Most people don’t think about their faucets until there’s a problem. But if you have hard water, your kitchen faucet is one of the first places you’ll notice the effects. Hard water can create staining and buildup in your kitchen sink and inside the faucet. But choosing the best kitchen faucet for hard water can make all the difference. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which will be best for your needs. This is why we’ve spent several weeks researching hard water kitchen faucets, as well as speaking to individuals who use them and going through reviews of a number of kitchen faucets for hard water.
Whether you are replacing the faucet yourself or having someone else do it, you need to choose the right kitchen faucet for water with mineral deposits to suit your needs and style. With so many to choose from, it can seem a bit overwhelming. However, our guide will walk you through what to look for when purchasing a new hard water faucet, and which are the best of the bunch.
The Top 10 Kitchen Faucets for Hard Water
#1. Kohler K-99259-VS Artifacts Kitchen Faucet (Best for Overall)
The Kohler K-99259-VS Artifacts is the first choice on this best kitchen faucet for hard water list. This practical, eco-friendly faucet has a simple classic look with its vibrant stainless steel finish, a vintage-styled high-arch spout, and turned lever handle that can operate single-handedly.
It offers a unique spray head that pulls down and has 3 spray functions:
The faucet body is made from top quality metal for durability, is deck mounted and you get all of the important hardware that you will need to install the faucet. Even better, you get a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
The faucet is ADA, ASME, CSA, ANSI, NSF, and UPC approved, as well as being approved for commercial use. The water consumption and flow rate are 1.8 gallons per minute. The arched faucet height is 17.63 inches, with a 9.06-inch spout reach. The spout swivels 360 degrees.
Pros
You are able to choose handle placement upon installation
Simple to install
3 function sprayer
Excellent water flow rate
Easy to clean
Cons
Fairly heavy
Expensive
Verdict
We found this kitchen faucet for hard water to be the best due to its functionality and durability. Some may argue it’s a bit on the expensive side, but it is well worth the price, especially with its lifetime warranty from Kohler.
#2. Kraus KPF-1640 Kitchen Faucet (Best for Durable)
This faucet is our 2nd choice in this guide. It has a finish that prevents corrosion, rust, and mineral buildup, a heavy-duty double spring design, and an all-metal handle and body for maximum durability. The low-flow Neoperl aerator is high-performance, and the dual-function spray and stream sprayer gives 360-degree swivel capability allowing it to access the entire sink area. The single lever design also offers flow and temperature control that is effortless. It comes in a stainless steel or chrome finish.
One of the installation features that consumers like is that it gives 1 or 3 holes, allowing you to choose which way you prefer. The magnetic docking feature allows for easy positioning.
The height of this faucet is 19.6 inches and has a modern double-coil design that can fit in any type of kitchen. The Kerox ceramic cartridge offers long-lasting, drip-free usage. The flow rate is 1.8 gallons per minute.
Pros
It’s very firm and sturdy
You can choose between the aerated and powerful spray stream
It’s rust-resistant
Very easy to clean
Comes with tools to service the faucet
Long-lasting ceramic cartridge
Powerful direct spray feature
Lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
The spout is rather tall, which some felt made it look weird and isn’t ideal for small sinks
Some felt the hose a bit too short
Verdict
This is a faucet that has some power behind it and offers some great features. It’s easy to install yourself, offers longevity, and is easily cleaned and maintained. It’s low cost but high functioning and gives a traditional style look to your kitchen.
#3. Delta 9158 Kitchen Faucet (Unique Design)
Coming in at number 3 on our list of kitchen faucets for hard water is the Delta 9158 DST Fuse Single Handle hard water faucet. One of the aesthetic features we like is that the stainless steel finish has a brushed matte finish on the spray head and base, which comes in three colors: Chili Pepper, Cracked Pepper, and Snowflake White.
It’s great for those who want to add a splash of color to their kitchen. It’s easy to install and easy to clean. Another feature we like is the Diamond Seal Technology that Delta uses. It reduces the risk of leak points appearing, makes installation less of a hassle, and the faucets last twice as long as what is standard in the industry. Everything that is needed for installation is in the box, including the InnoFlex integrated supply lines.
