Kitchen

Best Brass Kitchen Faucets for 2023

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Hubert Miles

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Brass kitchen faucets, like stainless steel ones, are standard because they can withstand heavy-duty use and still last a long time. They are also highly resistant to corrosion and disintegration when exposed to such conditions, making them an excellent choice if you live in salty water or an industrial environment.

Also, kitchen and bathroom faucets with a solid brass construction tend to be lead-free and germicidal, making them very hygienic. And they can withstand hot water pretty well too. In addition, brass is attractive, highly resistant to tarnishing, and easy to clean and maintain.

brass kitchen faucet

Our Favorite Brass Kitchen Faucets

My home inspection business tests hundreds of faucets from many brands each month. In addition, we pay close attention to customer reviews and data from trustworthy services like Consumer Reports.

We also consider brand quality, durability, functionality, features, and pricing when selecting our favorite brass kitchen faucets.

Best Overall
KOHLER REC23863-SD-2MB Motif Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer and Soap Dispenser
$165.45
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09/20/2023 07:54 pm GMT

Kohler Motif Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer and Soap Dispenser

The Kohler Motif Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer and Soap Dispenser has a single-hole deck-mounted design and a deck plate, making it easy to install. It can fit in a one- or three-hole configuration. In addition, it comes with flexible water supply lines and a pre-installed braided hose and spray head, making it an excellent choice for DIY enthusiasts.

The brass faucet with brass finishing incorporates a pull-down e, allowing you to reach deep into the sink when cleaning. It also utilizes one lever to control the water pressure and temperature, making it easy to operate.

Also, the dual spray head enables you to use an aerated stream for regular cleaning or a powerful spray for heavy-duty cleaning tasks. And when the sprayer head is not in use, the faucet allows it to slide smoothly back in place and stay put, thanks to its Docknetik secure docking technology.

Furthermore, the Kohler kitchen faucet uses ceramic disc cartridges. These offer excellent seals within the faucet, protecting it from leakages for its lifetime. But if issues crop up, you can take advantage of the limited lifetime warranty.

Top Pick - Runner Up
KRAUS Britt 2nd Gen Commercial Style Pull-Down Single Handle Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Brass, KPF-1691BB
$319.95 $249.95
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09/19/2023 09:59 pm GMT

KRAUS Britt 2nd Gen Commercial Style Pull-Down Single Handle Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Brass

The KRAUS Britt 2nd Gen Commercial Style Pull-Down Faucet consists of lead-free faucet body and water lines, making it safe and non-toxic. And the wear-resistant brass finish prevents tarnishing and is highly resistant to corrosion, enhancing the durability of the brass faucet. Also, the soft rubber spray holes in the nozzle are easy to clean, preventing long-term mineral buildup.

It has an ADA-compliant single handle that can rotate 45 degrees forward for easy operation, allowing it to work efficiently in more compact spaces. Also, it has an open-coil spout that can swivel 360 degrees and a pull-down spray head, giving it a more extensive range of motion and allowing you to fill large pots and pans.

The Kraus faucet also has a single-hole installation design for easy setup. In addition, it includes mounting hardware, pre-attached nylon water lines, a QuickConnect sprayer hose, and a QuickWeight counterweight. These components make installing the kitchen faucet even more straightforward. So, you don’t need to hire a professional plumber.

In addition, the Kraus faucet has a three-setting spray head that includes an aerated stream for standard cleaning, a powerful spray for heavy-duty tasks, and a pause mode to stop the water flow while in use. Since it produces a maximum flow rate of 1.8gpm, you don’t have to worry about wasting water while using it. And there’s nothing to worry about constant drips either because the faucet has a ceramic disc cartridge that prevents leakages.

Top Pick - Runner Up
KRAUS Oletto Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Brass / Matte Black, KPF-2820BBMB
$269.95 $219.95
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09/20/2023 07:44 am GMT

KRAUS Oletto Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Brass / Matte Black

The KRAUS Oletto Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet has a stylish matte black and brushed brass finish, which hides watermarks and fingerprints, and prevents fading and tarnishing, making it easy to clean and maintain. It looks attractive enough to act as a focal point in any kitchen where it is installed. And it has nylon water lines that enhance its durability.

Also, the Kraus Oletto faucet is compact enough to fit underneath most kitchen faucets. But its spout swivels 360 degrees, extending its range of motion. And its reach is further enhanced by its pull-down spray head that incorporates reach technology and makes it easier to maneuver. Its easy-retract hose with a swivel adapter also extends its reach by allowing you to move it around the sink.

You don’t have to worry about wasting water excessively when you switch from the standard aerated stream to heavy-duty spray mode. The faucet has a maximum flow rate of 1.8 gpm, thanks to its water-efficient aerator. It also incorporates a ceramic disc cartridge that prevents leakages during its working life.

The comfort-grip ergonomic single-handle is easy to operate and can rotate forward up to 19 degrees. It allows you to control water pressure and temperature easily.

