Any realtor will tell you that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. That’s why remodeling it dramatically increases its value if you should ever put it on the market.
Besides, that’s where most families spend the majority of their time. Why would you want to cook in a space that fills you with dread every time you step into it?
Don't get us wrong. We don't mean blowing all your money at once, embarking on a complete kitchen overhaul. However, with proper planning and budgeting, you can touch up various aspects of it slowly over time.
One of the first things you can start with is installing a new faucet. It’s an efficient and cost-effective way to spruce up your kitchen without breaking the bank while you’re at it.
Not sure which one to get? You’re in luck. We’ve put together the top 10 options for the best kitchen faucets. They might just make you want to do the dishes more often.
1. Best Overall – Wewe Brushed Nickel Kitchen Faucet
If you’re in the market for a sleek multifunctional kitchen faucet, then you’ll love what the Wewe single-handle faucet brings to the table. Unlike many other models you’ll come across, this particular one comes with three water outlet settings. You can set it to stream, which is ideal if you’re filling a pot with water, spray when you need to rinse or pause to avoid splashing when you're in multitasking mode.
We particularly like how remarkably easy it is to install. It comes with a waterline and pull-down hose, pre-installed inside the faucet chamber, so you can set up the unit yourself without having to call on a plumber to do it for you.
This high arc faucet has a 360-degree swivel spout that gives you full-range access from all directions and even comes with a built-in retractable sprayer head.
Specs
- Finish: Brushed nickel
- Body material: Brass
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Pause
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- Attractive, sleek design blends into any kitchen
- Comes with a multipurpose water outlet
- Made using high-quality components
Cons
- May require a faucet stabilizer if you’re installing it on a stainless steel sink
The Verdict
Overall, this faucet is extremely low-maintenance, rust-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, making it one of the most durable faucets we’ve come across. Its price-point isn’t too bad either.
2. Best Budget Choice – Forious Kitchen Faucet
Next up is the Forious brushed-nickel faucet. The first thing that strikes you is its sleek, elegant design, which makes it look pretty swanky. It’s an absolute beauty. What we liked about it is the sheer amount of value it delivers for the price. Seriously, you'll be hard-pressed to find a kitchen faucet that costs less than $35 that isn’t total rubbish.
It comes with a single handle that allows you to easily adjust the water temperature and pressure, as well as three different settings – stream, spray, and sweep – that allow you to change how the water flows out of the outlet. It also has a built-in waterline and pull-down hose, which makes the installation process quick and easy.
The water valve is made of a high-quality, sturdy ceramic cartridge that’s been tried and tested to provide a lifetime’s worth of excellent service. All the components are cUPC-certified, making this particular faucet safe for long-term use.
Specs
- Finish: Brushed nickel
- Body material: Stainless steel
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Sweep
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- Quick and easy installation process
- Made from high-quality components
- It is cUPC-certified
Cons
- The single handle lever has a bit of resistance when adjusting
The Verdict
All in all, for the price, you couldn’t ask for a better faucet.
3. Best Premium Choice – Delta Faucet Leland VoiceIQ
As far as premium kitchen faucets go, it doesn’t get any better than the Delta Faucet Leland with VoiceIQ. That’s right. If you thought that touchless motion sensitive faucets were all the rage, this particular unit will blow your mind.
All you have to do is connect it to your voice-activated smart device like Google Assistant or Alexa, and use your voice to command it to turn on or off. You can even command it to pour precise amounts of water like 2 cups, 3 cups, etc., or enter custom commands like filling your coffee pot or dog bowl. It truly is next-gen technology.
It also comes with touch sensors that allow you to use your wrist or arm to turn on the water-flow by touching anywhere on the spout. It is easy to install and comes in single-hole and 3-hole configurations.
Specs
- Finish: SpotShield stainless
- Body material: Zinc
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Sweep
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- It is voice-activated
- Allows you to touch on or off
- Easy to install
Cons
- The spray tends to splash slightly under high pressure
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a premium faucet, this is the real deal. It comes with so many functional features that you simply won’t get with any other kind of faucet out there. It’s a definite winner in our books.
4. Best Commercial Faucet – Owofan Solid Brass
If you’re in the market for a commercial-grade kitchen faucet, the Owofan pull-down faucet will not disappoint. This matte-black beauty is made of thick, corrosion-resistant, and highly-durable solid brass and measures 16 inches in height, making it ideal for virtually any kitchen cabinet.
