The best kitchen faucets

As one of the most heavily used household fixtures, your kitchen faucet needs to be highly functional, durable, efficient, and convenient – all while looking great.
The Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet offers all of the above: It streams and sprays, guards against leaks, turns on manually or by touch, resists dirt and fingerprints, and exudes simple elegance.
If you’re interested in expanding your kitchen renovation to include your sink basin, check out our guide to the best kitchen sinks.

The workhorse kitchen faucet is often taken for granted – until it breaks. Just think of how frequently you and other household members use it to wash your hands, get a drink, scrub vegetables, rinse dishes, wet sponges, and more. Ideally, you want one that stands up to everyday use.

As a residential contractor, I’ve been replacing and installing different types of faucets for years. From large commercial kitchen models to simple bathroom faucets, I know the mechanical red flags to avoid (like plastic ball valves that leak) and unreliable brands to stay away from.

Using this knowledge – and after reviewing each option’s installation and design specs – I visited several appliance showrooms and hardware stores in my area to analyze my top choices. Once I got a hands-on feel each model’s functionality and mechanics, I landed on these options as my top picks for the best kitchen faucets.

Even if you don’t end up going with one of our picks, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for a new kitchen faucet. For a short explainer of things to consider, scroll down to the bottom of this guide.

Here are our top picks for the best kitchen faucets:

Best overall: Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet
Best on a budget: WEWE Single Handle High Arc Brushed Nickel Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet
Best touchless faucet: Moen Arbor Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc MotionSense Wave Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet
Best pull-out faucet: Moen Arbor Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet
Best commercial-style faucet: Kohler Sous Pro-Style Single Handle Pull-Down Sprayer Faucet

Prices and links are current as of 8/25/20. We streamlined the formatting of this guide to bring you the most relevant information quickly.

The best overall

The sleek and sturdy Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet adds the convenience of touch activation to the versatility of a pull-down spray head.

The Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet doesn't just pack a ton of features into a single faucet, it also looks good while doing it. From the sprayer wand to the integrated LED temperature indicator, it all comes together to make a nice, solid faucet.

What really sets the Delta Leland apart from competitors is the functional design of its pull-down spray-head. It's got a nice ergonomic tulip-shape that is easy to get a grip on, and its magnetic locking system connects it to the spout nice and tight.

The spray head itself has a rocker-style switch for toggling between settings - standard and sprayer - without having to hold a button down the whole time. A separate button controls the Spray Shield setting, which is one of those things that sounds like a gimmicky feature but is actually pretty useful. Basically, the Spray Shield focuses the water into a thin, extra powerful stream to blast off stuck-on food, while also creating a cone of water around the area to prevent splashing.

I was really surprised by the flexibility of the connector hose. Usually, these are stiff and rubbery, but even with a braided nylon covering, the Delta hose didn't affect my control at all. The 22" hose, plus the 15.4" faucet height make it great for tasks like filling up a big pot of water on the counter, instead of having to place it in the sink.

The Touch2O technology is the main feature of the Delta Leland Faucet, and it really shines here. This allows you to turn on the water by touching anywhere on the spout or handle. I personally appreciate touch faucets most when cooking with raw fish or chicken. I can control the water with my elbow through the entire process of rinsing off the meat, breading it, tossing it in the pan, and then washing my hands. A standard faucet would either have to be on the entire time, or I'd be washing my hands (and the faucet) after each step.

A handy LED display on the base of the Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet tells you the current temperature, transitioning from blue to red as it moves from cold to hot. Keep in mind though; this LED only turns on when the water is running. This means that you'll have to be a little more self-aware when using the touch feature, and confirm via the LED that the temperature is what you think it is.

The drawback of any touch-activated faucet is the need for a power source, and this model requires four AAAA batteries - or you could use the included AC adapter if you have an outlet in your sink cabinet. If you have a garbage disposal you probably do.

In my personal experience replacing faucets - and several plumbers that I spoke with agree - single handle faucets like this are eventually going to wear out and begin to leak. It's inevitable. Which is why touch activation is a great way to extend the lifespan of your faucet.

That being said, if you don't think you need the touch activation, Delta does make the same faucet in a standard style for a bit cheaper. That model still includes everything else, the Spray Shield, etc.

Even with the solenoid needed to power the sensor, installation of the Delta Leland Pull-Down Touch2O Kitchen Faucet is pretty straightforward if you have a couple of adjustable pliers on hand and an Allen key. Delta did a nice job with the instruction manual, and also has some helpful videos that supplement it nicely.

Pros: Stylish, lifetime warranty on parts and finishes, design reduces valve wear and tear.

Cons: Electronics only have a five-year warranty, batteries need to be replaced every 2 years.

The best on a budget

Foto: Source: Amazon

The WEWE Single Handle High Arc Brushed Nickel Pull-Out Kitchen 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 delivers on both fronts, with braided supply lines for durability, an ABS plastic aerator (think of the tough plastic used to make Lego bricks), and ceramic disk valves.

