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10 Stylish Bathroom Faucet Reviews – Upgrade Your Lavatory in 2024

Actually in December 2024
24 Products Tested
2571 Reviews Scanned
Research for You
LAST UPDATE March 31, 2020
READING TIME loader Minutes
Bathroom
10 Stylish Bathroom Faucet Reviews – Upgrade Your Lavatory in 2024

Any of the best bathroom faucets in our reviews are sure to freshen up your powder room in a flash. Learn more in our in-depth reviews.

Best of the best Pfister LF-M42-YPYY Ashfield Single Control 4″ Centerset Pfister LF-M42-YPYY
5/5
Show Me
PROS

Versatile aesthetics

Very well made technically

CONS

Hard to set up if you don’t have a 2’’ sink hole

Hard to clean

Most Buying Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Beautiful, curvy design

Lifetime warranty

CONS

Hard to maintain with Delta’s delivery time

Valves are usually too tight

Best for the money Moen Eva Two-Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet Moen Eva
4.5/5
Show Me
PROS

Lifetime warranty

Beautiful & adaptable design

CONS

Levers prone to wear & tear.

Small water pressure for some.

Avatar Writer Kathy
How We Decided
  • 31Products
    Tested
  • 72Hours
    Spent
  • 2Experts
    Interviewed
  • 11Consumers
    Consulted
RUNNERS UP Also good products

BWE Waterfall Spout Single Handle

4/5

Adaptable design with a lot of finish variations

pros
  • Lifetime warranty

  • Overall good specifications

cons
  • Louder than market competitors

  • Misleading size

BWE Bathroom Faucet Waterfall Basin Mixer Tap Oil Rubbed Bronze

4/5

Visually appealing and adaptable

pros
  • Qualitative valves

  • Lifetime Warranty

cons
  • Noticeably loud

  • Hard to install

HG Metris HighArc Prep Kitchen Faucet

3.5/5

Special magnetic docking feature

pros
  • Beautiful aesthetics

  • Interesting docking feature

cons
  • Poor Base materials

  • Noticeably loud

Hansgrohe 31080001 Metris 110 Single-Hole Faucet

3.5/5

Comfortable to use

pros
  • Energy Efficient

  • Generally qualitative

cons
  • Unimaginative design

  • Issues with the aerators

Yodel Single Handle Waterfall Bathroom Vanity Sink Faucet

3.5/5

High design variety, all options being visually appealing

pros
  • Quality base material & build

  • Durable

cons
  • Noticeably loud

  • Small sink means a lot of splashing

Senlesen Deck Mount Double Handles Led Waterfall Bathroom Sink Faucet

3/5

Adaptable finishes but the connector pipes have an awkward length

pros
  • Generally awesome design

  • LED lights to level up your bathroom aesthetics

cons
  • Noticeably loud

  • Poor supply lines base material

Table of Contents

10 Stylish Bathroom Faucet Reviews 2024

  1. Pfister LF-M42-YPYY Ashfield Single Control 4″ Centerset
  2. Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet
  3. Moen Eva Two-Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet
  4. Delta 3538-SSMPU-DST Lahara 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet
  5. BWE Waterfall Spout Single Handle
  6. BWE Bathroom Faucet Waterfall Basin Mixer Tap Oil Rubbed Bronze
  7. HG Metris HighArc Prep Kitchen Faucet
  8. Hansgrohe 31080001 Metris 110 Single-Hole Faucet
  9. Yodel Single Handle Waterfall Bathroom Vanity Sink Faucet
  10. Senlesen Deck Mount Double Handles Led Waterfall Bathroom Sink Faucet
    Michael R. Mallory
    EXPERT CONSULTANT

    Owns a local company that provides repair services for plumbing, swimming pools and other equipment.

    Michael R. Mallory

    best bathroom faucetsWhether it’s the toilet of your coffee shop, or your personal lavatory, bathrooms are important. They’re just as fundamental for your house’s design as any other room, and they serve a very practical purpose. If you’re redecorating, or just need to replace an old faucet, today we take a look at some of the best bathroom faucets out there.

    Let’s not waste any time--it’s time to give that bathroom a new look too!

