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 double, 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 spent 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
| Product | Weight | Size | Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF | 3.34 lb | 19.2 x 11.7 x 2.5 in | 1.8 GPM |
| Peerless Tunbridge P299578LF | 3.75 lb | 20 x 3 x 12 in | 1.8 GPM |
| Peerless P299305LF | 4.77 lb | 2.7 x 11.4 x 16.7 in | 1.8 GPM |
| Moen CA87888 | 4.4 lb | 3 x 8 x 9 in | Not specified |
| Kingston Brass KS1278TXBS | 8.95 lb | 13 x 8.75 x 8 in | 1.2 GPM |
| Peerless Tunbridge P288LF | 2.2 lb | 5.03 x 6.03 x 11.31 in | 1.8 GPM |
| KOHLER K-10445-BN Forte | 5 lb | 26 x 10.5 x 3.5 in | 2.2 GPM |
| Moen S713 Waterhill | 11.6 lb | 9.38 x 14.63 x 11.47 in | 1.5 GPM |
Reviews of the 8 Best Two Handle Kitchen Faucets
#1 Delta Faucet Windemere 21996LF (Best for Overall)
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 the 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 decks mounted and water output is 1.8 GPM. Even though it’s 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 their 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 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 comes with the faucet is 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, while 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
- The 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 the hose
- ADA compliant
- All hardware needed for mounting is included with the 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 the 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 a 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 it’s part of a range that lets you match your 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
- The 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 a 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. Its 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, and this looks like a real winner for your two-handle kitchen faucet needs.
FAQs
Why Do Faucets Have Two Handles?
Faucets come in a variety of styles and designs, but the majority have two handles because it makes them easier to use. This is why most people turn on the faucet using one hand while they brace their other hand against the side of the sink.
Have you ever tried turning on a faucet with just one hand? It’s pretty difficult!
Two handles also make it easier to conserve water because you can use less pressure when trying to splash water onto your face or wash your hands. And lastly, having multiple handles allows for more control over where the stream of water goes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a new kitchen faucet, it’s important to consider the various options out there. Two-handle kitchen faucets are a great option because they are easy to use and they provide a high level of flexibility when it comes to adjusting the flow and temperature of the water.
Hope this guide will be helpful in your search and find the best two handle kitchen faucet!
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