What hands-free faucet is best?
It’s a common kitchen conundrum: that weird contortionist dance of turning on the tap without getting it covered in raw chicken juice—or whatever else is on your hands. Both Delta and Moen offer hands-free taps, but with different approaches. Delta’s Pilar faucet uses an electrical grounding technology that allows you to turn on the tap by touching anywhere on the spout or the handle. Moen, on the other hand, employs sensors that detect when a hand is waved above the faucet or a cup is waiting for water below.
The Delta Pilar Kitchen Faucet
The Delta Pilar faucet activates with a tap of the wrist, forearm or elbow.
Price: $600
Technology: Touch2O
• Activated by touching anywhere on the spout or handle
• Side handle controls temperature and flow
• Battery pack under the sink
• Batteries last approximately 12 months
• LED light indicates when the faucet is on or off
• Manual bypass available by disconnecting the battery pack
With the Moen Arbor faucet, you move your hand past a sensor and then water flows.
Price: $360 to $460 (depending on finish)
Technology: MotionSense
• Activated by hand movement above the faucet or when something is placed beneath the spout
• Side handle controls temperature and flow
• Battery pack under the sink
• Batteries last approximately 12 months
• LED light indicates when the faucet is on or off
• Special valve design supports manual and digital modes; the faucet will still work if you run out of batteries
Installation tips:
• Read the instruction manual. Seriously. Do it. And check online for any instructional videos.
• Most new faucets come with a plastic extended socket to help you fasten nuts in tight spaces.
• If your hot and cold lines are outfitted with valve stops, you can simply shut off the water under the sink. But you really have to trust those stops. Turn off the water at the main shut-off, if you have any doubts.
