Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: May 11, 2021
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Touchless kitchen faucets are becoming increasingly popular both inside family homes as well as in restaurant and café kitchens. If you have not come across them before, they are simply kitchen faucets that can be operated without using a handle. The style of these kinds of faucet is normally in pull-down models where operators can more easily access the toughest spots by propelling the water flow directly onto the dish. One of the key advantages to using a touchless kitchen faucet is that you minimize the chances of getting it dirty through operating it with dirty hands.
This article includes in-detail reviews that go through product descriptions, features and pros/cons, as well as a comprehensive buying guide and FAQ section. The buying guide covers various factors that we consider important to guide you when looking to purchase the best touchless kitchen faucet to meet your needs or those of your guests. These factors include water consumption, hose length, spout height, and reach as well as warranty information.
Research for the article was done online examining product reviews and customer comments in an attempt to give you a broad and detailed overview of the best touchless kitchen faucets currently available to purchase online. If you have never considered a touchless kitchen faucet before, after reading this article there is certainly no looking at alternatives. Hands free faucets are more hygienic and more convenient than ever before. We hope this article can help you choose which one is best for you!
"Outstanding performance and an IQ-click feature that responds at 0-inch sensor range will make this touchless kitchen faucet your favorite thing in the house."
Featuring a slick stainless steel exterior, the Arbor 7594ESRS by Moen is a perfectly manufactured faucet that should easily take care of all your needs. Available at the premium end of the kitchen faucet market, investing in the Arbor may feel like quite a hefty investment. Sometimes, however, investing in quality is necessary. Moen has designed the Arbor 7594ESRS to make life easier for kitchen users.
The ‘quality’ components of the Arbor 7594ESRS are many. The MotionSense™ technology, in particular, is a significant area of interest. Like many may be familiar with using when in a public washroom, the motion sensors on the Arbor 7594ESRS allows what to be sprayed when your hands disrupt the sensor when in position. This is ideal when cooking, especially if your hands are messy and it sometimes can be a struggle to operate the faucet handle. The Arbor 7594ESRS mitigates such issues.
The Arbor 7594ESRS contains a Power Clean™ technology that allows users to rinse off those really tricky spots on dishes and glasses. This strength is aided by a high flow rate, a hose length of 68’ and spout height of 15.5”, ensuring the simple everyday kitchen tasks can be performed easily and effectively.
A great accompaniment to purchasing the Arbor 7594ESRS is warranty agreement. With purchasing, you will receive a five-year warranty on the digital components such as the motion sensor. For the rest of the product, Moen provides a lifetime limited warranty. Check out their agreement for more specific information.
The T&S Brass EQ-5EF-2D-DS offers customers a strong flow rate allowing stronger performance in kitchen tasks. Featuring a polished chrome exterior body and a stainless-steel hose, this faucet lies at the medium to high end of the kitchen faucet and market and is a significant investment for anyone interested in purchasing.
The EQ-5EF-2D-DS comes without a handle, containing a 4” deck mount electronic sensor as the operation mechanism. This can be very helpful and those who may be used to having a handle may need to take time to get used to this design. Being handle-less is a bit of a risk in the product design especially given the temperamental nature of motion sensors. That said, the battery feature which contains an LED light indicator, gives users an easy indication as to whether the battery-powered motion sensor is low.
Temperature control on the EQ-5EF-2D-DS is achieved through the use of different check valves. The temperature ranges from 40F to 140F, covering the majority of water temperature needs.
One of the best aspects of the EQ-5EF-2D-DS is the high flow rate at 2.2 GPM. While the spout height and reach are not particularly noteworthy, having a high flow rate and 3/8” compression connections ensure that anyone using the faucet can be satisfied that there is sufficient power in the hose to wash the toughest of items.
Unfortunately, the EQ-5EF-2D-DS only comes with a one-year limited warranty agreement for all parts of the faucet. This may provide purchasers with inadequate protection.
The Sloan EAF150-CP is a medium-range kitchen faucet that contains single hole mount design, offering a slick minimalist design. The slick design is enabled through a chrome finish accompanied with the stainless-steel hose.
The motion sensor included in the product design uses infrared technology. The product actually contains two sensors, providing great strength and reliability which is necessary for a faucet that does not feature a handle operation. The motion sensor technology is also self-adapting which helps with the setup and long-term durability of the faucet. The purchase comes with a 6 Volt Lithium 2CR5 commercial battery which will last approximately three years. The Sloan EAF150-CP contains a low battery indicator to let you know when the battery needs replacing.
