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Rachel has been writing for Real Simple since 2020, covering home goods, tech, fashion, beauty, and more. She interviews dozens of experts and stays on top of the latest trends and product launches.
Given the amount of time we spend in the kitchen, we need appliances that can withstand heavy use. There is no kitchen appliance that is used more often than the faucet, whether it is for washing dishes, washing hands, pouring water, or a host of other basic tasks.
To find the best kitchen faucets on the market, we tested 14 models for six months, evaluating factors like installation, ease of use, performance, durability, quality, and value. We also spoke with Megan Chio, a senior sales associate at Home Depot, to get her expert insight on what to look for when buying a kitchen faucet, how to install one, and more.
Of all the faucets we tested, we were impressed by this faucet from Kraus, which is made of durable brass and has a sleek, easy-to-use design. During our tests, it delivered a powerful stream of water from the high-arc nozzle, which made it possible to perform a variety of kitchen tasks.
We found the installation of the faucet to be quick and easy, thanks to the brand’s clear instructions. It has a sleek handle, is 17 inches tall, is large enough to accommodate large pots and pans, and has a button on the head that you can press to switch between a stream of water and a spray. We found it easy to switch the faucet from a stream to a spray, and switching between hot and cold water was equally simple. Plus, the faucet’s long hose is nearly 9 inches long, retracts and swivels, and can be adjusted to almost any angle.
This beautiful faucet comes in nine colors and shades, including an elegant champagne bronze. It doesn’t show fingerprints or water stains, so it’s super easy to keep clean—even after six months of use, we didn’t notice any scratches on the chrome. The downside is that it’s more expensive than many other kitchen faucets, but given its style, functionality, and ease of use, we think it’s worth the extra cost.
Material: Brass | Number of Holes: 1 | Faucet Height: 17 in. | Spout Height: 8.75 in. | Spout Extension: 8.88 in. | Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM
If you’re looking to cut costs, consider this affordable yet high-quality kitchen faucet from Wewe. This stylish single-handle unit comes in 13 different styles, including gold, brushed nickel, and matte black, and features a high-arc nozzle that makes cleaning larger items easy.
What I like most about this stainless steel faucet is that it can easily switch between temperature and stream modes. The nozzle is 8.5 inches long, and while it’s a little difficult to retract, it’s easy to lock in place with the lock. This faucet also has a handy pause feature that prevents splashing while running the sink at the same time. After six months of use, this faucet has become an integral part of our daily routine. We haven’t noticed any changes in quality, and the toggle settings remain intuitive – in fact, we’ve found that the faucet has gotten easier to operate over time.
The faucet is relatively easy to install, and changing the water flow (which can be very high) requires very little effort. However, be aware that this faucet does leave quite noticeable fingerprints, but fortunately these are easy to remove with a little scrubbing. We also wish the temperature transitions were a little smoother, as we sometimes had a hard time getting the temperature transition perfect. Overall, this is a great budget option that won’t disappoint.
Material: Stainless Steel | Number of Holes: 1 | Faucet Height: 15.7″ | Spout Height: 8.5″ | Spout Extension: 8.5″ |
There is nothing more convenient than a touchless kitchen faucet that turns the water on and off with a wave of your hand using a motion sensor. This single-handle faucet from Bio Bidet is a great product, equipped with an ultra-precise sensor that recognizes subtle gestures, saving time and effort.
Made from durable nylon in a sleek chrome finish, this faucet always looks like new (especially since it rarely needs to be touched and won’t get dirty). It also features a tall, curved spout that provides plenty of room for large items in the sink. The faucet’s response technology turns the water flow on and off when the faucet is pulled down or back, allowing you to easily switch between spray, flow, and pause modes as needed.
We were surprised by the sensor’s accuracy. While some sensors require vigorous movements and hand movements to activate, this one is accurate enough to detect the slightest gestures. In our tests, it responded to our movements as if it were reading our minds, activating whenever our hands came close to it. And after six months of use, it’s still as responsive as it was on day one.
This faucet also provides strong water pressure and has a custom temperature control knob. Overall, this touchless faucet makes it easy to cook foods like raw chicken and beef without much fuss. Adjusting the angle and height of the neck is effortless, as the hose moves to any position. Our only complaint is that the installation process is complicated, but if you hire a professional, you should be fine.
