I think the amount of splash probably depends on the water pressure and the particular faucet. I had a Delta Victorian pull down in my last house and loved it. I'm using a Delta Savile pull down in this kitchen.

The old kitchen in this house had a pull out that I despised. I found it awkward to pull the whole neck out. Also, this particular faucet had a terribly weighted arm to turn it on. I could never let the water just flow softly or the water would turn itself off. It had to be on full blast or nothing. I'm sure that had nothing to do with pull down vs pull out, though.

I don't find splashing to be a problem with my pull-down, either

I prefer a pull-down to a pull-out because I think it's more functional. Whether mine splashes depends on the water pressure, how high and what I'm washing. (ex. If I turn it on high and hold a basket of blueberries right under it, yes it will splash - if I put the blueberries down on the grid, it won't)

Thank you for this discussion. We are struggling with the dirty sink faucet choice.

I don't notice a splash problem with my pull down in the kitchen either. However, I have a pull down in the laundry room that is plain and simply too large for the sink and it does splash. It does not hit in an appropriate spot in the sink and it's just the wrong reach, wrong angle - ill suited. The sink warranted a smaller bar sized faucet which I knew but I didn't want to spend MORE for a smaller less used faucet. It is fine but if it were my every day it would bother me.

My Mom had a pull out and I never got comfortable with it. She remodeled and moved to a pull down and took to it quickly and likes it much better for ease of use.

I prefer a pull-out because I have short arms, and don't like having to reach the few extra inches towards the back of the sink to rinse things under a pull-down. I know it's only a matter of a 2 or 3 inches of difference in reach, but standing at the sink with a pull-down which is toward the back of the sink is hard for me. I prefer that a pull-out has a reach that is closer to me. I have never found using the spray in a pull-out to be awkward.

This topic is difficult with no "correct" answer - so much depends on the design of the individual faucet, regardless whether it's a pull-out or pull-down. When shopping for a faucet, it is helpful to see them on display, so that you can feel how they feel in your hand. It's like shopping for jeans - everyone fits differently. If it is not possible to see them in a showroom, create a copy of the faucet from aluminum foil rolled up into the dimensions of the faucet (which are found on the manufacturers' websites), and see if you can picture how they would look and feel that way.

Thanks, all. I think I need to check the depth of the sinks. I know the pull-out was fine, but am afraid the high-arch on most pull-down faucets will splash. I've liked the handle on my pull-out, which I can flick on or off with only tap. The pull-down I used had a handle on the right side -- less convenient, at least for me.

The old pull-out has lasted 14 years. I need to find something moderately priced that I can get on Maui. (Sears, Lowes, Ace) I think the existing (beige) faucet is Moen or Delta. Never a repair needed, but now there's a crack near the 'mouth'. I still see this model, but not in beige. Cabinet handles are now ORB. Counter and integral sinks are beige Corian.

(Please don't bring up jeans! I've spent hours recently, shopping for Levi's with DH. We now have five pair and one more coming by mail. He needs two pair. "Never mind that this one says 40 X 32 and not 38 X 32, dear. Who cares, if they look good and they fit?" At least he wears them near his waist, not under a belly!)

chisue: In case this helps at all, you can front-mount the handle on a pulldown. We did, and can turn on the faucet with a hook of a pinky ... off with the back of the hand. Good luck!