At 1.5 GPM, the flow rate of the Sloan EAF150-CP is not market-leading but will certainly cater for the majority of your kitchen needs. The flexible hose that caters for high pressures and strainer, allow the Sloan EAF150-CP to cope with strong water flows. The flow type of product is aerated.
To prevent unnecessary water flow, the IQ-click feature ensures that the Sloan EAF150-CP is efficient and does not waste water through accidental motion sensor activation. This is an ideal addition to the product design, especially for those who are eco-conscious.
Unlike other faucets, the Sloan EAF150-CP does not come packed with a temperature mixer, although this can be purchased separately. This may be a source of annoyance for those who prefer to have the temperature mixing option included in a faucet.
The Moen 5923EWSRS is a fantastic looking kitchen faucet that is perfect in a range of different kitchen settings. Whether it be on display in gallery kitchens, central to a Michelin star restaurant kitchen or in the family home, the distinctive look of the Moen 5923EWSRS will enhance your kitchen space.
Aside from appearance, the Moen 5923EWSRS ensures fantastic performance. Using MotionSense™ technology, the faucet is efficiently operated from a reliable sensor. The single sensor ensures touchless activation, providing really convenient water access for anyone using the faucet. Those who prefer the option of a manually operated faucet are also in luck as the Moen 5923EWSRS contains a tap handle.
One of the best aspects of the Moen 5923EWSRS is the power spray technology. Moen is increasingly becoming known as the power spray kitchen faucet brand. The inclusion of this technology in the product design means that this product is also appealing for restaurant owners, who often need a powerful faucet to increase the productivity of the kitchen. The Moen 5923EWSRS certainly delivers in this area, contain sufficient power at 1.5 GPM and an extended hose length of 68” which can be easily operated.
Another great feature of the Moen 5923EWSRS is the lifetime limited warranty agreement on the main parts as well as a five-year warranty on the digital components. This leaves purchasers with a peace of mind through ensuring adequate purchasing protection. Although at the premium end of the price range, the Moen 5923EWSRS is a significant investment in quality engineering.
The KOHLER K-72218-B7-CP Sensate is constructed from a premium metal material which ensures fantastic visual appearance as well as performance reliability. The metal design is particularly useful in ensuring the faucet is resistant to corrosion as well as any tarnishing that could occur.
One of the best advantages of using the K-72218-B7-CP is the use of Sensate technology that frees up your hands when you are performing cooking or cleaning tasks. It really brings washing up to a new level in terms of convenience and practicality. The advantage of this technology is also in terms of hygiene. Freeing up your hands means that your dirty hands are less likely to be contaminating the exterior of the faucet.
In addition to a home kitchen, the K-72218-B7-CP performs well in busy restaurant settings. The inclusion of a high arch gooseneck ensures that there is a greater space to work, which is ideal for restaurant kitchens that often have excessive numbers of plates stacking up. The spout of the faucet is also able to turn approximately 290 degrees, allowing it to cover virtually all of the wash basin.
The Sweep spray function on the K-72218-B7-CP moves the nozzles to angle in a specific way to intensify the strength of the water as it is released. This extra power setting is perfect for sweeping away any food that is normally very difficult to dislodge from a bowl or plate. The K-72218-B7-CP gives you a much greater chance of removing those difficult dirty dishes.
The Kraus Oletto KPF-2631SFS is renowned for its professional look and its suitability in commercial settings due to its extended hose length of 14″. Featuring Reach™ pull-down technology that allows the faucet to be easily manually manipulated, ensures the product is great at tackling tough spots and can be used to target really difficult spots to clean.
The spray head of the KPF-2631SFS is dual functioned, allowing users with a choice of aerated steam or strong spray. Both settings provide you with all the versatility that is required in the kitchen. Whether it be rinsing dishes or intense scrubbing of the difficult spots, the KPF-2631SFS is well-equipped to tackle a variety of different cleaning tasks.
The KPF-2631SFS is constructed with All-Brite stainless steel that is spot resistant. This ensures that the exterior of the faucet will not be damaged with any spots of water or fingerprints. These are common issues with less premium faucet units which the KPF-2631SFS overcomes. This design also requires less maintenance and you will find the stainless steel body continuously looking bright and shiny after years of use.
The spout of the KPF-2631SFS is high arc and is able to operate a full 360 degrees swivel. This guarantees fantastic coverage of the wash basin, leading to stronger and more efficient cleaning performance.
