Because picking the best bathroom faucet isn’t always easy, we spoke to Lonnie Thomas, founder of the faucet review site Mr. Kitchen Faucets, to get expert insight on what to look for when shopping for these devices.  “When choosing bathroom faucets, you should look at how easy they are to install, whether or not they come with instructions, what type of finish (brass, chrome, nickel, etc.) they have, and if there is an anti-scald feature on them,” Thomas says. “A good quality faucet should be easy to turn on and off, with no leaks or drips when you use it. It also needs to be durable and reliable so that you don’t need to replace it often.” With this advice in mind, our pick for the best bathroom faucet is the Moen Genta LX Single Hole Bathroom Faucet, thanks to the model’s easy installation, elegant look, and stylish waterfall spout. Read on to discover the best bathroom faucets, and find the model that’s right for your price range, needs, style preferences, and more. Keep in Mind: The water flows out of a rectangular-shaped spout instead of a traditional circular spout. Because it’s a single-handle faucet, it’s easy to control both the water temperature and flow, and it doesn’t take up as much space as a double-handle faucet. Additionally, the faucet comes with a deck plate, valve, mounting bracket, supply lines, and pop-up drain assembly kit. Having all of these items bundled together with the faucet will save you money and makes installing the faucet in your bathroom a simple process—without multiple trips to the hardware store. This isn’t the cheapest faucet on the market, but it’s less expensive than many other models—and considering the installation components that are included with your purchase, it’s a reasonable price.  Price at time of publish: $188 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Chrome, matte black, brushed nickel | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Single-hole Keep in Mind: It has a higher flow rate than other options, so it uses more water. Opt for one of five finishes—brushed nickel, black, brushed gold, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze—to find the pick that works best with your personal preferences and bathroom style. This faucet is made from corrosion- and stain-resistant metal and is designed for sinks with three installation holes. Due to its relatively compact size, it’s a practical choice for people with smaller sinks.  Although this faucet doesn’t come with supply lines, it does feature a lift rod and pop-up drain stopper, so you don’t have to buy those items separately. Additionally, the faucet comes with a durably-made aerator and an anti-leak rotator in the nozzle. Keep in mind that this faucet does have a higher flow rate than other faucets on this list, so you may see your water bill increase slightly over time. However, it’s worth the buy for the faucet’s low price and durable design. Price at time of publish: $42 Product Details: Flow Rate: 2.1 gallons per minute | Finish: Brushed nickel, black, brushed gold, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Three-hole centerset Keep in Mind: If you are on a budget or have limited counter space, this may not be the best option for you. Unlike more budget-friendly options, this elegant faucet is made from solid brass. It also has a wider variety of finishes to choose from, including polished chrome, brushed modern brass, brushed nickel, polished nickel, brushed bronze, and modern gold. This widespread faucet is easy to install, and it comes with a pop-up drain assembly kit, a leak-free valve, and a durable ceramic disc. (The only thing not included is a deck plate, which you’ll need to buy separately, if desired.) The EPA WaterSense certified faucet also features a spout made with laminar flow, which helps conserve water during use. Because it’s a widespread faucet, it may not be the best bathroom faucet for those hoping to save on countertop space—so if you have a small bathroom you might want to opt for a different model. But if you have the room and are willing to splurge, this striking faucet will make your bathroom feel extravagant and lavish.  Price at time of publish: $488 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Polished chrome, brushed modern brass, brushed nickel, polished nickel, brushed bronze, modern gold | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Three-hole widespread Keep in Mind: A deck plate isn’t included and will have to be purchased separately. The durable metal faucet boasts a sophisticated design that can work with many bathroom styles, whether you choose to go with the brushed nickel or Tuscan bronze finish. It’s designed to work with three-hole set-ups and comes with a drain kit and valve, making installation a relatively simple process. Additionally, like many other faucets on this list, this model also has WaterSense certification, so it will save on water, prevent leaks, and increase efficiency—not to mention save you money on your water bill, too. Keep in mind this faucet doesn’t include a deck plate, so if you like the look of a deck plate you’ll have to purchase one separately or choose a different model. But if your main priority is a stylish bathroom faucet that promotes tranquility, this is the best bathroom faucet for you. Price at time of publish: $150 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Brushed nickel, Tucson bronze | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Three-hole/8-inch widespread Keep in Mind: It can be prone to water spots. The faucet comes with a matching drain assembly kit with a plated flange and stopper, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing those elements separately. It also includes standard supply lines that are required for installation, as well as an optional deck. Most importantly, this faucet, like all Delta WaterSense products, uses at least 20% less water than the industry standard for bathroom faucets, which means you’ll be saving on water as you use the faucet over time. Price-wise, this faucet runs about average, at just under $100. If you’re looking for a durable, minimalist single-handle faucet that’s easy to install and doesn’t break the bank, this is the best bathroom faucet for you. However, it is prone to water spots so it may require frequent cleaning.  Price at time of publish: $85 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Chrome, Stainless | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Single hole or three-hole/4-inch Keep in Mind: It doesn’t include a deck plate. This Ultra modern faucet is an ideal choice for those who want a widespread faucet with a contemporary look. It comes in four classic finishes: polished chrome, brushed gold, brushed nickel, and matte black. The brass faucet is also rust-resistant, ensuring that it’ll be a durable and long-lasting addition to your bathroom. This faucet also comes with a drain assembly kit as well as a valve that regulates the temperature and flow of the water coming out. However, this isn’t the most leak-proof faucet on the market, and it also doesn’t come with a deck plate. But because of its mid-tier price for an upscale look, this widespread faucet is worth it despite the minor downsides.  Price at time of publish: $150 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Polished chrome, brushed gold, brushed nickel, matte black | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Three-hole widespread Keep in Mind: This faucet doesn’t include a valve, so it will need to be purchased separately. This faucet features a standard lever handle, which controls both hot and cold temperatures as well as the water flow. Because it features just one handle, it saves valuable counter space for all your other bathroom essentials.  To make the installation process simple, this faucet comes with a deck plate, supply lines, and a drain kit, saving you plenty of time and money. The only thing it doesn’t have is a valve, which you’ll need to buy separately. The device also conserves water and reduces waste, noted by its EPA WaterSense label.  If you prefer faucets that look more high-end, this may not be the best bathroom faucet for you—but if you enjoy the look and feel of a traditional, classic faucet, this is a great option.  Price at time of publish: $107 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Chrome, matte black, spot-resist brushed nickel | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Single hole, three-hole Keep in Mind: It’s susceptible to water spots, and there is no way to manually turn on the water. Additionally, this faucet features a high-arc spout to give you plenty of washing space. The product includes a push-down pop-up drain installation kit as well as a deck plate and valve to make set-up a breeze. It’s WaterSense certified, meaning it reduces water usage with high efficiency, and it also has a ceramic disc cartridge that helps prevent drips and leakage. Plus, there’s an auto-shut feature that will activate after three minutes to conserve water even further. The faucet needs four AA batteries to operate, which are conveniently included with the purchase. This faucet is available in three finishes: bronze, brushed nickel, and chrome. As for downsides, this faucet is a bit harder to keep looking clean than some other models, as it’s susceptible to water spots. There’s also no manual control if the sensor stops working. But overall, because of its price point and eco-friendly details, this is the best bathroom faucet for those who want to enjoy the ease of a touchless design. Price at time of publish: $90 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Bronze, brushed nickel, chrome | Drain Kit: Yes | Installation Type: Single hole/4-inch Keep in Mind: A pop-up drain kit isn’t included. This faucet features a single lever that controls both the flow and temperature of the water, making it straightforward to navigate. The nozzle is mineral-resistant, so it’ll look cleaner for longer than average. It’s also made from durable, rust- and corrosion-resistant seven-layer coated brass that will last for years. As a bonus, this space-saving faucet is stain- and scratch-resistant, too. The downside of this faucet is that the matching pop-up drain kit isn’t included—you’d have to buy it as a separate purchase. However, a rough-in valve and necessary installation components (like a mounting bracket) are featured in the package.  Price at time of publish: $109 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.2 gallons per minute | Finish: Chrome, matte gold, brushed nickel, matte black | Drain Kit: No | Installation Type: Two-hole wall-mounted Keep in Mind: A pop-up drain assembly kit isn’t included. You can pick from one of four finishes (black, brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze) and enjoy the sleek, glossy look of the brass faucet in your bathroom. The device is also corrosion- and scratch-resistant. Unfortunately, there’s no pop-up drain assembly kit included with this faucet, so you’ll need to buy that separately. However, it does include a 6-inch deck plate that works for sinks with one- or three-hole installation methods, as well as other helpful installation tools like hoses, compression threads, supply lines, and a mounting deck. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Flow Rate: 1.18 gallons per minute | Finish: Black, Brushed nickel, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze | Drain Kit: No | Installation Type: Single hole or three-hole vessel

