By Debbie Wolfe | Updated Jan 2, 2024 12:37 PM
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more. Laundry Faucet
Most of us have traditional faucets in our kitchens, where we use our hands to turn the handles. However, with technological advances, there’s an alternative solution. Touchless faucets are a standard in most public spaces, and now you can have this luxury in your own home. They allow you to clean your hands without the worry of transferring bacteria or grime onto the faucet. Motion-activated faucets also save you time—there’s less of a need to wipe down handles and spouts if you never have to touch them.
Touchless faucets are smart kitchen gadgets created to provide convenience and functionality to your life. It doesn’t hurt that they add a sleek and futuristic look to take your kitchen to a whole new level. If you’re on the hunt for the best touchless kitchen faucet, check out this list of our top picks—these highly rated products will add the finishing touch to your high-tech kitchen.
After we evaluated the key aspects of touchless kitchen faucets—spout design, spray functions, number and location of sensors, and special features like LED lights—we assembled this curated list that includes varied options to accommodate personal preference and budget.
Many of the top picks are designed with ample height and/or a retractable spout for flexible reach. Though some of the featured models have a steep price tag, these faucets also boast advanced features, including smart-home compatibility and voice activation. Every product was designed by a reliable brand known for producing high-quality kitchen faucets.
We’ve looked at the best touchless kitchen faucets to select the ones that meet the needs of shoppers’ budgets, design preferences, and finish options. We’ve also selected the best overall for performance and convenience.
Moen is known for its beautiful high-caliber kitchen faucets. The Arbor Motionsense is a top seller because of its versatility and impeccable quality. The touchless faucet features two sensors over the spout: one on the top of the arc that’s activated with only a wave of the hand and the second below it to pinpoint motion as soon as users get their hands under the faucet. There’s an automatic shutoff to help conserve water. A retractable pull-down handle can reach every direction of the sink, and the PowerClean feature increases spray power by 50 percent.
The Arbor Motionsense is easy to install and comes in multiple finishes such as stainless nickel, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black—all of which are resistant to fingerprints and water spots. The sensors are battery operated, and the model comes with six AA batteries. It features a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, and Moen offers an incredible 5-year warranty on digital components for peace of mind.
Get the Moen Arbor touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
As far as touchless faucets go, anything under $300 is a bargain, especially when a reputable manufacturer like Delta—known for its reliable and long-lasting products—makes it. Delta’s Leland faucet offers a classic style mixed with modern functionality.
Technically, this is a touch-on faucet (not touchless), which means users make minimal contact with the faucet to activate the water flow. With the Touch20 technology, tap anywhere on the spout (using a hand, wrist, or forearm) to start and stop the water flow. The Leland includes a useful pull-down design, allowing greater flexibility and movement, and two spray modes to tackle rinsing duties and fill containers quickly. Choose from four finishes: brushed stainless steel, chrome, arctic stainless, and Venetian bronze.
If you shoppers have their hearts set on a touchless faucet, then the Leland isn’t the best pick. However, if they want a solid kitchen faucet that will last for years for less than $300, they can’t go wrong with a Delta. The Leland is a good entry-level faucet that taps into hands-free technology.
What our tester says: Mark Wolfe, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, notes in the The Best Kitchen Faucets that “this top pick is an excellent combination of traditional style and modern features. The water pressure was good, no drips, and the shield spray feature eliminated 80 percent of overspray.”
Get the Delta Leland touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon, The Home Depot, Walmart, or Build With Ferguson.
Kohler is another powerhouse in the home improvement industry, best known for its plumbing products and fantastic lifetime warranties. Kohler faucets do tend to be more expensive than Delta and Moen faucets due to the extended warranties that come with each one.
With an ergonomic and modern gooseneck design, the Simplice features a pull-down spray head with three functions: stream, boost, and sweep spray. For stuck dirt, there’s boost technology that increases the flow rate by 30 percent with the press of a button. The handle rotates 90 degrees forward to prevent contact with the backsplash.