Even though ceramic disk valves are pretty common these days, it was still a nice surprise to see them on a faucet at this low price. With no rubber caps to wear down over time, ceramic valves prevent leaks more effectively than ball valves and are pretty much mandatory for a quality faucet. (Though they are susceptible to cracking if you apply too much pressure to them, so keep that in mind.)

In addition to the standard stream and sprayer settings, the WEWE Faucet also lets you pause the water with a button on the spray head, which I really appreciate. You do have to continuously hold down the button while pausing, but it's still a useful feature for preventing over-spraying while moving back and forth between the sink and countertop, for example.

All of its components are solid metal, which gives the WEWE Faucet a nice solid feel to it. This faucet definitely doesn't have a flimsy or "cheap" feel you might expect from a budget option.

That being said, the zinc alloy and nickel finish are probably the reason for its low price. Cheaper than stainless steel, and not as resistant to water spots, brushed nickel will need a little more maintenance to stay clean. A soft cloth and soapy water should do the trick, just remember to stay away from any abrasive cleaning pads that can scratch the finish, as well as any cleaners that contain ammonia.

The WEWE Faucet has a high-arc (15.7-inches tall) neck that swivels 360 degrees. The spout hangs 8.5 inches above and reaches 8.5 inches across the top of the sink. The sprayer head hose is 71 inches in total length, and 23 inches when pulled out of the faucet.

Just like the higher-priced options on this list, 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).

Pros: Good price, nice appearance, three-way spray setting, and easy installation

Cons: Zinc alloy is less durable, brushed nickel requires more maintenance than stainless steel

The best touchless faucet

Foto: Source: Amazon

Even if your hands are full or covered with grease or raw-meat juices, you can still turn the water on and off with the Moen Arbor Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc MotionSense Wave Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet.

Have you ever used dirty hands to turn on a faucet in order, only to have to wash the faucet itself and then mop up the ensuing puddles? It is a nuisance you can avoid with the Moen Arbor MotionSense Kitchen Faucet. Marrying form with function, this model offers convenient, hands-free operation with just the wave of your hand; the Wave Sensor (on top) and Ready Sensor (in front) initiate and stop water flow when either one detects motion.

By adjusting the control box under the sink, you're also able to control the default temperature of the water when the sensors activate the faucet. The Moen factory setting is lukewarm, but if you'd rather have it be warmer for rinsing dishes, or colder for drinking water, it couldn't be easier to adjust.

And if you ever feel like disabling one or both of the sensors, that's simple too. Just hold your hand in front of the sensor for 5 seconds and it will stop registering until it's activated again. While they're disabled you also can use the lever handle to turn the water on and off manually, as well as adjust the water pressure and temperature.

The Moen Arbor MotionSense Faucet has a 100-degree-rotating high-arc spout (15.5 inches) - great for filling and cleaning large pots. The spout with a pull-down spray head offers three functions: an aerated stream, a strong "PowerClean" spray for heavy-duty cleaning, and a pause that temporarily stops the water flow (1.5 gallons per minute maximum). The spray head's hose is 68 inches in total length and retracts smoothly to dock into place.

When it comes to installation, don't let the intimidating control box fool you, Moen's are among the easiest faucets to install. Their "Duralock Quick-Connect" installation system makes it easy to attach the hoses and lines to the control box, and their one-way connections basically make them impossible to install incorrectly.

Pros: Convenient no-touch operation, spot-resistant finish

Cons: Expensive, motion sensors may need to be re-calibrated routinely

The best pull-out faucet

Foto: Source: Amazon

Perfect for cozier spaces, the Moen Arbor Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet is easy to use and keep clean.

Editor's note: The Moen Arbor Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet is being discontinued, but it is still available for purchase at some online retailers.

The Moen Arbor Spot Resist Stainless One-Handle High Arc Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet shouldn't be confused with the pull-down Moen Arbor MotionSense that we profiled above, but you could consider it as the baby brother. If you have a small sink or you don't have a lot of vertical clearance, the Moen Arbor Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet may be the right fit.

What I love about pull-out style faucets is that without all that extra spout length - the Moen Arbor Pull-Out Faucet is only 12.3 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, giving you more range of motion.

The 58-inch hose itself is especially flexible, and the braided sleeve that covers it gives it a sharp and modern look. The movements of the handle are also nice and smooth, and it doesn't take much effort to adjust it. This faucet does technically have a plastic spray head, which felt a little flimsy when taking it out of the box, but once installed, I really didn't notice it.

The Moen Arbor Pull-Out Faucet spout swivels 360 degrees and, like the Moen Arbor MotionSense, there are three functions: an aerated stream, a strong "PowerClean" spray for heavy-duty cleaning, and a pause that temporarily stops the water flow (1.5 gallons per minute maximum). No matter what spray setting it's using, once the faucet is turned off, it reverts back to regular stream when turned on again.

