There is a plethora of different types of kitchen faucets offered for the kitchen nowadays.
The sheer number of options can serve as a barrier to decision-making, especially when one is not entirely sure of the specific differences between the types of kitchen sink faucets and their features.
In this article, I’ll discuss the 15 most common kitchen faucet types and styles, as well as their pros and cons.
I hope that by the end of this read you will have a clearer idea about what types of kitchen faucets are out there, thus making your decision much easier and from a more informed standpoint.
Different types of kitchen faucets
1. The Pull Out Faucet
The pull-out faucet is a tap designed with the unique feature of an extended hose.
This allows you to pull the nozzle out a few feet and pour water a distance from your kitchen sink.
So if you have plants on your kitchen counter you’d prefer not to carry to the sink, or frequently need to fill pots away from the sink, this faucet offers that freedom.
It also doesn’t take up much space and as such is perfect for those who have limited overhead space above their kitchen sink.
The noticeable downsides are that it tends to look a bit drab and boring in comparison to other faucets.
It also isn’t very efficient at filling tall pitchers and jugs due to its short neck.
2. The Pull Down Faucet
A pull-down faucet has the ability to be pulled down into your sink, as the name implies.
This makes blasting that gunk off the bottom of your sink a breeze.
It has a noticeably high neck arc too. This serves to make it very aesthetically pleasing if you favor a postmodernist décor style.
The downside of the neck is that it takes up a lot of space.
It also tends to slow the water pressure at times. The only other notable downside is the splashback one sometimes experiences due to a wider nozzle mouth.
3. The Side Sprayer Faucet
For those who like the idea of a hose on their kitchen sink installation, but do not want the main faucet to be detachable, there is the option of the side sprayer faucet.
This faucet comes with two heads.
The main head flows water into the sink as with all conventional faucets. And then a detachable side sprayer.
This provides you the same freedom you find with a pull-out faucet but with the “pull-out” being a separate attachment.
This tends to look easier on the eye in most cases.
One needs to keep in mind though that it requires drilling an extra hole in your installation.
There is also the consideration that each attachment feeds from the same water pipe and thus cannot be used simultaneously.
4. The Commercial Faucet
The commercial faucet is the bees’ knees where kitchen faucets are concerned.
These faucets are the kind you generally find in a professional environment that values practicality over everything else.
These faucets come built-in with superior features and functions and can handle higher volumes of water more efficiently. They also last much longer.
The only real downsides to these faucets are their considerable cost when compared to most faucets.
They may also be a bit “overkill” for general home kitchens.
5. Motion Detection Faucets
Touchless motion detection faucets are the most convenient, and often the most stylish faucets available.
They have sensors built in that detect your hands and release water.
This mitigates the need for touching, turning, or twisting.
That is of course a very savvy concept, especially when you’ve been elbow-deep in messy cooking or baking and don’t want to dirty up your faucet.
Their classy style is also very modern and pleasing to the eye. The superiority of their aesthetics and detection features comes with a downside, however.
That downside is the very considerable price tag, probably the most expensive of all the faucets.
It should also be kept in mind that these faucets are a headache to fix due to the tech housed within them.
6. Touch-on Kitchen Faucet
This type comes with the unique feature of being activated by a single touch.
It also features a temperature control handle with an LED light that indicates the current water temperature.
This is a solid choice for those who often have their hands full or dirty in the kitchen and need only spare a wrist or elbow to get the faucet working.
The battery on these faucets needs to be taken care of, however.
If they are not, and they break, the touch feature ceases working and you are essentially stuck.
These are cheaper than full touchless faucets but are still on the higher end of the range.
7. Single Hole/Single Handle Faucets
This is the most straightforward and commonly used kitchen faucet of all.
As the name suggests, it only requires boring a single hole for installation.
It usually comes with a built-in adjustable aerator which is used to set the pressure flow. Its common and widespread use has prompted a big range of styles and designs.
This means it’s easier for you to find the look you’re seeking without compromising on practicality and ease of use.
8. Centerset/Double-Hole/Double Handle Kitchen Faucet
This faucet used to be the most common in times past and still offers some beneficial features.
It, unfortunately, requires two holes in the countertop when installing, but for a good reason.
These types of kitchen faucets offer two separate handles to use when controlling hot and cold water.
For those with young children using, this is beneficial because it is easier for the children to differentiate which is hot and cold.
This of course potentially prevents children from burning themselves due to misunderstanding the faucet.
It does tend to take up quite a bit of space though. This can be a downside if you have limited space.
9. Two-handle Single-Hole Kitchen Faucet
This faucet is similar to the Centerset/double-hole faucet with one defining difference – it doesn’t require two holes to be drilled when it is installed.
This makes for a much easier installation. You still get to enjoy the ease of separate controlling handles for hot and cold water.
The only downside is that if any one part of the faucet stops working, the whole installation has to be replaced, making fixing it far more costly.
10. Wall-Mounted Faucets
Wall-mounted faucets are great for those who need optimal space in and around their sink.
This design ensures the taps never get in your way whilst washing dishes using the sink. It can also look very trendy.
The drawback with these faucets is their installation.
It’s considerably more complex and requires a professional. This also means potential maintenance and fixes are more complicated because of where the faucets are situated.
If this faucet sounds appealing to you, be very sure to measure out everything properly or you could soon be watching in horror as your faucets empty the water out on your countertop instead of in your sink!
11. The Widespread Kitchen Faucet
The widespread faucet is unique in the amount of design freedom it offers.
Each piece of the faucet is installed separately so you can space each fixture as far apart as you wish.
This serves to create room for any extra sink or faucet features you might want.
You need to keep in mind though that you will be making quite a few irreversible holes in your countertop to accommodate this faucet.
12. The Bridge Faucet
These types of kitchen faucets get their name from the fact that the hot and cold water pipes are separate but join together via a bridge you can observe between the two handles.
It offers the feature of separately controlling the hot and cold water whilst remaining quite interesting and unique to look at.
Installation is simple but requires multiple holes.
The bridge between hot and cold water handles creates quite a niche look though and they are popular in the UK.
13. Basin Taps
These faucets are a nod to classic faucets of old that have separate spouts for hot and cold water.
These can look exceptionally nice and offer a look not often seen these days.
The drawback here is a lack of a central spout which means extra installation headaches.
14. Pot fillers
These types of kitchen faucets are predominantly used for industrial-level kitchens.
They are designed and geared for high-pressure use as well as extendibility for use in big basins and when filling large and tall containers.
Their biggest drawback with these is their total lack of aesthetic value. But they are very practical and efficient.
15. Faucets with Water Filters
These faucets are there for the express purpose of making your household water safe to drink.
If you have concerns about what might be in the water coming out of your taps, this would be a perfect choice.
The filters found in these faucets are far superior to the add-on types one attaches to other types of kitchen faucets.
You will not find yourself needing to replace these filters half as often. The most obvious drawback is the cost involved in purchasing and installing this kind of unit.
Wrapping It Up
As you can clearly see, there are many different kitchen faucet types and designs, each with its positive aspects and drawbacks.
When considering faucet types, kitchen décor, and practicality in the home, it’s best to review the specifics of each style offered and find the one that most broadly suits your needs and meets your expectations in all areas.
Additionally, always try to pick the best model of the most popular brands such as Delta faucet, Pfister faucet, Moen, and Kohler.
I hope that this guide served to demystify some of the differences and similarities in kitchen faucet installations, making your job of deciding easier. Good luck with your decorative endeavors!