    Research You Can Trust

    Researching this topic was a bit different than usual. We focused more general research, as most focus group members did not require new faucets.

    However, a few of them did.

    And they provided a lot of valuable feedback and actual hands-on information.

    On top of that, we weren’t idle either. The Bestazy team also installed and tried out all of the products featured here. In addition, we spoke to several experts, ranging from plumbers to engineers, about general best practices when installing faucets.

    Moreover,

    This topic is not just about handiwork. We’ve also had a talk with a lot of interior decorating experts, as well as a university designer teacher. She gave us a lot of lessons on aesthetics, and, in general, how to make something look good. We had a field day researching this topic, mainly because it’s so complex. In the beginning, everything seemed so mundane, but the more you look at this topic the more complicated it gets.

    10 Stylish Bathroom Faucet Reviews 2024

    Best of the best

    Pfister LF-M42-YPYY Ashfield Single Control 4″ Centerset

    5/5

    This bathroom faucet lets you choose the finish, with options such as Tuscan Bronze, Rustic Bronze, or the classic Brushed Nickel. Besides the overall finish, the fixture also has a few decorative deckplates, perfect for a vintage look.

    Even more,

    It’s really easy to set up, with only one mounting post. The place this product really shines, however, is in the inside. Besides the perfect pun in it’s name, the signature “Pforever”, technology uses state of the art disk valves, which Pfister says guarantee absolutely no leakage.

    On the other hand,

    We noticed this product is quite hard to clean, especially the small “basin” right where the water flows. Moreover, if your sink hole is not exactly 2”, you will have a bit of a hard time setting it up.

    In our research we found this product performs really well. Our experts praised the Pforever technology, and we can stand behind the rest of the advertised technical benefits.

    Something we really want to praise is the design. Whoever at Pfister designed this faucet did a great job--it’s really adaptable. The aesthetic is classic, slightly embellished, but overall simple. Add to that the finish variety, and you get a product that you can assort with a lot of bathroom decorations.

    In our focus group, most people loved the Ashfield Single Control, but there was one person that complained. He liked the product, but had a hard time installing it due to some technical issues, so he called Pfister’s customer support. He maintains this company has a bad customer care service, but that belief was not necessarily echoed anywhere else we checked.

    All in all,

    This product does it’s job, both technically and visually, but there’s other stuff we’d like to mention. If you want the fixtures in your bathroom to match, you can also get Pfister’s assorted Toilet Paper Holder, available here.

    For those really considering buying this piece, there’s also a cool preview on the fixture, available over here.

    Features

    • Beautiful design
    • Pforever ceramic disc valve
    • 1 hole mount

    pros

      Versatile aesthetics

      Very well made technically

    cons

      Hard to set up if you don’t have a 2’’ sink hole

      Hard to clean

    Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet

    4.5/5

    A well made 3-hole fixture, perfect for a lot of interior layouts. It looks good, but does it work the same way? Let’s find out.

    What do we like about the Delta Windmere?

    For starters, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

    You gotta love that.

    Moreover, it has a washerless stem cartridge valve, which puts this faucet at a very efficient crossroad. In fact, the product is certified by EPA regulations for water efficiency, but still has a slightly larger water output compared to most fixtures on the market.

    The curvy design on this piece is visually pleasing, and you also get to choose from a variety of finishes. The default option is Oil Rubbed Bronze, with beautiful golden rings in the right place,  but you also have other finishes to choose from.

    If you want a complete aesthetic, you can also get an assorted towel ring, or the toilet paper holder, both coming with similar finishes to the actual product.

    What’s the downside?

    We’ve talked to a few experts about this product, and it seems Delta stands behind their lifetime warranty. Unfortunately, it takes quite a while to have replacements shipped.

    On top of that, there’s quite a common issue with how tight the valves are, which may lead to more leaks in the long run.

    Features:

    • Lifetime warranty
    • 3 hole set-up
    • EPA certified
    pros

      Beautiful, curvy design

      Lifetime warranty

    cons

      Hard to maintain with Delta’s delivery time

      Valves are usually too tight

    Best for the money

    Moen Eva Two-Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet

    4.5/5

    The first thing that comes to my mind when looking at this product is “swan”.

