The 8 Best Two Handle Kitchen Faucets To Suit Your Budget in 2021

When it comes to purchasing a new kitchen faucet, many people find themselves asking which is better to have; a single handle or two handle kitchen faucet. In this guide we are going to focus on the dual, or two-handle kitchen faucets, and why they are a great option when installing new faucets in your kitchen. We will also look at the pros and cons of each of the 8 best two-handle kitchen faucets to help you make an informed decision when it comes time to buy one.

Here is the list of the top pick at a glance:

• Best for Overall: Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF
• Best for Budget: Peerless Tunbridge P299578LF
• Best for Wall-mount: Peerless P299305LF
• Best for any Decorating Style: Moen CA87888
• Best for Brass Construction: Kingston Brass KS127
• Best for Bar Sink: Peerless Tunbridge P288LF
• Easy To Keep Clean: KOHLER K-10445-BN Forte
• Best for Versatile Design: Moen S713 Waterhill

How We Evaluated and Assessed

Our assessment process started with looking at the products available on the market today. Once we found our top 10, we gathered a group of expert testers who went from installation to usage of these faucets to see how easy they were to use. We also spoke to customers who have used these two handle kitchen faucets to see what they liked or disliked about them, as well as spend many man-hours going through reviews.

We’ve gathered all of the data for this guide to present you with an unbiased and thorough review to help you make the most informed decision before you hit the shops to buy your new kitchen faucet. Here’s what we have found.

Comparison of Top 8 Two Handle Kitchen Faucets

Reviews of the 8 Best Two Handle Kitchen Faucets

#1 Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF (Best for Overall)

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The Delta 21996LF-OB is part of their Windemere Series and comes in 3 finishes; stainless steel, chrome, and oil rubbed bronze. It has a nice high arc that leaves a lot of room under the spout and comes with a side (vegetable) sprayer that matches and has a retractable hose. The faucet swivels 360 degrees and is made of durable metal construction.

This is another faucet that has a traditional country charm to it and would look great in rustic kitchens, as well as modern ones. Installation seems pretty straightforward

Features

• Vegetable sprayer with a retractable hose
• Powerful side sprayer with a retractable hose
• Metal construction
• 4 hole installation
• High arc 360-degree swivel spout
• ADA Compliant
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

Pros

✅ Easy to install

✅ Durable finish means fewer water spots

✅ Long arched neck leaves plenty of room under the faucet

✅ The Delta name

Cons

⛔ Faucet radius is a bit smaller than other versions of faucet

⛔ Some felt the water flow rate was a bit restricted

Final Verdict

The Delta Windmere overall seems to have a smooth glide when using it and many felt it looked a lot more expensive than it actually is. There were some nit-picky things that some didn’t like, such as the plastic sprayer, but in all, it comes up as a good two-handle kitchen faucet.

#2 Peerless Tunbridge P299578LF (Best for Budget)

This Peerless faucet has a stainless steel finish that makes it fingerprint and water stain resistant. Its handles and faucet are deck mounted and water output is 1.8 gpm. Even though its made or metal, it is still a lightweight faucet. The Peerless Choice kitchen faucet has clean, modern lines and sits well between the handles. It also rotates to allow for filling and cleaning larger pots. The handles have an ergonomic design to them, also adding to its ease of use. You get a side sprayer with this model that sits nicely at the side and doesn’t get in the way, as well as makes it easy to rinse around the sink area.

Features

• ADA Compliant
• High arc, rotating spout
• Ergonomic blade handles offer easier control
• Matching side sprayer for easy pot filling and clean-ups
• 4-hole sink application
• Stainless, a neutral, low-gloss finish

Pros

✅ Handles are easy to clean and install

✅ Water efficiency

✅ Affordable price

✅ Accessible to disabled people

Cons

⛔ Quite a few of the models are a bit too short for deeper sinks

⛔ May not deal as well in hard water areas

Final Verdict

This is an economical kitchen faucet that is Eco-friendly and has a simple but aesthetic look to it. The ergonomic handles make it a good choice for those who have difficulty with their hands. It does the job it’s meant to do and is an overall good faucet in the two handle range.

#3 Peerless P299305LF (Best for Wall-mount)

This Peerless faucet is different in that it is wall-mounted rather than sink/counter mounted. It’s a great option if you don’t have a lot of room to play with. Its constructed of brass with a chrome finish and would fit in with many kitchen styles. It has a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, making it both economical and attractive. The outlet neck of the faucet swivels and the goose-neck design allows you to fit larger pots under the faucet.

Features

• High arc, rotating spout
• Ergonomic blade handles
• Wall-mount installation
• ADA compliant when installed properly
• Faucet and Finish Lifetime Limited Warranty

Pros

✅ Super easy to installation

✅ Low price but expensive look

✅ The distance of center-to-center between the hot and cold water pipes from the wall is perfect to use this faucet.

