It is said that the kitchen faucet is one of the most used sanitary items in every home. Moreover, a kitchen faucet is the heart and one of the essential parts of every kitchen. However, a malfunction in your kitchen’s heart (kitchen faucet) can disturb your whole kitchen schedule and cleaning routine. The most common type of malfunction in kitchen faucets is the low water pressure from faucets.
And believe us, it’s one of the most annoying and frustrating things when you have dirty dishes in the sink. You turn on the sink faucet, and only the drips of water come out! What could be more annoying than that? Many reasons lead to low water pressure and dripping of water even when you turn on the faucet. However, the most common reason behind the low water pressure is leaking your faucet cartridge or clogging inside the cartridge.
That’s why it’s recommended to purchase good quality and premium faucet cartridges that can prevent these problems in future usage. For your ease, we have selected the three best Moin cartridges for your convenience, which are Moen 1224 vs. 1224b vs. 1248, compared them, and reviewed them for you.
So let’s get into it!
What is Faucet Cartridges?
A faucet cartridge is a simple device that is used to control the flow of water. Today, most faucet cartridges work in only one direction, either in the x-axis or on the y-axis. The x-axis mentioned on the cartridge means that the cartridge will only work with a faucet’s knob that works in up and down motion. A cartridge mentioned with the y-axis means the cartridge will only work with the faucets that open and close in the left or right position. The cartridges are synchronized with the knob of your faucets. So you can manage the flow of water from cartridges through the control knob of faucets. However, cartridge technology isn’t new. We’ve written a brief in the next section.
Best Kitchen Faucet Cartridges for Your Home or Office
We know, a faucet cartridge is not like a device that you can replace anytime you want. First of all, they are pretty expensive. Secondly, you need to hire a professional plumber to replace the faucet cartridge of your water faucets. Therefore, it’s essential to invest in a good quality cartridge that lasts longer. Also, it’ll save your labor cost and time as well. For your ease, we’ve hand-picked three best of the best faucet cartridges, reviewed them, and compared them with each other.
So let’s get into our review and comparison:
Comparison: Moen 1224 vs 1224b vs 1248
| Product | Specs | Its Best for | # |
| Moen 1224 | Fits all Moen 2 handle faucets and used in 2, 3 handle tub showers | Faucets that have auto-jamming features. Because 1224 can move freely 360°. | Check Price |
| Moen 1224B | Highly durable and quality construction | Best for those faucets which don’t have any auto-jamming feature. 1224B will lock itself and the lever at 180°. | Check Price |
| Moen 1248 | two handle replacement cartridge, high-flow Roman tub for 4999 valve | Usually fitted in roman tubs. | Check Price |
#1. MOEN 1224
Moen brand is always known for making some of the best and flagship kitchen sanitary and bathing products. Moreover, it’s no wonder that Moen faucet cartridges are one the highly sold and top reviewed cartridges against any other cartridge in its competition on many other online stores. The first thing you’ll notice in this cartridge is the built quality and weight of this cartridge. However, weight can’t determine the quality of this product.
But usually, a heavier cartridge reflects the well built-quality, especially when it’s from a flagship brand. The cartridge is made up of premium and high-quality brass that will last for years. This cartridge’s anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation coating will prevent it from getting rusted, fungi, oxidized, and clogged. However, its anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion coating can’t stay forever. But at least it will extend its life by seven times.
What’s the Recommended use of Moen 1224
Moen’s 1224 faucet cartridge is a perfect match if you want a premium and flagship quality cartridge for your faucets. You can fix the cartridge in most modern kitchen faucets. However, we’ll suggest you use this cartridge only with the Moen faucets.
Because, according to our research, we found that this product may not be suitable if you use it with non-Moen faucets. Although it does come with a one year warranty, the company will not claim a warranty if the problem is with your faucet’s fitting. That’s why according to our research of this cartridge, we’ll only suggest using this product with Moen’s faucet only.
Do experts, and why recommend it?
Yes, Moen 1224 is our personal recommended faucet cartridge as well as it’s recommended by the experts as well. Moreover, this product got the “Amazon’s Choice” badge and is the top-reviewed faucet cartridge on Amazon as well as on many other online stores. The first most highlighted pro of Moen 1224 is its built quality. The cartridge is made up of a brass body that makes it highly resistive to corrosion and reaction against hard water of kitchen faucets. Secondly, the cartridge is a perfect fit if you already have any Moen’s faucet in your kitchen. Lastly, you get one year of warranty from the Moen brand.
Pros:
- A brass body that makes it highly resistive to corrosion and reaction against had water
- Anti-corrosion and anti-oxidation coating will extend its life by seven times
- Suitable for the majority of the Moen faucets
- One year brand’s warranty
Cons:
- The cartridge may not be suitable if you have a non-Moen faucet.