    It gotta be those elegant curves.

    But well-thought aesthetics are not everything about the Moen Eva faucet. It has a 3-hole mounting system, with seperate levers for water control and you’ll get a lifetime warranty on this one as well.

    But, does it withstand our scrutiny?

    Overall, the technical details are pretty good. It meets EPA water efficiency standards, so the fixture is an environmentally responsible buy. The Eva also comes with a lifetime warranty, perfect for the buyer that likes to save on maintenance.

    You can get this faucet in different finishes, like Brushed Nickel or Oil finished Bronze. They’re all quite different in terms of design, so you can easily adapt the Moen Eva to your bathroom decorations. If you want to go all the way, you can also purchase the assorted towel ring, available in a similar finish here.

    However, nothing is perfect…

    This type of faucet is renowned for faulty levers over time. One of the experts we talked to had this piece installed in his bathroom. Over time the right handle got rigid, making it hard to use.

    Luckily, Moen stayed true to their lifetime warranty promise and sent in a replacement. However, if you’re not one to bother with customer support, look for something else.

    More on that point, a lot of people from our focus group complained about the water pressure, saying it was too low. While you won’t be filling buckets with the water flow, it’s high enough for daily needs.

    If you’re seriously considering this piece, here’s a short clip detailing the set-up of the fixture, just so you know what to expect.

    Features

    • 3 - hole mounting
    • 2 levers for water control
    • Lifetime Warranty

    pros

      Lifetime warranty

      Beautiful & adaptable design

    cons

      Levers prone to wear & tear.

      Small water pressure for some.

    Delta 3538-SSMPU-DST Lahara 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet

    4.5/5

    This Delta product comes with a very attractive curvy design, and the trappings of quality.

    But, is it a bathroom faucet you can generally count on?

    We have to praise how energy saving this one is. With a small pressure of 60 psi, it meets the EPA standard for water consumption, all while having a decent output. This means that you’ll save on your electricity bill if you have an electric water heater, because now you have to heat less water up. You’ll also be covered by Delta’s lifetime warranty, so no worries about fixing this one.

    If you want to find out more about the Lahara Collection, check this video.

    When it comes to technical details, this Delta product fares similarly well.

    It comes equipped with the signature Diamond Seal technology, which we’ve already explored, maintaining high quality in terms of overall functionality.

    To top it all off, the design is one of the most versatile out there. You have four finish variations to choose from, so you can adapt the Lahara Two Handle to most interior aesthetics. Plus, you can complete the look with matching grab accessories like Delta’s towel ring or the towel bar rack.

    With that in mind…

    Design experts we’ve consulted with do not recommend using this piece with a modern theme. The widespread design (as well as the vintage colors) don’t fit well in a “futuristic” bathroom, although you might be able to pull it off with the chrome variation.

    Our scrutiny didn’t find many problems with this faucet, but there are a few things to mention.

    The main problem are the stoppers.

    This might not bother everyone, but if you want to use your sink for something such as hand washing, you may have a problem. Delta is infamous for bad stoppers, and we actually received ones that don’t make the sink fill with water at maximum capacity. They happen to leak many times, and they’re made out of poor materials.

    Another issue explained by a plumber is the water supply lines.

    They’re really small, and made out of rubber, which means they are more prone to breaking. This isn’t an issue with Delta’s lifetime warranty, but keep in mind that the supply lines are integrated into the whole circuit, so if one breaks, you’ll need to replace the whole thing. That is covered, at the moment, by Delta’s lifetime warranty, but it’s an extra hassle you may want to avoid.

    Features:

    • Diamond seal technology
    • Delta’s lifetime warranty
    • 3-hole set up

    pros

      Lifetime Warranty

      Certified by the EPA

    cons

      Stoppers are known to break

      Supply lines are made from poor materials

    BWE Waterfall Spout Single Handle

    4/5

    A simple design, yet with a touch of curvy personality. The BWE Waterfall Spout will work for a wide range of bathrooms.

    The main features are quite obvious. You’re covered for life with this choice, and you have a huge variation of finishes to choose from.

