Pull Out Vs Pull Down Faucet – The Right Type to Get!

Integrated spray functions in faucets have indeed made cleaning convenient and efficient. The two most popular options you have for this are pull-out faucets and pull-down faucets.

And to know how they differ to decide the right type, you need a proper comparison of pull-out vs pull down faucets. To be more specific, you need to find which one is better, pull down or pull-out faucet?

A pull-down faucet is better than a pull-out faucet for veteran cooks as it comes with a compatible height for filling tall cookware and pots. While a pull-out faucet is better than pull-down for reduced backsplash and is suitable for users who own narrow sinks.

But that’s not all, there’s more. Keep on reading.

Comparing Pull-Out Vs Pull-Down Faucet

Both of these styles are designed with different kitchen usage in mind. And if someone has to choose one, it must be done by focusing on each of these styles separately.

Pull Down Faucet – Great Height Clearance and Suitable for More Cleaning

To give you a quick idea, a pulldown faucet is basically a hanging pull-out type that uses a hose to connect with the sink. It’s quite an emerging style for modern kitchens and people prefer its accurate water flow that helps to keep the sink area neat.

The way pull-down faucets send water is what makes it preferable to many users. There’s no water running everywhere. The hose and spout system lets the user get it accessible into the sink if necessary.

And the higher neck arc is a statement design for pull-down faucet fitting as it gives a modern vibe. Also, this works wonderfully with deep sinks and busy cleaning spaces.

When comparing pull-down faucets vs side sprayers, users usually prefer the former for taking less space but allowing ample room for heavy cleaning.

Other advantages of pull-down faucets include better control, a wide range of spray patterns, and requirements for less movement to wash effectively.

However, in terms of side clearance, you won’t find much benefit. The most popular finishes for pull-down faucets are chrome and brushed nickel.

Talking about some of the significant pull-down faucet problems, it’s not a great option for a household that has low water pressure. Some cheaper options can have a poor design sprayer that leads to a damaged pull-down faucet spray head needing replacement.

Pull Down Kitchen Faucet Pros and Cons:

My Top Recommendations for Pull-Down Faucets:

I did some checking and found two great pull-down kitchen faucets.

One is the Delta Faucet Essa Brushed Nickel Kitchen Faucet known for having fewer leaking points. Also, there’s magnetic docking provided. So the sprayer will not stay dangling, which is one common reason for sprayer head damage.

I also find the Moen One Handle High-Arc Pulldown Kitchen Sink Faucet a great option that has a strong stream to cut through dirt and grime easily.

Pull-Out Faucet – Perfect for Limited Space  Plenty of Side Clearance

The pullout faucet functions with a different setup. Exactly how does a pull-out faucet work?

It comes with a nozzle and hose that you can bring out from the fixture. To activate the sprayer of a pull-out faucet, you must pull the handle out. This lets you extend and access other terrain of the kitchen.

But how is this helpful and what are the advantages of a pull-out faucet? Well!

The main advantage of a pullout faucet is that it uses a short spout suitable for small to medium-scale sinks. This makes pullout faucets great for households with lower space. Also, there are no side clearance limitations.

The design is ergonomically suitable for the limited space of your sink. It may not allow you to fill large pots and pitchers inside. However, with the long hose of a pull-out faucet, you can still fill those pots on another surface close to the sink area.

But people with large-size kitchens can opt to not go for this design. Keep in mind, you may not have many design and style options with pull-out faucets.

Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet Pros and Cons:

My Top Recommendations for Pull-Out Faucets:

When looking for some good quality Pull Out faucets, Kohler and Delta are two brands you should check.

This Kohler 30612-CP pull-out kitchen faucet comes with not just a double-function head but also touch control benefits for switching flow. I also find its hose well-made and quite convenient to maneuver.

You can also check the Delta Linden pull-out kitchen faucet with 3 modes for spray, a decently long 20 inches hose, and a design that resists leaks quite well.

The Main Similarity and Difference Between a Pull out and Pull-Down Faucet

It’s not that pull-out and pull-down faucets share no similarities. Both designs actually serve quite the same purpose. Also, the price difference is not that much.

These designs are meant to deliver either a sprayer extension or a retractable spout. The main purpose is to have the faucet near the dishes no matter if it’s over the countertop or in the sink.

Also, depending on the brand and model, the price difference for these two faucets exists but not significantly much.

The main difference that sets pull-out and pull-down faucets apart is the length of the spouts and spray hose. In the case of a pull-down faucet, the spray hose is short while the spout is taller. While the pull-out faucet comes with a longer hose and shorter spout.

What are the Differences Between Pull Out and Pull Down Faucets?

When considering a basic faucet installation cost breakdown, it’s essential to understand the differences between pull-out and pull-down faucets. Pull-out faucets have a spray head that pulls out towards you, offering more flexibility in reaching different areas of the sink. Conversely, pull-down faucets have a spray head that pulls down into the sink, providing easier filling of pots and pans. Each option has unique advantages, and understanding them can help determine the right choice for your kitchen.

How to Choose Between a Pull-Out and Pull-Down Faucet?

Depending on your kitchen, usage, and preference you need to ask yourself a straightforward question. Which type of faucet is more versatile, a pull out or pull down?

These are some indicators that you can consider for choosing the right type:

No matter what type of faucet between these two you pick, make sure to test the hose and the head. You want to ensure how extendable the hose is and if it’s accessing far enough for your usage.

Also, the retraction style, whether it glides smoothly or needs to be manually slid to place. And of course, once the faucet head and hose return to their place, how do the parts stay?

Having a pull-out or pull-down faucet that won’t stay in place can cause problems like dangling loose and spraying water everywhere.

Final Verdict

And there you have all the key differences between pull out vs pull down faucets. If you need higher clearance and great water motion with less movement then a pull-down faucet is the right one. On the other hand, a pull-out faucet will work best in a cramped space with small sinks.

Both of the styles come with their advantages and drawbacks. You should be the one to decide which combination of good and bad will work best for your kitchen.

Don’t forget that it’s also important you find a reliable model from a decent brand no matter what type you decide to get in the end. I will see you in my next guide, take care!