Hob Mixers

Everything You Need to Know About Hob Mixers (And Why We Love Them)

You’re staring at a bathroom plan. Or maybe a kitchen sketch. There are lines everywhere, measurements that seem slightly off, and a list of decisions that feels longer than a grocery receipt. We get it. Renovating is exhilarating, but it is also exhausting. And right in the middle of picking tiles and arguing about paint shades, you have to choose tapware.

It seems like a small detail. It isn't.

At The Blue Space, we see it happen all the time. A customer picks a beautiful vanity, a stunning sink, and then gets stuck on the tap. Specifically, the configuration. Should it come out of the wall? Should it sit on the ceramic? Should it come out of the benchtop?

That last one? That’s a hob mixer.

We are going to break this down for you. No fancy language. No pretending this is rocket science. Just honest advice from our team to help you figure out if a hob mixer is right for your space.

So, What Exactly Is a Hob Mixer?

The term "hob" can be a bit confusing. In the kitchen world, people think of cooktops. But in the plumbing world, a "hob" is simply a horizontal surface. It’s the deck. The ledge. The countertop.

A hob mixer is a tap that mounts directly onto that horizontal surface.

It usually consists of a single unit where the spout and the handle are combined, or sit right next to each other. This is different from wall-mounted taps, which—you guessed it—stick out of the wall. It’s also distinct from those old-school setups where the taps come out of holes pre-drilled into the basin itself, although the mechanism is very similar.

Think of your kitchen island. You have a stone benchtop with a sink in it. The tap sticking out of the stone behind the sink? That is a hob mixer.

Where Does It Work?

Honestly? Almost everywhere. But there are specific spots where we think they really shine.

The Kitchen Island

This is the most common place we see them. If you are building an island bench, you usually don't have a wall behind the sink to mount a tap on. You need something that stands up from the benchtop.

We have a massive range of kitchen taps that fit this description. The beauty here is flexibility. You can install the mixer in the middle, to the left, or to the right. It’s totally up to you.

The Bathroom Vanity

If you have an above-counter basin—those beautiful bowls that sit on top of the vanity—you have two choices. Go to the wall, or go tall. A "tower" or "extended" hob mixer is a tall tap that mounts on the vanity top and reaches over the high edge of the basin. It looks fantastic.

Check out our basin mixers to see what we mean. The standard height ones work for under-mount basins, while the tall ones are for vessel sinks.

The Bathtub

This is where things get spa-like. If you have a built-in bath with a tiled surround (the "hob"), you can mount the taps right on that tiled edge. It’s clean and keeps the plumbing hidden away underneath.

We have plenty of bath fillers designed exactly for this.

Let's Break Down the Types and Variations

Not all hob mixers are created equal. There are different styles, different mechanics, and different looks. Here is how we categorize them.

1. The Standard Mixer vs. Three-Piece

Most people want a "mixer." This is a single unit. You lift the handle for flow, turn it left for hot, right for cold. It’s simple. It requires one hole in your benchtop.

But some people love the vintage look. They want a spout in the middle and a separate tap for hot and cold on either side. We call these three-piece sets. Technically, if they are mounted on the deck, they are hob-mounted three-piece taps. They need three holes. Keep that in mind for your stone mason.

2. Progressive Mixers

We love these. They are sleek. Minimalist. Instead of lifting and turning, you just twist.

When you start twisting, the water comes out cold. Keep twisting, and it gets warmer. Twist all the way, and it’s hot. There is no volume control usually—it’s just on or off—but the design is incredibly compact. Take a look at our progressive mixers if you want something that looks like a piece of art.

3. Kitchen Functionality

In the kitchen, the hob mixer has to work hard. It’s not just about washing hands. You are scrubbing pots. You are filling buckets.

We always recommend looking at a pull-out sink mixer. The head pulls out on a hose. It changes your life. Seriously. Once you have one, you never go back. If you prefer the commercial kitchen look, a gooseneck sink mixer gives you that high clearance for big stock pots.

4. Spouts Only

Sometimes, you might want the mixer handle somewhere else. Maybe on the wall? Or maybe you just want a spout coming out of the hob, with a remote control button. We have those too. Specifically, basin spouts and bath tub spouts can be bought separately to customize your setup.

5. Freestanding Options

Okay, technically this is a floor-mounted tap, but it functions similarly to a hob mixer in that it doesn't touch the wall. If you have a freestanding bath and no hob to mount a tap on, you need a freestanding bath mixer. These are the tall, elegant floor pipes that pour water into the tub. They are stunning.

