Buying guide for best touchless kitchen faucets
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Touchless kitchen faucets may seem a little frivolous, but they’re actually smart, hygienic and energy-efficient additions to your home. You no longer need to keep reaching up to turn the water on and off or adjust the temperature, which helps to reduce the spread of germs. Plus, touchless kitchen faucets will automatically turn off when they don’t sense any more motion, so they can help you conserve water.
Some touchless kitchen faucets do work better than others, and if you choose one with inaccurate sensors, you may find it more annoying to use than a traditional faucet. The best kitchen faucets have an accurate hand-wave or touch sensor and a high flow rate. Other key features to look for include a spot-resistant finish, a pull-down spray head with a retractable hose and a high-arc design.
Our top pick is the Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet, which boasts a 1.8-gallon-per-minute flow rate, a matte black spot-resistant finish and superior sealing technology for a leakproof build. It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and allows for customized voice commands for timed or metered filling.
Which touchless kitchen faucet is best?
Best of the Best
Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Power Supply: 6 x AA Batteries | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Matte Black Zinc
The Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet is the top choice for those who want a smart faucet for a modern kitchen setup. It’s a feature-packed option with a high flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute and a matte black zinc finish for superior durability and fingerprint resistance.
Diamond Seal technology significantly reduces leak points for exceptional performance, and MagnaTite Docking lets you pull down the sprayer and holds it in place.
Delta Touch2O Technology allows you to simply graze the spout with your wrist or forearm to turn the water flow on and off, and you can integrate this faucet into your existing network. It’s compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant to execute voice commands, such as turning it on or pouring metered amounts of water. You can also create custom commands, such as filling a coffee pot or water bottle.
Best Bang for the Buck
Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Power Supply: 4 x AA Batteries | Mounting Type: Countertop | Finish Type: Chrome
The Bio Bidet FLOW Touchless Kitchen Faucet is the best value if you want an affordable and modern faucet. Customers are particularly impressed with its high flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute and the fact that it only requires four AA batteries to power the touchless sensor.
Exclusive SmartLatch technology is a neat feature that automatically turns water on when the sprayer is pulled down and stops when it snaps back into place. The spray head offers two functions, and if you’re not fond of the automatic sensor, you can disable it by setting the control box to manual mode.
Its high-arc design and chrome finish give it a brilliant look that complements any modern kitchen, and you’ll get a five-year warranty from the date of purchase.
Best Modern Faucet
Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM | Power Supply: NA | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Brushed spot-resistant stainless steel
If you want a reliable faucet with a modern design, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better faucet than the Moen Adler High Arc Pulldown Kitchen Faucet, which comes from one of the most trusted kitchen faucet brands in the world. This deck-mounted faucet features a reflex self-retracting hose and PowerClean technology, which offers 50% more spray power than older Moen models.
The high-arc design not only gives this faucet a modern look but also allows you to clean or fill large pots. The Duralock quick-connect system makes it easy to connect water lines securely in one simple step, and the stainless steel finish prevents fingerprints and corrosion.
Plus, the spray head offers two modes: aerated stream for everyday use and power rinsing for cleaning stained dishes more effectively.
Best Bundle
Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM | Power Supply: 6 x AA Batteries, Optional AC Power | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Spot-resistant stainless steel
The Moen Essie Spot Resist Touchless One-Handle Kitchen Faucet is on the pricier side compared to some other more budget-friendly picks. However, it’s worth considering if you want something built to last with several convenient features.
The Dualock quick-connect system allows for easy self-installation, and the reflex retractable hose makes it easy to secure the hose when it’s pulled down, allowing for more manageable rinsing of dirty dishes. The 360-degree swivel provides improved flexibility, and the built-in soap dispenser offers a convenient location for keeping soap nearby whenever you need it.
PowerClean technology delivers superior spray power, and MotionSense Wave conveniently lets you activate and turn off water flow with a simple hand wave. Plus, the spot-resistant stainless steel finish keeps the spout free of fingerprints.
Best Chrome Faucet
Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Power Supply: AC Power, Optional Battery Pack Sold Separately | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Polished Chrome
Chrome faucets are arguably the best-looking modern kitchen faucets, and the Pfister Stellen’s streamlined design makes it a suitable choice for those who want a minimalist look. The pull-down spray head offers three modes: spray, rinse and pause. None of them, except pause, require the button to be pressed down while you use the faucet.
Touch-free technology allows you to turn water on and off within 3 inches of the built-in sensor, and SmartStop automatically turns off water flow after three minutes of inactivity. It has an indicator that displays when touchless mode is activated as well as an above-the-deck temperature-control handle.
The sensor can be powered with a battery pack (sold separately) or with the included AC power plug, which is more convenient as it eliminates the need to replace batteries.
Commercial-Grade
Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Power Supply: 4 x AA Batteries | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Matte Stainless-Steel
The KRAUS Bolden Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet is a commercial-grade stainless steel option that is durable and designed for long-lasting performance. The retractable hose and swivel motion provide an increased range of motion that lets you flex and pivot effortlessly around the sink, and the open-coil spout gives the faucet a professional look.
