Along with kitchen sinks, faucets are usually the workhorse most people overlook and take for granted. This could change when the faucet in your kitchen suddenly stops working, or you plan to renovate this room. Let’s use this opportunity to try something new, like getting the best pull out kitchen faucet.
This is, however, easier said than done and can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with these newer faucet designs. This article will help you with the hunt for the perfect faucet for your everyday use.
What Are Pull Out Kitchen Faucet?
Spouts of kitchen faucets fall into many categories, including stationery, pull down, and pull out styles.
The first design is self-explanatory, with not much adjustment when it comes to the direction and position of the water stream coming out of the faucet. Models of this style have fewer parts to maintain and usually come with a cheaper price tag.
Pull down and pull out models are slightly more complicated to extend the usability of those faucets. In particular, a pull out spout still has a built-in sprayer that looks and acts like a stationary faucet.
But you can actually pull out the head of this spout from the main steam and bend, twist, and point it to any corner of your kitchen sink, as long as the length of the flexible hose permits such reach. There is a counterweight inside the faucet to help the spout and hose retract.
How To Choose A Pull Out Kitchen Faucet
You might assume the task of choosing this kitchen product is boring and mundane, but it’s actually more complicated than that.
A lot of things play a role in this, and there are plenty of options you have to weigh up before purchasing and installing a faucet. These factors are even more important due to the fact that it’s not simple to install and remove a faucet like other products, so you have few chances to try it out.
Height & Reach
Go for faucets that match your cleaning needs. Make sure that the faucet is high enough to wash or fill the items you intend to use with it. Manufacturers often express this height as deck-to-aerator or deck-to-top distance.
A higher spout easily accommodates even tall pots for cleaning for filling. But if your kitchen sink is located right under a cabinet or nearby a wide window sill, it may become harder to fit a tall faucet.
In the same way, the reach of a faucet is usually an overlooked measurement, but it makes a huge difference in how you could use the faucet. It is the horizontal distance from between the farthest points to which the faucet can extend.
This measurement should be in coordination with the size of your sink, so the water won’t hit too far or even out of the basin. Pull down and pull out faucet can solve this mismatch, thanks to their adjustable spouts.
But you still have to keep this in mind because they still provide different reaches for different kitchen sinks. A good faucet should direct the flow of water into the drain when you turn it on, not other parts of the sink. You can measure the distance between the drain to the faucet hole to determine the proper reach for your faucet.
Mounting
Most kitchen sinks have pre-drilled mounting holes for accessories like soap dispensers and faucets. When buying a new faucet and it doesn’t have a detachable deck plate to cover extra holes, choose the model that matches this exact number of mounting holes on the sink.
Never buy models that need more mounting holes than what you currently have in your kitchen. Drilling extra holes to install them isn’t simple to do and may ruin your sink altogether.
Some manufacturers also make wall-mount faucets, which will come in handy if you need a faucet near your stove to fill water into pots.
Additionally, ensure the faucet fits your kitchen’s water supply lines, which you can find underneath the kitchen sink. Most of them have the size etched on the valve, but if you’re unsure about it, measure the shutoff valves and water lines using a measuring tape.
Valve Control
In addition to turning the faucet on and off or changing the flow rate and water pressure, many faucets also use the valve and handle to adjust the temperature. They are available as single-handle, double-handle, and touchless faucets.
Needless to say, single-handle faucets are the simplest design, using only one lever to adjust both flow of water and its temperature. Compared to double-handle models, they are less challenging to install and need less space above your kitchen sink. However, their water temperature adjustments aren’t as precise.
On the other hand, double-handle utilizes two levers for cold and hot water, usually on both sides of the spout. These levers are either separately mounted or part of the baseplate. They provide precision temperature control, but the installation is more complicated, and you will need both hands to use them.
Motion-activated faucets are the product of modern technology, whose most notable upsides are cleanliness and convenience.
You don’t need to touch the valve to turn on or off the water flow, which is a huge deal when your hands get dirty often. But they cost way more than regular single and double-handle models.
Material and Finish
The material and finish of your faucet don’t just have an effect on the look of your kitchen but also determines its price, durability, and resistance to rust.
Most kitchen faucets on the market are available in stainless steel, brass, plastic, and zinc alloy. If the model you’re interested in comes with multiple material options, think about your kitchen decoration and budget to pick the right one.
