The Best Kitchen Faucets in 2024 Buyer’s Guide & Reviews
With so many different choices, finding a new kitchen faucet and deciding whether we are making the right choice can feel daunting. Why is there a hundred-dollar difference between them? And why do some faucets from different brands look almost exactly the same? These are some of the reasons why we bought a bunch of them, from $50 faucets to those costing several hundred dollars, and gave them an examination.
First thing we notice is the significant difference in build quality. Something premium like the Moen Arbor 7594 or Delta Leland is built so much better, with thicker materials and more polished craftsmanship, than more affordable alternatives. Some solid mid-range options from lesser known brands, like the Kraus Bolden, offer excellent quality without costing too much. If you’re aiming for premium touchless experience, options such as the Delta Lenta Touch2O or Moen Sleek MotionSense Wave are also worth checking out.
Everything we recommend
Featuring premium build quality and a long, extending sprayer head, this faucet is a mix between elegant design and effective features. Its touch control, magnetic docking, and temperature-indicating LED add even more appeal to the whole package.
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For a true touchless experience, this faucet is one of the best by today’s standards. With two motion sensors, premium build quality, and convenient features, the design brings plenty of utility to the kitchen and should be worth considering.
This faucet is more functional than it is pretty. Offering nothing too extravagant besides durable construction, effective water functions, and a responsive neck, it should be perfect for those who enjoy the industrial aesthetics.
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The faucet looks like a scaled-down version of the high-arc Arbor 7594. They have very similar construction quality, from materials to craftsmanship. However, this is one of the smaller kitchen faucets, suitable for tighter spaces.
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For the conventional 2-hole wall-mount setup, this affordable faucet is not bad of a choice. While it doesn’t offer anything special, the faucet’s familiar design and reliable quality are its main appeals.
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If you have the space for a commercial kitchen faucet, this is one of the most recent best-selling models available online. Its design is nothing if not industrial, featuring a heavy, metal construction and ample water pressure.
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With a side sprayer and conventional two-handle design, this simple, traditional-style faucet delivers fantastic quality for the price. It’s an interesting model to check out if you have a 4-hole setup.
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For a less common 2-hole setup, this neat 2-piece faucet is definitely worth checking out. Aside from its high-end build quality, the faucet offers a long pulldown sprayer head and convenient magnetic docking.
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The Artesso series draws its aesthetic inspiration from the industrial look of the early 20th century. The overall look of the faucet and its unique jointed armature will serve as a strong focal point in your kitchen.
The faucet features a sleek, minimalist design with a high-arc spout. It enjoys a pull-down spray head with a push-to-spray mode and magnetic docking. Known best for its modern look, this faucet is a stylish and functional choice for contemporary kitchens.
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Top-rated Comparison Chart
Faucet Model | Material | Style | Control | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta 9178T-DST(Editor's Choice) | Brass | Pull-down | Single handle > Touch sensors | Lifetime> 5 years (electronic parts) |
Moen 7594ESRS | Metal | Pull-down | Single handle > Motion sensors | Lifetime> 5 years (electronic parts) |
Kraus KPF 1650SS | Brass | Commercial style | Single handle | Lifetime |
Moen 7294SRS | Metal | Pull-out | Single handle | Lifetime |
Peerless P299305LF | Brass | Wall-mount | Dual handle | Lifetime |
Fapully Dual Spout | Brass | Commercial style | Single handle | 2 years |
Delta 21996LF-OB | Plastic | Conventional | Dual handle | Lifetime |
Delta 978-DST | Brass | Pull-down | (Separate) Single handle | Lifetime |
Brizo 63225LF | Metal | Articulating | Single handle | Lifetime |
hansgrohe 14877801 | Brass | Pull-down | Single handle | Lifetime |
Delta Leland 9178T-AR-DST Kitchen Faucet
Best Overall
Featuring premium build quality and a long, extending sprayer head, this faucet is a mix between elegant design and effective features. Its touch control, magnetic docking, and temperature-indicating LED add even more appeal to the whole package.
