Model vs model
InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape
vs Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus
The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape lists at £899, £2,794 less than the Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus at £3,693.
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 G5 Cube Plus
Cubed-spout flagship: boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered water
Typical price: £3,693
Full review →The differences at a glance
- The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape lists at £899, £2,794 less than the Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus at £3,693.
- Declared idle draw is 11 W for the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape against 35 W for the Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus, which compounds into the standby cost difference below.
- Tank capacity: 3 L on the Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus 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 G5 Cube Plus dispenses chilled water; the InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape does not.
- The InSinkErator 3N1 J-Shape ships with a 5-year warranty; the Zip HydroTap G5 Cube Plus 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 G5 Cube Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | £899✓ | £3,693 |
| Boiling temperature | 98°C | 98°C |
| Tank capacity | 2.5 L | 3 L |
| Idle power | 11 W✓ | 35 W |
| Peak power | 1300 W | 2400 W |
| Flow rate | - | 4 L/min |
| Filtered water | Yes | Yes |
| Sparkling water | No | No |
| Chilled water | No | Yes✓ |
| Filter type | - | Zip MicroPurity 0.2 micron filter |
| Finishes | 2 | 8✓ |
| Warranty | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Released | 2020 | 2023 |
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 G5 Cube Plus
- 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 G5 Cube Plus
What we like
- Instant boiling and chilled water from one tap
- 0.2-micron MicroPurity filter removes dirt, lead, microplastics and 99.9% of cysts
- Energy-saving sleep modes and low-impact R290 refrigerant
- Seven finishes and a 12-month filter interval
Watch out for
- Factory-set to 98°C rather than true 100°C boiling
- Under-sink command centre is 470 mm deep
- Three-year warranty (five on the tank)