Best matte black bathroom faucet

Delta’s Albion 15855LF-BL is the matte black faucet I’d pick first, and I’ve used it. Delta says its ceramic disc valve cartridge is tested to last at least 500,000 uses, the same figure it gives for the Arvo; Moen and American Standard state no cartridge life.

The drain is metal. Delta says the push pop-up drain unscrews from above the deck for quick removal and cleaning of hair.

It fits 1-hole or 3-hole 4 in. installations, with an optional deck plate included and a gasket seal that helps keep water from getting under the sink.

Flow is 1.2 gpm at 60 psi, and it carries the WaterSense label, which Delta says means at least 20% less water than the industry standard. Delta says it’s certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372, and lists it as ADA compliant.

The supply connections are 3/8 in. compression, and the overall height is 8 in. Delta adds a long mounting stud for thicker countertops and a metal nut and bracket to keep the base from shifting.

On the finish, Delta says all its bathroom finishes are third-party certified and tested to ensure years of use without cracking, peeling, chipping, blistering or changing color. Its page says corrosion resistance is tested to at least 2 times industry standards; one listing photo says 3 times. I go by the page.

Delta’s page lists the same faucet in Champagne Bronze, Chrome, a Matte Black and Champagne Bronze mix, and SpotShield Brushed Nickel, so the matte black version can sit next to other Albion pieces.

Delta backs it with a lifetime limited warranty.

My call: before you order, hold a tape measure 8 in. up from the sink deck and check it clears a low medicine cabinet or mirror ledge.

Delta’s Arvo 15840LF-BL is the matte black faucet I’d pick for a softer, curved look, and I’ve used it. On our five checks it matches the Albion point for point.

Its supply lines are part of the faucet. Delta says the corrosion-resistant nylon lines are included and integrated, for one less possible leak point, and lists the connection type as 1/2 in. NPSM.

The cartridge is a ceramic disc valve that Delta says is tested to last at least 500,000 uses.

The drain is metal: Delta says the push pop-up drain unscrews from above the deck, so you can pull hair out without going under the sink. Asked whether the drain comes with a stopper, a Delta staff answer on its product page says yes.

It fits 1-hole or 3-hole 4 in. installations, and the optional deck plate is included, with a gasket seal against drips leaking under the sink.

Flow is 1.2 gpm at 60 psi with the WaterSense label, which Delta says uses at least 20% less water than the industry standard, and Delta says it’s certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 and lists it as ADA compliant. The overall height is 7-15/16 in.

On the finish, Delta says its matte black is salt fog tested for over 12 hours, triple the required industry standard, and tested against 16 hours of exposure to 7 harsh cleaning chemicals.

Delta adds a long mounting stud for thicker countertops and a metal nut and bracket that lock the base, but its page gives no maximum deck thickness.

Delta backs it with a lifetime limited warranty and repair parts, per its page.

My call: before you buy, measure from the faucet hole to your angle stops, because the lines come attached to the faucet.

Moen’s Halle 84970BL is the matte black faucet I’d pick if you want Moen’s 1255 Duralast cartridge, and I’ve used it. Moen describes the Halle collection as classical forms with a contemporary flair.

Its spec sheet lists metal construction, flexible supply lines with 3/8 in. compression fittings, a non-metal push-down waste assembly and an optional 3-hole deck plate.

The lever handle controls temperature over a 100° arc of travel. Flow is limited to 1.2 gpm at 60 psi.

It uses Moen’s 1255 Duralast cartridge, which Moen describes as nonmetallic, nonferrous and stainless steel material. Moen gives no cycle-test figure for it.

Moen certifies it to WaterSense, ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and NSF 61/9 and 372, and lists it as ADA for the lever handle. It also notes that products marked 1.2 gpm meet California’s water efficiency rules, and that the faucet complies with Proposition 65 and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

The sheet warns that there is more than one version of this model, so match the version drawing to your faucet before ordering parts later.

Moen’s 84970 series sheet covers every finish of the Halle, with the finish identified by the suffix on the model number.

Fit numbers: it installs through a 1-1/8 in. minimum hole, and the maximum deck thickness is 1-1/2 in.

Moen’s warranty is a lifetime limited warranty against leaks, drips and finish defects for the original homeowner, 10 years in multifamily use and 5 years commercial.

Moen’s site shows it as wholesale exclusive.

Where it lost points: a non-metal drain scored 8, and no stated cartridge life scored 8.

My call: Matte Black is a powder coat finish in Moen’s own care guide, so set expectations with everyone in the house: no scrubbing pads, no lime scale removers.

American Standard’s Becklow 7429101.243 is the matte black faucet I’d put on a 4 in. centerset sink, and I’ve used it. American Standard calls it a 1-handle monoblock bath faucet, a single lever on 4 in. centers.

Inside is a 1-1/8 in. ceramic disc valve cartridge, which American Standard says gives a lifetime of drip-free performance. The waterways are non-metal and the body and lever handle are metal.

The drain is American Standard’s Easy Install Push Drain, a non-metal drain body with a 1-1/4 in. tailpiece. Supply lines are included.

Flow is limited to 1.2 gpm, and it’s WaterSense certified. The sheet lists ASME A112.18.1, CSA B125.1, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Q≤1, NSF/ANSI 372 and ANSI A117.1 for accessibility.

American Standard describes the finish as tarnish, scratch and corrosion resistant and backs it with a limited lifetime warranty.

It comes in chrome (.002), brushed nickel (.295) and matte black (.243), so you can match other fixtures by the suffix.

American Standard’s suggested specification calls for a metal spout and a 1/4 turn washerless ceramic disc cartridge, and the sheet plots flow against inlet pressure from 0 to 80 psi for mixed hot and cold.

The drain has a 1-1/4 in. tailpiece, so it connects to a standard 1-1/4 in. bathroom sink trap without a reducer.

The listing photo shows it on a deck plate, but the spec sheet doesn’t list one, so it scores 0 on that check.

Where it lost points: a non-metal drain body and no stated cartridge life scored 8 each, and the unlisted deck plate scored 0.

My call: since the sheet and the listing photo don’t agree on a deck plate, open the box and check it against your sink before you remove the old faucet or plug any holes.