- Touch activation
- Auto shutoff
- LED light indicator
- Innovative spray modes
- Elegant design
- Battery- or AC-powered
- Expensive
Our team had a surprisingly easy time picking out the best to buy in 2024 as the Delta Leland 9178T-DST stands out with its top-quality craftsmanship, touch activation technology, and an appealing price tag.
Beautiful and Functional Design
The 9178T-DST is a pull-down, one-handle, touch-operated faucet that comes in a solid brass body that stands 15 inches high. Its elegant yet casual design is a good fit for kitchens with pre-modern aesthetics.
It offers four finish options: chrome, classic Venetian bronze, fine Spotshield stainless steel, and arctic steel. According to the owners, Venetian bronze and Spotshield stainless steel are the most preferred choices. They look sleek under normal lighting conditions, and their resistance to smudges and fingerprints is equally high.
The tap uses a diamond-embedded ceramic disc cartridge. It minimizes leaks as well as wear on the faucet’s internal seals for as many as one million cycles (the industry standard is 500,000 cycles).
Touch On/Off
Apart from the single handle, this faucet offers the exclusive Touch2O that lets you activate the flow simply by touching anywhere on the spout. Its sensors are smart and highly responsive. They can tell the difference between a grab and a tap, eliminating the risk of accidental activation when you pull on the detachable head or adjust the body.
The technology is useful when you can’t quite use the handle, such as when you’re holding something. Just tap the faucet with your elbow or the back of your hand, and the water will flow. Plus, since minimal physical contact is required, touch activation also helps reduce the spread of bacteria in the kitchen.
Other Features
Other than the normal spray and aerated stream, the 9178T-DST also has a unique ShieldSpray mode that creates a kind of water shroud that surrounds the shooting stream in the center and helps block splatter. You can also pause the water with a button on the head when the handle isn’t convenient.
At the base of the faucet, there’s an LED light that indicates water temperature as well as battery status. The color varies among blue (cold), magenta (warm), and red (hot) to prevent any surprise when you use the touch feature. When the batteries run low, which will only happen once every few years, the light will flash red. The faucet is also compatible with an A/C adapter if you don’t like batteries, but it’s sold separately.
Additionally, there’s an auto-off function that will shut the faucet down when it runs for 4 minutes straight. If you have kids or pets that may turn on the water by accident or if you’re just the forgetful type, it may help save a lot of water.
Verdict
In a sense, the Leland 9178T-DST shows off the decades of experience Delta Faucet has under their belts. Not only does the faucet manage kitchen tasks with ease, but it also looks good while doing it.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty and its electronic components under a 5-year limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $189.66
- Height: 14.9 inches
- Reach: 9.2 inches
- Control: Single Handle/Sensor
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Bronze/Chrome/Matte Black/Stainless Steel
- Type: Pulldown Sprayer
- Sprayer: Triple Function
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Moen 7594ESRS Arbor High Arc Pulldown
Best Touchless
For a true touchless experience, this faucet is one of the best by today’s standards. With two motion sensors, premium build quality, and convenient features, the design brings plenty of utility to the kitchen and should be worth considering.
- Motion sensors
- Beautiful design
- Simple connections
- Battery- or AC-powered
- Expensive
When it comes to hands-free, pull-down faucets, it’s very hard to find one that can beat the Moen Arbor 7594E.
Pleasing Appearance
This Moen comes in a full metal body that’s about 15.5 inches high. Its sleek, seamless design, together with the visible motion sensors, signals a somewhat futuristic vibe. The smooth curvature of the spout is also visually pleasing. The design goes great with a flush-mounted sink and a stone counter with a rounded edge.
There are three finishes to choose from: chrome, brushed bronze, and Spot Resist stainless. Brushed bronze looks amazing in most kitchen settings, but doesn’t work as well against mineral deposits as Spot Resist stainless does.
Hands-Free Convenience
To avoid contamination from your messy hands, the Moen 7594E allows for remote activation using motion sensors. Our featured model has two sensors, one on the top of the neck and one at the base.
The one on top is called a wave sensor: you wave over it once to turn the water on and wave again to turn it off. Activating the water flow through the wave sensor will run the water only 2 minutes at a time or until you wave again to shut it off. So if somehow you forget to turn off the water, it still won’t be a disaster. The base sensor, on the other hand, is called a ready sensor: it activates when it detects the presence of objects, and deactivates otherwise.
