Any faucet will produce running water, but the best kitchen faucet can adapt to different kitchen needs and endure decades of daily use.
A kitchen faucet (also known as kitchen tap) is a kitchen fixture tool that controls running water in the kitchen. They typically have either one handle rotating directionally to change water temperature or two handles for mixing hot and cold water.
We talked to 15 experts, poured through hundreds of offerings from over a dozen brands, and contacted kitchen sink faucets manufacturers directly to find out who’s making the best faucets on the market. In this kitchen faucet reviews, consumer ratings and buying guide, you will know which faucet is best after rigorous testing, and learn how to choose the best kitchen faucet for your kitchen.
Top 5 Kitchen Faucets Brands
These are the top rated best kitchen faucets brands:
- Best overall: American Standard.
- Best high end faucets: Delta Faucets.
- Best luxury kitchen faucets: Kohler luxury kitchen faucets.
- Budget friendly and affordable: Premier Faucets.
- Best pull down with sprayer: Vigo Kitchen faucets.
We took real consumer reviews and studied kitchen faucet consumer reports before testing different faucets from popular kitchen sink and faucet brands. Some of the best kitchen faucet brands available today include: Delta, American Standard, Kohler, Brizo, Moen, Vigo and Kraus. After series of touchless, pull down and high-end kitchen faucet reviews, we have shortlisted the best kitchen faucets for home cooks and regular kitchen users.
Here is a reviewed list of the best kitchen faucets to buy in 2022:
Best kitchen faucet overall: American Standard Delancey Single Handle Pull Down Kitchen Faucet
Our top pick of the best kitchen faucet
- Faucet brand: American Standard
- Finish: Bronze, Chrome, Nickel, Stainless Steel
- Features: With Pull-out Spray
- Maximum flow rate: 2.2 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
- Installation method: Deck Mounted
Why we chose it
Plenty of faucets to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a gooseneck pull-out hose, straight neck, two-handle, touch-controlled, or side spray faucet, American Standard has plenty of kitchen sink faucets to choose from. The company offers 48 faucets (ranging from $70 – $500) that feature ceramic discs and PVD finish options.
Modern and classic aesthetics.
Most American Standard faucets are understated, classic pieces that would blend in well with a variety of kitchens. Though it offers both traditional and modern models, they were all designed with clean, soft, rounded lines.
Multi-spray mode and more.
The pull-down kitchen faucet model of the Delancey line, for example, has three spray modes (stream, spray, and pause) to handle a variety of cleaning tasks. In addition to this, it also has temperature memory which, as the name suggests, remembers the last temperature setting you used.
What we did not like (Points to consider)
Lack of finish options.
The one thing we found rather lacking among American Standard faucets was a lack of finish options. You’ll be able to choose from chrome and stainless steel for most models, but only a handful offer additional finishes like Bronze or Nickel.
It’s also worth noting that if you want PVD, you’re also limited further regarding finishes; only stainless steel and polished nickel have PVD.
Best high end faucet: Delta Leland Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet with Touch2O 9178T
Delta makes the best high-end kitchen faucets
If you are in the market for the best quality faucet for your kitchen, the Delta Faucet Leland Touch Kitchen Faucet is the best high-end pull-down kitchen faucet for most kitchen.
- Faucet brand: Delta Faucet
- Finish: Bronze, Chrome, Stainless Steel
- Features: With Pull-out Spray
- Flow rate: 1.8 GPM (Gallons Per Minute)
- Mounting type / Installation method: Deck Mounted
- Spout height: 14 Inches
Why we chose it
Bold design.
Delta’s faucets (averaging $350 – $400) could be cousins to American Standard’s. They’re also classic and versatile, but the overall design personality is a little bolder. These faucets will still fit into any kitchen, but the sculpted designs give off a more youthful energy and draw more attention than American Standard faucets.
High-tech.
Delta’s Touch2O feature is available across several of its collections. Most faucets have magnetic hose retraction and multiple spray modes, and some fancier ones such as Linden have automatic water shutoff and LED lights showing water temperature.
Large range of finishes.
Delta’s PVD finishes are called Brilliance and Spot Shield, and come in a range of chrome, stainless steel, and bronze options.
What you should know and points to consider
Hose length concern.
While it didn’t come up during our testing, there were some consumer online reviewers that expressed some minor disappointment about the hose length. These reviewers claimed that hose was advertised at 59 inches and it measured about 54. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but consider that point if you tend to max out your hose’s length.