The installation of the Moen Pull-Out Faucet also uses Duralock Quick Connect hoses, allowing the water lines to be connected without a lot of twisting and turning. To make things even easier, this faucet also includes a cool little installation tool that basically acts as sort of a basin wrench, which makes tightening those mounting nuts a lot easier (especially if you don't have much space between the wall and your sink basin). It fits sinks with one hole or, with the included deck plate, three holes.

Pros: A hybrid of pull-down and pull-out styles, easy installation

Cons: A little pricey, plastic components can make it feel "cheaper," may become harder to find as Moen phases it out

The best commercial-style faucet

Foto: Source: Kohler

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 first thing I noticed about the Kohler is how heavy it is. Each piece is made of solid metal, and when assembled, the whole unit has a really satisfying weight to it.

Nothing gives a faucet a feeling of solid construction quite like the satisfying clunk of a magnetic feature. 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.

Something I've come to notice about these commercial-style faucets is that sometimes their height makes them look out of place in some kitchens. That's not the case with the Kohler. Its 22-inch vertical is still short enough to look great on most counters. I've even seen this on a kitchen island - usually a no-no for taller faucets - and it looked great.

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 any spring-type tension mechanism is that debris can become lodged in the gaps of the spring. What's great about the Kohler Sous Pro-Style is that the entire spring is simple to remove and you can just 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 "sweeping" away food from dishes, instead of just blasting it around with a standard sprayer. This setting is also superior for cleaning out the sink itself.

If you are installing this faucet to a stainless steel sink, you will need to add a small 1/2-inch plywood support piece under the counter. It's nothing crazy, but it's an extra step that most other faucets don't have.

Pros: Sturdy, magnetic locking arm, high quality

Cons: Spring needs to be cleaned periodically, installation can be tricky depending on your surface.

What to consider when shopping for a kitchen faucet

Foto:

Choosing a kitchen faucet may seem like a mundane task, but it's actually important. You want the right kind to fit your needs and your kitchen's decor, and you don't want to simply opt for the cheapest model.

There is also a myriad of faucet styles to choose from:

Valve Control: This is the mechanism that turns your faucet on and off, and adjusts the temperature of the water. Single-handle designs use one lever to control both temperature and flow, while double-handles have two (each handle controlling either the hot or cold water supply). Touch and motion-activated designs are convenient in a lot of ways, but they are dependent on a power source for their sensor.
- Note: Double handle styles are less common and are generally bought for their aesthetics over practicality - which is why we don't have any featured here. That said, I definitely value their durability: dual handles tend to be sturdier, and less easily yanked on than single handles.
Spout style: Choose from revolving or stationary, regular (steady stream) or two-mode (regular and spray), low arc (3 to 8 inches above the top of the sink), or high arc (also known as gooseneck, which is more than 8 inches above the top of the sink) models.
Spray head: The sprayer can be separate from and next to the faucet, or at the end of the spout. The latter type is either pull-down (often on taller faucets) or pull-out (which sometimes includes much of the spout itself).
Finish: Whatever material comprises the faucet's finish (chrome, stainless steel, bronze, copper, brass, nickel, etc.) affects its appearance, cleanability, resistance to spotting and rusting, and price.

So before you shop for a new kitchen faucet, think about where (the existing space, pre-existing hardware) and how you plan to use it. Consider each model's specs:

Arc and spout height and reach: Do you have ample clearance for high-arc faucet or a cozier kitchen better suited to a low-arc model? Will you need to maneuver pots and pans under the faucet in order to wash them? Do you care how far the spout reaches across or extends over the sink?
Flow rate: Do you want adjustable water pressure? Do you need just a stream (for filling pots or washing vegetables) or also a spray (to add oomph to scrubbing sticky or burnt-on food off of dishes)?
Installation requirements: How many holes does your sink have for fitting a faucet? Some sinks have only one hole, and faucets requiring more than one hole can't be used (unless you plan to drill more holes … which may be inconvenient, costly, or structurally impossible). If your sink does have extra holes that the faucet doesn't need, you can use cover them with an escutcheon or deck plate or use them to fit accessories like a side sprayer or soap dispenser. It's also worth checking to make sure you have enough clearance between the faucet and the wall behind - to ensure your handle can rotate as far as it needs to.

No matter which kitchen faucet you pick, choose a model that helps save water. A faucet aerator efficiently reduces the flow rate while still maintaining water pressure, thus conserving water and saving you money. Also, fix (or replace if necessary) the faucet when you notice any leaking. According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, "A faucet leaking 60 drops per minute will waste 192 gallons (726.8 liters) per month … 2,304 gallons (8.7 m3) per year." To calculate your household's potential water waste from a leaky kitchen faucet, visit the U.S. Geological Survey's Drip Calculator.

Check out our other kitchen buying guides.

Foto: Source: The Home Depot

The best kitchen faucets