Its flexible sprinklers give you the full 360-degree full range of motion, allowing you to easily reach every corner of your sink. The nozzle is specially designed to work with any single or double bowls.
We particularly like the stream and spray settings that come with it. The spray holes effectively filter out any mineral residue and debris, which you can easily wipe away to get an instant refreshed look. If you want to switch from spray to stream, the multi-flow two-function spray wand allows you to do just that.
This faucet is built using high-quality components, including a long-lasting ceramic cartridge that’s easy to install and virtually maintenance-free.
Specs
- Finish: Matte black
- Body material: Solid brass
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- It is corrosion-resistant and highly-durable
- It uses a durable ceramic cartridge valve
- Quick and easy installation process
Cons
- The supply lines that come with the unit may be too short for some kitchens
The Verdict
All in all, if performance, functionality, durability, and reliability matter a great deal to you, then the Badger 5 will not disappoint. Its durable steel construction is designed for rugged performance that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
5. Best High Arc – Rulia PB1020 Pull-Down Faucet
If you’re in the market for a high-arc kitchen faucet, the Rulia PB1020 is a remarkable piece of ingenuity. Everything about it is built for high-performance and longevity. It measures 15 inches in height and has a spout reach of 8.8 inches, which is pretty impressive for a non-commercial kitchen faucet.
If you need to fill pots, pans, or bowls, the splash-free aerated stream provides a fast, easy, and convenient way to do this. It even has a flexible pause button that effectively prevents splashing when you’re using it in multitask mode.
It delivers a powerful pre-rinse spray to clean the dishes thoroughly and rinse your sink when you’re done with them. It comes with a built-in retractable spray wand that can stretch up to 30 inches for ease of use.
Specs
- Finish: Brushed nickel
- Body material: Solid copper
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Pause
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- It is built to last
- Does not splash when using it multitask mode
- It looks fantastic
Cons
- It is slightly difficult to control the flow volume
The Verdict
At just under $50, the Rulia PB1020 delivers an outstanding amount of value for the money. It’s a must-have for every kitchen.
6. Best Pull-Down – Moen 7594EC Arbor
At first glance, the stunning mirror-like chrome finish is highly reflective, making it ideal for virtually any kitchen style. Its beauty is not just superficial, though. It is engineered to deliver exceptional performance at every turn.If your current kitchen faucet doesn’t have a pull-down sprayer, let’s just say you’re missing out big-time on the chance to simplify the cleanup process. You would be surprised at just how much time you’re wasting when using a conventional faucet. The Moen 7594EC Arbor is undoubtedly one of the most versatile feature-rich kitchen faucets we’ve come across.
For starters, this particular unit comes with MotionSense technology for touchless convenience. It is also built with a superior Power Clean feature to provide up to 50 percent more spray power compared to conventional pull-down sprayers. The best thing about it is – you can install it on one or three holes, and even comes with an escutcheon. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Specs
- Finish: Chrome
- Body material: Metal
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Pause
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- Stunning appearance
- Provides a more powerful spray compared to conventional faucets
- It is backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Slightly pricey
The Verdict
The Moen 7594EC Arbor is outstanding in every way. It is built for high-performance and convenience, something you’ll appreciate every time you’re doing the dishes.
7. Best Matte Black Finish – Arofa A01BY Single Handle Faucet
If you’re looking to go against the grain and switch things up in your kitchen to give it a modern contemporary look, a matte black faucet is guaranteed to do just that. It is unique, elegant, and bold, which adds a timeless and exotic appeal to your space.
The Arofa A02BY is the perfect addition to any kitchen. It has a premium matte finish that protects your faucet from water spots and fingerprints, so you'll save a tremendous amount of time cleaning it, compared to faucets with metallic finishes. It is easy-to-use, easy-to-install, and built with high-quality components designed to stand the test of time.
Specs
- Finish: Matte black
- Body material: Metal
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream/Spray/Pause
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- It complements virtually any kind of kitchen
- Low-maintenance and easy to clean
- Pocket-friendly price-point
Cons
- Black-coating starts to fade the base of the faucet after long-term use
The Verdict
Given its affordable price-point and impressive performance, the benefits of this faucet certainly outweigh the drawbacks. It’s worth the buy.