You can disable the sensors altogether whenever you want following simple instructions in the user manual. The control box can run on batteries; there are six AAA batteries included that should be enough for a year. You can also get the power adapter, but you’ll have to buy it separately.
There’s also the Arbor 7594EW with only one wave sensor at the base, opposite the handle.
Other Features
The Moen offers two spray modes: a standard aerated stream and a powerful rinse mode called PowerClean. PowerClean produces pressurized water streams that rinse off what remains on your plate with concentrated force. Unfortunately, the splashing is a bit unpredictable despite what’s advertised.
One thing DIY enthusiasts appreciate about the Arbor 7594E is the simplicity of its connection fittings. Apart from the easy-connect joint that links up the spout and the cartridge, the control box also uses simple number-coded connections. You need only know how to use a ruler, a screwdriver, and a drill.
Verdict
The Moen Arbor 7594E is one of the best touchless kitchen faucets available. However, its true value doesn’t lie in the advanced technology but the attention to detail found in Moen’s craftwork.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty and its electronics parts under a 5-year limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $465.18
- Height: 15.5 inches
- Reach: 7.8 inches
- Control: Single Handle/Sensor
- Handle: Right-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Bronze/Chrome/Stainless Steel
- Type: Pulldown Sprayer
- Sprayer: Triple Function
- Spout Swivel: 100°
- Flow Rate: 1.5 gpm @ 60 psi
Kraus Nola KPF-1650 Kitchen Faucet
Best Commercial Style
This faucet is more functional than it is pretty. Offering nothing too extravagant besides durable construction, effective water functions, and a responsive neck, it should be perfect for those who enjoy the industrial aesthetics.
- Full-metal construction
- Responsive neck
- Bulky
The Kraus KPF 1650SS is more of a functional faucet than a pretty one. It offers nothing special besides durability and usability, with all-metal construction and a responsive spout.
Basic and Highly Functional
At 26.25 inches, this is a tall one, indeed. It’s the tallest faucet in this collection. It has what they call “commercial style” construction, in which the neck of the spout is a spring. You can pull on the head to bring it close to the bed of the sink, but the water hose doesn’t extend like pull-down or pull-out faucets.
The whole body is constructed of brass. It’s finished either with chrome or stainless steel plating, and the quality of craftsmanship is so impressive that you’ll find more than just a few praises from seasoned owners.
Other Features
The Kraus offers several convenient features, and one of them is the magnetic docking armature. You need only guide the head to the hand, and it will attach itself. Another is the tested, durable ceramic cartridge that will last for many years of daily use.
Verdict
The Kraus Nola KPF 1650 is more practical than flashy. It offers standard but finely tuned features and a strong, robust body that will last for years.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $184.79
- Height: 26.3 inches
- Reach: 8.6 inches
- Control: Single handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Chrome/Stainless Steel
- Type: Spring Neck/Pulldown Sprayer
- Sprayer: Dual Function
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Moen Arbor 7294 Kitchen Faucet
Best Pull-Out
The faucet looks like a scaled-down version of the high-arc Arbor 7594. They have very similar construction quality, from materials to craftsmanship. However, this is one of the smaller kitchen faucets, suitable for tighter spaces.
- Space-saving
- Beautiful design
- Comfortable spray wand
- Reported pressure problems
- Expensive
The Moen Arbor 7294 looks like a scaled-down version of the pull-down 7594. It’s made of the same material, finished with the same coatings, and has the same curved and seamless aesthetic, except with a shorter neck.
Simplistic Look
The Arbor 7294 is a solid pull-out faucet whose functionality has been tried and tested by numerous owners. It has a well-built and compact body that fits well in smaller kitchens. The pull-out wand takes an ergonomic shape, offering you a firm and comfortable grip.
People love the curvature in the faucet’s design as the outline easily blends in with most decor styles. There are four finishes in the collection, from chrome and Spot Resist stainless to matte black and oil-rubbed bronze. Matte black and Spot Resist stainless are the 7294’s best sellers.
Other Features
This faucet comes with two spray options: one for casual cleaning, the other for stickier food using Moen’s PowerClean technology. What it does is compress the water streams and increase the spray pressure. As a result, you have more power but also more splatter.
