How to Choose the Perfect Faucet: Essential Buying Guide

Do you need durable and affordable household faucets? Buying the right faucet helps you decide what best suits your home. We provide helpful guides on choosing, maintaining, and cleaning your faucet.

Choose the Perfect Faucet

If you're renovating or building your home, it's important to know exactly what you're buying because you want fixtures that last. To achieve this, avoid settling for the cheapest items that may need replacing soon after installation.

Something special shouldn’t be limited to large items like refrigerators, bathtubs, or washing machines—it should include smaller but important items like doorknobs and faucets. Given the wide variety of faucets available, choosing the right one can be difficult, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the options.

Tips for Choosing the Best Faucet

Don’t Settle for Looks Alone
Many people choose faucets based solely on appearance. While aesthetics are important for matching your sink, you might compromise convenience and long-term reliability. Always balance looks with durability.

Don’t Overspend—But Don’t Underspend Either
While expensive faucets are often more durable, cheaper models can lead to problems down the road. Instead of focusing just on price, consider key factors like outlet height and reach, pull-down versus conventional sprayers, sink hole configuration, and single vs. multiple handles.

Pay Attention to Height and Reach
Faucet height and reach vary greatly. A tall spout may not fit if you have a cabinet shelf above the sink, while a short spout may not clear deep pots if you have a large sink. Take your sink’s size and surrounding space into account when selecting a faucet.

Choose Ceramic Valves
To avoid drips, opt for ceramic valves. They’re as affordable as other valve types but offer superior durability and reliability—providing drip-free performance for years.

Pick the Right Finish
Make sure the faucet finish matches your cabinet hardware and other accessories. Popular finishes include polished chrome, satin nickel, and bronze:

• Chrome: The most durable and easiest to clean; widely used in commercial kitchens and public restrooms for its longevity.
• Nickel: Also durable but prone to fingerprints and water spots, which makes cleaning more challenging compared to chrome.

Choosing the right faucet means balancing aesthetics, functionality, and durability. By following these tips, you can invest in a faucet that looks great, works perfectly, and lasts for years—adding lasting value to your kitchen or bathroom.