Material: Nylon | Number of Holes: 3 | Faucet Height: 13 in | Spout Height: 16.63 in | Spout Length: 8.38 in | Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM
If you like the look of a low-arch faucet that’s not much taller than your kitchen backsplash, we recommend this great product from Grohe. Although this low-profile faucet is only 7 inches tall, the hose is long enough to reach the corners of your sink and is easy to stow. You can fill all your pots and pans with ease, just like you would with a large-arc faucet. Sure, it’s not the flashiest option, but it gets the job done.
Available in chrome or steel (both easy to keep clean), this faucet is easy to install and affordable. It has a wide, flat single lever that’s easy to hold and control, whether you’re switching from spray to stream or changing the temperature. After two years of use, this faucet still works great. We haven’t noticed any clogs or drips, and the polished metal surface is stain-free.
We do wish this faucet had better water pressure, as it delivers water more slowly than expected in jet mode. However, we think the classic design, ease of use, and durability make up for it.
Material: Brass | Number of Holes: 1 | Faucet Height: 7.1 in. | Spout Height: 5.5 in. | Flow Rate: 1.75 GPM
Two-handle kitchen faucets have a retro look that many people love, and this faucet from Kingston will give your kitchen some serious style. This stylish, high-quality brushed nickel brass faucet features handles on both sides for temperature control and a separate sprayer.
We found the installation instructions for this faucet easy to follow, and the handle is easy to use and has a moderate feel. The faucet’s taller mouth makes it easy to fill large pots, and we like that it tilts to prevent splashing. The impressive water pressure from the hose makes cleaning the kitchen easy, and the dual-temperature handle keeps kids safe. Plus, the 360-degree rotating faucet head provides more flexibility when washing and cleaning.
It’s not the cheapest faucet on the market, and the brushed nickel finish does attract fingerprints (though it’s easy to remove). After six months of use, we haven’t seen any marks or signs of degradation. We did find that the faucet’s neck wobbled a bit when turning the water on and off, and it took a little longer for hot water to flow than we’d like. However, the style, tall neck, and impressive water pressure make it a solid choice.
Material: Brass | Number of Holes: 4 | Faucet Height: 8.3 in. | Spout Height: 13.13 in. | Spout Length: 8.56 in. | Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM
If aesthetics are important to you, you’ll love this gorgeous and attractive faucet from Kohler, which is made of metal, comes in four stylish finishes, and features a unique open spring design that stands out from typical kitchen fixtures.
This faucet has a stylish high arc and above-average reach and flexibility. The nozzle rotates freely and can reach all parts of the sink without any problem, and the magnetic docking bracket keeps the nozzle secure. Switching from stream to sweep mode was a breeze – we simply pressed a button – and the single-lever handle made changing the temperature just as easy. We were also impressed with the water pressure. After six months of use, the faucet works as well as the day it was installed.
Twice since installation, debris has gotten stuck in the aerator, and the manufacturer has not provided any instructions on how to remove the debris. However, once we took matters into our own hands, we were able to remove the debris fairly easily. While the instruction manual is useless in this regard, it does help simplify the initial installation process. As an added bonus, this faucet has a separate soap dispenser, and all surfaces are fingerprint-free.
Material: Metal | Number of Holes: 2 | Faucet Height: 22″ | Spout Height: 7.5″ | Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM |
Why settle for a traditional faucet when you can buy a smart faucet like this excellent model from Moen? This voice-controlled device comes with a pairing app that connects to your smartphone or smart home speaker, saving you time and energy in the kitchen.
Setting up this faucet takes very little time, as does connecting it to the Moen app (which you can use to save your favorite settings and control the faucet remotely) and smart home systems. Using touchless sensors, we can instruct the faucet to dispense a specific amount of water completely hands-free. We can also set the water temperature by moving the lever up and down, and there’s a handy indicator light to let you know when the water temperature is high. After six months of use, this faucet still exceeds our expectations. While the touchless design took some getting used to, it’s now almost second nature.
In addition to the smart features, this faucet boasts powerful water pressure, a long hose, and fingerprint resistance, whether you choose a chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, or stainless steel finish. Our only complaints were a short but noticeable delay when turning on the faucet and a little resistance when pulling out the sprayer to coat the fabric. If you can live with these shortcomings and the faucet’s high price, you’ll be happy to invest in such a useful, time-saving device.
Material: Metal | Number of Holes: 1 | Faucet Height: Not Specified | Spout Height: 15.5 in. | Spout Reach: 7.88 in. |
We test a lot of great kitchen faucets, but the Kraus Oletto Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet takes our number one spot for its ease of use, durability, and sleek design. A great budget alternative: the Wewe Single Handle High Bend Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, which offers 13 style options, a high bend spout, and a practical pause function.
