12 Types of Kitchen Faucets and How to Choose One (2024)

Room Design

Bathroom Design

• 01 of 12

  Single-Handle Faucet

  

  Best for: Limited space and ease of use

  A single-handle faucet uses one handle that can be turned side to side and up and down to control both the temperature and the water flow with one motion. This is great for turning on water with one hand, making it easy to access water quickly. The single handle design also cuts down on the number of holes that need to be present on the sink itself, making these types of faucets great for tight spaces. The downside to single-handle faucets is that it can be difficult to get a precise temperature or water flow.
  

  Tip

  "Depending on your sink you may be able to select a single handle model, which can look very sleek."—Allison Ruda, Interior Designer

• 02 of 12

  Double-Handle Faucet

  

  Best for: Precise temperature and flow control, larger spaces

  A double-handle faucet has a separate handle for cold and hot water flow. This makes controlling temperature and water pressure much more precise. The larger design of this kitchen faucet requires at least three holes in the sink, and possibly more if you wish to add a sprayer or other accessories.

• 03 of 12

  Pot Filler Faucet

  

  Best for: Extra utility sink or separate water supply

  Pot filler faucets are usually mounted to the wall and have jointed arms that allow them to be pushed back out of the way or pulled forward to fill a large pot. These often do not accompany a sink basin, though they can. A pot filler can be used in conjunction with an extra utility sink or to create easy access to a separate water supply, such as over the stove.

• 04 of 12

  Bridge Faucet

  

  Best for: Large sink area and creating a focal point

  Bridge faucets have a separate handle designated for the hot and cold water that are connected to the spout with a horizontal bar, or bridge. This gives these faucets their unique look and name. These are perfect for larger sinks since they require at least two and often three or more holes in the sink basin. They also add a focal point to the room with their unique design.

  Continue to 5 of 12 below

• 05 of 12

  Gooseneck Faucet

  

  Best for: Open sinks and cleaning large objects

  Gooseneck faucets are known for their high arch, very similar to the shape of a real goose’s neck. These faucets are vertical to the sink, reaching up and then curving back down into the sink. Their tall height makes them perfect for cleaning large objects. However, these faucets require an open sink area, as their height may not work if the sink is located under cabinetry or window sills.

  See Also

  Our 7 Favorite, Tested Kitchen Faucets Are Functional Focal Points

• 06 of 12

  Straight Spout Faucet

  

  Best for: Sinks that are tucked under cabinets that do not have much height clearance

  Straight spout faucets are designed to reach out horizontally over the sink, remaining a straight line. They are available in a variety of sizes, making them compatible with large and small sinks. Because of their low profile, these faucets are great for sinks that do not have much height clearance, such as sinks tucked under cabinetry.

  Tip

  "In general, choosing a low versus a high sprout style depends on the look you like best. However, you do need to be mindful of what will fit in the space and function best. You might have a window sill or cabinet that a tall sprout may not fit under."—Allison Ruda, Interior Designer

• 07 of 12

  Pull-Out Spout Faucets

  

  Best for: Wide sinks and thorough washing or rinsing

  A pull-out spout faucet is designed to double both as a stationary faucet and as a handheld sprayer and hose. Simply grasp the faucet and pull it out to reveal the hose and easily move the water wherever it needs to go. Pull-out faucets often have a spray feature built into the faucet handle. These are great for wide sinks, as you can pull out the faucet to reach the edges. They are also ideal for thoroughly rinsing and washing items.

• 08 of 12

  Pull-Down Spout Faucet

  

  Best for: Deep sinks and thorough washing or rinsing

  A pull-down spout faucet also acts as a stationary faucet with a built-in sprayer and hose, although pull-down spout faucets extend down into the sink, rather than out as a handle. These faucets do not have a large handle to grip but still provide easy maneuverability. Pull-down spout faucets are ideal for deep sink basins since they can reach deep into them. This also makes it easier to thoroughly rinse and wash large items.

  Continue to 9 of 12 below

• 09 of 12

  Touchless Faucet

  Best for: Reducing messes and making the sink easy to use

  Touchless faucets can be turned on with motion and only have one handle to control the temperature of the water. These faucets are perfect for keeping your sink clean and simple. They reduce messes since you do not need to touch the faucet when your hands are dirty. And their streamlined design keeps the sink simple. Some models are smart kitchen faucets that can also be controlled using a voice assistant. However, these high-tech faucets are usually more costly.

• 10 of 12

  Touch-Activated Faucet

  Best for: Easy accessibilityand water conservation

  Touch-activated faucets are turned on by simply tapping the faucet spout while the temperature is controlled by a small handle on the side of the faucet. Similar to the touchless faucet in design, these faucets are great for keeping sinks simple and streamlined. Because they can be turned on with a simple tap, touch-activated faucets are great for accessing water easily and quickly and can be great for children who may have a hard time reaching the handles of other sinks. However, similar to touchless faucets, touch-activated faucets are usually more expensive than other styles.

• 11 of 12

  Stationary Faucet

  

  Best for: Small sinks and simple features

  Stationary faucets do not move, swivel, or have extra features. They are stationary and offer the simplest form of faucet available. These are great for small sink basins that do not require long-reaching or movable spouts.

• 12 of 12

  Swivel Spout Faucet

  

  Best for: Wide or double basin sinks

  Swivel spout faucets can swivel back and forth, enabling the water flow to be moved. This feature is ideal for wide or double sink basins, as the spout can be moved to either basin depending on where it is needed.