With so many options in kitchen faucets available, it can be a challenge to find the right model for your home. However, there are certain ways to make the process easier, including knowing more about the specific features and functions you want and the most trusted brands and products. This complete guide will help you find the best kitchen faucets regardless of what you need.
What Makes a Good Faucet?
What specifically makes a good kitchen faucet will ultimately depend on the buyer. However, everyone wants a faucet that is built to last with some of the best materials while complementing the rest of the kitchen’s decor. It’s important to figure out what you want your faucet to provide in terms of function and look, and some features might be more appealing than others depending on its intended use.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the kitchen faucet , so take some time to decide on the design and features you want for your faucet before making a final decision.
What Are Some Common Features and Practical Functions
There are many different considerations when choosing a kitchen faucet. You can choose from a nearly unlimited selection of features and design options that optimize functionality. The following are some of the myriad options to consider for your kitchen faucet.
Wall-Mount or Deck-Mount Installation
Deck-mount faucets can attach to either the sink or countertop, while wall-mount faucets attach to the wall to hang over the sink.
Keep in mind that if you want to install a deck-mount faucet, the number of holes on the sink will be an important consideration.
Handles
Traditionally, kitchen faucets feature either a single handle that rotates directionally for temperature change or two handles that can mix hot and cold water. Handles could include a sprayer that sits beside the faucet or a sprayer featuring a pull-out and pull-down operation along with different stream options.
Hands-free faucets are also an increasingly popular option, featuring either a touch- or motion-sensor operation available with both volume and temperature controls. The latter features can make these models particularly safe for children. Hands-free faucets also increase accessibility, allowing users at any level of physical ability to use them.
Use for the Sink
Prior to selecting a faucet, consider the most common uses for the sink. Do you frequently wash bulkier dishes like pots and pans? Installing a high-arch faucet that allows for plenty of room between the faucet and sink might be a good option. If you have enough space in the kitchen, you may want to install a bar prep faucet for use in a side sink, which can help keep vegetables and meats separate when preparing meals.
Finishes
For a more unified look in the kitchen, go with a faucet that has a matching finish to the surrounding cabinets. You can find many affordable finishes in bronze, chrome, and stainless steel or nickel.
Other Features
Depending on your preferences, you may want to install features such as in-faucet filters that can efficiently filter tap water. However, keep maintenance and volume in mind when deciding whether to include this feature. You can also install built-in soap dispensers to keep the sink consistently clean, and hot water dispensers are ideal if you frequently make hot beverages or need to fill pots with heated water.
What Is a Good Price and What Does Spending More Money Get You?
The price of a kitchen faucet can vary greatly depending on the features and installation options. According to Angie’s List, the average faucet will range from $114 to $189, but replacing an existing faucet can cost as much as $225 to $275. However, don’t be afraid to spend more if you want to fully customize your sink with appealing features or long-lasting materials that help you get the most from your purchase, but be sure to research the company selling or installing the sink and the manufacturer to learn more about whether they’re truly reliable. The cheaper the sink, the less likely it is to be a good purchase and the more you may pay in maintenance and, ultimately, replacement.
What Are Some Trusted Brands?
When shopping for a new kitchen sink, you’ll come across many manufacturers, some of which you’ve probably heard of while others may be unfamiliar to you, some for good reason. Keeping an eye out for the best brands can help you avoid wasting time on shopping for a sink that may look better than it actually is.
Some of the most trusted brands known for their quality of design and construction include:
- KOHLER
- Karran
- Elkay
- Allora
- Delta
- Moen
- American Standard
- Badijum
- FORIOUS
- Comllen
- APPASO
All of these brands are considered to be among the most reputable. Chances are you’ll find a sink from these manufacturers that’s worth installing in the home.
What Are Some Things to Look Out for?
Here are some other aspects of a kitchen sink installation you may want to consider before making a purchase.
Spout Shapes and Styles
Straight spout faucets are often the most inexpensive and compact, but you may need to move them if you want to fit a large pot underneath them. If you need more clearance for your sink, you’re better off getting a gooseneck model, but keep in mind that these can cause splashing if the sink is shallow. Regardless of the spout style or shape you choose, make sure it reaches the entire sink, and keep the faucet proportional to the sink, using a large faucet for a large sink, or a smaller faucet for a smaller sink.
