16 Types of Kitchen Faucets Explained [With Pros + Cons] (2024)

Did you know that there are more than ten types of kitchen faucets? Each of these kitchen faucets has its respective advantages. Understanding how each kitchen faucet works will guide you in making the right choice.

Getting the best type of kitchen sink faucet usually seems like the easiest decision. But you can make mistakes, given the different kinds of kitchen faucets.

Some kitchen faucets have similar appearances and how they spray water. This article will explain all the different types of kitchen faucets alongside their pros and cons.

Let’s check out the best faucet options for you!

Single Handle Faucet

The single-handle faucet is one of the most common kitchen faucets you can find. Single-handle faucets have one handle that can move in different directions. It may be one of the old faucet styles, but it’s very convenient to date.

That single handle controls the temperature and water pressure of the faucet. The handle of single-handle faucets moves up and down and side by side.

The left-to-right movement of the single-handle faucet controls warm and cool water. On the other hand, the up-and-down movement of single-handle taps controls the water supply.

Single-handle faucet is standard because of the ease of using the device. These kitchen sink faucets are easy to use, space-saving, and convenient.

Pros

• It’s easy to use.
• Installation is easy
• Maintenance processes are minimal and easy when required.
• An affordable option for kitchen faucets.
• You need a single hole to install this faucet.

Cons

• You won’t be getting a precise temperature. Pushing the faucet to the far right may produce too hot water, and leaving it in the middle won’t give the exact temperature you want.
• It would be best if you waited for the temperature to move between hot and cold water. You can’t receive the cool water immediately when you switch it from hot.

TIPS: Ensure enough rotation pace between the faucet and the backsplash so the faucet can move in any direction without obstruction.

Double Handle Faucet

Double-handle faucets are an improvement from single-handle faucets. As the name implies, double-handle faucets have separate handles controlling hot or cold water.

The double-mounted faucet usually comes with separate handles on the sides of the central part of the faucet. This design means you’ll likely need three holes for the parts of the double faucets or, at least, a huge hole to contain all parts.

You’ll require more holes if you intend to add more parts to your faucets.

The separate handles of double kitchen faucets help with more accuracy with water temperature. You can easily combine both handles when you need warm water and use one when you need hot or cold water.

Pros

• You get cold and hot water quickly
• It has easy installation
• It continues to work even after the handle goes bad.

Cons

• It is an expensive option
• requires a lot of space in your sink basin
• It can be costly to replace or repair it.

Also Read: Kitchen Faucet Size Chart- How to Choose?

Pull Out Kitchen Faucet

The pull-out faucet is one of the types of kitchen faucets you will find almost anywhere. The pull-out faucet is a stationary faucet with a separate spray hose you can pull out yourself.

A pull-out kitchen faucet usually has two design options: the hose comes straight or in multiple directions. This type of faucet is beneficial in large sinks. You can wash dishes in one part and use the hose to clean the other parts.

A pull-out faucet’s hose is also flexible and can turn 360 degrees. This makes washing all parts of your kitchen sink with your kitchen faucet easy.

Pros

• Flexibility
• Pull-out faucets are great for multitasking
• Different faucet styles of this type
• It’s convenient with small sinks

Cons

• The pull-out kitchen sink faucet’s extra spray hose will cause water to splash around.

CAUTION: This faucet type isn’t for you if you have an extremely smooth floor.

Pull Down Faucet

The pull-down faucet works just like the pull-out faucet; the only difference is the extra spray nozzle doesn’t move straight – it goes down.

The pull-down faucet is among the most common types of kitchen faucets available today. With the face of the spray nozzle facing downwards, you reduce the number of water splashes on the floor. The extra faucet directs into the sink and not out of it.

The pull-down faucet is beneficial for cleaning the sink and specific items. Let’s assume you’re trying to rinse some fruits before you eat them. The faucet design of pull-down faucets ensures that you can direct the water flow better.

Pros

• Prevents splashing
• Great for deep sinks
• Different design options
• Very available

Cons

• It can’t work with a small kitchen sink basin
• The single direction of water flow gives pull-out faucets an edge.

Touchless Kitchen Faucet

If you want to purchase one of the modern kitchen faucets, the motion sensor faucet should be on your list. Also known as hand-free faucets, these types don’t require touching the tap to get water supply.

Most times, all you need to do is to wave your hands across the kitchen faucet and expect water to flow. Some hands-free faucets work immediately when you put a pot or bowl directly under the tap.

The sensor is usually inbuilt within the tap around the kitchen faucet base. However, it may be in some other location based on the faucet styles the manufacturer wants to achieve.

The hands-free faucets help you to keep the sink clean and free of contamination. Since you’re not touching the faucet to get water flowing, you can always wash your hands before touching any other item.

This faucet type is beneficial for chefs who usually have their hands doing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Pros

• Easy to use and convenient
• Ensures better kitchen hygiene
• Modern faucet option

Cons

• It can be an expensive kitchen faucet option
• It is harder to fix whenever there are damages.

Pot Filler Faucet

The pot filler faucet is common in industrial or commercial kitchens. These faucet types are beneficial for filling large pots and deep pots without carrying them around.

The pot filler faucet has an extra arm extension that protrudes outwards and can go over even a large pot.

Usually, these faucet designs are installed on the walls or behind the stovetop. That way, the faucet will reach without hassle if you have deeper sinks.

Pros

• Great for deep sinks
• More cooking space

Cons

• They require expert installation and repairs.

Related Read: How To Fix Black Water Coming Out of Faucet?

Bridge Kitchen Faucet

The design of the bridge faucets may be old or vintage – depending on what you prefer. Bridge faucet styles have existed for many years but still have a classic design.

