a neat permanent option for households that want better-tasting drinking water without adding clutter around the sink.
In this guide, I compare some of the best 3-way water filter taps available in the UK, including options from Bristan, Franke and Grohe. I also explain what these taps can and cannot filter, what to check before buying, and when a reverse osmosis system may be the better choice.
If you’re considering a 3-way water filter tap, it’s worth understanding what level of filtration you actually need. These taps are ideal for improving taste and reducing chlorine while keeping filtered and mains water separate, but they aren’t designed for heavy purification. If your test shows high TDS or contaminants, these are the best reverse osmosis systems in the UK for maximum purification, which provide a much higher level of filtration for households with more demanding water quality issues.
WHAT MAKES A 3-WAY TAP DIFFERENT?
Included in this guide:
- ✔ One tap body
- ✔ Three water channels (hot, cold, filtered)
- ✔ Separate filtered water lever or control
Not included:
- ❌ Clip-on tap attachments
- ❌ 3-in-1 boiling taps
- ❌ Reverse osmosis systems
If you want a temporary, removable option, see tap attachments instead.
BEST 3-WAY WATER FILTER TAPS UK
Bristan Artisan 3-Way Filter Tap — Best Overall
The Bristan Artisan AR SNKPURE C combines normal hot and cold water with a separate filtered-water supply through a single kitchen tap. It comes with its own filtration system, so it is a straightforward option if you want a complete filtered-water setup rather than pairing a tap with a separate third-party filter.
The spout swivels for everyday kitchen use, and Bristan specifies the tap for use with the supplied filter system rather than an alternative filter.
Why consider it:
- Hot, cold and filtered water from one tap.
- Supplied with its own filtration system.
- Swivelling spout.
- WRAS-approved model.
- Established UK brand with replacement filter cartridges available.
Best for: homeowners who want a complete branded tap-and-filter package rather than sourcing the tap and filtration system separately.
Franke Designer 3-Way Filter Tap — Premium Stainless-Steel Option
This Franke 3-way kitchen tap combines normal hot and cold water with a separate filtered-water supply in a single stainless-steel tap. Separate internal water paths help keep filtered drinking water apart from the standard mains supply.
Its L-shaped spout rotates through 360°, making it practical around larger sinks as well as giving the tap a clean, modern appearance.
Why consider it:
- Separate outlets for filtered and normal mains water.
- Solid stainless-steel construction.
- 360° swivelling L-shaped spout.
- Single-hole installation.
- Designed to connect to an under-sink filtration system.
Best for: kitchens where a premium stainless-steel finish and a dedicated filtered-water channel are priorities.
GROHE Blue Pure BauCurve — Best Design-Led Option
The GROHE Blue Pure BauCurve 30580000 combines normal hot and cold water with a dedicated filtered-water supply in a single kitchen tap. Separate internal waterways help keep filtered drinking water apart from unfiltered mains water.
The high C-shaped spout swivels through 150°, giving it a practical amount of movement around the sink while retaining GROHE’s clean, modern styling.
Why consider it:
- Separate internal waterways for filtered and unfiltered water.
- 150° swivelling C-shaped spout.
- GROHE SilkMove ceramic cartridge.
- Designed to work with a GROHE Blue filter starter set.
- Modern chrome finish.
Best for: homeowners who prefer GROHE styling and are happy to use the matching GROHE filtration system.
Comparison Table — 3-Way Water Filter Taps UK
| Brand | Build / Style | Filtration Setup | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristan Artisan | Robust, practical | Designed for the supplied Bristan filtration system | Complete tap-and-filter package |
| Franke Designer | Premium stainless steel | Connects to a suitable under-sink filtration system | Premium kitchens |
| GROHE Blue Pure BauCurve | Modern chrome design | Designed for use with a GROHE Blue filter starter set | GROHE-focused kitchens |
WHAT 3-WAY TAPS CAN & CAN’T DO
A 3-way tap is mainly a convenient way to deliver filtered drinking water alongside normal hot and cold mains water from a single kitchen tap. The actual filtration performance depends on the filter system connected to it.
Depending on the filter used, a system may reduce chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odours, sediment, certain metals and other contaminants. More advanced systems, such as reverse osmosis, can remove a much wider range of dissolved contaminants.
What a 3-way tap does not do by itself is soften hard water or remove limescale-forming minerals. If hard water is your main problem, you will need a separate scale-control or water-softening solution.
Before buying, check the specification of the filter system rather than assuming every 3-way tap provides the same level of filtration.
In the UK, tap water is strictly regulated and safe to drink, even in hard water areas. According to the Drinking Water Inspectorate (UK), hard water does not pose a health risk, but it can affect taste and contribute to limescale build-up in kettles and appliances. This is why many households choose filtration for convenience and flavour rather than safety, especially when installing systems like 3-way water filter taps that improve drinking water without changing the mains supply.
FAQs — 3-Way Water Filter Taps UK
Do 3-way taps filter the water themselves?
No. A 3-way tap simply provides a separate route for filtered drinking water alongside normal hot and cold mains water. The actual filtration is performed by the filter system connected beneath the sink.
Are 3-way water filter taps worth it?
They can be a good option if you want filtered drinking water without adding a second tap to the sink. They are especially useful in kitchens where space and appearance matter.
Can a 3-way tap remove limescale?
Not by itself. Limescale reduction depends on the filtration system connected to the tap. Standard drinking-water filters generally do not soften hard water, so a separate water softener or scale-control system may be needed.
Can I connect any under-sink filter to a 3-way tap?
Not necessarily. Some taps are designed around a specific manufacturer’s filtration system, while others can be paired with suitable third-party filters. Always check the tap and filter compatibility before buying.
Final Verdict
A 3-way water filter tap is a tidy way to combine hot, cold and filtered drinking water without adding a separate drinking-water faucet to the sink.
For a complete branded package, the Bristan Artisan is the most straightforward option because it is designed around Bristan’s own filtration system. The Franke Designer suits buyers who prioritise stainless-steel build quality and want to pair the tap with a suitable under-sink filter, while the GROHE Blue Pure BauCurve is a strong choice for households already considering GROHE’s Blue filtration system.
Whichever tap you choose, remember that the quality of the filtered water depends primarily on the filter system connected to it rather than the tap itself. If you want much broader contaminant removal, compare these options with a reverse osmosis system before buying.
Check Your Local Water Hardness
Before choosing a filtration system, it’s useful to know how hard your local water supply is.
👉 Use the UK Water Hardness Checker to see hardness levels by postcode.