    Thirteen different finished, in fact. There’s bound to be one that suits your specific needs.

    Overall the product fares pretty well, and our tests were uneventful in a good way. The experts also came in support of the BWE, praising the cartridge valve.

    Additionally, this faucet comes with an assorted drain stopper. If that’s the only thing of interest to you, do check this link.

    This fixture does have some faults.

    The first minus that comes to mind is the sound. This faucet is really loud. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not “riot-hose” loud, but it’s loud.

    More than that, the size can be misleading.

    This BWE Waterfall is quite large, and you may not get that impression from the pictures. We were certainly surprised when it arrived. Knowing that, we recommend measuring your sink if you’re thinking about buying this one, and then comparing those measurements with Amazon’s product description.

    Features:

    • One lever for temperature control
    • Cartridge Valve
    pros

      Lifetime warranty

      Overall good specifications

    cons

      Louder than market competitors

      Misleading size

    BWE Bathroom Faucet Waterfall Basin Mixer Tap Oil Rubbed Bronze

    4/5

    A more complex BWE faucet, this product certainly lives up to market standards. It’s good looking, has functional insides and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

    We really like the general stuff, but we also have to praise this fixture for the valve it features. It has a ceramic twist on the regular cartridge system, which ensures as few leaks as physically possible. Plumbers we talked to also liked this valve, all agreeing this faucet has overall great quality.

    If we’re to talk interior design, we we feel the BWE Waterfall bathroom faucet stands out. It’s well made, with a few visual tweaks here and there.

    But we really want to mention BWE’s adaptability.

    There are 16 possible finishes on this one, some of them even with a 3-hole mount. As a result, you can easily pull off any look you may desire. The same stopper we discussed for the other BWE product also comes in assorted varieties, so check it out here.

    The problems we found…

    Were not deal breakers, but they are worth mentioning. First, this product is a bit hard to install--especially if you get a 3-hole mount version. There’s absolutely no instructions inside.

    Moreover, this one is also a bit loud, which seems to be a feature of BWE fixtures.

    Features:

    • Original design
    • Simple lever control
    • Lifetime Warranty

     

    pros

      Qualitative valves

      Lifetime Warranty

    cons

      Noticeably loud

      Hard to install

    HG Metris HighArc Prep Kitchen Faucet

    3.5/5

    The name of this one says kitchen faucet, but we decided to include nonetheless. If you take a look at it’s plumbing, design, as well as to the way people use it, it’s just as suitable for a bathroom.

    The biggest plus of this fixture is it’s design.

    It works perfectly with a simple, yet subtly extravagant modern design. If you want to see more of it “in action”, check this video out.

    Even more so,

    If you want to play with the aesthetics on this one, you can also change some components, with the ones available here.

    Now, if we talk about technical details, the biggest feature to mention is the sprayhead docking feature. With this little tweak, you can detach the faucet head and use it more freely.

    With that in mind, the product doesn’t shine technically. It’s not that durable, due to poor base materials, and the large water flow makes it really loud. All in all, it’s not a bad choice, but not our favorite either.

    This is mirrored by our research and our focus groups’ opinion. It’s beautiful, but it doesn’t excel in the technical specs department.

    Features

    • One lever control
    • Modern design.

    pros

      Beautiful aesthetics

      Interesting docking feature

    cons

      Poor Base materials

      Noticeably loud

    Hansgrohe 31080001 Metris 110 Single-Hole Faucet

    3.5/5

    This reminds anyone of the classic faucet design. It’s got a simple aesthetic, qualitative technology, and it performs well.

    Is it a truly good product?

    We really like Hansgrohe’s Comfort Zone. The faucet is easy to maneuver, so it compensates for the lack of precise temperature control.

    Moreover, the EcoRight technology of this fixture meets EPA standards for water efficiency, and you get a well made product in terms of technical specifications.

    If you’re interested in this one, you can also get Hansgrohe’s iBox, over here. This trim is compatible with all Hansgrohe plumbing accessories, and it works like a central command center for all of your plumbing.

    The 110 Metris is not the most beautiful tool in the shed.

