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A well-designed kitchen faucet can immediately upgrade the look, feel, and utility of your kitchen sink. The best kitchen faucets are durable; attractive; and easy to use, clean, and install. Kitchen Tap
I chose the faucets in this guide based on recommendations from experts and my own expertise as a residential contractor. Our best overall pick is the Delta Trinsic which combines a simple and easy to clean design with innovative features like flow activation technology.
By and large, we recommend most people choose a single-handle faucet with a pull-out or pull-down design. This style is the most compact, and easiest to install and maintain. However, our guide also outlines side-sprayer and dual-handle picks if you're working with a specific sink setup.
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Best overall: Delta Trinsic Single-Handle Pull-Down Faucet - See at Amazon
Best budget: Wewe Single-Handle High-Arc Pull-Out Faucet - See at Amazon
Best pull-out: American Standard Colony Pro Single-Handle - See at The Home Depot
Best commercial-style: Kohler Sous Pro-Style Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Faucet - See at Amazon
Best dual-handle: Pfister Ladera 2-Handle Kitchen Faucet with Optional Side Spray - See at The Home Depot
Best low-arc: Moen Adler Single-Handle Low Arc Standard Kitchen Faucet - See at Amazon
Best side-mounted sprayer: Delta Single-Handle Faucet with Side Sprayer - See at Amazon
Best touchless: Moen Arbor MotionSense Faucet - See at Amazon
Best brass: Kraus Britt Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet - See at Amazon
The sleek and sturdy Delta Trinsic Single-Handle Pull-Down Faucet boasts an impressive amount of functionality with its Touch20 technology and a color-changing LED that provides a visual indicator of the current water temperature.
What sets the Delta Trinsic apart from other faucets is its Touch20 technology, which allows you to activate the water flow by touching your finger or forearm anywhere on the faucet. Landers recommends the feature for tasks like cutting raw chicken so you don't have to worry about contamination.
Single-handle faucets eventually wear out and begin to leak, which is another reason why this Touch20 system is so valuable. By reducing the wear and tear on the handle, you extend the lifespan of the faucet. Plus, the water supply lines are built into the body of the faucet itself, which helps reduce the chances of leaks over time. The more exposed the supply lines are, the more likely they'll develop leaks.
With the faucet's color-changing LED light (blue for cold, red for hot), you can monitor your water temperature visually, which is great if you have small children.
I am also a fan of the Touch-Clean spray holes on this model. You can scrub these rubber nozzle heads clean, as opposed to plastic holes that can accumulate mineral deposits and often require chemical soaks.
Even with the solenoid (an electromagnet) needed to power the sensor, installation of the Delta Trinsic is straightforward with pliers and an Allen key. Delta did a nice job with the instruction manual and also has some helpful videos that supplement it nicely.
The Wewe Single-Handle High-Arc Pull-Out Faucet is low in price but high in quality, with efficient operation and a simple tulip design.
Typically, lower-priced faucets look nice on the surface but skimp on components behind the scenes. The Wewe Single-Handle Faucet is surprisingly robust, with braided supply lines for durability, an ABS plastic aerator (think of the tough plastic used to make Lego bricks), and ceramic disk valves.
When it comes to functionality, the Wewe Single-Handle High Arc provides a pull-down spray head with a variety of stream settings. I was most impressed with the spray head's water pause button, which allows you to temporarily stop the flow of water, though you do have to continuously hold down the button.
The brushed nickel finish is relatively easy to keep clean with just a soft cloth and soapy water. Plus, its matte finish disguises water spots and fingerprints better than a glossy, polished finish. Just avoid using abrasive cleaning pads and ammonia-based cleaners.
Installation is simple and should be doable for anyone willing to crawl under their sink and spend 30 minutes down there. You're not getting the "quick-connect" technology that pricier models have, so you'll be tightening the supply lines the old-fashioned way with your fingers and a couple of wrenches.
The main downside is that zinc alloy parts are less durable than stainless steel, but that's likely a trade-off for the low price. That said, it still has the reliability and quality construction to make it a worthwhile choice.
