Running costs updated 1 October 2026. Every electricity figure on this page is costed at the Ofgem price cap average electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh, which applies from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own tariff may be higher or lower, so check your latest bill before relying on these numbers.
A filter jug costs a fraction of a water dispenser and gives you better-tasting water. So is a dispenser worth the extra? It depends on how many hot drinks your household makes and whether you want cold water on tap. We use a BRITA YOURCE dispenser at home every day, so here is my honest view.
The short answer
If you mainly want filtered cold water from the fridge, a jug is enough. If you make lots of hot drinks, a dispenser saves time and tidies up the kettle routine.
Side by side
| Filter jug | Water dispenser | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | £169.99 to around £500 in our comparison |
| Hot water | No, you still use a kettle | Yes, up to about 95°C |
| Cold water | Yes, if kept in the fridge | Room temperature, or chilled on models with a cooler |
| Capacity | Small, refilled often | 2.8L to around 6L |
| Filters | Cheap cartridges | Similar cartridges (BRITA, Philips) or pricier reverse osmosis filters |
| Worktop space | None (lives in the fridge) | Needs a permanent spot and a socket |
When a filter jug is the better choice
- You want chilled water and have fridge space.
- You do not make many hot drinks.
- You are short on worktop space or budget.
When a dispenser is the better choice
- Your household makes hot drinks all day.
- You are tired of refilling a small jug.
- You want filtered water for tea and coffee without a kettle.
My experience
In our kitchen the dispenser gets used all day, mostly for hot drinks, and it is very easy to use. The filtered water tastes excellent. The one thing a fridge jug does better is cold water: my model has no cooler, so its cold water is room temperature, which is a bit warmer than I personally like. If that matters to you, choose a dispenser with chilling, such as the BRITA YOURCE Cool.
Read my BRITA YOURCE review, or compare all six on our best hot and cold water dispensers page.
More water dispenser guides
- Water dispenser vs kettle: which is cheaper to run?
- Water dispenser vs filter jug: which is better? (you are here)
- Best hot and cold water dispensers UK: all six compared
- BRITA YOURCE water dispenser review: my honest verdict
Frequently asked questions
Does a water dispenser filter as well as a jug?
BRITA dispensers use MAXTRA PRO cartridges, the same family used in BRITA jugs. Reverse osmosis dispensers filter more finely.
Is a water dispenser worth it for one person?
Only if you drink a lot of hot drinks. Otherwise a jug and a kettle are cheaper.
How we worked this out: this guide is mostly research-led, using manufacturers' published specifications and instructions, retailer prices and owner feedback. The exception is the BRITA YOURCE, which I own and use every day. Prices were last checked on 11 October 2026 and change often. Energy figures use the Ofgem cap rate of 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026) and are estimates.