    But it’s not ugly by any means.

    You can get a Chrome or a Gray finish on this one, so there’s some versatility, but it’s not a lot. However, if this classic faucet aesthetic meets your bathroom design needs, you won’t be bothered by it.

    If you want a closer look at it, how it fits inside a bathroom, or how you work with it, check this video out.

    There’s also something else we encountered during our research.

    This was not a problem we struggled with ourselves, but a lot of consumers we spoke to seemed disappointed by the aerators on this one. When the product doesn’t arrive with them, (that’s an actual problem people have had) they’re prone to breaking.

    Features

    • EcoRight function
    • Meets EPA standards
    • Classic design

    pros

      Energy Efficient

      Generally qualitative

    cons

      Unimaginative design

      Issues with the aerators

    Yodel Single Handle Waterfall Bathroom Vanity Sink Faucet

    3.5/5

    Yodel’s Single Handle is at least interesting, if not revolutionary, when it comes to design.

    The main benefit of this faucet is the quality.

    They’re tested at high pressure, something we also did during our own tests. This promises durability, a promise that’s reinforced by the faucet’s qualitative base materials.

    Even more so, the design variation is pretty large, with six finishes to choose from. On top of that, all the variations are sleek and look good with most interior designs.

    If you’re really bound on this product, you’ll also love the huge variety of assorted bathroom accessories, available here.

    If we’re to look for a downside...

    The thing is a bit loud.

    And the higher pressure than usual may lead to splashing from certain sinks. These are not huge minuses, but they are things to take into account. This is especially true if your sink is smaller than normal.

    Our bathroom sink testers were really bothered by this splashing when they were mounted on small sink basins. Basically, if we turned the flow higher than medium, anybody that used the spout got splashes on their tops. You can, in theory, control this with the on/off control, but we had a hard time doing that.

    Features

    • Beautiful design
    • on/off valve to control the flow of water.
    • Single Hole Mount
    pros

      Quality base material & build

      Durable

    cons

      Noticeably loud

      Small sink means a lot of splashing

    Senlesen Deck Mount Double Handles Led Waterfall Bathroom Sink Faucet

    3/5

    A truly innovative faucet, Senlesen’s design is special. The main plus of the Senlesen is in the visual department. Besides the large variety of finish options, you also get different aesthetic twists, like diamond-looking knobs for temperature control with the Brushed Nickel option.

    Moreover, you have batteryless LED lights, for a subtle modern touch.

    Visually, this product is truly stunning.

    If you want to go to the next level in terms of visuals, you can also grab the assorted drain stopper, available here.

    So what’s the catch?

    Well, the base materials are not the best out there. Our plumbers mentioned this product isn’t necessarily a bad choice, but perhaps not the best out there. There are a few issues that make them say this, like the loud noise, awkward length of connector pipes, and poor materials for supply lines.

    All that in mind, we weren’t really disappointed by this product. If someone were to ask me about the Senlesen, I would say it’s perfect for an awesome looking guest bathroom.

    Features

    • Minimalist build
    • Two knobs for temperature control
    • 3 holes for mount.

     

    pros

      Generally awesome design

      LED lights to level up your bathroom aesthetics

    cons

      Noticeably loud

      Poor supply lines base material

    Buyer's Guide

    The 30 second review

    There’s quite a few things to take into account when buying a bathroom faucet. First and foremost, you’ll need a product that’s adapted to your bathroom sink.

    For that, check the measurements, hole number, and plumbing of your bathroom. There’s also a lot of connection types, valves, and technical details you need to take into account.

    We’re going to explore each and every one of them in a lengthy guide, but as a general rule:

    Always measure your sink.

    Once that’s out of the way, and you know the practical basics, we’re down to preferences.

    You’re now supposed to decide between single, double or automatic control. This means choosing a faucet with one lever, for temperature control, two levers, one for hot water and one for cold water, or the more modern sensory option.

    Are you a homeowner?

    For homes, pick whichever, it’s all about personal preference.

    If you’re running a business however, and this is a (semi) public bathroom, we suggest the automatic type. This way of faucet operation is preferable, because a lot of people feel more comfortable not touching a lot of stuff in a bathroom that’s heavily used.

