When considering a kitchen renovation, the majority of the budget is typically allocated to cabinetry and new appliances. Despite this, smaller design elements, like fixtures, can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your cooking area.
The kitchen faucet is considered a vital piece of hardware, serving as a workhorse for various tasks such as washing hands, rinsing fruits and vegetables, and keeping the space clean. When considering a purchase, shoppers should not simply choose the first kitchen sink faucet they see, as there are many factors to consider beyond just brand and price. With a wide range of styles, finishes, and features available, selecting the best sink kitchen faucet for your needs can feel overwhelming.
Discover the ultimate kitchen faucet with our top picks list. Our most recommended option is the Delta Leland Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, featuring a 1.8-GPM flow rate, touch operation, and durable stainless finish choices.
After thoroughly researching the top products available, we have selected this collection for our at-home testing. The individual reviews will reveal the outcomes for each one. Consider one of these highly rated options to complete your kitchen setup.
When selecting the top kitchen faucets, we first assessed design and utility, as customers do during a renovation. The brands we chose hold significance in this phase, as looks can be deceiving when buying online. Our selections come from reputable suppliers with a strong presence in the industry. We included a variety of products that can be easily installed by DIYers.
Our team tested all of the chosen faucets in our personal kitchen and put them to use for a day to accurately evaluate their design, installation process, and performance. Our assessment was based on 10 factual criteria and 10 expert opinions, resulting in the selection of category champions. To be considered, a faucet needed to achieve a minimum score of 7 out of 10 on our rating system.
Our selection of kitchen faucets takes into account shoppers' budgets, design preferences, and finishes. We conducted home trials and thoroughly evaluated each model's installation, appearance, and functionality, noting overall specs, pros, and cons.
Delta is a top manufacturer in the home improvement and building products industry, known for revolutionizing faucet manufacturing. Their leading product is a perfect balance of traditional style and modern features, offering a pull-down spout, gooseneck design, smudge-proof brushed finish, single-handle function for water control, and touch-on activation for minimal contact operation.
The faucet incorporates Touch2O technology, utilizing magnets for secure docking of the spray head and effortless water control. Users can easily monitor the water temperature through an LED light and select from three spray modes. In addition to brushed stainless, the faucet is available in chrome, arctic stainless, and Venetian bronze finishes.
The touch feature added a few more steps to our installation process, involving the installation of a solenoid and battery pack. Despite this, the process was not overly challenging. However, compared to other manufacturers who use braided water supply lines, Delta’s plastic lines are stiffer, which made the process slightly more complex. The water pressure was satisfactory with no leaks, and the innovative shield spray feature reduced overspray by 80 percent.
Experience less mess and overspray with the Shield spray pattern. The touch-activated on/off feature allows for effortless use with full hands. The high arc design provides convenient sink access and ample space for dishes. Made with quality zinc alloy components, these faucets are both durable and elegant.
As a product expert, it's important to note that The Best Kitchen Faucets Tested in 2024 offer plastic supply lines which may not have the same durability as other options. Additionally, keep in mind that the faucet is battery-operated and may require a sufficient number of batteries. Furthermore, the assembly process may be somewhat complex.
Delta is a top brand in home improvement and building products and was a pioneer in revolutionizing faucet manufacturing. This highly recommended choice combines classic design with innovative features. This faucet is more than just aesthetically pleasing. It incorporates all the desired qualities of a contemporary kitchen faucet, including a pull-down spout, gooseneck design, smudge-proof brushed finish option, single-handle control for water flow, and touch-on activation for minimizing contact.
The faucet utilizes Touch2O technology for turning water on and off and utilizes magnets for docking the spray head properly. It also includes an LED light to indicate water temperature and has three different spray modes. For those who prefer a different finish, there are three other options available: chrome, arctic stainless, and Venetian bronze.
During our installation, the touch feature required a few additional steps, such as installing the solenoid and battery pack. While not overly difficult, the process was made slightly more complicated by Delta's use of stiffer plastic water supply lines instead of the more common braided type. The resulting good water pressure and elimination of 80 percent of overspray, thanks to the shield spray feature, were notable features.
Product Specs
Constructed with alloy steel for durability and a visually pleasing appearance, this kitchen faucet features a spot-resistant stainless finish that requires minimal maintenance. The boost-stream button allows for a quicker flow rate and installation is made easy with the Duralock Quick Connect Installation System.
The design may appear excessive in light of the reduced water flow rate. The positioning of the handle may also feel inconvenient. On occasion, the faucet may drip a few times after being turned off.
