In order for everyday chores in the kitchen to turn from duty into pleasure, it must be equipped functionally and beautifully. In this article we will tell you how to choose a kitchen faucet, review the range available on the Russian market, and share secrets of what to consider when purchasing.
Selecting a price range
Choosing a faucet for the kitchen is not so easy; the choice is huge; the difference in prices is cosmic. What to stop at and not make a mistake. First of all, you should decide on the price range in which you are willing to look:
- Dear models. Usually these are German and Danish companies whose production facilities are located in Europe. In addition to their high price, they are distinguished by a long warranty period - at least 5 years. This means that if you have a correctly completed warranty card, you can have it repaired or get a new one for free.
- Average price range. Most often, these are companies that have moved production facilities to China. Their products are of good quality, as their control remains strict. And also in this category are kitchen taps made in countries that have recently joined the EU or in the Eurozone.
- Cheap. This is outright China. It depends on your luck here. It can work for a long time and successfully, but sometimes it breaks during installation (the most severe case) or fails after a few months.
The design of the faucet for the kitchen sink should match the style of the room
If you want to put the faucet on the kitchen sink and forget about it, then the choice is clear - only expensive models. If periodic minor problems do not bother you, you can look in the mid-price range. Cheap ones are a very bad option. Only in case of extreme shortage of funds. And how to calculate, if you have to install another faucet in two months, the resulting amount will be far from small.
Installation method
There are several options for installing mixers:
- On a horizontal surface. This method is more convenient for the kitchen, but can also be used in bathrooms. This method cannot be avoided in cases where one tap serves both the washbasin and the bathtub. What matters here is the number of holes on which the locking device is mounted.
- On a vertical surface. This method is preferable for baths.
- Built-in installation. The faucet is hidden in the wall, leaving only the handles and spout on the outside. This method has not become widespread in residential premises due to its impracticality - the usual replacement of plumbing fixtures entails large labor costs in dismantling the wall.
Selection by material
The durability of the device is greatly influenced by the material from which the body and spout are made. Today there is quite a large amount of materials. Only the ceramic models differ in appearance; all the others “look” exactly the same. However, you need to know what the mixer is made of.
- Stainless steel. The most durable, but also the most expensive option. But the service life is long.
- Brass. A very good choice, but only if the alloy is of good quality, suitable for use in the food industry. Brass taps last a very long time, even hard water does not harm them.
- Bronze. Also a good option, but most often bronze taps are made in a retro style. In this case, they are not covered with any protective coatings. Ordinary models from bronze cases are made quite rarely.
- Silumin is an alloy of aluminum and silicon. A light alloy, similar in appearance to aluminum, but very unreliable. The bodies of the cheapest faucets are made from this alloy. Their service life is no more than a year.
- Plastic. Not a bad material, but not for taps - the protective coating wears off quickly from constant contact with water. Plastic faucets also belong to the budget category.
When choosing a ceramic faucet you will have to be very careful
- Ceramics. Ceramic sink faucets look very impressive, but they are expensive and require careful handling in operation. They cannot withstand shock loads at all. You must be very careful when washing dishes.
Ceramic ones are still more exotic in our country, but everything else is available in large quantities. Normal in quality and not the most expensive in price. But brass is also different.
In cheap faucets, brass contains large amounts of lead. It increases the fluidity of the alloy, which means thinner walls can be obtained. The casting quality will be better - without cavities and other flaws. But the high content of lead in the water tap is harmful to the body. Lead dissolves in water, making it unsuitable for food use.
How to choose a good brass faucet? By weight. Brass with a high lead content has thin walls, which means the tap itself is much lighter. Other features include color. Sometimes it is possible to look into the inside of some mixers to evaluate the alloy on this basis. In low-quality brass it is reddish in color, in normal brass it is yellow.
Requirements for a kitchen faucet
The kitchen is the place where the most water is consumed. The tap opens about a hundred times a day: to wash hands, food, dishes and other utensils. Therefore, the requirements for the mixer are more stringent in comparison with other plumbing fixtures.
- Reliability
. Materials and design must withstand repeated, intensive use.
- Convenience
. Often the housewife's hands are stained with grease or busy, and the tap is inconvenient to open. It is in the kitchen that we also have to wash non-standard items: large pots, wide pans. It is important that the water opens easily and that the spout does not interfere with washing dishes.
- Aesthetics
. In Russian apartments, the kitchen is not only a living area, but also a room for guests. This is especially true for studio apartments, where the living room and kitchen are combined. The mixer should fit harmoniously into the interior.
Manufacturers are trying to combine all these requirements. Below we have made a detailed overview of the model range presented on the Russian market to make it easier for you to navigate and choose the appropriate option.
