The Best Kitchen Faucets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

13 May.,2024

 

The Best Kitchen Faucets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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When it comes to kitchen renovation, cabinetry and new appliances usually take up most of the budget. However, smaller design choices, such as fixtures, can make a significant impact on the aesthetic of your cooking space.

The faucet is the kitchen’s workhorse and can serve as a vital piece of hardware that helps you wash hands and rinse fruits and vegetables with ease while also keeping the space around you clean. Shoppers should think twice before purchasing the first faucet they see—there’s a lot more to consider than brand and price. With hundreds of styles to choose from, not to mention the finishes and other features, picking the best kitchen faucet for your space can seem like a daunting task.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect faucet, check out this list of our top picks. After carefully shopping among the most popular offerings on the market, we chose this group for our in-home comparison tests. See the results for each one later in the individual reviews. One of these highly rated products could add the finishing touch to your kitchen.

Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila

How We Tested the Best Kitchen Faucets

To find the best kitchen faucets, we started by considering styling and functionality, just like shoppers in the midst of a remodel. Brands are important at this stage because appearances are very often deceiving, particularly when it comes to online purchases. Our picks had to come from trusted suppliers with a strong reputation in the industry. We chose a range of products that would be suitable for DIYers to install.

We installed each of the picks in our home kitchen and used them for a day to get a realistic feel for their construction, ease of installation, and quality of operation. We then rated them in 10 objective categories and 10 subjective categories to determine the category winners. In order to make the cut, a faucet had to score an average of 7 or higher on our 10-point scale.

Our Top Picks

We’ve looked at the best kitchen faucets and selected those that meet the needs of shoppers’ budgets, design preferences, and finishes. We tested the following models in our home trial and noted the overall specs, pros, and cons of each one in terms of installation, appearance, and functionality.

Best Overall

Delta Leland Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

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Delta is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products and one of the first to revolutionize faucet manufacturing. This top pick is an excellent combination of traditional style and modern features. This faucet has more than just looks. It combines everything shoppers love about a modern kitchen faucet: a pull-down spout, gooseneck style, smudge-proof brushed finish option, single-handle function for water control, and touch-on activation for minimal contact operation.

The faucet features Touch2O technology for turning the water on and off and utilizes magnets for proper docking of the spray head. There’s an LED light that signals water temperature and three different spray modes. If a brushed stainless finish isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry; there are three other finishes to choose from, including chrome, arctic stainless, and Venetian bronze.

In our installation, the touch feature added a few steps to the process, installing the solenoid and battery pack, but the process was not difficult. However, Delta’s plastic water supply lines are stiffer than the braided type that other manufacturers use, which made the process slightly more complicated. Water pressure was good, no drips, and the shield spray feature eliminated 80 percent of overspray.

Product Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Touch
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM

Pros

  • Shield spray pattern; reduces mess and unwanted spray
  • Touch-activated on/off; easy to use with full hands
  • High arc for easy sink access and clearance space for dishes
  • Strong zinc alloy components; durable and sleek

Cons

  • Plastic supply lines; may not be as durable as similar options
  • Battery-operated; may require ample batteries
  • Somewhat complicated assembly

Get the Delta Faucet Leland Touch faucet at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Runner-Up

Moen Arbor One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet

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Moen is known for designing beautiful products that last a lifetime. The feature that sets the Moen Arbor faucet apart from its competitors is the Duralock Quick Connect Installation System, which makes this faucet easy to install. It also features a long hose—68 inches long and built with Reflex technology to flex, pivot, and stretch in all directions without getting tangled or damaged.

The Arbor also controls the flow of water with its boost-stream function that offers a faster clean and faster fill with the push of a button. There are four finishes to choose from: chrome, stainless steel, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze. The Arbor is similar in price to the Delta Leland, but it lacks the touchless option.

We liked this Moen faucet’s combination of quality and simplicity at a moderate price point. The parts felt substantial, and the pull-down hose is extra long. It was easy to install in our test sink. The 1.5-GPM flow feels somewhat weak, but the boost-stream button increases flow as needed. The one we installed operated manually, but the same style is available with touch or touchless capabilities.

Read our full review: Moen Arbor One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen FaucetProduct Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Manual
  • Flow rate: 1.5 GPM

Pros

  • Alloy steel construction; durable and aesthetically pleasing
  • Spot-resistant stainless finish; requires limited maintenance and cleaning
  • Boost-stream button for faster flow rate
  • Duralock Quick Connect Installation System; easy to install

Cons

  • Styling seems a bit overstated given the low flow rate
  • Handle placement feels somewhat awkward
  • Drips once or twice after the water is turned off

Get the Moen Arbor One-Handle Pull-Down faucet at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.

