Touchless faucets are commonplace in most restaurants, airports and public bathrooms, but they still seem like a luxury item that is too cost-prohibitive to have in the home. Not anymore. With a simple wave of the hand and some truly inventive and stunning designs, touchless faucets are more affordable than ever and can easily be installed in your own kitchen to help cut down on the spread of germs, keep your faucet clean and save you money.
A touchless faucet is a faucet that is activated either by waving your hand near the faucet or by touching the faucet in designated sensor spots. They typically have a slower flow than traditional faucets and are less prone to dripping, which cuts down on water and energy consumption.
What To Look For In A Touchless Faucet
If you’re installing the faucet yourself, ease of installation is important. We’ve also included an option that can fit over your existing faucet to create a touchless feature.
Design can have a big effect on the price, so we’ve included a wide range of price points and finishes to suit every kitchen. Solid brass faucets are typically the most durable and require the least maintenance.
Consider power sources. Touchless faucets can be powered by a battery, an outlet or a hard-wired connection. Make sure you choose one that works for your current kitchen setup.
How We Chose The Best Touchless Faucets
Touchless faucets are also handy, pun intended, when cooking or cleaning. From squirming, muddy dogs that need a quick rinse in the sink, to baking endeavors that leave you covered in egg and flour, to trying to wash your hands while cradling a cell phone on your shoulder, not having to manually turn on a sink makes your day that much easier. We only included faucets that are easy to install and use and come from highly regarded and trusted brands.
1. Delta Leland Single-Handle Touch Kitchen Sink
Designed with a leak-proof seal that lasts twice as long as the industry standard and ShieldSpray Technology that reduces spray splatter by an average of 90 percent, the Delta Leland Single-Handle Touch Kitchen Sink can be touched with elbows or wrist anywhere on the faucet head to turn the water on an off, making for an effortless hands-free experience. We love that the Leland has a TempSense LED indicator that can be read from across the room and tell you the temperature of your water, a great addition if your pipes take a while to get hot water for washing dishes. Using a MagnaTite Docking, which is a powerful magnet, the sprayer will always snap into place, so you don’t have to worry about a droopy-looking faucet. The Leland is made with Diamond Seal technology that reduces leak points.
Pros: Leak-proof seal, touchpoints are anywhere on faucet head, includes temperature reading.
Cons: The Leland requires batteries and if your batteries begin to get old or die, the faucet will stop working altogether.
2. Moen Arbor Motionsense Kitchen Faucet
Truly touch-free, the Moen Arbor Motionsense Kitchen Faucet works by merely waving your hand over the faucet, with three options for controlling the faucet that makes it user-friendly for the whole family. The Moen has three ways to control the faucet, including waving your hand over the top of the faucet to turn it on and off, a smart sensor near the base, and a traditional handle, a great added bonus for anyone in the home who may find the motion sensor confusing (the Moen complies with the American Disabilities Act specifications). We also like that the Moen has a spot-resistant finish, which cuts down on unsightly watermarks and fingerprints on the faucet, and it has a 68-inch hose length that is perfect for long-reach jobs.
Pros: Truly touchless design, spot-resistant finish, extra-long hose.
Cons: The Moen has a big price tag.
3. Dalmo Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet
The Dalmo Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet gives users two options when it comes to accessing their water supply. The faucet can be turned on by waving your hand anywhere near the sensor at the base of the faucet or activated by simply pulling down the sprayer. A handle on the side of the base allows users to select the temperature of the water. Need to fill up a pot behind the sink? The Dalmo rotates 360 degrees for added convenience. The battery-powered faucet will automatically shut off after three minutes of use as an added security feature and the stainless steel, brushed nickel finish is resistant to fingerprints. Installation is fast and only takes three steps. We also like that the Dalmo includes a ceramic cartridge for a leak-proof seal and works in one or three-hole sinks.
Pros: Affordable, rotates 360-degrees, battery-powered so no need to worry about power outages.
Cons: Hose length is shorter than other models on our list.
4. Moen Align MotionSense
If you’re going to step up your kitchen game, the Moen Align MotionSense is a splurge-worthy investment. The high-end touchless kitchen faucet has a spot-resistant finish that banishes finger and water spots for a faucet that always looks clean. The MotionSense includes a single-sensor touchless activation that allows uses to turn the water on and off with the wave of a hand. Using Power Clean spray power, users get 50% more spray power than they would with a comparable model, making it easy to clean off food and grime from dishes. The 22.5-inch-tall neck spout creates a dramatic look that is also functional. A 10-inch docked spout adds to the function of this stylish faucet, which includes Moen’s Duralock quick connect system for easy installation.
Pros: Power-spray for cleaning dirty dishes, tall neck spout is functional and impressive looking, easy to install.
Cons: Big price tag.
5. Kraus Bolden Touchless Pull-Down Single Handle 18-Inch Kitchen Faucet
Feel like you’re working in a professional kitchen with the Kraus Bolden Touchless Pull-Down Single Handle 18-Inch Kitchen Faucet. The bold design of the industrial-style faucet brings an impressive finish to any kitchen. Available in 12 finishes to suit any decor, the faucet has an open-coil spout and includes a pull-down spray head with an extended range of motion. The Kraus features an eco-friendly flow rate of 1.8 GPM and has a spot-free stainless steel finish that wards off fingerprints and resists corrosion. Water can be turned on and off with the wave of a hand when the handle is in the open position and users can also enable the locked position to ensure no accidental sensor activations. The high arc of the Kraus and 180-degree swivel make it easy to fill up pots and the ADA-compliant smart handle can also accommodate small spaces. The battery-operated design of the Kraus means no hard wiring is required for easy installation. The 100% lead-free brass waterlines and metal body all come together to create a durable and long-lasting faucet.
Pros: Attractive industrial design, eco-friendly flow rate, available in 12 finishes.
Cons: The spray function automatically turns off every time the faucet is turned off.
6. Delta Addison Single-Handle Touch Kitchen Sink Faucet
A stunning addition to any kitchen, the Delta Addison Single-Handle Touch Kitchen Sink boasts a leakproof seal and Touch20 technology that makes it easy to turn on and off with a simple touch anywhere on the faucet. The Delta Addison has the exact same features and benefits as the Delta Leland, but with a higher-grade finish. This faucet is ideal for anyone who is looking for the top range in terms of single-hand faucet design.
Pros: Leak-proof seal, turns on and off anywhere on the faucet, high-end finish.
Cons: The faucet has too large an output for small sinks.