The built-in sensor allows for germ-free operation, and the timer stops water flow after three minutes of inactivity. The spout has a heavy-duty metal body for superior durability and a matte finish to reduce fingerprints and increase rust resistance.
The soft rubber spray holes are easy to wipe down, and the spray head offers dual modes: aerated stream for everyday cleaning and rinsing for powerful cleaning.
Best for Its Spot-Resistant Finish
Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM | Power Supply: 6 x AA Batteries, Optional AC Power Adapter Sold Separately | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Brush Spot-Resistant Stainless Steel
Those looking for an elegant faucet with a spot-resistant finish will not be disappointed with the Moen Riley Hands-Free Kitchen Faucet. From a trusted brand, this faucet boasts a single sensor for touchless activation and a brushed stainless steel spout that is highly resistant to fingerprints and water spots.
The retractable hose is easy to pull down, and the innovative PowerClean technology delivers excellent spraying power, making cleaning dirty dishes and pots more manageable.
It comes with six AA batteries for powering the sensor, but if you want to eliminate the need for occasional battery replacement, you can purchase a compatible AC power adapter. Plus, this faucet is backed by a five-year warranty.
Most Powerful Sprayer
Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM | Power Supply: 6 x Batteries, Optional AC Power Adapter Sold Separately | Mounting Type: Deck, Countertop | Finish Type: Spot-Resistant Stainless Steel
The Moen Arbor Motionsense Kitchen-Sink Faucet offers powerful spraying for tackling the dirtiest dishes. The flexible pull-down hose and high-arc design make cleaning large pots more manageable, and you’ll have the choice between single-hole or three-hole installation options.
PowerBoost technology is available at the press of a button and delivers increased water flow, more efficient cleaning and faster filling. A simple hand wave close to the sensor activates water flow, keeping the spout free of soap and germs.
Plus, it’s designed for fast, easy installation with the Duralock quick-connect system and has a spot-resistant stainless steel finish that’s guaranteed to give your kitchen a neater look and feel.
Best for Voice Controls
Flow Rate: 1.5 GPM | Power Supply: 6 D batteries, optional AC power adapter with splitter | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Stainless steel
Smart functionality can make life a whole lot easier, which is why the Moen 7594EVSRS Arbor Kitchen-Sink Faucet is worth every penny. It’s a bit expensive, but it has a high-quality build, an elegant look and plenty of innovative features to make life in the kitchen more manageable.
It boasts a stainless steel finish and a wave sensor for hands-free operation. It’s compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant and can execute voice commands such as “turn off the faucet.” Additionally, you can customize preset commands, such as filling specific containers, through the smartphone app, which also allows you to monitor your home’s water usage.
Plus, it comes in multiple styles and finishes, allowing you to choose the best model to complement your sink and kitchen.
Excellent Value
Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Power Supply: 4 x AA Batteries | Mounting Type: Deck | Finish Type: Matte Black Stainless Steel
Are you interested in an affordable black-finish faucet that delivers excellent performance? Look no further than the GIMILI Matte Black Touchless Kitchen Faucet. This faucet’s matte black finish is the best choice for anyone who wants virtually zero fingerprints and water spots. The open-coil design provides a professional look, and all installation tools are included in the kit.
The integrated wave sensor requires a simple hand gesture of at least 0.5 seconds to turn on the water. The commercial SUS 304 stainless steel and brass construction provide excellent durability and corrosion resistance, and the spray head offers dual spray modes: normal for everyday cleaning and rinse for powerful spray cleaning.
Key considerations
The two key factors you need to consider when choosing a touchless kitchen faucet are its design and sensor accuracy.
Design
Touchless kitchen faucets, like traditional faucets, are available in a variety of designs and finishes. It’s important to choose one that matches the rest of the appliances and finishes in your kitchen so that it doesn’t stand out too much. Fortunately, this usually isn’t much of an issue, especially if you have silver or chrome appliances, because most touchless kitchen faucet models have a number of finishes you can choose from. It may be more difficult to match the style of the faucet with the rest of your kitchen, but there are plenty of simple options that will fit in well with any decor.
Sensor accuracy
The sensor determines when the touchless faucet turns on and off. Some sensors are more sensitive than others, but there’s a fine line between sensitive and too sensitive. Some faucets may turn on when you simply walk past the sink, which can waste water. Others require you to place your hand directly in front of the sensor in order to get the water to turn on. This may lead to the water repeatedly shutting off when you’re washing dishes because the sensor cannot sense your movement. You can get an idea of how sensitive a touchless kitchen faucet’s sensor is by reading through customer reviews of the product before you buy it.
Features
Here are some additional factors you’ll want to consider when choosing a touchless kitchen faucet.
Power source
Some touchless kitchen faucets operate off electricity, while others use batteries.