What to Know About Bathroom Faucets Before Shopping

Flow Rate 

The flow rate of a bathroom faucet refers to the number of gallons per minute it uses. The lower the flow rate, the more efficient the faucet is in its water use. If you’re looking to save on water, opt for a faucet with a flow rate around 1.5 or lower.

Drain Kit 

Many bathroom faucets come with a drain assembly kit, often with push-down, pop-up styles that are easy to use and install. If you don’t want to have to buy this feature separately and pay extra money, make sure to focus on faucets that include drain kits in the purchase.

Installation Type 

Bathroom faucets can have one of several types of installation set-ups, including single-hole, wall-mounted, widespread, and more. When shopping, it’s crucial to take into account how many holes your sink has (i.e. single-hole or three hole), so you can find a faucet that will fit your countertop. You’ll also want to keep in mind how much space you have on your countertop. Widespread faucets will take up more room, since they have multiple handles, while wall-mounted and single-handle faucets will save on space.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you replace bathroom faucets?

“To replace a bathroom faucet, remove the old one, clean off any residue or grime from the threads with soap and water, then use a new washer and nut to install the replacement,” Thomas says. Make sure to carefully consult the instructions before installing the new faucet, and ensure you have the proper tools available before tackling the project.

How do you clean bathroom faucets? 

“To keep bathroom faucets clean and working properly, use only water with no soap or detergent added,” Thomas says. “If there are hard deposits on the inside of the sink, try using a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to remove them.”

“Most people prefer chrome or stainless steel faucets because they’re easy to clean and maintain,” Thomas says. “But if you want something different, bronze, brass, gold, black, or even white are also popular options.”

Who We Are

This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, The New York Times, and many other publications. She frequently covers home products and did significant research on bathroom faucets for this story, including speaking to Lonnie Thomas, founder of the faucet review site Mr. Kitchen Faucets.