Best Bang for the Buck

WEWE Single-Handle Brushed Nickel Kitchen Faucet

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WEWE is a small home improvement company that specializes in affordable kitchen and bathroom faucets, bath, and shower products. The WEWE single-handle high-arc faucet features a sleek tulip-like design that will easily match most sinks. It gives users a three-way spray setting—stream for filling water, spray for rinsing, and pause to avoid splashing in multitasking mode. The pull-down hose and water line hose come preinstalled in the kitchen faucet for easy installation. It features a corrosion- and rust-resistant finish that hides smudges and prevents dirt from sticking to the surface.

The WEWE High Arc faucet was extremely easy to install, partially due to the lack of electronic features. The lightweight metal construction feels less substantial than the others we tested, but at a quarter the price of the others, we felt like that was to be expected. The generous 1.8-GPM flow rate provides plenty of water for convenient cleaning and filling, and we experienced no drips or leaks.

Product Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Manual
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM

Pros

  • Three sprayer settings: stream, spray, and pause
  • Stronger water flow; cleans dishes quickly
  • Lightweight construction; easy to install and hold while cleaning
  • Budget-friendly price tag

Cons

  • Spray head feels a little flimsy; may break over time
  • Non-magnetic docking; may get stuck when retracted

Get the WEWE Single Handle High Arc faucet at Amazon. 

Upgrade Pick

Delta Trinsic Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

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Delta continues to revolutionize faucet manufacturing. Our upgrade pick features high-quality brass construction, a sleek goes-with-everything design, and loads of convenience features, from the pull-down spout with secure magnetic docking, Touch2O activation, LED indicator lights, and a generous 1.8 GPM flow rate.

Touch2O technology lets you turn the water on or off with just a light bump of your hand or forearm. A flexible pull-down hose and strong magnets in the docking base make for smooth and precise spray head action. There’s an LED light that signals water temperature and three different spray modes. And, in addition to the “Arctic Stainless” we tested, this model is also available in Chrome, SpotShield Stainless, or Venetian Bronze.

In our test kitchen, Delta’s stiff plastic water supply lines made installation a bit more complicated. Installing the solenoid and battery pack added a couple of steps to the process, but it was not difficult. Water pressure was good, there were no drips, and the shield spray feature eliminated most overspray. The heavy-duty brass components add to the cost but should last a lifetime.

Product Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Touch activated
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM

Pros

  • Heavy-duty brass construction; durable and attractive
  • Smooth swivel and strong magnetic sprayer docking
  • Clean shield spray pattern; limits spray and unwanted spillage
  • High arc for easy access; allows ample room for dishes

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Requires batteries for touch activation
  • Stiff plastic supply lines

Get the Delta Trinsic Touch at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.

Best Touchless

Kohler Simplice Pull-Down Kitchen Sink Faucet

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Kohler is another powerhouse in the home improvement industry, best known for its plumbing products. The Simplice touchless faucet allows users to enjoy a cleaner, more hygienic kitchen environment. It features Intuitive Response technology that is in tune with users’ every move. With a simple wave of a hand or the movement of an object such as a pan, the smart faucet turns on or off. Don’t worry; not every movement will activate the water. The sensor is precision designed to prevent false activations.

The Simplice also has the bells and whistles of many high-end faucets like a gooseneck style, pull-down spout, magnetic docking system located within the spout, and optional power boost for cleaning and filling pots. It’s available in four finishes.

We found the Kohler Simplice to be a well-constructed luxury faucet with classic styling and robust functionality. The motion sensor is strategically positioned under the spout where it turns on/off at the right time, without risking an unnecessary arm soaking when you place dishes in the sink. It was easy to install but does require an AC outlet, which could add to the cost of installation if you need to have one wired.

Product Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Touchless
  • Flow rate: 1.5 GPM

Pros

  • Highly responsive motion sensors; allows for easy use with full hands
  • High-tech LED indicator light; easy to use in dark spaces
  • Magnetic docking function; faucet stays in place easily
  • Quality components; durable, long-lasting construction

Cons

  • Expensive compared to similar options
  • Lower flow rate; may take longer to do the dishes or clean
  • Requires AC outlet for proper functionality; may be tricky to install

Get the Kohler Simplice Response Touchless faucet at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Pull-Out

BioBidet Flow Motion Activated Kitchen Faucet

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The BioBidet by Bemis Flow Motion Activated Kitchen is an elegant, high-arc touchless faucet. It features a generous flow rate of 1.8 GPM with two spray settings.