For example, stainless steel is the most common choice as it makes the faucet more durable and attractive while not adding a huge extra cost to the product. As they have a great balance between price and build quality, there are plenty of stainless steel models at mid-range price points.
The most expensive material is brass, largely due to its luxury natural appearance, while you can find plastic in zinc alloy in inexpensive options. These materials are less durable and more prone to rusting and other damages.
Read more: Top 10 best luxury kitchen faucets that are worth your money
10 Best Pull Out Kitchen Faucets Reviews
Here is a quick breakdown of the most notable kitchen faucets currently available on the market.
1. Kohler Forte Single-Control
If you prefer a faucet with a maximum flow rate from a reputable brand, you will find it in this Kohler Forte single-control model. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a durable yet simple design.
The Kohler Forte faucet is available in many finish options, including stainless steel, brushed chrome, polished chrome, and brushed nickel. All of them share a similar design approach, which you can also find on other Kohler’s household products.
If you’re already a fan of this American company, the Kohler Forte will fit nicely into the decor of your kitchen and the rest of your house.
The MasterClean finish makes it a good faucet for hard water, preventing mineral residues in your water supply from building up. Even after a few years of use, this kitchen faucet won’t get dirty or clogged up and need treatment like regular models.
The spray head sits securely in the spout when not in use, thanks to the DockNetic magnetic docking system. It’s a two-function spray head that you can use one hand, either with a regular spray mode for everyday use or with a stronger spray for cleaning.
Like other Kohler products, the main drawback of this faucet is its hefty price tag.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Easy to install
- Two water modes
- Durable and tarnish-resistant finishes
- High flow rate
- Secure fit
Cons
- Very expensive
2. Pfister Pfirst Series 1-Handle (Water-Efficient Model)
Founded in 1910, Pfister is among the oldest firms in the kitchen and bathroom faucet and accessory business. The company has written its long history with plenty of reliable kitchen faucets at various price ranges, like this affordable pull out model in its Pfirst series.
This is a very simple, straightforward faucet designed to help you save water. The maximum rate at which water can come out of the Pfister Pfirst faucet is just 1.8 GPM.
People who don’t want to limit their water use should keep this in mind, however. Coming from a 2.2-GPM model, you may feel the water stream of this water-efficient model weaker.
If you have bought it without the knowledge of this low maximum water rate, there is a workaround. The limit is set in the spray head, particularly where it connects to the retractable hose. Remove the small white insert there, and the flow rate of the Pfister Pfirst faucet will improve significantly.
This faucet is a departure from the signature classic and refined design from Pfister. It doesn’t have an exquisite look like the high-end Ashfield and Hanover series. It still looks good on any countertop, but many may see this as a deal-breaker.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Efficient water use
- Long hose
- Simple installation
Cons
- Boring design
- Many customers find the water limit too restrictive.
3. Delta Linden Single-Handle
Delta Faucet Company, or often known as Delta, is another player with long experience in the plumbing fixture industry.
They offer a wide range of high-quality pull out faucets with many options of finish, style, and extra features. Linden is Delta’s one of the most successful attempts at creating a simple and efficient pull out faucet with a modern style.
The high-arch 9.88-inch spout can swivel a full 360 degrees, allowing you to reach many more places without pulling out the spray head. You can clean the Touch-Clean spray holes and wipe away lime or calcium build-up with the touch of a finger.
The Multi-Flow spray wand sits seamlessly in the spout. You can toggle between a strong water stream with a higher flow rate or a more gentle, water-efficient spray.
There is no need to worry about leaks. Like all other Delta products, the Linden faucet comes with the DIAMOND Seal technology. As a result, the tough ceramic disc cartridges contain no leak points, require no lubrication, and eliminate the risk of mineral buildup.
All of those amazing advanced features come at a price. Even the cheapest finish (chrome) of the Delta Linden faucet already costs several times the price of a regular model. And if you want a classy look of brass, be prepared to pay a huge chunk of your money for it.
Pros
- Reliable and durable
- Easy to install, compatible with both 1-hole and 3-hole deck mount
- Two spray patterns
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Spare parts widely available
Cons
- Expensive
4. Delta Cassidy Single-Handle
The Cassidy is another great pull out faucet series from Delta. The biggest difference between this and the Linden model above lies in their designs.
