Recently, while visiting a friend’s house, I stumbled upon an intriguing sight in their kitchen—an astonishing faucet that effortlessly turned on and off without needing any physical contact. I planned to upgrade my kitchen with a touchless faucet for convenience and enhanced hygiene.
Hand-free kitchen faucets have gained popularity among homeowners. With their automatic sensing capabilities, these faucets revolutionize how we interact with our kitchen essentials. They deliver a seamless and hands-free experience. But are touchless kitchen faucets worth it?
Finally, I installed a touchless faucet in my kitchen. Let’s look at what I found to help you make an informed decision.
Contents
What is a Touchless Kitchen Faucet?
A touchless kitchen faucet functions with the help of sensors. The sensors turn the faucet on or off by detecting slight touch or a wave.
Touchless faucets are 2 types.
- True touchless faucets: Simple wave of an object or your hand is enough to turn on and off.
- Semi-touchless faucets require physical contact anywhere on the surface for on-and-off functionality.
Important Note:
You will find the touchless mechanism on a single-hole kitchen faucet with a pull-out spray. Touchless functionality is unavailable in other faucet types as the manufacturers find it difficult to introduce.
Touch vs. Touchless Kitchen Faucet
Understanding the differences between touch and touchless kitchen faucets is essential when considering a faucet upgrade. Knowing their features and benefits empowers you to decide on your kitchen’s functionality and hygiene.
| Parameter | Touchless Kitchen Faucet | Touch Kitchen Faucet |
| Accessibility | Effortless | Relatively easy but less accessible than touchless. |
| Water Conservation | Save a lot of water as they turn off automatically. | Don’t usually help in saving water bills unless you shut it off. |
| Maintenance | Need frequent maintenance | Occasional cleaning is necessary |
| Price | Expensive | Less expensive |
| Installation | A bit difficult to install | Breeze to install |
Touchless Faucets
Touchless faucets feature a proximity sensor that uses a mechanism to activate the faucet when your hand or other things are closer to the valve. The other name of this faucet is electronic faucet, hands-free faucet, infrared faucet, touchless faucet, sensor faucet, etc.
Touch Faucets
Sensors are also available in touch faucets spout and handle. The sensor enables you to turn the faucet on. They provide manual settings, and water flow starts when the handle is turned with a finger, hand, or forearm. You will find a few touch faucets with automated highlights, turning the switch off after a certain time.
Pros and Cons of Touchless Kitchen Faucets
Things can get extremely messy when cooking. The mess can end up with a hands-free faucet.
However, don’t pre-assume that they offer only benefits. They come with drawbacks as well. Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Pros
Convenience is the main benefit of touchless faucets. Moreover, they prevent the spread of harmful germs, as touching the handle is unnecessary. There are other benefits as well that I described below.
Easy to Use
Touchless kitchen faucets are incredibly easy to use and convenient. Place your hand beneath the sensor, and the faucet will turn on or off automatically.
Regarding semi-touchless faucets, a gentle touch of your hand is enough. Even you can use your arms or elbow.
Easy-peasy!
Moreover, the faucets are designed with a preset timer. The feature turns the faucet off after a specific time. It is a practical feature since most of our hands remain preoccupied after turning the faucet on.
For example, such a feature comes in handy if you have messy and soapy hands when washing dishes.
Minimizes Spread of Bacteria & Germs
As touchless faucets don’t require touching the handle, germs, and bacteria from other food can’t spread. Meaning that touching the handle with dirty hands is unnecessary.
You can use the faucet according to your need without touching it. To promote more hygienic options, some commercial kitchens use touchless dispensers for soap.
Reduces Water Wastage
Can you deny that you waste a lot of water in the kitchen when working?
Unfortunately, many of us overlooked water wastage and kept turning on the faucet between cleaning vegetables and washing our hands.
Touchless faucets are much more efficient in helping you reduce water usage.
How?
Since most models feature an automatic turn-off preset, turning it off becomes trouble-free when occupied with other tasks. The models turn off automatically when you remove your hands or items from beneath the faucet. Such a feature helps you save water bills.
Flexibility
Touchless faucets are not so popular among mass people. Keeping this point in mind, the manufacturer also designed them with manual mode, which can be customized when required.
That is why most models can easily be switched to manual mode.
Wondering whether the switching process is difficult?
I assure you that you can do it effortlessly. All you need to do is grab the handle and adjust the turn-on/off functionality, temperature, and volume.
In addition, some models come with manual overrides to turn the touchless faucet off. It is incredibly beneficial if you use the touchless function infrequently.
