Mixer Tap vs Pillar Taps: Which Should You Choose? — Guide

Choosing between a mixer tap and a pair of pillar taps is one of those decisions that seems minor until you're actually standing in front of your basin, trying to blend hot and cold water with your hands. Both options have been around for decades, and both remain popular in homes across the country. The right choice depends on your plumbing system, your budget, and how you actually use your sink day to day.

What's the Difference Between Mixer Taps and Pillar Taps?

A mixer tap combines hot and cold water within a single body, delivering blended water through one spout. You control the temperature with one or two handles, and in many modern versions, a single lever does everything.

Pillar taps, by contrast, are two separate taps—one for hot, one for cold—mounted side by side on the basin or bath. Each delivers only what its supply line provides. If you want warm water, you traditionally have to plug the basin and mix the streams by hand.

The Case for Mixer Taps

Mixer taps are the default choice in most modern bathrooms and kitchens, and for good reason:

  • Instant temperature control – One lever or a pair of handles lets you dial in the exact temperature you want.
  • Comfort and convenience – No juggling two taps or waiting for a bowl of water to reach a usable temperature.
  • Better for thermostatic control – Many mixer taps include thermostatic cartridges that guard against sudden temperature swings.
  • Space-saving design – A single tap body occupies less room on a small basin, leaving more space for soap and toiletries.
  • Modern aesthetics – Sleek, minimalist designs dominate the mixer market, from brushed steel to matte black finishes.

One Important Check: Your Water System

Mixer taps generally require reasonably balanced pressures between hot and cold supplies. If your home relies on a gravity-fed system with a cold water tank in the loft and a hot water cylinder, the pressures may be uneven, which can cause the mixture to favor one side. In that case, you may need a pressurized system, a pump, or a mixer tap specifically designed for low-pressure installations. Always confirm your water system type before buying.

The Case for Pillar Taps

Pillar taps haven't survived this long by accident. They have genuine advantages:

  • Simple construction – Fewer moving parts means fewer things to go wrong, and repairs are usually straightforward.
  • Lower cost – Basic pillar taps are typically among the most affordable options available.
  • Suitability for traditional systems – They work happily with gravity-fed setups where pressures differ, since each tap handles its own supply independently.
  • Classic character – In period properties, traditional cross-head pillar taps can look far more authentic than a contemporary mixer.

Practical Considerations Before You Decide

Think about where the taps will go and who will use them. In a family bathroom, a mixer tap with a thermostatic function is safer for children, as it reduces the risk of scalding. In a cloakroom or a utility room where hot water may not even be plumbed in, a single cold pillar tap is often all you need.

For baths, the debate is a little different. Bath mixer taps and bath-shower mixers are popular because filling a bath to the right temperature is much easier with blended water. However, if your system can't support a bath-shower mixer, separate hot and cold taps with a shower attachment on the cold side remain a reliable fallback.

Installation is another factor. Replacing like for like is usually simple, but converting from two pillar taps to one mixer tap may require covering an extra tap hole—most basins come with pre-drilled holes, so check whether yours can accommodate the change or whether you'll need a new basin too.

So, Which Should You Choose?

For most households, a mixer tap is the better all-round choice: it's more convenient, safer, and better suited to modern living—provided your water pressure can support it. Pillar taps remain a sensible option for low-pressure gravity systems, period-style renovations, or anyone on a tight budget who wants simplicity above all else. Weigh your plumbing setup first, your style preferences second, and you'll land on the right tap for your home.

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