Choice of control device - single lever, two-valve or touch
A couple of decades ago there were only two-valve faucets and there was no choice. Single-lever models appeared several decades ago. Many people like them better - turning them on, off, and adjusting the temperature is done by turning a lever. If the mixer belongs to the expensive category, the lever stroke is smooth and easy to adjust, and this ease is maintained over the years. With cheaper models, it is more difficult to control movements. However, all the same, fewer movements are required to set the required temperature than in a two-valve one.
Touchscreens are convenient, but expensive
Nevertheless, valve-type mixers also have enough admirers. They are attracted by the fact that locking axle boxes can be repaired independently. In one-arm faucets, all repairs involve replacing the gaskets and the cartridge - the inside of the faucet in which the water is mixed.
And more recently, sensory faucets have appeared that respond to the approach of objects or hands. Raise your hands to the tap, water begins to flow. You can adjust the temperature using the touch panel or the rotary lever. Their disadvantage is their high price. This is the most expensive segment.
The best kitchen faucets in terms of price/quality ratio
Blanco Fontas II
The German company is represented in our review by the Blanco Fontas II model. The body of Blanco Fontas II is coated with light granite. The cost of the device is low, while maintaining excellent quality and standard diameters of flexible hoses.
Advantages
- stylish design
- original coating
- strength and durability
- ease of use
Flaws
- not identified
Grohe Minta 32168000
The popular German manufacturer will not disappoint this time either - the faucet turned out to be stylish and convenient, with a pull-out spout of a single-lever type.
The lever is equipped with proprietary technology that ensures smooth operation and ease of adjustment of both pressure and temperature. There is a built-in aerator nozzle, thanks to which air bubbles mix with water droplets and the stream becomes softer, with reduced consumption. The surface of the mixer is chrome-plated, there is a protective layer on top that does not allow micropores to absorb dirt. Therefore, to maintain it, it is enough to wipe it with a soft cloth that does not leave scratches or streaks. The color will not fade even after a couple of years of active use. There is a quick installation system, thanks to which the installation of the mixer can be completed in a few minutes. Additionally, the manufacturer offers a five-year official warranty. Specifications:
Mixer type: single lever;
Thermostat: no;
Number of mounting holes: 1;
Faucet finish: chrome.
Advantages
- heavy and reliable
- easy to install
- withstands pressure changes and does not leak for a long time
Flaws
- a lot of splashes
- quickly becomes covered with fingerprints
Oras Saga 3930F
The Finnish company Oras is famous for the high quality and wide functionality of its products. The Oras Saga 3930F is a simple design with a standard set of features. The buyer receives a high-quality product with a stylish design, with a ceramic cartridge, durable brass body and aerator. The watering can is purchased separately. Excellent value for money and quality.
Advantages
- quality materials, finishing and assembly
- no problems during installation and operation
Flaws
- limited functionality
Ledeme L4055В-3
The products of the Chinese manufacturer are characterized by the absence of a pull-out spout, the presence of a convenient and practical aerator, and a filter switch.
Advantages
- moderate cost
- excellent price-quality ratio
- availability in stores
- durability and strength
Flaws
- not fashionable enough design
Frap H52 F4352
A reliable and very aesthetic model for a deep sink, combining a traditional kitchen faucet and a filtered water tap.
Advantages
- stylish and modern
- convenient and smooth activation
- no splashes during operation
- affordable price
Flaws
- hoses are not long enough
- difficulty of self-repair
Spout type and height
In faucets, experts call the spout the part that ordinary users call the “gander.” This is a tube from which water flows, it is of different types and sizes:
- straight;
- curved;
- with retractable flexible spout.
If straight and curved are the usual varieties, then faucets with a pull-out spout have appeared quite recently. In them, the “gander” consists of two parts, which are connected to each other using a flexible hose. This type of faucet is also called “with a watering can” or “with a shower.”
Kitchen faucets with pull-out shower head
The hose is made of elastic rubber. On top, perhaps, there is a protective braid of stainless steel or corrugated pipe. If necessary, you just need to pull the lower part and the spout will lengthen by 60–90 cm. A convenient device, but more often found on expensive models.
Ball
The main structural element of ball mixers is a ball, which has several holes. When the handle moves, the ball rotates, thereby regulating the intensity of the water supply, as well as its temperature.
A distinctive feature of this type of device is its simplicity, due to which the likelihood of the mixer failing is minimal. Faucet leaks can only occur when small solid particles enter the working cavities and get stuck between the ball and the elastic seats that hold it. To eliminate such situations, the water supply must be equipped with a filter.