To find the best kitchen faucets, we tested 14 models in real-world conditions, installing them in sinks of different sizes and types. As we installed each faucet, we recorded how much time and effort it took to install and whether we needed professional help or could do it ourselves. We then rated each faucet for ease of use, noting how much force it took to open and close the faucet, change the temperature, switch from stream to spray mode, extend and retract the hose, and hold a large kettle underneath. For touchless models, we also recorded the sensitivity and accuracy of the motion sensors.
Next, we looked at the water pressure at each tap, assessing whether it was strong enough to rinse dishes well and perform other tasks. Then we analyzed the durability of each faucet, checking for scratches and fingerprints. For the latter, we determined how easy it was to wipe them off. We also noted whether there were any drips or clogs during testing, or whether the faucet neck squeaked or got stuck when adjusting.
Finally, we determine the overall value of each faucet by examining the retail price and determining whether the cost reflects its performance, style, and functionality. To get long-term information, we continued to use the faucets in our homes and evaluated their quality, performance, and durability over a six-month period.
Which kitchen faucet you choose depends on how you use it every day, whether you’re making your first cup of coffee in the morning, preparing meals, or entertaining guests, says Chio.
One common type of faucet is the pull-out faucet, which Chio says makes it easier to clean the entire area above the sink. Other common types include single- and double-handle faucets, which are ideal for multitasking and precise temperature control.
When choosing the type of faucet, you should also pay attention to how many mounting holes your kitchen sink has (usually from 1 to 4). Some faucets have a certain number of holes, while others are equipped with practical covers that cover the extra holes.
“When shopping for a kitchen faucet, understanding accessibility is an important factor in functionality and convenience,” says Chio. Most faucets have an 8- to 9-inch spout, but this can vary. If you have a deep sink, Chio recommends looking for a pull-out faucet with a longer-than-average spout so you can rinse off any surface of the sink.
Kitchen faucet flow rates (how many gallons of water flow per minute) are typically between 1.5 and 2 gallons per minute. If you want a faucet with a high flow rate, Chio recommends going with a more powerful two-stage spray to make dishwashing easier.
“Choosing the style and finish of your kitchen faucet is entirely up to your personal taste and the aesthetics of your home,” says Chio. Popular finishes include stainless steel, matte black, matte gold, bronze, and chrome. Chrome is easy to keep clean without showing fingerprints, while gold or bronze can create a classy look. Chio notes that each finish is available in a variety of styles, so you can easily mix the finish you want with the style you want.
Don’t forget to consider the height of the faucet. “A taller faucet can create a more dramatic aesthetic or add character to your kitchen,” says Chio. “Be sure to evaluate height options based on the size of your kitchen; if you have cabinets above the sink, this may limit the space for a taller faucet.”
“Kitchen faucets have evolved significantly and now offer a variety of exciting new features and advanced functions designed to ensure ease of use and years of trouble-free service,” says Chio. Some popular options include motion sensors for seamless operation, smart technology that controls the faucet via voice or app, and a soap dispenser or sprayer on the side.
Delta 9178T-SP-DST Leland Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet: This faucet features convenient touchless functionality and a flexible, high-neck design that offers a variety of different settings. But it runs on a battery, which can be problematic, and the water pressure may be too strong for some everyday tasks.
Moen 87233EWC Adler Single Handle High Arc Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet: This faucet is easy to operate, has strong water pressure, a smooth hose retraction, and a stylish design. However, the chrome finish shows fingerprints and water marks, and the high curvature may occasionally cause splashing.
Considering how often you use your kitchen faucet, it may be a worthwhile investment. According to Chio, kitchen faucet prices vary based on factors such as brand, materials, design, and functionality. This means that basic single-handle faucets with few or no features typically cost less than $150, while mid-range faucets can cost as much as $300, and high-end faucets made with premium materials and attractive designs and features can cost more than $1,000.
”Keep in mind that installation costs are extra, and if you plan to hire a professional to install it, you may want to consider the extra cost,” says Chio.
According to Chio, upgrading your kitchen faucet can increase the value of your home, but it usually doesn’t make much of a difference. “Updating your kitchen faucet can improve the overall appeal and functionality of your kitchen, but it usually has less of an impact on your home’s value than a major renovation,” she says.
Post time: Jan-13-2025