    This is where it gets tricky.

    You’re going to need a bathroom faucet that fits, aesthetically, with the room it’s in. A modern looking bathroom is going to look best with a metallic, modern faucet. Alternatively, a vintage bathroom may be best decorated by an older style and finish faucet, probably with two levers.

    It may sound too complicated already, but don’t worry. If anything is unclear, we’ll get to the bottom of it by the end of this guide.

    THE WINNERS

    Ultimate Buyers Guide: Finding The Best Bathroom Faucets

    Wow, are there a lot of things to consider or what?

    First, let’s take a look at plumbing in general, and what you’ll need in a bathroom faucet. One of the most important factors is compatibility.

    What does that mean?

    Any sink out there has a number of holes where faucets will be installed. In more modern editions, you’ll usually have one hole, but most plumbers are able to drill two additional ones in  no time.

    If you want a faucet with one lever, one hole is going to do, but if you want a classic option you’re going to need three. One for the water source per se, and one for each temperature knob (warm and cold).

    Most sinks will have the radius of their holes expressed in inches, somewhere around the box they came in. Moreover, most faucets (all modern ones) will have the same radius expressed on their box, so it’s easy to put two and two together.

    The pressure of the water flowing out is measured in psi, and that could be another issue.

    But not necessarily…

    Modern regulations have standardized faucet fixtures when it comes to plumbing, so unless you’re buying a faucet from a yard sale, you shouldn’t worry about this.

    Operation

    The next thing to consider is the type of operation.

    Single lever

    These are the most common types of bathroom faucets nowadays, and they’re only controlled by one piece of the fixture. You usually swing it left to make the water warmer, and right to make it cooler.

    What’s the upside?

    They’re usually less of a hassle, and you’ll be able to get the right temperature easier. With that in mind, single lever faucets can get bland in terms of the visual impact, but that’s a different discussion.

    Double lever

    This is a classic style and, thus, most vintage style bathrooms will benefit visually from such a faucet.

    But…

    You can still go for a double out of necessity. In fact, if your sink already has three holes drilled into it, it’s really difficult to cover them. So, this will be your best choice. (But don’t worry, there’s a lot of modern looking double levers out there).

    You might be wondering why the industry moved away from double levers.

    What’s wrong with them?

    Absolutely nothing, it’s just that some people feel they have less control over the temperature with this piece. While it may be true that it’s a bit harder to hit that right spot of warm and cold, we’re talking about 5-6 more seconds trying to adjust the fixture.

    Automatic

    If you’re the type of person that doesn’t want to waste a second of their time, automatic faucets may be for you.

    How do they work?

    These fixtures usually have an infrared sensor that detects your hand when placed under the faucet. As a result, water starts flowing. Generally, these will have a really small lever, somewhere on the side, that you use to pre-set the water temperature. They’re really comfortable, and less of a hassle most of the times.

    On top of that, if you’re planning to redecorate your business’ bathroom, you should go for an automatic faucet.

    The reason is simple.

    Businesses (especially coffee shops or restaurants) have a lot of people coming in, which means a lot of traffic in your lavatory. As a result, a lot of customers feel like the toilet is not as sanitized as possible.

    You may have a cleaning team tidying up the place once an hour, it won’t matter. Most people will still unconsciously feel like it’s better not to touch a lot of stuff in there.

    As a result, the people visiting your semi-public bathroom will feel much more comfortable not having to set the temperature by maneuvering a lever. Just hover your hand underneath the faucet, and have water flowing out.

    Truth be told…

    We found most people from our focus group preferred a single lever for their home. To further support our claims, the people who wanted a double lever were also the ones in favor of a vintages style for their interior design.

    Components & Base Material

    The next thing to consider is some small technical details. There could be anywhere in between 30 and 100 pieces going into a single faucet, so we won’t cover each and every one. We will, however look at the most important, what type should they be, and what should they be made out of.

    Cartridges

    These are not present in all faucets, yet they’re pretty common. They’re a type of valves, with little O-rings inside, and they serve a clear purpose. Cartridges limit the water flow.