8. Best Double Handle Faucet – EZ-FLO 10201
If you’re looking for a traditional timeless two-handle kitchen faucet, you can’t go wrong with the EZ-FLO 10201. It has a clean, sleek, almost-mirror-like appearance and comes with a side pull-out sprayer for added convenience.
The spout swivels 180 degrees to provide the full range of cleaning access and requires a 4-hole installation for the deck mount and the side sprayer. It has a lasting appearance thanks in large part to its corrosion-resistant finishing, so you don’t have to worry about flaking after long-term use.
Specs
- Finish: Chrome
- Body material: Metal with 1% polyester
- Handles: Double
- Water mode: Stream/Spray
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- An elegant, timeless finish
- It has a sturdy metal construction that’s built to last
- Its polished appearance blends seamlessly with a wide range of kitchen styles
Cons
- Not all components are metallic
The Verdict
For the price, this faucet delivers exceptional value and performance.
9. Best Low Arc Faucet – Peerless P110LF
For the lovers of low-arc kitchen faucets, the Peerless P110LF was made with you in mind. From its sleek chrome finish to its 360-degree swiveling spout, everything about it exudes versatility, functionality, and timeless elegance.
It is easy to install, has virtually no maintenance requirements, and is designed to fit sinks with 3-hole configurations. Its single-handle design makes it a breeze when switching between cold and hot water, as well as regulating the water pressure. The best part about it is – it is backed by a lifetime limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Specs
- Finish: Chrome
- Body material: Metal
- Handles: Single
- Water mode: Stream
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- Does not require a lot of maintenance
- Easy to install
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Supply lines are not included in the purchase
The Verdict
While the Peerless P110LF may not come with the bells and whistles you would expect to find in other high-tech faucets. It is ideal for anyone looking for a basic utilitarian model that’ll get the job done.
10. Best Widespread Faucet – Kingston KB1798TXBS French Country
Last but not least, we have the French-country-inspired Kingston Brass widespread faucet. This stunning oil-rubbed bronze model is made of solid brass construction, making it by far one of the most rugged, corrosion-resistant faucets in the market right now.
The one thing that sets it apart from other models is the fact that it is engineered to withstand hard-water use. It is extremely low-maintenance and contains special Kingston stainless steel ball valves known to be corrosion and tarnish-resistant.
This widespread faucet requires a 4-hole setup for the deck mount and side sprayer, which could also be switched out with a soap dispenser. It is easy to clean, easy to install, and backed by a 10-year limited warranty.
Specs
- Finish: Brushed nickel
- Body material: Brass
- Handles: Double
- Water mode: Stream/Spray head
- Water feature: Mix cold and hot
Pros
- Elegant design
- It is extremely low-maintenance
- It is built to last
Cons
- Might not be ideal for granite countertops
The Verdict
This faucet is perfect for country-home owners looking to add a rustic charm to their kitchen. It is made from high-quality components, guaranteed to last several years to come.
How to Choose the Best Kitchen Faucets – Buyer’s Guide
You would be amazed at the world of difference a new faucet makes to the overall look and feel of a space. This becomes even more apparent in the kitchen. The right faucet not only adds to its functionality but also plays a crucial role in enhancing the look and overall appeal of the space.
It’s not about picking any kind of faucet, though. It’s about choosing the right one. We’ve put together a few tips to keep in mind when choosing the best kitchen faucets for your home.
Style
There’s a reason this is first on our list. One of the initial decisions you have to make is the style of the faucet you want to get. Take some time to look around your kitchen and identify what it is about your current faucet that turns you off.
It could be the fact that your home has a traditional rustic vibe to it, and your current faucet is designed for a modern contemporary home. Some styles go together, while others just look plain awkward.
Next, envision what you would much rather it looked like. A new kitchen faucet might be the first step towards the slow renovation of your entire kitchen. If that’s the case, you need to figure out what model goes with the overall look you have in mind.
Granted, it might look a little eclectic as you slowly switch things up, but as long as the faucet is in keeping with the final look, then it doesn’t matter.
Faucet Type
There are several different types of faucets available for you to choose from. Here’s a brief overview of each to help you pick the best one suited for the look and needs of your kitchen.
High Arc
These are also known as gooseneck faucets. They are designed with tall, thin, sleek, and elegant stems, some of which have pull-down sprayers. They leave lots of room in the sink, which makes filling pots with water a breeze.