Another thing that we’ve noticed is that whenever you turn it on again, the faucet always switches back to the aerated stream mode. This little feature is a nice touch since the normal stream is far less intense and sudden than the PowerClean.
Verdict
The Moen Arbor 7294 is a compact, practical, and beautiful plumbing fixture. Although it costs more than the typical pull-out kitchen faucets, the premium you pay is for peace of mind against future troubles.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $244.62
- Height: 12.1 inches
- Reach: 8.1 inches
- Control: Single Handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Bronze/Chrome/Matte Black/Stainless Steel
- Type: Pullout Sprayer
- Sprayer: Triple Function
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.5 gpm @ 60 psi
Peerless 2-Handle Wall Mount Faucet
Best Wall Mount
For the conventional 2-hole wall-mount setup, this affordable faucet is not bad of a choice. While it doesn’t offer anything special, the faucet’s familiar design and reliable quality are its main appeals.
- Affordable
- Vintage look
- Supply lines not included
If you’re looking for a replacement for your two-handled wall-mount kitchen tap, the Peerless P299305LF is a great, well-rounded choice.
Peace of Mind and Sight
This traditional brass faucet is finished with chrome for a polished look and easy cleaning. The quarter-turn, dual-lever controls are less intuitive compared to single-lever mechanics but offer a more precise temperature mix. The spout has a high, arcing swan-neck that can swivel 360 degrees and allows it to fill tall containers without hassle.
The P299305LF boasts a vintage design that focuses on smooth curvature. The minor decorative details paired with the graceful neck and the double handles evoke images of a simpler past. The only shortcoming is in color choices as the chrome finish is the only available option.
Other Features
You will receive two connection adapters that help extend the configuration options. Specifically, they are threaded both outside and inside, making them compatible with more fitting setups for in-wall supply lines. The adapters also increase the connection reach of the faucet to fit water inlet spaced 7 to 9 inches apart.
Standard supply lines are required but are unfortunately not included.
Verdict
The P299305LF from Peerless doesn’t stand as an outstanding wall-mount tap judging purely from its specs, but its simplicity is strongly favored by users. This is probably thanks to the fact that Peerless is backed by Delta Faucet— a familiar and reputable brand.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $69.55
- Height: 9.4 inches
- Reach: 8 inches
- Control: Two Handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-Handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Chrome
- Type: Wall Mount
- Sprayer: n/a
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Fapully Commercial Pull Down Faucet
Best Industrial
If you have the space for a commercial kitchen faucet, this is one of the most recent best-selling models available online. Its design is nothing if not industrial, featuring a heavy, metal construction and ample water pressure.
- High pressure
- Full metal construction
- Bulky
Fapully offers a powerful spray head and a pot filler spout in one single combo tap that will change the way you see household kitchen faucets.
Industrial Functionality
It is a single-handle, multi-purpose kitchen faucet constructed entirely of brass, from the handle to the head. The entire unit is plated with brushed nickel, which is just as affordable and effective as chrome but with a warmer, less reflective tint.
You’ll notice right away how bulky this faucet is, but that is because of its heavy-duty, industrial structure. As a result, it has a long life-span and can maintain adequate water pressure even when both the spout and the spray head run at the same time.
The controls may take some getting used to. Water won’t come out when you turn the base handle (as with the typical faucets) unless you also open the desired outlet valves. In this case, they’re the spray head and the pot-filler spout.
Once the base handle is in its On position, users will have two readily-available outputs at the same time, giving them complete control over water usage. The function is especially handy when your kitchen is swamped with things to wash and clean.
Good wall-mount alternative: JZBRAIN Commercial Wall Mount Faucet
Other Features
The faucet features a commercial-grade spring neck that is both responsive and durable. The sprayer is comfortable to use and covers a wide range of motion. Do bear in mind, though, that the line is fixed and doesn’t extend. The dock for the head doesn’t do anything special either, but it’s able to keep the head secure using the natural pull of the spring.
Verdict
If you want something extra that can help you take care of a busy kitchen, this industry-oriented dual tap from Fapully is a very promising option, and you’ll find many who agree with us.