    The people from our focus group couldn’t see a difference between a cartridge / non-cartridge based faucet.

    But our experts advised caution.

    While models like these are cheaper, they’re prone to tear and wear, which may lead to a leaking faucet a few years from now.

    However, you shouldn’t worry. You won’t need a plumber to replace them–they’re easy to fix.

    Moreover, most faucets nowadays (and a lot included on our list) feature a lifetime warranty, so you’re set.

    Compression Valves

    These are traditional valves, present in most double levered fixtures. They’re pretty cheap, and work with a series of tiny plaques that create the water pressure. If you’re going for a 3-hole option, you’re likely to find this type of valve installed.

    The downside?

    Just like cartridge based valves, they’re easy to break. The difference is, they’re quite harder to fix on your own. But not impossible.

    Ball Valves

    These are the most common valves, and they’re usually found in single levered faucets. The way they work is easy to deduce from the name, they a have a small ball that rises and falls to allow water to pass through. All of that happens inside a small chamber, designed to fit the aforementioned ball and a quantifiable amount of water.

    Are they difficult to maintain?

    The plumbers we spoke with all say ball valves require little to no maintenance, but they’re a headache to deal with if they break. Chances are you’re not going to fix it on your own, and will need to call in an expert.

    Disk Valves

    These are a recent invention, and the way they work is complex. They feature a cartridge with two (usually) ceramic disks which are always watertight. The disks glide along each other, limiting water flow and allowing temperature control.

    They are extremely efficient, and best suited for double levers. However, they’re also a pain if they wear out and you’re going to need a plumber’s help to fix them.

    Aerators and Flow Restrictors

    While most common in outdoor faucets, you’ll find them in some bathroom faucets. Their purpose is also to limit the water flow. And you can imagine them as a “grill” of sorts, attached at the tip of the faucet.

    Most of these are made of plastic derivatives, but you’ll find nickel and chrome options as well.
    Experts we’ve talked to said one can, if he wants, search for an aerator for a bathroom faucet, but they’re not the go-to option.

    Handles, Levers and Controls

    The last component you have to take into account is the controls. There’s not a lot to mention here, but there is some small stuff to take into account.

    For example:

    The controls can vary in size, base material, and operation. Most of this has been covered so far, but our experts did advise proportionality.

    This is a short incursion into the interior design part. What you’ll need to keep in mind is that a lever, handle, or any other type of control should be about 1/3 of the general faucet size, which ensures beautiful visuals.

    Finish

    Much like the kitchen faucets we reviewed here, most respectable faucets will have a quality finish that ensures a long-term great look. These include chrome, nickel, stainless steel, PVD, and more expensive options such as gold.

    Our focus group favored the chrome and nickel options, but experts seem inclined to suggest any option.

    More on that…

    A finish makes your faucet retain a good look, but also gives a boost in the quality department. A bathroom fixture with a good finish will be less prone to tear and wear, so you won’t call a plumber that often.

    Interior Design

    The last thing you’ll want to consider is a few elements of interior design. It’s not based on some BS subjective perspective on visuals.

    Interior design has some clear rules at its core.

    These include criteria about space, colors, shape, and other such ground rules. But one also gets some creative leeway for personal preference.

    Fitting to your bathroom

    When getting a new faucet, a lot of people won’t get the luxury to decorate the entire bathroom just the way they want. As such, you’re going to need a faucet that fits your room, based on a few criteria.

    Space is the first thing to consider when getting any room component. If your bathroom is a bit more spacious, you can get a larger faucet too. If your room is a bit smaller, a smaller fixture might look better.

    Even more so,

    You should take shape into account as well. If your bathroom is more angular, a fixture with more rugged corners will serve best. Similarly, if your bathroom is more circular, a round faucet will look best in your room.

    Lastly,

    Color is extremely important when it comes to interior design. This is the most creative side of home decoration, as you can have a lot of fun with different pallets and assortments of colors.

    As a ground rule, experts suggest not to have more than 3 distinct colors for elements inside a room.

    These are the general stuff, but with further reading I’m sure you’re bound to find more facets of interior design, facets that respond to your specific question.