Best luxury kitchen faucet: Kohler Artifacts Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen sink Faucet K-29709
Kohler makes some of the best rated luxury kitchen faucets
- Faucet brand: Kohler
- Finish: Brass, Bronze, Chrome, Nickel, Stainless Steel
- Features: With Pull-out Spray
- Mounting type / Installation method: Deck Mounted
- Number of Handles: 1
- Where to buy: Amazon US, CA, UK | Build | Home Depot | Lowe’s
Why we chose it
A large range of looks from traditional to futuristic.
If you’re not sure what kind of aesthetic you’re looking for, Kohler can show you the world of possibilities out there.
The Artifacts and Purist collections are good representations of the range of what Kohler offers: The Artifacts line is based on traditional, vintage aesthetics that would fit well in a period piece, whereas the Purist line is purely sleek and modern. In our test kitchen, we found it hard to believe all these hugely different faucets come from the same brand.
High-tech features.
Kohler’s faucets feature temperature memory, multiple spray modes, and magnetic hose retraction. This allows for greater versatility when you’re in the kitchen cleaning plates or spraying down the sink.
What you should know and points to consider
Possibly overwhelming options of faucets to choose from.
Kohler offers 26 product families and more than 100 faucets, which makes it a great place to start browsing. But if you frequently find yourself overwhelmed by having too many options, that range might leave you a little paralyzed.
If that’s the case, we recommend the Premier Faucet brand, so you can browse a more digestible catalog of nine lines.
Budget friendly option: Premier Faucets
Why we chose it
Budget-friendly.
Though not as famous as the big three we tested, Premier Faucets holds its own with these heavy-hitters. We appreciate that most of Premier’s faucets averaged only $50 – $200. The cheaper options are more traditional designs, while the $200 collections, like the Premier Faucet Essen, were sleeker and more contemporary.
If you’re looking for a quality and durable kitchen faucet that won’t bankrupt you, Premier Faucet is a great kitchen faucets brand to start your search.
More than just regular faucets.
In addition to kitchen faucets, the brand also makes bathroom faucets, mirrors, vanities, toilets, and kitchen sinks. If you’re looking to refit your bathroom and kitchen on a budget, we recommend browsing through Premier’s options.
What we did not like and points to consider
Lacking extras.
We were a little disappointed to see that PVD finishing only came in the shade “PVD Brushed Nickel.” There aren’t a lot of special features, either. Some of the models come with two spray modes, but you won’t find hands-free tech or temperature memory among its offerings. Still, for less than $200, we think that’s pretty fair.
Best pull down kitchen faucet: Vigo Pull-Down Spray Kitchen Faucet VG02001
Vigo makes the best touchless and pull-down kitchen faucets
If you want a touchless pull-down faucet for your kitchen, the Vigo Pull-Down Spray Kitchen Faucet VG02001 is the best pull down kitchen faucet in the market right now. You will find it to be a great appeal if a touchless faucet that is budget friendly and affordable is what you seek.
- Faucet brand: Vigo
- Finish: Brass, Chrome, Matte Black, Stainless Steel
- Features: With Pull-out Spray
- Installation method: Surface-Mounted
- Spout Height: 6.25 Inches
- Spout Reach: 9.5 Inches
Why we choose it
Cheap coil faucet.
Vigo has some of the best pull down kitchen faucets in the market for just a fraction of the price. The Edison coiled faucet, as an example, gives off an industrial, edgy feel for less than $200.
It’s also constructed out of durable solid brass, has multiple spray modes, and comes in four shades, including matte black. If you want a contemporary, stylish kitchen on a budget, we think it’s hard to go wrong with Vigo faucets.
Surprisingly low prices.
Vigo impressed us with its contemporary, statement designs, as well as its surprisingly low prices.
Ranging from $170 to $260, these faucets are slick statement pieces that offer partial-to-full brass construction, multiple unique finishes, and eye-catching silhouettes at wallet-friendly prices.
What you should know and points to consider
No touch tech or chrome PVD.
None of the faucets we tested from Vigo offer touch tech, so if you’re looking for a touchless kitchen faucet, you might want to look at the other best rated faucet brands.
When we contacted the faucet manufacturer Vigo, they told us that all of its finishes, except for chrome, have PVD – so whether you fall for a stainless steel, matte black, bronze, or duo-tone faucet, rest easy knowing it’ll be resistant to scratches and stains.