✅ Ceramic cartridges have been used in hot & cold water valves

✅ The arc size is accurate for the basement sink

Cons

⛔ Some found the valves became loose over time because the valve bodies are plastic

⛔ Some buyers have reported fitting that come with faucet are not correct

Final Verdict

While this particular faucet looks great with its simple design and seems very affordable, many buyers found it to not be of that good quality for their needs, where others found it worked fine. There seem to be some issues with not getting the right parts or missing an adapter in the kit.

#4 Moen CA87888 (Best for any Decorating Style)

Moen’s Caldwell Collection of kitchen faucets is a nice range, and the CA87888 design works with any style of decoration you have in your kitchen. It has a highly reflective chrome finish, features the duralock quick connect system that makes installation quite easy, and a matching side sprayer is included in the setup. The high arc faucet makes it easy to clean larger pots and the flow rate on this faucet is 1.5 GPM. The Caldwell design has simple curves and the finish on this faucet is made to resist corrosion and tarnishing, even with everyday usage. The spout has a 180-degree swivel, allowing you to access more of your sink.

Features

• Faucet body made of metal ensures durability
• Limited lifetime warranty for residential installations. 5-year limited warranty for commercial installations
• Double handle operation – handles rest on 1/4 turn valves
• Side spray with hose
• ADA compliant
• All hardware needed for mounting is included with faucet

Pros

✅ Can be sink or countertop mounted

✅ Easy to install

✅ All the moving parts work very smoothly

✅ Not expensive

Cons

⛔ Some felt sprayer was too stiff when trying to pull out

⛔ Doesn’t seem to be a stop inside spout, which means it swivels all over and can make a mess if you’re not careful

Final Verdict

Buyers were pleased with the sleek design of this faucet and the ease of installing it. The biggest issue buyers had was that the spout over swivels due to there not being a stop in it, It’s an overall good faucet for a low price.

#5 Kingston Brass KS1278TXBS (Best for Brass Construction)

The Kingston Brass French Country range faucet is made of brass with a muted nickel finish. It has cross handle designed hot and cold handles and a spout that swivels to offer simple use. With its 11.5” height, you can fit pretty much anything under the faucet, and it has a flow rate of 1.2 GPM.

This faucet is perfect for that country kitchen look, and one of its unique design features is its downward sloping cross handles. It’s a faucet that blends a traditional design with a bit of a modern twist.

Features

• Solid Brass Construction
• 1/4 Turn Ceramic Disc Cartridge
• Spout Reach: 8-3/4″
• Spout Clearance: 10″
• Includes matching brass side Sprayer
• Victorian Style Swivel Spout

Pros

✅ Durable solid brass construction

✅ High-end design

✅ Separate sprayer can be replaced on its own

✅ Part of a matching range

✅ Reasonably priced

Cons

⛔ The cross handles can take a bit of getting used to

⛔ Can be a bit hard to clean between the faucets, sprayer, and spigot

Final Verdict

The Kingston Brass French Country two handle kitchen faucet looks rather nice and will fit in well with traditional and old country kitchen styles. The price is affordable for the high-end look, and its part of a range that lets you match kitchen and bathroom.

#6 Peerless Tunbridge P288LF (Best for Brass Construction)

The Peerless Choice two-handle kitchen faucet has a high arc and rotating spout, ergonomic blade-shaped handles for easy control, and a 1.80 GPM flow rate. You need to bear in mind that it’s a bit smaller in design because it was made for a bar or prep sink area. The design itself is very stylish and it’s easy to install.

Features

• High arc, rotating spout
• Ergonomic blade handles
• 3-hole sink application
• Water Efficient Product meeting CALGreen standards
• Low Lead Certified
• ADA Compliant

Pros

✅ Consumers loved its simplicity

✅ Easy to installation

✅ Reasonably priced

✅ All parts are metal construction

Cons

⛔ Lack of control

⛔ Doesn’t come with hoses

⛔ Doesn’t use standard threads

Final Verdict

This is an overall good faucet and seems to be best used in bar/prep sinks, cabins, wet rooms, garage sinks, and any other place where you need to have room in a small area. There do seem to be some complaints regarding a discrepancy on the site and what you receive, with many saying it is listed as a 2 hole installation but was only for a 3 hole installation.

#7 KOHLER K-10445-BN Forte (Easy To Keep Clean)

The Kohler Forte faucet has a widespread mount and ceramic disc valves for greater longevity. The fluid design makes it easy to clean and the handles come pre-assembled on the valves, making installation much easier. The maximum flow rate for this faucet is 2.2 GPM. The finish on the faucet is resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, and it comes with a matching side sprayer.

In all, this faucet has a very versatile design to it with a vibrant finish that would look good in most kitchens. The two levers are designed for ease of use and allow you to find your optimal water temperature.

