The 5 Best Touchless Faucets

I never thought a faucet could make such a difference, but going touchless in the kitchen has been one of my favorite small upgrades. When my hands are covered in flour from making bread or dirt from the garden, I don’t have to smear gunk all over the handle just to wash up. It feels cleaner and it’s just plain convenient.

And these aren’t the finicky motion sensor faucets you might remember from public restrooms. The new models are really smart. The sensors are placed better to avoid turning on every time a cat walks by, and the pull-down sprayers make rinsing dishes and the sink itself so much easier.

After installing a couple in my own home and helping my neighbor with his, I’ve gotten a good feel for what works and what doesn’t. Here are five of the best automatic faucets I’ve found for 2026.

 

 

My Automatic Faucet Reviews For 2026

Moen Arbor MotionSense Wave One-Handle Kitchen Faucet

This Moen Arbor model runs about $419, and it’s the one I recommend to most people. It’s just a solid, all-around performer that feels like it’s built to last. The single sensor is really reliable and doesn’t get triggered by accident very often.

We’ve had this in our kitchen for over a year, and the hands-free operation is perfect. The spot-resist finish actually does its job, which is a huge plus because I hate wiping down fixtures all the time. Installation was pretty straightforward, too.

The Downside: It runs on batteries, which you’ll have to change eventually. You can buy an AC adapter so you can just plug it into the wall, but it’s sold separately, which feels a little cheap at this price.

 

 

Glacier Bay Touchless LED Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

At just $149, this is a fantastic option if you’re on a tighter budget. I put one of these in our laundry room sink and I’ve been really impressed. It has a modern look and the spray is much more powerful than I expected.

What’s great is that it comes with everything you need, including a matching soap dispenser and even the batteries. You don’t need an electrician or an outlet under the sink, so it’s a very simple swap-out for an old faucet.

The Downside: The finish definitely shows fingerprints and water spots more than the pricier models. I find myself wiping it down more often to keep it looking clean.

 

 

Kohler Simplice Pull-Down Kitchen Sink Faucet

This Kohler Simplice costs around $551, and you can feel the quality. This is a good pick if you want some extra features. It has three different spray settings, including a “boost” mode that really helps with stuck-on food.

The sensor placement is really smart on this one. It’s positioned to reduce the number of times you accidentally turn the water on just by moving around the sink. It also has some water-saving technology built in, which is a nice touch.

The Downside: This model requires an electrical outlet under your sink to work, so check for that before you buy. Also, the water pressure is noticeably lower when you’re using the eco-friendly mode.

 

 

Moen Brantford MotionSense Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

For about $500, the Moen Brantford is a great choice if you’re planning to install it yourself. Moen’s Duralock system makes connecting the water lines really simple, even if you’ve never done it before. It feels very secure.

The high arc of the spout is perfect for filling big pasta pots, and the power-stream function is no joke. It really does blast food off of plates. The touchless performance has been flawless for me.

The Downside: The sensor is pretty sensitive. Sometimes if I’m just wiping down the countertop near the base of the faucet, my hand will set it off. You just have to get used to working around it.

 

 

Kohler Crue Touchless Kitchen Faucet

This is the most expensive one on my list at $713, but if you need serious cleaning power, this is it. The spray has a boost function that increases the flow by 30%, and it absolutely shreds baked-on messes.

I really like the magnetic docking system they call “DockNetik.” The spray head clicks back into place firmly every time, no drooping. The sensor is located on the arch of the faucet, which feels like a very natural place to wave your hand.

The Downside: Like the other Kohler, this faucet needs to be plugged into an under-sink electrical outlet. Make sure you have one available or are prepared to have an electrician install one.

 

 

What to Look For in a Hands-Free Faucet

The biggest thing for me is the power source. Do you have an outlet under your sink? If so, an AC-powered faucet is great because you never have to think about it. If not, a battery-powered model is your only option, so just be prepared to swap out batteries once a year or so.

Sensor placement is also a big deal. Some faucets have a sensor at the base, and others have one on the spout itself. I’ve found that ones with the sensor on the main neck or arch of the faucet tend to have fewer accidental activations than ones with the sensor right at the base where you’re often wiping.

Finally, think about the sprayer. Most of these have pull-down sprayers now, which is great. But check for features like a power boost or different spray patterns. A strong magnetic dock is also a nice feature to prevent the sprayer from dangling over time.