The idea of having a touchless kitchen faucet for your home is a nifty idea because they are cool and innovative inventions. There are equipped with motion sensors that put smart technology in your home, giving you a modern feel. And of course, they make everything feel so much cleaner and more hygienic because you don’t have to touch anything to make it work.
Why Get a Touchless Faucet for Your Kitchen Sink
The sink is actually dirtier than your toilet. Dr. Charles Gerba said that that there is more e.coli bacteria hanging out in your kitchen sink than your toilet, and it is probably safer to make a salad there. The reason is people disinfect their toilet more than their sink. The hidden bacteria lurking in the kitchen sink, especially the faucet knobs that you have to touch to make it work, is just too much. Don’t forget that it is also one of the most used parts in your house.
To mitigate this problem disinfect your sink. And of course, it would be best if you go touchless because it means you won’t have to keep on transferring and passing around the germs from the hands of the people that use the sink. Fewer bacteria and the kitchen equates to safer food preparation. On top of that, it is more convenient because even if you are carrying a big pot with both hands, you no longer have to set it down or call anyone to turn the faucet knob on your behalf.
This crafty device is really a great addition to any home because aside from having an eye-catching futuristic design, you don’t have to worry about leaking faucets/ hoses and running water that has been left by your rushing kids with an automatic tap.
Best Touchless Kitchen Faucets
Today in the market, there are four great brands that stand out as fine touchless kitchen sinks in terms of technological specifications and customer experience. Here is a rundown of the most popular touchless kitchen faucets to date:
1. KOHLER Sensate
Kohler has always been a leading brand when it comes to quality sinks. They are a top choice of people with discriminating tastes. It is not hard to fall in love with this Kohler k 77218 VS.
Design
This model features a unique modern fixture with a super smooth eye catching finish all over. It has a tube from head to base with a lever that are all super sleek. There are no other overwhelming details that take away from the simplicity of the design. Minimalists will love this model. You can choose from four different classy finishes from vibrant stainless, vibrant stainless with black accents, polished chrome, and polished chrome with black accents. This state of the art faucet comes with the patented Master Clean surface because the finish is not just about looking cool but being functional enough to fight dreaded mineral build up.
Sensor
The motion response of this device works in a matter of only twenty seconds from when it feels movement. Kohler actually stakes its claim to have the fastest motion sensors in the market today. And true enough, there is hardly any wait because the moment you place your hand or pot under the sensor on its neck, water instantly comes flowing out.
The best part about this model is that spray head itself is also crafted to respond to sensors. This is definitely an impressive touch that deserves applause. All manufacturers should actually follow suit to make this an industry standard. After all, when the hose is fully extended, turning on and off a touchless faucet becomes an issue. With the sensors on the head itself, the problem is minimized.
Long Hose
It comes with a sufficient long hose that can get things done at only 26 inches long. Compared to the other sink hoses, it may seem a wee bit shorter. But fret not for it can still perform well from cleaning the double sink to filling a giant pot that is sitting on the countertop. The spray head actually retracts when it is released. This also comes with a magnetic dock that is responsible for putting those hose in its place.
Pros
- Comes with quick response sensors
- Equipped with docking technology that locks the spray head
- Stable flow rate
- Simple installation
Cons
- Very pricey
- The water pressure can deteriorate in time
2. Flow Motion Sensor
This Flow Motion Sensor By Bio Bidet comes from a company that is passionate about churning out high quality products that work with your water supply. This Flow faucet gives off a very sleek vibe because of the top notch materials it is made from. It comes in three different styles to spruce up your home from standard chrome, brushed nickel, and oil brushed bronze.
Smart Retraction System
One of the things you’ll really love about this model is its smart retraction system with its sturdy braided black nylon hose that retracts seamlessly and quietly. The flow faucet spout can be smoothly removed and retracted for extended use whether your cleaning your sink or you need to put water in a heavy pot on your countertop.
Sensitive Infrared Detecting Eye
The motion sensing system that allow for hand free and spotless faucet use comes with a highly sensitive infrared eye detection system that emit water immediately with the slightest hint of movement.
Multi-Spray Faucet Head
This unique faucet head has a versatile feature that allows you to use two different spraying mechanisms to address your needs. If you need a higher power jet stream of water to cut down the grease, you can use it with a flick of a lever.
Pros
- Smart Latch retraction system that makes it easy to use the house
- Multi spray faucet head
- Very sensitive motion detection system
- Elegant finish with various options to suit your tastes
Cons
- This touchless faucet has a handle, and ironically, it will only work when the handle is on.