Moen's reputation for creating durable and attractive products is well-known. What sets the Moen Arbor faucet apart from its competitors is the Duralock Quick Connect Installation System, making installation effortless. The faucet also boasts a 68-inch hose designed with Reflex technology to provide flexible, pivot, and stretch capabilities without tangling or sustaining damage.
The Arbor boasts a boost-stream feature that allows for a quicker clean and fill by simply pressing a button to control the water flow. The faucet is available in four finishes: chrome, stainless steel, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze. While it is priced similarly to the Delta Leland model, the Arbor does not have the touchless option.
As a kitchen and faucet expert, we were impressed by the Moen faucet's blend of high quality and effortless design, all at a reasonable price. The components felt sturdy and the extended pull-down hose was a standout feature. In our testing, it was a breeze to install in any sink. Although the flow rate of 1.5-GPM may seem low, the added boost-stream function easily increases the flow as desired. While the one we tested was manual, this same model can also be purchased with touch or touchless options.
WEWE, a budget-friendly home improvement company, specializes in kitchen and bathroom faucets, baths, and shower products. Their high-arc single-handle faucet boasts a stylish tulip design that effortlessly complements most sinks. With a three-way spray setting, it allows for stream, spray, and pause options, perfect for multitasking. The kitchen faucet already comes with preinstalled pull-down and water line hoses for quick installation. Its durable finish is resistant to corrosion, rust, and smudges, keeping the faucet looking clean and new.
The WEWE High Arc faucet can be installed with ease, thanks to its absence of electronic components. While the metal construction may feel less durable than other options, its low cost makes this understandable. Additionally, its 1.8-GPM flow rate is generous and efficient for various tasks, and we encountered no issues with dripping or leaking.
Selecting the ideal kitchen faucet involves careful consideration of its key features including the handle, reach, and mounting style. Whether upgrading or replacing an old faucet, these factors should be kept in mind to make the best choice.
Three handle options, including single, double, and touchless, are available for The Best Kitchen Faucets Tested in 2024.
Kitchen faucet spouts come with stationary, pull-down, or pull-out options.
While both pull-out and pull-down faucets share many similarities, the primary distinction lies in the required clearance. Typically, pull-down faucets feature a taller gooseneck spout and a shorter spray hose compared to pull-out models. Single-basin sinks with greater depth would benefit from the use of pull-down faucets.
The spouts of pull-out faucets are shorter and their hoses are longer than those of pull-downs. This allows for quick filling of pots and pans on the countertop, rather than in the sink. These faucets are ideal for use with shallow, double-basin sinks.
Select a sink with predrilled mounting holes for easy installation of faucets and accessories, including soap dispensers. If you want to pair a new sink with your chosen faucet, ensure the number of mounting holes match, or choose an undermount or drop-in sink without holes and align the countertop holes with your faucet's requirements.
When replacing a faucet on an existing sink, it is crucial to ensure that the mounting mechanism matches precisely. Additionally, if the faucet includes a base or deck plate, it can effectively conceal any unused holes. It is generally recommended to avoid purchasing a faucet with more sinkholes than your sink has, as drilling new holes is a difficult and not recommended DIY task.
Wall-mounted faucets, which are commonly installed near stoves, are specifically designed for filling pots. Although not as popular, this type of mounting is offered as an alternative to sink-mounted options.
Faucet water flow is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). In the past, rates of 2 GPM or higher were typical in older fixtures, but modern building codes now mandate a maximum flow rate of 1.8 GPM to save water. In certain regions, low-flow faucets with a maximum rate of 1.5 GPM must be used.
One potential benefit of opting for a low-flow faucet is that it can lead to cost savings on your water bill, in addition to complying with building codes. However, a trade-off of this choice is a longer wait time when filling larger containers such as pots, pans, and pitchers. To address this issue, some low-flow faucets feature a stream boost button that allows for a temporary increase in water flow when needed, quickly returning to low flow once the button is released.
Possible faucet designs include straight and gooseneck curves.
Different finishes are offered for faucets, such as chrome, stainless steel, nickel, platinum, pewter, and matte black. The type of finish chosen can impact the appearance, cleaning ease, resistance to stains and rust, and cost of the faucet.
The finish of the faucet determines its susceptibility to fingerprints and water spots. For those concerned about smudges, a brushed option is a great choice as it helps to conceal them. Ultimately, the choice of finish should complement your kitchen and decor.