It is worth noting that the Kraus Oletto faucet mounting hardware, pre-attached water lines, Snap-On counterweight, and quick connect sprayer hose. Therefore, it’s easy to install and is a good choice for any DIY enthusiast.

Moreover, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Top Pick
Kraus KPF-2620BB Oletto Kitchen Faucet, 16 Inch, Brushed Brass
$269.95 $218.30
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09/20/2023 11:59 pm GMT

Kraus KPF-2620BB Oletto Kitchen Faucet, Brushed Brass

The Kraus KPF-2620BB Oletto Kitchen Faucet is a high-arc gooseneck spout faucet that provides clearance for oversized pots and pans. The spout swivels 360 degrees for a more extended range of motion. Also, it includes an easy-retract hose with reach technology and a swivel adapter to enable you to maneuver the spray head all over the sink.

The brushed brass finish is highly resistant to tarnishing, fading, and corrosion, enhancing its durability, stylishness, and ease of maintenance. And the faucet can fit well within any contemporary home. Also, the brass body and water lines are lead-free, enhancing their hygienic standards, durability, and ability to prevent leakages.

In addition, the faucet sprayer enables you to use the aerated stream for regular cleaning and the powerful spray for rinsing tasks. It has easy-to-clean nozzles that prevent mineral buildup. And its 90-degree forward rotation single-lever handle is ADA-compliant, making it easy to operate.

It is also worth noting that the single-hole Kraus faucet comes with a deck plate and is designed to be mounted on any sink deck, including those made from tougher materials like granite. Its ease of installation is further enhanced by the QuickConnect sprayer hose, pre-attached water lines, QuickWeight counterweight, and other mounting hardware.

Top Pick
Kingston Brass KS1273ALBS Heritage 8-Inch Kitchen Bridge Faucet with Brass Sprayer, Antique Brass
$439.95 $201.04
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09/21/2023 02:24 am GMT

Kingston Brass Bridge Kitchen Faucet with Sprayer, Antique Brass

The Kingston Brass Heritage 8-Inch Kitchen Bridge Faucet with Sprayer has an antique brass finish, making it an excellent addition to any farmhouse sink or other traditional home. In addition, it produces a maximum water flow rate of 1.8gpm at 60psi, making it Compliant with California Energy Commission Title 20. And the incorporated ceramic disc cartridge makes this a leak-free faucet.

Its spout has a 360-degree swivel capacity, allowing it to extend its range of motion. The bridge faucet is designed to suit a four-hole center set design configuration and has a one-touch side sprayer that enables you to clean those hard-to-reach areas. Also, it utilizes the deck-mount style, making installation easier. And it has two handles, allowing for more precise mixing of hot and cold water.

Unlike unlacquered brass bridge kitchen faucets, this faucet is sealed and won’t darken over time.

Top Budget Option

Vintage Brass Antique Bronze Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer

The Vintage Brass Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer has a bronze finish, enhancing its ability to resist water marks, fingerprints, and durability. It is lead- and zinc-free, too, thus making it safer for humans and animals alike.

Also, the vintage brass faucet incorporates an easy-to-install deck mount style. And it has G9/16 specifications that make it compatible with most European-style sinks.

The high-arc spout, 360-degree rotatable mouth, and pull-down sprayer increase the clearance under the sink and range of motion. And the triple-function sprayer offers aerated stream, non-splash spray, and powerful aqua blade water settings that accommodate all kinds of cleaning tasks. In addition, the single handle allows for easy operation.

brass kitchen faucet

What to Look for When Buying a Brass Kitchen Faucet

Below are the things to look out for when shopping for brass faucets.

Number of handles

Some brass kitchen faucets may have one handle, while others may have two. A single-handle kitchen faucet is usually easier to operate, and you can move the lever sideways or up and down to control the water temperature and pressure. For that reason, many ADA-compliant taps tend to feature this design.

On the other hand, the double-handle kitchen faucet uses two levers to control the temperature. As a result, it is more challenging to manage. However, it allows for more precise mixing of hot and cold water. And it may be the best option for homes with children since they can tell the hot and cold taps apart.

Mounting style

Kitchen faucets can be deck-mounted or wall-mounted. Each of these mounting styles offers its fair share of pros and cons.

Typically, the deck-mount design involves attaching the faucet onto a deck plate placed on the sink’s countertop. If you are all about DIY projects, this mounting style is best because it is easy to install. In addition, the water lines are usually located close by. However, it makes it more challenging to clean the faucet because they experience more dirt buildup over time.

On the other hand, wall-mounted kitchen faucets, such as pot fillers, are trickier to install. You would have to spend more effort opening up the walls and rerouting water lines before attaching the faucet. And that may require a high level of expertise you may not have. However, they look stylish, work well in compact spaces with minimal countertops, and are much easier to clean since they aren’t surrounded by water all the time.

Surface finishes

Many brass faucets also come with a surface finish, which enhances the faucet’s appearance and functionality while offering additional protection. But some are left unfinished. So, it would help if you considered that when shopping.

