Double Tap Tower vs Single Tap: Which to Pick

What a tap tower is

A tap tower is the vertical column that sits on top of the kegerator cabinet. The faucets mount on the tower, and the number of faucets is the number of taps the unit has. In a listing, you will see tap count described in the title, the bullet list, or the parts list. A single tap tower has one faucet; a double tap tower has two.

A kegerator can also be direct draw, where the faucet mounts on the cabinet front or door instead of a tower. The distinction matters when you read a listing, because a tower listing names the tower, while a direct draw listing does not. The direct draw versus tower article explains the two arrangements.

Understanding the tower matters because it tells you how many beers can be on draft at once, not how many kegs the cabinet holds. Those are separate facts on a listing. The tower is about dispensing; the cabinet is about storage. The kegerator buying guide starts with the whole picture.

What a single tap tower means in a listing

A single tap tower listing is straightforward: one faucet, one tap handle, one beer on draft. Titles may say 'single tap tower', 'one faucet tower', or simply 'single tap kegerator'. The tower itself is narrow, which makes it a sensible fit for cabinets with limited top surface.

For a first kegerator or a home bar where one beer is the usual choice, a single tap tower keeps the setup simple. You are comparing fewer parts, and the matching faucet and coupler are easier to confirm. The single tap kegerator guide lists models compared on stated details.

What a double tap tower means in a listing

A double tap tower listing means two faucets and two tap handles. You can serve two different beers on draft without changing anything. Titles may say 'double tap tower', 'dual tap tower', or 'two faucet tower'. If you think two taps may not be enough, the triple tap guide shows how the next step up compares.

The trade-off is space. The two faucets sit side by side, so the tower base is wider than a single tap tower and asks for more room on the cabinet top. When you read a dual tap listing, check both the tower dimensions and the cabinet top dimensions. The dual tap kegerator guide shows how the picks compare.

Space and cabinet fit

The cabinet top is where the tower mounts, so the tower width matters when the cabinet is narrow. A 15 inch cabinet is a common small size, and a single tap tower is usually the workable choice there. A 24 inch cabinet gives the double tap tower room for two faucets and still leaves space around the base.

Listings state cabinet width in inches, and they also list tower dimensions in the bullet list. Compare those two sets of numbers before you decide. For the size names, read the 15 inch guide and the 24 inch guide for how their picks line up.

Cost and component count as a decision factor

A double tap tower carries more dispense components than a single tap tower: two faucets, two tap handles, and two beverage lines instead of one. When you compare listings, the component count is one of the stated details that separates the two kinds of units. The price difference between models is something you weigh yourself; the site's guides compare on stated details, not on price.

Also read whether the tower is included in the box or sold separately. Some listings state 'tower included', others list the tower as a separate part. The box contents section tells you what arrives, so you know whether the tap count in the title matches what is actually in the package.

How to read the listing for a tower

Start with the tap count words in the title: 'single tap', 'double tap', 'two faucet', or 'dual'. Then read the bullet list for the tower material, the tower height, and the faucet style. A listing that says 'stainless steel tower' names the material; a listing that does not say it leaves the material as 'not stated by the seller'.

A title also cannot tell you whether the two faucets draw from two separate kegs or from a single keg through a split line. That detail belongs in the bullet list or in the seller's answer to your question. The Learn article on tower tap counts explains how the number is described across listings.

• The exact number of faucets
• The tower height and base width
• The tower material (stainless steel, chrome, or other)
• Whether the tower is included in the box
• The cabinet width in inches

What to pick for your situation

Questions

What does a double tap tower mean on a listing?

It means the tower has two faucets, so two beers can be on draft at once. The listing should state 'double tap' or 'two faucet' in the title or bullet list.

Is a double tap tower wider than a single tap tower?

Yes, because it holds two faucets side by side. Check the tower dimensions in the bullet list and compare them with the cabinet top before buying.

Can a single tap tower be changed to a double tap tower later?

A listing tells you what the tower includes. Swapping to a different tower means buying a separate tower component; read the box contents to see whether the original tower is included.

Does a double tap tower mean the cabinet holds two kegs?

No. The tower count is about dispensing, not storage. The cabinet capacity is stated separately on the listing, so read both facts.

What is direct draw versus a tower?

Direct draw mounts the faucet on the cabinet front or door, while a tower mounts it on top. The direct draw versus tower article compares the two.

What should I check before buying a single or double tap tower?

Read the tap count in the title, the tower dimensions in the bullet list, the tower material, and the box contents to confirm whether the tower is included.