Cold weather can pose serious problems for outdoor taps. Once the water inside begins to freeze it can expand until it bursts, causing significant damage to your outdoor water source.
If the water inside your tap freezes it can also be impossible to turn on, or, if there's a drip, turn off… That’s why it’s important to invest in a cover that will keep your tap just-that-little-bit warm (anything above zero) and snugly hidden away during frosty weather and cold snaps.
We’ve put together our suggestions for a variety of insulated tap covers that will do the trick. Whether you’d like to wrap it up in a jacket, seal it completely, or keep frost away while keeping access to your hosepipe. Look no further than our picks below.
Best insulated tap covers to buy in 2024
Insulated Protector with Reflective Strip
This cover is filled with cotton to create an insulation effect and keep the tap warmer during winter weather, promising to protect anything inside during extremely cold conditions.
The outside material should also be robust to deal with whatever winter throws at it, featuring a 210D Oxford waterproof coating which they say keeps everything sealed and water resistant, in either rain or snow.
Thanks to the straightforward design it should also be easy to apply to a tap of any size. Simply attach the cover to the tap and seal with the strip which has a reflective band so you can find it in the dark if necessary.
Large Outside Tap Cover
Buy from Coopers of Stortford (£9.99)
This one is aimed at larger garden taps where a small cover simply won't do. Measuring 51cm long and 20cm wide, this should provide plenty of coverage to keep your outdoor tap and pipes protected from bad weather.
The padded cover is made with durable 210D water-repellent canvas fabric, which should absorb warmth during the day to stop your tap freezing overnight.
St Helens Outside Tap Cover
This tap insulator has a very simple design which means it should be especially easy to install, preventing any damage to your garden water source with minimal fuss.
The cover is essentially a waterproof bag made of 600D polyester and fitted with insulating padding. This helps keep the tap warm on the inside, and keeps the sleet and rain at bay on the outside.
It has a hook and loop strap to secure it around any tap, so it should be easy to remove whenever you want to access the tap and attach a hosepipe.
Apollo Outside Tap Cover
Buy from Travis Perkins (£5.82)
If you're looking for an inexpensive solution, try one of these tap covers. Just pop it over your garden tap and use the draw cord to secure it in place.
It should fit all standard outdoor taps, and this one comes in a dark brown colourway.
Outside Tap Cover
Another quick and simple option is this cost-effective tap cover. It's made with water-resistant polyester and thick padding. Just pull it over the tap and use the hook and loop outer strap to tighten the neck and secure the cover in place.
Exitex Outside Insulated Garden Bib Tap Cover
This subtle insulator promises to protect your water source from frost by using a design that mirrors the shape of the tap itself.
You can also remove the front cap which means there's ready access for your hose whenever you need it without having to remove the entire insulation body, which is a particularly handy feature. Just make sure to return it when you're done.
DIVCHI Outdoor Garden Tap Cover
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This cover from DIVCHI aims to protect your outdoor tap from frost by sealing away the entire unit. This does mean the hose attachment will have to be disconnected so you can slip the box snugly on, but the tap will then feel the full effect of its insulation.
This is created thanks to a polystyrene design which should keep the interior warmer, with a rubber grip to keep it in place against the wall.
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Outside Tap Cover Green PVC
Buy from Coopers of Stortford (£9.99), Amazon (£12.99)
This versatile insulator should fit around a tap of any shape and size, stopping them from freezing in colder weather without compromising on style.
Boasting a simple and pleasant design they say this should be easy to slip on to your water source thanks to the straps with Velcro ends that aim to keep everything tightly packed in.
They also come in a pair, which is perfect if you have two outdoor taps or simply want to keep one spare.
Need to insulate your plants too? Keeping your plants safe from frost over winter is vital, but it can be tricky to find high-quality products. We've rounded up our favourite eco-friendly plant protection items for sustainable insulation.