You could opt for an unlacquered brass kitchen faucet with sprayer or a brass bridge kitchen faucet. It is usually unsealed to allow for oxidation over time, so it darkens and gets worn out to achieve an aged look. And it is easy to clean and maintain. If your kitchen has a traditional style, the raw brass faucets will fit right in.

But the antique brass look is not for everyone. So, you may want to consider other kinds of protective coatings. For example, polished chrome adds a shiny silvery look to your brass faucet at a low cost, making it an excellent choice for non-traditional home styles. It also prevents the faucet from tarnishing or getting scratched and is easy to clean and maintain.

Polished nickel is also one of the available brass finishes. It’s darker and softer in appearance and hides fingerprints and water spots better, making it easier to clean and maintain your brass faucets. However, it is more expensive than chrome.

Other kinds of brass finish include matte black, which is easy to maintain and suitable for modern homes, brushed gold for added elegance and sophistication, and oil-rubbed bronze, which adds a vintage feel to polished brass. Again, it pays to explore all your options to choose the best finish for your needs.

Associated price

Brass faucets may cost $50 or more, depending on the brand and quality. So, it would help if you did whatever you could to lower the purchase cost. For example, you could buy products that come with a free shipping offer.

You may also want to consider the ease of installation. Faucets that are easy to assemble and install will cost you less. In addition, you can set them up yourself without hiring a professional plumber.

Operational design

How your brass kitchen faucet functions also matter. One way to consider functionality is by looking at whether the tap has a pull-out or pull-down design.

Pull-down kitchen faucets usually incorporate a spray head that can be pulled downwards towards the sink. They are more ergonomic. However, they have a taller spout and work best for deeper sinks.

On the other hand, pull-out kitchen faucets have a spray wand you can pull toward yourself. Their design is less ergonomic. But they can work with many sink sizes, especially shallower ones, and take less headroom.

By installing it next to the main faucet, you can opt for a side sprayer if your brass faucet doesn’t have an integrated spray head. Then, when you turn on the water, you can divert it to that brass sprayer to use it for heavy-duty tasks.

The spout height is also worth considering because they determine the clearance space you will have underneath to fill pots and pans or clean. High-arc spouts are better for larger pots and pans. In addition, you ought to think about the spout reach. Faucets with a more extensive reach can cover larger kitchen sinks. However, if they are installed on smaller sinks, they will cause water splashes all over.

You also want to prioritize a swivel spout. The more extended its range of motion is, the more area you can cover across the sink.

The placement of the faucet body and its handles also matters. Brass faucets with a center set design usually have the faucet body and handle stemming from the same base plate, saving space. Everything is connected. So, you can easily find a single-hole deck plate that is easy to install and set everything up yourself.

On the other hand, widespread brass faucets are separate from their handles and aren’t connected. As a result, they are stylish and easy to clean. But they also require more mounting space and are more challenging to install.

Eco-friendliness

A ceramic disc faucet will solve your water leakage issues. Faucet valves of this kind are more durable than plastic or rubber and better able to withstand friction and temperature extremes. In addition, they only require a slight turn to operate. As a result, they allow fewer leak points for water to pass through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about brass kitchen faucets.

Is Brass Good for Kitchen Faucets?

Brass is perfect for kitchen faucets. It is robust, durable, corrosion-resistant, and hygienic. In addition, because it is easy to cast, it is versatile. As a result, you will find a wide range of kitchen faucets to suit all preferences. Also, its parts are common. So, you can easily find a replacement for a non-functioning component.

What Lasts Longer Brass or Stainless Steel?

Both brass and stainless steel are preferred for their durability. However, stainless steel faucets will last longer. But brass offers a higher level of corrosion resistance, allowing it to resist rust and heat quite well.

Will Brass Faucets Go Out of Style?

Brass is one of the oldest materials used in the plumbing industry. Unlacquered, they achieve an aged look over time, making them suitable for traditional homes.

However, you can modernize them by polishing them or coating them with other modern finishes, such as brushed nickel or chrome. So, brass faucets will never go out of style. Instead, they will be adapted to suit the latest trends.

Is Zinc or Brass Better for Kitchen Faucets?

Zinc faucets are cheaper than brass, making them a better option for anyone with a small budget. However, brass is better than zinc for kitchen faucets in many ways. For example, it is more robust, rust-resistant, and durable. So, in the end, you will get your money’s worth by choosing brass faucets over those made of zinc or zinc alloy.

Do Brass Faucets Tarnish?

Brass faucets can tarnish, especially when they are unlacquered because when they are exposed to the elements, especially water, and oxygen, they will experience oxidation. However, regularly polished brass or brass with protective coatings like brushed nickel or chrome is less likely to get tarnished because it won’t have a chance to oxidize.

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Hubert Miles

I've been conducting professional home inspections since 2002. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Professional Inspector (CPI), Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. I started HomeInspectionInsider.com to help people better understand the home inspection process and answer questions about homeownership and home maintenance.
DISCLAIMER: The content published on HomeInspectionInsider.com is not professional advice. You should consult with a licensed professional and check local permit requirements before starting any project.
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