The faucet is under a 2-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $100.27
- Height: 21 inches
- Reach: 9.5”/6.9 inches
- Control: Single Handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Chrome/Bronze/Gold/Nickel/Matte Black/Black Stainless
- Type: Spring Neck/Multipurpose
- Sprayer: Lock Function
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: n/a
Delta Faucet Windermere 21996LF
Best Basic Tap Set
With a side sprayer and conventional two-handle design, this simple, traditional-style faucet delivers fantastic quality for the price. It’s an interesting model to check out if you have a 4-hole setup.
- Neat design
- Pull-out side sprayer
- Plastic body
If you don’t want anything but a simple, working faucet that can fulfill basic demands, you’re going to enjoy the Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF.
Stick to the Basics
This is a standard, two-handle faucet with a high-arc, swan-neck spout. Unlike the others picks on this list, its body is made of plastic but with metal plating, and the side sprayer is built the same. The materials make it lighter weight and give it an attractive price, but it stands to reason that the plastic parts won’t be as tough as brass.
There are three finish options: chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and stainless steel. The color of bronze looks great with the Victorian details that the Windemere 21996LF aims for. Stainless steel doesn’t look as good on this faucet, but it is more resistant to tarnishing.
Other Features
The faucet comes with a side sprayer to finish the set. Compared to pull-down, pull-out, and commercial-style faucets, the conventional design with a fixed spout seems a step back. So the side sprayer helps balance things out a bit, and it’s handy and easy to use.
Verdict
The Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF is frankly not the best kitchen tap. However, it’s familiar, easy to use, and can get the job done.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $112.01
- Height: 11.6”
- Reach: 8”
- Control: Two Handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Color: Bronze/Chrome/Matte Black/Stainless Steel
- Type: Deck Mount
- Sprayer: Side Sprayer
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Delta Leland 978-DST Single-Handle
Best Two-Hole Single Handle
For a less common 2-hole setup, this neat 2-piece faucet is definitely worth checking out. Aside from its high-end build quality, the faucet offers a long pulldown sprayer head and convenient magnetic docking.
- Elegant design
- Durable DIAMOND seal
- Magnetic docking
- Left- or right-handed operation
- Pricey
Besides the popular 1-hole (single handle) and 3-hole (dual handle) configurations, there’s a smattering of two-hole kitchen faucets such as the Delta Faucet Leland 978-DST. It sports a unique appearance but remains relatively efficient.
A Leland Build
This kitchen faucet bears the distinctive aesthetic details of the Delta Faucet Leland series and shares many resemblances with the popular 9178-DST. You can think of the 978 as the 9178 but with a separate handle that goes onto the deck and requires a separate mounting hole. You can position the handle either to the left or the right side of the spout.
The 978-DST possesses a detachable sprayer head on a 20-inch-long hose. The sprayer retracts in on itself and docks securely with the help of a magnetic lining. The long-lasting magnetic strip also eliminates any chance of the spout drooping over time.
Other Features
The faucet uses Delta Faucet’s Patented DIAMOND Seal Technology that doubles the industry standard of endurance. The spray holes are rubber that you can rub to clean out build-up. The 978 comes in three finish choices: Chrome, Arctic Stainless, and Venetian Bronze.
Verdict
The Leland 978-DST is a find you don’t want to miss. Not many kitchen faucets are able to nail both look and function the way this one does.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $249.47
- Height: 14.3”
- Reach: 9.1”
- Control: Single Handle
- Handle: Right-handed/Left-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Bronze/Chrome/Matte Black/Stainless Steel
- Type: Pulldown Sprayer
- Sprayer: Dual Function
- Spout Swivel: 360°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Brizo Artesso 63225LF with Articulating Arm
Best Looking Single-Hole
The Artesso series draws its aesthetic inspiration from the industrial look of the early 20th century. The overall look of the faucet and its unique jointed armature will serve as a strong focal point in your kitchen.
- Beautiful, unique design
- Magnetic docking
- Adjustable height and reach
- Expensive
The Artesso series draws its aesthetic inspiration from the industrial look of the early 20th century. The look of the Artesso 63225LF faucet and its unique jointed armature will serve as a potent visual focal point in your kitchen.