While the Linden focuses on a mix of contemporary and classic look (Delta calls this “transitional,” the Cassidy faucet retains the elegant industrial design from traditional faucets of old. You can use this luxury look to explain the significant price discrepancy between those models.
Another factor that makes the Cassidy more expensive is its spout’s reach. Its height and length are 10.69 and 10.06 inches, a little longer than the 9.9×9.9 inch measurements of the Linden faucet.
All of the other high-end features from Delta are still there, including the patented DIAMOND Seal technology and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. So it should not come as a surprise that the Cassidy faucet is expensive as well.
Pros
- Elegant classic design
- Reliable valve
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Two spray pattern
- Easy to install and clean
Cons
- Astronomically expensive
5. Peppermint Designer Brushed Nickel
Most people might not view peppermint as a top-ranked kitchen accessory brand, but don’t let this unfamiliarity prevent you from considering it.
The Peppermint Designer faucet is a simple, no-frills product that just works right out the box. It has a single lever and a pull out spray wand on top of a deck plate. Like most kitchen faucets these days, it features a sleek, modern look that will go well with your kitchen’s contemporary decor.
This straightforward look and its price tag may mislead you into thinking it’s a low-quality product. But the Peppermint Designer faucet comes with some handy features as well.
Peppermint stands on the same side with you against the fight against stains by offering the Nano-Brushed Finished technology. The finish isn’t high-end stainless steel or brass, but it still stands up to bacteria, fingerprints, and water spots pretty well.
This level of cleanliness isn’t common among inexpensive kitchen faucets, and it saves you from a lot of time spent cleaning and maintaining the faucet.
However, there are some compromises you have to accept as trade-offs for this competitive price tag. If you don’t pull out the hose, the spout of the Peppermint Designer pull out faucet can’t reach far, while the handle is small and not comfortable to hold.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Able to resist stains and fingerprints
- 360-degree swivel spout; long hose
Cons
- Small and not welt-designed handle
- Limited reach
6. Comllen Commercial Rv
If an extremely tight budget doesn’t mean you can afford a decent pull out faucet. Brands like Comllen come into existence to fill the void left by other higher-end products, offering acceptable solutions like this Rv faucet.
Comllen doesn’t compromise much on performance and quality as long as you’re fine with a basic product. It comes with a 360-degree sprayer to make room for more dishes and pots.
Inside this flexible pull out system is a premium ceramic disc valve, whose primary job is to provide a smooth, drip-free water flow. Thanks to nanotechnology, this faucet can also resist water spots and fingerprints to make sure your kitchen always has a clean look.
However, you will have to settle with a zinc handle, which is an inferior material for kitchen appliances and accessories compared to brass or stainless steel. It’s less durable and easily slathered in zinc oxide.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- 360-degree sprayer
- Water spot and fingerprint-resistant finish
Cons
- No advanced features
- Zinc handle
7. Ufaucet Modern Single-Handle
Ufaucet is a name you can have a look at as an alternative to Comllen. The strong points of their products, like this pull out faucet, are not high-end features or super durability. Instead, their target customers are those who don’t want to spend much on a decent faucet.
The design of the Ufaucet Modern faucet is strikingly similar to the Comllen Commercial Rv model above. In fact, it’s reasonable to guess that they come from the same manufacturer.
These two pull faucets all feature a straightforward modern design with a fixed top and bottom and a rotatable middle.
This allows you to use the 360-degree faucet spout to reach your desired position above the kitchen sink or simply make room for a large pot to which you need to fill water. You can pick one from two water flow patterns with it, a large aerated stream or a smaller spray.
The sprayer of the Ufaucet Modern faucet has a 20-inch, not a very impressive length. The spout isn’t very tall either, giving a reach of just 7.1 inches.
Pros
- Cheap
- Simple to install and use
- Two spray modes
Cons
- Small reach
- No advanced features
8. WEWE Single-Handle High Arc
This faucet from WEWE brings a high value for money to those looking for a high arc design. Despite the low price, WEWE has managed to make a simple yet efficient faucet without cutting too many corners.
This faucet boasts an impressive reach with a top height of 15.7 inches and a maximum horizontal range of 8.5 inches. The sprayer head has a pause mode in addition to spray and stream settings, which will come in handy when you need to avoid splashing between cleaning tasks.