The Real Benefits (Why We Recommend Them)

Why choose a hob mixer over a wall-mounted one? We have a few reasons.

Easier Installation (Usually)

When you put taps in the wall, the plumber has to be there before the tiling is done. They have to set the "in-wall" body perfectly. If the tiles end up thicker than expected? You have a problem.

With a hob mixer, the plumbing comes up through the cupboard. The connections are usually flexible hoses. It is much more forgiving. You install the tap after the benchtop is on. Simple.

Maintenance is a Breeze

If a washer goes or a cartridge needs replacing, you can access everything from above the bench or under the cupboard. You don't have to rip tiles off the wall. That is a huge win for future-you.

Design Freedom

You are not restricted by where the wall studs are. You can put the tap in the corner of the sink. You can center it. If you have a double vanity, you can position the bathroom basin taps exactly where they look best.

The Colour Palette: Make It Yours

Gone are the days when chrome was your only option. We love chrome, don't get us wrong. It’s classic. But have you seen what is happening with finishes lately?

If you want to play it safe but stylish, chrome taps are timeless. They sparkle. They match everything.

But maybe you want warmth? Gold taps are incredibly popular right now. They add luxury. If that is too shiny for you, look at brushed brass taps. They have a subtle, muted glow that looks amazing against timber or white stone.

For a more industrial or modern look, gunmetal tapware is a winner. It hides fingerprints better than you’d think. Or go fully gentle with brushed nickel tapware—it’s like chrome’s softer, more sophisticated cousin.

Want drama? Black taps. They frame the space. Especially in a kitchen, black kitchen taps and mixers make a serious statement.

On the other end of the spectrum, white tapware is super clean and disappears into white basins for a minimal look. And for those who love earthy tones, bronze taps or champagne taps bring a unique character that feels expensive.

And for the chefs who want durability above all else? Stainless steel tapware. It’s tough. It’s hygienic. It lasts.

Brands We Trust

We don't stock junk. We just don't. We have curated our collection to only include brands that offer quality, good warranties, and great design.

If you want Australian icons, you can't go past Caroma taps or Dorf taps. They have been in Aussie homes for decades. Clark taps are another staple—reliable and great value.

For high-end design, look at Phoenix taps. Their designs are often award-winning. Meir taps are famous for that matte black finish we mentioned earlier.

If you want something a bit different, check out Fienza taps or Nero taps. They are pushing boundaries with texture and shape. Modern National tapware offers some fantastic vintage-inspired shapes.

We also love Methven taps for their water technology, and Oliveri tapware specifically for their matching sink and tap sets.

Looking for value without compromising style? Greens tapware, Indigo taps, Seima taps, and Suprema all have excellent hob mixer options that fit various budgets.

Other Considerations (The Practical Stuff)

Before you hit "add to cart," there are a few technical things our team wants you to check.

1. Spout Reach and Height

This is the most common mistake we see. You buy a tap, you install it, and the water falls onto the back edge of the basin instead of into the bowl. Disaster.

Measure the distance from the mounting hole to the center of the waste (the plug hole). make sure your spout reach is close to that. If you have a large kitchen sink, get a sink mixer with a long reach or a pull-out spray so you can clean the corners.

2. Water Pressure

Most modern mixers work on mains pressure. If you have an old gravity-fed system (common in some older rural homes), you need to check the specs. Some mixers won't flow properly with low pressure.

3. Health and Safety

We are seeing a huge shift towards health-conscious materials. Have a look at our range of lead-free taps. They prevent lead leaching into your drinking water. It’s peace of mind, especially for kitchen mixers where you draw water for cooking.

4. The Handle Position

Think about how you use the tap. If you are right-handed, you probably want the handle on the right. But be careful. If the tap is too close to a wall or a splashback, the handle might hit the wall when you turn it to "cold." Check the clearance.

Putting It All Together

Choosing a hob mixer isn't just about plumbing. It’s about how you interact with your home every day.

It’s that glass of water in the middle of the night. It’s washing the salad for dinner. It’s the kids brushing their teeth (or pretending to).

We have literally thousands of bathroom taps and mixers on our site. It can feel overwhelming. But stick to the basics. Measure your space. Pick a finish you love. Choose a brand you trust.

And if you are still stuck? We are right here.

Our team knows these products inside out. We can help you match a spout to a basin or figure out if that gold finish matches your door handles. Renovating is a big job, but getting the right tap? That should be the easy part.

Frequently Asked Questions