How to choose a faucet for a bathroom sink: review of models, characteristics, manufacturers, rating

• April 29, 2020
• Plumbing
• Tatyana K

The washbasin faucet is one of the most important elements of the bathroom. You should approach its purchase consciously, since it is not only a decorative element, but also an important plumbing fixture, without which you will not be able to take a bath (shower) or wash your hands.

To make the right choice in the store, you first need to learn about the types of mixers. There are four main types of them, which even a person who is not involved in plumbing can understand.

So, let's look further at how to choose a faucet for a bathroom sink, what types there are, as well as a rating of the best manufacturers.

Double valve mixer

Refers to the classics. Because of its custom vintage look, it is a favorite among retro style fans. Thanks to axle-box taps, a person can easily regulate the water temperature up to 1 degree, which is very convenient. Despite the fact that the faucet looks stylish, its price is considered affordable, and you can easily find this type on the market. The only negative is the rapid wear of the taps, since it is with them that the user has frequent contact.

Is it necessary to install a filter to protect the faucet?

Many people have long known that it is necessary to install a mud filter at the water entrance to the apartment, but it is not able to fully protect your plumbing from sand and other small debris found in tap water. The presence of small particles in tap water is fraught with increased wear and tear on plumbing fixtures, and is not particularly beneficial for health.

In such cases, experts recommend installing main filters at the entrance to the water supply system of your apartment; they have a finer filter fraction structure, which prevents the ingress of sand, rust and other small debris, which will increase the service life of your plumbing.

Single lever mixer

Single lever basin faucets are the most common type. The water temperature is adjusted using a movable handle. It is this option that guarantees long and reliable service life, because it has a minimum number of parts that can break due to constant contact with users. Since the single lever basin faucet is an excellent option that promises longevity of the product, it is loved to be placed in public places where it is used several thousand times a day. At home, it will last much longer, since traffic will be low. No need to worry about where to buy it. This is a popular product, so it can be easily found in any plumbing store.

Touchless faucet

The name itself reveals the essence of this type - there are no rotating mechanisms that can break. The device has an infrared sensor, which automatically turns on the water when it recognizes a hand. The water temperature is manually regulated by a special tap located under the sink. After setting the optimal temperature, the user will not need to make unnecessary movements to wash their hands.

This type has many advantages: the complete absence of contact with the device will preserve the original appearance, ease of use, and with the help of a timer, water consumption is significantly reduced. It can also be noted that touchless washbasin faucets not only simplify human life, but are also very hygienic. Since there is no need to have any contact with this species to wash your hands, a person does not leave germs on the handles and does not take them back when closing.

It's a good idea to put a touchless faucet in the sink, but not in the bathtub or shower, because this is not particularly convenient due to timer restrictions, but you can find a faucet that can connect to these places.

Which spout nozzle is better and more practical?

Despite its small size, this is a very important part of the mixer. The most popular are retractable watering cans and small aerators. These devices work on the principle of cavitation, mixing water with air. This provides significant savings, as water consumption is reduced to 8 l/min.

There are devices with a static arrangement of gratings, and there are those with an adjustable arrangement, in which you can change the density of the air-water mixture. Many faucet models are equipped with nozzles with changeable direction of water flow. This idea turned out to be so successful that special nozzles were developed with wide ranges of adjustment of saturation and jet shape, which are suitable for most models of kitchen faucets.

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However, progress in the development and modernization of kitchen plumbing does not stand still. Many ideas are just beautiful decorations, some can bring undoubted benefits.

Simple or LED lighting for the faucet. It will not only decorate the kitchen, but also wash the dishes better.

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Electronic thermometer and water temperature meter. It will help you avoid getting burned and significantly save water. The special thing about this FaucetBuddy device is that it is completely independent. The nozzle receives all the necessary energy from the water jet.

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Thermostatic mixer

It is the “smart” mixer of all of the above. Maintains the desired temperature while taking a shower or bath. If the user turns off the tap to apply the necessary products, then after resuming work, water will flow onto it at the temperature that was set before turning off. The device is able to independently adjust the required amount of cold and hot water, creating the optimal temperature for taking water procedures. And if the cold or hot water is turned off, the liquid will stop flowing into the tap, which will not cause burns or discomfort to the person.

Before choosing a faucet for your bathroom sink, you should know what material it is made from.

Sink selection

The main rule here comes from simple laws of physics. The sink must compensate for the height of the spout. Simply put, the higher the water flows from, the “deeper” the sink should be. When using flat-type sinks and tall faucets together, the falling stream will inevitably splash throughout the room. These sinks work well with low faucets close to them.