The faucet is easy to install and features an AC power adapter. A state-of-the-art motion sensor activates the water flow for reliable touchless performance. There’s an LED light indicator to let users know when the faucet is operational, and the temperature memory feature sets users’ desired temperature before using it. With a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, this faucet is water efficient. For around $500, this Simplice is a good investment when it comes to upgrading a kitchen.
What our tester says: Mark Wolfe, a Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, said this about this faucet in our tested guide: “The Kohler Simplice is a well-constructed luxury faucet with classic styling and robust functionality. The motion sensor is strategically positioned under the spout where it turns on/off at the right time, without risking an unnecessary arm soaking when you place dishes in the sink.”
Get the Kohler touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Kohler.
Homeowners and DIYers looking for a simple installation will want to consider the Moen Brantford. This faucet features an easy installation process, known as Duralock, which works in one- or three-hole scenarios. This system uses push-connect fittings that provide an audible and tactile click when installed. This means not having to bring a faucet wrench under the sink and straining to get the faucet installed. The motion sensor is powered by six AA batteries or an optional AC adapter with a power splitter.
The Brantford is a low-flow kitchen faucet, rated to deliver at just 1.5 GPM with an aerated stream for everyday cleaning. The high arc spout provides height and reaches to fill or clean large pots while the pull-down wand provides the maneuverability for washing or rinsing. There’s a power rinse for heavy-duty cleaning and a pause function that lets users conveniently stop water flow from the spray head. The faucet features spot-resistant stainless steel, which reduces scale spotting from hard water on the fixture.
Get the Moen Brantford touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon.
If a home already has smart voice control technology, the Delta Trinsic will fit right in. Featuring Delta’s proprietary innovation, the Trinsic uses Delta VoiceIQ Technology to sync up the faucet with existing devices like smartphones and smart speakers enabled by Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. The smart-home devices field the user’s voice commands and relay them to the Trinsic.
With a simple command, users can quickly turn the faucet on and off; warm up water; and dispense 1 cup, 6 ounces, a gallon, or any other amount. The faucet will dispense in ounces, cups, pints, quarts, gallons, liters, and milliliters, and it also monitors kitchen faucet water usage over time.
The faucet operates with a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle with the wrist or forearm. There’s also a hand-wash feature that provides the proper timing for lathering, scrubbing, and rinsing hands. Users can check the water temperature from across the room with the TempSense LED indicator light that changes color to reflect water temperature. Powered by six AA or six C batteries and an AC wall adapter, it features a flow rate of 1.8 GPM. The biggest downside for the Trinsic is the price, which is quite expensive. However, it may be a worthwhile investment for a smart tech home.
What our tester says: Mark Wolfe, Bob Vila staff writer and product tester, noted in our tested kitchen faucets guide that “Delta continues to revolutionize faucet manufacturing. The water pressure was good, there were no drips, and the shield spray feature eliminated most overspray.”
Get the Delta Trinsic touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Build With Ferguson.
Those in search of a kitchen sink faucet capable of reaching all areas of the sink will want to take a look at this contemporary option from Gimili. Standing around 20 inches tall once installed, it provides users plenty of sink space for fitting larger items that would typically struggle to fit under a standard-size faucet. This faucet also pulls out to extend its 20-inch hose to reach all around the kitchen sink, which is great for filling up pitchers or stockpots.
It’s easy to avoid dirty hands contaminating the faucet by using the touchless motion sensor at its base, which activates with the wave of a hand. The sensor is conveniently installed to the side instead of the front to avoid accidental activations while washing the dishes.
Get the Gimili touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon.
Shoppers looking for a robust stainless steel faucet to add to their collection of smart kitchen appliances could consider this contemporary touchless design from Kraus. It features a flexible gooseneck with the hint of a cool industrial modern design and open coil springs that add a touch of interest to the sink area. The easy-retract pull-out spray head reaches a wide area with its swivel adapter, allowing users to flex, pivot, and reach all around the sink. The Kraus is ideal for spraying down heavy pots and pans or giving the sink itself a rinse.