Articulating Arm
With its exclusive and clever design, you can adjust the positions of the spout’s armature— and thus its height and reach. Combine that with the 360-degree swivel body and the rotary joints, and you have a very adaptable piece of hardware.
When you take hold of the sprayer head, it works similarly to a faucet with a spring neck. The hose is made of semi-flexible rubber and does not extend, so it won’t maneuver quite as comfortably as a braided hose. The docking seat is magnetic so that you can secure it in place with little hassle.
Verdict
More details are in our dedicated review of the Brizo Artesso 63225LF. In short, it’s a premium faucet with one of the most innovative designs in the industry.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
hansgrohe Talis S² High Arc
Best hansgrohe
The faucet features a sleek, minimalist design with a high-arc spout. It enjoys a pull-down spray head with a push-to-spray mode and magnetic docking. Known best for its modern look, this faucet is a stylish and functional choice for contemporary kitchens.
- All-metal construction
- Little backsplash clearance needed
- Pricey
- Swivels only 150 degrees
Hansgrohe comes from Germany, and it is one of the world’s largest faucet and tap-supply companies. Its Talis S² High Arc Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, although not perfect, is adored by many for its quality build and minimalist appearance.
Adequate Performance
The model has a solid, all-brass body, rocking European details finished in either chrome or Steel Optic. It has a pull-out sprayer that can extend up to 12 inches (which is not very long) and magnetic lining for easy docking. The magnet, however, has been reported to be short-lived.
There are two water modes, stream and spray, that alternate using the button on the sprayer. To spray, you’ll have to hold the button down; release it to return to streaming. What’s more, the silicon nozzles are easy to clean, and the ceramic-disc cartridge lasts quite a while.
Verdict
All things considered, the hansgrohe Talis S² High Arc Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet is not the most cost-efficient. But if you’re looking for something with a foreign touch that simply works, this may be what you’re after.
The faucet is under a lifetime limited warranty.
Price at time of publish: $417.25
- Height: 16.1”
- Reach: 8.8”
- Control: Single Handle
- Handle: Right-handed
- Material: Metal
- Finish: Chrome/Gold/Stainless Steel
- Type: Pulldown Sprayer
- Sprayer: Dual Function
- Spout Swivel: 150°
- Flow Rate: 1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Buying Guide
Several important factors may affect your experience with a new kitchen faucet:
1. Types of Faucets
Hardware store shelves are replete with faucets of various kinds. There are pull-down kitchen faucets with tall necks, detachable spray heads, and long hoses. They offer a break from the standard fixed-neck taps. Pull-out faucets are much the same as pull-downs, except they have shorter spouts, making them suitable for smaller kitchens.
The extended hose on those two types allows users some extra reach beyond the sink itself, making it possible to fill a tall bucket that can’t fit under the faucet, for example.
Kitchen faucets are also categorized according to their control designs. Single-handles and double-handles are the two most popular styles. There are also touchless faucets with motion or touch control technology, which have been on the rise in the last couple of years.
Several brands have also started developing voice command processors for their kitchen faucets, but the application has not yet reached its full potential. We recommend giving it a few more years.
2. Types of Cartridges
By maneuvering the handle, we control the cartridge or stem— the single most important mechanical component of a faucet. The job of a cartridge is to open and close the pathway for the water. There are two popular types: single-function cartridges and mixer cartridges.
Single-Function
Single-line stems allow for only one water line each, either hot or cold. You will see them in two-handle faucets and single-handle faucets that have only one water inlet. These stems employ either ceramic discs, which is the newer approach, or compression presses, which is comparatively outdated and mostly found in retro or vintage designs.
Disc cartridges hold a pair of ceramic discs fitted against each other. When one disc rotates, the two gaps on the other disc are uncovered, allowing water to pass. People sometimes call these “quarter-turn handles,” since they rotate 90 degrees.
The surfaces of the two discs are lubricated and processed with incredible precision to eliminate friction and reinforce sealing. Plus, ceramic itself doesn’t wear out easily, so disc cartridges last very long and are rarely subject to maintenance. However, they are vulnerable to debris in the water. Tiny residues can lodge and potentially damage the brittle discs if you accidentally apply too much force when it feels stuck.
