Buying guide for best pull down kitchen faucets
A faucet is just a faucet, right? Not if it's a pull down kitchen faucet! With a pull down head on a long, flexible hose, these faucets make a range of daily kitchen tasks even easier, from rinsing dishes to washing fruits and vegetables.
That all sounds great, but what should you look for as you shop for a pull down kitchen faucet, and how do you select the right one to fit your needs? We're here to help!
Key considerations
Pull down vs. pull out
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between pull down and pull out kitchen faucets. That said, they're similar enough in essence that we're willing to consider pull out kitchen faucets as a subgroup of pull down models.
Pull down: These kitchen faucets have a spray head that you pull downward from the end of the spout. They pull down in a fluid, ergonomic motion, which some people prefer to a pull out faucet. The spout tends to be fairly high over the sink to accommodate the extra room required to pull it downward. As such, they also usually provide more room for filling tall pots.
Pull out: These kitchen faucets have a spray head that you pull out toward you rather than downward. While these tend to have a lower profile than pull down faucets, they ultimately work the same way.
Expert Tip
Check that the spray settings on your pull down faucet are easy to control with one hand.
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Pull down kitchen faucet features
Hose length and hose reach
When selecting a pull down kitchen faucet, it's important to make sure the hose is long enough to carry out the tasks you want to perform. And it's important to know the difference between hose length and hose reach.
Hose length is the total length of the hose, including the portion that threads through the faucet and down to the water supply, so only part of that total hose length is usable.
Hose reach is how far you can pull the head from the end of the spout. Looking at hose reach gives you a better idea of what you can do with your pull down faucet.
Spray options
At the absolute least, a pull down kitchen faucet should allow you to switch between a steady with stream and a spray. The latter is perfect for rinsing and cleaning, due to the higher pressure and wider reach. However, some pull down faucets also offer several different spray options, with varying intensity and spray patterns. Look for a switch, level, or button on the head that lets you easily change the spray.
Finish
The finishes available for any pull down kitchen faucet you're considering could make or break your purchasing decision. Most people prefer that the faucet match any other hardware in their kitchen as closely as possible. Mismatched kitchen hardware can spoil the overall effect of your décor. You'll find models in a range of finishes, so you’re sure to find one that matches. However, a few pull down faucets are only available in a single finish, which can be frustrating if you like the faucet but it's not the right color.
Tap type
The taps are what you use to turn the faucet on and off. While most pull down kitchen faucets have a single tap to both set the temperature and start the flow, you can also find double-tap models that have one tap to turn on the hot water and one to turn on the cold. As a rule, you can't easily replace an existing single-tap faucet with a double-tap faucet (or vice versa) without also purchasing a new sink.
Magnetic docking
Although it's not essential, magnetic docking is a useful feature. This system consists of a magnetized spout and spray head. The head automatically fixes back into place when you retract it back into the faucet. Without magnetic docking, making the head fully retract back into the faucet can take some fiddling, and you could find it sometimes droops a little.
Did you know?
Pull down kitchen faucets with a tall gooseneck design cause some splashing when the water hits the sink. This can be an issue in an especially shallow sink.
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Pull down kitchen faucet prices
Inexpensive: We found basic pull down kitchen faucets for as little as $40 to $50. While you can find some passable budget options within this price range, we'd recommend looking in the $50 to $100 for a solid basic faucet.
Mid-range: Most buyers will be happy with the mid-range options that cost $100 to $200. You'll find durable, attractive faucets with array of handy features in this price range.
Expensive: High-end pull down faucets cost from $200 to $500 and more. These include designer faucets and models compatible with smart home systems.
Tips
- Select a faucet that fits your existing sink. Unless you plan to replace the sink, too, you'll need to choose a faucet that fits in the mounting holes in your current sink.
Consider practical issues and how you use your kitchen. For example, if you regularly fill tall pots, choose a faucet with enough clearance to easily do so.
Check that the faucet swivels adequately. A solid 150° to 180° swivel should allow you to fill pans at the edge of the sink and move the faucet out of the way when you need to.
Think about your kitchen’s décor. Some faucets look modern and some look more traditional. Whichever you choose, the faucet should harmonize with the existing decorative style in your kitchen.
Other products we considered
The high-end Hansgrohe Talis S Kitchen Faucet is a perfectly engineered chrome-finished brass model with a 150° swivel spout that has magnetic docking and a silicone spray nozzle.
The Delta Faucet Trinsic Kitchen Faucet comes in a standard manual model as well as an Alexa voice-activated model if you want to get high tech. It has magnetic docking and spray holes that can be cleaned with a fingertip.
FAQ
Q. Will I need a professional to install my new pull down faucet?
A. Unless you have some knowledge of plumbing, we wouldn't recommend installing your new faucet yourself. While some people choose to do their own installation, doing it incorrectly can lead to leaks and other issues.
Q. My water pressure isn't great. Will a pull down kitchen faucet be suitable?
A. Avoid a model with an exceptionally high-arching gooseneck spout because these can cause a slight loss of water pressure, so it wouldn’t be ideal if your water pressure is already subpar.
Q. Are pull down faucets easy to use?
A. Yes, extremely easy. All you need to do is pull the head from the end of the spout. Then you can control the spray settings from the head and move the hose around to direct the stream of water.