Operating the KPF-2631SFS is achieved through a simple single handle design, eliminating any potential issues caused by malfunctioning motion sensors. This ensures easy operation but does eliminate the convenience of hands-free operation.
Offering users with great flexibility, the RunFine RF411001 is an affordably priced faucet unit that includes both sensor and sensor-free operation. Although not widely known, the Runfine manufacturer is small in size but high in experience and design quality.
The design of the RunFine RF411001 is very much in the USA style. Containing a brushed nickel finish to a primarily copper construction. The inclusion of these materials in the construction of the product also minimizes rusting and extends the long-term durability of the product. Installation of the RunFine RF411001 is also very straightforward which is ideal for those of you who are not plumbers.
The control box of that contains spaces for 4AA batteries to operate the motion sensor is waterproof and will not be damaged by any accidental leakages. The batteries are not included in the product purchase, requiring you to buy those separately. As this is a more affordable faucet, the motion sensor is less sophisticated compared to those found on premium products. Although it is able to easily switch off after 3 minutes of no activity, it does not provide the instant on-off feature of rival products.
At 1.8 GPM the power of the water flow generated from the RunFine RF411001 is more than sufficient and competes well with other more expensive products. What it has in power, it lacks in reach, with not flexible pull-down technology or spout swivel included in the product design and construction. For restaurant owners, this may be an annoyance and reduce the productivity required from a faucet. For homeowners, these features are less important and for the price, the RunFine RF411001 certainly provides fantastic value-for-money.
The Delta 1501T3320 is a motion sensor operated faucet featuring a single hole electric bar that delivers strong water supply and performance when partaking in various kitchen-related activities. Constructed with antimicrobial chrome exterior, the Delta 1501T3320 is primed to deal with any fingerprints and spots of water, ensuring brilliant visual appearance after regular use.
The addition of H²Optics™ technology means that when setting up the faucet no external adjustments are required in order to get the sensor working well. The hands-free, touchless operation makes the 1501T3320 very convenient to use especially when your hands are dirty. The sensor also contains an automatic shut-off feature that ensures it will not be prone to be activated accidentally. This shut-off feature can be set to anywhere between 15 and 75 seconds with the factory settings being 45 seconds. This can also be helped through the sensor de-activation capability included in the product specifications.
The use of plastic surface mount housing restricts the plumbing of the 1501T3320 to a water supply that is single tempered. This may require some additional plumbing work to your existing setup if you do not currently have a single tempered supply.
At 1.5 GPM the flow of water is below many rival kitchen faucet products and may suffer when it comes dealing with really difficult stains. That said, for the majority of everyday kitchen use, the 1501T3320 performs very well and is a well-priced faucet to choose for those on a smaller budget.
What are our favorite features?
Affordable price
Eco-friendly motion sensor with shut-off
Hands-free operation
What could be better?
Reduced water flow strength
Only compatible with single tempered water supply
Things to Consider
This buying guide details on the essential information you need to know before purchasing the best value touchless kitchen faucet to meet your kitchen needs.
Motion sensor faucet – pros and cons
Traditional kitchen faucets can easily accumulate millions of germs after even the smallest and most menial of kitchen tasks. These germs can then pass from person to person with ease and is a common cause of many illnesses.
These germs stem from people touching the faucet after visiting the toilet and not washing their hands properly. A second common way for germs such as Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria to appear is from handling raw meat and not cleaning up after.
Recent developments in motion sensor kitchen faucets have been revolutionary in reducing the risks associated with germ spreading. The technology is able to reduce these risks by minimizing the necessity for people to operate the faucet manually, thereby not ensuring that germ-ridden hands to not come into contact with the exterior of the unit.
Touchless kitchen faucets are available in a variety of models including AC touchless, battery-operated and hybrid faucets. Whichever faucet type you choose, take time to make sure it is compatible with your plumbing setup and that there is an outlet nearby that can assist with setup.
In addition to being hygienic, touchless faucets are also economical as when your hands are removed from within the area detected by the motion sensor, the water flow will stop. A common cause of excessive water use is through the forgetting to turn off the tap of a kitchen faucet. This is no longer an issue thanks to the motion sensors of touchless faucets.
While some motion sensors may still be over-sensitive and still leak water even when there are no hands present, models that have an off switch are advanced motion technology is generally considered the most economically and environmentally-friendly by reducing water wastage.
Better water conservation leads to better water usage on the planet. This is an environmental consideration that is too often overlooked when thinking about purchasing a faucet.