How to Find the Right Kitchen and Sink Faucet for Your Kitchen
Identify your kitchen needs and habits
Keep in mind that if the faucet leaks or its form doesn’t fit your functional needs, its attractive appearance will soon lose its charm. Design and functionality should fit the way you work in the kitchen.
Aleksandr Biyevetskiy, Home remodeling Contractor
Do you handwash dishes frequently, or have low cabinets? Is your sink shallow, deep, or somewhere in between? No matter your lifestyle, the ideal kitchen faucet should combine both stunning looks and foolproof function.
Make sure the faucet will fit your sink
Avoid faucets that have dimensions close to or even larger than your sink, which will both look disproportionate and cause splashing.
Designer Natasha Gupta also recommends being aware of headroom.
If you have cabinets above the sink, it is more likely you will need a short-spouted faucet with a pull-out option.
Natasha Gupte – UK home designer
Also, be sure to measure the clearance between your sink and backsplash and compare it with the dimensions of the faucet you’re considering: If it’s too tight, the faucet handle may hit the wall when you move it back.
Make sure your sink has the right number of holes required to mount the faucet, too. Faucets can require one to four holes, depending on how many separate components it has (think multiple handles, a soap dispenser, or separate spray nozzle.
We don’t recommend trying to “make it work” if the numbers don’t match up. drilling new holes can be difficult and commonly causes expensive damage to sinks if not done properly. Travis West – HB McClure’s Residential Plumbing Service Writer.
Consider high-tech features such as multiple spray modes, automatic shutoff and touch control
The most common special feature is multiple spray modes, which allows you to switch among two to four streams of varying water pressure, so you can change the pressure as needed when you’re handwashing dishes, or cleaning your sink. Some spray modes also allow you to pause the spray, so you don’t need to move the handle.
Automatic shutoff saves water by turning off the flow after a set amount of time. Temperature memory, similar to pause mode, lets you to return to the last temperature set. Touch control gets rid of the handle entirely, only requiring a tap to start or stop the water flow, which is great for the chef or kid with messy hands.
That said, you should know that this technology is relatively new, and hasn’t been perfected yet. The sensor should be on the neck near the spout, if it’s located elsewhere, the sensitivity might be off, and not turn on when you tap it – or worse, turn off and on when you’re moving near the faucet.
West also warns that touch faucets “require battery changes (annually for most models), which can be an inconvenience to the user.” That’s not to say you shouldn’t get a touch faucet — but just keep the potential drawbacks in mind as you’re searching for the right one.
What are the best kitchen faucet brands?
These are the best rated kitchen faucet brands we tested.
- American Standard
- Delta
- Kohler
- Kraus
- Moen
- Premier Faucet
- Vigo
- Grohe
- Brizo
- Franke
- Newport Brass
- Danze
Buying Guide: How We Tested and Chose the Best Kitchen Faucets
Brand name and reputation
The advice we heard over and over again? “Choose a quality brand.” When we spoke to Anna Gibson, owner of boutique kitchen design firm AKG Design Studio, she cautioned, “Buy cheap, buy twice.” What you save in buying a cheap faucet may end up costing you in repairs and replacements all the same. Don’t expect a $50 no-name faucet to last you more than a year or two, and if you have the choice, invest in a model that will serve you well for more than a few years.
We considered 15 brands in total – the ones that experts told us they trust the most, ranging from traditional brands like American Standard to popular brands like Delta and Brizo, a luxury designer faucets brand.
Leak-proof valves
Dmitri Kara, of the tradesmen at Fantastic Handyman (London), told us “Older units use rubber compression valves to stop the supply of water when a washer or seal closed.
Leaks start to occur when washers become damaged one way or the other. The newer models implement ceramic discs to stop the flow when ports are shut, which means there are no washers to suffer from erosion at all.” This, in turn, prevents leaks.
Durable finishes
A Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish costs more but resists scratching better than a dipped or plastic finish. Your faucet will still work just fine without a PVD finish, but may start showing signs of wear after a few years. Since we’re looking for the best, we required all of our top collections to have a PVD option.
Brands with the most faucets meeting our criteria
In the end, 10 brands passed our filters. We chose to highlight the six with the highest number of faucets that met our criteria below: American Standard, Delta, Kohler, Premier Faucet, and Vigo.
Based simply on numbers, these brands have the best chances of featuring designs you’ll like. The other five — Grohe, Moen, Kraus, Newport Brass, and Pfister – also offer ceramic, PVD finish options, but with just one to seven faucets each. That’s not to say that any of these brands are of lower quality than our top picks – just that there are fewer options per brand.