I love them! For the simple reason of easily setting your water temp. I don't mind 2 handles for a bathroom that's not used often, but for everyday use I prefer to use one handle. Not a huge time-saver just a little more convenient. :)

It really comes down to looks. I really dont see a functional reason to take one over the other. Good luck.

It is easier with some of the one handled faucets to "bump" the water on by pushing up on the lever with an elbow or back of an otherwise dirty hand.

I've lived with both single and double handled faucets. I just finished a house and had single put in. So far, I kinda miss my double (just a smidge). Mainly because of the ease of slight temperature adjustments. With double, you just twist a bit, one handle or the other. With my current faucet, it seems much harder to get exactly the temp I want.

However, that could be the specific faucet, the newness of it, etc. Our shower faucets are single handled too, and I've already learned where to position it for the perfect temp. Just can't get the sink one there!

So if I'm already missing my doubles just a little, why did I go single? Ease of cleaning, really. I hate having to get between the handles & spout for cleaning. I always seem to need a cloth and toothbrush to get in the really small places. I went with single hole, single handle faucets this time and they are a DREAM to clean. :)

Personally, I prefer singles for kitchens and doubles in bathrooms.

A single lever in the kitchen for just the reason others mentioned...flick it on with your arm, a pot handle, a utensil, whatever works when your hands are full or dirty.

In the bathroom, a lot of time I want just cold water...to drink, brushing teeth, etc. Or just hot water...shaving, whatever. Sure I could do that with a lever. But I think I also just prefer the look of a more traditional 8" widespread over a single holer in the bathroom.

I would consider a faucet handle that is going to be easier to clean and that you can turn on and off (if you don't have a Tapmaster) with the back of your hand or arm. This style is also easier for arthritic hands. A breeze to wipe clean.
Monica

There's something the plumber said about pressure perhaps, that often is better in the two-handle ones? I don't know but STRONGLY prefer those anyway. Plumbing forum might have some tech opinions.

We made a point of using single handle faucets in the bathrooms and kitchen. It's just so much easier then having to try and adjust two handles for just the right mix.

We made a point of using single handle faucets in the bathrooms and kitchen. It's just so much easier then having to try and adjust two handles for just the right mix.
I agree...it is either too hot, or too cold, or not enough water, or too much water.

monicakm, what is your sink made of??? It's very pretty!

I plan to get single handles. my sister put them in her house - kitchen, baths, laundry and says it is much easier for our arthritic hands to maneuver. I also have trigger thumbs - so the less used the better.

having 2 to adjust vs 1 is a lot for me. and her.

i probably won't change out the less used bath right away tho.

easier to clean is another reason. if one option is easier to clean, that's the one I take if possible.

I get the impression that a much more expensive faucet will have more fine tuning and fine finger control.
I get the impression that at a low level of quality, the single handle mixer valve is not much good.
I've seen many that are "either too hot, or too cold, or not enough water, or too much water."

I get the impression that it's the same for the two handle faucets.
It may be a reason to spend 2 to 10 times the price of a hardware store special.

I wish I could run every faucet with real pressurized water in it.

We are adding a new masterbath and remodeling our kitchen down to the studs. All of our new faucets will be single levers. First, they have cleaner lines to my eye. Less "stuff" at the sink. Second, they are much easier to clean. And third, and by far the most important to me, is the ease of water temperature and pressure control. Having to adjust to handles to get the right water to wash my face at night bugs me to no end. I'd rather spend those last precious seconds of the day relaxing in bed than fiddling with a faucet. God love the person who invented the single lever! (OK, OK, it's late and I'm tired! ;) )

I've never liked the look of a single for a bathoom (or the little 4" spread faucets). The kitchen is a different story.
I don't even have to use my hands on these lever style handles. I could, if I needed, use my wrists or arms to turn them on or off. As for cleaning, the widespread mount makes that much easier and the lever style is a breeze to clean.
sippimom, my sink is from Oceana Glass. Thanks for the complement. Link below. Mine is called "Crystal Reflections". There is more color to it at different angles and lighting. I like how I can see everything in the cabinet below from the lighting above the sink :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Oceana Glass Sinks

Wow - this is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks so much!! Unfortunately, I realized after I posted this that it's a moot point, as my husband has already bought the sink. He thinks it's drilled for a widespread (it's in the garage and hard to get to to confirm), so I don't have any choice. Oops! I *have* seen some neat looking single-handle faucets while I've been looking online. Maybe next time...

pitpat - You could still do a single-handle faucet and use the reamining holes for hand and dishwash soap dispensers.

Jay

I think you'll like the 8" wide spread. (I think) it's a more upscale look.
Monica

Thank goodness the general public doesn't like the looks of Model T type engine cranks on automobiles instead of electric starters. I prefer single handle faucets.

another vote for single handles here for same reasons as all of above....:0)

Standing water in the pipes when you turn it on is often lukewarm, or "luke-cold" and then it gets colder. In this case you need to adjust the temperature along the way, unless you are happy with the cooler temperature.

To add to this, I've got a doozy of a reason to like single handle faucets.

In some places, cold water is Very Cold. You want to mix it. E.g. Lake Ontario water in Rochester and Toronto. A single handle lets you temperature adjust with one hand, or even with a finger or a bump. Plus you can adjust total flow at the same time.

In some places, cold water is Very Cold, in Winter... but not real cold, in Summer!! You want to be able to mix it easily, season to season! E.g. downstream of Lake Ontario on the St. Lawrence river, which has freezing cold water from November to March and not cold from late Spring to early Fall. Parts of upstate NY, eastern Ontario and Quebec. With seasonal variations in cold water temperature you want to mix it easily, and the requirement to mix it changes from month to month. You heard it here first.

So, in some regions, it really comes down to temperature. This IS a functional reason to take single handle faucets and not two handle faucets, which force you to toggle back and forth across two handles on opposite sides of your body. You read it here first.

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I might be the only person here who hates single handles!
And for me it is because they have been configured to sometimes have the big part of the handle point toward the temp of the water, but sometimes there is an arrow at the base that you turn toward the H or C, the exact opposite of the other configuration. So I NEVER can figure out which way is hot or cold for sure. EVER! It takes me forever to get a glass of cold water. :-)

I much prefer an 8" widespread faucet in baths. Just for the look. No other reason.