Matching Faucet with Mounting Holes
A majority of sinks come with pre-drilled mounting holes and certain accessories such as soap dispensers and side sprays. If you want to keep the original sink and are installing a deck-mount sink, you’ll need to match the holes in the sink with the holes in the faucet base plate or find a plate that covers extra holes. Avoid buying a faucet that requires more sink holes than your sink contains, as it’s never a good idea to drill more holes in a countertop or sink.
Installation and Repair Considerations
Replacing both your sink and faucet simultaneously is easier because faucets can be pre-installed with sinks or in countertops before the sink is installed. You can also find fittings that merely require tightening with a screwdriver to further simplify installation. A faucet with a long water-supply hose can also enable lower connections in the sink cabinet, which can make repairs even easier when needed. Keep in mind that if a faucet leaks despite the manufacturer’s guarantee, the manufacturer will only provide you with one replacement part that you will need to install on your own.
The 10 Best Kitchen Faucets
If you’re searching for the best kitchen faucets on the market, the following are some of the highest-rated options available on Amazon, along with our reviews for them based on what we found.
1. Delta 9178-AR-DST
Price: $163.49
Unique Features:
- DIAMOND Seal Technology to help reduce leakage for the lifetime of the faucet
- Magnetic docking that uses a powerful magnet to keep the kitchen sprayer snapped into place without drooping
- Powerful spray using ShieldSpray Technology that can cut through difficult messes using a powerful
stream in a protective sphere - Easy installation for up to 8-in. hole configurations, with all components included in the package
- Delta’s lifetime limited warranty to allow for confident installation
What’s Great:
- Overall good performance among users
- Appealing design
- Plastic water lines that are safer for drinking water than copper pipes
- Consistent spray and regular flow
- Magnetic dock and latch feature works great and lasts long
- Easy to install as advertised
Issues:
- Retainer securing hoses tends to snap off when first installed, which is a common complaint
- Rubber hosing can deteriorate over time and cause black specks in water
- No low flow option in high temperature setting
- Buttons controlling flow can stick, resulting in dribbling from the back of the faucet head
2. Moen 7594ESRS Arbor Motionsense Two-Sensor Touchless One-Handle Pulldown
Price: $359.99
Unique Features:
- Spot resistant stainless steel finish
- Two MotionSense sensors that allow for easy hands-free use
- Power clean spray that provides more force than many other pull-out and pull-down faucets
- Ability to install with one or three holes
- Comes with Moen’s limited lifetime warranty
What’s Great:
- Convenient high-arc design that provides ample space for pots
- Flawless motion sensing in any lighting
- Easy installation with clear instructions
- Simple switching from spray to stream
- Worth the price for reliable hands-free use and long lifetime
Issues:
- Filters frequently clog
- Sometimes turns on and off at random, with inconsistent flow times
- Unable to use with a dead battery or without power
- Insufficient water flow in some cases, largely due to clogging filters
3. KOHLER K-596-Vs Simplice High-Arch
Price: $206.27
Unique Features:
- Pull down kitchen faucet for one-handed control and plenty of reach
- Sweep spray, boost, and stram spray head for versatility of function
- Spray head and hose are pre-installed with flexible supply lines for easy installation
- DockNetic magnetic docking for securely locking the spray head
- Ceramic disc valves maximize longevity
- Long-lasting finish
- Kohler lifetime limited warranty is included
What’s Great:
- Quick installation in as little as half an hour
- Lower volume output which helps save water
- Looks good when installed
- Precise temperature control in increments
- Mostly reliable construction
Issues:
- Requires cable tie to hold wight above loop on faucet head, which Kohler doesn’t provide
- Spray head and hose experience leaking issues in some models, requiring frequent replacements
- Some users reported dripping tap when shut off
4. American Standard 4175.300.075
Price: $157.50
Unique Features:
- Brass swivel spout
- Pull-down spray that includes pause feature and adjustable spray pattern
- High-arc spout for plenty of clearance
- Metal lever handle
What’s Great:
- Quick installation with minimal hassle
- Great design and overall look
- Consistent flow rate
- Easy adjustability between spray and stream
Issues:
- Problems retracting pull-down spray, but this is fixable with supplied weights and
