If you like smart modern technology, you’ll love the touchless kitchen faucets. These fixtures use motion sensors to automatically turn the water on and off. This adds a lot of convenience and makes your kitchen sink area a lot more sanitary. So if you’re looking for the best touchless kitchen, we’ve compiled a comparison chart and reviews of the top rated products in 2022. Below the touchless kitchen faucet reviews section, you can also find a buying guide to understand what to look for to make the best buying decision.
Top 6 Best Rated Touchless Kitchen Faucets
1 – Moen 7594ESRS Arbor Motionsense
Moen 7594ESRS Arbor is a high tech system that comes in a beautiful design and includes features to meet virtually any need. It tops our list of the best touchless kitchen faucets due to the value for money it offers, its solid build quality and premium features.
This best rated touchless kitchen faucet offers high quality finishes, which include chrome, spot resist stainless and oil rubbed bronze. So you can choose the appropriate finish to match your existing kitchen appliances.
It has a high arc pull down spout that extends down on a 68-inch braided hose, giving the user more maneuverability when carrying out rinsing and cleaning jobs in the sink. When not in use, the pull down spray head is kept in place with a secure magnetic docking system.
You can switch between spray and stream functions, depending on whether you need to just rinse some vegetables or do some heavy-duty scrubbing. The spray mode is also powered by the PowerClean technology. It gives 50 percent more spray power in comparison to faucets without this technology.
One of the best features of the Arbor faucet is, of course, the MotionSense technology. It allows starting the flow of water with just a simple gesture of the hand. This feature helps to prevent spreading around any harmful germs. There are also 2 sensors built into the faucet, so you can either wave your hand above or under the spout. However, you still need to use the lever to adjust the temperature and water flow.
The faucet also complies with the water conserving regulations, limiting the water flow to 1.5 GPM.
You can mount this hands-free kitchen faucet either on a single hole for a cleaner look of the countertop or on a 3-hole sink using escutcheon. Additionally, the Duralock installation system design by Moen makes the whole process a quick and easy task.
2 – BioBidet Flow Motion
What Is a Touchless Kitchen Faucet?
Touchless kitchen faucets look like standard faucets with a high arc spout and different designs, from modern to traditional. What sets them apart, is the use of motion sensor technology for turning the water on and off. They feature a built-in infrared sensor that can detect the movement of your hand or any other object. Upon detecting the motion, it sends the water flow.
It still requires manual operation, however, for adjusting the preferred temperature and the volume of water. So they feature a lever that you can set to the most frequently used temperature and the faucet will remember it for future use.
Touchless faucets were first introduced in bathrooms of commercial buildings. They help to stop spreading the germs between people using the faucet. Since the introduction of the technology, it has also been adapted for home use.
Hands-free kitchen sink faucets have many advantages, which is why they are becoming so popular among homeowners.
How Do They Work?
Automatic faucets feature a sensor with a light emitting diode (LED). It continuously emits light with a longer wavelength, which makes the light invisible to the human eye.
When you wave your hand or some object in front of the faucet, it enters the LED’s range and reflects the light signal back to the receiver diode. This activates a mechanism that opens the valve (solenoid valve) and allows the water to flow in. Once you remove the object from the sensor’s range, it cuts off the signal and solenoid valve closes, stopping the water flow.
Electronic kitchen faucets require a power source for the sensor to work. Some models can be connected to AC power, while others need a supply of batteries that usually lasts about a year or two.
Advantages of Hands-Free Faucets
Less Mess
Hygiene
The sink is one of the dirtiest parts in a kitchen, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Germs also often linger on faucet handles as you frequently use dirty hands to turn them on. These germs you can also pick up when turning the water off. This makes washing your hands less effective. Moreover, all these bacteria can spread among all the family members that use this same faucet.
A faucet without human contact is less likely to become contaminated with bacteria and viruses. A cleaner faucet also means fewer germs on your hands and in the rest of the kitchen, creating a safer area for food preparation for your family.
Water Conservation
Also, adjusting the flow and temperature every time you use a traditional faucet, wastes a lot of water. Touchless kitchen faucets remember the temperature and flow you previously used, so you get the perfect flow every time.
Convenience
The touchless technology also eliminates the risk of scolded fingers of the children in the household. The parents can make sure that the faucet temperature is set to moderate.