Pros
The faucet can be installed above the sink, cutting out the hassle of having to crawl under the sink to tighten
Lifetime warranty
Easy to install
Easy to clean
Cons
The deck plate is optional and needs to be ordered separately
Customers would like to see it come in more than the 3 finishes offered
Verdict
The Delta 9158 DST Fuse Single-Handle brings efficiency and style together in this product. There weren’t any complaints about the functionality of the faucet or installation and it met the expectations of customers and ourselves. It costs a bit more but it seems well worth the price for all it offers.
#4. KINGO HOME Lead-Free Faucet (Best for Budget)
For those wanting a quality kitchen faucet for the hard water without having to splash out a lot of money, the Kingo Home Lead-Free faucet is a good choice.
The Kingo faucet has a clean classic look with its brushed nickel finish, and the ceramic valve means no hard water buildup. It has a height of 16″, making it easy to use, and a spout reach of 7.87″. It comes with all of the mounting hardware needed to install, including adapters and water hoses. This faucet is perfect for granite countertops or a big sink. The ceramic valve has been tested 500,000 times and can handle even the biggest jobs.
Some consumer says that it lasts longer than the Delta faucet. Specially the finish is great enough to prevent the hard water.
Pros
Ceramic valve disc
Good value for money
Powerful spray
Easy to install with all hardware included
Has a quick connector hose
Easy to clean
Cons
Some found the pressure to be a bit too robust, causing splashing up in and out of the sink
Replacement parts can be a bit expensive
Verdict
We found the Kingo Home faucet ticks the important boxes when it comes to functionality and it’s a good price for those who don’t want to spend a lot but still want a quality hard water faucet. The issue with replacement parts being expensive is something to consider, but you do get a warranty for replacements with Kingo.
#5. KRAUS KPF-2620 Kitchen Faucet (Best for Simple Design)
We liked the simple, sleek design of the Kraus Modern Mateo Single-Handle faucet for preventing the water buildup. It has a durable finish that is said not fade over time. The dual-function sprayer has easy-to-clean rubber nozzles to eliminate any mineral build-up, and it is free of lead in its construction.
The faucet stands at a height of 15 ¾ inches. Installation is fairly simple with its drop-in base and it comes in either a chrome or stainless steel finish.
Pros
It offers better kitchen performance.
Easy to install.
Lifetime warranty.
High performance.
Cons
While the hose is very flexible, you need to take care not to twist it too much when installing.
Verdict
The Kraus Modern Mateo single-handle faucet has an ergonomic design and is easy to use. The ease of installation is also a plus. It has a mid-range price that offers a durable, good-quality faucet and has all of the basic features you would expect for this type of faucet.
#6. KOHLER K-99260 Artifacts Kitchen Faucet (Best for Sprayer)
Another kitchen faucet for hard water from the Kohler Artifacts range, the K-99260 is the top handled model of the K-99259 side handle model. It too has Kohler’s unique three-function pull-down spray head functionality. It’s comes with 3 spray mode. The Aerated Spray mode gives a gentle mist for light cleaning and filling pots, while the Sweep Spray mode provides a forceful stream to quickly clean surfaces. The BerrySoft Spray mode releases a soft, soothing spray that is perfect for washing fruit and vegetables. Plus, the braided hose and swiveling ball joint provide extra maneuverability and flexibility.
Some consumer says it has the great sprayer they have ever used. It covers both bowls of the kitchen sinks and doesn’t splash with full blast. The sprayer is also good whenever water volume is low.
Pros
Simple to install
Excellent water flow rate
3 function sprayer
Easy to clean
Cons
Expensive
Fairly heavy
Verdict
The Kohler K-99260 Artifacts offer durability and functionality. If you have limited space between the sink and back-splash, the forward-facing handle on this model is a good choice. It’s one of the more expensive kitchen faucets for hard water, but you do get a luxury faucet with the Kohler lifetime warranty.
#7. Delta Faucet 9913 (Touch on Faucet)
The Delta Essa uses a contemporary take on euro designs and comes with many of the features you would expect from Delta. It has a diamond-embedded valve that keeps the faucet running like new over long periods of time. The spout height is 14 inches and overall the faucet has a soft but elegant look. The pull-down spray wand is flexible and easy to pull, with an extending and retracting hose that has no point of friction. It comes in 4 finishes; Arctic Stainless, Matte Black, Chrome, and Venetian Bronze.