    General preference

    Always try to keep the objective rules in line with what you like. In the end, you’re buying stuff for your own personal space, that should look the way you want it to look. If you love a kitchy aesthetic, you can even achieve a design by ignoring all of these rules on purpose.

    A Closer Look At The Top Bathroom Faucets

    Last Things To Consider

    At this point you should be equipped to look at all the bathroom faucets we’ve reviewed and make a good choice for your needs.

    Regardless, there’s still a few things I think will help you narrow it down.

    Warranties

    A lot of the products featured on this list brag about a lifetime warranty. This means the seller will replace or send the parts necessary to fix an issue, whenever you may require them. It’s important to remember this service applies for issues in workmanship or materials, not all types of defects.

    However,

    This type of assurance means you’ll only get a new product for defects on particular materials or components. If you damage the product yourself, the warranty is basically useless. As a result, make sure to read specifically what the warranty takes care of.

    Tips and Tricks

    If you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve had a lot of issues with warranties not applying to your broken product because of seemingly insignificant scratches. Sometimes, you may end up having to pay for the repair of a product because of aesthetic issues that have nothing to do with the actual problem.

    To avoid that,

    Make sure you take great care of your faucet. What this practically means is limiting your water consumption as much as you can (don’t keep it flowing while you soap your hands), and cleaning it as often as time allows.

    Regulations

    Compared to other industries, the main regulator when it comes to faucets is the government. In the US, regulatory bodies such as the Department of Energy (DOE) do a great job of standardizing the market, but the European Commission is also catching up really quickly.

    The purpose of these regulatory bodies is clear. They try to make water use as efficient as possible, by limiting pressure, and always searching for the most efficient parts out there. Their efforts are echoed in the civil society, with organizations such as the Alliance for Water Efficiency jumping in to support better ways to consume water.

    Why does this matter?

    The efforts of these institutions forces the private sector to create faucets that are better everyday. Better for the environment and better for redistribution of water supplies to the disadvantaged parts of the world.

    As such, if you’re considering buying a second-hand faucet, or the cheapest faucet out there, you may want to rethink your choice. The more you spend, the more certified a product is, the more helpful you are when it comes to water consumption around the globe.

    Pfister LF-M42-YPYY Ashfield Single Control 4″ Centerset
    Best of the best

    Pfister LF-M42-YPYY

    Any of the best bathroom faucets in our reviews are sure to freshen up your powder room in a flash. Learn more in our in-depth reviews.

    Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere 2-Handle Widespread Bathroom Faucet
    Most Buying

    Delta B3596LF-OB Windemere

    Any of the best bathroom faucets in our reviews are sure to freshen up your powder room in a flash. Learn more in our in-depth reviews.

    Moen Eva Two-Handle Centerset Bathroom Faucet
    Best for the money

    Moen Eva

    Any of the best bathroom faucets in our reviews are sure to freshen up your powder room in a flash. Learn more in our in-depth reviews.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    What is PSI?

    Pressure per square inch (PSI) is a way to measure pressure, not relative to the general atmosphere, but to a certain vacuum. Basically, if you want to describe it simply, it’s how “hard” the water flows.

    What is GPM?

    Gallons per Minute (GPM) is how many gallons of water are capable of flowing through the faucet each minute it’s turned on.

    What’s the best way to clean a faucet?

    It depends a lot on the finish you have for a certain fixture. Generally, chrome faucets require special chemicals, but do research what are the requirements for your specific faucet finish.

    How do I repair/change “X” component?

    If you’re browsing the internet for such a question, chances are you’re not going to be able to change “X” component on your own. Be it a valve, handle, or connector pipes, these are all things that seem easy to fix, but actually require a lot of knowledge and skill. You may pull it off in the end, but if you want durability you should call in an expert.

    THE TEAM

    We made this review
    Michael R. Mallory

    Owns a local company that provides repair services for plumbing, swimming pools and other equipment.

    Plumber Expert Michael R. Mallory
    Porutiu Theodor Writer Porutiu Theodor
    Tiffany Mueller Editorial Director Tiffany Mueller
    Comment section
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