Kitchen faucet buying guide

A kitchen faucet gets used dozens of times a day, so small details, like how far the spout reaches or whether the sprayer docks cleanly, matter more than the look in the photo.

Count the holes

Look under the sink or at the old faucet. One hole takes a single-handle faucet; three holes take a faucet with a deck plate (escutcheon) or a two-handle bridge faucet; a fourth hole is usually for a soap dispenser or filter tap. Undermount sinks in stone let you drill exactly what you need.

Pull-down or pull-out?

• Pull-down: a tall, arched spout with a sprayer that pulls straight down into the sink. Best for deep sinks and filling pots.
• Pull-out: a shorter spout with a sprayer that pulls toward you. Better under low windows and shelves.
• Pot filler: a wall-mounted arm over the range, handy for big pots; needs a water line in the wall.

Height and reach

Check the spout height against anything above the sink, like a window sill or open shelf, and the spout reach against the sink size: the stream should land near the center of the bowl, not at the back wall.

Finishes

Chrome is the most durable and the easiest to match. Brushed (satin) finishes like brushed nickel and stainless hide water spots and fingerprints. Matte black and brass are striking; look for a PVD finish, which is much more scratch resistant. Our faucet finishes compared guide goes deeper.

Features worth paying for

• Ceramic disc cartridges: smooth and drip-free for years.
• Magnetic docking so the sprayer stays put.
• Touch or touchless operation for messy hands; needs batteries or power.
• A filter tap if you drink tap water on a well.

Swapping a faucet

If the new faucet fits the existing holes, it is a quick swap. In New Hampshire our Keene crew does quick faucet installs on faucets you buy from us, quoted separately from the faucet.

Common questions

Should I get a pull-down or pull-out kitchen faucet?

Pull-down for deep sinks and filling pots; pull-out when there is a low window or shelf above the sink.

What is the most durable faucet finish?

Polished chrome. For colored finishes, PVD finishes are the most scratch resistant.

Can a single-hole faucet go on a three-hole sink?

Yes, with a deck plate (escutcheon) that covers the extra holes.