How to Choose the Right Faucet
Updated February 20, 2026
Everything you need to pick the right kitchen or bathroom faucet -- hole count, mount type, finish, valve technology, and features that actually matter for your sink and daily use.
Overview
Picking a faucet is not just about looks -- buy the wrong one and it either will not fit your sink at all, splashes water everywhere, or starts dripping within a year. We see all three mistakes regularly. The faucet has to match your hole count, mount type, and sink dimensions. The valve technology inside determines whether it drips. And the finish needs to hold up to daily use, not just look good in the showroom. Whether you are replacing a worn-out faucet or picking one for new construction, here is what actually matters.
What You'll Need
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Count the Mounting Holes in Your Sink or Countertop
This is the make-or-break measurement. Count the holes in your sink or countertop where the faucet mounts: one hole (single-hole mount, common in modern bathrooms and some kitchens), two holes (rare -- usually single-hole faucet plus separate sprayer), three holes (the most common setup for both kitchens and bathrooms), or four holes (kitchen with faucet, sprayer, and soap dispenser). Spacing matters too: bathroom centerset faucets are 4 inches center-to-center, widespread are 8+ inches, and kitchen three-hole sinks are typically 8 inches. If you have more holes than you need, a deck plate covers the extras.
Tip: No pre-drilled holes (common with undermount and vessel sinks)? The faucet mounts through the countertop instead, which means you can choose any style -- but you will need to drill. Granite and quartz need a diamond hole saw, and that job is best left to the fabricator or installer. -
Choose the Mount Type
Your main options: deck-mount (through the sink or countertop -- by far the most common), wall-mount (through the wall behind the sink -- needs in-wall plumbing, popular in modern and commercial designs), and vessel (tall faucets for above-counter vessel sinks). Within deck-mount, you have single-hole (one hole, often with an optional deck plate to cover extra holes), centerset (spans two holes 4 inches apart -- standard bathroom), widespread (separate spout and handles in three holes 8+ inches apart -- upscale bathroom), and bridge (traditional design with an exposed bridge connecting spout and handles -- big in farmhouse kitchens).
Tip: Want a cleaner look on a three-hole bathroom sink? Switch to a single-hole faucet with a deck plate that covers the unused holes. Modern aesthetics, no sink modification required. -
Select the Right Spout Height and Reach for Your Sink
This is where people make the most mistakes. For kitchen faucets, measure from the countertop to the bottom of the upper cabinets -- a pull-down faucet with a high arc needs 15-16 inches of clearance. Then check your sink depth. Shallow sinks under 7 inches deep splash badly with high-arc faucets. The spout reach should land the water stream in the center of the sink, not the back wall. For bathroom faucets, the spout reach should direct water into the drain, not against the back of the basin.
Tip: We see this constantly: someone picks a beautiful high-arc kitchen faucet, installs it on a shallow sink, and water splashes everywhere. If your sink is under 8 inches deep, go with a low-arc or mid-arc. Or upgrade the sink at the same time. -
Understand Valve Types and Durability
The valve inside the faucet is what determines whether it drips. Ceramic disc valves are the gold standard -- two polished ceramic discs slide against each other to control flow, and they are essentially drip-proof for the life of the faucet. Every quality faucet from Moen, Delta, and Kohler uses this technology. Compression valves (rubber washers pressing against a seat) are old-school and they all drip eventually. Ball valves (rotating ball with spring-loaded seals, found in some Delta models) are durable but more complex to repair. Cartridge valves use a self-contained unit that slides or rotates -- most modern single-handle faucets use either ceramic disc or standard cartridges.
Tip: Look for 'ceramic disc' or 'diamond-coated valve' in the product specs. If the listing does not mention valve type, it is probably a cheaper compression or basic cartridge. Anything $100+ from the major brands (Moen, Delta, Kohler, Pfister, American Standard) will have ceramic disc technology. -
Choose a Finish That Matches Your Space
Here is the quick rundown: chrome is the most affordable and cleans effortlessly but shows every fingerprint. Brushed nickel hides fingerprints and water spots -- it is the most popular finish for good reason. Matte black is bold and modern, pairs well with white or gray, and shows water spots but cleans easily. Oil-rubbed bronze has a warm, traditional look and develops a natural patina. Polished nickel is like chrome but warmer and more upscale. Gold and brass are coming back for transitional designs. Match your faucet finish to other fixtures in the room -- cabinet hardware, towel bars, light fixtures, shower trim. Intentional mixed finishes are fine. Accidental mismatches look off.
Tip: Look for PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finishes -- they are significantly more scratch-resistant and durable than standard electroplated finishes. You will find PVD in brushed nickel and matte black options. Costs slightly more but holds up far better over years of daily use. -
Consider Features Based on Your Usage
For kitchens, the features worth paying for: pull-down spray head (pulls down from the spout for rinsing -- the most popular kitchen faucet style by far), magnetic spray head docking (snaps back into place, like Delta MagnaTite or Moen Power Clean -- much better than the old weighted-hose design), and touchless activation (wave your hand to turn on with messy cooking hands). Pot fillers are a wall-mounted swing-arm faucet over the stove -- nice for filling large pots but a luxury, not a necessity. For bathrooms: single-handle operation is easier for one-handed temperature adjustments, and WaterSense certification (1.2 GPM or less) saves real water without sacrificing performance.
Tip: Touchless faucets need either batteries or an AC adapter. Battery-powered models need new batteries every 1-2 years. AC-powered need an outlet under the sink. Check before you buy -- if there is no outlet and you do not want to add one, battery is your only option.
Pro Tips
- Buy from a brand with a lifetime warranty and actually use it. Moen replaces cartridges and finish components for free. Delta and Kohler have similar programs. These warranties save you real money over the 15-20 year life of a quality faucet.
- Measure before you shop -- hole count, hole spacing, spout clearance, and sink depth. Bring the measurements or, better yet, take photos of your current setup. Nothing worse than falling in love with a faucet at the store and finding out it does not fit.
- Pull-down kitchen faucets (spray head pulls straight down) beat pull-out designs (spray head pulls toward you) almost every time. The hose retracts more reliably and the faucet looks cleaner when not in use.
- Moen and Delta in the $100-200 range will last 15-20 years. Below $75, quality drops fast -- cheaper valves, thinner finishes, plastic internals that wear out. The extra $50-100 upfront saves you from replacing the faucet again in 3-5 years.
- While you are replacing the faucet, swap the supply lines too. Old rubber or plastic supply lines are the most common source of under-sink leaks. Braided stainless steel lines are $5-10 each and last much longer.
When to Call a Pro
Choosing a faucet is a buying decision, not a plumbing job. But if you need holes drilled in granite, quartz, or marble, hire the countertop fabricator. If you are going with a wall-mount faucet that needs new in-wall plumbing, hire a plumber. And if you are just not sure about compatibility, take photos of your setup to a plumbing supply showroom -- the staff there deal with this every day.