For hands-free automatic operation, we needed four AAA batteries, but we were happy to see that the faucet also offers manual functionality so if batteries need to be replaced, we can still use the faucet.

The faucet comes with a comprehensive how-to manual, and the company’s website features a series of installation and troubleshooting videos. The installation process only took about 10 minutes to install the power box under the sink. It’s a plug-and-play type of set up with the hoses clearly outlined.

Basic installation required us to simply turn off the water, uninstall the hoses from the current faucet, remove the faucet from our sink, and then install the new faucet into the single hole and reattatche the hoses. We ran into no issues when installing this unit.

The BioBidet is available in five finishes, including brushed nickel, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, and champagne. The finish we tested was the stainless steel option and we coudn’t be happier. It matches the rest of our stainless steel finishes and cleans with the wipe of a paper towel.

It features metallic waterways, a ceramic valve, a spout that swivels up to 180 degrees, and everything necessary for single- or three-hole installation.

In addition to employing a motion sensor that turns the faucet on with a wave of your hand, the BioBidet also features smart latch technology. This function automatically turns water on when you pull the faucet head down and turns it back off when you return the head to its housing. We didn’t realize how often we would use this function but it has pretty much become our favorite feature. The faucet head even has a pause button for those moments when we needed just a minute without water.

Product Specs 

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Touchless
  • Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM

Pros

  • Touchless operation prevents dirty hands on faucet surfaces, which is great for kitchen safety and a clean look
  • No hardwiring is necessary for installation; uses 4 AAA batteries
  • Smart latch system turns water on and off depending on faucet head position
  • Unique pause button lets you temporarily stop the spray, such as when moving the faucet head across a dual-compartment sink

Cons

  • Battery operation makes installation easier but requires more long-term (yet simple) maintenance

Get the BioBidet by Bemis kitchen faucet at Amazon, The Home Depot, or BioBidet.

Best Semi-Pro

Hansgrohe Joleena Semi-Prop Kitchen Faucet

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Those going for a professional appearance will appreciate both the form and function of the Hansgrohe Joleena semi-professional faucet. The chrome finish, high-arc gooseneck design, and coil spring hose support lend a pro-kitchen style, while the 360-degree spout and 18-inch hose provide total access to the kitchen sink area. An aerated spray head limits countertop overspray. In the retracted position, a magnetic dock holds the spray head securely in place.

While Hansgrohe recommends installation by a licensed plumber, we did a DIY-style installation without problems. Brass construction combined with the chrome finish really made this faucet stand out among the test group in terms of substantial weight and appearance. The spray pattern was clean and drip-free, and the spring hose support offered the greatest range of motion of all the faucets we tested.

Product Specs

  • Style: Gooseneck
  • Operation: Manual
  • Flow rate: 1.75 GPM

Pros

  • Heavy-duty brass construction; attractive and durable
  • Generous water flow rate; cleans faster
  • Professional kitchen design; suitable for heavy-duty use
  • Easy installation

Cons

  • The spring hose support may trap dirt or debris over time
  • Horizontal hose support is less elegant than a conventional faucet
  • A helper may be necessary for installation

Get the Hansgrohe Joleena Kitchen Faucet at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Compact

Peerless Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet

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Not every kitchen is built for a high-arc gooseneck faucet. Where space is limited, a straight faucet probably makes the most practical sense. This Peerless single-handle faucet is a pared-down option for those who need basic functionality.

We easily installed the Peerless single-handle kitchen faucet in about 15 minutes. It operated well with no drips or leaks. The 1.8 GPM flow rate combined with the scaled-down proportions left the somewhat ironic impression of a more luxurious flow than most of the larger, more stylish faucets. The basic design will not stand out in the kitchen, and the low rise means less room in the sink for big pots and pans, but where space is limited, this could be a good choice.