Faucets that use compression cartridges are easily recognized by their knob handles which you tighten to apply pressure and seal off the water flow. These washers require replacement more regularly than the ceramic discs in disc cartridges and are generally less favorable.
Mixer (Dual-Function)
Mixer cartridges let you control two water supply lines at the same time using only one lever. Unlike normal cartridges, a mixer is a chamber that allows the hot and cold water to mix before exiting the spout. The two most common mixer cartridges are ball valves and ceramic disc cartridges.
Ceramic disc mixer cartridges work the same way as single-line disc cartridges, except the disc set has two openings for both hot and cold water.
Ball valves, though developed based on the same principles, use a different design. These come as multiple pieces, which makes replacing them more complicated than replacing cartridges. The effectiveness and longevity of these valves depend greatly on the material, which is why it’s recommended to steer clear of plastic and go for metals like brass.
3. Controls
One of the biggest questions about faucets these days is whether touchless control is worthwhile. To decide, we think it boils down to how often you would have to rely on the sensors.
For instance, if your hands are often so busy that turning the handle is a challenge, the addition of motion sensors can be an immense help. It helps if you’re simply a health-conscious individual, as well, because touching is limited. Otherwise, it’s not worth the money because it doesn’t add significant functionality.
With handles, you can either choose single or double. Single-handle mechanisms are more advanced— they let you do a two-handed job with only one— but double-handle faucets are more accurate at temperature mixing. The temperature difference is not usually very noticeable, so people now go for the double-handle design mostly for its nostalgic effect.
4. Useful Features
Many pull-down or pull-out faucets have multiple spraying configurations. Concentrated streams can lend extra pressure for rinsing, and a boosted flow helps shorten simple filling tasks. Thumb-trigger valves in the sprayer also allow you to pause the stream at times to save water during any transition.
Most touchless faucets have an auto-shutoff feature that will automatically turn the water off if it runs for several minutes straight. Newer hands-free models have improved sensors with better sensitivity that restrict accidental activation, which will come in handy if there are pets in your house.
A protective finish is also important unless you don’t care about the appearance of your fixtures. Other helpful features include temperature indicators, improved seals, simplified design for installation, and head-docking support, to name a few.
5. Mounting Holes
Certain faucets only require one mounting hole for their installation, but other sets may need as many as five. If you don’t have enough of them on your countertop, you will need to have some cut out. Rest assured that the process won’t take much effort or time.
If there are holes that you won’t be using, the easiest way to handle the situation is using escutcheon plates or caps (sometimes not included) to cover them up. Alternatively, you can reserve the holes for a soap dispenser or a side sprayer.
6. Price Ranges
A basic functional faucet is around $50, even cheaper. As the price ranges up toward $100, the construction gets better. More specifically, you’ll start to see metal materials like brass and stainless steel more frequently than plastic, still mainstreamed but more sophisticated designs, and hardware that is less prone to leaking.
Price points between $100 and $250 have the most exciting values. There are high-quality construction materials and craftsmanship, which results in greater durability; more unique designs, ranging from Victorian to more futuristic looks; and more high-end features, such as magnetic docking (for detachable head sprayers) and sensors.
There’s nothing much going on over the $250 mark. Most of the upgrades in the top-tier range are minor and look-oriented; the gold finish is one prime example. The only functional additions in this range are smart features (including voice command), which are only available at around $500 and higher.
Big Boxes and Plumbing Supply Stores
Plumbers often recommend against buying fixtures from big-box stores. They apparently achieve the lower prices by picking lower-quality internals. The products may share the same appearance as their counterparts from official supply stores but bear lower-tier parts and are specifically manufactured to supply superstore chains.
Throughout our research, the impression has been that local plumbing suppliers are usually the better option even though they may cost more. Plumbing fixtures, particularly heavily-used ones like kitchen faucets, are prone to problems but can be tough to repair. That’s why many people agree that paying for premium hardware is a reasonable tradeoff.
Conclusion
So that’s our review for the best kitchen sink faucets in 2024. Have you had any experience with our picks, or do you have any recommendations that we might want to look into? Talk to us in the comment section and help make this article even more useful to the next reader.