Touchless kitchen faucets can also reduce electricity bills.
Did you know that lots of energy are often wasted when choosing the temperature of water flow when using traditional taps? You may think that this process is pretty innocuous but it is actually very expensive.
E-taps on the other hand use controls allow you to pre-control for the temperature of water without needing to manually operate the taps. This ensures much less energy is wasted on temperature controls and it will ultimately save you money.
Touchless kitchen faucets are also helpful for those may be less able to manually operate a traditional kitchen faucet. Whether it be the elderly, children or people with arthritis, touchless kitchen faucets are very inclusive for those requiring extra care and convenience.
Convenience really is an understated positive of touchless kitchen faucets. Everyone would like life to made slightly simpler. Whether you are fully able or require more help, not needing to turn on tap can radically help someone in their day-to-day kitchen activities.
Price tag
A touchless kitchen faucet is understandably normally a significant purchase. Typical price ranges for touchless faucets currently available range from $400 to over $1000. Price doesn’t necessarily guarantee quality or value for your needs. Examine the different aspects before deciding on what price range you are willing to go for.
Features to consider while buying the best touchless kitchen faucet
Below we discuss some important aspects you should consider before committing to a purchase of a touchless kitchen faucet.
Electric or battery powered?
Common questions around motion sensor kitchen faucets are focused on how they are powered. The two common power types are electric or battery power. Although both types are pretty effective in terms of delivering strong water flow, in the long run, electrically powered touchless kitchen faucets are more economical.
Electric touchless kitchen faucets are more economical because they retain a constant power charge, unlike batteries which will eventually need replacing. Electrically powered sensors will provide guaranteed performance with all of the time and will not require you to continually purchase batteries and have spares in case the power runs out at a crucial time.
Although some models such as the Sloan EAF150-CP contain very strong battery life lasting approximately three years, other more affordable models such as the RunFine RF411001 using AA batteries will need regular top-ups which can be annoying as a homeowner.
The downside of purchasing an electric touchless kitchen faucet is that they are inevitably significantly more expensive compared to battery-powered models. Despite the initial high-cost, be rest assured that these models more often than not are much more affordable in the long-term.
It is worth pointing out that there are some models in circulation that have both battery and electric powered sensors. While these may seem a good idea in theory, often in practice they are not worthwhile, especially with models that have a lever to manually operate the water in any circumstance.
Sensors
Sensors are very important to consider before purchasing a touchless kitchen faucet. It is the sensor that starts and stops the flow of water.
Sensor accuracy is the most important dimension when analyzing the different sensors in the market. Top-quality sensors will only operate when your hand is placed close to the base or top of the sensor. These sensors will also immediately turn off as soon as your hand moves from the sensor range.
Poorer quality sensors can be really annoying. They may struggle to read your hands when they are in the correct position, failing to read any signs of movement. They also may cost you more if they fail to stop the water flow when your hands are moved away from the sensor. Cheaper products are more likely to encounter these issues.
Some touchless kitchen faucets have up to five different sensors. Take note of how many sensors are product contains by checking the key features. Products with more sensors are likely to be significantly more expensive than products with one front facing sensor.
The number of sensors increases the control zone. If you have a large wash basin or if reliability is really important to you, investing in multiple sensors may be the way to go.
Faucet size
There are various elements of size to consider including the hose size, spout height and spout reach. These considerations are important when considering the size of your sink and wash basin. The higher the hose length, the greater the reach you will have. Also if you are stacking many dishes, such as in a restaurant setting, you will likely need a faucet that is high in hose size and spout height.
How it docks
Automatic or manual docking are important factors to consider. Many touchless kitchen faucets are pull-down in design and therefore require some form of return into its original state. Docking can be down manually, but more expensive pull-down models have the technology to do this automatically.
Design and finish
Visual appearance is a really important consideration. Many homeowners forget how their faucet should line-up with the overall feel and appearance of a kitchen space.
Exploring different color options of certain faucet designs is something to consider if you want to match it with a particular color story.
Also whether the faucet is low or high arc can also radically enhance or ruin the visual aesthetic of a kitchen space. High arcs are more commonly associated with restaurant kitchens, with low arcs more common in a home setting.
Take time to examine the appearance of the touchless faucet and how it fits in your overall kitchen design.
Water flow
Scrubbing and blasting a dirty pot for a long period of time without seeing any good results but greasy stains are something no one likes to do. The touchless kitchen faucet which comes with a pull-out head has this strong blast feature.