Product Specs

  • Style: Straight
  • Operation: Manual
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM

Pros

  • Low profile design; doesn’t take up space
  • Inexpensive price point compared to similar options
  • Good value; durable and reliable for years

Cons

  • Sprayer is not included
  • Basic appearance and functionality
  • Requires 3-hole configuration

Get the Peerless Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila

What to Consider When Choosing a Kitchen Faucet

It is important to keep in mind a few features to ensure you pick the perfect faucet for your kitchen. Whether you are replacing an old faucet or just want to upgrade, be sure to consider the handle, the reach, and the mounting style.

Handles

There are three options when it comes to handles for a kitchen faucet: single, double, and touchless.

  • Single faucets are easier to install and use and also take up less space than their two-handle counterparts. However, they aren’t as precise as double faucets when it comes to temperature adjustments.
  • Double faucets have separate hot and cold water valves to the left and right of the faucet. The handles can be part of the baseplate or separately mounted. Two-handled faucets are more challenging to install, and you need both hands to adjust the water temperature.
  • Touchless models are a relatively new technology that’s now available for home use. The most significant advantage of these models is convenience and cleanliness. A movement sensor activates the water, so if your hands are full or dirty, you don’t have to touch the fixture. They cost more than single and double faucets.

Reach

Kitchen faucet spouts come with stationary, pull-down, or pull-out options.

  • Faucets with stationary spouts typically come with a separate sprayer mounted on the side. Side sprayers are falling out of fashion nowadays but are still available in basic models. These units are mounted away from the spout faucet, and they require a hole in the sink or countertop, which makes it more complicated to install due to the extra plumbing lines needed.
  • Pull-down and pull-out spouts feature a built-in sprayer that functions as a stationary spout when not in use. The spout pulls out or down from the single-handle faucet head on a hose. There’s a counterweight in the neck of the faucet that helps the hose and spout to retract. These types of spouts come in handy when rinsing vegetables or cleaning the sink.

Although pull-out and pull-down faucets have many similarities, the major difference between the two is the amount of clearance it needs. A pull-down faucet generally has a taller gooseneck spout, and the actual spray hose is usually shorter than pull-out models. Pull-downs are excellent choices for deep, single-basin sinks.

Pull-out faucets have shorter spouts, and the hose is longer than those of pull-downs. They can quickly fill pots and pans on your countertop rather than in the sink. These faucets are suitable for shallow, double-basin sinks.

Mounting Style

Many sinks come with mounting holes predrilled for installing faucets and accessories such as soap dispensers. If you are shopping for a new sink to match your faucet, you can select anything that you like as long as the faucet mounts match the number of holes in the sink, or you can select an undermount or drop-in sink that doesn’t have holes, knowing that you’ll have to match up countertop holes with whatever your faucet requires.

If you are replacing a faucet on an existing sink, you need to match the mounting mechanism exactly. If the faucet comes with a base or deck plate, it can cover extra holes that are not in use. In general, do not purchase a faucet with more sinkholes than your sink has—drilling holes into your sink is not easy and not recommended as a DIY task.

There are also faucets designed to mount to a wall versus the sink. These faucets are typically found near a stove and are primarily used for filling pots. Most people do not use this mounting style.

Gallons Per Minute

The amount of water that flows through a faucet is measured in gallons per minute, or GPM. In older fixtures, rates of 2 GPM or higher were commonplace. Most building codes now call for faucet flow rates of 1.8 GPM or less in order to conserve water. In some areas, low-flow faucets with a maximum rate of 1.5 GPM are required.

Beyond the building codes, the benefit of choosing a low-flow faucet is that it can help you save money on your water bill. The downside is that it takes longer to fill up pots, pans, and pitchers. To counter the reduced flow, some low-flow faucets offer a stream boost button that temporarily increases the flow on demand. As soon as the button is released, low flow resumes.

Design

Faucet designs are either straight or have a gooseneck curve.

  • Straight spout faucets are compact and less expensive but leave little room in your sink for filling up large pots.
  • Gooseneck models have higher clearances but take up more space and typically cost more. Whatever design you pick for your kitchen, make sure it gives you plenty of reach, and keep it proportional to your sink’s size.

Finish

Faucets are available in many types of finishes. Standard options include chrome, stainless steel, nickel, platinum, pewter, and matte black. The kind of finish affects the faucet’s appearance, cleanability, resistance to spotting and rusting, and price.

The shinier the finish, the more fingerprints and water spots will show. Many finishes are also available in a brushed option. This type of finish is perfect for hiding fingerprints and other smudges. It all comes down to whether the finish of your selected faucet suits your existing kitchen and decor.

FAQs

If you’re still reading, you may have a few lingering questions about buying or installing a new faucet. Read on to learn more.