This faucet comes with Touch20 variant. The feature makes it turn on or off by a touch on the spout or handle. If you forget to shut off the water flow, it will automatically turn off after 4 minutes. If you forget to shut off the water flow, it will automatically turn off after 4 minutes. Also, you can see the water temperature by the Tempsense led indicator light.
Pros
Solidly built
Reliable touch technology
Easy to install
Light at the base indicates water temperature
Cons
Not a full-sized kitchen faucet
Water turns off with the slightest touch if you accidentally bump into it or if pot comes into contact with it
Verdict
This faucet is meant to be used for a bar or preparation sink, so it’s not as large as your normal kitchen sink faucet. It boasts that it can last up to 5 million uses. A lot of buyers loved that it had a temperature light for the water at its base, which can come in handy. It’s a mid-range priced quality kitchen faucet that offers the basic features of a pull-down faucet.
#8. Kraus KPF-1602 Kitchen Faucet (Commercial Style)
The Kraus KPF-1602 faucet is constructed of lead-free brass and has a rust-resistant finish. It’s a bit different from most faucets in that it has an open coil spout and is listed as a commercial-style faucet.
The faucet comes in a choice of chrome or stainless steel finish. The spray face uses a Neoperl aerator, a Kerox ceramic cartridge, and a two-way diverter for drip-free flow control. It reduces the waste of water, and pressure is also optimal. One of the functions we like is its pre-rinse spray, which is quite powerful.
The Kraus KPF-1602 has rubber nozzles that prevent any build-up, making it easy to maintain. The high-arch industrial-style open-coil spout swivels 360 degrees for added flexibility, providing the ability to reach the whole sink.
Pros
Easy installation
Ceramic cartridge
Pre-rinse spray function
Easy to clean and maintain
Heavy-duty components
Cons
Some don’t like the diverter function because they can’t use the main faucet and sprayer at the same time.
The main valve is directly under the main spout making it hard to not get yourself wet when turning it on.
Verdict
This faucet has a very dramatic look to it and is pretty heavy-duty. So, if you want something contemporary with an industrial aesthetic for hard water prevention, this faucet is for you. It does seem that a ¼ turn screw has been removed as a feature to this model, where older versions had it. While it says it saves water with its aerated spout, many feel that it wastes more water and is harder to use based on its design. This may be more a problem of preference for the buyer, but something to take note of.
#9. Delta 978 DST Kitchen Faucet (Best for Easy Cleanup)
The Delta Leland 978 faucet has a more traditional look, giving it a timeless appeal. It comes with a soap dispenser and has two finishes to choose from; Brilliance Stainless and Chrome. It uses MagnaTite technology for easy docking and undocking and falls in the lower to mid-range pricing.
Delta Faucet 978’s soft rubber spray holes allow mineral residue to be wiped away easily, for an instantly refreshed look. The two-function spray wand easily switches between spray and stream, making it easy to adjust to your needs. These faucets are less hassle to install and last twice as long as other faucets. Plus, they reduce leak points, making them a great choice for any home.
Pros
Supply lines are included
Fairly easy to install
Easy to clean
Good quality for the price
Cons
Soap dispenser sits lower than expected, giving little clearance between the pump and your hand, and making it difficult to fill
Cold and hotlines could be more flexible to make installation easier.
Verdict
This faucet has the usual Delta quality and a traditional appeal to it. While the soap dish inclusion is a great idea and is still functional, it seems to have some issues being awkward to fill because it screws from underneath. If you can get past that issue, this seems to be a pretty good kitchen faucet for hard water with its features.
#10. Delta Faucet 4197 Cassidy (Classic Look)
The Delta Cassidy has that old-time appeal that is a great addition to rustically styled kitchens. The shape is designed after the silhouette of a woman and comes in a Venetian Bronze finish. It only has a 120-degree swivel range, however, which may be an issue for some.
The Delta 4197 uses Delta’s Diamond Seal and MagnaTite technology, the Duramount mounting system, and the Touch-Clean sprayer. It’s last for twice as it reduces the leaks. It also supports both single-hole and three-hole installation. With just a touch of your finger, you can wipe away the evidence of hard water and keep your faucet looking new. That’s why you don’t need to use any commercial cleaner to clean the build-up.
