Choosing a faucet might seem like a minor detail, but when you’re installing or upgrading a water filter or dispenser, the faucet becomes a central component. Whether you're using a countertop filter, under-sink system, reverse osmosis setup, or instant hot water tank, faucet compatibility can make or break your setup. With so many styles, features, and installation types available, it helps to know what you're looking at when you start shopping.
This guide explains how to match your faucet to your filtration system, understand faucet types and venting requirements, and select features that work best for your space and setup.
Is my faucet compatible with a water filter?
Whether removing contaminants, reducing chlorine, or improving the taste and smell by using filtered water, you may have a faucet-mounted, countertop, or under-sink filter. Before you buy your new faucet, make sure it’s compatible with your existing or expected filtration system.
Faucet-mounted water filters
These attach directly to the end of your kitchen faucet and are only compatible with standard, non-spray faucet designs. Before buying, check your faucet's threading and whether the aerator can be removed for adapter installation. Pull-down, pull-out, or integrated sprayer faucets are not compatible with faucet-mounted water filters, so consider either a more traditional faucet spout or an under-sink filtration system instead.
Countertop water filters
These filters connect to an attachment on your faucet with a small hose and sit on the counter. Like faucet-mounted systems, they require a standard faucet to connect properly and are not compatible with pull-out and pull-down faucets. Ensure your faucet’s aerator is removable and that the adapter fits securely.
AquaCera HCP Countertop Ceramic Water Filter System
Under-sink water filters
You can filter water straight from your main faucet or a dedicated drinking water faucet by installing a filtration system underneath the sink. Most under-sink systems require the lower flow rate of a dedicated drinking water faucet installed in an extra hole. Under-sink water filters that are sized for a higher flow rate can be connected to the cold side of a typical kitchen faucet.
Important: If you have or are installing a reverse osmosis (RO) system, you’ll need a special faucet known as an air gap faucet.
Choosing a faucet for your RO system
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are connected to the potable water feed and the drain line. While most under-sink water filters are compatible with all drinking water faucet types, an RO system requires an air gap faucet.
What is an air gap faucet?
An air gap faucet is a backflow prevention device that prevents drain water from ever backing up to the RO or potable water side, keeping your potable water source safe from contamination. Whenever an appliance is connected to both feed water and the drain line, plumbing code requires a backflow prevention device like an air gap.
Learn more: What is a Dishwasher Air Gap?
Likuan 888 Series Brushed Nickel Air Gap Faucet
Choosing a faucet for your hot water dispenser
Many kitchens benefit from a hot water faucet hooked up to a instant hot water dispenser, which provides a convenient source of preheated water when cooking or preparing hot beverages. The typical tap water source will draw from a water heater that heats water between 120-140 degrees, but an instant hot water dispenser can provide water heated up to 180 degrees.
How to choose a hot water dispenser faucet
To operate effectively, the hot water dispenser and faucet must vent steam created through the heating process. When you choose your hot water faucet, make sure its venting function matches the hot water tank under your sink. For example, an open vent hot water dispenser must be paired with an open vent hot water faucet to operate effectively. Mixing an open vent faucet with a hot water tank using a different venting design, or vice versa, will result in a non-functioning system.
Our recommendation: For a reliable and efficient setup, the Quick & Hot package from Mountain Plumbing pairs a high-performance hot water dispenser with a matching faucet, available in five finish options to suit your kitchen. We recommend it for its energy-efficient operation, simple installation, and easy everyday use.
Dual temperature faucets
If you prefer both hot and chilled water beyond your tap water’s temperature settings, you can install a dual temperature faucet that connects to two separate systems underneath your sink: a chiller and an instant hot water dispenser. However, if you install a dual temperature faucet without a chiller, you can still hook up the tap water line to the cold water side and a heating tank to the hot water side.
Learn more: How Do Water Chillers & Instant Hot Water Dispensers Work?