Q. Is a pull-out or pull-down kitchen faucet better?

Pull-out faucets require less headroom and make a good choice where cabinetry is installed above the sink. Pull-down faucets are often constructed in a high-arc or gooseneck pattern to provide more in-sink clearance for pots and pans and other large items.

Q. What type of faucet do plumbers recommend?

Plumbers recommend choosing a faucet from a quality brand, made of quality components. Some of the top brands include Delta, Moen, Kohler, and hansgrohe. Look for construction of brass, zinc alloy, or alloy steel for best results

Q. How long should a kitchen faucet last?

Kitchen faucets last 15 to 20 years on average, but quality of construction can increase or decrease the lifespan. Paying more for quality fixtures will save time, money, and materials compared with cheaply made products.

Why Trust Bob Vila

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series, including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

Best Kitchen Faucets for 2024

When designing a kitchen, most people don't think much about which faucet features to consider. You use it daily, and the best kitchen faucets account for more than just hot and cold water. Some people are more interested in eye-catching faucet models for a great design, while others prefer functionality over looks.

Whether you just want the best value for your dollar or are wading through the sea of high-end kitchen faucets, it's worth remembering that your faucet is among the most high-touch aspects of your kitchen, and if not installed or maintained well, things can go wrong very quickly. The best kitchen faucet models meld style and performance, fitting seamlessly into your daily routine. It may be a fixture, but your faucet selection is more important than things like cabinet handles, and you may want to consider that purchase more with the weight you'd place on picking a large appliance.

Some recurring wisdom I gleaned from researching this list is that your kitchen faucet is not necessarily where you should seek significant savings -- although we've brought you a well-vetted budget option -- and isn't the best opportunity to get cute with something cheap and clever-looking you found online. Especially if you're planning to self-install, an oft-repeated bit of advice from home experts is to stick with trusted brands that have a long history in the faucet game. 

Brands such as Moen, Delta and Kohler came up time and again as the most highly rated options, reflected in our picks, below. (Other brands such as Grohe, Klaus, and Elkay also proved popular among rankings.) Faucets are not one-size-fits-all either, and there are many important aspects to consider in terms of size, functionality and installation requirements. (See our buying guide at the end for a rundown of various options to consider.) With all that in mind, we bring you the five best kitchen faucets for 2024.

Best kitchen faucets for 2024

$159 at Amazon $159 at Walmart $159 at Amazon

Best overall kitchen faucet

Moen Adler One-Handle High Arc Faucet

$159 at Amazon $159 at Walmart

Moen is one of the top brands for kitchen fixtures, creating attractive, durable products that are easy to install, have a high degree of functionality, and come with a lifetime limited warranty. Among kitchen faucet options, single-handle, high-arc and pull-down models are the most common and represent most of our picks, (see our Buying Guide below for all the variables that go into faucet choices,) and this Moen Adler model takes top honors for its simple but sleek design that can work in any kitchen, paired with an extra powerful spray option, while still maintaining a very friendly price tag. Retailing for about $155 on Amazon including a spot-resistant finish, its overall value given its features and the quality of the brand puts it ahead of the field. At 1.5 gallons per minute, the flow rate of the Moen Adler qualifies as low-flow while still maintaining a robust stream, meaning that you might catch a little savings in water usage compared to other models as well.

Moen Arbor was another highly rated Moen model with a slightly different look, and both the Adler and Arbor are available in several different formats including pull-out, low-arc, smart-enabled and touchless options. (Note that smart-enabled and touchless models may also require either batteries or an AC hookup for installation, which adds to the degree of difficulty and also the price.)

  • Faucet height: 14.5 in. 
  • Flow rate: 1.5 GPM
  • Number of holes: 1
  • Price: $155

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$284 at Lowes $284 at Lowes

Another excellent option

Delta Leland Single Handle Faucet

$284 at Lowes

Delta's products were neck-and-neck with Moen when it came to which ranked highest among multiple best kitchen faucet lists. A longtime leader in faucet manufacturing, the Delta Leland model offers a slightly more romantic silhouette than the Moen Adler for a somewhat higher price tag, but its features and functionality are otherwise on par with our top pick. Many users commented on its flawless magnetic docking technology, which makes the pull-down sprayer look especially like an integrated part of the faucet. Its flow rate is slightly higher than the Moen Adler, at 1.8 GPM, which provides a stronger stream while not in spray mode but also utilizes more water.