Manufacturers of affordable faucets usually skimp on the quality of their components, but this is not the case here. You can still enjoy the durability of the ceramic disk valves, the ABS aerator, and the braided water lines.
The ceramic cartridge doesn’t cause any significant leaks as it has no rubber caps, which can wear down quickly over time. They do have a weak point, however. These valves are prone to cracking when you use too much force. The brushed nickel finish also needs more maintenance than high-quality stainless steel.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Reliable
- Three-way setting
- Well built given its price
- High-arch design to accommodate larger items
Cons
- Less durable than high-end models
9. Comllen Commercial Single-Handle High Arc
This is a similar high arch pull out kitchen faucet that competes directly with the WEWE product. But even though they share many design elements of the industry-standard gooseneck design, these two pull out faucets have many big differences that you should be aware of.
The Comllen Commercial high-arc faucet is slightly higher, with a total height of 16 inches. It also offers a great reach, 9.1 inches compared to the 8.5-inch range of the WEWE model.
On the flip side, the Comllen faucet doesn’t have a braided metal hose. Instead, it’s just a mesh-type hose that connects to a plastic sleeve. You may also find it more challenging to install this faucet compared to models of similar design.
Pros
- Affordable
- Tall with a great reach
- Lifetime replacement warranty
- Compatible with many water supply hoses
Cons
- No braided hose
- Difficult to install
10. Moen Medina One-Handle
For those who are looking for a gracious and powerful faucet that goes well with a modern kitchen, look no further. The Moen Medina pull out model might not go easy on your wallet, but it certainly can bring some of the best features you can find on a kitchen faucet.
At the heart of this product is Moen’s Power Clean technology. It’s designed to provide a more concentrated, powerful stream while making less splash, making this faucet a great choice for heavy-duty cleaning. There is no need to worry about those dishes after a party at your home anymore.
The sprayer of the Moen Medina faucet also allows you to pause the water stream conveniently. And like most high-end models, the stainless steel finish can resist all kinds of water spots and fingerprints to make your kitchen look clean all the time.
The main thing that may put off many customers is its price. But if you’re familiar with the kitchen and bathroom lineups from Moen, this is still a relatively cheap product from such a premium brand.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Simple to install
- Complies with ADA specifications
- Strong power stream
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Differences Between Pull Down & Pull Out Faucet
With pull down models, the faucet usually has a gooseneck, high-arch design, allowing users to literally “pull down” the spout and the hose attached with the spout. They are useful for rinsing food and cleaning dishes.
Manufacturers usually take advantage of this shape and put many rustic or industrial details to those faucets. Its dramatic height always makes a pull down faucet a focal point of any kitchen.
On the other hand, most pull out models resemble the look of a regular deck-mounted faucet. They look just like a typical faucet that you can find in any kitchen, but users have the option of pulling out the sprayer to direct the water stream to their desired location in the kitchen sink.
This type of faucet has a spray head that looks like a mini handheld showerhead attached to a kitchen faucet. When sitting idly, it’ll be hard to tell apart a pull out faucet and a regular model at first glance.
Compared to pull down options, pull out faucet make it easier for users to move the sprayer horizontally to reach other parts of the kitchen sink. You can do so with a pull down faucet, but this task usually feels less natural.
Benefits of Pull Out Faucet
This faucet style has become more and more popular in many households, and with good reason. There are plenty of advantages of these faucets that can outweigh their complicated design and higher cost.
Make washing simpler
The main purpose of a pull out kitchen faucet is to allow users to extend the hose and point the sprayer to any place they want inside the sink.
It’s extremely useful for many kitchen chores, such as washing vegetables without rolling them around. You can maneuver with one hand to loosen dirt and contaminants from any angle, not necessarily wash them from the top.
Create more room in the sink
As you rotate a pull out faucet and detach the spray from it, you can cram larger pans and pots inside the sink to fill in water or wash them. This is usually a huge hassle with a regular stationary faucet.
Compatible with many kitchen sinks
Installing this type of faucet is not much different from the others. As long as your faucet, your existing kitchen sink, and water lines share the same hole size, this should be done in the same way as regular models.
Tips On Installing Pull Out Faucet
As the installation process of a pull out faucet may have a lot in common with other styles, there are some tips you can reuse with your new faucet.
