Faucets are over priced and very expensive, and who came up with this whole scenario I don't know. I see faucets for 800.00!!!! Why would I want that? I could go out to eat and let someone else use their faucet for $800.00. Shop on line, look for sales and go with your gut. The bigger it is the harder to keep it looking fresh and new, and the more working parts it has. There can be some good deals found online for faucets that let water into a sink, a pot, a pitcher, or to wash hands. They all do the same function. Find something that suits your pocketbook first, put together a list of 3 or 4 and than select from them, what suits your style. I think this started with the great cooking shows on Television of who is the greatest Chef? is all I can figure out. There is alot to buy in a house, and faucets are just not that unique. The water in the sink or tub, or shower, is all one needs. Good luck! Online sales are the way to go, read the reviews if there are any. You should be able to find one that works in the price range you want.

Just about any faucet with a nozzle beats a separate faucet/sprayer combo. We've got a $300 Moen, the type where the nozzle hangs from a big chrome spring. It works well enough, but the type where the nozzle pulls down out of a solid arc is easier to clean. It's not necessary to spend a fortune, but I'd stay away from $100-$150 cheapos. I think the key thing is the height of the faucet - you want to be able to spray downward and hit all areas of the sink easily - short faucets make you wrestle and tug and point the nozzle sideways.

Whether you want a pull out or a pull down sort of depends on your comfort -- how you grab it, hold it, and move it. You have to go to a store or two and try them out to see what feels right in your hands......one that I loved the look of and came from a well-regarded company just felt wrong when I actually stood there to use it. I'm sure it's great for some people, but not for me. I really prefer having the spray in the faucet rather than having a separate sprayer, but I've read on these forums that some hate it and want their separate sprayer back -- again, see how it feels in your hands.

Something to watch for from a utility standpoint: if it's a single handle faucet, make sure that you have enough room for it's full range of temperature. Some of them rotate back for hot water and the placement of the faucet has that hitting the backsplash, so make sure you've either got enough clearance or a handle that doesn't rotate back for hot water. I really like the information provided by Starcraft Custom Builders -- their website has great info on hundreds of brands (including the build, components, and where they're made) and includes info on things like black market and counterfeit materials.

I bought a Hansgrohe faucet (about $600) that I was first attracted to because of its looks (unlike most of the others I'd been seeing) -- but when I tried it out in a store, that cemented the deal. It felt right when I used the pull-out sprayer and the faucet handle. That was the deciding factor.

spray in faucet because you can use two hands to wash while getting the spray. For example when cleaning a 14" wire mesh splatter cover, a regular faucet just passes right through a tiny section. If you have the separate sprayer you have to scrub, spray, scrub spray. With the pull down faucet you leave the sprayer on and just wash it.

All faucets are not the same, and there is a huge difference between a "Big Box Special" and a really good faucet. A good faucet IS expensive and there is a reason for that expense - they are usually made from solid brass and then a finish is applied. There is no plastic in them. They have good valves.

This is NOT the place to skimp to save money. You will have that faucet for decades if it's a good one.

I personally do not like the look of the industrial faucets - I see them at many different prices. If my present faucet breaks (which I like just fine and fits my vintage style) I would look at the Kohler Artifacts. I've heard lots of good things about it.

Unfortunately price isn't a guarantee of quality or longevity. So sad, isn't it. Retain proof of purchase and many manufacturers will send you replacement parts as needed. Many 'name' brand faucets are made in China.

"Many 'name' brand faucets are made in China."

Yes, but being made in China doesn't necessarily mean low quality, just like being made in the US (or France) doesn't necessarily mean good quality. Just like price isn't a guarantee of quality or longevity, neither is place of manufacture.

I bought a Waterstone faucet, spent a lot of money on it, it's made in Southwest California and I love love love it.

dan1888 is right on. I have seen way to many homes with 'expensive' kitchen faucets, whose spray in faucet feature is hanging out like a tongue on a sick calf. Now, that may be because the 8 year old tried to use it as a water pistol on little sister, or because the housekeeper thought just one more inch and she could fill the mop pail on the floor? The owners of the prize faucet never knew why that happened, they just got creative with winding it around the neck/base, so they could just use the sink without it dangling in the dishwater? So, like anything, the more frills, the more can go wrong, and more people are willing to just live with something that is, than replace something that no longer is, at these price points. It doesn't matter to anyone really, just the homeowners preference for their daily living. If you like it, buy it. That is why there are so many choices for EVERYTHING! :)

Thanks to all for all your input. I will pick one that I like the looks of, that my plumber doesn't roll his eyes over, from a reputable plumbing supply store. For years I have been happy with pretty basic kitchen faucets, nothing fancy and not super expensive. The main gist of my post- and I guess I didn't make it clear- is...is there a big advantage to the performance of these industrial-look faucets? Do they do some cool tricks that other faucets don't do? ;)

It's really a matter of de-cluttering your countertop near the sink and how many holes you want to drill. Whether pull-down or pull-out, it eliminates the need for a separate sprayer, making the design a little cleaner. I think they are really handy; just make sure you find one with a good retraction mechanism that snaps easily into place. Check out Brizo faucets for reasonably priced versions that have a more transitional vs. modern feel.

I've got a $200 Delta with a pull-down. This one has a magnet that pops it back into place so there will never be a dangling sprayer. I love it and won't ever go back to a faucet/sprayer combo.

Ditto what Toronto Vet said! Many of the single side lever faucets will hit the wall behind your sink.

Several brands are now marketing their faucets with statementS such as, "FORWARD ROTATION ONLY". My KWC faucet is forward rotating only. And Elkay makes a gorgeous faucet that is noted as forward rotating. It's a beautiful blend of modern and traditional design. Check it out here on this link: https://www.amazon.com/Elkay-Explore-Pull-Down-Kitchen-LKEC2031CR/dp/B0061VSH7K

We have a pulldown faucet below a window also. After months of research we chose a faucet made by Waterstone a California company. I have had Blanco, Grohe, and Kohler faucets and this one is the best yet. Very pricey, but lifetime warranty. It pulls down and stays wherever you want it, Very thin and looks great.Model plp 5400

I think the “ industrial “ faucets are just ugly. I’ve tried them in the stores and really can’t see anything about them that would justify their existence in my home. My plumber told me to stick with Delta, Kohler, or Moën. I got a pull-down Kohler, with a “blade” spray. So far so good. I lucked out and caught a 24 hour deal on Amazon - paid $160 for it. My mom liked it so much she asked for one for Christmas. Of course the price had gone back up by then, but she’s happy with it! It’s a single handle (I’d not have anything else) and we both have the handle in the front.

Although they've improved, I still say electronics and faucets shouldn't mix. Buy no off-brands, please.