Kohler and Restoration Hardware are about the same quality. An increasing number of Kohler faucets are made in Asia in Kohler's updated factories.. Kohler
has reportedly invested over $70 million acquiring and updating Chinese
factories, and $10 million for a new faucet factory in India to service the giant Asian market for upscale bathwares, but
also to provide faucets and faucet components to other parts of the
world, including the U.S.
Kohler still makes the majority of its faucets in Wisconsin and Arkansas, but closed one U.S. factory in 2012, barely a year after the Kohler-India factory came on line.
Restoration Hardware faucets are assembled by Brasstech, a Masco company (along with Delta, Peerless, Brizo, Hansgrohe and Axor) that makes Newport Brass faucets in California. The components used are mostly imported, primarily from,
Kaiping Weixiang Metals Products International, Ltd.a well-established faucet manufacturer in Kaiping City, China;
Guangdong Weixiang Sanitaryware Co. Ltd. which also makes its own line of faucets, sold in Asia under the Classic brand;
Lota International Co. Ltd. a company that seems to be a component supplier to half of the faucet companies in the world; and
Shenzhen Jinliyi Hardware Ltd. which makes a few faucet components for Brasstech, but is also a major source of bath and kitchen accessories imported by Brasstech and sold under the Ginger label,
Both companies use excellent cartridges. Brasstech generally specifies cartridges made by Flühs Drehtechnik, a German
company that supplies the Brasstech 1-001 and 1-002 cartridges used in most Restoration Hardware two handle faucets. Flühs cartridges are generally regarded as
some of the best in the world. Hydroplast S.r.l., an Italian company, supplies the mixer cartridges used in Restoration Hardware's single handle faucets.
Kohler usually fits its two handle faucets with cartridges purchased from Anton Tränkle, GmbH & Co. KG,
another German company that many consider equivalent to Flühs. Kohler also buys
some of is mixing cartridges for single handle faucets from Hydroplast S R L. However, some Kohler cartridges now appear to be Chinese in origin, but we have not been able to identify the specific manufacturer.
Brasstech handles the technical support, parts replacement and warranty service — a
call to Restoration Hardware Technical Support (1-866-417-5207)
actually puts you in touch with Newport Brass support. Kohler, of course, handles its own warranty and post-sale support, and has what is consider one of the very best customer service departments in the North American faucet industry.
Both companies offer a lifetime warranty on their faucets, cartridges and finishes.
It would be hard to go wrong purchasing from either company. We give an edge to Restoration Hardware for style if you are retrofitting a heritage home, and to Kohler for more contemporary styles. Kohler products are available nearly everywhere, while Restoration Hardware faucets can be purchased only from Restoration Hardware. RH has a reputation for slow delivery. Kohler, the opposite.
No matter which one you buy, make sure it is fitted with a cartridge from a known supplier. If you have never heard of the manufacturer, be a little cautious. The finishes on both product lines are excellent, durable and guaranteed for a "lifetime" ("For as long as the original purchaser owns the house in which the faucet was originally installed"). We give RH a slight edge for its remarkable hand polished chrome with the caveat that since it is so highly polished, it shows minor scratches more readily.
For more information, see Restoration Hardware Faucets; Review and Rating, and Newport Brass Faucets: Review and Rating.
Hope this helps.
Q