Low Arc
These, as the name suggests, are a lot shorter than gooseneck faucets and may or may not come with pull-down sprayers. The ideal height you pick depends on your aesthetic and usage needs.
Wall Mount
These aren't as common as the first two. The faucet is mounted on the wall, completely freeing up the sink area. They render a sort-of commercial feel to a kitchen space, which is ideal if that’s what you’re going for.
Bridge
These have the cold and hot handles physically connected to the faucet's main stem creating a “bridge.” They’re ideal if you’re leaning more towards a traditional look to complement the overall rustic design of your kitchen.
Touchless
These don’t come with any handles or levers. Instead, they have a sensor that detects hand-motion to turn the faucet on or off. If you want to incorporate a high-tech finish to your kitchen space, touchless faucets are a nice addition.
Valves
At first glance, all valves might appear to work the same way. All you do is – turn the handle, and the water comes on. Turn it the other way, and it’s off. No one is ever really concerned with the inner workings that make all this possible. All that matters is that it works.
Choosing a faucet with the right valves, however, is an important part of the decision-making process. Valves are the areas inside faucets where cold and hot water are mixed. They also regulate the flow-rate of the water.
There are four different valves types, each of which has a different mode of operation and requires different levels of maintenance. Here’s a brief overview of each of them.
Compression Valve
This is the oldest valve type in use. It is simple, inexpensive, and relies on a screw stem that raises and lowers when you turn it, as well as a washer at the base of the stem.
To lift the rubber washer out of the concave water inlet, all you have to do is turn the faucet handle counterclockwise to turn on the water. To lower it and press the washer into the inlet, subsequently blocking water flow, simply turn the faucet handle in the opposite direction.
The main drawback of these types of valves is that over time, the rubber washer becomes deformed, resulting in leaky faucets. You will need to replace the washer after some time to restore the valve’s watertight integrity.
Ball Valve
You’ll commonly find it in single-handle faucets. It consists of a little steel ball with a network of holes and grooves, which align with cold and hot water inlets. When you adjust the faucet handle, it moves the ball to control the flow-rate and water temperature.
The main drawback of faucets with ball valves is their complexity. They have several small parts like washers, O-rings, and springs, which inevitably wear out over time resulting in leaks. Aside from this, tiny debris and mineral deposits build up inside, so it may require regular cleaning, maintenance, or replacement of the affected parts.
Cartridge Valve
These offer outstanding performance at a reasonable price. A cartridge valve consists of a small, plastic, or brass cylinder with a network of channels that direct and control the flow-rate of the water, as well as its temperature. It has an O-ring that sits at the bottom of the cartridge to seal its edges and prevent leakage.
Faucets with these types of valves offer several benefits over their ball-valve counterparts. For one, they can be used in single-handle configuration faucets or paired inside the double-handle ones. They also have fewer moving parts, so fixing a leaky faucet only requires replacing the worn-out cartridge with a new one.
Ceramic Valve
This is a relatively new and innovative valve design that consists of two ceramic rotating discs with a network of channels that align when rotated. These control the flow-rate and temperature of the water. Since the discs are made of ceramic, they are exceptionally sturdy and hardly ever need repairs.
The main drawback of faucets with these types of valves is that they usually come at a premium price, although it is possible to find some within the same price range as other faucet types. Nonetheless, given the fact that they are virtually leak-proof and built for rugged performance, their long lifespan eventually pays back the initial investment.
We recommend getting a kitchen faucet with a ceramic valve if durability and low-maintenance are important to you.
Faucet Finish
Once you’ve got an idea of the type of kitchen faucet you want to install and the inner valve mechanism you want it to have, the next step involves choosing a finish. While faucets are generally utilitarian, you can still pick something that looks good as you use it. Here’s an overview of the main faucet finish options to consider.
Brass
First up, we have brass faucets. These render a traditional, almost-rustic feel to your home. They pair quite well with white-themed kitchens to add a touch of warmth. They also work well with modern-looking sinks.
Brass faucets come in various finishes, with the most popular ones being brushed or matte brass fixtures. These look quite appealing and are extremely versatile.
Bronze
Bronze faucets give your kitchen a bold and classic feel. These can be treated by rubbing them with oil to give the metal a much darker look. It’s important to mention that bronze faucets come at a premium price. If you can afford it, go for it. It’s worth the investment.