- No magnet or other mechanism to keep the nozzle in place apart from a counterweight
- Leakage from hose after a period of time in some cases
5. Best Commercial Stainless Steel Single Handle Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet,
Pull Out Kitchen Faucets Brushed Nickel by Comllen
Price: $79.99
Unique Features:
- Single-hole simple installation
- Connector to prevent leakage
- Brushed steel finish resists corrosion and tarnish
- Single handle for easy temperature control
- Pull-out sprayer with 360-degree rotation
- Compatible with all natural stone, composite granite, and stainless steel sinks
What’s Great:
- Great buy for the price
- Easy operation using the single handle
- Attractive design
- Easy to install
Issues:
- Malfunctioning stream/spray button in some cases
- Prone to leaks
- Head of the faucet doesn’t connect with the neck securely
6. Touchless Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer, Kitchen Sink Faucet with Pull Out Sprayer, Single Hole and 3 Hole Deck Mount, Single Handle For Automatic
Motion Sensor, Brushed Nickel, FORIOUS
Price: $169.99
Unique Features:
- Motion sensor function that allows for easy touch-free use
- Automatic pull-out sprayer
- 360-degree sprayer with two-function head
- Brushed nickel finish and copper with CUPC certification
- Quick-connect design for easy installation
What’s Great:
- Great value for the price
- Easily switched from touchless to manual operation
- Safety feature turns water off after three minutes
- As easy to install as advertised
Issues:
- Problems with motion sensor in some cases
- Braided hoses are too short for some
- Water spray function isn’t highly controllable
- Short water supply lines
7. Peerless Tunbridge 2-Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet with Side Sprayer, Chrome
P299578LF
Price: $48.20
Unique Features:
- Easy installation for configurations at 8″ with four holes
- 360-degree swivel
- Powerful side sprayer
- Lifetime limited warranty
What’s Great:
- Truly easy installation (though it’s advised to save time with a basin wrench)
- Great high-quality all-metal construction
- Hose comes attached to sprayer without need to buy hose separately
- Plenty of versatility with high-arc swivel
Issues:
- Water output can be underwhelming
- May leak through pinhole in the neck
8. Kraus KPF-1650SS Nola Kitchen Faucet, Stainless Steel
Price: $98.99
Unique Features:
- Flexible functionality with magnetic docking and smooth-retract hose
- Durable using eco-friendly, drip-free construction and lead-free materials
- Spray and stream settings using pull-down sprayer
- Comes with Kraus lifetime limited warranty
What’s Great:
- Looks great once installed
- Easy to use the swivel to reach every area of the sink
- Easy to install
- Even spray and stream patterns, and spray makes it easy for precision rinsing
Issues:
- Dripping is a potential problem
- Fake metallic sheen on closer inspection adds cheaper look
- Where hose arches, plastic construction is obvious
9. APPASO Pull Down Kitchen Faucet with Sprayer Stainless Steel Brushed Nickel –
Single Handle
Price: $59.95
Unique Features:
- Eco-friendly stainless steel construction, certified by IAMPO
- 100% original patented pull-down design
- Built to last with stainless steel and ceramic materials
- Comes with stream, spray, and pause settings
- Takes 20 minutes to install in 4 steps
- Comes with 90-day money-back guarantee
What’s Great:
- Sufficient water pressure
- Operates smoothly for handle and hose
- Allows for plenty of space for pots and other larger dishes
- Installation is simple
Issues:
- Leaking problems can occur
- Vulnerable to tarnishing around plate hole cover
10. Badijum Touchless
Price: $199.99
Unique Features:
- High-quality construction with stainless steel and brass
- Hands-free motion sensor allows for easy use
- Pull-down head features adjustable flow to save water
- One-hole push-fit design for easy installation
- Comes with 3-year warranty
What’s Great:
- Easy installation even for inexperienced users
- Motion sensor functions well
- Shuts off once you return sprayer to the base
- Overall highly convenient to use
Issues:
- Handle leaks in some cases
- Doesn’t allow for easy switch to manual use
Taking all of this into account, you can find the right kitchen faucet for your home based on your
installation specifications and design preferences.
Additional Considerations About our Top 10 Picks
Delivering convenience on command, these faucets feature simple installation. They also comply with:
- NSF/ANSI 372
- Lead content requirements for “lead-free” plumbing as defined by: California, Vermont, Maryland, and Louisiana and the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act
- CAL Green criteria they help to conserve water in the average home by at least 20 percent.