The best kitchen faucets: 6 easy upgrades for chic sinks

Having one of the best kitchen faucets in your home is a fundamental element of your kitchen. Kitchens are known as "the heart of the home," so without said heart, the rest of the house will not (and can not) work to its utmost potential on any given day or during the holiday season. 

Plus, with so many of us spending more time than usual in our homes, any outdated faucet is now front-and-center for scrutiny – so now more than ever, is the right time for an update in said area. 

Nevertheless, with an endless array of traditional, modern, contemporary and affordable models on the market, it's hard to know where to start; what is worth the money, and what isn't? That's where the Real Homes team comes into play. 

Before you can even think twice about the best boiling water taps, we've gone ahead and rounded up the best kitchen faucets that will instantly elevate your space – and increase your home's value with little to no effort. 

The 6 best kitchen faucets according to our team

The Bristan Pistachio Easyfit Kitchen Mixer Tap not only makes it easy for you to install, but it also makes it easy for you to adjust pressure and temperature, too, due to its lever style control. 

Why do we love it?
Suitable for low and high-pressure water supply, this kitchen faucet is a safe all-rounder, and thanks to its curved neck, linear lever, and gleaming chrome finish, it is subtly modern, making it the perfect choice for the everyday kitchen. 

Brushed nickel provides a classy, elegant finish, and it doesn’t show up watermarks as much as chrome. 

Why do we love it?
Here, the John Lewis Swan 2 Lever Kitchen Tap offers two levers instead of one, which is major if you ask us. As a result, users have greater control over the pressure and the temperature of the water. Thanks to its aerator, the volume of water decreases, which may lower the amount of water you use overall. 

If you like the two lever style but prefer the chrome finish, this tap is also available in chrome. 

With its curved chrome finish, this hot water tap is the perfect choice if you’re looking for convenience when it boils down to making a quick brew or giving the vegetables a head start.

Why do we love it?
Yes, it is true: the Hyco Zen Solo 100°C Instant Boiling Water Tap will require the installation of the 3ltr hot water tank. Fortunately, it does not necessarily need to be custom fitted next to your sink. 

Thanks to a pull-out and turn safety lock, you shouldn’t need to worry about the tap turning on unintentionally. Though, it is worth considering that areas with hard water will require a filter to prevent it from blocking up with limescale. 

If you’re looking to make your kitchen faucet a stand-out feature, this selection from Abode Linear will most definitely give your kitchen an edge. 

Why do we love it?
Blending a gleaming chrome finish with matt black stainless steel, this tap is the ideal choice for contemporary kitchens. With a single spout and one installation hole required, this tap should be compatible with most kitchen sinks; bear in mind that there’s a designer price tag attached though. 

For those traditional country kitchen style lovers, we're confident the Perrin & Rowe Mayan 4338 Pillar Kitchen Tap is your go-to choice. 

Why do we love it? 
This kitchen faucet features timeless cross head handles, low lead brass, and thick chrome plating – this designer-inspired faucet stands the test of time. 

With that said, it does require two holes instead of one, so you'll need to check the fittings on the skink. Bear in mind: fitting these taps might be slightly more complex than placing your traditional standard monobloc. So, it may require additional resources or tutorials. 

Putting dirty plates in the dishwasher can block it up, so having a station where you can quickly rinse your dishes is a handy feature — and that is where the Abode Stalto Professional Kitchen Tap comes in handy.  

Why do we love it?
Although designed with professional kitchens in mind, this tap is slight enough to not look out of place in a domestic kitchen, whether ultra-modern or Shaker-style. 

With a multi-spray pattern shower head, you can choose the spray power, and because it only requires one hole, it shouldn’t be too hard to fix the tap in place either, whether it’s sink or worktop. 

What to consider when buying the best kitchen faucets? 

Kitchen tap know-how
Despite a range of finishes, the functionality of the best kitchen faucets is simple: one half is plumbed into the cold water supply, and the other plumbed into the hot water supply. A central spout connects the lines so you can regulate the temperature of the water flowing into your sink. Unless, of course, your kitchen faucet is for hot water only. 

Which tap type to choose?
Before you go buying any of the best kitchen faucets, it’s handy to know the different types on the market, as some may not be compatible with your kitchen sink. The same applies for the best bathroom taps. If you’re looking at purchasing a deck-mounted faucet, you’ll need to bear in mind the number of holes in your kitchen sink. 

While some taps have one central connection, others may require one for hot and one for cold water, in addition to the central spout, equating to three different holes. 

Tap mounting options
It’s also worth considering that a kitchen faucet doesn’t necessarily need to attach to the sink. 

Faucets can also fix onto your countertop, giving you more leeway when deciding on the style of sink you would like in your kitchen, as you won’t find yourself restricted by the number of holes it features.