The touchless sensor is located at the base of the faucet and can be activated with the simple wave of a hand—great when preparing food where users would prefer not to have to touch the faucet to activate it.
Get the Kraus touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Build With Ferguson.
Those who’d prefer their touchless faucet to come with a soap dispenser will want to check out the Kohler Malleco. This touchless pull-down faucet features a sensor built into the neck of the faucet, allowing users to turn the water on with a wave. It also comes with a soap dispenser that can be installed in a standard sprayer hole, allowing users to replace their sprayer and make use of the hole. It also comes with an escutcheon plate that can cover one-, two-, three-, or four-hole installations in countertops up to 2.5 inches thick.
This model comes in two finishes: matte black and vibrant stainless. It also has three functions, including stream sweep and boost, allowing users to adjust the water flow for the task at hand. It does take six AA batteries, which is a lot, but it also runs on a power adapter that plugs into AC power if desired. Unfortunately, the power adapter is a separate purchase.
Get the Kohler Malleco touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon.
Best With LED Light9 Owofan Touchless Kitchen Faucet w/ Pulldown Sprayer Photo: amazon.com SEE IT Product SpecsFinish: Brushed nickel, black, chrome, or gold nickelFlow rate: 1.8 GPMPower supply: 4 AA batteries ProsIt features a built-in LED light around the touchless sensor that alerts to the water temperatureInstalls in 1- or 3-hole countertops with the included escutcheonHigh-arch design provides a commercial kitchen design and utility ConsNo power adapter, so users will be stuck with battery power with this faucet The Owofan touchless kitchen faucet features an LED light that helps keep users safe and informed. The light is in the base of the faucet, surrounding the sensor, and glows blue for water temperatures between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, green for water temperatures between 90 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and red for water temperatures in excess of 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Users can see how warm the water is without touching the faucet—a big help when hands are dirty. The Owofan faucet features two water flow modes: stream and spray. It installs in one- or three-hole counters and runs on four AA batteries for simplicity’s sake. It flows at a maximum rate of 1.8 GPM, and water will stop flowing after 3 minutes. It also features a high-arch design similar to a commercial kitchen faucet and an 18-inch-long hose that can reach items on the counter on either side of the sink. It comes in brushed nickel, black, chrome, and gold nickel. It doesn’t include a power adapter, so users will be stuck using batteries for touchless operation. Get the Owofan touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon.
The Owofan touchless kitchen faucet features an LED light that helps keep users safe and informed. The light is in the base of the faucet, surrounding the sensor, and glows blue for water temperatures between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, green for water temperatures between 90 and 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and red for water temperatures in excess of 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Users can see how warm the water is without touching the faucet—a big help when hands are dirty.
The Owofan faucet features two water flow modes: stream and spray. It installs in one- or three-hole counters and runs on four AA batteries for simplicity’s sake. It flows at a maximum rate of 1.8 GPM, and water will stop flowing after 3 minutes. It also features a high-arch design similar to a commercial kitchen faucet and an 18-inch-long hose that can reach items on the counter on either side of the sink. It comes in brushed nickel, black, chrome, and gold nickel. It doesn’t include a power adapter, so users will be stuck using batteries for touchless operation.
Get the Owofan touchless kitchen faucet at Amazon.
Like traditional faucets, touchless models come in different styles and sizes. They also vary in features, like their finish, water-flow rate, sensor style, and power source. Here are some considerations to take into account when choosing a touchless kitchen faucet to replace your old one.
Touchless kitchen faucets use motion-detecting sensors to start and stop the flow of water. Both of these aspects can be affected by the number of sensors and how accurate those sensors are. Some faucets have multiple sensors, which increases accuracy.
The sensor should start immediately with the swipe of a hand or dish—users should not have to wave their hands around waiting for the sensor to activate. Users also do not want the sensors to be triggered by any slight motion in the room, leading to wasted water. Compare the number of sensors of the different models of touchless faucets to find the best option.