It is very easy to diagnose a clogged faucet - the presence of such problems is always signaled by the increased force required to turn the faucet. However, the problem usually lies not in the mixer itself, but in a clogged aerator, due to which the pressure of the water flow is noticeably reduced.
If necessary, you can get rid of both problems - the design of the device allows it. Troubleshooting algorithms look different. If the faucet is clogged, you will have to completely disassemble it and thoroughly clean the space under the seats. If the cause of the problem is the aerator, then to troubleshoot the problem you will need to remove this device and wash it separately from the mixer.
Which spout height and distance is best?
With the height of the spout, you need to find a middle ground. When water pours from a great height, there will be a lot of splashes; if the spout is low, there will be problems with washing large pots, jars, etc. The optimal distance from the bottom of the sink to the end of the “gander” is around 30–40 cm. Based on these numbers, you need to select a faucet model for the kitchen sink. For a deep sink, a low faucet may be suitable, but for a container of shallow depth, a taller one will be required.
It should be convenient to use
To choose the right sink faucet, its spout should be shaped so that the water flows approximately above the center of the sink. The permissible error is plus or minus 10% of the sink size. In this case it will be convenient to use.
Nozzle design
This is the part from which water directly flows. Usually it is equipped with a mesh to “catch” large mechanical inclusions. If you have water purification filters at the inlet, this mesh does not play any role at all. The type of jet that the nozzle produces is more important:
- Regular, not broken into streams. Today, this type of faucet is rare, and the water consumption is high.
- Aerator. There are many small jets that create a feeling of intense flow due to the formation of small air bubbles. The most economical option, consumption is reduced by 20–35%.
- Rain. A few streams, without strong pressure. Convenient to wash greens, delicate fruits, etc.
Selection by nozzle design
Most often, the mixer is equipped with an aerator, but there are models that have two operating modes - aeration and rain. Switching is done by turning the lever.
In a special hole in the sink
The first method of attaching the mixer is most often used. For this purpose, a special hole is used in the sink frame. The advantages of such a choice include the ease of connecting communication lines and the convenience of further operation. Water from the tap will spill exactly within the sink, since the location of the hole is provided for by production parameters.
How to choose
Having decided to choose a crane from the expensive category or from the middle price range, you need to go to a specialized store or just a construction store (but definitely not to a hypermarket). If you have settled on a company, you should go to their official website and see where the points of authorized partners are located. In this case, you will have a guarantee that they will sell a product from this particular company, and not a fake. If there are no such points in the nearest district, you will have to rely on indirect signs:
- logo clarity;
- alloy color;
- quality of components;
- the presence of a warranty card printed on good paper, where all the coordinates are written down;
- The store must fill out all the data correctly and put a stamp, only in this case the warranty is valid.
Grohe is fighting counterfeit sellers
The presence of a company name on a flexible hose is one of the signs that this is truly a branded faucet.
The quality of flexible eyeliner is not a small thing
The thickness of the metal is visible even on the lever
A clearly engraved logo is an attribute of a quality product.
Many people get out of this situation by inviting an experienced plumber to accompany them. This method does not always work, but it can help you avoid running into an outright fake.
Expensive/Premium class
These models are plumbing products for the kitchen, looking at which you can be confident that they are reliable, made from quality materials, and meet advanced technological requirements. In the category you can often find contactless and push-button models, with a sensitive thermostat, built-in water filters, diffusers for saving and other features.
Jacob Delafon
France is considered a trendsetter even in the plumbing world, so among the best, Jacob Delafon gets a well-deserved first place, fully answering the question of which kitchen faucets are the highest quality. The almost century-old history of the brand and recognition throughout the world speak of quality, continuous improvement and relevance to the times.
Choice by design and additional features
The design and color scheme are probably the easiest to decide on. If the kitchen is decorated in a certain style, you should also choose a model in the same vein. Technocratic, clear lines are suitable for high-tech and minimalism, bronze without a shiny coating for Provence or retro. A faucet in both of these styles can be combined with such a fashionable trend today as “loft”, it all depends on the design of the room.
If the renovation is done in a modern style, where little by little there are signs of many trends, any model can fit in, the main thing is that it matches the shape of the sink and kitchen unit.
Among the additional functions, it is better to have a switch for using tap and purified water. if there are special filters under the sink, this option can be very useful.
Two spouts for regular tap water and purified water
Recently, we have increasingly started installing dishwashers. It happens that problems arise when connecting them to the water supply. For this case, there are faucets with valves that switch the water to the dishwasher. Moreover, in some models the switching occurs for a certain period of time - from 3 to 12 hours.
Another good feature is changing the angle of rotation of the spout. Some kitchen faucets have locking devices that allow the initially wide rotation angle of 120° to be made smaller, for example, 60°, or to be fixed in a stationary state.