Battery-powered faucets won’t affect your electric bill. Still, there’s a chance that the batteries could die midway through washing dishes, forcing you to stop and replace the batteries before you continue.
If you choose a battery-powered model, check how long the faucet will operate before the batteries need replacing. You should always have some extra batteries on hand. The Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet and Bio Bidet FLOW Touchless Kitchen Faucet are both battery-only units.
Electric touchless kitchen faucets are the way to go if you don’t want to deal with changing batteries. However, these faucets may increase your electricity bill (though probably not significantly), and they are more complicated to install. If you’re not mechanically inclined, you may need a professional to help you hook up the wiring for these faucets.
The Moen Adler High Arc Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, the Moen Essie Spot Resist Touchless One-Handle Kitchen Faucet and the Pfister Stellen Touchless Kitchen Faucet all support AC power and battery connectivity. However, depending on how you want to power your faucet, some models require an additional adapter or battery pack to be purchased separately.
Ease of installation
You should be able to install most battery-powered touchless kitchen faucets yourself as long as you have some essential tools. Your faucet should include a detailed instruction guide explaining exactly how to install all of the hardware. Electric faucets may be more challenging to install on your own, so you may be better off leaving installation to a professional unless you feel confident that you can do the work yourself.
Hose length
Most touchless kitchen faucets have extendable hoses that you can pull down to better clean your dishes. However, the length of the hose will vary from one model to the next. It’s essential that you choose one that is long enough to suit your needs, or else you may have trouble cleaning your dishes properly. Ideally, the hose should extend down to at least below the edges of the sink. You may want a hose that is even longer if you have an especially deep sink.
The Moen Adler High Arc Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet and the Moen Essie Spot Resist Touchless One-Handle Kitchen Faucet can reach up to 20 to 25 inches from the spout. In comparison, the Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet reaches about 20 inches from the spout. Other more budget-friendly models, such as the Bio Bidet FLOW Touchless Kitchen Faucet, can reach about 13 inches away from the spout.
Hose retraction
Nearly every modern faucet has a hose that automatically retracts when you let go of it. All of our picks, including the Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet, the Bio Bidet FLOW Touchless Kitchen Faucet, the Moen Adler High Arc Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, the Moen Essie Spot Resist Touchless One-Handle Kitchen Faucet and the Pfister Stellen Touchless Kitchen Faucet, feature retractable hoses.
Water-saving features
One of the key advantages of a touchless kitchen faucet is that it can help you save water. Some faucets, such as the Pfister Stellen Touchless Kitchen Faucet and the KRAUS Bolden Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet, do this by automatically shutting off the water after a certain period. In contrast, many others automatically shut off the water as soon as the hose retracts and the spray head reconnects with the rest of the faucet. Not everyone will be interested in these features, but they’re worth considering if you’re especially concerned about saving water.
Did you know?
Some touchless kitchen faucets have multiple spray patterns to help you better clean your dishes.
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Price
Most touchless kitchen faucets cost between $100 and $500, but some high-end models can cost as much as $1,000. If you opt for a more budget-friendly model, you may find that the sensors do not work as well as those of faucets on the higher end, but that isn’t always the case.
The most expensive of our top picks is the Delta Faucet Trinsic VoiceIQ Touchless Kitchen Faucet, which costs $825. However, most of our top picks, such as the Moen Adler One-Handle High Arc Pulldown Kitchen Faucet, Moen Essie Spot Resist Stainless Touchless One-Handle Kitchen Faucet and Pfister Stellen Touchless Kitchen Faucet, all fall within the standard price range of $100 to $400. Plus, you can get a cheap option, such as the Bio Bidet FLOW Touchless Kitchen Faucet, for as little as $85.
It’s important to note that the upfront cost isn’t the only expense associated with touchless kitchen faucets. If you choose a battery-powered model, you’ll also need to buy new batteries, while electric models may slightly affect your electric bill. However, these costs are likely to be negligible compared to the initial purchase price.
Tips
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If you’re concerned about stains and fingerprints on your touchless kitchen faucet, choose one that has a spot-resistant finish.
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It’s usually best to go with a touchless kitchen faucet that only needs a battery change every year or two.
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An accurate sensor is especially important if you have small children who like to play with the kitchen faucet.
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Multiple sensors can help to better sense your movement so that the faucet doesn’t turn off while you’re in the middle of washing dishes.
FAQ
How many batteries do touchless kitchen faucets need?
A. It depends on the model, but most need somewhere between four and six AA batteries in order to operate. You should be able to find the information for the model you’re interested in by checking the product’s specifications. If you already own a touchless kitchen faucet, consult your owner’s manual.
Can I still use my touchless kitchen faucet like a regular faucet?
A. Most touchless kitchen faucets still have a regular handle. You can use the regular handle if you wish to override the sensors or if your faucet’s batteries are dead so that you can still get water from the faucet.
How do I control the temperature of a touchless kitchen faucet?
A. This is usually done through a separate temperature control unit. You set your preferred temperature, and the faucet’s water will remain at that temperature until you change it on the control unit.