The settings of the spray are in such a way that it will hit the pot really hard to make a good difference. The set-up is not the same in all homes, so it is all right to find the same product being stronger in one home and weaker in another home. There are different factors that affect the strength of the blast, for example, pipes and home set-ups.
Batteries
Every sensor requires a battery to be powered. Some models will need 6AA while most of the models need 4AA. Most manufacturing companies will tell you the specific amount of time the batteries will provide power for the sensor. Some batteries only last three months while others will power for as long as one or two years. If you are shopping for faucets and notice that they have the same quality features and price, it is advisable to choose the one whose battery has longer battery life. This is because it can be an indication of a better-quality faucet in general.
Additional Features
There are other features of the faucet but it means that you will have to pay a little more. First, is the LED light which is good if you want to use it at night. If you have many people in the house, it also ideal to have multiple sensors to ensure that there is no water wasted. Otherwise, one sensor should be just fine.
Secondly, is the feature of its ability to regulate the temperature and pressure of the water. It is not really an important feature but if you really need it especially for the children when they want to use it.
Finally, is the pull-out aspect which allows you to fill the coffee maker with water and also hose down the dishes before you can put them in the dishwasher. This feature can be useful if you are using it in the bathroom to wash your hair.
Installation easiness
The price of the best touchless kitchen faucet can be really high but it is because of the cost of having an expert to install it. Luckily, most faucets are easy to install, you do not need to have studied plumbing to be able to install it. Therefore, consider the idea of you installing the faucet on your own. Find all the necessary tools that you may need before installation.
Warranty
Touchless faucets come with varying warranties depending on the manufacturer. They can range from one year to lifetime. Having a warranty gives you as a consumer purchasing protection of the faucets. Some models such as the Moen 5923EWSRS have shorter warranties for the digital components of the faucet. Always check the restrictions to the warranty agreement before purchasing.
Tech specs for hands-free kitchen faucet
Every manufacturer for a faucet has designs used by the touchless faucets. However, how the faucets work is similar. This is explained below:
Diaphragm valve: A solenoid operates it and its main purpose is to start and stop the water flow.
Sensor: When an object is present in front of the faucet, it senses it and orders the solenoid to begin the water flow. And when it doesn’t sense the presence of an object anymore, it orders the solenoid to stop the water from flowing after a period of time.
Power source: The solenoid and sensor use batteries for its power and most faucets use the AA batteries. Some use lithium types with 9 or 6 volts. You can also connect some of the faucets to the AC.
Faucet spout: It has the fibre optic cables that connect the sensor to it. In some models, the spout can also house the batteries.
FAQ
To help equip you with everything you need to know about your most frequently asked questions, here are the answers:
If your choice is to have a touchless faucet in your home, then you will need a plumber who is professional to install it for you. The process of installing a touchless faucet can be very tricky. This is because it is installed differently than the traditional faucets, and it requires power in the form of sensors and electricity.
The housing areas and outside of the faucets are waterproof. The batteries cannot be accessed easily, so the chances of opening the compartment are minimum. In cases where short circuits occur, the dangers of being electrocuted in zero. The sensing technology used in touchless kitchen faucets use less energy and it will be hard to register it. It is advisable for users not to open the faucets and attempt to repair it in case of problems. Instead, they should call their respective warranty offices.
The flow rate of the faucet is measured by gallons per minute (GPM). A high GPM means that the blast is powerful, while a lower GPM means that water is conserved. Faucets with low GPM are suitable for the kitchen because it is dependent more on the quality of the build rather than the GPM. A low GPM faucet is preferred but it will all depend on the settings and the pressure of the pipes and the house.
Our Verdict
Hopefully, this article has given you all the relevant information you need to know about the best touchless kitchen faucets currently available to purchase.
Our top three products are:
The Moen Arbor 7594ESRS takes top place for its particularly high-quality motion sensor that ensures long-term durable performance.
The T&S Brass EQ-5EF-2D-DS comes in second place for the motion sensor temperature control feature that is only available on more premium products.
The Sloan EAF150-CP finishes in third place for a combination of its minimalist design, eco-friendly features and great quality of the product.
If you are not expert at the interior or kitchen design, finding the best touchless kitchen faucet is likely to be quite a challenging task, but we hope we’ve made it easier with our buying guide.
Traditional kitchen faucets can easily accumulate millions of germs after even the smallest and most menial of kitchen tasks. These germs can then pass from person to person with ease and is a common cause of many illnesses.