Types of nozzle
An important element of any faucet is the type of spout nozzle. Nozzle features can affect water flow, ease of use of the device and the shape of the water flow. Among the most common devices are retractable watering cans, already discussed above, and aerators.
Aerators mix air into the water, which allows you to save on water. The gratings on the nozzles can be either static or adjustable, i.e. they allow you to change the size of the holes. Some nozzles allow you to change the direction of the water flow, which sometimes turns out to be a very useful option.
If desired, the functionality of the mixers can be increased using various options. For example, a good option is LED lighting, which greatly simplifies the process of washing dishes. It is also worth paying attention to an electronic thermometer, which provides the required water temperature while saving water. The energy required to operate the thermometer is generated by water pressure.
Which companies can you trust?
There will be no surprises in this matter. The market leaders in quality are European brands - German, Swedish, Danish. In the middle price range are Bulgaria, Slovenia and companies that have moved production to China.
Expensive and high quality
The most popular ones are GROHE faucets. They have proven themselves to be excellent. There are only two disadvantages, the high price and a large number of fakes.
Moreover, Groier has two companies - two brothers. The company of one is simply called GROHE. The company produces various plumbing fixtures. The second brother has a specialized company, which was named after him - HANS GROHE. This is how they label their products. This company produces only mixers and taps; its products are of even higher quality, but also even more expensive.
One of Grohe's new products is touch switching on and off.
The next proven company is the Danish Damixa. It is worth considering that the guarantee is only given if there are filters on the water supply. The products themselves are of high quality; they provide a 10-year guarantee on the coating and several years on the mechanism itself. If your Damixa faucet starts to drip, it is likely that limescale has formed somewhere. If the warranty is no longer valid, the faucet is disassembled, the deposits are removed with vinegar and everything is put back in place. Cartridges in single-lever Damix faucets may leak, but this is a consumable material and must be replaced.
Mixer Damixa Arc 29000
Faucets Oras and Hansa. These trademarks are owned by one European company - Oras Group. Its production facilities are located in continental Europe. There are very few complaints about the quality of the products; if there are any problems, it is with the cartridges. In Oras faucets they are ceramic and are demanding on water quality. So if you want a long service life for your faucet, install a cleaning system.
Oras Ventura - spout on two levels
The campaign's assortment includes touchless and “smart” faucets, the latest achievements in the world of plumbing. Models for switching water to a dishwasher. Some taps can change the angle of the spout. In general, you can choose a mixer from Oras. Their style is unique, which makes me happy. I usually want to install something interesting and new, and not a dull ordinary faucet.
It’s not easy to choose faucets from these companies; there are so many interesting offers. The price is about the same, as is the quality. But just do not forget that this equipment is intended for clean water, therefore, for normal and long-term operation, cleaning filters are simply necessary.
Average price range
People speak well of Vidima taps and mixers. This is a Bulgarian company whose products have worked well for many years. This manufacturer has expensive and budget lines. Brass bodies, high quality finishes, ceramic cartridges - all this is about faucets of this brand. There are single-lever and double-lever faucets with different spout lengths and heights.
Remember the spelling of the logo so as not to buy a fake
The Russian company IDDIS has been producing sanitary equipment since 2004. The entire process from development to manufacturing takes place in Russia. At least that's what it says on the company's website. The design is both standard and very unusual, with flat, arched, straight spouts. Various handle designs add charm to the products. The cases are made of high-quality brass (composition according to GOST). In general, if you need to choose a high-quality, but not very expensive one, look through all the company’s products.
Iddis Kitchen D KD1SBL0i05
Quite good reviews about the products of the Zorg campaign. There are many questions in which country the production is located, but no one disputes the quality of the plumbing. The cases are brass, the design is varied, there are black, white, grey, brass and bronze. The price range is also wide from $45 to $350.
Zorg Inox - unusual design
Inexpensive options
If you are satisfied that the mixer will require repair or replacement in 2–2.5 years, pay attention to products from Lemark and Kaizer. Both manufacturers are Chinese, but the quality is pretty good. If you know how to change cartridges and gaskets, it can last longer.
Disk
Cartridge (another name is disk) faucets operate on a principle similar to the principle of ceramic faucets. There are two ceramic plates, one of which is fixed and the other can be moved. The water pressure is adjusted by aligning the holes in both plates.
To repair a failed disk mixer, you will have to change the cartridges. However, such serious problems rarely occur - much more often the device begins to leak slightly or does not work as efficiently as before. The cause of such problems is clogging, which you can easily get rid of yourself. To reduce the frequency of faucet repairs, it is worth installing a coarse filter on the water supply.