Cons
Everything comes with drawbacks, and touchless kitchen faucets are also no exception. Here are brief discussions of the drawbacks.
Expensive
The price of touchless faucets is 45%-75% higher compared to other standard faucets. It means you have to pay much more extra to use the benefits of hands-free technology.
Here is a chart showing the differences between touchless and standard kitchen faucets’ price range.
| Manufacturer | Touchless Kitchen Faucets Price | Standard Kitchen Faucets Price | Comments |
| Delta | $768.91 | $514.34 | 49.5% more expensive |
| Kohler | $782.92 | $539.04 | 45.2% more expensive |
| Moen | $953.13 | $547.23 | 74.2% more expensive |
Requires Frequent Maintenance
Touchless kitchen faucets offer excellent user convenience but must be maintained frequently.
You must be thinking, “frequent maintenance” Why is that?
Well, it is because they use advanced components such as motion sensors, touch, battery packs, electrical boxes, etc. The battery requires regular replacement. As a result, touchless faucets need periodic care more than standard ones.
However, there is good news!
Manufacturers are now working on improving reliability by minimizing failures.
Limited Features than the Standard Ones
Although touchless faucets feature temperature, volume adjustment, etc., you can use them manually.
On the other hand, standard faucets have the same features and can be used at any time.
In order to enjoy the benefits of all the features in touchless models, you have to switch between the modes.
Are Touchless Kitchen Faucets Worth It?
Now it is time to answer whether touchless kitchen faucets are worth the price.
The answer relies on the below factors,
- If you use touchless options as an add-on
- If you don’t use touchless faucets as a primary mode of operation
I suggest you shouldn’t buy a touchless kitchen faucet if you plan to use it all the time. You will surely be disappointed because of the lack of features available in the touchless mode.
So, who can be benefitted from touchless faucets?
If you are seeking an extra layer of convenience while using faucets in the kitchen, buy a touchless one.
Also, note that if you are someone who doesn’t like to maintain faucets frequently, touchless options are unsuitable for you. The cost is not simply worth the price.
Are Touchless Kitchen Faucets Reliable?
Considering the pros and cons of touchless kitchen faucets, they are reliable as they are made of high-quality materials.
Moreover, they can be more reliable if you ensure periodic maintenance. Be remindful to read the customer reviews to understand the reliability of your selected touchless model.
Take note of the sensor’s number, sensitivity, and precise functionality.
Another crucial factor to consider is the reliability of the faucet’s power source. Generally, touchless faucets run on 4 power sources: solar, battery, turbine, and hardwired.
FAQ
Should I get a touchless kitchen faucet?
Getting a touchless kitchen faucet can be a good idea. It offers convenience and hygiene by eliminating the need to touch handles while cooking or cleaning. It’s a practical choice for a modern kitchen. However, you should get it if you don’t have a problem ensuring frequent maintenance.
Do touchless faucets work well?
Touchless faucets generally work well. They utilize motion sensors to detect hand movements, allowing easy activation and deactivation of water flow. They are designed to be reliable and efficient for a seamless user experience. Thus, they are a popular choice for many households and commercial settings.
Who makes the best touchless kitchen faucet?
There are several reputable brands known for producing high-quality touchless kitchen faucets. Some of the top contenders include Delta, Moen, Kohler, and Pfister. Each brand offers a range of models with various features, finishes, and designs, allowing you to choose one that suits your specific needs and preferences.
Can touchless kitchen faucets work manually?
Yes, touchless kitchen faucets typically have a manual handle or lever that allows you to operate them manually. This feature allows you to switch between touchless and manual operation based on your preference or circumstances.
Do touchless faucets need electricity?
Most touchless faucets require electricity to power the motion sensor and other electronic components. They are typically powered by batteries or connected to an electrical outlet, ensuring the functionality of the touchless features and sensor detection.
How long do batteries last in touchless faucets?
The battery life in touchless faucets can vary depending on usage frequency, sensor sensitivity settings, and battery quality. On average, batteries in touchless faucets can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years before needing replacement or recharging.
Final Words
So, are touchless kitchen faucets worth it?
Touchless kitchen faucets offer a remarkable blend of convenience and hygiene. As a result, they are a worthwhile investment for many households.
Maintenance tips can be followed to ensure longevity and value for money. Regularly cleaning the sensor, checking and replacing batteries, and avoiding abrasive cleaners can help extend the faucet’s lifespan. Also, it helps maintain optimal functionality.
With proper care, touchless kitchen faucets can continue to serve as a valuable addition to any modern kitchen.
