A kitchen faucet is a vital part of a functional kitchen.
Having one that is effective and durable without being unsightly can lend appeal and polish to your kitchen's design and aesthetic appeal. For those in the market for a kitchen faucet we'll cover three of our favorite choices under $200, while also checking the practical and style boxes without breaking the bank.
Primarily, we'll focus on the following qualities:
- Features: Pull-down, spray modes, etc.
- Material
- Brand reputation
- Style points: Modern look and feel
If you are also shopping for a farmhouse sink to go along with your faucet, browse through our list of recommended sinks here.
Best Faucets Under 200 Dollars (our top 3 picks)
Pic | Name | Type | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | WEWE Single Hand Pull Out Faucet | Single, pull out (no sprayer) | |
 | Arofa A01LY Pull-Down | Single, pull out (no sprayer) | |
 | Kraus KPF-1610 | Attached, dual function pull-down |
Keep in mind that inventory and model versions of these products can change quite regularly. When review faucets or any other kitchen gadgets, we do are best to stay up to date, but it's possible that some of these products have new versions or releases that are similar (if not identical) to the ones you see here.
1. WEWE Single Handle High Arc Brushed Nickel Pull Out Kitchen Faucet
This simple design is ideal for the minimalist and those looking for a simple, perhaps more classic design.
Customers appreciated the easy installation and praised the company for excellent customer service when they needed help. We like it for a DIY install because of the single mount setup (only one hole to drill) and the large base that could potentially cover up drilling mistakes to the left or the right.
A button on the end of the nozzle easily changes the stream of water to a spray for easy transitioning when cleaning dishes or cleaning your sink.
The spray is quite powerful (depending on your water pressure), but doesn't do too much sprinkling.
Although the retractable nozzle does not have a magnetic clip to draw it back in place, some note that this feature is not especially necessary and consider this model comparable to more expensive ones with the magnetic clip.
Our only concern is that with time, the draw-back function could "wear out" and not hold tightly to the top of the faucet.
Still, it's a good value option, particularly for townhouses, rental properties, or short-term fixes.
Pros
Cons
2. Arofa A01LY Pull Down Faucet
Another simple yet beautiful design, the Arofa A01LY gets its highest praise for durability but customers also love the look and easy installation of this model. Once again you have a large base with a single drilling point, similar to the WEWE high arc model.
At well under $100 this faucet is another excellent value for a great product and comes with extra adapters and aerators making the low price point even more impressive.
We also liked the length and flexibility of the pull-down function, as pictured here:
Some of the pull-down features.
It's a good fit for those that do a lot of washing dishes by hand or a larger sink basin where you need to move around.
We also liked the pull-back function on this one a little better (seems to have a magnet)
Given the low price tag, we can't find much to complain about.
Pros
Cons
3. Kraus KPF-1610 (SS Bolden) Faucet with Dual Function Sprayhead
This heavy duty faucet by Kraus is made for a hard working kitchen that requires plenty of functionality.
Those interested in a modern, industrial design will be appreciate the stainless steel design, but the primarily appeal is the size 18 inch faucet size and the 20 inch retractable hose.
Kraus throws in a lifetime warranty to sweeten the deal.
It's more expensive than the other two, but still comes in under $200, and is essentially a commercial-grade faucet outfitting for home use. For those with a high-use kitchen and/or larger sinks, this is one of your better options in the given price range.
Pros
Cons
Additional Features to Consider
Purchasing a kitchen faucet, though a fairly straightforward ordeal from a technical standpoint, can have a lot of nuance to consider. Here are a few things that we keep in mind when doing our research:
Material
Choosing a faucet with durability is extremely important and material used by the manufacturer can be the difference between having a faucet lasting or needing to purchase a replacement.
We usually recommend stainless steel since it won’t rust.
In our experience, stainless steel faucets also do a good job of avoiding scratches (things tend to just bounce off them because of the shape).
Size & Range of Motion
An important feature to take into account is the range of motion that your faucet has once it is installed.
Does the nozzle reach to all sides of the sink?
Does the handle have enough clearance between the sink and the wall?
Does the hose extend to increase versatility of use of the water outside the boundaries of the sink? These are all factors that may affect how pleased you are with the final product.
Easy Installation
A faucet that can be painlessly installed at home by the consumer is a big part of getting your money’s worth.
At under the $200 price point we don’t think hiring a professional makes much sense.
Paying for a faucet plus labor can easily add up and in most cases isn’t necessary.
Most faucets with a single entry point (one spot for drilling) like we mentioned, are going to be the easiest to install. We'd recommend avoiding hardware that separates the hose from the handles, like you often see in bathroom faucets.
Bells and Whistles
Some faucets have special features like touchless sensors and magnetic clips that draw a retractable head back into place.
Although these features can be impressive, we suggest you take a hard look at whether or not you will benefit from them. Some people grow tired of the faucet turning on and off with the wave of a hand since a quick motion with a hand can cause the water to cut off unexpectedly.
And if a magnetic clip isn’t strong enough you may be left with a gap between the faucet and the nozzle head.
These features can be neat and sometimes are exactly what you want, however proceed with caution so you don’t end up paying for a feature you don’t need or regret purchasing.
Conclusion
After thinking through all these aspects of kitchen faucets and which options you prefer, you should have no trouble finding a quality product for under $200 that meets all of you expectations.
Take some time to consider what you like and are generally drawn towards in terms of style and function and what you may or may not actually need.
If you do your homework, it's easy to find a good fit without spending a ton of cash.
Good luck.