#2. Moen 1224B
Moen 1224B works in the motion of the x-axis. This means this cartridge is for the faucets which handle moves in the left and right motion, not for up and down levers. Just like other Moen products, this cartridge also offers premium quality and flagship-level built quality. Therefore, you don’t need to be worried about anything regarding its life and quality issues. Moen cartridges are one of the top-rated and recommended by Amazon itself. Because the quality you get from these cartridges is worth the money you pay.
What’s the recommended use or purpose of using this?
We know you might be confused between Moen 1224 and Moen 1224B as they both look identical. Besides their identical look, both have different working and designed for different types of faucets. The 1224B is designed for those faucets which don’t have an ending point. This means to say. The 122B will stop and jam itself after rotating to 180°.
This auto jamming function makes it perfect for those faucets which don’t have any ending point and spin all the way. Whereas 1224 doesn’t have any auto jamming and rotates all the way to 360°. Therefore, 1224 is ideal for those faucets which already have an auto-stopping feature. And 1224B is for those faucets, which don’t have an auto-stopping feature.
Pros:
- Anti-oxidation coating to prevent corrosion
- Auto jam feature that stops the lever when turned to 180°
- Ideal for both hot and cold water supplies
- One year brand warranty
Cons:
- Before buying, note that 1224B has an auto-stopping feature that jams the lever when it’s turned to 180°.
#3. Moen 1248
Moen 1248 is mainly designed for roman tub faucets where the faucet lever is attached with the deck of the tub. Like other Moen cartridges, 1248 is also made with brass material and comes with the same anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion coating.
Because it’s a roman tub cartridge, you can easily attach the extension tube that connects the faucet and cartridge. Another important thing that we like to mention here is its spinning capability. 1248 can easily spin 360° both clockwise and anti-clockwise. Therefore, you can attach it from any side to your faucet.
What’s the recommended use or purpose of using this?
However, before buying, make sure to check your model number on the Amazon Confirm Fit placed on the top of the product link so that you can confirm if your faucet is suitable with 1248. Now you might be confused; why can’t you use any faucet cartridge into roman tub faucets such as 1224 or 1224B?
The answer is very straightforward because, in roman tub faucets, you usually need a high amount of water per minute. A typical kitchen faucet cartridge can pump a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute. On the other side, roman tub cartridges can pump at least 2 gallons of water per minute. Moreover, roman tub cartridges such as 1248 can rotate freely 360° from any left or right side.
Advantages:
- Solid brass body
- Can pump at least 2 gallons of water per minute
- Can rotate freely 360° from any left or right side.
- Easy installation on most of the roman tubs
Cons:
- You might need to call a plumber, as installing roman tub faucets is a bit complicated.
Installation Guide of Moen Cartridges
Install it as follows-
- First of all, shut off all the main water supply of the respected faucet. Open the faucet to relieve any water pressure and drain the lines.
- No, gather all the necessary tools. For Moen faucets and cartridges, using a Philips screwdriver, Allen wrench, and adjustable pliers will make your work easier.
- Now, if using Moen faucets, use the Allen wrench to remove the lever. Once you open the lever, use the plier to open the cartridge nut.
- Pull out the old cartridge and install the new cartridge according to your faucet’s size.
- Now do the opposite of the above first two steps to close the cartridge and faucet lever.
- You’re done!
FAQs
Why Is The Moen Faucet Leaking After Replacing The Cartridge?
It may be because either your cartridge isn’t compatible with your faucet or you’ve not fitted the cartridge in the right way. Still, if everything is clear and the cartridge is leaking, you can claim the warranty!
How Do You Get A Stuck Moen 1224 Cartridge Out?
On a personal note, you can try WD-40. Since the clogging and fungus on your old cartridge due to hard water causes it to stick with the trim. In that case, using WD-40 is the best choice.
How Do You Change A Moen 1224 B Cartridge?
Would you please read the “Installation Guide of Moen Cartridges” section above in the article?
How Long Does A Moen Cartridge Last?
It can last up to at least 2-3 years.
How To Determine The Correct Moen Cartridge?
Use the “Amazon Confirm Fit” on the product page.
How Do I Know Which Moen Faucet Cartridge I Need?
Same as Q5, you can use “Amazon Confirm Fit” to know which model of Moen cartridge is suitable for your faucet.
Conclusion
Just like any other working machine, your faucet cartridge also needs to be replaced. However, a typical cartridge can work for at least 1-3 years; we recommend replacing them after every two years. Because, over time, the hard water minerals, impurities, and oxidizing effect of water make the cartridges rusted, fungi, and clogged. Not only does this slow down the flow of water or cause leakage, but the water coming out of that faucet can affect your stomach. That’s why for your ease, in this article, we’ve reviewed and compared the three best cartridges that are Moen 1224 vs. 1224b vs. 1248.
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See Also:
Moen 2510 vs 2520 – Comparison & Reviews
Delta R10000 VS R11000