Faucet types and filtration comparison chart
|
Faucet Type |
Compatibility |
Extra Hole Required |
Notes |
|
Standard kitchen faucet |
Faucet-mounted filters, countertop filters |
No |
Must not have pull-out or pull-down sprayer |
|
Drinking water faucet |
Under-sink, RO filters |
Yes |
Often comes with filter kit |
|
Air gap faucet |
RO systems |
Yes |
Prevents backflow per code |
|
Hot water dispenser faucet |
Instant hot tanks |
Yes |
Must match tank’s venting method |
Flow rate considerations
Filtered water faucets generally have a lower flow rate than standard faucets—especially those connected to reverse osmosis systems or carbon block filters. This is normal and ensures the water is thoroughly filtered. Check the gallons-per-minute (GPM) rating on your faucet to make sure it aligns with your expectations.
What materials are best for faucets with filters?
RO water is low in minerals and pH, which makes it more reactive to metals. Stainless steel, ceramic, nylon, and NSF/ANSI 61 or 372 certified materials are the most common and most reliable to use in a faucet system. Avoid faucets that have internal components made of lead, copper, or brass in contact with RO water especially.
Faucet accessories
Many filtration systems come with or allow for faucet accessories to improve convenience and functionality.
-
Drinking water faucet: A small, secondary faucet is typically used with an under-sink water filtration system or reverse osmosis setup. A drinking water faucet provides a source of clean drinking water that you can depend on.
-
Soap dispenser: Often included with kitchen faucets, a soap dispenser can be mounted directly into the sink or countertop to keep soap handy without needing a separate bottle on your counter.
-
Glass rinser: A glass rinser is a pressure-activated disk installed near your sink that sprays water upward when pressed. It’s perfect for quickly rinsing glasses, bottles, and other narrow containers.
-
Integrated or side sprayer: Sprayers are either integrated into the faucet nozzle or mounted next to the main faucet as a separate handheld. A sprayer is ideal for easily rinsing dishes, cleaning your sink, or hosing hard-to-clean objects.
What size faucet do I need?
Proper faucet sizing ensures the faucet is both functional and frustration-free. Faucets that are too large for your sink basin can cause excessive splashing and spills, leading to constantly wet counters and persistent mildew or grime on walls or surfaces. On the other hand, undersized faucets might not give you enough clearance to comfortably fit your hands or rinse items under the stream.
How to measure faucet size
To determine the desired reach of your faucet, measure from the middle of the center mounting hole to approximately the middle of your sink basin. Your new faucet should not extend beyond the middle of your sink basin. The height of your desired faucet can be measured from the base of your countertop. Keep in mind that a high faucet and shallow sink basin will cause the water steam to splash excessively.
How long do faucets last?
On average, a good-quality faucet will function for 10 to 20 years. However, several factors can shorten its lifespan and affect performance:
- Faucets made from cheap materials are more likely to have issues faster.
- If you have hard water, mineral buildup can clog parts or cause corrosion, reducing the faucet’s life.
- Not fixing leaks will aggravate already existent damage and wear.
- A poorly installed faucet may leak, shift, or wear out faster due to added stress.
- Kitchen faucets typically wear out faster bathroom faucets that are used less often.
The better your faucet is constructed and maintained, the longer your faucet will continue to function well.
What are the best faucet brands?
Faucets take daily wear, so quality matters. We recommend three brands known for consistent performance, reliable construction, and long-lasting materials:
Tomlinson
Known for durable, lead-free brass and stainless steel faucets, Tomlinson specializes in water filtration faucets. Their models use high-quality ceramic cartridges and come in a range of finishes, offering a quality warranty and dependable build.
Likuan
Likuan faucets are designed with function and efficiency in mind. Many feature tri-flow systems and are NSF-certified for water safety. They're a great choice for filtered and RO water setups, with reliable cartridge operation and sleek modern styles.
Mountain Plumbing
A higher-end option, Mountain Plumbing combines heavy-duty materials with refined finishes. Their faucets are built to last and designed to match upscale kitchens and bathrooms. Expect precise engineering and smooth operation from a Mountain Plumbing faucet.
Picking a faucet that works for you
A good choice of faucet will offer style, performance, and durability. Whether you're updating a kitchen, replacing a utility sink fixture, or outfitting a commercial space, the right faucet should meet your water filtration needs without hassle. Ready to upgrade? Shop our selection of high-quality air gap and filter-compatible drinking water faucets built to last and backed by solid warranties. If you have any further questions about house water filtration or how to improve your water quality, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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