Perfect for cozier spaces, the American Standard Colony Pro Single-Handle pull-out faucet is easy to use and keep clean.
What I love about pull-out style faucets is that without all that extra spout length — the Colony Pro Single-Handle Pull-Out spout is only 5.25 inches high — you gain a lot of maneuverability. By pulling it out instead of down, you avoid wasting any hose length on the bend of the faucet spout.
The faucet sprayer head features two functions: an aerated stream and a strong, focused spray for heavy-duty cleaning. However, it doesn't have a pause button, which might be a deal-breaker if you're used to having one.The ceramic disc valve reduces the chances of leaks or wear on the interior seals, and an adjustable hot safety limit stop allows you to prevent accidental scalding, making it perfect for homes with young kids running around.
Installation of the faucet is straightforward, and the color-coded stainless steel supply hoses are practically impossible to install incorrectly. This faucet also includes an escutcheon mounting plate, so it's compatible with one-, two-, or three-hole setups.
Horton praised American Standard faucets, which made it easy to choose one of their models as a top pick. "Personally they are as good or better as any comparable faucet in that same price range," he says. "I would consider them a workhorse, and a go-to fixture in any remodel project, or homeowner DIY and in need of a new kitchen faucet."
The Kohler Sous Pro-Style Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Faucet has the power and size of a commercial faucet, with all the features of a standard model.
The Kohler Sous Pro-Style Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Faucet features the sturdy construction of a commercial-kitchen-style faucet with a modern style that looks right at home in a residential kitchen. It's great for an active kitchen and the ideal faucet for tackling large piles of dishes.
The Kohler Sous Pro-Style Faucet has a magnetic docking arm that the spray head firmly attaches to when not in use. Unlike other commercial-style faucets, the docking arm swivels out of the way when you're working.
The spring-loaded design of the pull-down spray head has the perfect amount of tension to it: not so tight that it restricts movement but solid enough to have a feeling of control while you're using it. The downside of spring-tensioned mechanisms is that debris can become lodged in the gaps, but the entire spring of Kohler's Sous Pro-Style is simple to remove, and you can spray the whole thing off on the sink.
In addition to the standard stream setting, the faucet also features "Sweep Spray" technology, turning the stream into a linear broom-style pattern. This is great for washing away food from dishes and the sink itself, which standard sprayers don't do as well.
If you're installing this faucet with a stainless-steel sink, you will need to add a small 0.5-inch plywood support piece under the counter. It's nothing too difficult but an extra step nonetheless.
Recommended by our expert, this dual-handle faucet marries a sophisticated style with durability and functionality, thanks to an optional side sprayer.
This dual-handled model would be a perfect choice for those who want to add a traditional-style appliance to a modern kitchen. Its elegant, sweeping shape provides a clean and minimal look, and although it doesn't feature a pull-down or pull-out spout, it can still rotate 360 degrees, providing a good amount of maneuverability. If you prefer to add even more functionality, the optional side sprayer is easy to mount and maintains the same elegant style across the sink.
It's also easy to keep clean, thanks to the option of a spot-defense stainless steel finish. If you prefer something a bit more flashy, you can go with polished chrome. California residents will be able to purchase this faucet without issue, thanks to its compliance with California energy commission (CEC) water-efficiency standards.
One of my favorite features of this faucet is its impressively low price. For a little more than $100, the Pfister Ladera is priced much lower than similar models. If you appreciate the sleek design but don't have the space for two handles, this faucet is also available in a single-handle pull-down version but for nearly twice the cost. The extra-high spout also makes it great for filling large pots.
Our expert specifically recommends Moen Adler faucets for those who want a low-arc design, and this affordable option is a great value.
If you don't want or require the high arc spout of most of the best kitchen faucets, this low-arc Moen model provides just as much functionality, without obscuring the view through your window or across a kitchen island. The faucet's low-profile design, combined with its smooth curves and minimalistic style, allows it to fit in practically any modern kitchen. It's available in chrome or stainless so you can easily match your existing appliances.
