Model vs model
InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape
vs Zip HydroTap Classic
The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape lists at £899, £3,466 less than the Zip HydroTap Classic at £4,365.
Every number below comes from the manufacturers' own specification sheets. We highlight which tap leads on each spec; what matters most for your kitchen is your call.
InSinkErator
InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape
Steaming hot, hot and cold from a slim J-shape spout
Typical price: £899
Full review →
Zip Water
Zip HydroTap Classic
Boiling, chilled, sparkling, filtered
Typical price: £4,365
Full review →The differences at a glance
- The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape lists at £899, £3,466 less than the Zip HydroTap Classic at £4,365.
- The Zip HydroTap Classic dispenses at 99°C; the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape tops out at 98°C.
- Declared idle draw is 11 W for the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape against 35 W for the Zip HydroTap Classic, which compounds into the standby cost difference below.
- Tank capacity: 4 L on the Zip HydroTap Classic versus 2.5 L on the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape. Bigger tanks serve more cups back to back; smaller tanks take less cupboard space.
- The Zip HydroTap Classic dispenses sparkling water; the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape does not.
- The Zip HydroTap Classic dispenses chilled water; the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape does not.
- The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape ships with a 5-year warranty; the Zip HydroTap Classic with a 3-year warranty.
Full specification, side by side
Sourced from manufacturer datasheets. A tick marks the better number on specs where more or less is objectively better.
| Spec | InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape | Zip HydroTap Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | £899✓ | £4,365 |
| Boiling temperature | 98°C | 99°C✓ |
| Tank capacity | 2.5 L | 4 L |
| Idle power | 11 W✓ | 35 W |
| Peak power | 1300 W | 2000 W |
| Flow rate | - | - |
| Filtered water | Yes | Yes |
| Sparkling water | No | Yes✓ |
| Chilled water | No | Yes✓ |
| Filter type | - | Zip GlobalPlus 0.2 micron filter |
| Finishes | 2 | 5✓ |
| Warranty | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
Standby energy
What the idle draw adds up to over a year.
InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape
- Idle draw
- 11 W
- Standby energy / year
- 96 kWh
- Standby cost / year
- £26
Zip HydroTap Classic
- Idle draw
- 35 W
- Standby energy / year
- 307 kWh
- Standby cost / year
- £83
Assumes the manufacturer's declared idle wattage around the clock at £0.27/kWh (UK average, mid-2026). Real usage adds the energy to heat the water you actually draw. Run your own numbers in the running cost calculator.
Strengths and trade-offs
InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape
Zip HydroTap Classic
What we like
- Filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling from one tap
- Touchscreen with PIN protection and energy-saving sleep modes
- 0.2 micron NSF-certified filter included as standard
- Largest UK engineer network for service and maintenance
Watch out for
- £4,365 RRP is several times rival 4-in-1 prices
- Installation around £520 extra on top of hardware
- Ongoing CO2 canister costs for sparkling function
- Designed primarily for commercial use, residential overkill