Features

• Fitted with easy-to-install and leak-free UltraGlide™ valves for durability
• Kohler brand ceramic disc valves ensure longevity and a lifetime of durable performance
• Finish that resists corrosion and tarnishing
• Fluid design allows for easier cleaning
• Handles come pre-assembled to the valves making installation simpler

Pros

✅ One-piece ceramic disc valve crushes and removes debris

✅ High-temperature limit stop keeps the temperature at a safe level

✅ Easy installation

✅ Mid-range price

Cons

⛔ Some buyers reported leaks after a short time of use

Final Verdict

Kohler itself is a decent brand to buy and, for the most part, this faucet seems to tick all the boxes. Its mid-range in price, which may be a bit expensive if you’re on a tight budget. The issue with leaking after a short period of time hasn’t been determined if it was user error in installation or not.

#8 Moen S713 Waterhill (Best for Versatile Design)

Out of all of the two handle faucets we assessed, the Moen Waterhill is our top recommendation. The faucet itself has an elegant looking gooseneck style with an aerated water stream for your day to day tasks. It also comes with a matching side sprayer that gives you a bit more of an extended reach when tackling heavier cleaning jobs. It’s Duralock Quick Connect system makes it easy to install with a standard mounting design that will fit on just about any countertop or sink.

Looks wise, the Moen Waterhill has a traditional old fashion charm to it and was made to be paired with other Waterhill products in this range. The faucet comes in 4 colors; chrome, wrought iron, classic stainless steel, and oil rubbed bronze.

Features 

• High arched faucet allows for more room
• Two-Handle levers with hot and cold indicators
• Single function side sprayer that can be installed separately
• Deck mount design
• Duralock Quick Connect system
• 2.0 gpm maximum water flow rate
• Limited lifetime warranty

Pros

✅ Easy to install

✅ Is part of a matching range

✅ Limited Lifetime Warranty

Cons

⛔ Expensive

⛔ There is the risk of leaking that you get with any two handled kitchen faucet.

Final Verdict

The Moen S713 Waterhill is the top choice for a reason, and though it is priced a bit on the higher side, most of the people we spoke with absolutely loved the faucet. Add to this the fact that most found it very easy to install, this looks like a real winner for your two handle kitchen faucet needs.

How To Install a Two Handle Kitchen Faucet

This guide is for a 4 holes installation with a side spray for a 3 hole installation without a side spray.

Tools you will need

• An adjustable wrench
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Flashlight
• Cleanup cloth
• It may also be helpful to have someone lend you a hand when you need to work under the sink.

Before installation

1 – Remove your old faucet and clean the surrounding area of the sink where the new faucet will go

2 – Make sure your water supply valves are shut off

You may need to do a bit of disassembling before you get started, just to remove the parts that secure faucet to the sink

1 – Unthread and remove the two wing nuts

2 – Unthread and remove the wing nut from the hose guide, and set those aside for now

You should have the following items-

• 1 pre-assembled faucet
• 2 wing nuts
• 1 hose guide
• 1 side spray
• 1 side spray plug with black washer inside

* If your deck plate has been designed with tight seal technology you won’t need to apply putty or silicon. The tight seal systems ensure a tight seal to the mounting surface.

Installation without side spray

If you are not installing the side spray, you will need to use the side spray plug. Make sure you thread it securely onto the fitting.

Installation on 4 hole sink with side spray

1 – Insert the hose guide and side spray hose through the gasket and then into the sink hole.

2 – Go under the sink and hand tighten the wingnut to secure the hose guide to the sink.

3 – Feed the side spray hose back up through the center hole (have someone topside to help the hose in place)

4 – Return topside and tighten the side spray hose to the bottom of the faucet, then insert the faucet shanks through the holes in the sink, and align the faucet to the sinks surface.

5 – From under the sink, secure the faucet by hand, tightening the wingnuts (have someone topside to make sure its tightened on straight)

Connecting water lines

* Hot always connects to the left inlet and cold to the right

1 – With an adjustable wrench, connect the water supply lines for your cold water, and then connect the hot water.

Now check for leaks

1 – Go back under the sink and turn on the hot and cold water valves. Make sure water lines are not dripping or spraying any water.

2 – Go topside and remove the aerator housing from the faucet spout and run water for about 15 seconds on both hot and cold. This will help clear any debris.

3 – When done, screw the aerator back on.

Lastly, you want to confirm that your faucet is functioning properly. Check both hot and cold water handles, spout rotation, and side spray operation. Also, check for any leaks topside.

See also:

• Best Kitchen Faucet With Side Sprayer
• Best Kitchen Faucet for Low Water Pressure
• Best Kitchen Faucets for Hard Water
• Best Kitchen Faucets for Farmhouse Sinks
• Absolute Best Luxury Kitchen Faucets
• Best High End Kitchen Faucet You Must Have
• How To Fix a Kitchen Sink Sprayer in Easy Steps!