Which Kitchen Faucets Should You Never Ever Buy?

Is there anything more frustrating than a leaky, unreliable kitchen faucet? You rely on it countless times a day to handle cooking, cleaning, and drinking water needs. When it doesn't perform properly, it can really put a damper on your kitchen experience (pun intended).

Choosing the right kitchen faucet is critical - it's a purchase you'll likely live with for years. With so many options on the market, how do you know which brands to avoid? We'll also reveal some disappointing brands that are best left on the store shelf.

What Makes a Good Kitchen Faucet?

When evaluating kitchen faucets, there are a few key features to look for:

• Durability - Quality faucets are made of solid brass or stainless steel, not plastic parts that easily break.
• Water flow - You want good water pressure without any blocking or slowing issues.
• Leak resistance - Dependable seals, gaskets, and connections prevent messy leaks.
• Easy to use controls - Smooth handles that don't loosen or stiffen over time.
• Appearance - An attractive style that complements your kitchen decor.

Brand reputation also matters - established names known for performance and reliability are best. With lower quality faucets, you risk needing repairs or replacement much sooner. Spending a bit more upfront can save you the cost and headache down the road.

Kitchen Faucet Brands to Avoid

Now let's dive into the specific brands that consistently disappoint customers. These options are best avoided:

Peerless

Peerless faucets are readily available at home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. However, customer reviews reveal consistent quality and performance issues:

• Leaks - Peerless joints and connections tend to develop leaks over time.
• Flow blocking - Build up and wear leads to reduced water flow.
• Frequent repairs - Owners report needing regular fixes for breaks.
• Disappointing quality - Durability is not on par with competitors.

You can likely find better options than Peerless even at a similar low price point. Many customers advise avoiding this brand altogether based on first-hand experience.

Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay is a very low-cost faucet brand sold exclusively at Home Depot. But the rock bottom pricing comes at a cost:

• Weak seals lead to leaks within the first couple years.
• Faulty plastic cartridges reduce water flow over time.
• Handles loosen easily making temperature control difficult.

For a few dollars more, you can buy a much better performing faucet. Pass on potential headaches and go for a more durable brand.

Pfister

Pfister kitchen faucets are carried at major home stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. Still, they suffer from the following drawbacks according to customers:

• Slow water flow over time as mineral build up increases.
• Frequent leaks from handle connections and joints.
• Regular repairs needed as issues persist.
• Unresponsive customer service makes getting help difficult.

Considering the prevalence of problems reported with Pfister faucets, it's best to avoid this once popular brand until quality improves.

ARRISEA

ARRISEA kitchen faucets are primarily sold on ecommerce sites like Amazon and Overstock. Unfortunately, many buyers are disappointed by the performance:

• Very low quality construction doesn't hold up over time.
• Recurring issues with loose handles needing repair.
• Difficulty getting help from customer service.

As an lesser-known ecommerce brand, quality control seems to be lacking. Most customers say they regret purchasing from ARRISEA.

Retail Exclusive Brands

Major home stores often sell generic kitchen faucets under their own exclusive brand names. However, these budget-priced models universally disappoint buyers:

• Low quality components used to keep costs down.
• Joints and connections tend to leak after minimal use.
• Not suitable for the frequent use a kitchen faucet gets.

Steer clear of no-name retail exclusive brands if you want a faucet that lasts. Pay a little more for a trusted brand.

Factors to Research Before Buying a Faucet

To find a quality kitchen faucet and avoid lemons, make sure to research:

• Brand reputation - Check reviews to see actual customer experiences.
• Durability and longevity - Avoid plastic components that easily break.
• Warranty coverage - Look for at least 1 year, ideally longer.
• Customer service - Is the company easy to contact if issues arise?
• Water saving features - Models with aerators help conserve water.

Taking the time to dig into these factors will help you identify reliable brands while filtering out poorer performers.

Recommended Kitchen Faucet Brands

If you want a top performing kitchen faucet, we recommend considering these leading options:

• Moen - Offers trusted faucets with useful features like MotionSense touchless activation.
• Delta - Combines style and technology for faucets that last.
• Kohler - Known for durable, stylish designs built to handle frequent use.
• American Standard - Budget-friendly choice still built to high quality standards.

Key features to look for in your new faucet include touchless activation, pull-down spray, matte black or stainless steel finishes, and models equipped with smart home technology. Just be sure to avoid the problem brands we outlined earlier.

Replacing a kitchen faucet isn't a small investment, so you want to choose wisely. Be sure to steer clear of brands like Peerless, Glacier Bay, Pfister, ARRISEA, and retail exclusive labels. These options consistently disappoint with premature leaks, flow issues, and overall poor quality.

Taking the time to research and buy from leading brands like Moen, Delta, and Kohler will ensure you get exceptional performance for years to come. A high quality kitchen faucet will provide reliable operation while complementing your kitchen's style.