In addition to the laws of physics, the trajectory of the falling jet must also be taken into account. The bend angle of the faucet should ensure that the stream released with maximum pressure hits exactly the center of the sink, where the drain valve is located, or at least close to this place. If the sink has a large width, then the water should fall into the gap between the drain and the wall located in front.

The conclusion that can be drawn from the above is that long spouts are not compatible with narrow sinks. The sinks are wide and should not be used with faucets with short spouts. That is, harmony should be above all.

Faucet material

The second important evaluation criterion is the material. The cheaper the material, the worse the quality of the mixer. For example, brass (an alloy of zinc and copper) and bronze are considered high-quality materials. Manufacturers of such devices vouch for the longevity of their service. Of course, such faucets will cost much more, however, they guarantee quality. But I would like to warn people in advance who want to purchase a bronze faucet. Such material requires constant maintenance, since copper begins to change its shade towards greenish over time.

Budget versions are made of silumin alloy, which gives the mixer a chrome-plated appearance. This material is quite fragile, so the service life of the mixer will be no more than two years.

The best option would be to buy a brass faucet. It is this material that will not change color throughout use, is not subject to corrosion, and the cold shine from the special chrome coating will keep the device fresh for a long time.

Features of installing plumbing taps

Select plumbing taps also according to the way they are installed. A bathtub faucet can be mounted in several ways:

• into the hole provided by the design of the bowl;
• on the countertop on which the bowl will be installed;
• above the sink on the wall;
• on the floor using a specially provided stand.

The most durable way is to install the faucet in the wall above the bowl. This is a very beautiful and convenient installation option, but with this method it is worth remembering when purchasing what the length of the spout will be.

Faucet cover

There are three options: chrome, nickel and enamel.

• Chromium. As mentioned earlier, such spraying will not allow the mixer to lose its original appearance. The advantage of such spraying is that it will prevent corrosion, and the coating can be easily removed with special means that will not spoil the spraying itself.
• Nickel. Quite a specific coating. It contains components that can cause allergies in the user, so you need to be extremely careful with such a mixer. The coating itself has a shine, but a deeper shade than chrome.
• Enamel. Such a coating will allow you to create something interesting from the faucet, for example, a “gold”, “marble” faucet, etc. However, such a coating is very fragile and is unlikely to last longer than previous options.

The user can change not only the material and coating of the mixer itself, but also the handles. It all depends on what exactly the user wants. Valves and handles can be made of stone, glass or plastic. The more expensive the material, the correspondingly higher the price.

When considering how to choose a faucet for a bathroom sink, it is worth focusing on the types of fastening and installation.

Some useful tips for choosing a mixer

Of course, the appearance and desired functionality of the mixer are very important. But an equally strict selection criterion should be the high quality of the product. The variety of models is extremely large, and all of them are “beautiful and brilliant” at first, and yet there are many frankly “leftist” products among them.

Prices for single lever faucets

single lever mixer

• It would be completely unwise to purchase a mixer from “unclear” retail outlets, on the market or secondhand. There is a very high chance of running into an outright fake, which is not worth even the small money you will pay for it.
• There is a fairly wide range of manufacturing companies operating in this area, the quality of their products is practically beyond criticism. Therefore, it is worth focusing primarily on these brands. These include German and Grohe, Polish Hansa, Carlo Frattini Visentin and Mamoli from Italy, Spanish Teka and Supergrif, domestic Aquatica, French, Herbeau and Jacob Delafon. , American “Standart”, Swiss “Gustavsberg”, Finnish “Oras” and others. Many of them, by the way, have assembly facilities in China, but with well-established control over production, this has virtually no effect on the quality of the products. But unknown companies, especially ones that are clearly of Eastern origin, should be “probed” more carefully. For example, check out their official website, read product reviews on forums. If there is no such information, it is hardly worth purchasing a mixer, no matter how nice and reliable it may seem.
• There is a well-known blatant practice when “leftist” manufacturers disguise themselves as popular brands, changing, adding or removing one or two letters in the name, but maintaining the integrity of the primary perception (for example, “Grone” instead of “Grohe”). If this is noticed, you shouldn’t even bother yourself with thoughts: since “acquaintance” begins with deception, you can’t expect anything good further from such a mixer.
• You should purchase such a product only in specialized stores, where you can check the originality of the product, get a passport with a mark on the date of sale - most leading manufacturers accompany their faucets with a fairly good factory warranty. Devices with a complex installation system must have appropriate instructions.
• The completeness of the mixer must be checked - all parts for fastening and connecting to the water supply must be present. A little advice - very often the factory kit includes flexible hoses that look more like “demonstration” hoses due to their insufficient length. That is, you should measure in advance what length of liner is required, and what type of water outlets (or threaded fittings on pipes) you plan to use.

