What is the difference between cheap and expensive faucets?

Author: Camryn Gutkowski  |  Last update: Saturday, October 11, 2025

Cheap Faucets: Inexpensive faucets are often made from lower-grade materials such as plastic or lightweight metals. These materials are more prone to corrosion, wear, and damage over time. Expensive Faucets: High-end faucets are typically constructed from premium materials like solid brass or stainless steel.

Is it worth it to buy expensive faucets?

In general, expensive kitchen faucets tend to be higher quality than regular ones. They often have better build quality, more advanced features, and longer warranties. However, this is not always the case, and it's important to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase.

Are there different grades of faucets?

The main difference between contractor-grade (bought from plumbing suppliers)and retail-grade (also known as builder-grade, on the shelf at home improvement stores or on-line) plumbing fixtures is the quality of the materials used inside the faucets. Quality equals durability.

Does it matter what brand faucet I buy?

Choosing a well-known brand can help you avoid faucets that may wear out or develop issues quickly. Warranty and Support: Established brands typically offer better warranties and customer support. This can be essential if you encounter problems with your faucet down the line.

Why are some faucets so cheap?

Faucet manufacturers inexpensively mass produce products for big box stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Faucet Direct, and even Amazon. They do this by downgrading the quality of the fixture. They use lower quality brass and ephemeral finishes.

Why are some faucets cheap and some expensive?

What is the difference between a cheap and expensive faucet?

Cheap Faucets: Budget faucets may have basic functionality with limited features. They may lack advanced options like pull-out sprayers or touchless operation. Expensive Faucets: Premium faucets often come with advanced features such as touchless sensors, adjustable water flow, and multiple spray patterns.

What brand of faucets do plumbers recommend?

When revamping your kitchen, selecting a top faucet brand for your kitchen or bathroom is key to getting long-term satisfaction and ensuring you get the best value for your money. Moen, Delta, and Kohler stand out as top faucet brands among master plumbers due to their quality and availability of repair parts.

What is America's most trusted faucet brand?

Moen Named America's Most Trusted Faucet Brand for 10th Consecutive Year By Consumers, Lifestory Research Reports.

What to look for when buying faucet?

Learn how to decide on style, finish, dimensions and features to find your ideal faucet.
  • Choose your faucet style. Determine what style will fit the design of your kitchen. ...
  • Choose your faucet size. ...
  • Select your faucet features. ...
  • Choose your faucet finish. ...
  • Choose your faucet handle. ...
  • FLOW RATE. ...
  • COST. ...
  • WHERE TO BUY YOUR FAUCET.

Why are name brand faucets so expensive?

Quality Means Durability

Branded fixtures are typically made with metal—brass or stainless steel—instead of plastic, which cheaper products tend to be built of.

Is Delta at Home Depot the same quality?

Regardless of where a Delta faucet is purchased, it is held to our exacting standards. So long as the model number of the faucets in question are the same, the faucets will be no different no matter where it is sold. Retailers such as Lowe's and Home Depot do have "retail exclusive" models.

What faucet lasts the longest?

Solid brass bodies are the gold standard for durability, especially in areas with hard water. These faucets resist corrosion and tend to last longer, but they come with a higher price tag, starting at around around $500*. Zinc alloy bodies offer a more budget-friendly option, usually beginning at $100 to $150.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive taps?

The main differences between cheap and expensive taps often lie in the materials, design, functionality, and durability. Expensive taps are usually made from higher quality materials, offer better water efficiency, and come with longer warranties. They may also feature more sophisticated designs and finishes.

How much should you spend on a faucet?

You can spend as little as $40 to replace a basic chrome faucet or upwards of $2,000 on a higher-end copper model with unique functions; a popular feature-packed model like Moen Adler costs about $155.

How long do cheap faucets last?

You can figure out the lifespan of your faucet by researching the model number through its manufacturer. However, most faucets generally last about 15 years if maintained and cleaned properly.

Why are Kohler faucets so expensive?

Why is Kohler so Expensive? There are several reasons, the biggest being their commitment to using high quality materials Kohler's dedication to craftmanship, R&D, The strong reputation and brand recognition and advertising.

Does brand of faucet matter?

The next thing you want to consider is the brand of the faucet in question. This makes a huge difference in the likelihood that a repair will be successful! We'll talk more about brands in a minute, but if the faucet is made by a reputable, well-known manufacturer, then you have a better shot at repairing it.

What color faucets are timeless?

Choosing a timeless color for your kitchen faucet is a smart investment in the longevity of your kitchen's design. Classic chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black are all excellent choices that offer both style and practicality.

What makes a faucet more expensive?

Stainless steel and brass faucets are generally more expensive than zinc ones. Both materials are known for their durability, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. Brass and stainless steel faucets are also typically heavier than their zinc counterparts.

Is Moen or Kohler better?

Short answer: Both Kohler and Moen are reputable plumbing brands known for their quality, durability, and innovation. The choice depends on personal preferences and specific needs. However overall Kohler beats MOEN in a few categories such as brand age and reputation & Innovation.

Is Moen or Delta better?

Yes, Delta is better than Moen. Here are a few reasons why Delta faucets can be considered superior: Innovative Technologies: Delta is known for its innovative technologies that enhance user experience and improve water efficiency.

What is the number one faucet brand?

Most Trusted Faucet Brands

Moen: Known for its innovative designs and exceptional warranty, Moen has earned the trust of homeowners and professionals alike. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes Moen a go-to brand for reliable bathroom and kitchen faucets.

Why do plumbers prefer Delta?

Consistent Internal Mechanisms

A hallmark of Delta Faucets is their consistent internal design across different models. Delta maintains uniformity, simplifying repairs and part replacements, unlike other manufacturers that complicate designs with varied internal parts.

Is Delta a good faucet brand?

Moen, Delta, and Kohler are all reputable brands with impressive reputations for quality and durability in the plumbing industry. Moen is renowned for its durable, metal-constructed products that promise long lifespans.

Are Kohler faucets reliable?

Kohler is known for its innovative designs and high-quality materials. Their faucets are often praised for their durability and functionality.

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