Is a BIBO Water Bar or a Zip HydroTap the best water filter system for your home or office?
If you’ve decided to install a new instant filtered, chilled and boiling water system in your home or office kitchen, two brands to consider are Zip and BIBO.
Zip has been around since the 1960s and they are the most well known, while BIBO launched in Australia in 2016.
The BIBO Water Bar offers a good affordable alternative to the Zip HydroTap, with some cool and unique features. In this article, we compare the Zip HydroTap G5 Classic Plus to the BIBO water bar.
Both are ideal as home water filtration systems or office water dispensers, and this quick overview can help you work out which is the best filtered, chilled & boiling water system for you.
What nasties do the Zip HydroTap and the BIBO Water Bar filters remove?
Both of these units have an industry leading multi-stage carbon block filter, with a capacity of 6000 litres. It removes dirt, sediment, chemicals like chlorine, heavy metals such as lead, and cysts, but retains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.
The BIBO Water Bar has the added advantage of having a UV purification system which kills bacteria, algae and bugs.
Cost of a Zip HydroTap compared to the BIBO Water Bar
The latest Zip HydroTap G5 Classic Plus, is a separate water tap installed at the sink, with their 'command centre' unit fitted under the counter. It offers filtered, chilled and boiling water and the retail price starts at $5,795 (source: www.appliancesonline, 2023). It requires installation by an approved technician which Zip can organise for you at an additional cost.
The BIBO Water Bar is an all-in-one compact counter top appliance that offers both filtered & purified, chilled, boiling and ambient water and retails for $1,498 including free shipping (metro areas) and 1 year warranty (source: bibowater.com.au, 2023).
How to install the Zip HydroTap compared to the BIBO Water Bar
Zip is a two-part fixed system, with an above-counter tap and an under-counter 'command centre' unit. This unit usually goes under a sink because it requires plumbing into the mains and a wastewater outlet, and housing in a cupboard with air vents to allow heat to escape. The command centre for the Zip HydroTap G5 Classic Plus is 28w x 47d x 33h cm. Plus the unit requires ventilation above and on both sides. So the space required under the sink is 38w x 47d x 53h cm. It is also quite noisy when not in operation.
The BIBO is an all-in-one counter-top unit that requires connection only to the mains via flexible ¼” piping. It can be placed anywhere that’s suitable for a bench-top appliance and has a footprint of 30w x 35d x 33h cm. Instead of needing a waste water outlet it has a detachable spill tray similar to a coffee machine. You don’t need to locate the BIBO right next to a sink, and if you move house you can take it with you. This unit can dispense up to 90 cups of boiling water and 50 cups of chilled water every hour.
And best of all there is no noise when not in operation.
Maintenance and filter change for the Zip HydroTap compared to the BIBO water bar
Both units require a filter change every six months. Replacement filters for the Zip HydroTap G5 cost approximately $300-400 a year and most people organise a technician to change the filter at an additional callout cost. The annual cost of replacement filters for the BIBO is $295 or subscribe annually for a filter pack and save 15%. Filters are very simple to change yourself. see video.
Are Zip HydroTap and BIBO Water Bar water temperatures the same?
The Zip HydroTap G5 dispenses chilled water in a range of 3-6°C and boiling water at 98°C.
The BIBO water bar features a useful menu option which allows temperatures to be set to suit individual preference. It dispenses chilled water between 4-16°C, hot/boiling water between 70-98°C, and warm (ambient) water between 30-60°C. This feature is useful if you want safe, heated, but not boiling, drinking water at a specific temperature, such as for herbal teas, to make baby bottles with baby formula, or make warm drinks for younger kids.
What Zip HydroTap or BIBO Water Bar colours and styles are available?
The only visible part of the Zip is the tap which comes standard in chrome. The tap is also available in a variety of optional design styles in black, brushed chrome, brushed gold, brushed rose gold, brushed nickel, gunmetal.
The BIBO water bar comes in a range of 9 popular colours that work with your renovated kitchen colour scheme, including Silver Chic, Black Classic, Rich Ruby, Red Hot, Active Orange, Yellow Shine, Serene Green, Cool Blue and Perfectly White.
What are some of the other BIBO Water Bar features?
The BIBO Water Bar has a unique UV lamp to purify the water which prevents the buildup of bacteria, removes all bugs and keeps the water clean.
Other features in both units include an energy saving mode, time/date display, and automatic reminder notices when it’s time to change the filter.
The BIBO Water Bar has a touchscreen panel that is easy to use and offers more menu options for those who like their technology. These include pre-set temperatures, programming a set cup size, and activation of a double child-lock to prevent misuse.
Other useful articles:
Why filtered and purified water tastes better
Why BIBO's unique water filter is so important for your family
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