- The handle’s position makes it to susceptible to getting wet, which may be damaging to the material if you’re dealing with super hot water
3. Moen Brantford Motionsense
Moen is another name that always comes to mind when it comes to sensor faucets. This particular model showcases a unique brass design with a rubbed bronze finish that will serve as a showstopper for your kitchen.
Unique Technology
This model offers a useful reflex system and a secure docking station that will help make sure that you will never have to stress over your faucet coming loose or breaking apart while you’re using it. It has a duralock feature which can be installed easily.
Sensor Mechanism
This comes with two sensors, one in the front and the other at the top of the faucet itself. You have to put your hand under the top sensor to make the water come out. This one closes automatically after two minutes when no motion is detected. If you want it off ahead, just swipe again near the sensor with your hand. As for the front sensor, it responds to proximity so as long as there is motion nearby it will keep running. When motion is gone, it turns off in seconds.
The Unique Spout
The spout has a button that allows you to easily switch to spray mode. If you need to bring the spout far away from the sink, just pause the flow of water with the touch button. When you reach your desired position, you can easily turn back the water flow to get your job done.
Temperature Control
This high tech product has taken into account the temperature of your water. There is a switch on its control box under the sink which allows you to set your desired temperature when using your sensors.
Pros
- The extremely stylish design will serve as an attractive feature to your kitchen
- The reflex system ensures you can use this with easy
- It is easy to install
- It includes a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expect to spend a lot of money
4. Moen Arbor Motionsense
This other popular Moen product is known for its Motion Sense technology that makes it a cut above the rest. It also comes in elegant eye catching designs. This particular model is actually plumber recommended, with the whole faucet crafted with metal that has a spot resistant finish keeping fingerprints, rust, corrosion, or watermarks away.
Super Sensors
This comes in two versions with the first featuring a single sensor near the roof of the faucet. The double-sensor version has an extra sensor on the neck of the faucet, which means you can control water flow with a wave of your hand. You don’t have to worry about any future malfunctions because even if you disable the sensors, this comes with a lever that you can control manually. Even in that setting, there are no worries because this model is set to turn off itself in two minutes when not motion is detected.
Self Retracting Hose
This comes with an impressive 68 inches long hose, with head retracting itself back one released, even when it is fully extended. This pull down component is quite hand when you want to clean the sink itself.
Quick Installation
You don’t need a professional plumber to install this one. You don’t even need any special tools nor plumbing experience. This set comes with everything you need for easy installation, along with an easy to comprehend instruction manual.
Pros
- Smart sensors that can be adjusted based on your need
- Extra long self retracting hose
- Beautiful timeless design to catch your eye
- Spot resistant finish that keep away grease, fingerprints, build up, etc.
- Very easy to install
Cons
- The head comes with a mesh filter that can be prone to clogging. (the filter is removable but needs regular maintenance)
- Quite pricey
Touchless Kitchen Faucet Buying Guide
With many brands out there in the market today, it can get fairly confusing which one to choose for your home. All the touchless kitchen faucets may look similar in your eyes, but there are quite a bit of differences between each model. That’s why it is critical to research before buying this kitchen equipment that will last you for quite awhile. Here are some main features which you ought to consider:
The Finish
Pick a finish that you like that matches the rest of your kitchen from cabinets, finishings, and even other appliances. It will be good to choose one with a spot resistant finish that wards off water spots, finger prints, corrosion, and even grease. You can also opt for a special finish like matte black, gun metal gray, or Venetian bronze that appeals to the eyes.
Sensor Accuracy
The sensor is an important mechanism because it is responsible for releasing the water. An accurate sensor will be sensitive enough to feel your hand and start the water flow as soon as possible. The sensor will also shut the flow as soon as there is no more movement to abate wastage. An inaccurate sensor will be very annoying because it will work and stop and most inopportune times.
Battery Consumption
All touchless faucets use batteries that power the sensors. Battery consumption for each model is different, so do check this out because you should factor the battery expense in your computation. It is most ideal to choose a model that doesn’t need regular battery changes. Some amazing models only need to be changed one or every two years, as opposed to the cheaper ones that require a replacement every three months. Now that is totally cumbersome and expensive!
Docking Method
Touchless faucets are often pull-down models, but after you pull out the spray head from its spout it must go back in. Most manufacturers implement an easy feature that automatically brings the spray back to the spout. However, a few models still use manual docking, so you may feel frustrated after having to guide it back in its original place. Doing this is not as easy as it seems.
These are the things you have to consider when choosing a touchless faucet for your kitchen sink. Remember to weigh your top picks’ pros and cons so that you can make an informed choice. The last thing you want to do is to waste your money on a device that will only frustrate you. The kitchen sink is one of the most functional units in your house, so make sure it is outfitted with something that will not cause you any downtime.