Best brushed nickel bathroom faucet

The Karis is one of my two top picks, and I’ve used it. It scored 10.0, passing all seven checks.

Moen’s 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. That deck plate is 5-7/8 in. long on Moen’s drawing. The faucet installs through one hole at least 1-1/8 in. across, on a deck up to 1-1/2 in. thick.

The cartridge uses ceramic disc technology in a single-body design, which Moen says makes replacement easy. Temperature is set by a lever with 100° of handle travel.

Flow is limited to 1.2 gpm at 60 psi. Moen lists third-party certification to WaterSense and ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1, and certification to NSF 61/9 and 372, and says the 1.2 gpm models meet California’s water efficiency rules. The rendered sheet carries the WaterSense and ADA marks.

Moen’s drawing gives a spout reach of 5-1/4 in., an overall height of 7-3/8 in. and a spout clearance of 3-5/32 in. above the deck. It’s the lowest spout clearance of the four.

Moen calls the finish Spot Resist Brushed Nickel, the SRN in the model number. The sheet describes metal construction, with the finish identified by that suffix.

The cartridge’s materials are listed as non-metallic, non-ferrous and brass. Moen’s sheet also says the faucet complies with California Proposition 65 and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and that the supply lines are flexible, with 3/8 in. compression fittings to meet the stops under your sink.

The warranty is a lifetime limited warranty against material or manufacturing defects for the original homeowner. Moen cuts it to 10 years in a multifamily building and 5 years in commercial use.

The Arvo ties the Karis at 10.0, and I’ve used it. It passed all seven checks.

Delta’s product page lists a 1.2 gpm flow at 60 psi, a ceramic disc valve, a 1/2 in. NPSM connection and an overall height of 7-15/16 in. It fits 1-hole or 3-hole 4 in. installations, and the page says an optional deck plate with a gasket seal is included.

The supply lines are the difference. Delta says corrosion-resistant nylon supply lines come built into the faucet, for one less possible leak point. Delta also says the ceramic disc cartridge is tested to last at least 500,000 uses.

The drain is a metal push pop-up that unscrews from above the deck, per Delta, so you can pull hair out without going under the sink. A metal nut and bracket hold the base in place, and Delta says a long, corrosion-resistant mounting stud accommodates a larger countertop thickness, though it doesn’t give a number.

Delta calls the finish SpotShield Brushed Nickel, and says SpotShield helps the faucet resist water spots and fingerprints.

The page lists the Arvo as WaterSense labeled, ADA compliant, and tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372. Delta backs its faucets with a Lifetime Limited Warranty. The page adds that the lined waterways in Delta faucets help prevent leaching of metals.

On the finish, Delta says all of its bathroom faucet finishes are third-party certified and tested under extreme conditions against cracking, peeling, chipping, blistering or changing color. Delta also says its WaterSense labeled faucets use at least 20% less water than the industry standard.

One note from Delta’s own answers on that page: the 3-hole escutcheon plate is part RP101690SP, in case it’s missing from your box.

The Willa is the pick for a thick counter, and I’ve used it. It scored 8.6, losing only the supply-lines check, because Pfister’s page doesn’t say they’re included.

Pfister’s spec list gives a 1.2 gpm flow, one handle, a total spout height of 5-9/16 in. and a deck-to-aerator height of 4 in. It lists the deck plate as included, the drain as American Push & Seal, configurations of 1-hole or 3-hole, and a maximum deck thickness of 3 in., double the Moen’s 1-1/2 in.

The valve is Pfister’s Pforever Seal, which the page describes as ceramic disc technology with a never-leak guarantee. The page says the faucet includes its valve and cartridge and a decorative deck plate.

Pfister’s TiteSeal deck plate, per its listing, needs no putty. The Push & Seal drain, per Pfister’s page, needs no tools and installs in less than half the time of a standard pop-up drain, sealing with a press and opening with another.

Pfister lists IAPMO certification to ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 (Q≤1), WaterSense, CEC certification and ADA compliance. It says the faucet meets the lead-free definitions of California, Vermont, Maryland and Louisiana and the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and is rated to meet or exceed CALGreen criteria.

The faucet mounts on a sink deck or countertop with a single post mounting ring, which Pfister includes. Pfister says its TiteSeal mounting technology eliminates the need for putty or silicone.

Pfister calls the finish Spot Defense Brushed Nickel. Its Pforever Warranty, per the page, covers finish and function for as long as you own your home, which is the most direct finish promise of the four.

Amazon lists the model as LF042MALGS; Pfister writes it LF-042-MALGS. They’re the same faucet.

The Chatfield is the traditional-looking choice, and I’ve used it. It scored 7.1, losing the deck-plate and spot-resistant finish checks.

American Standard’s spec sheet lists a 1/4 turn washerless ceramic disc valve cartridge, non-metal waterways, a metal body and metal lever handle, and a drain body with a 1-1/4 in. tailpiece. Flow is 1.2 gpm, supply lines are included, and the sheet says the faucet contains 0.25% or less total lead by weighted average.

Its drawing gives a spout reach of 5-1/16 in., an overall height of 7-5/8 in. and 4 in. from the deck to the spout outlet, tied with the Willa for the most clearance under the spout. The sheet lists ASME A112.18.1, CSA B125.1, NSF 61/Section 9, NSF 372 and ANSI A117.1, and carries the WaterSense mark.

There’s a conflict to know about. The spec sheet calls it a centerset lavatory faucet on 4 in. centers, while American Standard’s product page calls it a single-hole faucet that can go on 1, 2 or 3-hole sinks with a deck plate sold separately. The listing’s main photo also shows a plate. If your sink has three holes, plan to buy the plate.

American Standard calls the finish brushed nickel, and its sheet describes it as tarnish, scratch and corrosion resistant. It doesn’t name a spot or fingerprint resistance, which is why it lost that check.

The drain is a pop-up with a non-metal body. American Standard’s install guide says to put a bead of putty under the drain flange and hand-tighten the pivot nut.

The warranty is a limited lifetime warranty, per American Standard’s page. The same faucet comes in chrome (.002) and Legacy Bronze (.278); the .295 suffix is brushed nickel.

For service, American Standard’s instructions say to first work the handle from off to on several times if the spout drips, then change the cartridge: handle screw, escutcheon cap, three mounting screws, then the adapter.