Chrome
Chrome faucets render a classic look to a kitchen. They are very low-maintenance and highly-durable, which makes them perfect for homes with minimalist kitchens. They have a bold and shiny finish making them a top choice for home renovators.
Nickel
Nickel faucets come in two main flavors – polished and brushed. Polished nickel looks like the slightly warmer cousin of chrome, while brushed nickel looks like the slightly warmer cousin of stainless steel.
Brushed nickel offers more resistance to tarnishing than polished nickel and works well to add warmth and soft tones to your kitchen. Keep that in mind when shopping for a new faucet.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel faucets are an oldie but goodie. Although they are shiny like chrome, they add a luxurious and sophisticated appeal to your kitchen. They are low-maintenance, easy-to-clean, and possess antimicrobial properties, which is a pretty useful feature if you have young kids.
Matte Black
If you want to switch things up and remodel your kitchen to give it a modern and contemporary look, you can’t go wrong with a matte black kitchen faucet. It is sleek and minimalist, in complete contrast to the metallic finishes we’ve seen so far.
There’s something about the purity and simplicity of its aesthetic contrast that pairs well with just about any kitchen style.
Ombre
“Ombre” is French for “shade” or “shadow.” Ombre faucets meld two vibrant metallic finishes together to give it a unique transition from light to dark shades. These faucets are generally available in two variations: polished nickel and rose gold.
One thing you need to keep in mind when choosing the ideal faucet finish is that you don’t want it to stick out like a sore thumb. It’s always a good idea to assess the existing finishes you already have on your appliances, lighting fixtures, doorknobs, as well as drawer and cabinet handles and pick a faucet finish that doesn’t clash with them.
Faucet Handles
Most of the faucets you’ll come across have either one or two handles. One is typically used to control the temperature of the water, while the other controls the flow-rate.
Those that come with a single handle use one lever to control both the temperature as well as the flow-rate. If convenience matters a great deal to you, you’re better off getting a single-handle faucet.
The other thing you need to think about is the length of the handle. If the distance between the position where the faucet is mounted and the wall is too short, you might not get the handles’ full range of movement. The last thing you want is to end up with a faucet with a long handle only to have it constantly bumping against the wall.
Sink-Holes
Before you settle on a specific faucet, you need to consider the number of predrilled holes your existing kitchen sink has. Most usually have two to three holes, which is ideal for faucets that don’t have too many pieces.
If you pick a model with fewer pieces than the existing sink-holes, you will need to cover them. Most faucets come with a few bridge pieces that allow you to do this, although it’s always a good idea to confirm that they are included in the packaging.
For instance, you might be replacing your old faucet that also had a side sprayer with a new one that has a pull-down version instead. As a result, the side hole would now be empty. A bridge piece would fill this up perfectly.
It’s important to note that not all the holes in the sink have a uniform placement. You might want to check that the location of the holes is ideal for your new kitchen faucet to ensure that its placement looks natural.
Sprayer Options
We always recommend getting a faucet that comes with a sprayer option. Otherwise, how else do you expect to clean out the gunk that lurks in the corners of your sink?
There are different types of sprayer options available to choose from. These are usually variations of a central sprayer that pulls down from the faucet or a side sprayer. Central sprayers are generally a lot easier and more convenient to use than their side counterparts and also keep your sink area look neat and tidy.
Some sprayers automatically turn on the moment you pull them down from the faucet, whereas others require you to flip a lever or push a button before they can come on. Some even have a provision that allows you to attach a faucet water filter. You also want to ensure that the sprayer retracts easily to its faucet chamber when you’re done using it.
Price
Pricing is arguably one of the biggest concerns for most homeowners when it comes to a kitchen remodeling project. Before you can even start looking, you need to set a budget. The cost of a new faucet could range anywhere between $60 and $500. Pick a product that delivers outstanding value for the money.
Keep in mind that expensive doesn’t always mean better, and low-cost doesn’t always mean poor quality. Look at the overall sturdiness of the faucet and compare it against its price tag. If it makes sense, that’s what you should get.
Update Your Space
Upgrading your faucet is one of those small upgrades that make a world of difference to the look and feel of your space. The best kitchen faucets offer the perfect balance of quality, aesthetics, functionality, and price. Any of the 10 products we’ve detailed in this guide would be a great starting point when embarking on your kitchen remodel.
In the meantime, if you’re in the market for a new gas grill, check out our top options.
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