Check the number of holes in your sink
Always find out how many holes your current kitchen sink before looking for a new faucet. This will help you avoid awkward situations where the faucet can’t fit into the sink.
Since going underneath a kitchen sink may hurt your back, a pillow could be a great help. Bring along a pair of safety glasses to avoid falling debris as well.
Don’t underestimate the old faucet’s removal
Removing an existing faucet from a kitchen sink is actually trickier than it sounds. You may want to arrange more time to do this before switching to the new faucet.
The removal of this type of kitchen faucet doesn’t involve many steps. It usually only requires you to turn off the water, loosen some nuts, and lift the faucet up. But there are plenty of things that could go wrong during this process.
For example, you may find out that there isn’t enough space underneath to maneuver, and you may need to tidy up the area a little bit before going ahead.
Apply some silicone to mount the faucet
Water can damage your countertop and wear away your faucet if it can get under the faucet. A bead of silicone can act as a seal to caulk the faucet in addition to preventing it from moving around.
Frequently Asked Questions
As simple as they are, you may still have some lingering questions about kitchen faucets. Here are some of the most concerns people have about these devices.
How could I stick the spray wand back to the pull out faucet?
Most pull out faucets have an integrated magnet, allowing you to snap the sprayer head back in place after use and preventing it from drooping when staying idle. When you need to remove this head from the spout, tug gently or press the release button.
What tools do I need to install a pull out faucet into my kitchen sink?
Most manufacturers point out what tools and equipment a customer needs in the manuals and user guides. This set of necessary tools aren’t much different between models. They include screwdrivers, plumber’s tape, and an adjustable wrench. Refer to your faucet’s manual for the exact tools and steps required.
What are the best pull out faucet brands?
There are plenty of reliable kitchen sink faucet manufacturers on the market, offering a wide selection of options in many price points, quality, functionality, finishes, and styles. The most common names are American Standard, Kraus, Delta, and Moen.
American Standard is known for welt-built residential and commercial faucets that can last for several years. The catalog of Kraus specializes more in modern styles, especially their commercial-grade faucets for busy kitchens. On the contrary, Delta and Moen offer a wide range of faucets to fit any budget and aesthetic taste.
What is the standard hole size for kitchen faucets?
The most standard hole diameter for faucets on kitchen sinks is 1-3/8”. But because manufacturers may use other variations, check the manual to make sure your faucet will fit perfectly into your existing kitchen sink. Drilling a new hole or enlarge it is difficult to do and not always recommended.
My house has hard water. What kind of faucet should I use?
Hard water has a high content of mineral deposits and can leave residues in the piping and surfaces of your kitchen faucet. This issue may still persist to some degree even if you have installed a water softening system.
If you’re suffering from stains and build-up due to hard water, the best solution is to buy faucets designed specifically for it. They often have ceramic seals to prevent mineral residues from building up and sticking over time.
Which flow rate should my pull out faucet have?
Most kitchen faucets allow the water to flow at a rate between 1.5 and 2.2 GPM (gallons per minute). The actual flow rate depends on the position of the aerator or nozzle inside the faucet, whose job is to limit the water stream coming out.
If your area has strict water conservation regulations or you simply want to save water, you can opt for a lower flow rate, such as 1.2, 1.0, or even 0.5 GPM.
What to do when the hose of my pull out faucet doesn’t retract?
The hose of a new pull out faucet usually retracts into position with ease. But as it wears out over time, the hose may not slide back easily. You may need to use both hands to push it back. Some manufacturers anticipate this issue and add weight onto the hose to help users pull it back easier.
Can I drill additional holes to install my pull out faucet?
Some sinks made of lighter materials have circles stamped on the surface, allowing users to add some extra holes. If you have some experience in DIY projects, this task could be done without a hitch.
You should be wary of drilling them yourself, however, when the manufacturer didn’t design the sink for any new hole.
Conclusion
We can do many things with a good faucet: wash our hands, rinse dishes, scrub vegetables, and more. Don’t overlook the details of this accessory, which can become a small part of a whole kitchen transformation.
With an innovative design and functionality from the best pull out kitchen faucets, you can have a fixture that can last year after year while making your kitchen more attractive. If you have a tight budget, the WEWE high-arch model will bring great value for your money, while the Kohler Forte is the perfect fit if money is no object.