Common Touchless Faucet Problems
- Energy cost. While helping to conserve water, infrared faucets also have an energy cost. As mentioned above, the faucet needs to be connected to a power source: AC power or batteries. So before purchasing a motion sensing faucet, how you will power it.
- Temperature control. You won’t really be getting all the benefits of touchless technology if you need to constantly change the temperature. To do that, you’ll still need to use the lever.
- Installation. Mounting an infrared kitchen faucet can be quite tricky. In addition to installing the fixture itself, you also need to connect it some sort of power supply and make that the detectors are working properly.
- Cost. Touchless kitchen faucets are more expensive than traditional ones. There are also affordable options but for the same price, still, you’d also be able to get a very nice traditional faucet. So consider all aspects of the cost if you decide to go touchless.
Buying Guide To Choosing The Best Touchless Kitchen Faucet
Finding a good touchless kitchen faucet can be quite difficult, considering how many options there are on the market. Different products offer various features and benefits. So how to decide which one is the best? In the following buying guide, we’ll cover the main features to look for when choosing the best hands-free kitchen faucet.
Built Quality
In general, you can expect less durability with a touchless faucet than with a traditional one. That’s because, in addition to all the standard components, there’s also the electronic system that can go wrong.
So first of all, look for a sturdy built faucet with a maximum amount of metal parts, including the spray head and lever. Make sure that the faucet comes with ceramic cartridges, so you won’t have to worry about any leaks in the nearest future. And check the warranty coverage, double checking the terms. Make sure that it includes all the parts, including electronics.
Size
Most of the automatic kitchen faucets come in a high arc design. So before making a purchase, measure the available spacing above your kitchen sink. Make sure there is enough clearance and no obstacles like shelves that would come in the way of the faucet.
Design
Just like regular faucets, electronic ones also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose one that will suit your kitchen decor and your individual needs. Think about different design elements, such as do you prefer long necked spouts or rather short, stout faucets?
Finish
In addition to style, consider also different finishes. If you’re renovating the entire kitchen, you can choose the faucet finish and then choose other fixtures to match it. On the other hand, if you’re just replacing the faucet, find one that will match your existing kitchen fixtures.
Don’t forget also about the quality of the finish. It should be tarnish and scratch resistant, be easy to clean and maintain.
Sensor Accuracy
Having a touchless faucet with poor sensor accuracy can become quite annoying. Imagine having to frantically wave your hand to start the water. Or you’re just passing by the faucet and it activates the water flow. Or it can’t detect movement to shut off the water.
So as you can see, good sensor accuracy is important. It should start the water flow as soon as you place your hand or another object in front of the sensor. Keep in mind also that different faucet can have various detection range. It’s usually around 4 to 8 inches. It should be close enough for easy access and far enough to not get triggered when you’re just passing by.
Power
When it comes to power, you can either use AC power or batteries. Opting for batteries is usually easier since you won’t need to do any hardwiring, making the whole installation process easier. However, batteries will eventually need a replacement.
When choosing an infrared faucet, check the battery life. On most products, you’ll find that it’s about 1 or 2 years. It’s not that difficult to change the batteries, but it’s just extra hassle that you don’t need.
Spray Head
Most touch activated kitchen faucets come with a pull down spray head. It makes it a lot more convenient getting the water flow to those hard to reach areas in the sink. So if your faucet does come with this feature, also check the docking system it uses.
Look for a magnetic docking system. Unlike others, it won’t become weak over time and will continuously keep the wand securely in place. It also makes it easy for retracting the wand to its original position. Instead of having to manually do it, the magnet will automatically pull the spray head back into the spout.
Installation
Just like their traditional counterparts, motion sensing kitchen faucets can be mounted on 1 or 3-hole kitchen sinks, depending on your existing configuration. Most of these faucets feature a single lever design, so you can use 1-hole installation. You can mount the faucet right on the countertop or sink surface, it will give the area a cleaner look with fewer obtrusions. However, if you already have a 3-hole sink, you’ll just need a deckplate to cover the extra holes.
Wrap Up
In all, choosing a hands-free kitchen faucet is a personal decision. You might have different budget requirements or specific needs and preferences. However, we hope that this buying guide and touchless kitchen faucet reviews will help you make a more informed choice. Keep in mind that the best touchless kitchen faucet isn’t necessarily the most expensive one, it’s more about quality and features it offers. Our favorite model is the Moen Arbor faucet as it delivers great performance and quality, as well as comes in a beautiful design.