As above, the Delta Leland is available in various formats and also includes the possibility for voice or motion activation. Other highly ranked Delta models include Trinsic and Essa.

  • Faucet height: 14.9 in.
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
  • Number of holes: 1 or 3
  • Price: $231

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$66 at Amazon $86 at Walmart $66 at Amazon

Best budget faucet

Wewe Single Handle Pull Out Faucet

$66 at Amazon $86 at Walmart

Of all the faucets highlighted on any lists that I consulted, this Wewe model was the most consistent in terms of its placement as the absolute top option for those on a budget. As Amazon's best-selling faucet -- period -- it has an impressive 4.8 out of 5 score based on more than 40,000 user ratings. Depending on the finish of your choice, the model will cost between $65 and $85, making it a tremendous value for how much user confidence it inspires.

Functionally, it is a single-handle, gooseneck-style faucet with a pull-down sprayer. Its simple, tulip design is nearly as elegant as any of the higher-end models on this list, with the only exception being that the spray setting buttons (stream, spray, pause) are visibly situated on the top of the sprayer nozzle, rather than hidden behind. Its cost savings largely have to do with its lighter-weight nature, but Wewe has a reputation for making quality, low-cost products. Users frequently noted its easy installation and nuanced temperature control functionality. With a generous 1.8 GPM stream, it's a powerful, value-driven option that will easily be able to handle your dish-washing needs without setting you back hundreds.

  • Faucet height: 15.7 in.
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
  • Number of holes: 1 or 3
  • Price: $65

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$87 at Amazon $87 at Amazon

A good low-profile faucet

Delta Classic Single-Handle Faucet

$87 at Amazon

Not every kitchen sink space is equipped for a high-arching faucet, so for a lower-profile, not to mention budget option, we like this Delta Classic Single-Handle Faucet model. Delta products inspire user confidence, and this is no exception, with an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5. (Ease of installation and functionality both typically got higher marks, with "style" scoring lower on average than the gooseneck models on this list, but that can't be helped when considering a lower profile option.) Despite not having a pull-out or pull-down sprayer, the neck is able to swivel 180 degrees, and the flow rate is a sturdy 1.8 GPM, making it feel a little more robust than some of the lower-flow but higher-end models here. Chrome is the only finish available here, but there's no denying it's a classic look and a top-notch brand.

  • Faucet height: 8.4 in.
  • Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
  • Number of holes: 1
  • Price: $83

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$279 at The Home Depot $279 at The Home Depot

Best professional kitchen faucet

Kohler Sous Pro-Style Faucet

$279 at The Home Depot

You will recognize "professional" kitchen faucet models by their coiled gooseneck design, which allows complete control over the movement of the nozzle, making it easy to fill or wash industrial-sized pots and pans. A magnetic docking handle keeps the gooseneck arm locked when not in use, and if I may? The overall effect is kind of badass. Whether or not you need such a model in your life, at a price only marginally higher than most of the other faucets on this list, this Kohler Pro-Style model is one worth considering if "badass" is the energy you're trying to bring to your kitchen.

At 22.25 inches, you'll need a bit more clearance to accommodate this model, which should be fine so long as your sink isn't mounted under any cabinetry. A soap dispenser is also included, which means your corresponding sink must have at least two holes for faucet installation. Despite its professional appearance, which may be intimidating to some, most users reported that installation was easy. The Kohler Sous Pro-Style is one of Home Depot's best sellers, with an overall 4.6 rating out of nearly 3,000 reviews.

  • Faucet height: 22.25 in.
  • Flow rate: 1.5 GPM
  • Number of holes: 2
  • Price: $279

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How we evaluated the best kitchen faucets

Our list of kitchen faucets was compiled from numerous review sites among those models that were most frequently mentioned, as well as best-selling and top-rated models at major retailers such as Amazon, Home Depot and Lowe's. I researched the kitchen faucets in this list by analyzing specs and user reviews, diving deep for mentions of persistent issues, and considering the available features and functionality compared to price as a measure of each model's overall value. I focused primarily on those models which had extremely high user ratings, typically 4.5 and above with at least 1,000 unique ratings.