If you have vintage home decor already, you will appreciate these faucets. However, if you have modern designs, you may not like the faucets.

If you want a faucet that can deliver hot and cool water to you at different intervals, the bridge faucets are the best option.

The bridge faucets have two different designs and faucet installation techniques: two holes or three holes. Regardless of your chosen design, you still get a separate sprayer for hot and cold water.

You’ll get a center spout between each sprayer if you choose the three-hole design and installation.

Pros

• Separate sprayers and center spout
• Vintage and classic design
• Great for large sink basins and deep pots.

Cons

• The design may alter existing decor.

Stationary Faucets

A stationary faucet refers to a faucet that never moves. There’s no center spout or separate sprayer – or any other thing. All you have is the faucet in a single-hole faucet that saves space.

This faucet installation usually occurs in small and private kitchens where space management is critical.

Pros

• Saves space
• Works for small kitchen
• Minimal designs

Cons

• No added features.

Swivel Spout Faucet

As the name suggests, the swivel spout faucet has a center spout you can move around. Depending on the design, you can move the spout left to right or forward and backward.

This design is helpful if you need to fill pots across a wide or double kitchen sink basin. You can swivel the spout to the required position and fill it quickly.

Pros

• Great for oversized pots and sinks
• Convenient for industrial kitchens
• Stylish design

Cons

• It can be an expensive option
• It can cause a lot of water splash

Gooseneck Kitchen Faucets

The gooseneck faucets refer to the kitchen faucets with a long spray nozzle – taking the shape of a gooseneck. This single-hole faucet has a long neck, usually made of brushed nickel, that curves somewhere at the top.

Water coming into this faucet will require a higher pressure to be effective. However, the high flow rate fills faster than other faucets.

Likewise, this tap is useful for cleaning deep pots and other large objects in the sink basin. The height that the faucet needs to spray water gives enough room for large things to sit easily.

Pros

• Great design
• Nice for large sinks
• It’s easy to clean large items

Cons

• It can be an expensive choice
• Not suitable for a shallow sink.

Commercial Kitchen Faucet

Commercial kitchen faucets refer to the faucets you will find only in public places like restaurants and hotels.

Usually, experts get involved in designing, constructing, and installing commercial kitchen faucets. They need to design the faucet to the direct requirements of public places.

Commercial kitchen faucets usually have multiple taps, high faucets, and many more features. Another essential feature of commercial faucets is the heavy water flow and supply.

Pros

• Enough space to work in the sink.
• Great for large multitasking
• Higher water supply

Cons

• It uses a lot of water
• It costs more.

Also Read: Kitchen Faucet Vs. Bar Faucet

Separate Spray Kitchen Faucets

The separate spray faucet has the regular faucet, but there’s another spray nozzle attached to the plumbing system. A handle directs flow from the main faucet to the spray nozzle.

The separate spray faucet can sometimes come with a side spray design. The side sprays are usually along the base of the faucet and require more space.

Pros

• Aesthetically pleasing
• More faucet options
• Great for large sinks

Cons

• Requires more space

Source: Americanstandard-us.com

Touch Kitchen Faucets

Touch kitchen faucets may sound like the exact opposite of touchless faucets, but they have the same aim.

The only difference is that you must contact the faucets to control the water supply. You can contact any body part, and the tap will work fine.

So in the same method, you will maintain a spotless kitchen sink like the touchless option.

Pros

• Promotes good hygiene
• Convenient to use
• Great design

Cons

• You’ll always require expert help for every minor repair.

Smart Kitchen Faucets

Smart faucets are an improvement from the touchless faucet. Touchless faucets usually require the sensor before it works. But as technology will have it, this type of kitchen faucet doesn’t need your presence before it works.

These kitchen faucets act like mobile phones with a screen giving you information on the water temperature and supply levels. Likewise, it works under strict instructions, like getting the exact temperatures and filling the exact amount of water needed.

If you can afford it, smart kitchen faucets are the best option to have in the home.

Pros

• Easy to use
• It keeps sink basins clean and germs free
• Precision

Cons

• High costs.

Widespread Kitchen Faucet

The widespread kitchen faucets are a group of multiple faucets combined to give you more reach.

Each faucet fixture has its size and position in the kitchen sink. This gives room for great multitasking in a single sink.

So you can wash dishes in one part while washing groceries with another fixture.

Pros

• Supports multitasking
• Works with wide sinks

Cons

• It requires a lot of water.

Wall Mounted Faucet

A wall-mounted faucet is usually a less common choice in kitchens, except for specific reasons.

The main advantage of a wall-mounted faucet is that it doesn’t require a sink to function. That means you can have a free sink while another faucet works for other things.

Also, these kitchen faucets work well with a sink and give you more room to work.

Pros

• More space to work
• Double taking possibility
• Trendy designs

Cons

• Repairs can be damaging and will always require an expert.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing A Kitchen Faucet

You have many options when choosing a kitchen faucet for installation.

Do you want a soap dispenser or your faucet to have separate connections with other plumbing fixtures? Anything is possible.

However, there are several factors to consider before choosing a kitchen faucet. These factors include:

• The kitchen purpose
• The plumbing system
• The kitchen size
• Aesthetics
• The functionality

Tips: The functionality of every faucet in the proposed kitchen is the most crucial factor.

Conclusion

Choosing a kitchen faucet can be a lot of stress if you don’t have an idea of what you need. As discussed above, there are different faucet options you can choose from. But you wouldn’t want to make a mistake.

Except you’re a chef or own a public kitchen, you may not have the right idea and experience to pick a faucet. It’s always better to let a professional step in.

Professionals understand the shape, size, and purpose of the kitchen. Hence, it’s easier for them to pick the most functional one for you.