How to Choose a Kitchen Faucet with Sprayer Benefits

Choosing finishes and fixtures for your kitchen may not be as exciting as designing a backsplash or ordering cabinets in bright colors, but these small details can have a big impact on the efficiency and functionality of your space.

A detail that you should not ignore: choosing a kitchen faucet with a shower. Benefits of this small but powerful attachment include faster pot filling, stronger scrubbing and spraying performance, and more efficient sink cleaning.

Here we'll explain exactly why you need a spray head in your kitchen – and how to decide which type is right for you based on function, style and features.

• Danielle Radic, Kitchen Product Manager at Moen
• Stephanie Krickeberg, Senior Product Manager, Kitchen Faucets, at Kohler

Benefits of Using a Kitchen Faucet with a Sprayer

Attaching a sprayer to your kitchen faucet offers numerous cleaning benefits. For example, using a sprayer gives you more control over the stream of water, improves maneuverability, and allows you to fill containers faster. “Whether you're rinsing the corners of your sink or cleaning fresh vegetables from the garden, a faucet with the right sprayer will help you complete your kitchen tasks quickly,” says Danielle Radic, kitchen product manager at Moen.

A particular advantage of a sprayer is that it can be dragged around the entire sink, getting into hard-to-reach areas that you would otherwise miss. “Without a sprayer, you're limited to where the faucet dispenses water,” says Stephanie Krickeberg, senior product manager of kitchen faucets at Kohler.

Types of Kitchen Faucet Sprayers

Sprayers are available in three styles: pull-down, pull-out and side sprayer. Water settings include jet or spray options, with a touch control that lets you switch between the two.

Pull-out kitchen faucet sprayers

Pulldown faucets do exactly what their name suggests: they pull down from the faucet body with greater reach and flexibility. The faucet is often taller and has a higher arch than other styles. “They're ideal for areas where you may want a taller faucet for a more dramatic appearance or to easily maneuver large pots and pans in and around the sink,” says Radic.

Extendable sprayers for kitchen faucets

Pullouts have a wand that pulls out of the faucet base and work well in narrow, vertical spaces. “Integrated spray heads such as pull-down and extendable spray heads offer the best of both worlds by creating a seamless appearance while maintaining the functionality of a sprayer,” says Radic. Function should always be a top priority, she says.

Side sprayers for kitchen faucets

Sidespray kitchen faucets are stand-alone devices that are installed next to the faucet in two-hole sinks. Sometimes it's the best choice for your particular kitchen. “Certain design aesthetics, like a traditional bridge faucet, don’t always lend themselves well to a pull-down sprayer,” says Krickeberg. “A side shower can be added to maintain the same shower jets and functionality as a fold-down shower while maintaining the desired aesthetic.”

How to choose the right kitchen faucet sprayer

When deciding which spray nozzle is right for your kitchen, your layout and design aesthetic are crucial. “Your kitchen faucet should reflect your personal style. So first choose a design that meets your expectations,” says Krickeberg. Then look for other important features, such as: B. contactless or intelligent controls that ensure a higher level of comfort and cleanliness. “It's important to think about what everyday tasks you do in the kitchen and choose a faucet that will enhance your experience in the room and help you complete everyday tasks more efficiently,” she says.

Sprayers range in design from modern to traditional and are available in a variety of colors, materials and finishes. They also come in a wide price range, from budget-conscious options priced under $100 to investment-level luxury faucets priced at $5,000.

If you're a handy DIYer, you can probably install a new faucet yourself by following the manufacturer's installation instructions. Not so practical? It might be time to call the plumber.