We hope that our publication has brought clarity to the issue of choosing a sink faucet, and your purchase will be successful.

Check out the solution to the problem of a cramped bathroom and installing a sink above the washing machine from our new article on our portal.

And finally, a short video review of the best bathroom faucets

Fastening and installation of the mixer

There are 2 types of faucet mounting: mortise and wall. Mortise fastening occurs on the surfaces of the sink or bathtub body. There are special holes here from which tubes for supplying water come out.

The wall mount is mounted on the wall. Here, the water supply pipes are either brought outside or hidden under a panel, tile, etc. The taps for boilers can also be hidden here.

The choice of fasteners is very important because the installation of the faucet is always different. It is worth listening to some tips to make your work easier:

1. If you use a faucet in the bathroom and sink at the same time, then the faucet should be 1 meter from the floor. The shower should be 1.2 meters higher. Do not overdo it with tightening the nuts and bushings, as the parts may burst and break the mixer. All you can do is tighten the thread if necessary.
2. After installation is complete, you need to check the functionality of the device. You should unscrew the taps to look at the pressure level. If a leak occurs, you will have to disassemble the faucet and start the installation again.

How to choose a sink faucet size? Choosing the right bathroom faucet based on the type of mechanism and installation is half the battle. It is also important that its size matches well with the size of the washbasin itself. Otherwise, there will be a lot of daily inconvenience during use and constant additional cleaning in this room. To avoid such problems, you need to choose the right size of the faucet for the bathroom sink.

Basic models with pull-out spout

Faucets with a pull-out tap are by no means a tribute to fashion, but a need to equip your kitchen with a reliable and high-quality tap. Such models have many advantages: adjustable water flow, the ability to change its distance, direction and height.

Their convenience can be appreciated if you have two kitchen sinks. For washing, one bowl uses a tap in its classic form, and the other uses a pull-out mixer. If you need to wash large quantities of dishes every day, then purchasing a pull-out faucet will be a great way to do this. Among faucets with a pull-out spout, valve and lever types predominate.

What you need to pay attention to

When choosing the size of the mixer, you need to pay attention to the following basic parameters:

• The height of the spout (this is the distance from the surface on which the mixer is located to the spout (measured vertically).
• Spout length - (this is the distance from the mixer body to the spout (measured horizontally).

Depending on the height, spouts can be divided into the following groups:

1. Low (from 12 to 15 cm).
2. Medium (from 15 to 25 cm).
3. Tall (over 25 cm).

To choose a suitable and good faucet for a bathroom sink, it is worth remembering that tall ones are better suited for tabletop types of sinks with a deep bowl (20-22 cm). Medium and low - an excellent option for medium (17-18 cm) and small (11-14 cm) sinks. If you do not yet know what the depth of your sink will be, it is better to postpone the purchase of a mixer and start choosing plumbing fixtures first.

Designs and types of cranes

Plumbing stores offer a huge range of different kitchen taps. Stylish shapes, ergonomic design, compact sizes and a variety of materials - everyone will find the right kitchen sink faucet.

All mixers are usually divided into several types depending on their design characteristics.

1. Two-valve. Faucets have two valves on the sides with hot and cold water. It is considered a classic option, but gradually the look is losing its popularity. The reason for this is the need to adjust the water. While single-lever faucets quickly set the desired temperature, these faucets will waste some water.
2. Single lever. Convenient and easy to use mixers. Adjustment of hot and cold water is carried out with one lever. You can adjust the required temperature with a slight movement of your finger. They are more economical than the previous model. The tap is easy to use and easy to open, even if your hands are dirty or busy with something. In addition, single-lever faucets look more modern than those with hot and cold water valves, which many associate with old Soviet plumbing.
3. Contactless. This type is considered the most convenient and economical choice. The water is turned on and supplied automatically when you bring your hands to the touch sensor. Expensive and not yet available to everyone.

In addition to the basic functionality of adjusting the temperature and jet pressure, many models are equipped with additional features.

• supply liquid soap;
• have a built-in filter that purifies tap water;
• taps are equipped with a switch for washing machine or dishwasher;
• have a protective function against contamination, which extends the service life of the kitchen faucet;
• automatic shutdown of water in case of leakage. Such taps are equipped with special indicators.

Of course, all of the above functions are very convenient and simplify the use of plumbing fixtures. But it’s worth noting that each new feature increases the cost of a kitchen sink faucet several times.