Both of these finish options make the Moen Adler Single-Handle Low Arc Kitchen Faucet convenient to keep clean as well. Whether you go with the shiny chrome, which Horton finds to be the easiest to clean of all the finishes, or the spot-resistant stainless steel, the faucet will be easy to wipe clean without too much effort. Thanks to a ceramic disk valve, the single handle is also durable enough for busy kitchens.
The quick-connect system makes the Moen Adler Single-Handle Low-Arc Kitchen Faucet extremely simple to mount and install and, with no tools required, a great choice for inexperienced DIYers who would prefer not to hire a plumber. The included side sprayer allows for convenient dish and sink cleanup, but if you prefer a basic faucet setup, this model is also available without it.
Using a side-mounted sprayer instead of a faucet-mounted option, this Delta model provides all the functionality you need, with a low-profile design.
The side-mounted sprayer of the Delta Single-Handle Faucet with Side Sprayer offers a ton of maneuverability and will typically reach farther than an integrated spray head that's connected to the faucet neck. This makes it easier to spray inside and around the sink and would be especially convenient for those with a sink that has a built-in drying area.
Landers recommends shorter spout heights like this one for kitchen islands, since taller faucets can look out of place and distract from the rest of the room. The faucet neck of the Delta Single-Handle Faucet with Side Sprayer swivels 180 degrees, and the center-mounted single-handle faucet is convenient to use for both right and left-handed users. Plus, it's available in either brushed stainless steel or shiny chrome.
Installation is fairly straightforward and, with supply lines integrated directly into the faucet itself, should be accomplished without much effort. Delta also guarantees leak-free operation for the life of the faucet, too, so you'll be covered if any issues do arise.
Keep in mind that the sprayer won't have the water pressure that an integrated spray head would, and you'll need to hold the trigger down at all times during use.
Even if your hands are covered with grease, you can still turn the water on and off with the Moen Arbor One-Handle High-Arc MotionSense Wave Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet.
If convenience and cleanliness are your priorities, this Moen model could exactly what you're looking for. Its hands-free operation and dual sensor design — one on top and the other in front — allows you to turn the water on and off with a wave of your arm. This makes it easy to keep the lever and faucet neck clean, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
The factory default temperature setting is lukewarm, but a small control box located under the sink allows you to adjust this temperature to you and your family's preference. If you frequently use your faucet for drinking water, this ability to keep the default setting colder could be very convenient.
You can also easily disable one or both of the sensors. Just hold your hand in front of either sensor for five seconds and it will disengage. While they're disabled, you can still use the lever handle to control the faucet manually.
The 100-degree high-arc spout of the Moen Arbor MotionSense Faucet makes it great for filling and cleaning large pots. The pull-down spray head also offers three functions: an aerated stream, a strong "PowerClean" spray for heavy-duty cleaning (1.5 gallons per minute maximum), and a pause that temporarily stops the water flow.
If you're intimidated by the installation of the control box, don't be. Moen's faucets are among the easiest to install, and the combination of the Duralock Quick-Connect system and one-way connections make them almost impossible to install incorrectly.
This commercial-style brushed brass faucet is not only visually stunning but functional enough for a wide range of kitchen tasks.
If you're looking for something a bit more visually unique, consider this brushed brass faucet from Kraus. Its textured finish adds a warm, bright look to your kitchen, but unlike polished versions, it's muted enough not to be distracting. Plus, it hides fingerprints and water spots much easier than smoother finishes, making it a great choice for busy kitchens.
Its open-coil, high-arc spout not only creates a striking silhouette, but also makes the Kraus Britt Single-Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet an extremely versatile faucet. It's tall enough to easily fill up large pots or tall pitchers, and the retractable hose allows it to stretch, reach, and angle the sprayer head in pretty much any direction you need. A convenient fixed handle mount keeps the sprayer head wrangled and secure when not in use.
High Basin Faucet The single-hole mount of the Kraus takes up minimal space on your countertop and contributes to its relatively hassle-free installation. With a quick-connect sprayer hose, snap-on counterweight, and pre-attached water lines, even amateur DIYers should be able to handle installing this model.