The sensors need a power supply to function. There are two options when it comes to the power supply: the battery or an AC transformer. Battery-operated models are less expensive, but shoppers will spend more money on replacing batteries. Some models need batteries replaced several times a month. Choosing a faucet that is energy efficient will help reduce costs in battery consumption.
If shoppers have access to power in their sink cabinet, then they’ll want to choose a model that plugs into an outlet because it will save them money over time and they won’t have to deal with swapping out batteries. However, if there isn’t an electrical connection under the sink, shoppers won’t really have a choice and will have to go with the battery option. In this case, they’ll want to invest in rechargeable batteries to help ease the cost over time.
Note: In either case, if there is a power outage or the batteries die, the faucet will still work manually.
Like traditional faucets, touchless versions are available in multiple finishes and styles. Touchless options are available in chrome, stainless steel, brushed nickel, zinc alloy, and other materials. Choose a model with a design and finish that blends seamlessly with your decor.
Since they are touchless, a faucet with a shiny finish isn’t prone to fingerprints and other smudges. If you’ve always loved the look of high-shine metal, but hated dealing with the smudges, this is an excellent opportunity to go for it!
The flow rate of a faucet will indicate how much water the fixture uses. The standard of measurement for water flow in plumbing fixtures is GPM. Knowing the flow rate will help determine the efficiency of the faucet before purchase. The lower the GPM, the more efficient the faucet is with water. In the United States, the maximum flow rate for kitchen faucets is 2.2 GPM. This rate is more than sufficient for regular use in a kitchen.
As with most hardware and appliances, there are always extra bells and whistles with the best kitchen faucets. When it comes to touchless faucets, the most noticeable additional feature is voice activation. Like other smart-home devices, the faucet can be paired with a connected home device (Alexa and Google Assistant) to enable voice-activated features like metered dispensing.
Some models let users create custom presets. Once they “teach” or program the preset, they can set shortcut commands for activation. These faucets can also function without voice commands; the water can be turned on by activating the sensors. These added features do come with some downsides. They are significantly more expensive and they have to be plugged into an electrical outlet since there isn’t a battery option.
A touchless kitchen faucet is a smart appliance that uses motion sensor technology to activate the water flow. With a wave of a hand or a pan near the sensor, the water will turn on and off. This technology is commonly used in public restrooms to eliminate the need to touch handles.
Hands-free faucets are making their way into kitchens across the country due to their convenience and adaptability. They look just like conventional faucets and owners can install most without the help of a plumber. Additionally, touchless options are water efficient. A traditional faucet allowed to run continuously can use up to 2 gallons of water per minute, whereas a touchless version will only emit water if triggered. Here are some other benefits of using a touchless faucet:
Touchless faucets are typically more expensive than their traditional counterparts. Getting to know how they work before you invest in them is an essential factor to consider before purchase.
Touchless faucets consist of four main parts: a spout, sensor window, solenoid valve (a type of electromagnet), and power source. The sensor is activated when you place your hand or object near the sensor windows and a signal is sent to the solenoid valve to open and allow water to flow through the spout.
Touchless faucets require a power source to control the sensors and solenoid valves. The power is typically in the form of batteries or AC transformers. Most touchless faucets are powered by batteries with an option to convert to a power outlet with an adapter.
Most touchless faucets have a manual sensor-override mode, which allows the faucet to function as a regular faucet during a loss of power. Adjusting the temperature of the faucet is usually done manually, while the touchless aspect is used to turn the faucet on and off.
As with any product, it depends on the brand, materials, and how often you use it. Touchless faucets have more moving parts than regular versions, which can lead to more repairs. The major faucet brands offer limited and lifetime warranties on touchless options for ease of mind.
The top kitchen faucet brands are Moen, Kohler, and Delta as they excel in quality, customer service, and durability. These brands usually offer a wide selection of finishes that easily match a shopper’s existing kitchen hardware.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.
Kitchen Sink Tap © 2024 Recurrent. All rights reserved.