Bathroom sink faucets: manufacturer ratings

Let's look at the rating of the best manufacturers and the products they produce for the home. When compiling it, the ratio of price and quality of products and user reviews were taken into account.

1st place – Grohe company.

2nd place – Hansgrohe.

3rd place – Vidima.

4th place – Hansa.

Let's take a closer look at these manufacturers.

Which brand of mixer is better to choose?

Which brand of mixer is better to choose in order to enjoy its “uninterrupted” operation for several years? Everyone decides for themselves whether to give preference to Russian or imported goods; to make the task easier, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the ratings based on an analysis of sales across the country and customer reviews. Among domestic manufacturers, brands such as:

• "Sunlit-T" from the city of Kolpina;
• Iddis - St. Petersburg;
• "Arkon" from Tula;
• "Santarm" from Rostov-on-Don;
• "Santekhpribor" from Kazan.

The average retail price for them is 1,500 rubles.

As for foreign manufacturing plants, among them the following distinguished themselves:

• German Grohe and Hansgrohe;
• French JacobDelafon;
• Finnish Oras;
• Spanish Roca;
• Bulgarian Vidima.

Prices start from 3,200 rubles and can reach more than hundreds of thousands for some exclusive samples.

As always, do not forget about the warranties of not only the manufacturer, but also the dealer or seller. Not everyone works conscientiously and provides full factory warranties to customers. By the way, reliable manufacturers and sellers always provide services for qualified installation of products, no matter what locality the buyer lives in. Payment for the service is billed separately. And for self-installation, the passport of a branded unit always contains detailed and understandable instructions.

Grohe

In first place in our rating is a German company, which for many years has been considered a leader among companies producing faucets. The manufacturer's assortment is quite wide - the products differ in design and design. All Grohe bathroom sink faucets are characterized by a long service life, they are quite functional and easy to use. The build quality is also top notch.

Pros:

• quite simple device;
• expanded functionality;
• long warranty period;
• you can repair the mixer yourself;
• reliability and long service life.

Drains and other openings

When choosing a sink, you need to look at whether there are holes in it and how many there are. This matters for wall-mounted sinks. These devices are not supported by the sink, and the mixer is placed directly on its side, without using the countertop. This means that you need to look for a sink that has the appropriate number of holes that will be used for fastening. If you cannot find such a sink, use sink holes for installation.

Options for installing a sink on a countertop are popular today, but you need to understand that this requires a faucet on a high counter. When calculating the height of the mixer, the height of the bowl is added to the terms.

Hansgrohe

In second place in the ranking of the best faucet manufacturers this year is another German company. Plumbing equipment manufactured by Hansgrohe meets all international standards. In terms of reliability, functionality and durability, the manufacturer has no equal. Hansgrohe bathroom sink faucets are quite easy to recognize – they are mostly designed in a minimalist style. In addition, the products are compact in size, so designers advise installing them in small bathrooms. The warranty period is 5 years, the operating period declared by the manufacturer is 10 years, although such products can last much longer.

Most of the faucets produced are single-lever and thermostat. Both of these types are in great demand among consumers. The manufacturer offers a wide selection of wall-mounted models, but you can also find very original options, for example, floor-mounted ones. The pricing policy is flexible - you can find both luxury and economy class faucets on sale.

Pros:

• long warranty and operational period;
• an attractive look that can give any bathroom interior additional uniqueness and originality.

Vidima

This manufacturer took 3rd place in the ranking. Vidima faucets are one of the cheapest in our review, but this does not mean that they are of poor quality. In their production, the latest technologies are used to make the production process faster and simpler. Mixers are designed in such a way that even with low water pressure they can ensure an even supply.

All structures are chrome-plated, which helps protect the fixed and moving parts of the product from corrosion. The operating period is quite long.

Pros:

• All products have a fairly ergonomic body and very easy to use;
• long warranty period (5 years);
• do not make noise during operation;
• Faucets are made from brass by casting, which gives the structure greater strength.

TOP 3 best premium sink faucets

Premium-segment faucets are a good purchase for office spaces or bathrooms with an expensive and sophisticated finish. The best devices in this class in 2021 were the following devices.

Lemark Atlantiss LM3209C

Tall single-lever monolithic mixer can be installed either directly on the sink or on the countertop.

The device is made of high quality brass and has a high-quality and durable protective coating.

A special eco-cartridge Sedal (diameter 35 mm) guarantees precise regulation of water flow and temperature, and also ensures reliable operation of the device and minimal noise level.

The comfortable metal handle has an ergonomic shape and is easy to turn even with wet and soapy hands..