Pros
ADA compliant
20 inch reach on hose
Reasonably priced
Unique design
Tough to install
120-degree swivel as opposed to 360-degree swivel on many other faucets
Cons
Many have found the hose to be troublesome when pulling with it lagging to push and pull in and out of the hole
Verdict
While the Delta Cassidy has a unique design and many of the features you would want in a pull-down faucet, there seem to be some issues with flexibility and smooth application. The sprayer part of the faucet is made of chrome-plated plastic material, which may not withstand wear and tear as well. The hose isn’t reinforced and can kink and pulling out and pushing the sprayer back is not very smooth, with no automatic retraction. While it’s not a bad faucet, these are things that may put buyers off.
How We Evaluated These Product
After many hours of research, we were able to rank these products, as well as discovering what was important to look for when buying a hard water kitchen faucet. This was done through customer reviews and experiences from test users. We were then able to create a top 10 list of the best products on the market. Here’s what we have found.
Advantages of Using a Kitchen Faucet For Hard Water
A kitchen faucet that is made specifically for hard water has special elements, such as a filter and a ceramic sealed surface that makes them pretty much invincible to the effects of hard water and the damage it can cause.
Staining, Residue, and Buildup
For a start, you will be eliminating the issues caused by hard water, such as stains and buildup. Minerals left behind can build up over time, leaving your sink and faucet stained with white, green, red, brown, and blue stains, as well as leaving a slimy or filmy residue. These stains can be extremely hard to remove, sometimes needing professional products to cut through and remove any scaly buildup. A buildup of residue can also lead to your faucet becoming blocked, which minimizes the amount of water that can come out of the faucet. Installing a kitchen faucet for hard water will eliminate these issues.
Hard Water Damage
It’s not just your faucet that can become discolored or damaged. Hard water deposits can also damage any rubber washers used to seal your faucet against leaks, which can lead to even more damage. If you use water from your kitchen sink to fill appliances, such as your tea or coffee pot, these can become damaged with buildup and limescale deposits as well. This not only leads to leaking but can make your hot beverages taste awful. The same goes for crockpots, irons, steamers, and cookers that you fill from your kitchen faucet.
What to Look for to Buying a Kitchen Faucet for Hard Water
We’ve shown you the top 10 kitchen faucets for hard water on the market. However, it’s important to know what to look for when purchasing a new faucet. Here’s our buying guide to help you.
Filter – this is the most important aspect to consider when buying your faucet. Your faucet should have a high-quality filter that is made to remove minerals from the water. Faucets with single piece filters are best because filters that have several pieces can easily become damaged from mineral deposits over a period of time. They are also harder to clean than a single-piece filter.
Faucet Design – something to keep in mind, like with filters, is that a faucet that has a more complicated design has more of a chance of accumulating mineral build-up over a period of time. A simple, straightforward design is the best way to go.
Materials – it’s important to know what your faucet is made of because some metals are more easily damaged than others. Polished chrome and brushed nickel are the most recommended materials for your faucet.
Sealing – a faucet that has a sealing coat tends to last longer and be more effective over time. Ceramic coating is usually the best option and these are designed specifically to withstand the damage caused by hard water.
Price – It is also an important factor when buying a faucet. Top of the line faucets will cost a lot more. However, there are a number of good-quality faucets that will do the job and not break the bank. More expensive doesn’t always mean better, so make sure you verify the quality of the faucet before you buy it.
We hope the research we have presented, along with the buying guidelines will help you choose the best kitchen faucet for hard water sinks in your home.
FAQs
What Is Hard Water And Its Effects On Sinks And Faucets?
Basically, it’s water that contains a high level of mineral deposits, usually because it passes through chalk and limestone deposits. This causes the white crusty buildup you see, also known as limescale. While drinking hard water isn’t a risk to your health, it can leave buildup and residue in the sink, faucet and in your pipes. It also causes your dish detergents to not perform at their best, which means you need to use more of it. Rather than scrubbing away at your sink or faucet, the easiest solution is to buy a kitchen faucet made specifically for hard water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for the best kitchen faucet for hard water that is durable and will last in a home, then we recommend the Kohler K-99259. With classic styles and a wide variety of finishes to choose from, Kohler K-99259 is a luxury-looking faucet that will be perfect for preventing hard water. But you can choose others as well considering your budget and kitchen style.
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