Kitchen faucet buying guide

While faucet design is likely going to be a big factor in your kitchen faucet decision, the functionality of kitchen faucets comes down to five major components:

Mounting

Assuming you are purchasing a faucet for a pre-existing sink, you will first have to know how many holes are available for installation: one, two or three. If you have as many as three you can more or less choose whatever faucet you wish, as additional holes can be easily plugged if not used, but you can't install a faucet that requires more holes than your sink basin has. The number of handles on the faucet, as well as whether there are additional features such as a separate sprayer, soap dispenser or hot water filler all require additional holes.

There are a number of important considerations to make before buying a new faucet.

Moen

Neck

Gooseneck faucets are common, but even among them there are lower arc and higher arc options, and you should take measurements in your space to make sure you're not choosing something that exceeds the height of what's available. Straight faucets take up less vertical space and are generally less expensive, but leave less room in the basin for doing dishes or filling up pots.

Reach

Your faucet's ability to easily reach every corner of your sink also comes down to a matter of how it's intended to work. Pull-down faucets are the most common and consist of a sprayer mounted on a hose that can be pulled down from the arched neck, or remain locked in the arm of the faucet when not in use. Pull-out faucets are typically found in models with a lower profile, and pull forward from the base, rather than down, and usually include a longer hose. Stationary spouts, such as those in most straight-neck models, often include a separate sprayer attachment that is mounted on the side of the sink.

Kohler's pro-style faucet gives you more reach than a standard model.

Kohler

Handles

Single-handle faucets are the most common and contain only one handle for adjusting the water temperature. They are the easiest to install but can be tricky to adjust to your perfect temperature every time. Touchless or smart features, where available, are typically aligned with single-handle models. Double-handle faucets include separate handles for hot and cold water, allowing you more nuance to adjust the temperature to your liking and giving a more old-fashioned or farmhouse look. Double-handle faucets are tricky to install and require additional holes in the corresponding sink.

There are virtually endless faucet styles, colors and finishes to choose from.

BuildMyPlace

Finish

Many faucets offer spotless or fingerprint-proof finishes, which usually consist of a brushed metal look, rather than a shiny look. Nickel, chrome, matte-black and stainless steel are the most common finishes, with bronze, gold and pewter as occasional options.

Kitchen faucet FAQs

How expensive are kitchen faucets?

All of the above considerations play a part in the price of a faucet. For simple designs made from cheaper materials, there are several options under $100. When you add all the possible bells and whistles for both form and function, many higher-end faucets can run $600 and above. On average, a high-quality faucet from a trusted brand costs between $150 and $300.

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How long should a kitchen faucet last?

A kitchen faucet can last up to about 20 years, especially when manufactured by a trusted brand from high-quality materials. Since faucets have some serious longevity, it's another good argument to spend a little more money upfront since the amount your faucet costs you yearly over its lifespan amounts to pocket change, even in the more expensive models.

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Are kitchen faucets easy to install?

Most faucet manufacturers recommend leaving the installation to a professional, but all of their faucets also come equipped with DIY instructions, and the majority of user reviews regarding faucets discuss how easy or difficult installation is. If you are planning to install yourself, you might want to look into a handful of user reviews for the faucet you are considering, to see if you would be more comfortable hiring a pro. Faucets with multiple handles or additional features such as a separate sprayer or soap dispenser will increase the degree of difficulty slightly. Smart-enabled or touchless models might also require an electrical hookup, so you'll want to see whether one is already available under your sink.

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What type of water pressure should I look for?

The flow rate of your faucet is measured in gallons per minute. To conserve water, and per building codes, most contemporary faucets must run at 1.8 GPM or lower. Low-flow faucets are those that have a GPM rate of 1.5 or less, which are required in some places and can also result in savings on your water bill.

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What type of kitchen faucet is the best?

There is a near-infinite variety of kitchen faucets available when you factor in all the possible mix-and-match variables: arc, functionality, finish, style, handle type and so on. The best kitchen faucet for you must begin with a matter of space: How big is the corresponding sink, how many holes do you have for installation, and do you have any vertical considerations, such as cabinetry, that will inform how much of a gooseneck arc you can accommodate. 

Functionality is also important, in terms of how much and what kind of use you're routinely subjecting the faucet to: Are you mainly rinsing dishes to stack them in a dishwasher, or is the sink your sole pot-washing station? Are you a use-your-hands kind of cook, where touchless may be a critical feature? 

Style is, of course, also a consideration, since your faucet is arguably a very visible feature in your kitchen. No one thing is necessarily best when it comes to a type of faucet, since it's going to be a customized decision, even when you're eventually buying a model off the shelf.

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For more information, please visit kitchen faucet manufacturer.