There is a NeoperlCascade aerator that cuts the flow of water and saturates it with air, preventing excessive splashing, which has a beneficial effect on both the softness of the water and the size of utility bills.

It is worth keeping in mind that this faucet is designed for bowl-shaped sinks.

Characteristics:

• type – single lever;
• shut-off valve – ceramic cartridge;
• body/covering material – brass/chrome;
• spout – traditional;
• additionally – aerator;
• Dimensions, mm – 117x228x322.

pros

• stylish;
• Beautiful.

Minuses

• heavy;
• begins to leak over time.

Hansgrohe Focus 31518000

A tall, modern single-lever mixer from a well-known German manufacturer looks great in any bathroom interior and gives maximum convenience and comfort from its use..

The ceramic cartridge is easily controlled using an ergonomic and comfortable lever, maintaining smooth operation and precise adjustment of water temperature and flow throughout the entire period of operation of the device.

The presence of the EcoSmart function allows you to reduce water consumption by up to 60%, which has a beneficial effect on the environment.

At the same time, the mixer does not require serious maintenance - the high-quality chrome coating is easily cleaned of limescale and any dirt using a soft cloth.

The built-in aerator saturates the air flow, making it softer and allowing hygiene procedures to be carried out in the most comfortable conditions.

Characteristics:

• type – single lever;
• shut-off valve – ceramic cartridge;
• body/covering material – brass/chrome;
• spout – traditional;
• additionally – aerator;
• Dimensions, mm – 159x191x275.

pros

• ideal for work;
• The cartridge lasts a very long time.

Minuses

• Drops of water remain on horizontal surfaces, which leads to the appearance of stains.

IDDIS Vane YA16177C

The most budget-friendly faucet of the devices presented in this section will delight the owner with its elegant appearance, carefully calculated ergonomics and the ability to install the faucet both on the sink and on the countertop.

The dimensions of the mixer allow you to comfortably use the device on a daily basis, and the fixed (non-rotating) spout makes it possible to accurately calculate the location of the jet, thereby avoiding excessive splashing or waste of water.

The ceramic cartridge is responsible for the smooth movement of the handle and precise, high-quality mixing of water flows at different temperatures to achieve an ideal result..

The device is mounted on 1 hole, and the package includes all the necessary equipment: fasteners, flexible hoses and an aerator. A nice bonus is that the manufacturer provides a 10-year warranty on its devices.

Characteristics:

• type – single lever;
• shut-off valve – ceramic cartridge;
• body/covering material – brass/chrome;
• spout – traditional;
• additionally – aerator;
• Dimensions, mm – 162x55x157.

pros

• Beautiful;
• smooth.

Minuses

• not convenient for low water pressure.

Hansa

This German manufacturer is also among the best and took 4th place in our ranking. The products of this company have an optimal price-quality ratio. It is worth noting the original design of the faucets produced, which have a modern look, thanks to which they can fit perfectly into any bathroom interior, even those decorated in the latest fashion. For the most part, the manufacturer produces electronic models with fairly wide functionality, so finding classic single-lever or double-valve options will not be so easy.

All faucets have a chrome finish and a smart water saving system. There are options on sale with special aerators that give the water stream different shapes, unique designs with LED backlighting.

Pros:

• wide range of products;
• attractive modern look;
• availability of a resource saving system.

In general, there is a large selection of faucets on the market. The main thing is to decide on the right model, and finding it won’t be difficult.

How to choose a mixer external parameters

When entering a store or viewing products in market pavilions, customers usually see assembled sets of faucets on special demonstration stands. Then, having decided on the model, they pay for the product and receive a “construction set” in a box.

Not all sellers are willing to unpack these same boxes, and not all buyers insist on carefully inspecting their purchases, but in vain. “Surprises” may also be in sealed original packaging. Please remember that everyone has the right to inspect the product and reject it if they are not satisfied with the visual inspection.

High-quality branded products are packaged in boxes with compartments (cardboard sheets, foam boxes) for various components. Or at least small parts are placed in bags, and the body and shower head are wrapped in non-woven bags. When buying a faucet in a store, be sure to unpack it (in good stores, sellers do this themselves) and look at every detail. A “classic” device should consist of:

1. body (gander, spout, also known as spout with valves or with a lever);
2. two water connections (two thin hoses);
3. a set of fastenings (gaskets, springs, etc.).

The bath mixer is also equipped with a watering can with a hose, a holder for the watering can, eccentric adapters and decorative cups. There should be no chips, cracks, or rust at the joints (on the body threads), all components must be new and without signs of “use.”

The box should also contain a product passport that “sheds light” on the origin of the product and contains information about warranty periods, installation instructions, and care instructions.